Evening star., 1916-05-25
AUSTR|ANS PLAN
TO EXTEND ATTACK
Offensive Against Italians Like
That of Germans Against
Verdun.
CLAIM TO HAVE TAKEN
24,4OO OF FOE TO DATE
Rome Admits That Retirement OF
Her Forces in the Sugana
Valley Continues.

ROME, May oJ.-Austrian military
activity has been unexpectedly follow
ed by sudden slackening, which is
interpreted in military circles here as
being necessary to replace the Aus
trian losses and to bring up fresh
troops for stronger offensive.
The Austrian commanders evidently
are planning to extend the line OF at
tack, as large assemblages of lein-
forcements continue to be reported on
the northern banks of Lake Garda.
These troops apparently intend to at
tempt to invade Italy along the north
ern province of Brescia.
Like Tactics at Verdun.
The Austrian offensive. which began
ten days ago. is assuming more ana
more the character of the German Of
fensive at Verdun. After having oc-
cupied the advanced positions. from
which the Italians withdrew, the Aus
trians now are Strengthening and or
ganizing themselves there. They nave
concentrated additional artillery un-
der command of Gen koevess ana
have been attempting without sue
cess to cut the Italians rear com
munications for supplies. This ad-
vance of the Austriars has been rem
dered more difficult by the destruction
of bridges and roads.
Italian officers estimate that between
the Adige and Brenta rivers the AUS
trians have placed twenty-six bat
teries of guns of 305 caliber, aside from
many other batteries of smaller guns,
and have brought from the Galician
and Balkan fronts fresh troops to the
number of eighteen divisions, or
100000 men.
Arsiero is one of the towns that has
suffered most severely from the bom-
bardment
Austrian Plans.
Austrian prisoners say that prior to
the beginning of the offensive they
were told that it was the intention to
capture the Venetian provinces by
storm, beginning with the province OF
Vicenza The Austrian officers gave
orders that the Austrian soldiers once
on Italian territory must not SHOW
themselves weak, but that they must
not act brutally toward the population
They promised that next summer the
men might take the baths at Lido, In
Venice. on the Adriatic.
This extensive movement by the Aus
trians is STYLED by them the offensive
toward the valley of the Pc river.
Italian Statement.
The following is the latest official
Italian communication:
In the Lagarina valley Tuesday the
whole of our front. on both sides of the
Adige river, was subjected to a furious
bombardment. An enemy column,
which was attempting to advance in
small bodies from LiZzana toward
Marco, was stopped by our artillery fire.
During the evening an attack along the
Val Arsa. in the direction of Monte Di
NezZo, was held up by US.
Between the Terragnola valley and
the Astico there was the customary
bomba rdment. The evacuation of the
upper basin of the Posina and the AS
tico has now been effected in perfect
their positions on protective line of
the Asierio basin. We destroyed our
artillery which it was impossible to
withdraw.
Retirement Continues.
Between the Astico and Brenta
rivers the enemy Tuesday commenced
a strong pressure against our positions
east of the Val D'Assa. In the Sugana
valley the retirement of our troops on
their principal line. which commenced
the 22d, continues slowly and orderly
"In Carnia there has been a violent
artillery duel in the Upper But. Along
the remainder of the front there is moth
ing important to report. Enemy aviators
threw their bombs on the station Della
Carnia, causing some casualties and ma
terial damage"
Austrian Communication.
BERLIN, May 25.lThe latest Austro-
Hungarian official headquarters report
as received here says:
North of the Sugana valley the Austro-
Hungarians have occupied the ridge from
Salubic to Borfgo. On the frontier ridge
south of the valley the Italians have been
driven from Pompel mountain.
Further south the Italians are de-
Tending the heights east Of the Val
DAssa and the fortified district Asiago
and Arsiero. The armored work of Cam
pologno is in Austro Hungarian hands.
The Austro- Hungarian troops have an
preached more closely the Val D'Assa and
Posna valley.