Evening star., 1918-06-25
Diaz Congratulates Army.


By the Associated Press.
ROME, June 25.-In announcing to
his victorious army the repulse Of the
Austrians, Gen. Diaz. the Italian com
chief, says that the fight
ing for the present is confined to To-
cal actions. He calls upon the army
20 prepare for new trials. In an Or
der Of the day to his officers and men
Gen. Diaz says:
The enemy, who with furious I'M
petuosity, used all means to pene-
trate our territory has been repuised
at all points. His losses are very
heavy His pride is broken. Glory 10
all commands. all soldiers. all sailors!
Reduced to Local Actions.
The country understood at once
that the barrier set up by our hero
ism was unshakab1e and that your
strength is the purest of immortal
vigor. Our people and our allies who
have SO many glorious representa-
tives among us applaud our success
against the eternal enemy.
The great battle is for the time
being reduced to local actions.
'aThe army has deserved well OF the
country We are sure Of our right
and Of the holiness of the cause we
are defending. New trials which un-
doubtedly await US will again show
the enemy that Italy has lost none OF
her faith, strength and abnegation.
'sFor Italy, for king, for ctvilizatlon'
let us persevere in our sacred DUTY.
$4,000 Austrian Prisoners,
LONDON, June 25.-The extent to
which the italian pursuit Of the Aus
trians across the Piave has developed
il not known here and no detailed
reports have been received bring
ing events up to date
A statement current in London yes
terday that the Italians had taken
$4,000 prisoners is said by the morn n,
ing newspapers to be confirmed ny
the italian embassy. The same state
ment is attributed to Premier Orlando
by the Rome correspondent OF tne
Exchange Telegraph Company. the
same correspondent quotes the Glornale De
Archduke Joseph and Of Gen. Wurm are
virtually surrounded and must surrender
or be annihilated.
Retreat in Great Disorder.
GENEVA. Monday. June 24.-The
Austrian retreat across the Piave con-
tinues in the greatest disorder under
the immediate fire of the allied ar
tillery. according to news received
here this morning. British gunners
especially are doing heavy execution
Hundreds of the enemy, the report
states. were drowned In the swollen
river, into which the Austrians are
throwing their Maxims and light
cannon
In the meantime the Austrians are
rushing up new reserves to MI the
breach between the Montello plateau
and the Adriatic in order to avert
disaster. In spite of the official an
nouncement from Vienna that the re-
treat was due entirely to the Hood ir
the Piave river, the report states tha'
the Italian armies caused the break
ing of the offensive by their continu-
Gus pressure against the enemy.
Vienna Announces Retirement.
VIENNA, via London. June 24-Tht
alton Of Montello and the right banl
of the Piave river by the Austrian
troops. The statement says:
"a position has arisen by reason o.
the height of the water and bac
weather which has caused US te
evacuate Montello and some sector.
of the other positions which we hae
won on the right bank Of the Piave
"An order given four days ago wa!
carried out in such way that. de.
spite the difficulties connected witt
changing to the other bank. oul
movements remained wholly unob
served by the enemy. Many lines al
ready evacuated were subjected yes
terday to strong Italian gunfire
which increased in places to drum
Gre.
'aThe enemy infantry also advanced
to attack against the trenches VIZ
had abandoned. They were driver
back by our long-distance batteries
Hope for italian Offensive.
PARIS. June 25.-French newspa
pers continue to acclaim the Italia1
victory. Hope is expressed that Gen
Diaz, profiting by the Decentralization
of the enemy, will not confine tn,
strike out boldly into an offensive an.
transform the Austrian retreat to tn
Piaye into a decisive victory.
Several newspapers wonder whethe
the Germans will rush help to tn
Austrians by transferring forces from
the western front. LHomme Libre be
lieves that such action is scarcel.
s probable,A as Emperor William AM
Won Hindenburg are convinced the.
d front from Switzerland to the sea.
Secretary Baker has cabled tn,
American ambassador at. Rome fo
transmittal to Gen. Diaz. the italian
NamuanderS AiG iG-conxratulations-pa paol