Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-06-03
ITALIAN PLAN IS
TO CAPTURE ALPS
Troops Are Making Steady
Progress Toward Trieste and
In Consolidating TyroI
Positions.

Geneva, (via Paris), May 31.-The
italians after q severe fight along the
frontier north of Lake Idro, have cap
tured the town of Storo and are now
~bombarding Riva.
On the eastern front north of the Cult
Of Trieste, bayonet fighting is in prog
TESS south of Coritz. The Austrians are
retreating slowly. Italian forces have
arrived before Gradisca, about 10 miles
from Trieste.
The Italian authorities issued an or
der last night prohibiting Austrians and
Germans from leaving the country.
Armies of Italy are drawing nearer
Trent and Trieste the principal cities
If the territory over which Italy went
10 war. Little news of the campaign is
received from Italy on account of a
rigid censorship. but dispatches from
Geneva states that the Italians still are
advancing. Near Goritz, the Austr1ans
offered determined resistance, leading
20 fierce bayouet fighting. In Trieste
anti-Italian disorders are reported and
the municipal authorities are said to
nave fled.
Rome, May %, Via Paris>-The Off
cial reports from the front show that
Lieutenant General Cadorna. Italian
chief of staff. is attempting to carry
QUE q we'll defined movement for the oc-
cupation of the important points in the
Alps. along the Gludicarie chain of the
Lessini mountains the Slgim valley
and Carnic Alps. This maneuver, if
ACCOMPLISHED. would place the Italians
in an advantageous position to meet
the Austrians if they should undertake
any serious attack for the purpose Of
invading Italy. 1t would also permit
the Italians to choose their own time
and place for making an attempt to
force the mountain passes and pene-
trate further into Austria.
Dominate Austrian Centers.
The occupation of Altissimo noun
tain which is $3.50 feet high is regard
ed as the most important achievement
IN carrying ont this plan. This is the
highest peak of the Baldo range which
extends for - miles for the east side OF
Lake Carda. Occupation of Altissimo
mountain means the domination of
three important Austrian centers of
communication with the province of
Trent. The first is Ala. from which
point starts the railway leading to Row
ereto and Trent. The second is Mort
the starting point of the marrow gauge
which is seven miles distant in a direct
line.
Altissimo dominates the entire por-
ton of Lake Gardo in Austrian terri
tory. Italy's possession of this noun
tain together with Montecorno, the BAT
felan mountains and the Settecroc
peak. places the whole Rovereto district
under the domination of Italian guns
Moreover the Agarina valley, through
which runs the Adige river: the Va
Bona. Ronchi and Arsa valleys als'
are entirely Under control of the Ital
ian positions.
From the high plateau north of Schic
italian artillery has b~ombarded Aus
trian positions from five to seven miles
inflicting severe losses on their oppon
ents. In the Caruia district the Ital
ians dominate the Dogma valley.
The advance is difficult work on &C
count of the broken character of the re
gion. 1t is particularly difficult t
move heavy guns and transport
through this country.
Italian Guns Efficient.
The new 75-millimeter Italian guns
said to be an Improvement on tn
French model are reported here to hav
been used with conspicuous success
At a point in C%arinthia. they are sal
to have silenced ar Austrian batter
served by BaEarians.
Another incident of the fighting !
the high Mountains is the case of a
Italian lieutenant who with S5 men l
Il passage of the Agno valley held 6
bay for one hour a company and a ha
of B~avarians, armed with maxim
Italian artillery finally arrived an
scattered the Bavarians. The lieueI
ant, however. had been killed. Otht
dispatches set forth that the Italian
are bringing up heavier guns and al
attacking the Austrian forts along tt
Tyrolese frontie'.
Another dispatch reaching here sa,
that large forces Of Austrians and &c.
mans are assembling in the vicinity
Bozen, about so miles north of Tren
where they will be formed into tt
Twelfth army corps.
ASK ITALIANS RETURN.
Rome. May %, (via Paris). May 30.
Negotiations lave been reopened wi
Petrograd. according to the Tribun
regarding the transfer to Italy of pri.
oners OF Italian nationality taken fro
the Austrian forces. Italy original
refused to consider the return of the.