The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-26
Penetrate Further Into Heavy
Austrian Defense Works.
AuStrians Believed Mountain
Barbados Impregnable.
FIGHTING is SPECTACULAR
Over CragS, Thru Caverns and
Rocky Ravines.
LuII Continues Along West
Front, Says British Report.

Rome. May 26, via London.-The
Halians have captured $500 more
prisoners on the Isonzo front, the war
office says Heavy fighting continues.
The Italians made important prog
ress in the coastal region in the direc-
ton of Triest. They carried trenches
from the mouth of the Timavo river.
on the Gulf of Triest, to point east
of Jamiano, and also the heights be-
tween Flondar and Medeassa.
Rome. May 26.-Italian troops to-
day stood victorious as masters of the
vast and complicated system of forti-
fications which Austrian forces have
been constructing all winter long to
bar the way to Triest and Laibach.
Last November General Cadorna
pushed a threatening salient forward
in the Carso and his objective-Triest
was made plainly, apparent to the
enemy. Then came the grip of winter
in the mountains, forcing a cessation
of massed fighting activities. Thru all
the SHOWS and billiards. the Austrians
worked increasingly terrifying against
this italian wedge, following out vast
Underground passages, cementing
rocky barbados, bringing up artil-
lery.
1t is along this mastery series Of
Notifications that the Italians have
secured their grip and were reaching
out today still more graspingly toward
Triest and Laibach.
Battle front dispatches today told
of furious counter attacks by both
wings of the Italian front. They were
continuing almost with staccato- like
insistence and the fighting was in
tense
Many Austro Troops There.
Austria has plenty of troops along
the whole Italian front. They had
been concentrated there under plans
of the German and Austrian general
STATS for a great offensive. But Cen
eraI Cadorna took the initiative quick
~ and gained the mastery by surpris-
ingly swift blows.
While Italy's fghtings men have
achieved prodigies of valor, fighting
up and down rocky ravines, around
beetling crags and down below in
cavernous passages, attention was Of
ficially called today to another set of
equally deserving heroes. They con-
stitute the Italian commissariat corps.
The difficulties of transport of food,
water and supplies to troops over the
rugged mountain country of the Car
SO have been titanic. Even the waite :
must be carried long distances.
King Watched Battle.
Announcement was made today that
the king had personally witnessed
the principal phases of the latest sue
cesses achieved by his troops-beinG
often exposed directly to shell fire at
advanced observation posts. His
presence has fired his troops to the
utFnost zeal.
General Hais's Report.
London, May 26.-Slight improve
ment of the British position at the
right of the river Scarpe was report
ed by Field Marshal Haig today in a
statement revealing a continued gen.
eral lull on the western front.
North of Gouzeacourt and east of
Armentiers at night hostile raiders
were repulsed,' he said. ITO the right
of the Scarpe, our position was slight
ly improved. At night between Crois
lilies ana the Scarpe hostile artillery
ing increased"
French Take Few Prisoners.
Paris, May 26.-Further progress
around Mount Conflict and taking of
40 German prisoners there was re-
ported in todays official statement
No general offensive movements were
detailed. Along the Chemin des DANES
the war office said there was consid-
cradle artillerying. West of Cerny two
German attacks were repuIsed.
Repulse British Attack.
Berlin. via London, May 26.-Com-
plete repulse of British forces in a
battle at Loos was announced in to-
days official statement. Prisoners and
machine guns were taken by the Ger
mans