GREAT ITALIAN VICTORY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3171, 23 August 1917, Page 5

GREAT ITALIAN VICTORY

-> * OVER TEN THOUSAND PRISONERS CAPTURED FIERCE BATTLE AT LENS CANADIANS LAUNCH A TERRIFIC' .'■'.."..'•■' ATTACK .v. ■ BATTLE OF> VERDUN FRENCH f HOLD NEW ,'GROUNI) Further details of the great ItafTan offensive on the Isonzo disclose a victorious -situation. Our Allies have consolidated their newly-won positions, and ~ aro now threatening the enemy's flanks. Th'o total number of prisoners so far -is v ell over 10,000, so that the enemy's' total -losses in killed, wounded, and captures must bo very great indeed. In the West great events havo been happening. The Canadians at Lens Jiave fmight one of tho most desperate battles of tho .war. Going "over The" top" to attack the Germans they ,foiwd tho enemy in the dawn light advancing to attack them, and a fierce hand-to-hand battle followed, resulting in the defeat of the Germans. The French gains in the brilliant attack at Verdun have been consolidated, and a series of violent counterattacks hurled back. Heavy artillery fighting, with advantage, to the AJlies, is reported from tho Macedonian front in the Balkans. Tho Rumanians have made a recovery on. the Focsani-Ajud railway sector, and re-established their positions. At the.adjourned conference of tho British Labour Party the decision to attend the Stockholm peaco mcooting, after a stormy debate, was reaffirmed by a narrow 'majority.

ITALIAN VICTORY ON THE ISONZO OYER 10,000 PRISONERS SO FAR ENEMY'S FLANK V THREATENED BY; THE ADVANCE , Tho High Commissioner reports:— * London, August 21, 3:20 p.m. An Italian offioial report states: "Well-organised enemy defences botween ICorite and Selo near the fortress of Stari Lokva (in tho Carso) have been captured, with over 10,000 prisoners." ' ■ , • ' ' 1 LATEST OFFICIAL REPORT. , (Rec. August 22, 8.50 p.m.) , | London,' August 21. An Italian official roport states: "Tho battlo on tho Julian front is proceeding. Our troops on the extremo right, despito undiminished resistance, are advancing successfully, supported by floating and fixed batteries and monitors. Tho struggle' continues on the Carso Plateau and tho coastal zone. Tho enemy's lino is beginning to bend and give way at various points. We havo carried tho Austrian defences between Corito and Solo. Two hundred and sUty-ono of our aeroplanes are flying over tho battlefield, nnd bombed tho enemy's moving troops. Wo have taken prisoner up till Monday evening 10,103 mpn and 243 officers. Wo destroyed a storming party in tho Lagariiui Valley, and in a counter-attack drove back tho enemy south-east of Mount Maio."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-R-cuter. , . "

VIVID STORY OP THE GREAT ATTACK ITALY'S KEPLY TO THE LATEST PEACE PROPOSALS.. (Roc. August 22, 10.15 p.m.) 1 London, 'August 21. The "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent on tho Italian front eays: "The Italians, when,crossing the Isonzo,'found tho Anstrians posted in strength. Their organisation of tho ground was technically perfect, and was sown, with ma-chine-guns nt a dozen points of attack; Tho problem was ono of machine-guns, which wero playing like hoses across tho front of tllo advancing Italians until late in tho afternoon,, when the big trench mortars accounted for a proportion, but the rest had to be rushed and bombed to silence. A German-speaking Austrian was among tho first of tho prisoners. He was utterly wearied -end prostrated by tho thirty hours', tornado of shells and tho final convulsion of the battle. When the Italians stormed uphill, the bombers leading and the bayonets following with the greatest dash, the charge gave Italy's reply to. the latest peace- proposals. The offensive is developing on a front of a hundred kilometres (.00 miles), and there is every prospect of. the capture of Mon to Santo and Hermada Hill, which would pavo the way to Trieste."—Aus.-N.Ji. Cablo Assn.

ITALIAN SEAPLANE SINKS A SUBMARINE. Rome, August 21. An Italian seaplano bombed and sank a submarine in tho middle of the Adriatic—Renter. SLASHING ATTACK BY THE CANADIANS TERRIFIC HAND-TO-HAND BATTLE FRENCH SUCCESS AT VERDUN London, August 21. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Tho enemy's third attempt to regain the ground recently lost south-east of Epehy, supported Jby flammenwerfer flame-throwers, wns completely repulsed, and all tho positions wero hold. Wo retained the enemy Hues on a wide front of tho St. Qucntin Canal, and secured prisonors. Wo have improved our positions on tho Ypres-Meuin road."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter.

