FIRST GENERAL BATTLE IN ITALIAN CAMPAIGN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2479, 4 June 1915, Page 5

FIRST GENERAL BATTLE IN ITALIAN CAMPAIGN

EXPECTED TO DEVEOP ON THE ISONZO ADVANCE OF THE COVERING TROOPS London, June 2. A message from Rome savs tliat th) Italian covering troops are feeling their way forward with uniform succors in the Trentino Alps, and on tlio Isonzo. It is believed that the first .Eoneral action will occur on the hanks of the Isonxo. The Italians nro consolidating their footing on the right hank, while the Anstrians are massing on tin a left bank.—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) A Milan newspaper declares that tho Italians, on capturing 'Cnporetto, found a priest sending wireless messages t-o the Anstrians, stating that he had vainly implored the Pope's intervention. FIVE DESPERATE ATTACKS HURLED BACK (Rec. June 3, 8.55 p.m.) London, June 3. Mr. Martin Donohoe ("Daily Chi*raiclo's" war correspondent) writes:— "In tho fighting in the Monte Croce Poiss, tried Austrian troops attacked five times, advancing afresh over their dead, and were five times hurled back, broken and disordered before the Italian infantry fire. The Italians fought a stubborn defensive, and then dashed forward and routod tho enemy." BAD WEATHER HAMPERING THE OPERATIONS. (Rec. June 3, 11.30 p.m.) Rome, June 3. Official.—"Had weather ic hampering the operations. v.'e occupied the Sioro (loudicaria Valley, and are now advancing on Conditio from the head of the Laccolnna Valley. "On the Carnia frontier we harassed by long-distance fire the enemy's attempt to build a bridge. "Beyond the frontier wiv strongly oocup.v the ridgo of Monipero, on tho left bank of (he 'Imiizo, ten kilometres north-west of Tolmino." HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. Tho High Commissioner reports:— London, June 3, 1.50 a.m. "Reports from Rome state that thie Italians are firmly established on the slopes of Montenegro, ton. kilometres north-west of Tolmino (Styria). On Sunday afternoon vigorous Austrian counter-attacks were repulsed all along the line." ALLEGED PLOT TO MURDER SIGNOR GIOLITTI. London, June 3. A message from Berlin says that tho "Kreuz Zpitiina" states that Signor Giolitti (leader of the anti-war party) has been forced to fly from Italy, as a plot is afoot to murder him. REPORTED STATE OF SIEGE AT VIENNA. (Rec. Juno 3, 5.50 p.m.) j London, .June 2. t A report from Paris states that -"tumultuous disturbances, following Italy's ( intervention, necessitated the proclamation of a state of siege at Vienna.— ( "Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services, j I MR. M'KENNA MEETS ITALIAN FINANCE MINISTER. ; (Rec. June 3, 8.55 p.m.) , London, Juno 3. Mr. R. M'Konna (Chancellor of this Exchequer), and tho Governor of the Batik of England mot the Italian Finsiwe Minister at Nice this week to discuss financial questions arising out of litaly's participation in the war. SPEECH BY THE ITALIAN PREMIER A FEW POINTS FOR THE GERMAN CHANCELLOR. ( (Rec. June 3, 11.30 p.m.) ■ Rome, Juno 3. The Premier, Signor Salandra, in. the course of a speech delivered at a , patriotic meeting, asked hy what right Herr von Bethmann-Holwegg bespoko respect for treaties when Germany had trampled underfoot and buried at the bottom of tho ocean every document a,nd custom of civilisation and interna- j tional law? ] The Central Powers wero guilty of criminal madness when they shook j tho world and robbed the triple defensive alliance of its raison d'etre. _ I3oth c Austria and Germany wore forewarned of tho far-reaching result of their ag- t gression against Serbia. , DEATH SENTENCE FOR A MAN AT LARGE. 1 (Rec. June 11.30 p.m.) , Rome, June 3. An Austrian Court has sentenced tio death Signor Battssti, Deputy at Tfent, who '.s now acting as scout V.u the various passes of tho Trentino for the Italian Army. REPORTED REFUSAL OF RUMANIAN DEMANDS ' 0 d A NEW MENACE ON AUSTRIA'S FRONTIER. d £ The "Morning Post's" Berne correspondent reports that the Austrian G Ministry and tho German representatives have discussed a Rumanian Noto, ii and refused its demands. . a It is estimated that Rumania has an army of a million perfectly-equipped c men, and their entrance into the war would provide a new front of six lum- " dred miles for tho Austrian strategists to ponder over. "WE MUST PLAY THE ROLL OF INTERMEDIARY. . . (Rec. Juno 3, 10.20 p.m.) London, June 3. (' Tho "Frankfurter Gazette" says:—"Wo must play the role of intermediary. Thero is no reason why Austria should not make just and equitable J concessions to Rvmania. . S PROMISE IN FORTHCOMING GREEK ELECTIONS A Paris, June 2. A Rome telegram to the "Petit Journal" .stales that after tho elections Greece may possibly join t'he Eentente. The Balkans' Consuls at Romo nre making efforts to this end. fi ii n