The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-12-18
BY HENRY WOOD.

BY HENRY WOOD.
United Press stan COrreHpOndent.)
WITH THE FRENCH ARMIES IN
ITALY. Dec. 1s.-Italy is waging the
war OF the lagoons to save Venice
the strangest, half aquatic, water and
land conflict the history OF war has
ever known.
Fifteen centuries ago Attila and
his original Huns reached exactly the
same spot between the Piave and Sile
rivers that the Teutons have reached
today
Huns There 1900 Years Ago.
Fifteen hundred years ago the
original inhabitants OF this section
fed from the mainland and on the
CULTS and fats OF the lagoons founded
the island colonies which eventually
became Venice.
Over the same intervening canals,
marshes, laGoons. ard lakes by which
Attila and his Huns were checked
the Italian forces today are checking
the Teutons.
They are checking the enemy by a
perfect land and water defense, which,
when the conflict is over. will form
one of the most interesting chapters
Of the whole history Of the war.
Continuous Lagoon Battle.
Since November IS, when the Aus
TRANS in crossing the lower Piave in
their headIong rush to Venice were
suddenly checked by the Italian la
COON CeTenses, the entire Gulf OF
Venice with its endless canals and
marshes. with islands disappearing
and reappearing with the tide. has
been the scene OF continuous naval
lagoon battle. il was stiII progress
ing today. The fighting Is absolutely
without precedent
The modern invaders are desper-
ately trying TO turn tn" Italian right
wing b. progressing around the
northern limits OF the Venetian gulf
For the purpose or the lagoon bat
ties as well as for general defense.
the Italians Inundated the section
and sealed the Adriatic entrances
into the gulf by mine fields. The We
netian gulf. therefore. was converted
into an isolated sea. over this in
| land waterway the conflict is raging
bitterly.
Use Floating Batteries.
To nt their purposes 'Of defense
I the Italians have developed n la
COON feet" ranging from the fleeteSt
I Of motor boats armed with machine
guns. small cannon. and torpedo
tubes to huge. cumbersome. hat-bot.
! toned British monitors. mounting the
Z af ma sin IA.
[ Italian vessels navigate secret chan
/ nels dug in the shallow la'gOOns.
/ Only the Italian war pilots know
( these courses. Even gondolas steer
I ing off the channels are Instantly and
/ hopeIessly stranded.
Not only this. but since the muddy
I nats and marshy islands do not per.
nit artillery cmplacemcnts tn,
Z Italians have Developed an immeus,
. feet Of floating batteries The guns
3 range from thrcc-inch field pieces {,
l the great IJ-inch monsters. Each {.
| camOufiaged to represent tiny
| island, a garden patch. or hOuseboHt
\ Change MystIGed Enemy.
Floating on the glass like surface
Of the lagoons the guns fire few
/ shots and then change position mak
I ing il utterly impossible FOR the
/ enemy to locate them.
/ The entire auxiliary service Of sup
!, plying this floating army has been
adapted to meet the lagoon warfar"
I MunitiOn dumps are on boats con
stantIy moved about to prevent th'
, enemy spotting them. GOndola motor
z boats replace the automobile supply
Iorrfes customary on land warfare.
4 HydropIanes replace ordinary night.
I ing aircraft Throughout the whole
. lagoon front the army and navy or