New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-23
Both Frontiers Bristle with
Powerful, Modern
FOrtifCatiOnS.
ITALIAN DEFENCES
CONTROL PASSES
Central Empires Only Chance of
INVASION Is on NOrth-Tyrol
Almost Impregnable.

| that the border Notifications between
Italy and Austria Hungary will play an
important part in the impending strug-
gle between Italy and her former leu
tonic allies. These fortifcations are OF
latest construction and strstegically so
situated that they form double cham
on the Italian border against Austria
Hungary and on the Austrian border
against Italy.
As Austria practically has control OF
the highlands and the mountainous ter
ritory along the entire Italian frontier
and as Italy has possession Of the low
land terrain, the fortifcations on the
Italian line are so located that they
control the passes and all possible lines
Of invasion which lead from lyrol ana
Carinthia into Italy, and also protect
the left flank of the army, when VII!
ne concentrated on the Venetian plains
But the terrain of Italy's northern DOR
der offers a favorable opportunity lot
Austro- Hungarian troops to attack the
flank and the rear Of the Italian Of
fensive movement toward Tyrol and
Csrinthia. To counteract this, all
masses between the lsonzo and the
Stilfser-Joch are fortified by small-cah-
bre guns and made impossible for
bodies of troops The Tonale pass ana
others are mined and guarded, and bat
teries are placed at Bormio and EdoIo'
A fort has Just been completed at
Ponte-di-Legno, which controls the ap-
proach from the Tonale road.
Forts Control Passes.
The Notifications % Rocca dAnso
control the roads ana passes which
lead from the Val al Ledro into the
Cbiose Valley and the Idro Lake region:
They are situated on the precipice OF
Monte Censo. and extend TO the shore
Of the lake ,,,,
Two roads and railroad which lead
into the Adige Valley are protected by
the strong fortress OF Rivoll-Ceraino'
which il built into the rock.
Several groups of Notifications guard
the territory between the Adige VAL
Low and Calvary Mountain, and block
ali approaches into the Astlco, brenta
and Piave valleys. They also protect
the Venetian lowlands. which serve as
a concentration point for an offensive
movement against Southern Tyrol.
These Notifications consist OF the mod
ern fortresses of Val Loegra and
Arsiero-Asiago and the fortified con-
structions in the Brenta Valley. quite
rs important are the defensive WORKS
AT Cismore, Primolano-F astro and La
mon. The fortress OF Agordo, tower
ing on a rocW preclpice, guards the ap-
proaches leading from the Cortina
dAmpezzo and the Fiera di PrlmIero 10
the military concentration points IN the
Cordevole Valley, at Bellune- Feltre. II
consists of long range batteries and
classmates hewn into the rock.
The Notifications of Boite and Pace
valleys. situated at Lorenzago and Plede
di Galore, secure a Capitalization point
for the defence Of the entire Galore ter
ritory. They protect the Mauria Pass,
one of the most important passages
into the Taglamento Valley, because
| il is one of the few passes over which
/ heavy artillery can travel without dim
Guilty. The armament consists OF long
range mountain batteries and guns OF,
smaller calibre, screened in rocky
crevices.
Armaments Form Half Circle,
The mass into the Ansici Valley and
| the road leading 10 Piede di Galore are
ha oil
/ Picve. near Vigo. A chain of machine
/ gun placements and long range guns
/ cluster in half circle around Plede di
/ Galore and guard the territory between
Bottle Valley and Perarolo.
The Tagiamento Valley, important
| because of it's railroad connections and
, road concentration, is protected by
/ Fort Osoppo, which consists of several
/ modern batteries situated on top OF a
rock 100 metres high, surrounded by
concrete rampant. There are no perma-
nent fortitications east of the Taglis-
mento.
The nature of the Italian fortifica-
tions is partly blockade defence, with
defensive character Rocca dan
so, Val Leogra and Agordo-an and partly a
protection for specified concentration
points for offensive preparations, such
as Arsiero, Asiago, Primolano, Fastro
and Lamon. But they also secure a
we'll defined terrain for maneuvring
along the frontier as az Vigo, Loren
zago, Forni-Ayoilieri and Piede di Ca
dore. The Notifications generally con-
/ sist Of a blockade rampant situated in
the valley, and battle rampant, To-
Gated on q dominant poin; and destined
10 hold of the approach Of hostile
artillery.
The strongest Notifications are
those OF Agordo, Val Leogra and Ri
voli-Ceraino.
Austrian Defences Better Located.
The fertilization system Of Austria
D. Hungary along the Italian border was
| planned with view TO Illustrate ltaly's
attempt 10 invade the Tyrol. the object
/ Of her national desires, and TO guard
/ against a possible offensive movement
/ OF great magnitude along the Nillach
Jarvis route through the Fells Valley.
Il is generally admitted in military
circles that Austrian fortiications are
more modern and strategicslly better
located than the Italian fortihcatlons.
Jarvis, situated on the Fella River.
across from the Italian border pro ice
t!on, Is Of great strategical importance
as communication point. me main
railroad leads through the Fella Val
ley, over Jarvis, into the Drau Val
Icy. TO Nlllach. and is the shortest
route from the Tagllamento district 10
Vienna. Several passes and roads lead
into the isonzo Valley. the concentra-
ton point OF an Austro- Hungarian
army Of invasion, and give an Italian
offensive movement an opportunity 70
Il Il.