Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-12-20

far short of requirements. although
supplies from America and Japan are
beginning to fill the gap.
Campaign in Trentino.
Quite distinct from the campaign
around Gorilla is that in the other
province of Trentino, farther west.
This has all been mountain fighting,
and little progress has been made. The
great Alpine ranges sweep around
farther north, but down through Tren-
tino run innumerable spurs of the
Trentino Alps making it d vast stretch
of gorges and peaks. 1t is called ~
rolean country, but the real Iyrol Is
farther north around Innsbruck, ana
the population there speaks German.
But here the people are all Italians IN
language, habits and sentiment. and al
though in name Austrians most of the
men have gone south to join the Italian
army. The objective in this western
fighting is to take Trent. in the center
to Trentino. and about fifty miles from
the Italian frontier The Italians have
thus far covered about half the way
reaching Rovereto, and clearing away the
Austrian mountain batteries they have
proceeded. But it is hard, cold. up
hill fight, without much result thus far.
Summary of Two Campaigns.
Summing up what has been done in
these two campaigns. and what it means
in places captured. men engaged. casual
ties. prisoners, etc. the situation is about
this: In the east the Italians have adj
vanced about twenty to twenty-five miles
on Austrian territory. or about half way
TO Trieste, and have taken twelve or more
Monfalcone. Gradisca. Cormona, San
Pietro thanking Gorizia). Plano. Capo-
retto, Monte Nero and PleZzo, far up on
the Isonzo. besides many lesser places
In the west. as stated. tie Italians have
advanced about twenty miles on Austrian
soil and have taken the main town Of
Rovereto. half way to Trent, and numer-
Gus lesser towns and strategic points. In
all these operations the AuStrianS have
really not been making a fight, as they
are too busy i'll Russia and the Balkans,
and the Italians have been on the Of
fensive, with the Austrians on the de-
fensive
The net result in casualties, prisoners,
etc. is about as follows:
Italian casualties, about $4,000.
Austrian casualties Utalian esti-
mateS), 10000.
Austrian prisoners in Italy. $4,000.
Italian prisoners in Austria, 1900.
While Austrian troops have made no
their air raids have been notable over
the great art cities of northern Italy
Venice on the Adriatic and Verona in
land-where heavy loss of life and con-
siderable damage have occurred, with
the endangering of the priceless art
treasures of these cities.
Naval Side of the War.
The naval side of the war has had
few notable developments thus far.
The Duke of the Abruzzi, commanding
the Italian fleet. took the Austrian
ports of Grade and Porto Buso at the
head of the Adriatic, but an attack on
the great port of Trieste has not been
attempted. Further south the coat of
the Adriatic does not offer much pros
pect for Italian naval strategy.
along the east or Austrian side, making
a labyrinth of shallow channels, with
coast mountains and fortified tions
looming in the rear. But on the ltailan
side the Adriatic front is fiat ana low
and without Notifications. AbruZZi
total naval effective is about ITO ships.
including four dreadnaughts. The Aus
trian effective is not much short of TINS,
and il has the advantage OF natural
coast defenses and the shelter of heavy
coast Notifications But at no time
have the two fleets come to grips SO
far
Efficiency of the Army.
The Italian army is highly popular
and enthusiastic. 1t has not yet had |
great battle, but its efficiency has been |
shown in mountain passes and The |
rigors of campaigning in the SHOWS 1t
is made up of all classes. nobility and !!
peasantry, and $4,000 priests have put
ON the uniforms.
Cardinal Falconio, formerly papal
delegate at Washington, went to the |
Franciscan monastery recently to see |
some of the old monks with whom he !
had been associated 50 intimately for |
years AS he went up the broad walk |
of the ancient monastery an italian |
officer came down the steps. He was
in full cavalry uniform, with sweeping |
cavalry cape and shining helmet, and |
heavy saber and spurs ratified as he |
moved along. Nearing the cardinal, |
the officer fell on his knee and kissed |
the cardinals ring; and the cardinal
at the greeting, recognized at
last one of the old monks. no longer in !
sandals and coarse gown with rope Cir
die, but in the uniform of Italy. Going |
inside, the cardinal found that about