Evening star., 1915-06-19
ITALIAN A|RSH|PS
MAKE RAID UPON
ENEMY POSITIONS
Serious Damage Done to Rail-
roads and Intrenchments
on Isonzo Front.
HUNGARIAN BATTALION
ANNIHILATED IN FIGHT
Austrian Fortress Of Malborgeth
Being Demolished-St. Cassain
Under Bombardment.
RovERETo ALSO IS sHELLED
Rome's Forces Retreat at Fo1garia,
But Later Recapture Ground, Is
Report-Austria Massing
Great Forces.

LONDON. June Io.-A COM
bined raid by an Italian naval
seaplane and dirigibles. upon Aus
trian positions on the lsonzo
front is described in an official
Italian statement just issued.
Serious damage is said to have
been done to railroad stations and
to Austrian intrencflments. All
the machines returned safely to
their bases.
The Italians are reported to
have gained further successes in
the important struggle which is
developing around PLAYA.
A Hungarian battalion has
been "repulsed, counter attacked
and annihilated." according to
Italian advices, in an engagement
on Nrata mountain.
The Italian invasion of Aus
tria, which is being pushed all
along the frontier, is said by
newspapers of Rome to have re-
suited thus far in the occupation
of more than twice as much terri
tory as was offered by Austria as
the price of Italy's neutrality.
A communication from the
Italian general staff states that
the Austrian fortress of Malbor-
geth is being demolished. Nal
borgeth is about twenty miles
from Villach. This city, Trent
and Trieste constitute the three
present objective points of the
Italians.
italians Gain Ground.
THE italians have gained more
ground in the Buchenstein valley"
says the Laibach, Austria, correspond
ent of the Tribune. Their batteries
are bomba riding St Cassain. They have
also occupied important stategis points
around Monte Cristo. italian batteries
shelled the Austrians out Of positions
in the vicinity of Monte Croce.
Southeast of Trent the Italians are
concentrating strong forces to block
any eventual Austrian offensive In
the Val Sugana the Italians destroyed
many defensive works and bombarded
Borgo for several hours.
AT Folgaria they were obliged to re-
treat before repeated attacks by the
Austrians, but during the day of June
Il they recaptured their former posi-
tions and are now bombarding Ro-
vereto."
Austria Strengthens Forces.
The Austrians have now SO strength
ened their forces that they are taking
the offensive both from Mori and Ro-
vereto against the Italians, who are at
Brentonico, which lies at the foot of
Mount Altissimo. at Serravals, situ-
ated in the Lasarina valley. and also
in tho Arsa valley. The result of the
fighting 10 still in doubt
Tolnino. on Austria's battle front TO
the north of Gorilla, is fast becoming
second Przemysl In strength AL
ready there is a garrison of some 3d.
900 men there. and in addition 1t has
very strong natural and artificial de-
lenses.
Tolmino Is considered indispensable
by the Italians to their operations, II
being the key TO the Isonzo valley.
"Foemen Worthy Of Steel"
Reports from all the fronts state
that strong bodies of first line
troops. especially the "Emperor's
Own" troops. Croatians. Bohemlans
ard Hungarians, have been sub
he
customs guards and soldiers of tho
lsndsturm. All these first line SOL
der. have been hardened by over ten
months of war. and make formidable
sdversaries. It is reported that Lieut.
Gen. Count Cadorna. chief of staff of
the Italian army. said regarding these
troops. Now we have foemen worthy
OF our steel
Pola Position Is Strong.
\ refugee has come into Rome from
Po.a. the Austrian naval base on the
Adriatic. and reports that the Aus
TRANS have about 100000 men in
strongly intrenched positions there
This man Is one of the very few to get
away from Pola. He says that the day
war was declared there was not one
civilian in the place. He is of the opin
ION that tho only way TO take PoIa is
Dy DoHlbaI Iuiiioiit, VI very long
siege. The Austrian feet is at Pola
Alpinists in Hard Fight.
The Italian Alpine troops themselves
realize the difference. owing to the use
of trained troops by the Austrians, and
fight with greater circumspection, as
was proved Wednesday afternoon
when more than 1000 Hungar1ans. COM
tlanded by a lieutenant colonel again
Tried to take revenge for the Austrian
reverse on Monte Nero. This time the
Hungarians climbed Vrata mountain,
hoping from that height to dominate
the Italian positions and outfank them.