Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 65, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 November 1917 — GENERAL AND STATE NEWS [ARTICLE]

GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Reports From Many Parts of the Country. » SHORT HITS OF THE UNUSUAL Happenings in the Nearby Cities and Towns—Matters of Minor Mention From Many Places. GIANT ARMIES ON ITALY PLAINS Greatest Fight in History Beginning Along Piave River. The greatest battle of history, with more men engaged and 'possessing for the world large significance, is preparing along the Piave river in Italy, with the Austrian and German forces on one side and the Italians, reinforced by the French and British on the other. In mere point of numbers the Italian forces and reinforcements outnumber the enemy, and in heavy guns are said to be weakest. Further advance of the German and Austrian forces has been stopped and latest advises are that the opposing armies are preparing for battle along a thirty-mile from. In the event that the Italians win a signal victory this may be one of the great deciding factors of the war.

On the west front the allies are making steady gains and have pushed the Germans back from all their advantageous positions, which they attempted to hold at enormous costs. With the American Army in France, November 12.- —The American infantrymen in the tranches and artillerists in the gun pits htTvtf had their first real experience with gas shells. The Germans have let loose many during the last two days, making the use of gas masks necessary. Shrapnel also has been freely used by both sides. During a recent night the enemy machine guns were again turned on the American trenches, the Americans replying with an equally vigorous fire.