The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-07-05
&Rstria's Great Offensive in
North Italy Proves to Be
an Utter Failure.
STOPPED WITH HUGE LOSSES
Revolt Spreading Fast in the Dual
klnqdom-PowerfuI German At
tack on Reims Completely
RepuIsed-Draft Age Lin
it to Be Extended.
BY EDWARD w. PlcKARD.


Austria's record of never winning
when she goes into battle unaided by
the Germans was magnifcently suS-
4ained last week. Starting the long
1eralded offensive with nearly all the
forces at his command, Field Marshal
10 force his way across the Piave and
down into the Venetian plains, with
Treyiso, Bassano and then Verona as
ms detectives. His men were given
POSTCARD maps with the route and
schedule marked, and were urged to
lido their utmost in order that they
might get the plentiful food in the
iapromised land" Approximately a
nsllion Austrian soldiers assailed the
italian lines from Asiago to the Adri-
atic, but King Victor Emmanuel's
splendid army was everywhere ready
loo meet them. At the western or
M0untain end the enemy made no
progress at all, being moved down
~ masses that fairly blocked the road
ways and passes. All attacks on the
ksiago plateau, which is of great i'm
nortance because of its easy APP
proaches from the Austrian side,
were beaten off by the British under
Ford Cavan and the enemy's attempts
On Monte Grappa were no more sue
cessful. 1t was between these points,
down the Brenta and Frenzela val
Ieys, that the Austrians hoped to push
the west point Of pipcer's move
ment that should flank Treviso and
the entire line to the coast.
The high land at Montello was the
scene of most sanguinary fighting and
the enemy made some Roadway there
fDr day or two, but gained little save
. shocking casualty list. Further
east, at various points, tile Austrians
were able to force crossings of the
Piave by means of bridges construct
ed under cover of gas and smoke
Smelling, but after getting across the
troops found themselves in traps
1rom which they could not escape
with their lives, for the batteries of
1&e allies on the higher ground had
'ahem at their mercy. Only near the
extreme eastern end of the line, be-
tween the Zenson loop and the Adria-
attic, did Borevic's forces achieve any
skiag that resembled success. There
sAey pushed far enough south of the
Riave to reach the Fossalta canal,
and Vienna claimed this was crossed.
Here the enemy was about ten miles
from Venice, but the resistance of the
Italians was so determined that no
anxiety was felt for that city's safety.
that region had been driven back.
Most of the pontoon bridges were
swept away by the swollen Piave.
In a word, the great Austrian often
ave, up to the close Of the week, was
MR absolute failure and was admitted
10 be such by captured officers and
NY some Of the Vienna newspapers.
The italian army, never in better
Gsndition than now, fought with the
utmost gallantry and spirit, and was
ably aided by the British and French
eontingents. Mention must be made,
TOO of the Americans. for an esca-
'afiiie of American aviators, trained in
Italy, went to the front and gave
notable help in driving the Austrian
Eiators from the air.
Ia
Defeat in Italy may mean absolute
disaster to the Austro-Hungarian en-
lire, for its heterogeneous peoples al
Heady are beginning to rebel against
tEse rule that has brought them to the
verge OF starvation, has claimed the
ives Of hundreds of thousands of
their men, and has given them moth
nag but false promises Of victory. In