AUSTRO-GERMAN CHECK IN ITALY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 70, 15 December 1917, Page 9

AUSTRO-GERMAN CHECK IN ITALY

ASSURING STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER ENEMY'S ATTACKS REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSSES London, December 13. An Italian official report states: "We have regained a great part of the trenches in the Col della Beretta region which we were nnab e to reoccupv .on Tuesday We sangu manly Tepulsed two violent attacks in the Ulcmo Valley The enemf attacked in force east of the Brenta at midday. The attark continued fiercely in the. afternoon, but ceased at night owing .to the enemy ? s heavy 10/eee A powerful attack at Caklipo Pappeyex broke down." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

SITUATION GREATLY IMPROVED

STATEMENT BY ITALIAN PRBMIEB.

Rome, Decemher 13. Signer Orlando, Prime Minister, addressing the Chamber of Deputies, said ttat the military situation bad greatly improved, thanksi tci the resistance of the italiaß.troopa jn Italy. 11 e was equa b< gnitehilto the glorious British'and French troops, who confirmed the .solidarity of the Allies. Uβ Government was promoting a scheme to insure every soldier for £40. Itau-n industry, commerce, and agriculture wero highly satisfactory.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■.

A CORRESPONDENT'S REPORT ON THE SITUATION

(Rec. December 14, p.m.)

London, December 13. Reiner's correspondent at Italian Headquarters states:'' The enemy continues to mass troops and artillery in the Trentino, especially on- both sides ■of the Brenta, River. The Allied aircraft regularly bombard the AustroGerman reinforcements, but Iresh contingents fill the gaps. The enemy s artillery is overwhelmingly superior, and destroyed the Italian defences. The defenders' casualties were heavy, but they resisted so fiercely that tlio enemy's losses averaged 50 per cent.' of his strength, —neuter. AUSTRIAN CLAIMS FOR FOUR DAYS' FIGHTING (Rec. December 14, 7.55 p.m.) London, December 13. A wireless Austrian official report "Wo took prisoner in foor days' fiehtin* in the Monte Meletta region 639 officers and 16,000 men, 293 guns, and 233 machiue-guns."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ■ CZECHS IN AUSTRIA INFECTED BY BOLSHEVIK ' PROPAGANDA : (Rec. December 14, 10.30 p.m.) Paris, December Id. ' Advices from Vienna state that the Czechs have been inNfed by the Bolshevik propaganda. They are introducing a Bill in the Austrian Lower House for the distribution of the lands amongst the peasantry.-Reuter.