El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-06-17
6JSTRIAN5 ARE
DRIVEN EAST
Gross Piave River But Are
Beaten Back by the
italian Forces.

also reach the city Of Treviso from
the Piave river
Italian Fire is Destructive.
The enemy's bombardmcut was
frustrated by the formidable fire from
the italian artillery. which destroyed
lines and shelters and made run hits
on massed troops as vel as crenched
his battle Cuplacements with gas
when the enemy infantry ADVANCE
into the front line zones, they found
that resistance had been prepared for
Iy the Italian machine guns and had
10 meet a counter attack from the
Italian supporting troops. This re-
suited En- the loss OF a great part OF
The advantage he had gained and he
1eft prisoners and machine suns IN
the hands of the Italians.
British Hold On and Win
This is what happened TO the AUS
frians alonE the whole front of the
attack. North of Cekuna an advance
group Of British, which had been
narsed and surrounded by the AUS
trians. resisted until a counter attack
freed them and at the same time cap
tured 200 prisoners Southwest or
Neunar the French recaptured a
strong point and took 1S5 prisoners
From lfoschin TO Monte fenera lle
fourth army completely regained its
adanvced positions on Asolone. Per
tfca. Solarola and Ferte Dl Sallon-
where the enemy had made slight
progress A storming detachment re-
took COImes Chin. with $50 prisoners,
in ten minutes The prisoners IN
Guided 25 offers Altogether be
tween the Bernta and the Pave s55
prisoners were captured
Action On The Piuve-
south OF Loutello the enemy crossed
4he Pave with considerable forces
Tut was gradually pushed back across
the river by the Italian reactions. On
ma %
river between Caudelu and Ienson
loon in the region OF San Dona Oh
Pave. The enemy was Immediately
checked and driven back by counter
attack 10 the bank OF the river one
thousand five hundred and forty-hve
prisoners. including one colonel two
majors and - other otIicers were.
made prisoner by the third army
Altogether. 5000 prisoners. IN
Gliding 80 Officers were taken by
the Italians and their allies IN
the first day Of the struggle which
was to have been q great success
for the Austriumss but which re-
suited in q dismal failure
II is believed the Austrian general
attack is a repetition Of the enemy
maneuver Of last OCTOBER Wnen ne
took the Offensive from Caporetto 20
1Ioufalcione with the intention or als-
eufsinE his main plan OF breaking
through the Alps and forcing the
italians TO retire in the Bainsizza and
f-a~zo REGIONS Now the enemy's felnt
anpareutly is intended TO conceal lne4
development Of plan long cnerlsneu
by field marshal Conrad Won toeLzeh-
dorff TO break through from the high !
AsiaEo plateau 10 the Venetian plain,
thus obliEinE the Italian army along
the Pave TO retire in order 70 avoid
being caught by an outflanking move
msnL
Italy Is Holding the Line
The Italian troops and their allies
are holding the enemy strongly, ten-
aciOusly resisting him In the new
offensive and making repeated coun-
ter attacks said premier Orlando IN
statement last night in the chamber
Of deputies
During the day the enemy by @ /
strong reaction hindered the counter
offensive pressure Of our troops and
those Of our allies on the Asiago
plateau and in the Monte Grappa
region said the premier
The Austriaus also attacked Tlo-
1ently all along the Piave in order TO /
establish solid bridge-heads on the
right bank Of the river
"Our troops by tenacious resistance
and repeated counter attacks are
strongly holding the enemy The
struggle is most bitter on the eastern
slopes Of NontelIo and to the west
Of san Dona dl Piave-'
ITALY Was Ready.
The Italian army was prepared Tor
the Austrian attack and there is con
hdence that it viii be able to break
the force Of the blow.
Throughout the country there IS q
feeling of tense eEpectancy- The
grave. solemn faces OF the people are
expressive Of the seriousness OF the
hour but also OF the pride which is
felt in the army for its splendid stand.
TIE churches were more crowded than
usual ThrouEs Of women PRAYED for
victory and for the safety Of those at|
the front Many women brought
Jewels as offerings.