New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-28

Italians Holding Passes
Against Teuton DIVE

present are that the Italians are mas.
tiers OF the passes and can hoiu soa
Mackensen against further adsnh.v'
although the tremendous force ne mas
massed might permit furtner sc"'-
tered incursion.
The correspondent went over long
stretch of the front to-day, IN com.
pany with Headquarters oincers' ~
was the last visit permitted, as tne
General Staff later announced that tne
dangers had become such that no one
would be allowed TO approach the
fighting line. This fortunate visit AT
the last moment gave opportunity ior
a comprehensive view OF long sweep
of the fighting front along the SOUTH
erly Carso line.
Everywhere there was evidence OF
complete preparedness In the MIDST
of the terrific bombardnient which the
enemy lines were carrying on, with
continuous answering fire from the
Italian batteries. At one point could
be observed long train OF guns
drawn by a tractor starting Tor the
north.
All the commanders had been on
duty throughout last night. as the
fierceness Of the enemy bombardment
threatened another advance at some
poInts along the south front. One COM
nander said, however, that the sud
den attack was clearly a ruse to pre-
vent endorsements from going north.
Much havoc has been wrought by
this fruitless bombardment. One shell
struck a building occupied by a local
command, sending up volcano OF de-
partmental reports, but not killing
any one. A commander Of British
batteries showed q large projectile
and smilingly said: THAT is what they
are planting in my garden
Further along two Austrian air.
planes flew low overhead amidst
storms OF shots which burst like cot
tonballs across the sky. They were
untouched and sailed off, proudly, but
their pride was brief. An Italian off,
GER told the sequel a half hour later.
1--WE saw them coming" he said, "and
our batteries opened. A she'll struck
one machine amidships. The whole
structure seemed paralyzed. Then the
wooden framework burst into flames.
We could see the pilot vainly trying
to disengage himself. He made a plunge
from the wreck and shot down inside
our lines, while flaming tatters Of the
machine trailed after him, like the
smoking remnant OF a discharged
rocket"
Everywhere along the roads there
was a complete readiness to move bat
teries and men, should the occasion
require it. The men were in cheer
full, confident mood and eager TO reach
the scene of the chief engagement.
Everything gave evidence Of the splen-
did organization and vast resources the
army possesses to meet ordinary
shocks.
The tremendous concentration the
Austrians and Germans have now made
for this supreme attack is pointed 70
as clearly showing the decisive ad-
vantage the Allied artillery could rem
der at this critical juncture. The COM
ing war council at Paris, it is consid-
cred, will have momentous decision
to make in weighing the offensive and
defensive possibilities of the Italian
front, in addition TO massing men on
the Western front.
Tonight there is confidence that Won
Mackensen's drive is held, but nobody
underestimates the gravity OF the
situation and the need that the Allies
should be alive to IL.