The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-06-17
AUSTR|ANS FORCED
TO RETREAT OVER
THE P|AVE RIVER
FIGHTING ALONG STREAM is
MOST INTENSE is RELI-
ABLE REPORT.
.LAT|NS IN HIGH SPIRITS
Situation on Entire Front Reassur-
ing, Rome Reports-Some Enemy
Prisoners Are Boys, Ill-Clothed
and Ill-Fed-Great Battle Coming

BY the Italian Army, Sunday,
June l6.-Austrian troops which
forced the Piave river have been
driven back. The fighting along the
river is most intense.
At Italian headquarters, satisfac-
ton is felt over the situation on ev-
cry part of the front.
The general commanding the ar
tillery corps in the Monte Grappa
region said to the correspondent:
"Now, send US only four divisions
of Americans. We will first shake
hands, then travel together into
Austria"
The severity of the fighting on
Monte Grappa may be understood
from the fact that the Italian artil-
lery fired 10000 shells in IL hours.
Rome, Sunday. June l6.-The
situation on the Italian front in its
entirety seems very reassuring, says
a semi-official note issued tonight.
1t is added that the great battle,
which broke out Saturday has but
begun. Although having strength
OF sixty divisions, the enemy attack
ing forces have not succeeded in
passing the Italian advanced area
at any point.
Austrian pressure continues very
strong along the entire front. The
enemy is concentrating most pow
erful and fierce attacks astride the
Brcnta and across the Piave, and i:
still is possible for the fighting line
to flow backward or forward.
Had Far Plans.
The enemy based his enterprise
on various factors to assure him
victory, says the semi-official note.
There was Il relatively brief, but
extremely violent artillery prepara-
tion with a large number of gas
shells.
This bombardment was for the
purpose of destroying the Italian
fr.Ht line anI paralyzing the Ital-
ian artillery. Then, under cover of
an artificial fog, from bombs and
smoke apparatus, the enemy in open
formation advanced to the attack.
The enemy placed such faith in the
preparation that he fixed his objec-
tives for the first days fighting
more than fifteen kilometers in ad-
vance. and planned to descend from
the mountain area. and also reach |
the city of TreviSo from the Piave |
river.
Italian Fire Terrific.
The cnemy'5 bombardment was
frustrated by the formidable fire
from the Italian artillery. which de-
stroyed lines and shelters and made
full hits of massed troops as we'll
as drenched his battle emplace-
ments with gas. When the enemy
infantry advanced into the front
line zones they found that resistance
had been prepared for the Italian
machine guns, and had TO meet a
counter attack from the Italian
supporting troops. ms resulted IN
the loss of great part of the ad-
vantage he had gained. and he left
prisoners and machine guns in the
hands of the Italians.
This IS what happened to the
Aus.rians along the whole front of
the attack.
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.
Southwest OF Neunar the French
recaptured a strong point and took
lSS prisoners.
From Moschin TO Monte Fenera,
the fourth army completely regained
its advanced position on Asolonc,
Pertica, Solaralo and Perte di Sal
ton. where the enemy had made
slight progress.
A storming detachment retook
Col Meschin, with $50 prisoners, in /,