The Prescott daily news., 1918-06-27
ITALIANS GAIN ON
 LOWER PAVE FRONT
 AND TAKE PRISONERS
In Higher Alps There Are En- deav0rs of More Activity Austrian Losses Are Estimat- ed at Over 100000.


 have not only completely reoccupied the Capo Sile bridgehead, but have extended it and have held the gain against Austrian counter attack. The extension was effected yesterday During the fighting nearly 400 pris- oners were taken. The war office made this announcement today. On the re- mainder of the front the fighting was confined to artillery duels and patrol actions. In the higher Alps there are evidences of renewed activity. Ita- lan Alpinists, surprising the enemy on the summit of Cavello, 10,500 feet high, in the Tonale region, took 60 prisoners and captured several ma- chine guns.
 North of Monte Grappa detach- ments of the fourth army, after vio- lent artillery and machine gun pre- paration, made thrusts and secured advantages, despite severe enemy re- sistance.
 The Duke of Aosta's third army continued today to advance along the Piave front, in the Capo Sile region, cleaning the positions abandoned by the Austrians, picking up the aban- doned war material, burying the masses of dead and reorganizing the entire defense system, which had been badly cut up during the last 10 days.
 Under the fire of Italian machine guns and artillery which were brought up rapidly, the Austrian withdrawal across the Piave soon became dis orderly rout. It is estimated the Aus trian losses total more than 100000 ! It was terrible sigt as the mad dened Austrians fled under the de- luge of Italian bullets and shells. They leaped into the river and grabbed pieces of wood or anything that would aid them; they tied them selves to mules and horses, but their efforts were in vain, for as the enemy troops reached the opposite bank they l were again caught by the fire of the Italian guns, which had been trained accurately on the eastern bank for Some days.
 On the Montelle the slaughter was terrific, Bodies of Austrian troops were moved down almost in their en- tfety. At the crossing at Nervessa both banks of the river were strewn w'th dead and dying, while hundreds of bodies were carried down in the current to the sea.
 At one place the correspondent counted 800 bodies while walking l distance of half mile. One regiment Of covering troops, which originally was composed of more than 2,OO0 men l had left Monday but S8 men to the eompaisy, and these were prisoners.
 Along the Lower Piave the Aus Tians found themselves, if poss''hIe in worse position and s.,stainad heavier losses.
 A single episode slows how and why the retreat started. On Saturday the Austrian cesAHnand sent the elst Sehuetzen Brigade, composed of reri- ments Nos, S1 and 32, with orders to widen the Austrian breach at Lampol ana to do this at all hazards. The orlgade attempted to carry out this order and fought like wild men. but the Italian pressure was so terrific 'hat they were unable to accomplish their object, which was to succor the Austrian divisions already surrounded in this section.
 Alter six attacks, which continued Saturday night and Sunday mornir 'here remained at 1 o'clock Mc ~ afternoon only 90 men of t' Tday eade. The others were ei' .Ss ori- oners, wounded or dead. ,Mer prs manding officer then The com com eide and the 90 SUIT, Committed SUI
 Buy V .efaered.
 Every individ fS. S.
 thrift auestio, .Ssh must look thi. If he does r 4 yluarely in the face promptly 4ct meet the issue fully ant can to he is not doing all that h,
 <h the War.