Evening star., 1915-05-31
Austrians Are Offering Des-
perate Resistance to Inva-
sion From the South.
VALDAGNA IS OCCUPIED.
SAYS A LAIBACH REPORT
King Victor Emmanuel. in Supreme
Command at Front. Witnesses
Capture of Ala.

GENEVA, via Paris, May 81
Italian troops have occupied Val
dagna, according to dispatch 70
the Tribune from Laibach.
The troops now opposed to Ca
Italians number, it is estimated,
$4,000, with seventy batteries
Austro-Gerrnan losses on the
Italian front to date arc said 10
have been 1900 killed, 1900
wounded and 900 prisoners.
King Witnesses Capture.
A telegram from Lugano says thas
King Victor Emmanuel. who Is In SUI
preme command Of the italian forces,
witnessed the capture OF Ala, in tho
Adige valley. by his troops.
A dispa ech from Vienna says Baron
OhlumecBy has offered a prize of
IL, 900 crowns G2,50O) to the first Aus
trian sohlier who captures an Italian
flag.
According to Bern newspapers. 800
carloads of potatoes from Germany
have arr ived there in the last few days.
stfong Resistance offered.
VERONA. May 30. via the Italian
frontier and Paris. May 3l.-A battle
along the Adige river began Thursday
noon, when Alpine troops with infan-
.l.a
the latter acting as scouts and protect
ed by mountain artillery. proceeded
from Peri. occupying Borghetto and
Avio, and attacking Ala, town OF
5000 Inhabitants. twenty kilometers
(thirteen miles) across the Austrian
frontier.
Stronger resistance was offered BY
the Austrians at the village of PilcAn-
the A.iige, where the bridge across the
river and been destroyed. The Aus.
trians were protected by three lines OF
intreEchments and inflicted considera-
BILE losses on the Italians. who nhaiLs
succeeded, however. in occupying the
first line. and then opened a violent
bonn ba rdment of the other.
Threatened also by batteries Oh
Monte Altissimo. which might have cut
off their retreat. the Austrians retired
from Pilcante at sunset. leaving behind
arms, ammunition and provisions. They
were pursued as far AS Serravalle. four
miles north, and several were made
priSonerh.
Italians Intrench at Ala.
The Italians then returned to Pilcants
and Ala, where they fntrenched thsm~
selves, while the Austrians retired to
Mori.
In the mountainous re1ion known as
Settle Comuni. north OF Asiago, the
lighting is confined to an artillery at
tack. which has as its object the
silencing of Austrian fortif1cations on
once conquered. would make 1T easier
for the Italians to march against
Trent along Lake Caldonazzo. or
against Rovereto along the Fogliaro
road.
The Austrian forts, most OF which
were built only five six years ago.
are replying vigorously to the Italian
bonn ba rdment Most of these fortin-
four to eight guns with straight
trajectory, and from two to four with
curved trajectory for long distance fir-
ing, besides a considerable number OF
machine guns. Four of these forts.
built at an elevation of $500 feet near
Monte Cimone, are said to be reply ne
more feebly. indicating that the Italian
fire is taking effect.
Weather Delays Operations.
UNDINE, May 80, via the Italian from
tier and Paris. May 31-operations
along the Carnic mountains have been
much delayed by unfavorable weather.
but the Italians have bombarded Aus
trian fortihcations on the frontier.
They are advancing along the Fella
river, besieging Maiborgetto. midway
tahh
ther south they are pushing along the
Racoolana valley, threatening Predll
pass.
Military chaplains celebrated mass
before sunrise today in the camps OF
Italian troops in the presence or SOL
diers and officers.
King Victor Emmanuel, accompanied
by Gen. Brusati, his aid-de-camp, and
Gen. Cadorna, chief of the general
STAFF. visited the wounded at various
points along the frontier. Tho first suf-
ferers of the war were greatly anected
by the visit OF his majesty.
Monks and Nuns In Service.
The king was received in many cases
at the entrances to camp hospitals by
monks and nuns. wearing on their &c
clesiastical robes the same metal mill
tary stars that officers wear on the col-
lars of their coats, showing that they
are in the service Of the army.
The king asked each wounded soldier
o tell his experiences on the nring
line.
The most impressive religious service
was at Grado. where high mass was
celebrated in the cathedral with an
early medieval liturgy peculiar to that
district, wherein the people Joined with
the priest in reciting the prayer or
dered by the Pope for times of war
IN which the people are urged to per-
form their duties "in the name of their
God. their country and their king"