New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-22
Offensive Expected in
Russia, France and
Balkans.
AUSTRIANS LOSE
5000 IN WEEK
Capture $4,000 of Enemy
as Main Line of Defence
Is Shattered.

Paris, May 2i.--To Offset the great
offensive of the Archduke Charles Fran
els against the Italian forces in the
southern Tyrol the Italian military au-
thorities are expecting general
movement by Italy's allies against the
Austrians on other fronts, in the Bal
kans, in Russia and in France. The
abandonment of the Italian advanced
positions in order better TO repulse the
enemy is also being considered.
These moves are foreshadowed in a
communication issued at Rome to-day,
following a council Of Cabinet minis
ters. General Paolo Monone, Minister
Of War. issued the statement, which, it
wns declared, would "lesve the Italian
supreme command perfectly tranquil"
Direct action on the Italian front, to
cope with every situation, is expected
soon.
The latest Austrian Official report
records additional progress for the
Austrian arms against the Italians III
southern Tyrol. The Rome communics-
tion, which deals with the fighting Of
Saturday, mentions an infantry engage
ment in the Lagsrins Valley. where the
Austrians threw three large masses OF
infantry into the fray, but were driven
back, with heavy losses. Another at
tack between the Astico and Rrenta
rivers had a similar result. Advanced
Italian posts repulsed another attack in
the Sugana Valley, but afterward with
drew TO their lines of support. The
Austrian artillery continues extremely
active at other points.
Dispatches from Milan tonight deny
that the situation is disquieting TO the
Italians, who are reported rallying
splendidly and holding firmly on both
wings, thus rendering doubtful the ad-
yantages gained by the enemy in the
More than 100000 Austrian troops
are available in the region of the
Astico Valley, according to reports,
which add that new strategic rail
vay has recently been built from
Bozen TO facilitate the transportation
e troops TO the front.
Austrian Drive Along Adigc.
The Austrian staff. it is believed,
hoaes TO invade Italy along the Adige
River Valley, thus forcing the Italians
TO abandon their offensive on the east
,rn front for fear Of having their main
army taken in the rear. For this at
tack Austria, which had thirty divi-
sions on the Italian front, augmented
them by twelve, six of which were
drawn from Serbia and six from the
Russian front.
Enormous losses on both sides have
accompanied the great battles fought
on Tyrolean ground. Italian losses
since the beginning OF the offensive
have totalled 12,900 men and 257 Of
ficers, while the Austrlans are re,
norted TO have lost 5000 men. OF
these, $500 wounded have arrived at
Iaibaeh, reports say.
Positions captured by the Austrians
so far include several points on the
Italian main line of resistance, accord
ing TO Berlin advices. This was re-
yesled according to the dispatch, by
the CAPTURE Of an order issued by the
italian Lieutenant General Dechau-
rand on a colonel made prisoner by the
enemy. "The order stated" says this
dispatch, that the main line Of re-
distance, which was to be defended to
the utmost, was the line from Monte
Maronia TO Malgs, Pra del Bertoldi
and Sogliodsspio. 1t said that this
line would be reinforced on both lanks
from positions further back, between
Alpemalegna and Baitodemarchi. The
main points OF support were Caplsald,
Monte Maronia, Costadsgrs and Malga
Pioverns.
Order Reveals Defence Plans.
"The order stated that at Monte Cos
ton and Sogliodaspio resistance must
be maintained to the utmost, since the
loss Of one of these positions would
endanger the whole line. 1t was also
stated that Monte Msronia must be held
Continued on page 8, column