The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-05
MONTE NERO IN
ITALIANS HANDS
Austrians Driven From Sum-
mit-Invadcrs Delayed by
IsOnZO Flood.
FIGHT AT MONTE CROCE
Special cable Despatch 10 THs srS.

P'''' wv "Gf' ~ " Z
ROME. June 4.-The capture by the
italians OF the summit OF Monte Nero.
a peak 1900 feet high dominating Toll
mino. on the upper reaches Of the
~Isonzo. was announced In the official
statement issued here this evening. This
victory was won after several days Of
the heaviest fighting 80 far In the cam
paign against Austria.
Monte Nero is in the egion where the
Italians made their first definite cross
ing of the Isonzo and the invaders ara
now apparently in direct touch with the
main fortified positions OF the Austrians.
The report of the chief OF stan lays
stress on the particularly difficult ma
ture of the ground and the formidable
Entertainments which the Italians had to
force. These. In addition to the heavy
rains which have been falling for =
week. make the achievement OF the Ital-
ians a notable triumph.
Monte Nero Taken.
The Official announcement was as fol-
lows:
on the Tyrol-Trentlno front-There
have been only insignificant engage
ments. Continuing our operations
toward Rovereto We occupied Matas-
sone and Valmorbin. In the Valr-
Arsa.
Fog is interfering with our artil-
lery on the Asiago plateau. but we
ascertsined that our fire, besides
gilenrinR tho IlpQaErn and Gpftz..orta
forts, seriously damaged those OF
Belvedere and Busaverde.
On the Carnic front-It has been
ascertained that our artillery silenced
n battery on Monte Croce, dismount-
Ing two guns and damaging two
others.
ON the 1sonzo front-Our offensive
has been continued along the Monte
Nero ridges toward Tolmino. We
encountered dificult ground with for
midable trenches manned BY heavy
forces OF Austrians equipped with
mitrailleuses and field guns. our
men fought throughout the day OF
June 3 with varying fortune. The
summit and slopes Of Monte Nero
are in our hands. Our losses were.
however. not large. The battle In
this egion continues. Fresh troop
are being sent to the front to force
a decision.
Flood Delays Invaders.
The crossing OF the Isonzo by
the Italian troops who invaded Aus
iria from the eastern italian from
tier is proving TO he a task of i'm
mense difficulty. The river itself is at
flood and the mountain torrents make II
almos, impossible for the Italians to
AYERS the border valleys. Moreover.
the Austrians-about 100000 men. Il
is estimated-hold strongly ~intrenched
positions from Tolmino dow the Isonzo
Valley, behind Goritz and Gradisca and
along the railway line to the outskirts
OF Trieste.
In an official report from Gen. Ca
dorna yesterday evening emphasis is
laid on the tremendous obstacles which
had 20 be overcome by the Italians on
the southern slopes OF Monte Nero.
Gen. Cadorna's report. which tells
also Of the repulse of Austrian counter
attacks on the italian position on Monte
Croce, on the load to Trent from the
eastern frontier OF the Trentino. reads
as follows:
Preliminary movements and engage
ments continued all along the frontier
during June 3, developing always TO
our advantage. Special mcntion must
he made OF the favorable. although
slow. progress our troops are devel-
oplng on the southern slopes OF Monte
Nero. on the steep crags on the left
bank OF the Isonzo near Tolmlno. and
on tho line OF the valley. Our troops
are fighting with dash and determine
tion against Austrians strongly In
trenched and supported by powerful
artillery.
Monte Croce Attacks RcpuIscd.
In the Carnlc Alps the Austrians
continue fierce hut vain attacks on
Alpine detachments near Monte Croce
Pass, but they invariably are repulsed.
Many villages on tho slopes OF Monte
Nero are In the hands OF the Italians,
who have occupied Caporetto and Drez-
MICA. as we'll az CeZsoca. on the north
ern slope. II In expected that when the
roads leading from the mountain to Toll
nino are occupied by the Italians n
general attack on the place will he de-
livered, with the object Of permitting the
invaders to move down the Isonzo VAL
ley and take Goritx In the rear.
Germany Asks Damages 81 Italy.
PARIS, June 4.-Germany has claimed
damages from italy for damage to Ger
man property in Milan during the re-
cen, riots, 4 despatch to the Martin
from Geneva says the demand has been
presented to the italian Government
through the Swiss Legation at Rome.