BRITISH SUCCESS AT LENS ENEMY'S POSITIONS CAPTURED ON FRONT OF 2000 YARDS. (Re'c. August 22, 10.55 p.m.) London, August 21. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Early this morning wo attacked and captured the enemy's positions on a front of two thousand yards west and north-west of Lens. Heavy fighting continues.. Wo repulsed strong counter-attacks north-west of Leus. Our artillery broke a third attack to the southward. Wo captured a number of prisoners and repulsed raiders north-eastward of Messines. Our aeroplanes were successful,'despite tho enemy's aggressiveness. We brought down nine machines, mid drove down seven others. Four of ours are missing."—Aug.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Rcuter. A CANADIAN VICTORY. (Roc. August 22, 5.50 p.m.) London, August 21. Neuter's correspondent at Headquarters says: "The Canadians ground Lens launched another attack, converging ou the western environments of Lens, at 1.30 o'clock in tho morning. Dawn broko in a thick hasse, and when tho infantry wont 'over the top' (hoy saw masses of shadowy grey figures advancing. They were Germans, who had planned a.u attack at tho identical moment ours was launched. It was probably ouo of tho most desperate hiuid-to-kaud conflicts of the war. An oye-witness says that the Germans fought like cornered rats. In this struggle in tho shell-torn, wire-enoumbered No Man's Land, bomb and bayonet were the principal weapons. Gradually the Canadians beat back the Huns, and fifteen minutes after the clash tho enomy was making his la6t stand on the parapet of his trench. Then he retreated as rapidly as possiblo into the ruins of Lens. Almost immediately furious machine-gun (ire started in tho northern part of the city. The Canadian attack made good progress in the centre. Tn tho southern portions tho advance was more fiercely resisted."—Renter. THE FRENCH BLOW AT VERDUN DESPERATE COUNTER-ATTACKS BY THE ENEMY. Tho High Commissioner reports:— London, August 21, 3.10 p.m. A French official report states: "At Verdun tho Gormans energetically and most violently counter-attacked during tho night, notably at Avocourt Wood and northward of Cauriores Wood. The attack was broken by fire with the heaviest

