A MOUNTAIN WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2567, 15 September 1915, Page 5

A MOUNTAIN WAR

THE ITALIAN ADVANCE INTO AUSTRIA FIGHTING YARD BY YARD By Tolegraph—Press Association—OoDyrljrbt ("Times"- and Sydney "Sun" Services.) I London, September 13. "Tho Times" correspondent on the Cadore front states that the pressure upon the eastern side of tho Trentino continues, and that the Austrians are Doing sloivly pushed back, but lines upon lines of barriers remain, and as these are reached the ground has to be won yard by_ yard, as in Flanders, though hero it is Flanders tilted at an impossible angle and riven by gullies. ' "There is no rifle fire, except a little sniping; the bayonetand hand grenades uavo become the chief weapons of the infantry men. Tho positions of the Austrians have enabled them to adopt a vessel containing an inflammable liquid, which is rolled down to tho Italian The Italians have a great advantage in numbers; the Austrians have all the advantages of position for defensive warfare.

"If the matter comes nearer a settlement before the whiter closes down, it will bo through the superiority of the Italian artillery in clearing the way for the brave, hardy infantrymen. The Austrians seem to hare plenty of guns and ammunition. Next to Germany there aro evidences of greater preparation for war on the part of Austria than of any other Power. But the superiority of the Italian artillery is unquestioned. The Italians have better guns and shoot better. They have developed a marvellous faculty of hoisting their artillery into apparently inaccessible places. Names cannot be given, but if those knowing tho country could hear from what ridges the Italian guns are sounding they would share in the admiration of those permitted to see the great work." ITALIAN COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. September 14j 10 p.m.)' ' Rome, September 14. All Italian official communique states: "The Italians on the' Upper fconzo attacked a strong position remaining in the enemy's .position on the eastern slope of the Plezzo basin, and achieved marked results.

"The enemy in the Plava zone transported armoured trains from Gorizia and attempted a coup-de-main on the i-ight of September 12 against our trenches south of Zagora tunnel. They were repelled." ■ AUSTRIA MOBILISING BOYS OF v. SIXTEEN. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, September I' 3. Austria is preparing to mobilise boys of sixteen years. They will receive a course of military tuition, so as to be ready to be embodied in the active army should the necessity arise.