The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-06-17

captured by the Austro-Hungarian
forces in their new offensive on the
northern Italian front have been in.
creased to $4,000 the Austro-Hunear-
ian official statement issued today
says.
| (By Associated fress)
WITH THE ITALIAN ARMY
Sunday, June 16.-The Austrian
troops which forded the Piave
river have been driven back.
The fighting along the river is
most intense.
Although the situation along
the great crescent-shaped battle
line in northern Italy remains
somewhat obscure it seems that
the Austrians have accomplished
little at the inception of the
drive against the Italian and al
lied armies. From the lower
Piave river, and northward along
that stream, come encouraging
reports telling Of the enemy be-
ing checked and at some points
being hurled back across the
stream. From the Piave to the
Brenta where the Teutons ad-
vanced through mountain ra-
vines in their attempt to break
through the allied lines, the sit
uation seemed to be we'll in hand.
1t now appears that the Austrians
made three successful attempts to
cross the Piave. One was south Of
the Piave line and mounts to the
westward into the Alps. One was be-
tween Condelu and Zenson loop,
where the Austrians effected cross
ing last November and held a bridge
head for some time.
Third at Dona Oi Piave.
| The other was at DOna Di Piave,
about II miles from the mouth of the
river. At least some of these forces
have been driven back across the riv-
er while the others have not been able
to develop any advantage from their
early success.
Reports from the battle show that
the tactics followed by the Austrians
were similar to those which brought
success to the Germans in the Somme
and Aisne offensives. The enemy ad-
vanced under cover of smoke bar
rage from bombs and smoke appar-
atus in comparatively small parties.
These were directed against por-
tions of the line believed to be light
| ly held In France the Germans sue
ceded by this method in gaining the
rear of strongly held portions OF the
line which had to be evacuated quick
ly by the allies. Along the Italian
front however, the foe was not able to
penetrate far into the allied positions
and counter-attacks soon drove them
back to his lines.
The result is as yet in the balance.
So far the German troops are reported
onoly in one sector of the mountain
front but it is not improbable that
they WILDE dispatched to aid the Aus
trains if they can be spared that hard
er blows will be launched by the en-
emy The fact, however. that the
first onset did not result in virtua!
debacle such as insued down when
the Germans and Austrians attacked
on the Isonzo last October speaks vol
umes for the Italians morale and late
blow at Italy is not being launched
reports give reason for belief that the
the Germans in France during the last
wit hthe force that has characterized
three months.
Enemy Pushed Back
Italian, French and British troops
have met the shock of the Austrian
offensive along 100-mile front In
Northern Italy and the enemy is be-
ing pushed back where he is not
being held in check.
Violent battles continue IN the
mountains from Lake Carda to the
Piave and southwark along the Piave.
but at no place has the enemy broken
through the allied defense.
The full force of the Austrian blow
in the mountain region drove the de-
tenders of the Venetian plains back
to their third line, but there the Ital-
ians held and by successive counter
attacks have reoccupied important po-
sitions on the Asiago plateau and have
recaptured mountain heights along the
Brenta Around Montello height where
the battle line turns toward the Adri-
attic. the British have completely es-
tablished their line and maintain II
against vicious enemy blows.
Between the Brenta and the Piaye
the Austrians apparently have gained
a strong footing on the western slopes
of Monte Grappa, one OF the key po-
sitions protecting the plains around
Bassano East and west of Monte
Grappa, however, the Italians and al.
lied troops hold the enemy in check.
Although they were able to cross the
Piave at two points, just south of Mon
tello and northeast Of Venice, the en-
emy has been checked in strong eff.
forts to enlarge his gains and the Itai.
ians have begun to drive him back to.
ward the river. West and northwest
of Lake Garda there has been only