THE BALKANS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16264, 15 July 1918, Page 7

THE BALKANS.

ALBANIAN CAMPAIGN

ALLIES STILL ADVANCING,

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright. 1 (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Reuter'a Telegrams.)

(Received July 14th, 5.5 p.m.) ROME, July 13. The Italians continued to advance in Albania, with. Freach assistance in the centre, Greeks on tho right flank, and assisted by British naval support. The success of the operations has produced a great political and military

effect in the Balkans. 'All the oppressed Austrian nationalities are anxious to join in the fight. They declare that Austria is the Achilles' hoel of the enemy alliance. If the Allies succeed in attacking this vulnerable spot the whole Austro-Ger-man compact may collapse like a pack of cards. (Received July 14th, 5.5 p.m.)

LONDON, July 12. An Italian official message says:— "Our booty in Albania includes three guns and four trench guns." A French Eastern communique states: ' 'Our advance in Albania continues on both banks of the Devoli. Mount Komjans, on the right bank, was captured. "The mountainous region on the left bank between the Devoli and Tomorica has been cleared, except the hill commamding tho confluence of the two rivers, where the enemy resisting. Over 400 prisoners were taken."

(Renter's Telegrams.)

(Received July 14th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 12. The Allies' captures in Afbania to date consist of 1600 prisoners and six guns. The enemy losses are very heavy. (Received July 14th. 6.5 p.m.) ROME, July 12. A semi-official report states:— The importance of the success in Albania is only realisable fo those having a knowledge of the topography of the country, where, unlike most of tho other theatres of war, the occupation of territory can only be carried out by detachments of troops holding isolated tactical points. Our advance resulted in shortening tho front by dozens of kilometres." (Hauler's Telegrams.) (Received July 14th, 11.15 p.m.) LONDON. July 13. "We maintain contact with the new enemy line north of the Semeni, and dispersed the retreaiing enemy columns north of Berat. "The prisoners taken by us since July 6th exceed 1800." An Italian official message statesTl"We repulsed an attempted attack to the south of Sasso Rosso (Italian theatre).

LONDON, July 12. A French Eastern communique states:—South of the Devoli we continued our success and seized the whole of the Kostinza Ridge and occupied all the villages in the Tomorica Valiov about Dooney. On the left the Italians captured Caraqleamaka Heights.' Tho Austrians suffered heavy losses, and are retreating, pillaging and burning their depots, ir f ne ? , y artillery is active on ike Macedonian front, especially on the west bank of the Vardar and north of Monastir.

ALLIED DRIVE FROM SAIvONICA EXPECTED.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received Julv 14th, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 11. Official advices confirm the Italian capture of Berat. The French and. Italian troops now operating in Albania are seriously menacing the Bulgarian right wing near Monastir.

The Allied offensive is developing favourably, forcing the Austrians to retreat, which in places approaches a rout.

Various engagements along a front of 120 kilometres between Lake Ochrida and the sea resulted in the Allies capturing large quantities of Tvar material.

The French continue to advance at Osum and west of Koritza, while the Italians operating from Valona seized Damals Castra and reached the lower course of the Semeni.

Austrian reports acknowledge that Berat was surrounded before tho Austrians retired.

American military officials expect at any moment an Allied drive from Salonica.

AUSTRIAN'S' GREAT LOSSES

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) . ZURICH, July 12. The Austrians admit great losses in Albania, including Berat. m . , . ROME, July 12. -The Austrian defeat in Albania is serious. In three days the Italians advanced from thirty to forty kilometres. The whole of the southern bank of the Semeni is occupied, and B< r;it is enveloped. After a three days' batt'e, the Italians captured Fieri, and found the aerodrome full of aeroplanes intact. Later an enemy aeroplane, unaware of what had happened at the aerodrome, landed. The aeroplaue contained an Austrian aviator and four ladjes.

APPALLING CONDITIONS IN

MONTENEGRO

(United Serrioe.l (Received July 14th, 5.5 p.m.)

SALONICA, July 13. Intense famine, causing terrible mortality, is officially reported from Montenegro. The people are feeding on herbs, roots, and tree bark. Numorous bands of insurgents continue to harass the Anstrians.

To suppress this brigandage tho Austrians are employing as mercenaries half-savage Albanians, -who track down the insurgents and perpetrate inconceivably terrible cruelties.