FIRST SHOTS IN THE NEW CONFLICT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2471, 26 May 1915, Page 7

FIRST SHOTS IN THE NEW CONFLICT

ITALIAN OUTPOSTS SHELLED STRICT CENSORSHIP WILL RUMANIA FIGHT? GALICIAN BATTLE REPORTED COLLAPSE OF GERMAN OFFENSIVE MAGNIFICENT BRITISH VICTORY

Apart from prlliminaxy passes by the belligerents' artillery on knd and water, the public Is permitted to know very little of the fighting in the Austro-Italian conflict, in which, by the way, Germany has joined issue. The censorship in Italy is reported to be very strict. The Italian Foreign Minister's account of Austria's subterannean intrigues against Italy make interesting and instructive reading, and tie Emperor Franz Joseph's remarkable outburst against his late ally, as expressed in a manifesto to his troops, should be read in conjunction with Baron Somiino's disclosnres. Good, steady progress is reported from the West ern front, and evidence of a projected German retirement to the second line of defence is accumulating. From the Eastern front, the news suggests the imminent collapse of the great German stroke in Galioia, with attendant disasters. The German high command is depressed and pessimistic. Rumania's entry on the side of the Allies at this stage would bo disastrous, says Dr. Dillon, the Near Eastern authority. Heavy fighting is reported from Gallipoli Peninsula, where the Turkish strength has been reinforced to ever 200,000—n0 small matter for the Franco-British troops to deal with. GEEMANY DECLARES WAS ON ITALY AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER RESIGNS MANIFESTO BY THE EMPEROR FRANZ JOSEPH (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Berne, May 24. The Wolff 'Agency announces that Germany has declared war on Italy. London, May 24. The Berne correspondent of the "Tomps" has announced that Switzerland is taking charge of German interests in Italy.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" services. AUSTRIAN TRICKERY ESTRANGED ITALY SEOEET PLANS FOE AGGRESSION. Remo, May 24. Baron Sonnino (Italian Foreign Minister), in a circular Note to the Powers, says that Austria-Hungary violated the letter and the spirit of the Triple Alliaflce, especially in the Ultimatum to Servia. He woints out longoxisting grievances, and justifies her treatment by Italy, notably Austria's constant policy aiming at the destruction of Italian nationality and civilisation on the Adriatic coast, such as replacing Italian officers by men of other nationalities and the exclusion of Italian employees from industries in Trieste, and the denationalisation of the municipal services and shipping companies. Baron Sonnino recalls that in 1011, while Italy was fighting Turkey, the General Staff in Vienna was actively preparing armaments <iu the Italian frontier for aggression against Italy. "From that moment, 'wo wero always undor the impression of a possible unexpected armed menace. Italy had a sincere desire for peace, hut was obliged by the course of events to seek the other solution. Since the Treaty only served to conceal the reality of the continual daily discord, tho Ambassador was instructed to declare Italy free of all the ties incurred by the Treaty, and Austria then presented fresh concessions, which wero inadequate, and could not be acoepted." "OUR ALLY HAS COMMITTED PERFIDY " REMARKABLE LETTER BY THE AUSTRIAN EMPEROR." Amsterdam, May 24. The "Vienna Zeitung" has published the Emperor Francis Josef's letter to the Austrian troops. It says:—"Our ally has committed perfidy the like of which history has never known. • "After thirty years, during which aho has been able to incroase her territorial possessions, aild develop herself to an unthought-of extent, Italy has abandoned us in our danger, and gone flying to our enemies' camp. We hare always loyally responded to tho duties of our alliance, and afforded her our protection when sno toolc the field. "We have done more. When Italy directed covefeus glances across our frontier, wo revived upon a great principle sacrifice which particularly grieved our paternal heart, but Italy's covetousness could not bo appeased. So her fate must he accomplished. . "My armies have victoriously withstood tho mighty onemy in the north in a gigantic conflict. This treacherous enemy in the south is no new enemy. The great memories of Navnra, Mortaro, Custozza, and Lissa, which constitute the prido of my youth, and the spirit of Badctzk.v, the Archduke