Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-05-26
Troops Advance Over Al
most Whole of AuStrO-
Italian Frontier.
OCCUPY SEVERAL TOWNS
AND STRATEGIC POSITIONS
Austrian Troops Reported Fall
ing Back Everywhere and
Destroying Bridges.

An official communication from
Rome indicates that the Italian in
vasion of Austria has been extended
over almost the whole of the Austro-
Italian frontier. According to this
statement, the Italians have seized a
number of towns near the border and
have forced their way through noun
tain defiles occupying strategic po-
sitions. Apparently there has been
little heavy lighting thus far, al
though in one instance bayonet en-
counter is mentioned. 1t is stated the
Austrians retired everywhere, de-
stroying bridges as they fell back.
BY the United Press.
ROME, May 26.-Italian armies
have invaded Austrian Tyrol, occu-
pying several villages and important
mountain passes, and capturing high
Alpine peaks, the war office an
nounced in an official bulletin today.
The high defiles of the Brenta river
valley have been occupied by the
invading forces. A fierce bayonet
battle along the Carnia frontier re-
suited In the capture of Val Inferno
pass by the Italian forces.
ION the Friuli frontier our often
sive operations continue" said the
official bulletin. "The enemy every
where is retiring.
Practically all the territory re-
ported captured in today's official
statement lies in the Trentino dis
trict The war office announced to-
day that the Italian forces that be-
gan an offensive in the direction of
Trieste by capturing several Aus
trian villages in the Izonzo district,
on the east, are continuing to make
progress.
An Italian army that moved north
ward through Verona apparently
met with little opposition as it
crossed the Trentino frontier into
Austrian Tyrol. Monte Baldo, a
high peak between the Adige river
and Lake Di Gardi, was occupied by
Italian troops. Forcella, Ponte Caf-
faro, Tonale Pass, Monte Corno,
Monte Foppiano, Monte Boffelani
and other passes and defiles east of
the Adige valley were seized by the
itvading armies.
Frontier passes and defiles high in
che mountains along the River
Brenta valley were occupied by other
italian troops. In no instance, ex-
cepI at the Val Inferno pass, did the
invading armies meet any serious re-
sistance
The bayonet battle in Val Inferno
pass marked the first serious clash
between Austro-Italian land forces
since the beginning of the war. AL
pine, troops assailed the enemy's
trenches with great daring while
machine guns poured a raking fire
into the defiles. Though the forces
engaged were not large the Austrian
losses were comparatively heavy. The
Italians took number of prisoners,
General Cadorna reported.
At several points along the borl
Austrian artillery shelled Italian out
posts at long range during the night
No great damage was done. Air flo
tillas attached to both armies have
been extremely active.
The Austrians in Coritz province
have withdrawn to the east bank OF
the Isonzo.
1t is believed here that .he first
great battle, and it may be delayed
for several days, will be fought along
the Isonzo, probably near Goritz or
q short distance to the south.
BY the United Press.
VIENNA, May 26.-Oficial an
nouncement by the admiralty that an
Italian torpedo boat destroyer was
sunk and it's crew taken prisoners to-
day confirmed persistent rumors that
a naval battle occurred early Mon
day in the Adriatic.