GOOD STROKE IN THE BALKANS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 254, 15 July 1918, Page 5

GOOD STROKE IN THE BALKANS

AUSTRIANS PUT TO FLIGHT

SIGNAL SUCCESS OF ALLIED MOVE

HEAVY LOSS INFLICTED

London, July 12. A French communiquo states: "South of Devoli wo are continuing our success. Wo seized the wholo of the Kosnitza Eidge, and occupied all the villages in the Temorica Valley. On the left the Italians captured tho Cafaqleanvaiui Heights. The Ausfaiaas, who Buffered heavy losses, aro retreating, pillaging, and burning their depots. Tho enemy artillery is active on the Macedonian front, especially west of tho Vardar and north of Monastir."—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn.-Reuter. (Rco. July 14, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 12. A French Eastern official communique states-.—"Our advance in Albania continues on both banks of tho Dovoli. Mount Komjams, on the right bank, has been captured, and the mountainous region on tho left bank between Devoli and Tomorica has been cleared, except for a hill commanding tho confluence of the river, where tho enemy is resisting. Over four hundred,, prisoners have been taken."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Keuter. ITALIAN OFFICIAL REPORT (Rec. July 14, 11.15 p.m.) London, July 13. An Italian official report states: "Wo maintained contact with the enemy's new line north of Someni, and dispersed retreating enemy columns north of Herat. The prisoners captured since July G exceed eighteen hundred."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter.

THE ITALIAN BOOTY. (Rec. July 14, 5.5 p.m.)

London, July 12. An Italian official report states:—"Our booty in Albania includes three guns and four trench guns."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Renter.

ITALIAN FRONT SHORTENED. (Rec. July 14, 5.5 p.m.)

Rome, July 12. An Italian semi-official report states:~ "The importance of our success in Albania can only be. realised by a knowledge of the tonography of the country. Unlike most of the other theatres of the war, the occupation of territory can only be carried out by detachments holding isolated tactical points. Our advance has resulted in a shortening of the front by dozens of kilometres—Renter.

ITALIANS, CAPTURE BERAT. Vancouver, July 12. The Italians have captured berat— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FURTHER ADVANCE. (Rec. July 15, 1.20 a.m.) London, July 13. The Italians in Albania have advanced from ten to hventy mile?. The Anstrians are retiring in disordcr.-'Au?.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BULGARIAN RIGHT WING MENACED. (Rec. July 14, 5.5 p.m.) New York, July 12. Official advices confirm the Italian capture of Berat. Franco-Italian troops, operating in Albania, are seriously menacing tho Bulgarian right wing near Monastir. Tho Allied offensive is developing favourably, forcing the Austrians to retreat, which in places approaches a rout. Varipus engagements along a 75-mile front between Lake Ochrida and tho sea resulted in tho Allies capturing largo quantities of war materials.

Tho French continue to advance at Osnm -and west of Koritz, while the Italians operating from Vallona seized Demalacastra, and readied tho lower course of tho Scmeni. Austrian roports acknowledge that Berat was surrounded beforo the Austrians retired. Tho American military officials expect an Allied drive to take place from Salonika at any nioment. ~ ALLIES' CAPTURES TO DATE. (Rec. July 14, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 12. Tho Allies' captures in Albania to date total sixteen hundred prisoners and six guus. The enemy's losses were very heavy."—Router. AUSTRIANS ADMIT HEAVY LOSSES. Zurich, July 12. The Austrians admit great losses in Albania.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. a seriouslefeat ITALIANS ADVANCE 25 MILES. Rome, July 12. Austria's dofoafc in Albania, is serious. The Italians advanced in three days a distance of .20 to 25 miles. Tho whole of tho southern bank of the Semeni has been occupied, and Berat is enveloped. After a threo days' battle tho Italians captured Fieri, where ihey found an aerodrome and several aeroplanes intact. Later an enemy aeroplane, unawaro of what had happened, landed. Tho aeroplane contained an Austiriau aviator and four ladies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. POLITICAL VALUE OF THE OFFENSIVE. (Rec, July li, 5.5 p.m.) Rome, July 13. Tho Italian advance in Albania, with French assistance in tho centre, tho Greeks on tho right flank, and British naval support, is producing a great political military effect in tho Balkans. All the oppressed Austrian nationalities are anxious to join in tho fight. The latter declare that Austria is Achilles'e heel of the enemy alliance. If tho Allies succeed in attacking this vulnerable Bpot, the wholo Austro-Gorman compact may collapso liko a pack of cards—Router. MERCENARY HORDES IN AUSTRIAN FORCES. (Rec. July 11, 5.5 p.m.) Salonika, July 13. An intense famino with a terriblo mortality is officially reported from Montenegro. People thers are feeding on herbs, roots, and treo bark. Numerous bands of insurgents continue to harass the Austrians. To suppress brigandago the Austrians employ as mercenaries halfsavage Albanians, who track down insurgents and perpetrate inconceivably terriblo cruelties.—United Service.

AN AIR ATTACK

(Rec. July 14, 5.5 p.m.)

London, July 12. The Press Bureau reports;—" Th- British air squadrons dropped half a ton of bombs on Constivntinoplo on July 7. The Kuleli-Burgas Bridge station, in Bulgaria, on which a quarter of o. ton of bombs was dropped recently, was badly dnrangod."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rou-ter.