THE ITALIAN CRISIS IN THE ISONZO

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 32, 1 November 1917, Page 5

THE ITALIAN CRISIS IN THE ISONZO

FALL OF UDINE ENEMY'S TROOPS ON THE ITALIAN PLAIN By Telegraph—Frees Association—Copyright New York, October 30. TJdin* has fallen.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A German official report announces tho capture of Udinc—Aus,-N.Z. Cable Undine (20 000 inhabitants) is 20 miles north-west of Gorizia, and,about the same distance'cast of the Tagliamento Biver. It Jβ eight miles within the JJvs of I'ruila of which province it is tho ancient and once fortified capital. AS a railway ceatre, from which five lines radiate, it has high strategical importance.] ITALIAN OFFICIAL REPORT ENEMY'S ADVANCE DETAINED. London, October 80. An Italian official report states: "Our withdrawal to new positions continued yesterdav The destruction of the bridges over the Isonzo and the successful action of'our covering units detained the enemy's advance. Our cavalry is in contact with, the hostile vanguards."~Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn.-Heuter. ITALY BETRAYED BY SPIES (Rec. October 31, 8.45 p.m.) , Washington, October SO. The administrative officials learn that Italy tm betrayed. They declare that spies "ave the Teutons all the military and civil secrets. Germany is believed to be "preparing for two great spring thrusts, one from the Italian plains and the second on Petrograd.—Eeuter. THE GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT London, Ootober SO. A German official repoTt states: "We are pressing on towards the Tagliamento River. Austro-German forces from tho Carnio Alps have gamed a footbold on Venetian, soil on the whole front."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Kouter. AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL REPORT. (Rec. October 31, 11.30 p.m.) London, Ootober 30 ; ' An Austrian official report states: "We wrested from the enemy his frontier BoeiKons eouth-westward of Tarvis, near the Pontafel-Ploocken region, and at Greatpal."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn-Reuter. AUSTRO-SWISB FRONTIER AGAIN CLOSED. Rome, October 30. The frontier between Austria and Switzerland is again closed. Germany is sending more- troops to Italy .-"The Times. THE EVACUATION OF GORIZIA. (Eec. October 31, 8.45 p.m.) Amsterdam, October 30. A Vienna message states that the Emperor Carl has entered Gorizia. "The Italians destroyed and plundered a large part of the city and removed the population."—Eeuter. COMMENTS ON THE SITUATION AMERICAN PRESS OPINION RATHER PESSIMISTIC. . Now York, October 3(1. The New York papers are pessimistic about the Italian situation. The "Herald" eays: "It is now the duty of Americans to grit their teeth and prepare for two or three years of war." The "Sun" states: "If tho Italians were driven back because of the lack of artillery, there is yet time to halt the German advance." The "World" says: "Tho Italians have been defeated, but it is not yet clear whether it is a disaster. The lesson wo learn from every war activity is that every nation must be speeded .up to drive bad: the ruthless Hun." Mr. Frank Simonds, writing in the "Tribune," sajs: "It is too soon to be pessimistic, bnt wo are seeing the beginning of what might become one of the greatest disasters in military history. The Italian offensive has been ruined, but Italy may yet rally." ' . The New York "Times" states that the Italian situation means deferring ' peace. Italy has not received the full help asked for. The circumstances seem to indicate a lack of perfect co-ordintHon amongst the Allies, and the neo'J of ! a eupreme command to keep a vigilant eye on all the fronts. America must supply the Allies with men. arms, and foodstuffs and prepare for a lengthy war of great magnitude.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn WHY YON MACKENSEN CHOSE TOLMINO ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF STRATEGY AGAIN DEMONSTRATED. I Amsterdam, October M. A correspondent of the "Nieuwo Tiottordam Cour.int" with the Atistrians says that von Mackensen chose '.I'o'mino for the attack because the Italians had only two brigades there, with weak reserves, whereas fiftj-fire brigades were massed on the Bainsizza Plateau, with much artillery. Tho Austrian general, Henvquez, heavily attacked on Bainsizaa to prevent reinforcements going to -Tolinino, where the attuck was a complete success, and forced a retirement from Bainsizza. Tho storming troops, which penetrated a deep ravine, cut oft ten thousand prisoners and two hundred guns.—Au?.-N.Z. Cable Assn. "CALM CONFIDENCE PREVAILS EVERYWHERE" i MATURED PLANS FOR ALLIED ASSISTANCE. (Rec. October 31, 8.15 p.m.) London. October SO. The "Daily Telegraph's" Porno corretpondont states: "A spirit of calm confidence prevails everywhere. The military situation is considered to be grave, but not desperate. No delusions are entertained that the enemy can bo prevented from invading the plains, but it iB most important that the Italians' resistance should be sufficient to enable the Italian advanced troops to be brought back to a solid lino. The rear troops, which have been charged with this duty, are fighting like lions. During General Fooh's recent visit to Italy a matured plan wns adopted providing for Allied nssistance to Italy in the ease of need."— A us.-N.Z. Cable Assn.