INITIATIVE PASSES TO ITALIAN HANDS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3100, 2 June 1917, Page 7

INITIATIVE PASSES TO ITALIAN HANDS

IMPORTANCE OF BRITISH MONITORS' WORK INCREASING (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). London, May 31. The Rome correspondent of 'th!e Central News states that the battle of the Isonzo has completed its first phaee, in the failure of the Austrian counterattacte at Monte.. Vodice. The Austrians admit that ithey relied on the impregnability of their positions, end their plane were based on that assumption. These are now upset, and the initiative has virtually passed into Italian hands. Prisoners declare that Austria regards a separate peace with Russia as imminent. The participation of the British monitors is of increasing importance* In. view of their employment, in addition to aeroplanes and all tho weapons of land warfare, the battle of the Cargo is regarded here as one of the most interesting of modern battles.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable. Aasn. ONLY TEN MILES FROM TRIESTE INTERVENING HEIGHTS STRONGLY FORTIFIED. - . . London, May 31. Correspondents at the Italian, front Kpcak of Trieste as being only ten, miles away, but the intervening mountainous country is heavily fortified anil without shelter. It is impossible- to dig in without drilling; It is reported that the Austrians are removing their heavy guns from Hermada, but Hermada is not the only obstacle to reaching Trieste. Other heights nearer the city are probably strongly held. It ia expected that the Italians will have to fight for every foot of ground.—Router. VODICE MASSIF THE TOMB OF AUSTRIAN BRIGADES VIOLENT COUNTER-ATTACKS RESULT IN ENORMOUS LOSSES. Rome, May 31. The Vodice massif is becoming the tomb of entire Austrian brigades, who were sent in a fruitless endeavour to recapture the positions, with reckless disregard for life. Especially violenfcounter-attacks have been made since Saturday, always in vain, and resulting in enormous losses. Tho Austrians have not yet admitted the loss of Vodice massif, and apparently still hope to recapture it.-Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. ■ ■ ■ ITALY'S ALBANIAN TROOPS- OCCUPY SEVERAL VILLAGES. (Rec. Juna 1, 6.35 p.m.) ■ ' . . London, May HI. An Italian official message saye:—"The rain and fog have lifted, and there is great artillery activity. Wo repulsod two attacks on tho northern title of Mount Pizzul. Our Albanian troops attacked enemy irregulars eastward of Berat, and occupied several villages."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. EMPEROR AND COMMANDERS APPEAL TO THE ARMY AUSTRIAN LOSSES ABOUT NINETY THOUSAND. London, May 31. The "Daily Telegraph's" Milan correspondent writes: Statements by Austrian prisoners ehow that the .enemy commanders, used every means to revive the drooping spirits of the troops. Captured documonts appealed to every contingent to Tesist to tho utmost for the sake of the Emperor and the Fatherland. General von Schenk issued an order to the 23rd Army Corps, which was cut up at Hermada, reminding them'that they had won nine victories, and if they won the tenth they would be recommended for high distinction. The socalled "victories" were merely successive retreats. As a final incentive the Emperor Karl addressed the sth Army, saying that they had barred tho advance of the hereditary enemy to Trieste since the outbreak of tho war: "May the God of Battles to-day lead the valiaat army of the Isonzo to victory." Iα spito of such appeals,: the Italians won twenty-five miles of the toad to Trieste. The Austrian losses total 90,000. Correspondents at the front write that at least 30,000 Austrian dead are lying in the Vodice Valley.—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STILL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT' ARTILLERY ACTION AND RAIDS i ■ ■ . The High- Commissioner reports: _ ~. London, May 31, 1.55 p.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: South of Armentieros hostilo raiders were driven off early this morning. Wβ made a few prisoners. In tho neighbourhood fit' Bullecotirt, to the right of the Scarpo, thero was considerable artillery action on both sides during the night." ONLY ARTILLERY ACTIVITY AT DIFFERENT POINTS. ■(Rec. June 1, 7.25 p,m.) London, Juno 1. Sir Douglas Haig reports that there is only mutual artillery activity at different points of the,front.—Ans.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. ON THE FRENCH FRONT GERMAN ATTACKS BROKEN BY FIRE AND BAYONET. The High Commissioner reports: London, May 31, 3.15 p.m. French official report: "Iu the Champagne tho enemy attempted attacks, preceded by violent bombardment with poisou shells and heavy gun:;, at several points north-west of Auberivo and Mont Blond. The attempts were arrested by fire. Tho German effort wns particularly strong nt Casque and Mont Ifaui, and was four times repeated with extreme stubbornness. The fighting began at 2 o'clock in tho morning yesterday, and was prolonged until to-day; and the attacks wero broken by lire and with the bayonet, 't'he enemy wives of assnnlt wcro thrown back in disorder with heavy loss; but north-east of Mont Hunt small parlies of tho onemy woro successful in securing somo advanced cU'inents." ~ ■ f THE GERMAN REPORT. London, May 31. A German official report states: "Thero .is .lively artillery activity at tho Ypres and Wytschaete bends. Wo repulsed English attacks southward of the Scarpe, and successfully raided the French trenches on the eouth bank of tho Aisno, also east of Auoerlre,".—Aue.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.