Evening star., 1918-06-21

Out even dl lIllS pOlllt Was plOlil
Net Result Insignificant.
Nervesa is village on the west
bank of the Piave, on the extreme
southeastern point of the Montello
plateau. The railroad mentioned is
not shown on military maps and prob
ably has been built quite recently.
On the north and west the plateau
slopes up steeply to wooded heights,
while on the south are low lands. SIM
iliar to those farther down where the
Austrians have been checked by the
Italian defense. AS the Austrians have
for some days held positions near
Nervesa, the net result of their last
attack is apparently insignificant.
American aviators are now actively
engaged on the Piave front It was
announced early in the week that they
were on their way to the battle
area, and 1t IL reported they have
featured their arrival by participat-
ing In q bombing expedition against
the bridges the Austrians have flung
across the river. They were sue
cessful in damaging a bridge. and
their work satisfied the commander
OF the italian aerial forces under
whom they are hghting.
Heavy rains are reported In the
mountains, and these may add to the
torrent in the Piave, which already
has washed away many bridges. With
the flooded river behind the enemy,
the Italian counter attacks are gain
ing in strength in an effort to wipe
out or capture the troops which nave
crossed the Piave and have been un-
able to advance into the Venetian
plain.
Austrians Have Failed.
By the Associated Prass.
ROME, Thursday. June 2o.-The ef-
forts of the Austrians to widen the
northeastern salient on the Montello.
the keystone Of the Piave front, to-
ward the west have failed. Premier
Orlando informed parliament tonight.
Toward the south, the premier stat
ed. the enemy again succeeded In
crossing the Montebelluno-Susegan
railway at several points near the
Niveresa, station, but was promptly
stopped.
gained more ground.
The enemy losses during the day
were enormous. the premier added.
The Italians took several hundred
prisoners.
Battle Goes on Bitterly.
From the Montello to the sea the
battle of the Piave river is continuing
bitterly and without pause, the 1tal-
ian war Office announced today. Last
to Withdraw their whole front north
Of the Montebelluno railway. More
than 1900 Austrian prisoners were
taken and numerous machine guns
were captured.
French forces on the Asiago plateau
etormed the Austrian positions at
Bertigo and Pennar.
Italian troops succeeded in capturing
Costalunga, the statement adds.
American Fliers Aid.
ITALIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS,
Thursday, June 20.-The first Ameri-
can aviators to fly on the Italian
front, went today on bombing expe-
dition and succeeded in blowing two
holes in new Austrian Drlose across
the Piave river.
The commander of the Italian avia-
tion camp expressed satisfaction with
the work of the Americans. The avia-
tion forces on this front are display
ing the most intense activity.
New Drive May Be Near.
By the Associated Press.
ITALIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS
Thursday, June 20.-The second phase
of the Austrian offensive, featured by
attacks to the right and left of Val
etagna, along the Brenta river and In
the mountains. should logically begin
soon, now that the effort on the Piave
has failed. 1t is felt that if the Aus
trians do not renew their efforts to
penetrate to the plains through the
Brenta region and taking Monte
Grappa. 1t would be an acknowledg-
ment of defeat and their inability to
carry out the ambitious plan launched
q week ago.
The situation. however. is still re-
Rarded as very serious and all prepa-
ratfons have been made to meet any
new offensive.
Austrians outclassed.
Along the Piave the italian posi-
tfonsi are virtually unchanged. The
Austrians are fighting well. accord
ing to the Italians, but the latter are
outclassing them. 1t is believed that
Austrians back across the river be-
fore this but for the nature OF the
open fighting, which. an American
on this front said. reminded him OF
the Indian combats In the old days
Night fighting and bushwhacking
methods are necessary. although they
are not favored by the military au-
thorities, because of the confusion
and danger of firing upon their own
men. especially where large bodies
of troops are engaged. Another diff
ficulty has been the similarity in
color between the Italian and Aus
trian uniforms. The Austrian losses
hare been extremely heavy. Although
there is much sharp fghting, there
, ara many iulln. during which the 6nly