losses to the enemy. Wo have organised tho positions wo conquered yesterday, and lmvo taken MOO unwoumled prisoners, including 11G officers. On the Corny Plateau tho onoiny attacked at three points, being twice thrown . back badly broken from our trenches. Another attompt west of Hurtebise Monument ! equally failed."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-lfouter. LATEST NEWS OF THE FIGHTING. (Roc. August 22, 10.55 p.m.) London, August 22. A French official communique states;— Somowhnt great reciprocal artillery activity is in progress in the region of yauxaillou Plateau, Cerny, and Craonne. A destructive iire was directed in Champagne against tho German organisation in the St. Hilairo sector, and caused an explosion in the enemy's gas reservoirs. Shortly afterwards scouting parties found tho enemy's trenches evacuated and full of corpses. "On the Verdun front the battle continues nt several points, and everywhere to our advantage. On the left bank of the Jteuso we captured entirely and occupy Goose Hill and Regenvillo Village. On tho right bank, by a brilliantlyconducted attack, wo conquered Samongneux, and also an entire system of fortified trenches connecting the village -with tho organisation of Hill 344. We repulsed counter-attacks. We have token, moro prisoners, but these have not vet been counted."—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn.-Eeuter. THE CAPTURE OF MORT HOMME (Rec. August 22, 10.55 p.m.) London, August 21. Tho first day's offensive has more than fulfilled the French expectations. Dead Man's Hill (Mort .Homme)' was tho battle-pivot. Its capture in a single day, though tunnelled and 6trongly entrenched, contrasts with the enemy's prolonged effort to capture it last summer. Tho German losses aro believed to greatly exceed the French'. Tho enemy's latest devilry is a so-called mustard shell, wliioh gives out a corrosive, poisonous gas attacking the eyes and lungs."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. | INCONTESTABLE SUPERIORITY OP FRENCH HEAVY GUNS (Kec. August 22, 10.20 p.m.) Paris, August 21. The ..Germans discharged unprecedented quantities of gas clouds and gas shells at Verdun. The "Journal's" correspondent says;—"We nave established an incontestable superiority in heavy, artillery over the whole sector of eighteen kilometres (two miles). This is a (new factor in Verdun fighting." M.' Marcel Hutin says:—"The Germans -withdrew their front lines and the .bulk of their forces for'the preparation of their counter-attack. Therefore, the tally of four thousand prisoners is an enormous one."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. (Rec. August 22, 8 p.m.) .. London, August 21. A German official report states:—"Tho artillery preparation for tho Verdun thrust began on August 8. Despite their superiority of material and their reckless use of men tho French in. the first day of battle failed to break our front. Apart from a local success, their attack on a twenty-kilomotre front failed. Dense attacking waves in many places penetrated our defences, but bitter hand-to-hand fighting and jpoworful counter-attacks drove back tho enemy almost everywhere. After an all-day struggle tho French retained Mort Hommo and a height on the southern fringe of Raven Wood (Bois Corbeau). Fresh engagements developed this morning. "\Ve lost five aeroplanes, but brought down twenty-six of tho enemy's machines."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-iientei'. GERMAN REINFORCEMENTS RUSHED FROM GALICIA. i (Rec. August 22, 8.50, p.m.) Amsterdam, August 21. News from the frontier states that numerous troops from Galicia are arriving in Flanders.—Rcuter. SUNDAY NIGHT NAVAL AIR RAID IN FLANDERS London, August 21, The 'Admiralty reports that the air service at midnight -.m Sunday dropped many tons of bombs at Middelkerke on an ammunition dump and the Brugeoiee works. All the aeroplanes returned safely.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router. TRENCH ACTIVITY IN THE MR, (Rec. August 22, 9.50 p.m.) London, August 21.' A French official report states: "Yesterday the enemy's aircraft bombarded our rear, particularly the German prisoners in the collecting camps._ A great number of prisoners were hit. Our aircraft bombed a number of /airway stations end dumps, with important results. We brought down twenty-one German' machines."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A6sn.-Eeuter. • ON THE RUSSO-RUMANIAN FRONT RUMANIANS RECOVER LOST POSITIONS (Rec. August 22, 10.55 p.m.) / London, August 21. A Russian official report states: "We repulsed several enemy attacks on tho Bystritza Biver, south-east of Krutche. The enemy slightly jidvanced in the direction of Ocna. Fighttmt cfc the Stoklerie Factory contiuued with varying success. The enemy occupied, after fierce attacks, a small section of the tTeuches in the region of Soveia. The Rumanians, counter-attacking, Teoccupied the trenches eastward of the Focsani-Ajud railway, and beat off attacks to tho westward."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eouter. DICTATORIAL POWERS TO MINISTERS ANTI-REVOLUTIONARY PERSONS TO,BE DEPORTED. ' (Rec. August 22, 8.50 p.m.)! , Petrograd, August 21. The Government has given the Ministers of War and the interior dictatorial powers to arrest and deport anybody suspected of anti-revolutionary tendencies.— Reuter. • • ■ f '

GREEK REVELATIONS KAISER AND fcONSTANTINE THE TREACHERY OP SKOULOUDIS London, August 21. The "Morning Post's" correspondent at Athens 6ays that the Kaiser's letter to Constantino (published yesterday) appealed to him as a brother-in-law and a Prussian Field-Marshal. If he refused to respond then all bonds between Greece and Germany would be broken. Tho letter added that a secret Turko-German treaty had been concluded. • Documents relating to the surrender of Fort Rupel to the Bulgarians at tho end of May, 1916, show that M. Skouloudis, the Premier, was aware of the impending occupation three days previously, but did not object—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE SALONIKA FIRE 100,000 PEOPLE HOMELESS. (Ilea. August 22, 8.50 p.m.) Athens, August 21. The Greek Cabinet is discussing measures for tho relief of tho sufferers by the Salonika fire. A larse credit bill will be voted. There is no direct communication with Salonika. Tho Greek Minister for tho Interior has gone to the city. It is stated that two-thirds of tho town has been destroyed, and that one hundred thousand people are homeless.—RouLater. / The report that one hundred thousand people are homeless in Salonika is confirmed. These include forty thousand Jews. There are no indications that foul play was responsible for the fire—Aus.H.'li. Cable Assn. SITUATION IN SPAIN TROOPS "RECENTLY CALLED UP TO BE DISBANDED. Madrid, August 21. Cabinet has decided to disband the troops called up during the recent disturbances, and has also approved a credit of sovonty-scvon million pestas for tho reorganisation of tho Army, tho provision nf aeroplanes and anti-aircraft guns.— Router. JAPANESE MISSION TO AMERICA UNITED STATES ATTITUDE. (Rec. August 22, 10.20 p.m.) Washington, August 21. It is semi-officially announced that the United States has no programme for discussion with the Japanoso mission, but anything tho latter desires to discuss will recoivo a hoaring, especially on questions concerning greater co-operation with Atlantic shipping.—Aub.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Tho cable news in this issue accredited to tho London "Times" has appeared in that journal, but only where expressly stated ia such news tho editorial tplnlon of "The Times.")