Evening star., 1918-06-19
GERMANS MEET SANGUlNARY
REPULSE BEFORE RHEIMS;
ALLIED LINES FIRM IN ITALY
.LatestM0UeS
OnBQHeLn1eS
In Big Arenas

StdnQlnS nrmly before the war
stricken city of Rheims, the French
have checked a new German drive
launched last night, five days after
the offensive on the Montdidier-
Noyon line came to a halt. In the
hghtinS the active battle front has
been extended to a point five miles
southeast of the cathedral city.
At 6 o'clock Tuesday evening the
German artillery began a heavy bonn
bardment between vrigny. west OF
Rheims, to the village of La Pom
pelle, on the north bank of the Vesle
river. east of that city.
Two hours later the Teutonic in
fantry stormed out of their trenches
to begin the assault. According to
the official statement issued at Paris,
the Germans were nowhere success
full in their attempts to enter the
French lines, being repulsed with
heavy losses.
Front of Fourteen Miles.
The front over which the new at
tack was launched is approximately
fourteen miles in length. 1t has been
expected that the Germans would
sooner or later attempt to straighten
out their lines in this region because
the close of the Aisne offensive left
the allies in favorable position
along the front from the Marne east
OF Chateau Thierry to the region
north of Chalons. Having interior
centrate their forces on either side of
the angle having it's apex at Rheims.
The ground over which the Ger
mans are attacking. west OF Rheims
is rather high and irregular. To the
north of the city it is more level, and
the enemy and the vesle river. would
be operating at a disadvantage were
it not for wooded hills which they
hold on each side Of the village OF
La PompelIe.
The connection between this as.
sault and the one delivered between
Montdidier and Noyon last week IL
rather difficult to trace, except that
a Strengthening Of the line would be
of advantage to the foe. Raiding op.
erations are reported from the Brit
ish fronts in the Somme and Lys Sec
tors.
-. Italian Situation.
Where and in what force the Aus.
trians have crossed the Piave and how
far they have progressed into the
! Venetian plain are not outlined clear.
ly, but apparently the Italians have
given most ground on the north
! around Montello, and on the south Of
| Capo Sile.
From their foothold on Montello, al
| important plateau three by eigh,
| miles in extent, which dominates thu
! country between Rassano and Ire.
| viso. the Austrians are making VIC.
lent attempts to drive the Italians of
the heights entirely, while the Ital
| ians are fighting just as determined,
| to keep the enemy close to the rivel
bank. The fighting the past two day.
has been favorable to the Italians.
In the center from Maserada to Fos
| salta the Austrians are being helt
! well in check and have been unable t
| make any progress across the
Piave. despite repeated attempts.
In capo sile Region.
Seemingly the Austrians have push
ed back the Italians several miles be-
! tween Fossalta and Capo Sile anG
/ along the Fossetta canal, which run,
| southwest toward Venice. Capo Sile
is in the lowlands. along the Adriatic
/ but IL the enemy reaches the Fos.
setta canal to the north he would b,
| on drier ground and better able t.
| push toward Mestre and outfiank tn.
| line northward along the Piave.
i What gains the enemy has made
| however. have been hardly commen.
! surate with the preparations made
! the shells expended and the lives lost
| Emperor Charles, unless his troops
can make swifter progress. will hav.
! to call off his hunger offensive" ant
| face the populace at home. Report.
| have reached Switzerland that social.
| list manifestations occurred in Vienna
| Monday.