New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-19
Italians Repel
Assaults; Take
Many Prisoners
Rome Reports 6,432 Aus
trians Made Captive in
Cadorna's Drive
Aided by British Guns
Batteries, from Tolmino to
Sea, Resume Whitening
Bombardment
Aided by British Guns

London, May ls.-While General Ca
dornas troops paused in their drive to-
day TO consolidate their gains OF the
last few days. the Austrians flung
massed counter attacks against them at
several points on the Julian front. Ac-
cording to the official bulletin from
Rome these assaults were without re-
suit, except to increase the number Oh
prisoners held by the Italians to 5,43o,
including 143 officers.
Apparently the Italian batteries from
Tolmino to the sea have resumed their
whitening bombardment in preparation
for another blow. An official statement
issued by the British War Office reveals
that General Cadorna has had the as
sistance of British heavy artillery units
in his offensive, and that they have IN
ficted great damage on the hostile po'
stions.
During their progress through Italy
TO the 'front.'" says the statement, our
troops received an enthusiastic recep-
ton"
Italians May Have Dunno
Rome has not announced the oecupa-
ton of Dunno, the fall of which was re-
ported from Turin yesterday. Rumors
from Trieste, however, indicate that the
Italians are nearing the main Austrian
seaport and naval base. II is SAID that
the banks there are closed and that the
records of the government and I'M
nortant business houses are being hur-
riedly shipped to Vienna. If Dunno mas
been taken the Italian armies are but
Twelve miles from Trieste. and IN po-
sition TO continue their advance down
the Adriatic coast.
MANY of the prisoners taken by the
Italians are from Austrian regiments
recently reported on the Galician or
Rumanian fronts, suggesting that the
German Field Marshal Won Falkenhayn,
who is said to be directing the Austrian
defence. concentrated strong forces
from other sectors to meet Cadorna
offensive.
The fighting last night and to-day
was chiefly on the Bodrez bridgehead
or the east bank of the Isonzo, below
Tolmino. on the Vodice and at Ora
zigna. =,
The official statement from Rome fol-
lows:
yesterday our troops were engaged
in fortifying the important position
captured east of Gorilla and organic
ing communication with the rear. The
enemy attempted, but completely
failed. to hinder the work of our in
domitable Gorilla army.
Surprise Attacks Failed
LAST night the enemy, under cover
of darkness, attempted surprise attacks
upon our positions on the bridgehead
of Bodrez CON the Isonzo, seven miles
southwest of Tolmino), on the Vodice,
Hill 692 and at Grazigna. This morn
ing the enemy brought strong rein
forcements and again renewed his at
tack, which was particularly violent IN
the Vodice region and south of Gra-
zigna. Shattered by our battery fire,
the masses of the enemy were counter
attacked and repulsed by infantry, who
at several points surrounded their as
sailants and forced them to surrender.
"The number of prisoners thus far
taken is known to be 6,432, including
143 officers. 1t is not yet possible TO
estimate the quantity of war material
taken.
"All along the front, from Tolmno
to the sea, the artillery continues very
active. Gorilla again..has suffered very
heavy damage.
During last night one OF our air
ships, under cover of the clouds
reached the enemy's rear lines east OF
Gorilla without being observed and
bombed his encampments and returned
| safely"