Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-06-17


says a semi-OfficiaI note issued
today. 1t is added that the
great battle which broke out
Saturday has only begun. AL
though having a strength of so
divisions the enemy attacking
forces have not succeeded In
passing the Italian advanced
area at any point.
Austrian pressure continues
strong along the entire front. The
enemy is concentrating most pow
erfuI and fierce attacks astride the
Brenta and across the Piave and
it is still possible for the fighting
line to flow backwards or forwards.
Foes Planned Big Advance.
The enemy based his enterprise
on various factors to assure him
a victory, says the semi-official
note. There was a relatively brief
but extremely violent artillery
preparation with large number of
gas shells. This bombardment was
for the purpose of destroying the
Italian front line and paralyzing the
ANCiAAc1L al IlilSA hCliT Wv
CT OF an artificial fog from bombs
and smoke apparatus, the enemy in
open formation advanced to the at
tack. The enemy placed such faith
in this preparation that he fixed his
Cbjectives for the first days fight
ing more than fifteen kilometres in
advance and planned to descend
from the mountain area and also
reach the city of Treviso from the
Piave river.
FOiled by Italian Fire.
The enemy's bombardment was
frustrated by the formidable fire
from the Italian artillery, which de-
stroyed lines and shelters and made
full hits on massed troops as well
as drenched his battle emplace-
ments with gas. When the enemy
infantry advanced into the front
line zones. they found that resist
ance had been prepared for by the
Italian machine guns and had to
meet a counter attack from the Ital-
ian supporting troops. This result
ed in the loss of a great part of the
advantage he had gained and he left
prisoners and machine guns in the
hands of the Italians.
North of Cekuna an advance
group of British, which had been
passed and surrounded by the Aus
trians, resisted until a counter at
tack freed them and at the same
time captured 200 prisoners. South
west of Neunar the French recap
tured a strong point and took 1S5
prisoners. From Moschin to Monte
Fenera the Fourth army completely
regained its advanced positions on
OsOIOne, Pertica, SolarOlo and Perte
Di SaltOn, where the enemy had
made slight progress. A storming
detachment retook Col Meschin,
with 250 prisoners, N 10 minutes. |
The prisoners included % officers.
Altogether between the Brenta and
Piaye $50 prisoners were captured.
5000 Prisoners Taken.
South of Montello the enemy
crossed the Piave with considerable
forces, but is being gradually push
ed toward the river by the Italian
reactions. On the lower PiaVe. the
enemy passed the river between
Candelu and ZensOn loop in the
region of S. Dona Pi Piave The /
enemy was Immediately checked
and driven back by a counter at
tack to the bank of the river. One !
thousand five hundred and forty !
five prisoners. including one colo !
mel. two majors and AZ other Off !
GERS were made prisoner by the |
Third army. /
Altogether 1000 prisoners. in
Guiding SO officers, were taken by 4
the Italians and their allies in the /
first day of the struggle, which was /
TO have been a great success for !
the Austrians, but which resulted /
in a dismal failure.
Prepared for Blow.
The Italian army was prepared !
for the Austrian attack and there :,
is confidence that it will be able to !
break the force of the blow.
Throughout the country there is
a feeling OF tense expectancy 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 all along the differ
ant battle fronts The churches
were more crowded than usual to-
day, throngs of women praying for
victory and for the safety of those
at the front Many women brought
Jewels as offerings.
Move Believed Feint.
1t is believed the Austrian gen
sral attack is repetition of the
snemy's maneuver of last October
when he took the offensive from
-aporet to Monfalcote with the in
ention of Disgusting his main plan
If breaking through the Alps and
'orcing the Italians TO retire in the
3ainsizza and Carso regions Now
he enemy's feint apparently is in
ended to conceal the development
If a plan long cherished by Field
Marshal Conrad Won HoetZendorff
o break through the high Asiago
plateau to the Venetian plains. thus
making the Italian army along the
80 .