Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-06-17

BATTLE: IN
PROGRESS
Large Masses Of Infantry
Hurled Vain|y Agains, italian,
British and French Posi-
tions in Italy.
(By Associated Press. J

Rome, June 16.-A battle of
great violence, in which large
masses of infantry are being
used by the Austr:ans in an at
tempt to break through the
italian lines, in the eastern sec
tor of Asiago plateau, in the
Brenta valley and on Monte
Grappa, is described in the of
fetal report from Italian head
quarters today. The enemy's
attacks were met in the adj
vanced defensive area.
The Italian forces are firmly hold
ing the Asiago front, according to
the war Office announcement. They
have completely re-occupied their
original positions on Asolone and
Monte Solarola and are closely press
ing the enemy who crossed the Pave
French Break Down Attacks.
The Austrians, after violent bonn
bardment, attacked the French posi-
tons, but the very efficacious fire Of
the French broke down the thrusts
Of the Austrian infantry.
The enemy casualties were heavy
and in addition he left numerous pris-
oners in the hands of the French.
The battle is in progress along tho
whole front.
There were scenes of great enthusi-
asm in the Chamber of Deputies today
when the minister of war, General Zu-
pelli, announced the success of the
Italian troops aud the repulse of the
enemy, despite IT'S numerical superb
ority, on the greater part of the front.
The whole house rose and applauded.
The war minister said that the
capture of 5000 prisoners was proof
that the Italian troops were trnssv'
| heroic.
"Hold at any Cost" Is Order.
Italian Headquarters in Northern
Italy, Saturday, June 15-The AUS
trian general offensive continues
strong, particularly on the oS-mile
front from Val Stagna to the sea;
with the greatest pressure on the ASH
ago plateau, Monte Grappa and along
the Piave river. AT many points
the Italians forestalled the offensive.
Nowhere has there been any surprise.
Three Austrian. airplanes were
downed over the Piave by one fiicr.
Hold at any cost" is the word
that has been passed to the Italian
troops as the Austrian offensive ap-
pears to develop all along the line
of III miles with the use OF gas and
special liquid bombs.
The long comparative silence by
the Austrians was broken precisely
at sos o'clock this morning by
violent cannonade, the sounds OK
which reached the cities of Verona,
Vicenza and Venice.
While the exact geographic objec.
tives of the Austrians as yet are con-
jectural, it seems evident that their
earliest attack was heaviest against
the positions in the upper Brenta
river valley while in the Val Sugana
region where the BrenA flows toward
Bassano it is considered possible
that Austria is following Field Mar
shall Conrad Won Hoetzendorf's old
plan of striking at the Italian plains
through the tTrentino district, Of
which the first classic move consists in
obtaining possession Of Val Stagnas
Monte Tombo and Monte Grappa.
following the Brenta river to the
plains, and then attacking with threet
columns westerly along the valleys oil
the rivers Adige and Astico and also
.on the Asiago plateau.
Summing up the situation, it seems
to be renewal of the great battle
for Italy's Alps which was left off
last November, with the keys to the
mightiest fortresses of Europe held by
the Italians, who have spent the win
ter building Notifications.
British Line Restored.
London, June l6.-The Austrian
Troops who penetrated the line held
by the British on the Italian front
have been driven back and the British
line has been completely re-estab-
llshed.
This announcement is made tonight
in the official statement issued by the
war Office on the operations in Italy.
Austrians Cross Piave River.
Vienna (via London), June l6.-Ten
thousand Italian, English and French
prisoners have been taken BY the
Austrians in their great offensive, ac-
cording to the official communication
from headquarters today. The Piave
river has been crossed.