Albr'echt, and TegetthofF, which continues to live in my knd and sea forces, gunrantee that we shall successfully defend the frontiers of the monarchy. "I salute my battle-tried troops, who aro inured to the problem of victory, and rely on them and their leaders. To my people, to whose unexampled spirit and sacrifice m.v inmost paternal thanks aro due. "I pray the Almighty to bless our colours, and take our just cause under His protection." RESIGNATION OF AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER EMPEROR MISLED BY HIS ADVICE. Rome, May 24. A sensation has been caused by the announcement that the resignation of Count Burian lie B:\jcca, Austrian Foreign Minister, has been accepted. He had throughout advised the Emperor Francis Joseph that Italy would never fight. AUSTRO-ITALIAN HOSTILITIES COMMENCE AEROPLANE ATTACKS BEATEN OFF . Rome, May 2-1. Official—"Austrian aeroplanes bombarded Porto Corsiui and the railway near Anoona. , "Italian aircraft guns, with the aid ol ail aeroplane and a dirigible, drove them off. Little damage was done. "Austrian destroyers were driven oft at Barletta. . Austrian aeroplanes attacked tho .irsonal at , eniee, bill wore speedily driven off. (line. Uav 2-i, 10.40 p.m.) Rome, Alay 20. The first net of the war was an attack by Austrian artillery, which shelled (.he Italian nil!posts on the Adige. The Italian* did not r «pl, T The first hi? enpigsmen'f. £it>ecl.-.d lo tako pl.ico nij the bmilii e/ the Adi-»-

Austrian torpedo boats bombarded several points between Venice and Barletta, but wero everywhere repulsed. They bombarded the revolving bridge ■it, Sini"a"lia killing eight troops, and bombarded Ancona for an hour, damaging the"railway station and several buildings m the town, and killing several C ' Vl 'a!i S ltalian destroyer shelled and wrecked tho quay at Portobusc, and sanlc all the motor-boats, killing or making prisoners 50 Austrians. THE ITALIAN MILITARY COMMAND. " Rome, May 25. A strict censorship has been established, which prohibits the publication of casualty lists or forecasts of naval or military operations. T General Cadenw, Chief of the General Staft, has gone to tho front. It is believed that lie will command tho armies in the field, with General 1 orrow as Chief of Staff. AN OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE ADRIATIC SHORES. Paris, May 24. An Italian communique states that it was anticipated that the moment war was declared an offensive would be taken against the Adriatic shoies, in view of the moral effect rather than the military advantage. Means were taken to effectively repel it. SMALL ENCOUNTERS ON THE TYROL FRONTIER. Vienna, May 24. Official.—"There have been some small encounters on the Tyrol frontier." AUSTRIAN TERRORISM IN THE TB.ENTINO. Vonlce, May 24. The Austrians are terrorising the Italian population of the Trentino towns and villages, who are fleeing to the country. Gendarmes are visiting tho houses and 'carrying off men between the ages of 17 and 50. FOUR THOUSAND STARVING AUSTRIAN DESERTERS INTERNED. Rome, May 24. Four thousand Austrian troops, oomplaining of starvation, deserted and were interned in North ItalyFOUR MILLIONS WORTH OF ENEMY SHIPPING SEIZED Paris, May 24. The "Matin" says that Italy has seized all the Austrian and German vessels in Italian ports. Rom6i M#y The. value of eighty Austro-German steamers which have been seized is four millions sterling. ■ WAR REJOICINGS THROUGHOUT ITALY Rome, May 24. Enthusiasm is unabated in Italy. There are pealing bells and processions C Th7maio?itv of the members of Parliament are joining the forces. Mans offices, factories, and shop are already eWt-lianded. Ihe tramways and other public services have been curtailed, and *ro being partly run bV "vnarchists and Communists exempted from, military service have enrolled iu tho lied Cioss. _ Qj-. \ (Rec. May 20, 11.30 p.m.) Rome, May 20. Ten thousand ioined the Italian Volunteer Army in twenty-four hours. Sicnor Marconi (the inventor_ of wireless), is returning from America to assist'the Italian Government with his expert advice. Five Gorman spies were arrested in a tram at Bologna. They were disguised as women, but their clumsy gait revealed their sex. DEMONSTRATIONS IN FRANCE. (Rec. May 25, 11.30 p.m.) Paris, May 24. There have been many Fronoo-Italian manifestations in France. The shops are decorated with the Allies' flags. . . Great crowds surrounded the Italian Embassy singing national songs. There wore