THE ITALIAN THEATRE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16225, 4 July 1918, Page 7

THE ITALIAN THEATRE.

ASI AGO FRONT. CAPTURE OF MONTE DI VALBELLA. (By Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright.) Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (United Service.) LONDON, Juno 30. An Italian official report states:— ''Supported by the Allies, wo captured Monte di Valbella on June 29th, after a bitter struggle. "Large masses of the enemy counterattacked, but wero repulsed, their infantry being decimated by our artillery and aeroplanes. "The position was held, and -we took prisoner 21 officers and 788 men, belonging to four divisions. We also captured cannon, trench mortars, and machine-guns. "AVe captured a fortified post on the southern slopes of Sasso Rosso." WASHINGTON, July 1. Advices state that the Italians on the Upper Asiago captured 1500 Au&trians. AUSTRIAN REPORT. (By "Wireless!) LONDON, July 2. The Italians have wrested from the Austrians the last height on the Asiago Plateau, and have completely restored the position. The Austrian defeat has disorganised ' the German schemes, _ and the coming blow in the West is awaited with confidence. LONDON, June 30. An Austrian official report claims that the Italian attacks on Monte di Valbella were completely repulsed.

BRITISH SECTOR QUIET. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Renter's Telegrams.) LONDON, July 1. A British official report from Italy states:— "The situation is quiet. Wo carried out two raids, inflicting many casualties on the enemy. "We hare destroyed seven aeroplanes." REPLY TO HUNGARIAN PREMIER. (Renter's Telegrams.) ROME, July 1. A semi-official reply to Dr. Wekerle's Bpecch declares that the latter constitutes an official admission of the immense gravity of the Austrian disaster. Dr. ~\\ ekerlo, the reply states, tries- to soothe public opinion by> doubling the Italian and halving the Austrian losses. Dr. Wekcrle asserted that' only 70 regimentp, otherwise 200,000 men, participated in the battle, and therefore the Austro-Hun-garian losses, on his showing, were oO per cent. But Austrian prisoners agreed in stating that 42 divisions, otherwise 460,000 men, were engaged, therefore. Dr. Wekerle's proportions when corrected show that tne AustroHungarian losses were 200,000. Moreover, we took 9000, not 12,000, prisoners. THREATENED REPRISALS. (By Wireless.) LONDON, July 2. Tho Czechs in Siberia h01d.200 German prisoners, and threaten reprisals on them if the Austrian outrages in Italy continue.