The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1918-07-01
ITALIANS TAKE
ANOTHER BUNCH
Of 300 PR|S0NE RS
Austrians Beaten on
Plateau.
AIR RAIDS ON PARIS
Germans Occupy Capital of Caucasus
District--State of War Proclaimed
in Archangel.
AIR RAIDS ON PARIS

Washington, July 1.--Attacking the
Austro-Hungarian lines on the Asiago
plateau the Italians have wrested
Monte di Valbella from the enemy,
captured 800 prisoners and held their
new positions against repeated coun-
ter-attacks.
This sudden turn from the defen-
sive to the offensive came as a sur
prise to the laymen of the allied
world. for II had been believed that
Gen Diaz, the Italian commander,
would be content to hold his lines in
the mountains against great, new
offensive intended by the Austrians
and Germans to take away the sting
OF the defeat OF the Austrians along
the Piave two weeks ago.
Nor was the Italian attack limited
TO the position on the Monte di Val
bella Further east on the left bank
of the Brenta river they captured the
hight OF Sasso Rosso, just north of
the village of Valstagna.
These two sections, while local in
character, may explain the failure Of
the Italians to pursue the Austrians
across the Piaye when, on June % the
enemy fed from the west bank with
q haste that indicated something Of
decentralization, Gen. Diaz has prob
ably expected the heaviest enemy
blow to be launched along the noun
tain front, which is the key to the
whole Italian situation. In attacking
there himself he has carried the light-
ing to the foe gained strong positions
at vital preparations made by the
enemy for an offensive in that quar-
te'
II Is hardly to be believed that
Gen Diax plans to go further than
local detectives. but II he should
make maet pTcsress on the Asiaso
plateau he could be able to take nm,
der his artillery flre the railroad
paraleling the battle line and run
ming along the Brenta river east Of
Lake Caldonazzo. This line is the
connecting link between the Piaye
and Adige fronts, and if the italians
could dominate it, the Austrian sys
TEN of communications would be Sc
riously impaired.
London, July 1.-Germans have oc-
cupied Toflis, the capital OF the
Caucasus government, and the lar
gest city of the Caucasus district
says Moscow despatch. The organ
iZation OF Austro-German prisoners in
the region has been begun by Ger
mans.
Paris, July 1.-The Germans made
two attempts to raid Paris last night
The first failed In the second the
raiders dropped several bombs on
suburbs.
Paris, July 1.-The French have
improved their. positions Oh the
Marine front south of Cureo. The Ger
mans counterattacked in an effort tC
recover the ground the French gained
Saturday in the vicinity mostly on this
front, but we're repulsed, the French
retaining their new positions Taking
the aggressive south of Aisne The
French captured a German strong
point near Ctury, southwest of Sois
sons, adding to their recent gains il
this sector.
London, July 1.-Grand Michael is
reported to have issued a manifesto
stating he considered it his duty to re
store order and regenerate the Rus
slams, says Moscow despatch The
manifesto call for the overthrow o
the present government.
London, July Activity by Ger
man artillery between Albert and Al
ras and is Flanders sectors is reported
in today's war Office statement.
Moscow, June ga state of wa
has been proclaimed in the PROVING,
of Archangel
Washington, July 1---Except for a
increased artillery fire on both side
in the Chateau Thlerry region. Persl
ing's communique today said there wa
: nothing to report yesterday from tn
American fronts.