VIOLENT ENGAGEMENT ON THE ISONZO

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2726, 22 March 1916, Page 5

VIOLENT ENGAGEMENT ON THE ISONZO

ITALIANS CHECK AUSTRIAN ATTACK

ADVANCE LINE SLIGHTLY WITHDRAWN

By Megrapli—Press Association— Copyright

(Rec. March 21, 9.16 p.m.)

Rome, March 21. An Italian communique ■ states: "A violent engagement developed on the Middle Isonzo on March 18 and 19. The Austrians were reinforced by men and *uns hut we completely arrested the enemy's progress, and tbon withdrew part "of our advanced line about five hundred metres, in order, to avoid tue enemy's new batteries enfilading the Santa Maria positions."

ITALY'S HAND STRENGTHENED

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT,

" . Roma, March 20. The Chamber of Deputies passed a vote of confidence in the Government by 394 to 61)

LAKE FIGHTING 1 ON THE RUSSIAN FRONT »

AUSTBO-GERMAN POSITIONS CAPTURED,

(Rec..March SI, 9.15 p.m.) Petrograd, March 21. ' ■ A Russian communique details recent lake fighting, and mentions the capture of several Austro-Gerraan positions, including that at the village of Zarapscz. •

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The High Commissioner reports:— „■ " , London, March 21, 3.20 a.m. "Petrograd reports that the Russians have occupied Velikoje Selo. "South of that place the.enemy's attacks were dispersed. Between Narocz and Vichenovskoje we occupied tho village of Zaropscz, with part of the enemy s trenches near the village of Ostrovljane. "At Utolicia, on the Dniester, we seized their trenches and bridgehead fortifications." , GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Sec. March 21, 9.15 p.m.) London, March 21. A German official communique claims that strong Russian attacks were repulsed around the Narocz and Wisniew Lakes.

EVENTS IN THE NEAR EAST

ATTACK ON BULGAR PREMIER

INTERNAL SITUATION OF BULGARIA GROWS

DANGEROUS

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Rom). March 20. A postal employeo named Ivanoff fired two shots, missing M. lladoslavoff (Bulgarian Premier) and wounding his coachman. , ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) ■ i London, March 20. "The "Daily News" Rome 'correspondent etates that the internal situation in Bulgaria is critical. A military revolt supported' by the civil population is feared.

GREEK GOVERNMENT SHORT OP FUNDS

MANY STATE EMPLOYEES UNPAID

(Rec. March 21, 9 a.m.) . London. March 20. The "Daily Mail's" Atfhens correspondent says the Greek Government is greatly embarrassed by lack of money. The coffers have been" exhausted by the continuance of mobilisation, and the Government is unable to pay tho civil servants. Even telegraph messengers are not being paid. Wives of soldiers are holding demonstrations outside the Government offices, demanding a pittance. i ,

MILITARY PREPARATIONS IN RUMANIA' By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. March 21, 6.5 p.m ) London, March 20. Tho "Times" correspondent at Bucharest states that Rumania's military preparations are being hurried forward. Those who had been previously exempted from military service have been called to the colours, the lists of officers have been revised, and several generals, including the Chief of the General Staff, have been pensioned The War Office has requisitioned all the available copper and linen.' ....„., ,• " ir ■ n. The hopes of the Germanopliiles m- Rumania for a continued friendly neutrality have been destroyed since the return of M. Carp from Vienna, from which it is deduced'that the terms offered by Austria have been unsatisfactory. There is no doubt that M. Filipescu's recent visit to the Russian front has had a close connection with the future attitude of Rumania. ,

LYING RUMOURS CONTRADICTED

GERMAN WIRELESS STORIES ABOUT'EGYPT.

The following special message has been received from the New Zealand offioial war correspondent (Mr. Malcolm Ross) :— For some time past amazing statements regarding the position in Egypt have been circulated by German wireless, with the object of influencing neutrals and. Mohammedans. The allegations are so ludicrous that they carry their own refutation, and create only amusement where the actual facts are known. One reports states:—"Quite serious troublo is spreading amongst the Indian troops. Many have been sentenced to severe floggings; others havo been executed for the slightest offence. The Australian troops are ruthlessly shooting down their Indian servants. An Australian captain named l Brown shot both his Indian servants, who had been-guilty of clumsiness. Two Indians who observed the event killed Captain Brown with their bayonets. A whole Indian regiment rose against its officers, the greater part of whom escaped by flight. Twelve were killed, including the commander and a major. For two hours a sharp battle raged between an Australian regiment and the mutineers of whom a large number fled into the desert. Others were killed and ■ Having been in Egypt for nearly three' months, I am able to assert that the utmost tranquility prevails except in regard to the • German-engineered Western Arab campaign, which is practically ended with disastrous results to the tribesmen, and the Turco-Germimexpedition upon the Canal, which has proved aicostly failure Par from being discontented, thousands of Egyptians are engaged in supplying our army, and thousands of others are daily workin" cheerily in conjunction with tho English, Australian, and New Zealand troops upon defensive works against the Tnrco-Germnn-. menace. The loyalty of the Indian troops here, as on Gallipoli, has been amply proved by _ their actions in the field and their faithful watch' during the wearisome period of inactivity on the Canal.

THE SITUATION AT KUT-EL-AMARA

(Reo. Maroh 21, 11.25 p.m.) London, March 21. Mr. Candler (the British war correspondent) telegraphs: "The British aro still twenty-three miles from Eut-el-Anmra." This clears up Sir Percy Lake's telegram regarding the retreat on Esßinn.