Arizona republican., 1918-06-24

SAASAAo'
 Large numbers of the pontoon bridges that the Austrians threw across the Piave have been swept away by the now torrentiaI stream, and on all the sectors of the 33 mile front where tho" gained edges of the Vene- tian plain, they are being soreIy har- and rifles and by the machine guns and bombs of the allied aviators who have done such notable execution since the attempted drive was started.
 DEATH BLOW INTENDED Monster preparations had been made by the Austrians for what was to be the death blow to King Victor Emman- uePs men. Thousands upon thousands of men, many of them brought from the Russian and Pumanian fronts and guns and stores in tremendous quanti- ties had been parceIled among the var ious commanders for the drive over battle arc of virtually one hundred miles, running from the Asiago plateau to the Piavesand then to the sea.
 Undoubtedly the Austrian high com mand had built largely for success on the belief that the Italian morale had been shattered. The first onslaught the enemy met rejuvenated army which fought ealiaitl'- never ceding an inch unless it was dearly paid for. Aiding the Italians in the mountains were British and French armies. Territory taken in the mountains was almost as quickly regained and the enemy held in check.
 OVERCOME BY STRENGTH
 Along the Piave, especially on the MonteIlo plateau, the gateway to the Venetian plains from the northea~t and at several points farther south where the Austrians succeeded in crossing the river, the Italians everywhere imposed such strength against the enemy that he was unable to enlarge his rains and then with redoubled efforts, forced him to commence the retrograde movement which has developed into disordered flight.
 Large numbers of the enemy have been reported recently as coming up behind the northern line in the noun tain region, and 1t is not improbable that shortly the second phase of the battle will begin. Comnlete confidence is felt in the Italian and other allied commands, however, that the enemy will meet foemen of superior quality and that his efforts will go for nauqht.
 IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS
 On the battle fronts in France and FIander- the Germans are holding their men to the trenches. except for } small attacks here and there. There is no indication that for the present it is their intention to launch another big offensive Both the British and French !, have carried out successfully several minor, operations and repulsed all the enemy's maneuvers. Near BIieny in , the Marne region, the Germans sue } ceeded in gaining footing in a trench , but an Italian contingent immediately } elected them.
 l Cross River i- Disorder } ITALIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS ! IN NORTHERN ITALY, June 23.-(By the Associated Press)-From Montello : tQ the sea, the enemy has been de- feated and forced by the Italian troops 3 to cross the Piave river in disorder. l ROME, June 23.-On the Piave rivel t front from the Montello to the Adriatic l the defeated Austro- Hungarians art
 recrossing the river in disorder, say:
 the Italian official statement issued
 today The enemy is being closely pur-
 sued by the Italian troops.
 The statement reads:
 Along the whole front of battle, ou
 artillery continues to Lombard the en ' emy intensely On Montello and alon; , the Piave our infantry is everywher 1 maintaining powerful pressure on tn enemy. Yesterday we carried out sue
 cessful small raids and patrol actions.
 ITO the west of Fagare. the enem
 attempted some counter offensive:
 which were immediately crushed l.. British marty in a surprise actio l. broke into the enemy's lines south c O the Asiago and killed 100 of the enem s and brought back 31 prisoners and on l. machine gun.
 10 "Our own and the allied airmen con ,- tinue the struggle with undiminishe = daring. They also carried out yester c day heavy and effective bombardment on the enemys immediate lines (
 communication:
 :. "Ten enemy machir-- were brougl ~ down. The enemy's aerial losses sine 's s June fifteen amount to 95 airplane u and six captive balloons" - Defeat For the Enemy 'n ROME. Saturday, June 22-The Aus ie trian offensive was more than a fai ie ure; it was a defeat for the enem w who at several points was four time
 stronger than the Italians"
 This announcement was made |
 Premier Orlando in the senate todd
 amid enthusiastic cheering. He added
 AIIer the present NlctOrlOuS reS1s , tance. another battle may burst o, J. sooner or later. In fact, reliable re oi ports which have been received say tf 4, Austrians are concentrating lars 'u forces in the Tyrol and Trentino in ar a, other desperate attempt to brea LII through"
 IT. On Troop Concentration le LIAN ARMY HEADQUAF l. TIERS, Saturday. June 22.-By the As as sociated Press-A large part of tf or Austro- Hungarian casualties, est sh mated by Italian military officials
 1S0,o00 and probably more, sustained