also pro-Italian demonstrations near Belfort, and all the towns along the eastern frontier. Similar demonstrations are reported from Petrograd. GERMAN EMBASSY LEAVES ROME. f(Reo. May 25, 9.40 p.m.) London, May 25. Prince Von Bulow and Dr. Macchio have left Rome, and also the Austrian and Bavarian Ministers at the Vatican. There were no disturbances over their departure. THE NEXT PHASE-WILL RUMANIA INTERVENE? (Rec. May 25, S) p.m.) London, May 25. The "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent at Bucharest says that the Rumanian Government is negotiating with the Allies. Great enthusiasm prevails. CHANCE FOR A GREAT STRATEGIC COUP. (Reo. May 25, 11.30 p.m.) London, May 24. Dr. Dillon (the "Daily Telegraph's" special correspondent in_ the Near East), writing from Rome, says that Italy's decision, coupled with the consolidation of the Russian forces in the Carpathians, should have the effect of sweeping away all doubt and hesitation in Rumania. If Rumania intervened at present she would turn the recent Austro-German successes in the Carpathians into a terrible disaster. ' BRITISH CAPTURE OF THE WHITE ROAD' A MAGNIFICENT VICTORY THIRTEEN DAYS OF FIERCE FIGHTING , Paris, May 24. Official—The capture of the White Road, giving tho mastery of the Lorette Heights, was a magnificent victory. . During thirteen days of fierce battles we killed on the plateau and defensive works upwards of three thousand, and took a thousand prisoners, The actual booty was only small in proportion to the captures, inasmuoh as we are daily finding machine-guns, trench mortars, and rifles concealed 'in filled-up trenches and collapsed shelters. The carrying of the Lorette Heights achieves one of our principal objectives northward of Arras The Germans believed that they could not be expelled. Fresh troops thrice relieved the defenders, but nevertheless they wore driven out. Our superiority in tactics waß unmistakably confirmed. _ Our troops are more than ever strengthened in tho belief that final victory will be ours. BRITISH PROGRESS NORTH OF LA BASSEE. I Paris, May 25. Official.—"The British have progressed north of La Ba6see. "The Germans, with very heavy forces, attempted an attack north of Neuville St. Vaast, hut were caught under our artillery attack and stopped dead, sustaining heavy losses." THE FIGHTING NEAR FESTUBERT London, May 24. British Headquarters reports: On May 22, in the Festubert sector, we captured several more German trenches. Our line was further advanced, Tho Germans, in a strong counter-attackj were allowed to advance till well in the open, when our artillery with withering fire mowed them down in scores. Tho attack recoiled, and a shattered few regained the trenches. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT The High Commissioner reports:— London, May 24. S.2o'p.m. "At several points between Steeiwtraat* and Ypres, Germans' attacks, after using asphyxiating gases, were repulsed. "North of Arras, fighting continued with extreme violence at certain points during Sunday and throughout the following night. Tho French took 120 prisoners. . "North of N-em-ille St. Vaast several German counter-attacks were repulsed by the fire of the French. The si niggle continues with intensity, latest intelligence brings out the extent of Hie check sustained in litis district hv the Germans duringSatnrday evening and night. In spito of important hasty reinforcements and vigorous efforts, renewed two or three times, the Germans failed iu all attempts, and suffered considerable losses." London, May 25, 0.40 a.m. "In the recent fighting north-east of Festulierl, seven mitrailleuses were captured, I'ossiblv more "were buried or destroyed in the trenches. "To-day three' German batteries were silenced by our gnus, one battery being destroved bv direct hits, and its ammunition blown up. "East of Ypres the Germans attacked in the morning, under cover of poisonous gas. the artillery simultaneously firing asphyxiating gas shells. "Our troops were forced to evacuate some of the trendies, the. enemy penetrating the line iu two or three places. "Fighting is still progressing, and portions of the original line have »lroadv bee.n retaken." London, May 3.30 a.m. "Xort.li of l.a Basse the British attacks have resulted in fresh progress. "Supplementarv report.- emphasise the importance of the Allies' Miccwf fiuMrlfiT n{ NMt« r>*w- !■•«•••»<•. !* / 6;b< thsy aiunbilaWd tW epponeuU,, capturing EevoxaJ niHrauJflUHfi.