The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-06-17

in the Austrian statement
Rome, June 1.-THE Italian forces
are firmly holding the Asiago front, ac-
cording to the war office announce
ment. They have completely reOccu-
pied their original positions on Asolone
and Monte SOlarOla and are closely
pressing the enemy who crossed the
Piave.
Italians Hold Off Austrians
London, June 1.-THE Italian and
allied armies are sustaining the weight
Of the Austrian forces which are at
tacking along the front Of the Italian
theater from the northwest Of the
Asiago plateau eastward to the Piave
river and thence along that stream to
where it joins the headwaters of the
Adriatic sea, front of nearly 100
miles.
The Austrians, having brought up
strong re-enforcements in men and
guns, many Of them from Roumania
and Galicia are using them without
stint in the effort to debouch from
the mountain passes and cross the
Piave river and gain the Venetian
plains.
Allies Regain Positions.
Everywhere the fighting is Of an ex-
tremely sanguinary character, espe-
cially east of the Asiago plateau, in
the Brenta valley, and on Monte
Grappa. The enemy succeeded In
capturing several front line positions
in the mountain region from the Brit
ish and also in crossing the Piaye.
Counter-attacks, however, have re-
: stored all the positions in the noun
tains, including territory to depth
Of 1000 yards along a 2,5OO-yard front
captured from the British.
5000 Austrians Captured.
At last accounts the allied troops
enemy and King Victor Emmanuel's
men were gallantly striving to throw
back the invaders across the Ptave.
The Italians have taken more than
5000 Austrians prisoner, among them
SO officers.
trian armies have invaded the Setti
Comuni plateau, lying at an altitude
of 3,4O0 feet northwest Of Asiago, and
that up to noon Sunday more than TO-
600 Italian, English and French SOL
dierE and a considerable number of
guns had been captured
Shoot Down Thlrty-One Flyers.
The Italians also shot down 81 of
Emperor Karls aviators in the ter
rife air battle that marked the open
Ing stages Of the Austrian offensive.
The Austrtans were able to reach only
a few. unimportant positions in the
Italian first line.
French and British contingents, hold
Ing important sectors Of the Italian
front under attack, played leading
parts in repulsing the Austrian attack.
The British war office reported that
the British forces thrown back Satur-
day under the first impetus Of the
Austrian charges had launched bril-
liant counter-at attack with the dawn.
Recover Lost Ground.
They recovered all the ground, $50
Austrian prisoners, two large noun
tain cannon and number of machine
guns.
The Italian line, stretching to the
British left, was holding firm, accord
ing to the statement, which described
the great battle as still continuing
with terrific violence along the entire
line of the Piave, on the eastern end
of the Montebello heights and astride
the Brenta valley.
British aviators, the statement says
successfully co-operated with the In
fantry, attacking enemy troops with
machine-gun fire and bombing the
bridges which the Austrians attempt
ed to throw across the Piave.
Three hostile machines were
brought. down by British flyers.
French Sector Holds Firm.
Unofficial advices from the sectors
held by the French contingent showed
that the French had held the invaders
attacks In complete check.
According to the Austrian war office
the Teutonic troops after crossing the
Piave, gained foOthOld In the Italian
positions on the Sette Commune pla.
teau, capturing number of machine
guns.
The Italian press Is unanimous in
declaring that the Austrian offensive
was no surprise. Quiet confidence is