Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-02-04
Sometimes Make Targets.

Many of, the lines, those that run
upwards at the dizziest angles and
that have fewer steel supports. are
not used by passengers but carry only
ammunition and supplies. At certain
times of the year the lines highest up
cannot be operated by day because
they are in view Of the Austrians and
make excellent targets. but at this
season it is possible to run them con-
stantly because of the snow and fog.
The last OF the lines runs almost to
the front trenches, which are .hewn
out of rock but which in winter are
generally showed in SO that the troops
embed themselves in snow trenches
and live somewhat the life Of the
EsquimauS. At points the first posi-
lions run within thirty yards of those
that is carried on is largely that of
sniping and machine gun interchange.
IT is quieter than at any o~thcr0part
of the present italian front.
h Italians have little fear of the
Austrians in the Mount Pasubio re-
gion. because of the character Of the
italian. troops in this sector. who are
among the finest in the Italian army.
The Telefertco system does not date
from the war but was in part in
stalled beforehand, and was used for
purely commercial purposes. to haul
up supplies and food to the settle
rents up in the mountains But with
the beginning of the war, the ire
mendous advantages of the aerial
transportation lines were instantly
recognized and the existing lines were
increased in number as fast as pos
sible, both in the Mount .Pasubio sec
tor, at Mount C;rappa, and elsewhere
: Mules Arc Valuable.
Important as it is, however, it is but
one factor in the tremendous de.
Austrians in check for more thar
thirty months. The roads, those
which already existed and those tina,
have been built out Of the rocky
sides of the mountains, are anothe,
very important feature. especiall,
when one considers that on their dizzy
curves the high-powered. special.
constructed Italian camions can hau
huge loads to an altitude of more
than 5000 feet.
Mules by the thousand have beer
America. Spain and elsewhere, ant
are especially valuable because unlik.
the horses, they seen to suffer little
If at all from the bitter weather, ca
little and can so for long periods
without the water hat is so precious
at great heights.
Even dogs have been introduced al
beasts of burden in the higher regions
because they arc very Sure-footed ant
willing. The number of horses il
negligible. most Of them being use
lower down for artillery. And thei
there always remains nan-powe
which staggers upward with uncount
able bundles of wood. /.
The soldiers who hold the Noun
Pasubio sector are a hardy lot, an.
the majority have been nesting in tn,
comfortable little wooden barrack
that dot the mountains for periods @
from ~ to 80 months. BECAUSE Will
%furloughs arc S enough to get. tn
transportation problems in Italy ar
SO serious that Il man coming dow
into the plains cal get farther soutl
to his home only with difficulty.
AS compensation in part for tn
denied opportunity of getting HON
frequently and for not being able. TO
months on end. to enjoy the ordinar
social intercourse of peace times. tn
men are comfortably housed and APP
parently we'll fed Many lave been i
America and speak English, an
many more come from Piedmont an,
speak French as we'll as Italian.
The heavy work. such as shovelin
away the incessant snow. is now he
ing done by deserters who were sen