The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-06-21
(Associated Press. }

Austria's offensive against Italy ap-
parently has resolved itself into a de-
fensive movement both in the noun
tains and along the Piave. While fac
/ ing allied counter attacks on the fight
ing front the Austrian government is
! being harassed in Vienna and else
where by popular outbreaks caused by
food conditions.
Spurred on by their successful re-
| sistance, Italian troops are making re-
peated attacks against the enemy po-
sitions west of the Piave and have
gained some ground. In the noun
tains around Asiago, Franco Italian
| troops have reoccupied important po-
| sitions. Wednesday the bag Of Aus
trian prisoners aggregated nearly
| 1000, bringing the total captures to
| 11,000. Vienna, in it's official state
ment, admits that it's troops are on
the defensive and is content to report
| that all Italian attacks, especially
along the Piave, have been repused.
| The fighting is now in its seventh day
and the Austrians west Of the Piave
probably are in more precarious
position than at any time since last
Saturday
Around Montello on the northern
end of the Piave line, the Austrians
have been driven back slightly. Their
efforts to advance near Zenzon, near
the center Of the line. have been
checked with severe losses. At San
Dona Di Piave and on the Fossetta
canal the Italians have driven the en-
emy from ground gained earlier in the
week
Heavy rains are reported in the
mountains and these may add to the
Torrent rrhtC tC1, al,
has washed away many bridges. With
the Hooded river behind the enemy the
Italian counter attacks are gaining in
strength in an effort to wipe out or
capture the troops which have crossed
the Piave and have been unable to ad-
vance into the Venetian plain.
Riots are reported in the suburbs |
Of Vienna and 100000 workmen in
important war manufactures there |
are on strike. The situation appar-
emily is growing beyond control of the !
civil authorities and martial law in
the Austrian capital is not unlikely. |
The wori;men continue to domand |
more bread and the agitation Is
spreading. Advices received in neu-
trail countries are to the effect that
the present trouble is the most Sc
rious the Austrian government has
faced and is causing grave apprehen-
sion. Germany appears unable to help
because it is faced with serious
food situation itself
Subnormal fighting activity contin-
ues generally on the front in France
and Belgium. The American troops
appear to be the only one who are
busy and the actions which have oc-
cupied themselves have not been ex-
tensive.
West Of Montdidier American troops
in a short and desperate engagement
have cleaned out German trenches and
gun nests at Cantigny. Most
OF the Germans who remained TO fight
the Americans were killed, while a
number were made prisoner.
Berlin officially claims that German
troops have penetrated the American .
trenches at Scscheprey The falsity I
of this report is shown by a dispatch {
from tho American front, which says Q
that the penetration" was only an
attempted raid by sixty Germans. t
Announcement is made of the tor r
nedoing in the Mediterranean Of the
French transport SAINT Anna with the q
oss of 63S lives. The vessel was sunk n
IN May 10 and 1872 of the soldiers n
md native workmen on board were q
saved. h
international News Service)
The Austro- Hungarian drive. which y
vas started against the Italians sew
n days ago. has turned from an Of ~
ensive operation into defensive one N
Austria's crushing defeat is being q
from dav to dav. Latest
ldvices from the Italian theater of Q
var showed the Italians and their l.
franco British allies attacking In
orce over the whole battle line and
aiming everywhere.
II Is estimated that the Austrians
ave lost close 10 fourteen divisions VI
n killed. wounded and prisoners and s.
u they have gained is a precarious q
ooting on the western bank Of the a
'iave river AZ several places and the q
Of about a dozen square V
niles OF blood soaked ground. n
Heavy fighting has been taking n
lace along the forty milo stretch of
ront between the Mantello sector and NJ
he Adriatic, especially on the lower 70