The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-25
" "AUTS TSR|ANS IN full Retreat" IS ITALIAN REPORT
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUMMARY OF The WAR

Austria's armies again are beyond
the Piave and the river line once
more bars the enemy from Venetian
plain. The crushed Austrian forces
not only were pursued to the river,
but the italians at points have oe-
eupied strong bridgeheads on the
eastern bank.
How thorough the italian victory
has been, is not yet clear, as every
hour brings reports of Increasing
Austrian losses. Many thousands of
the invaders were killed in their at
tempt to regain the eastern bank of
the river and the latest announce
n1ent from General Diaz places the
number Of prisoners alone at 10000.
One report places the Austrian cas-
uaIties at 100000 men. In addition
the enemy lost large stores of n1uni
tions and supplies and many guns.
Apparently the sudden torrent In
the Piave which played havoc with
Austrian communications, fell as in.
stantly az il rose and the river bed
was dry when the Austrian retreat
began. This enabled the enemy TO
get many of his troops across, 9TH
erWise his losses would have been
far greater.
Vienna bIames the weather and
the high water in the river for the
retirement and gives no credit to the
stout italian resistance which held
the enemy on the western bank and
was gradually forcing him back 70
the river. It says the order to with
draw was given last Thursday and
leaves the impression that the re.
treat was carried out unobserved by
the Italians.
IL has been reported that Baron
Burian, the AustFo- Hungarian
foreign minister told the German
command that grave events, possibly
revolution would follow in the dual
monarchy If an Austrian attack,
which Germany insisted upon, was
repuIsed. There have been no re-
ports that the disorders and unrest
within the Happsburg empire have
ceased. in fact late news dispatches
give soanty intelligence as to the
state of affairs in Austria.
DOES NOT RELIEVE PRESSURE.
II the Austrian offensive was ex-
peeted by the German command to
relieve the situation on the western
front, the Teuton strateaists have,
had bitter disappointment. Aus
tria probably will be unable to take
up now forward movement on the
PiaVe line for a few days at least.
In fact, the Piave front appears to
be stronger now than at the begin
ming OF the present battle.
Operations on the mountain front
are still at standstiII and n EN-.
peror Charles still desires TO push
his offensive against Italy the next
enemy attacks may come from this
front unless the Italians continue
their advance eastward from the
Piave, of which, however, there are
no, indications at present.
Along the front from the North
sea TO Switzerland the allied armies
are awaiting another blow from the
Germans. Premier Lloyd George has
told the British house Of commons
Is coming within a few days, pos.
sibIy within a few hours. The allies
are ready to combat it.
British and French troops on the
Flanders battlefield have carried OUT
local operations successfully on the
plateau north of Leport, west Of
Scissors and along the Aisne. The
French have improved their posi.
tions and captured ITO prisoners.
In a local effort in BeI!eau Wood
northwest of Chateau ThIerry
American troops have completed the
capture Of the wood by clearing the
nSebins e1na 'S we're s'tS tsHen IN "q AtsasS ave
several Americans are missing as a
result Of the enemy raids. There is
no confirmation Of the Berlin reports
that 20 French and American pris-
oners were captured In a raid near
5adonvilIer on the LunevilIe front.