The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-10-29
TRY TO HALT
MACKENSEN
Italians Mass Forces in the
Passes Leading into the
Plains Of Friuli
AT THE WEST
OF TOLMINO
Italians Urge Allies to Send
Guns-Their Great
est Need

enforced by heavy German contingents
conducted by the redoubtable Field Mar
shall Won Mackensen, is now facing tn
Italian army in the greatest offensiv,
since the beginning of the war. with thu
evident purpose of invading the Friul
region, which is the easternmost province
of Venezia.
The main lines of the enemy's power
full thrust now have been clearly marked
and while military reasons prevent he
giving of complete details, yet the cs.
sential features of the huge operation
can be outlined.
1t Is now clear that the Austrians and
Germans sought to make the best use of
a surprise attack at the least expected
and least fortified point on the north of
the Julian front. To understand the
field of the present operations it should
be likened to a huge letter T. From
the left arm of the to its food is about
% miles. All attention must now be
riveted on this left arm, for there il
where Won Mackensen and his Austro-
| German troops have attempted to deiv-
| er their huge blow. The arm extends
seven miles westward from Tolmino and
the nearby villages of Santa Lucia and
Santa Maria have now become the chief
center of interest, az this was the point
chosen for the surprise attack
The lower stroke of the T is 80 miles
long, from Tolmino to the sea. with
Gorilla half way down. This gave two
main fighting lines, the northern run
ming horizontal, where the greatest blow
was struck, and the southern running
perpendicular, where fierce lombard
ment seeks to prevent the Italians from
moving endorsements to the threat
ened region in the north
The Julian Alps run back Of the north
ern line, and the Carso Alps back of the
southern line TO the sea. The distances
stated are in direct line The noun
tains given an irregular formation, great
ly extending the opposing fronts.
Field Marshal Won Maekensen's objec. |
tive evidently was to recross the lsonzo, (
when the Italians had driven the Austri- |
ans back several miles into Austrian ter
ritory. He screened the movement ty |
making feints toward the south and also
west of Tolmino, but his main army
struck straight for the lsonzo, at Santa
Lucia and Santa Maria
The Italian forces were comparatively |
small at these outermost limits Of their
lines and the advancing waves succeed
ed in crossing the Isonzo with compare
lively little serious obstruction. Here,
however, they found themselves faced
by low range of mountains in which
the passes are strongly held by the Ital-
ian army, and heavily reinforced from
the center and the south
The whole operation now pivots on the
of Won Mackensen driving his
Austro-German force through these
passes, where the city Of Cividale is the
irst important place leading to the rich
md level plain. All the indications at
present are that the Italians are masters
If the passes and can hold Won Macken-
zen against further advance, although
he tremendous force he has massed
night permit further scattered incur
ion.
The correspondent to-day went over a
ong stretch of the front in company
With headquarters officers. II was the
asst visit permitted, as the general staff
ater announced that the dangers mad
ecome such that no one would be al
owed to approach the fighting line. This
visit at the last moment gave
pportunity for a comprehensive view of
long sweep of the fighting front along =,
he southerly Carso line. Everywhere
here was evidence of complete prepare =
ions in the midst of the terrific bonn {
ardment which the enemy lines were
lrrying out with continuous answer 0
lg fire from the Italian batteries. AT one
oint could be observed a long train of
uns drawn by a tractor starting for
ne north.
All the commanders had been on duty
last night, as the ferceness of Y
lie enemy bombardment threatened an
her advance at some point along The
,uth front. One commander said how
Fer that the sudden attack was clearly
ruse to prevent reinforeements from
ling north
Much havoc had been wrought by this
uitless bombardment. One shell struck Al
building occupied by local command, -
nding up a volcano of departmental VI =.
ports, but not killing anyone A com =
ander of British batteries showed a -
rye projeetile and smilingly said: THAT "
what they are planting in my gar m
n" -
Further along two Austrian airplanes III
W low overhead amidst storms of iii
OTIS which burst like cotton balls across III
e sky They were untouched and
lied off proudly, but their pride was III
ief An Italian officer told the Sc HI
ell a half hour later. HI
I'VE saw them coming" he said. "and III
r batteries opened. A shell struck one Hi
lchine amidship. The whole struc- iii
re seemed paralyzed. Then the wood Ill
framework burst into flames We Ill
aid see the pilot vainly trying to dis =
gagged himself He made a plunge from ~
; wreck and shot down inside our lines ~
Iile flaming tatters Of the machine i :
lied after him like the smoking rem Y,
Mt Of a discharged rocket" HI
Everywhere along the roads there was
complete readiness to move batteries III,
men should the occasion require II. ia,
e men were in q cheerful confident Co
cd and eager 10 reach the scene Of he
chief engagement Everything gave -
dence Of the splendid organization and -
4 resources the army possesses 20 u
81 ordinary shocks.
The tremendous concentration the Aus.
ms and Germans have now made for a
5 supreme attack j. pointed to az
srly showing the decisive advantages III