Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 November 1918 — DIAZ REFUSES ARMISTICE TO TRAPPED FOE [ARTICLE]

DIAZ REFUSES ARMISTICE TO TRAPPED FOE

Austrian Armies in Italy Completely Cut in Two; 50,000 Prisoners Counted. BIG FORGE CAUGHT IN TRAP Official Dispatches Say Greatest Debacle of the War Is In Progress Along 180-Mile Front—Czechoslovak Troops Are Helping. London, Nov. I.—The Austrian commander on the Italian front has applied to General Diaz, the Italian commander in chief, v for an armistice, the Exchange Telegraph company states. The application, the news agency adds, has been forwarded to the Versailles conference. Offer Too Late. Italian Army Headquarters, Nov. 1. —ln answer to Austria’s announcement that she was ready to evacuate Italian territory, Italy has officially replied that the offer lias come too late. It is assumed the Italians will endeavor to drive the Austro-Hungari-ans from Italian soil before an armistice can be signed. - General Diaz, the Italian commander in chief, has issued following bulletin to his troops: 3 “Soldiers, forward! In Italy’s name we will place the wreath Of victory on the tombs of our glorious dead! Forward! Our immortal country calls!” Great Debacte.

London, Nov. I.—The Austro-Hun-garian armies in Italy have been cut completely in two by the Italians and the greatest military debacle of the war is in progress along the 180-mUe front from the Stelvio pass to the Adriatic. This news was carried in official Italian wireless dispatches reaching London. They announce* that 50,000 prisoners and 300 cannon had fallen into the hands of the victors thus far. 600,000 Men Cut Off. The “break through” of the Italians was made at Ponte Delle Albe, just northeast of BeliunO. By their success the Austrian armies operating on the Piave, estimated at 000,090 men, Have been cut off from their comrades in the mountains. * Describing the Austrian rout the official message from Rome says: “The successes of our armies are becoming more and more stupendous. The‘enemy is completely routed east of the Piave and is with great difficulty sustaining the incessant pressure of our troops iu the mountain region, in the plain and iu the Alpine foothills of Venetia. “Our armies are aiming irresistibly toward the objectives which have been designated. Rush to Tagliamento.

“The enemy masses are streaming in confusion down the mountain valleys in an attempt to reach passes on he Tagliamento. Prisoners, guns, war uaterial and storehouses, scarcely touched, fell into our hands. “The Twelfth army, after having completely taken possession of the heights of Ceseme, is fighting to conquer the Pass of Quero. The Eighth army lias conquered the ridge between the valley of Follina and the valley of the Piave, and has occupied the pass of Serravalle, advancing toward the plain of Cansiglio. aiming at the plain of Pordsnone. The Tenth army has brought its front on the Liveuza.

Czecho-Slovaks Help.

“The Third army is pushing ahead, overwhelming and capturing the en-" emy, who offers a bitter resistance. Czecho slovak troops are participating in the action. “In the Grappa legion our troops renewed tlieir attack, and this morning succeeded in conquering Col Caprile, Col Bonatto, Asolone, Mount Prasseolan, the salient of Solaro, Mount Spinoncia, and the plateau of Asiago.”