STRATEGY' OF THE AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2780, 26 May 1916, Page 5

STRATEGY' OF THE AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE

ATTEMPT TO FORESTALL ALLIES' GENERAL OFFENSIVE ' IMPORTANT CAPTURE BY TEE ITALIANS By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright A semi-official message states :-"TKe Austrian offensive 3 Trentino coupled with Germany's fierce onslaught on the Verdun front, is interpreted as VlfT attempt to prevent the Alhe s. simultaneously taking the offensive in all theatres. The Central Powers are striving to exhaust Prance and Italv, and are relying on a momentary respite from Russia, hoping that when Russia is leady to tako revenge I'rance and Italy will be wearied, and in need of rest." . lne destruction by the Italians of I'ort Sief was a most important event it being-the key ot the Austrian defence or Hie Eastern Tyrol- Its reduction enabled the Italians to advance several •kiknreftes m the direction of Brhen. An Austrian officer has stated that 3d0,000 Austrian® participated in the Trentm® offensive, using two thousand guns, including 16-inch and 12-inch mortars and naval 15-inch guns. ITALIANS FALLING BACK ON LOWER POSITIONS. (Rec. Stay 25, 5.20 p.m.) mi -m-m , ~, ,London, May 24. Ihe . Milan correspondent of the 'Daily Mail" says that the Austrians are attacking on a line which offers a gradua descent to the Venetian Plain, and which is greatly to their advantage. , The Italians are falling back on lower and weaker positions. 'Ihey (the Austrians).have also an overwhelming superiority in heavy' artillery. 1 , J ITALIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE METHODICAL RETIREMENT OF THE LINE. (Rec. May 25, 11.10 p.m.) • , T1 _. , . , , Rome, May 25. All Italian official communique 6tates: "There hnve been furious bombardments' in the Largarina. Valley (near Lake Garda). Elsewhere, minor Austrian attacks wero repulsed. "The evacuation of the upper basins of the Posina and Astico have now been effected in perfect order, and the Italians aro strengthening their positions by a protective line in the Arsiero basin. We destroyed any artillery which could' not possibly be withdrawn. "The enemy has exercised strong pressure east of Valdasse. "Our retirement in the Sugana Valley, which began on May 22, continues slowly and methodically." ,> AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. May 25, 11,10 p.m.) Amsterdam, May 25. : An Austrian official communique states: "Our troops are advancing along both sides of the Sugana Valley., The enemy has precipitately evacuated Borgo" leaving great booty. Wo captured the fortifications of Monte Verena." ITALY'S WAR ANNIVERSARY. (Rec. May 25, 11.10 p.m.) . R °me. May 25. ■ The first anniversary of the Italian declaration of war with Austria has been celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm throughout Italy. The flags of tho Allies wero lavishly displayed.

THE ALLIED OFFENSIVE AT SALONIKA BULGARIAN KING APPEALS FOR HELP. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. May 25, G p.m.) . Zurich, May 24. A wireless message states that King Ferdinand of Bulgaria has urgently appealed for Austro-German reinforcements, declaring thnt the Bulgarian army is inadequate to meet tho threatened Allied offensive at Salonika. \ OPERATIONS IN MESOPOTAMIA THE ARRIVAL OF THE RUSSIAN CAVALRY. . ("Times" and Sydnuy "Sun" Services.) m, tfrn- „ . , , „ m , , London, May 24. ihe ftmes, in a leader, says:— Tho dramaticlarrival of Russian cavalry in Mesopotamia is a further indication that the tide is turning, but we must deprecate exaggerated expectations. The daring Russian forces which havo been an. pearing at many places are probably limited in strength, and are chiefly in 'cavalry." RUSSIAN EXPEDITIONARY TROOPS REVIEWED. . ~ , ~ _ . Potrograd, Jlfty 24. Ihe Tsar, accompanied by the Tsan.na, and the Tsarevitch, reviewed thu troops in bessarabia which are proceeding to Odessa. /