The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-05-22
ITALY'S TROOPS HOLD
EASTERN PASSES
Entire Region from Mountains to Sea
Turned into Hugh Military
Encampment

UDINE, Italy, (via Chiasso to Par.
is,l May %. From the Alps, which
are still covered with snow between the
fir forests, down TO the sea, where the
grapeyines form miles of festoonS, the
whole vast region has been transform
ed into a huge military encampment
Everywhere are tents, gun carriages
and flags, and at all points in this see
tion there is the intense activity which
marks a military camp.
1n the extended plains of Friuli,
stretching along the sea, Italian senti
nels near the frontier can see the ruins
of Aquileia, a second Rome founded by
the Romans in 1S1 b. O. This city,
which was 90 miles in circumference
and had 100000 inhabitants, formed a
bulwark against the Celts and fstrians.
The Italian army officers have great
| difficulty in restraining the soldiers
| from crossing the frontier here, the men
being anxious to reeonquer Friuli,
from which came Berengarius, the first
| king of Italy.
| The troops most anxious to fight are
| the Alpine soldiers, who are of the
same type as the French Alpine Chas-
seurs. These men number 10000,
and they have been chosen from among
the strongest and brayest of the noun
taineers. They are commanded by a
selected set of officers, who know all
| the secrets of the snow-capped boun-
diaries. The Alpine troops occupy ali
the passes, their motto being, - No adj
mittance through here.
| Four of the best known Italian gen
erals commanding army corps are here
working the whole of each day and
lpart of the night. with the assistance
of their staffs These are Generals
iFrugones, who distinguished himself
in Libya; l.. Zuccari, who is much ad
mired by his troops; Nava, well known
for his energy, and Brusati, brother
Iof General Ugo Brusati, .aide-de-camT
to the king. Among the others in com
lmand are Generals Besozzi and Ber
itotti, who have seen service in Tripolit
Reisoli, who is anxious for a forward
movement, and Sueccamela, noted fol
Ibis movable Notifications.
The general opinion is that it would
be almost impossible for a decisive ac
tion through the well fortified Alpine
regions of the Province of Trent
where an attack would have as its only
, object the keeping there of larg'
contingent of hostile troops.
For the same reason landing o.
Italian troops mlgnJ take place ON TN
Dalmatian coast, it is said, or SOM
contingent might go to help Montene
gro and servia resume their offensive
i If Italy and Austria go to war tn
conflict may find its solution in tn
valley of the Isonzo river, in Easter
Friuli. according to military critics
The italians, it is said, may advanc
with three main bodies from San Gior
4 gio, Palmanova and Cormons, proceed
ing toward Goritz, Gradisca and Mon
falcone, having as their ultimate oh
U ject Trieste.
: Alpine troops with mounted artiller
Y have been instructed to check any Aus
$ trian flank attack from Mt. Coglio i
e the Carso range.
It is said that the Austrians hav
o threatened to flood Eastern Friuh wit
n the Isonzo river, many canals havin
: fbeen constructed in that section fo
e Irrigation, but experts do not thin
this would be practicable.