Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-06-17
AUSTRIANS BLOCK
WAY TO TRIESTE
Italians Continue Their Vigorous
Attack on Strongly Fortified
Positions at Gorziza.
BATTLE IN INFERNO VALLEY


UDINE, Italy. June 16.-(Via
Chiasso and Paris. Italian troops
are continuing with vigor their at
tacks upon the Austrian positions at
Gorilla. The Austrians are defend
ing the town from the height of Pod
CORA, to the west, and from invisible
trenches extending from Podgora to
Mount Fortine, in the Isonzo valley.
II would appear that the Austrians
purpose to prevent the Italian march
toward Trieste with the threatening
Of Gorilla on their left flank.
The Austrian trenches on this
front are protected with steel armor
and connected with underground
passages. The men are able to fire
from under cover and at the same
time are supported by artillery in the
hills behind them.
Tho Italian army officers describe the
Austrian actions everywhere as purely
defensive except in the Carnia zone,
where the best troops have been concen-
trated apparently for an offensive move
ment. II Is thought here that the Aus
TRANS intend an invasion at this point,
with the idea of compelling the Italians
to concentrate their men for defense.
Fighting is going on fiercely both night
and day between the Inferno valley and
Malborgeth. The battlefield Is at an ele-
walton of 1000 feet. The Italian reports
declare that up TO the present the Aus
trian attacks have resulted in failure.
italian official Report.
/ ROME, June 15-CVia Paris, June i6)-
ban elaborate system of entertainments
has been prepared by the Austrians along
the lsonzo river, according to an official
statement signed by General Cadorna,
issued at the War office tonight. At
some points there are several lines of
trenches, some of which are built of
masonry or concrete. These trenches are
guarded by many mines and batteries.
The communication. which declares re-
peated Austrian attacks in Carnie was
repulsed, was as follows:
! ION the Tryol-Trentino-C Galore front
we gradually are occupying dominating
points. Except for distant artillery fire
and new but unsuccessful attacks on
June 13 against the summit OF Vertone,
! in the upper valley of the Piave (Carnic
Alps). our adversary has not shown in
this region any particular sign OF ac-
tivity.
more intense attacks have been made
repeatedly by the enemy in Car1La either
near the defiles of Val Sesis. which still
! 10 strongly held by us. or especially
against the rear line Of Mont Avostanis,
to the defile of Monte Croce. Here on
the morning OF June IL the enemy made
a vigorous attack, preceded by an in
tense artillery fire. which began in the
night and became very violent at day
break. The enemy was repulsed and pur-
sued at the point of the bayonet.
Long distance artillery actions oc-
CURED also in the zone of Monte Nero.
on the seleme. Malzi front, and on the
Kodiak.
Along the Isonzo. on the line from
Podgora to Montforton and to the In
tersection of the Monfalcone canal. re-
colssances showed the precise quality of
the defensive were prepared by the
enemy on the Isonzo front.
They include entertainments, some
times in several lines and often In ma
sonry or concrete reinforced by metallic
sheeting and protected by a network OF
mines or batteries often placed below
the earth.
An examination of some OF our
wounded shows that the enemy is using
explosive projectiles. An inspection of
the remnants of projectiles where there
has been fighting also shows that the
enemy has been employing devices ex-
plicitly condemned by international con-
ventions.
Heavy rains yesterday afternoon and
last night have been disturbing living
conditions in our camps, but have tenn
pered the heat of the last few days. The
health OF our troops continues excellent
and their spirits ALWAYS are high"