THE WAR

Horowhenua Chronicle, 30 May 1916, Page 3

THE WAR

i • teIegraph—COPYRIGHT.J [PXB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] • THE INVASION OF ITALY. Rome, May 29, The Auatrians gained a substantial success in the centre inasmuch as the Italians abandoned the main lime of the Arsiro-Asiago plateau.. The Auatrians are nearing Posinia and are enclosing upon Arsiro, where they claim to have captured an armoured work on the northern outskirts. Italy's situation on -the wings, however, is very satisfactory." The Austriane suffered in the terrible attacks on the Italian, 'left, especially at Zugnatorta. andi Oonizugra, the Austrians utilising 15 divisions in an offensive on a front of 50 mijes between Late ttarda and Brenta. The nature of the country does not pennt of a continuous line of trenches similar to Verdun. The chief handicap to the Austrian® is the lack of railways and good roads. Asiro is deserted, but communications are intact. Th population in the Vicenza district are calm and confident. Italian soidiers are massing everywhere. j BULGARIANS INVADE GREECE. Salonina, May 28. Twenty-five thousand Bulgarians have crossed the frontier and occupied Rupcl pass. Tfiey then demanded the surrender of the Greek fort and earthworks at tlie entrance of Struma gorgo near Demirhissar, giving the garrison two hours to retire. The G'l'eek outposts offered a lively resistance but the forces finally dxew back upon instructions from Athens. The Bulgarians then occupied the Station and bridge of Demirhisaar.

May 29. The Bulgars crossed the frontier « three o'clock in the morning. Germai andi Bulgar superior officers informed the Greek commander that they weri obliged to seize Rupel fort in order t< assure the Bulgarian left against th( Allies aittatok. They added that thej wouid occupy all the forts in the Dem irhisear region, which the Greeks recently constructed to protect the seetoi against a Bulgar invasion. Other forces of Bulgars occupied Der vendu diefile and invaded the plain west of Strumna and are now marching tc KavaUa. Venezelist newspapers publish very strong articles denouncing the inva sion. Later reports state that the Bulgars occupied four mora forts including J> ort Cragotlne. They also reached! Spa/tovo. There are ocmaidcnU* morementb of Bulgars in the Oxijar sector. Engineers are bridging the Nettos. AT VMUDUN.

Paris, May 29. The German gains at Verdun in eight days total three hundred yards. The enemy were not long in possession of (Jumieres. A series of grenade attacks on Friday enabled the French to quietly organize two columns of attackers east and west of the village. 'Ilie eastern coiumn captured the mili at nightfall and found the enemy dug in in trenches one behind another across the main street. They recaptured tlie houses by night-long siege operations. Meanwhile tlie western column was progressing. The enemy fearful lest the village might be surround.edi, hastily threw in heavy reinforcements. The i)rench maintain their gains thougn the Germans are counterattacking with eleven and a Half brigades. '