Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-06-07
ROAD TO TRIESTE
HARD TO CONQUER
Expert Tells Of Difficulties That
Must Be Overcome.
LATIN TROOPS NEAR DUNNO

Despite Fierce Fighting, He Doubts
General Cadorna Will Take Trieste,
as Austrian Resistance Increases as
Battle Fury Grows-Advance on Front
of Twenty Miles.
''The Italian offensive on the Julian
front has been a notable one. While
not as vigorous a movement as that
which finally resulted in the fall of
Gorilla last year, the Austrian official
statements have not hesitated to an-
nounce that at some periods the fight
ing has been the fiercest they have had
to do on the Italian 'front.'
This statement was made by a mil
itary expert who is following closely
Developments on all the European bat
tie fronts.
"It is doubtful that General -Cador.
ma will reach Trieste, one Of the great
Italian objectives," he continued. ''The
Hermada ridge presents a most for.
m1dable barrier, and the Austrian re-
sistance is certain to increase as the
Italians attempt to push farther along
the coast. At present the Italians are
less than mile from Duino, their i'm.
mediate objective, on the gulf Of
Trieste.
Must Fight Every Inch.
while the terrain between their
advanced lines and Duino is not espe-
cially difficult, they will have to bat
tie for every inch of ground. The
most difficult fighting Of all will come
after Duino is passed, when the Ital-
ians will have somewhat more than
ten miles of difficult terrain between
them and their goal
"The Italian advance has been on q
front OF about twenty miles, or from
point north Of Gorilla to the Adri-
attic shore It started eighteen days
ago and gradually grew In strength.
The principal attack at the outset was
north of Gorilla. The Austrian COM
mander apparently concluded this was
to be the principal line Of attack.
"While the battle was at it's height
in this region crossing of the Isonzo
was effected at a point much nearer
the coast, and new Italian army
poured through the Austrian lines.
The latter were taken by surprise.
This, however, is no excuse, since the
| Austrians have known at all times
that Trieste is one of the principal
objectives Of Italy.
''The gain In territory has not been
great, but even that is considerable.
The fact that the Austrian lines have
been smashed and the armies Of EN-
peror Charles forced back for miles
along the coast has served not only to
hearten the Italian forces, but the al
lies in general
The capture Of nearly $4,000 Aus
tr1an troops in little more than two
weeks is no small accomplishment and
must have had chilling effect ON
Vienna. Austria's counter claim to
having captured $4,000 unwounded
Italians serves to offset the Rome
claim, but the followers Of King Vic.
tor Emmanuel have every reason for
rejoicing.
Italian Progress Remarkable.
"The most spectacular captures Of
the forward movement, of course, were
the taking Of Monte Cucco and the ap
proaches to Monte Santo, which re-
quired long and terrible fight. 1t
became most intense on the Vodice and
on the hills approaching Monte Santo
when the natural difficulties the
Italians have to face on this front are
taken into consideration their progress
appears remarkable. The 1sOnzo river
is broad and swift. In only one place
is it fordable Here the mountains
fairly bristle with Austrian guns. Yet
the Italians crossed the river, protect.
ed their advancing infantry, consoli.
dated their captured territory and in.
trenched. all under a heavy concentrat.
ed fire by the enemy, whose forces con-
Quoted determined counterattack.
'The line north of Gorilla has not
advanced far. the principal advance
having been toward the south and
east along the coast. Heavy British
guns and British gunners played an
important part in the initial stages OF
the drive, hammering the Austrian po
sttfons to pieces. Veterans Of the Oar.
danelles campaign arrived In the gull
of Trieste in small monitors and rem
dered valuable assistance to the land
forces by pounding the Austrian left
fank.
while the capture Of Trieste would
have a greater moral effect than mill.
fary value, since 1t would mark the
realization Of an Italian dream Of fifty
years, from military standpoint 1t
would be real accomplishment. Italy
wants the entire eastern shore of the
Adriat1c freed from Austrian control
and the Austrians driven over the
mountain ridge. With Trieste in Ital
ian hands it is easily conceivable that
Austria would be forced to- abandon