Evening star., 1918-06-23


and has cost the Austrians very
dearly.
Attack Lacks Power.
From the first day Of the. attack 1t
was seen that the Italians were not
called upon to meet a tremendous on
slaught on some strategic key to
their position, such as was launched
at Caporetto last October. They had.
rather, to defend their lines over a
wide front against attacks which
were launched seemingly without suf-
ficient power to penetrate more than
some of the advanced posts of the
Italians and their allies.
The second phase of the offensive is
expected to begin at any time 1t is
not believed that the Austrians viii
ted by Germany, to end their drive
against Italy with the results indi.
eating an almost total failure. There
have been intimations that Germany
coming. and which may be launched
against the mountain sector of the
front. Large bodies Of men have been
assembled there presumably for an
other attempt to break through the
mountain barrier.
Enemy Pressure Broken.
ROME, June 22.-"The eneny's Often
sive pressure. broken heroically or with
held along the whole front Of battle by
the firm resistance and counter offensive
spirit OF our troops. has not been re-
newed since the evening Of June 90"
says the Official report from headquar-
ters today.
THE enemy yesterday launched an
tion of Losson, southwest of Fossalta,
but was sanguinarily repulsed.
He carried out violent concentra-
tions OF fire on Montello and in the
Grappa region. which were effective
ly countered, and successive advances
attempted by infantry detachments
were crushed.
AT Cavazuccherina. strongly SUD-
ported by the batteries of the italian
royal navy. our brave sailors and
Bersagiieri, during another brilliant
action, enlarged the bridgehead and
captured $50 prisoners and q large
quantity Of arms and material"
Fresh Struggles Forecast.
PARIS. June 22.-Fresh struggles
on tho Italian northeastern front are
foreshadowed by the bringing up of
fresh reinforcements by tho Austro-
Hungarians, telegraphs the Milan
reinforcements also are said to be on
the point Of arriving at this front.
1t Is the opinion of Italian military
officials that II the lull lasts some
days it is bound to recommence soon
with these fresh elements.
FIiers to Check FOOD.
By the Associated Press.
ITALIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS
IN NORTHERN ITALY, Friday. June
21.-Cavalrymen. artillerymen and
airmen are giving effective aid to the
Italian infantry in driving back the
Austrians toward the Piave. One of
the principal activities of allied ayia-
tors, who now have been Joined by
American fiiers, Is to prevent Aus
trian airmen from delivering sacks
Of bread and other dry foods to the
Of the Piave. where the Austrians
still are fighting tenaciously.
Around Montello and in the region
Of the lower Ptave italian cavalry is
being used to help push the enemy
cars carrying machine guns
The rising waters Of the Piave and
tho activity Of the italian artillery
are making 1t difficult for the AUS
trians to obtain food. While the
water carries some bridges away and
damages others, tho gunners are
sinking boats and hammerins the
damaged bridges and floats.
Spirit Of Italians.
There have been many incidents to
show the spirit of the Italian SOL
dieIs. One illustration is the action
Of the chief Of stan Of certain d.
vision, who got tired Of sitting be-
hind the lines and listening to tele.
phone reports of the fighting.
Grabbing q rife. the officer accompa-
MED a battalion into a fight. The
with more than 400 prisoners. The Of
ficer had lost part OF a forehnger, car.
ried away by an enemy bullet.
IT would give that much for my
country any time. Then Just think Of
the fun I've had" he told the phy.
sician who attended him.
On the shell-plowed plains behind
the lines whore the fighting has been
thickest there has been no alarm
in their homes and display the same
interest in the war as though the
dghting were hundreds Of miles away.
Vienna Claims 40, ,O0o Prisoners.
VIENNA, via London. June 22-Ital-
ian attacks on Montello were re-
| from Austrian headquarters today,
| which gives the number OF prisoners
taken by the Austrians in the pres.
! ----7C onfinlIa6 an Thirf n0nfN 5T@=E -.