The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-08-27
ITALIANS TAKE
23,6OO CAPT|VES
in GREAT DRIVE
Battle Still Raging at Many
Points-Big Victory for
Latin Troops.
FOES LOSSES ARE 100, 900
King Emanuel's Forces Are Sweeping
Around From the North of Goritz
Upon Trieste-Monte Santo
Still Held.

Rome, Aug. 27.-The battle between
RACES, with the Austrians stubbornly
retreating at many points, including
the lower Carso. Numerous messages
from the front received by ministers
indicate that the Italians are making
swift strides toward victory. When
asked for an expression of his opinion
Of the results thus far achieved in the
battle Lieut.. Gen. Count Cadorna,
commander In chief of the Italian
forces, smilingly replied: "We are
doing nicely, thank you"
Take 23,60O Prisoners.
Raining death on their Teutonic
foes, Italy's victorious troops are
sweeping around from the north of
Goritz upon Trieste.
Forcing the passage Of the 1sonzO
at IA points and taking 23, 900 prison
ers, the forces Of Victor Emanuel III
are hurtling toward the Istrian OBJ
jective, with the Austrian troops fall
ing back all along the line.
The swing from the north, which
was marked by the seizure Of Monte
Santo, with legions Of captives and
much booty, goes on unabated.
Foes Losses 100 900.
Austrian counter-attacks along the
Carso have been everywhere re-
pulsed.
The total losses of the Austrians
from all causes are reckoned at near
ly 100000.
How Monte Santo Was Taken.
The official statement says:
1.-The battle is beginning to reveal
itself In its vastness. The action north
Of Goritz from August Is onward may
be epitomized as follows:
1.-THE gallant troops Of the second
army, after having thrown IA bridges
across the Isonzo under the fire of
the enemy, passed over the river on
the night of August 1919 and pro-
ceeded to attack the Bainsizza pla-
teau.
directing themselves decisively to-
ward the Jelenik-Vrh front, they went
around the three enemy defensive lines
Of Sommer, Kobelik and Madoni,
which crossed there.
''Contemporaneously they attacked
the same lines from the front and
broke through, In spite Of the enemy's
most stubborn defense. The conse-
uuence Of this bold maneuver was the
capture of Monte Santo.
seventy-Five Guns Captured.
"Our troops now are continuing
their advance toward the eastern bor-
der Of Bainsizza plateau, hotly pursu-
Ing the enemy, who is making the most
violent resistance with large parties
of machine gunners and with light ar
tillery.
Much Booty Taken.
1.-THE prisoners thus far number 600
officers and $4,000 men. We have cap
tured Is guns, including two 3O5 mill
limeter mortars and many guns Of
medium caliber, q great number Of
horses, an airplane in perfect condi-
ton, many trench mortars and ma
chine guns and all kinds of war mate
rial, including several motor tractors
loaded with ammunition.
Austrians Reported Starving.
The official communication of the
result Of the battle shows that the
decentralization of the Austrian troops
is in part due to the extraordinary
aerial and artillery work of the Ital-
ians, which has destroyed not only
the lines of communication but has re-
suited In the burning of all the main
food supply stations Of the Austrians,
who for the last week have been starv-
ing at many points between Tolmino
and the sea- This also accounts for
the unusual number of prisoners and
wounded.