New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-28
Under Command of King
They Arrive Before
MOnfaIcOne.
NOW THIRTY MILES
FROM LOST CITY"
Battle in Progress West of Prae-
dill Pass-Vienna Reports Re-
pulse of Foe In Tyrol.

vance force to-day crossed the Isonpo
River after sharp fight with Austrian
troops and arrived before the town Of
Monfalcone, which Is thirty miles from
the Austrian seaport Of Trieste. The
first of the Austrian wounded are now
arriving at the latter place, according
to dispatches from Genoa, from the city
which Is the Italians objective.
The Austrisns were driven from the
heights Of Montbanno, on the Tyrol-
Trentino border, leaving their muni-
tions behind. The Austrian batteries
at Tonezzo were silenced
The Italians also attacked at several
points along the forty miles Of the
Carinthian frontier.
A battle between the Italians and
Austrians now is raging around Ploken
and also west of the Praedil Pass, in
Austria, while in Adige the fighting
has been limited 10 skirmshes.
The Italian forces which penetrated
the Tyrol at Candino and those which
captured Cormons have reconstructed
the railway and are now marching on
Corr, the capital Of the Austrian crown
land of Corr and Gradiscs.
Bavarians Cross Pass.
Several regiments OF Bavarian Al
pine troops yesterday crossed Brenner
Pass, which is Ass feet high, bound
for Bozen. Between Salsburg and Inns
brueck forty-five trains are passing
daily. Transporting men and material.
Swiss patrols are marking the eastern
fl IJntiers of Switzerland with flags to
prevent any violation OF neutrality.
The Italian War Office to-day issued
the following official statement:
"on May %, on The Tyrol-Trentino
frontier, the Italian troops occupied
the heights Of Montbanno. from which
point the enemy was forced TO retreat,
abandoning tents and material. The
Italian artillery located Tonezzo and
silenced the enemy's fire.
an Carnis our success around Val
Degano is confirmed. the Italians oc-
cupying Sasella and Prevola.
an the Raccolano valley our losses
were four killed and one officer and
ten soldiers wounded. The enemy's
losses were heavy. The general situa
tion is entirely satisfactory"
Austrian Aero Shot Down.
Italian gunners yesterday brought
down an Austrian aeroplane in the first
contest Of the Italian campaign between
fying machines and anti-aircraft guns.
The machine, rising from behind the
Austrian lines at $3.50 o'clock in the
morning, darted over the rocky ground
in front of the Italian positions. A
field battery opened fire as 1t came
within range. The first shot missed.
The second struck fairly, causing flames
to burst from the motor. The aero
plane plunged downward and was spin
tered on the rocks beneath.
The correspondent was permitted TO
90 close enough 20 the front 10 obtain
a panoramic view of the section OF the
fighting line. Visits to Santandrat'
Palmanova and other towns near the
border furnished good idea OF the
conditions under which the Italian IN
vasion OF Austria is being carried on
At Palmanova il was possible to obtain
A bird's-eye view of the surrounding
country, which falls AWAY from that
point. The people Of the village were
watching the spectacle of cavalry
charges and artillery action over the
nearby front. II Is picturesque re-
gion of green hills and quaint villages
among which wind dusty white roads.
Patrol Fires First Shot.
When the order was given earlier
in tho week for the advance across the
border the Italian troops were in readl-
moss for the move. The command came
at 2:2O o'clock in the morning, and
half an hour later the soldiers were
ON the march. The infantry proceeded
in long files, headed by sharpshooters'
From converging roads came artillery
carriages. motor trucks and detach-
ments of cavalry.
The first shot of the war was hred
bv a frontier guard at Beliacqua, VINO.
having seen in the semi darkness
shadowy figure approaching, shot dead
an Austrian soldier who mad attempted
IN fire a mine. With the sunrise artli-
lery fire opened from the direction OF
Cividale. Italian troops everywhere
snrang 10 the attack. fording the ldria,
swarming across oTluges anu Cl'iHOIhs
the hills beyond.
From time TO time tremendous eX-
Missions were heard above the roar Of
artillery. They marked the firing Of
nine, by means Of vhich the Austrians
we're flowing up their bridges as they
foil back. The Austrians made little
attempt to halt tie Italians advance,
although elaborate preparations had
been made along the border. Railway
lines were obstructed by heavy beams
io;d scros, the tracks and fastened
dawn with chains. The roads were
blocked with trenches, trees and wire
entang clements.
Signs Of War Begin.
Rra,zano IL the first village on Aus
,risn soil in which the Italian flag was
flown. IL was run up on the Oe'4'! VI
the village church.
A. San Giovanni Mazano the eorre-
s,ondent saw the first OF the Italian
Yonnded. and also the first Austrian
nrisoner captured, Q member OF the
TsnSsturm from Friuli.. As he was
brought into the Italian lines he kept
yenesting: 81 am Italian"
Xii along this section Of the front
,bere were sipns OF war Roads were
oiled with long lines OF transports and
Continued on page 2, column