Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-02
BIG DRIVE EXPECTED
ON ITALIAN FRONT

ROME, Jan. 12 (by mail to New York,
Feb ga Teutonic offensive against the
Italians, on a bigger scale than that of last
June. in which German and Bulgarian
troops will take part as well as Austro
Hungarians. is in prospect. according to in
formation reaching the Italian General staff
On the other hand, from the contents Of
orders found on officers recently made pris-
oners and from other sources. the General
Staff has come to the conclusion that these
preparations must be regarded as proof
that the Austrians are fully aware that a
gigantic Italian offensive against Trieste is
imminent and that they are taking every
precaution to meet it and check it at it's
very beginning.
Direct news from the front, besides con-
frming all previous information concern
ing the Teutons' preparations for an often
sive against Nicenza, warn the Italian pub
lie that there are signs of preparations on
even a larger scale for another offensive
against the Gorizia-Isonzo lines.
In fact. the civil population of the towns
of the Nippacco Valley are being gently
invited to move in from the interior in order
20 avoid unnecessary hardshps and at the
same time to leave the artillery free to put
IN a state of defense every town. farmhouse
and hamlet. Reliable information has 1t
that the work Of fortifying these towns was
begun early in November under the direc-
tlon of Colonel Leman. a German fortifi-
cation expert, who acquired experience in
Belgium and France.
According to this expert the real war for
Italy will begin the moment she under
takes an offensive against Comen. whose
guns guard the Monfalcone- Nabresina road
TO Trieste. In November the Italians pushed
their lines near the gates o. Castagnavizza,
which is only about seven miles from
Comen.
A chain of hills. extending from Duino,
on the Adriatic. to Temnizza, on the north,
and comprising Mount Querceto, 100 feet
high; Mount Noveto, 1900 feet high, and
Mount Terstel 1000 feet high to say moth
ing of minor hills of strategic value de-
fend any further approach to Comen from
the west; while from the northwest hun
. dreds of guns on Mount Frigido, 1900 feet
high; Mount Neik Rob. 800 feet high
Mount Madrassovaz. 5000 feet high, and
series of lesser hills, guard the railway
line to Laibach.
These heights the German expert SAYS,
can be captured only at the cost of tre-
mendous sacrifices of men and materials
and that even if the Itarans should sue
coed east of Comen they will find sue
cessive lines of defenses to the very thresh-
old OF Trieste. Besides this the expert
AYERS, that IL the Italians should take
Duino, east of Monfalcone, and thus secure
comparatively free. but narrow road. to
Trieste along the seashore their left flank
would be dangerously exposed to a counter
attack from the north and the east which
would eventually result in cutting the ad-
vancing army from its base and deprive
the Italians of the only road at their
disposal for retreat.
In Trentno still larger movements OF
troops and materials are reported by the
Italian intelligence department and inde-
pendent Observers in Switzerland Be-
sides the Italian general staff has often
been warned that surprise attack even
In mdwnter is not improbable and that
this time it would have to reckon not only
with Austro-Hungarians, but Germans and
Bulgarians as well, and with twice the mum.
ber of guns used in the Teutonic offensive
last June.