dune ly, 1915. 
LAJNU Ar^D WATEK. 
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andnearest 
'Bases of 
Austrians 
s.^^'^r'^'A^ 
76 Vienna and 
^id Central and 
Easlsnz "Bases 
ofAas^ruzns 
Ibsvis 
Poufebba 
7/Iai2t ItaEan Cbnmumicatwns 
So far, the line as a whole has been cut at 
Plava. The Italian advanced troops have there 
crossed the River Isonzo, as well as seized the rail- 
way (which at this point runs on the western 
side of the stream). Trieste and Goerz and Pola 
can therefore no longer use the main and most 
direct line to Vienna. But Trieste is not cut off, 
because the Eastern railways by Laibach remain, 
and Goerz is not cut off from Trieste because, 
Tolmino 
rf 
ToVienna, 
/Plava i 
iiine cut -x- 
ijv Italians) ■ ■ 
MonfAlconeJ r. 
(hne cut Z<f^. 
by Italians) i*"^ 
Puino 
lume 
although Monfalcone has been occupied by the 
Italians, who have, indeed, proceeded as far as 
Duino, the second line across the plateau is still 
open. The line serving Trieste from the east will 
remain open until the junction at St. Peter is 
held, and that is still a long way off. If that were 
seized the whole Istrian Peninsula would be 
isolated. But there is no getting there until the 
works at Goerz are reduced, and even then 
the advance will have to be made for nearly forty 
miles over rather difficult country, lending itself 
to a stroncr defensive. It is true that the seizing of 
a nearer junction at Divazza would isolate Pola 
and Trieste, though it would not isolate Fiuma, 
but it is probable or certain that this last junction 
is protected by the works which, temporary and 
permanent, will defend Trieste. It is only six or 
seven miles away from the outskirts of that town. 
We may sum up, then, and say that on this 
third sector, that of the Istrian Peninsula, what 
the Italians have done so far is to cut the main 
northern line from Vienna serving Goerz and 
Trieste, but they have not as yet isolated the first 
of these places with its depots and garrison, still 
served by the plateau railway ; still less have tlicy, 
cut off Trieste, which is still amply supplied by 
the great line from the east and Laibach. 
In the second sector, that of the Carnic Alps, 
the Italian advance along the railway has reached 
Malborghetto. That fortified position must be 
■Rmtibbi* 
Leugenfeld 
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e 
reduced or masked before a direct advance can 
continue upon the junction of Tarvis. But there 
may be repeated what was said in these columns 
three weeks ago, that every point upon the Telia 
Valley can be turned by comparatively easy 
marches across the southern boundary wall of that 
valley. All mountain positions lend themselves to 
the defensive. 
