Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-06-26

The Austrian retreat, which be-
gan IN an orderly manner, soon be-
came wildly dlsorganized and con-
fused. Many thousand Austro- Hun
gar1ans surrendered at the first op-
portunity when overtaken by their
pursuers.
Rain which had been falling for
eight days broke forth more vio-
lently about daylight at a time when
Italian artillery and machine guns
Degan to open up upon the retreat
ing Austrians who were struggling
knee-deep in mire,
Italian cavalry took part in the
pursuit, harrying the fugitives.
AS the Austrians were pressed by
the Italians they threw away their
guns and equipment. They even left
on the Montello stacks Of bread,
canned meat and preserves which
Austrian aviators had succeeded in
bringing to them
The Austrians crossed the Piaye
OH RATS and boats which they had
brought up or had prepared during
the darkness on Saturday night.
They left well-built trenches, great
quantities OF ammunition and blan-
Rets and every variety Of army
equipment In their retreat.
Austrians Cruelty Harassed.
cruelty harassed by steady and ac-
curate artillery fire, compelled to
race bayonet attacks by the Italians
and being constantly bombed by
allied aviators, flying low in defiance
OF machine gun and anti-aircraft
hre, the Austrians have been fighting
recently with the courage OF despair.
Local counter attacks have been
launched without regard for losses,
against the allied trenches on the
Montello plateau, but have been
everywhere broken by the granite
resistance interposed to the foes
progress. The crest of the Piave
| river flood passed yesterday, but
the falling waters came too late TO-
] relieve the positions Of the Aus
| trians. The inundation went 16 feet
above low-water mark.
Along the lower Piave Italian
pressure has been constant. The
tired enemy has been given no rest,
although the fighting has been in
termtttent, owing to the fact that
neither side has been able to see
more than fifty yards through the
heavy bushes and tall swamp grasses
growing In the lowlands.
Austrian Losses Grow.
New York, June 25.--Austrta's
| armies again are beyond the Piave
| and the river line once more bars
! the enemy from the Venetian plains.
The crushed Austrian forces not
| only were pursued to the river, but
the Italians at points have occupied
strong bridgeheads on the eastern
bank
How thorough the italian victory
has been Is not yet clear, as every
hour brings reports of increasing
Austrian losses. Many thousands OF
the invaders were killed in their at
tempt to regain the eastern bank of
the river and the latest announce
ment from Gen. Diaz places the
number Of prisoners alone at 10000.
One report places the Austrian casu-
alties at 100000 men. In addition
the enemy lost large stores Of NUM-
tions and supplies and many guns.
Apparently the sudden torrent in
the Piave which played havoc with
Austrian communications fell as
quickly as 1t rose, and the river bed
was dry when the Austrian retreat
began, This enabled the enemy to
get many Of his troops across, other
wise his losses would have been i'm
HeasuraDly greater. wgE&h
Allies Expect Another Blow.
Along the front from the North
Sea 10 Switzerland the allied armies
are awaiting another blow from the
Germans. Premier loyd.GeOrge,
has told the British House OF Com
mons that another gigantic enemy
| effort is coming within few days,
possibly within q few hours. The
allies are ready to combat It, 8