Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-24
BORDER FIGHTING OPENS
AUSTRIA-ITALY WAR

back from the Trentino border and as
| suming the defensive. In official circles
| 1t was said this afternoon that the first
big clash of the armed forces of Italy
| may not occur for several days. All dis
patches received here indicated that the
| Austrians had withdrawn several miles
behind their frontier, behind wire en-
| tanglements and trenches, and were
awaiting the first rushes OF the Italian
| army.
Austrian troops were the first to at
tack, but the clash resulted in q success
for the Italian Alpine Chasseurs, who
drove the Austrian invaders back on their
own soil through a mountain pass be-
tween Ponte di Legno and Pejo.
The Austrians have dynamlted two
bridges over the Adige, 10 miles below
Ala, in Austrian Tyrol. The town hall
at Avis, near Ala, was destroyed yester-
day for military purposes and many
Italian residents fled across the frontier.
The Austrian frontier in the Trentino
has been evacuated by the civilian popu
lation, the gendarmes and the forest
Keepers. The frontier patrols have fallen
back along line running near Ala,
where the Austrians are reported con-
centrating. Civilians were ordered to
remain indoors while Austrian troops
marched through Trent Sunday, accord
ing to advices reaching here early today
The Turkish Ambassador to Italy was
still in Rome today, 1t is rumored that
the Italian Ambassador to Constantinople,
Marquis di Garoni, and his staff have re-
ceived their passports and are en- route
to Rome.
Lieutenant General Count Luigi Ca
dorna, chief of staff of the Italian army,
has left for the frontier. He was ac-
companied by the Duke dAosta, cousin
of King Victor Emmanuel.
Great headquarters will be established
at Bologna. The court will be moved to
Florence.
AUSTRIAN ENVOY LEAVES
Baron Won Macchlo. the Austrian Ann
bassador, left Rome early today The
German Ambassador. Prince Won Buelow,
has received instructions from Berlin to
leave Rome at once.
The Government today issued a drastic
decree, forbidding all civil and religious
public meetings. The decree suppresses
me Government parcels post and instl-
tutes rigid censorship over the malls
and the telegraph. It fixes severe penal
ties for all violations,
"A dispatch from Basel quotes the Wolff
Bureau, the official news agency of Ger
many, as saying that the German Gov
eminent has declared war against Italy.
Germany has been and still Is moving
1NNNSN''NNs
france and Belgium, to the Austro-Ital-
ian front.
MERCHANT SHIPS SEIZED.
All German and Austrian merchant
ships in Italian ports. valued at S2O,OOo,- |
900, have been seized by the Italian Gov
ernment.
Italy has 25oOOO men massed along the
Austrian frontier, The peaks of the Alps
bristle with mortars and howitzers. The |
great railway centre of Udine, IA miles
from the Austrian border, has been turn
ed into hospital base. Italian patrols
along the Venetian border report seeing
many troops of Prusslan Uhlans, who are
doing the chief scout duty for the Aus
trians. The Uhlans were detached from
the leBions that preceded Won Klucks
troops on the great drive through France
last fall.
1t is reported that the Italian high seas
heet has put to sea under the Duke of
the Abruzzi TO lombard the Austrian de-
lenses on the Adriatic.
Heavy troop movements are under way.
All the railways in the kingdom have
been put over 10 the use of the military.
steady stream OF soldiers passing
lorthward flowed through Rome today.
rhe sight OF the uniforms and the con-
slant crash of martial music inspired
he people to great patriotic demonstra-
ions The streets rang with cheers and
he italian flag files from nearly all the
buildings in the city. Hostile demonstra-
ions were made before the Austrian
md German embassies.
An official manifesto. calling upon every
ttizen to do his duty, was spread broad
asst in circulars Issued today. 1t carried
n large type tho war cry; "Vive Italia"
selow these words was the following in
unction;
From today every citizen forms a
part of the national defense. All must
have implicit faith in the Government
and the courage to obey orders with
out discussion.
All citizens must show a readiness
TO make every sacrifice TO insure vic
tory for Italy. Let there be no hesi-
tation or grumbling. Let every one
cut down on private expenditures and
support our fighting forces Let us
give our all for our soldiers and their
families.
Volunteer recruiting Offices were opened