THE ITALIAN FRONT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3196, 21 September 1917, Page 5

THE ITALIAN FRONT

FIGHTING ON THE BAINSIZZA PLATEAU PREPARING FOR THE NEXT GREAT EFFORT London, September ID. An Italian oflicial report states: "Wo repulsed, attacks on the Baimsizza 3?laI teau." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keuior. LULL BETWEEN THE TWO CONTESTANTS PREPARATIONS FOR TEE NEXT ■ BIG BATTLE. (Rec. September 20, 7.15 p.m.) London, September 19. Mr. Julius Price, writing from General Cadorna'6 headquarters, says: "An anomalous stnte of affairs exists along the wliolo of tho Isonzo front. A working' interregnum has been established in whicn both sides are feverishly completing their preparations to resume hostilities on a big scale. It is still a question which belligerent n-ill first bo ready. Tho Austrian had converted the Bainsizza Plateau into a veritable fortress, but were so confident that the Italian guns could not drive them out that they neglected to provide lines of communication. "With the exception of a few short tracks, they had nothing' in tho nature of a system of roads for military purposes. When tho Italian offensive commenced this dearth of roads greatly hampered tho Austrian commander during the so-called strategic retreat. Cadorha throughout took advantage of tho absence of Austrian prepare tions, and immediately upon tho heels cf the attackers came tho reservists, who enlarged the rough roads, enabling the Italians to keep touch until tho repeating Austrians were brought to 'bay close. to the extreme edge of the plateau, which is a position of great' natural strengthThis is being daily made more accessible for heavy artillery transport to enable the Italians to resume their' advance. Not a day passes without local offensives, which end in tho Austrians being ejected from strong positions. Events are following the course Cadorna foresaw, by •which the Austrians will be driven back to the mountains encircling the plateau." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH WAR MINISTER VISITS THE FRONT (Rec. September 20, 11.15 p.m.) London, September 20. 'An Italian, semi-official message states: "The Earl of Derby, aooompanied by Generals Macready and Maurice, was for four days the guest of the Italian General Staff, and lunched with the King. He visited the front, where, after greeting the British artillerymen, he was able to form an idea of Italy's difficulties aud successes." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable A6sn.-