ITALY’S FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1917, Page 2

ITALY’S FRONT

A Correspondent’s Eulogy. (United Service —CopydgnL) (Received May 30, at 9.20 a.to.) London, May 29

Murdoch, who is visiting the Italian front, after reviewing the pcsuion of the Armies, saya the hat tie is ef-sen-tially one of Infantry. Folds.rf tbe hills, gullies'and peaks protic the Austrian machine gunners from the Italian guns, compelling the In!a itry to do most of the work, which is being none strongly placed machine gnns, of which the Austrians have large supplies. The Austrian artillery does little counter attack work, coueerving; its sheila for defensive barrages during au attack.

There are indie’.tiom that the Austrians have drawn many guns to these

regions.

He saw eighteen thousand prisoners, mostly Dalmation?, Lzeobs aod Huagariacs of all ages trora 18 to 45, but ninety per cent w~.r> from 22 to 32.

They struek him as mutcalsr in appearance, showing th<y had not suffered from shortage of feed. Murdoch says a lu l in the SghtiDg is nedeasary in preparation for a further offensive, pariicularly here, where the skill of Italian sappers alone makes war possible.

Ridge after ridge mast bs systematically bought at tbeir price until the gates are unlocked, perhaps months ahead. Every trench most be blasted from the rocks. Miles cf tunnels exist.

None can question the valor of the Italians nor the heartiness of their war effort. Her figures of mobilisation would astonish the world. Italy’s Demands Vancouver May 27 A message from Washington s'ates that the U.S.A. Administration has received Italy’s revised demands, which are to be considered by the Allies at the close of the war. Italy has conceded some modifications of her proposed settlement cf her national boundaries sines the United States entered the war, in deference to President Wilson's plea on behalf of smaller nationalities. Italy’s demands are chiefly five in number:— (1) Annexation of all Islands in the Adriatic. (2) Annexation of a 25 tnile wide belt of tearitory, from the present boundary of Italy elorg the entire coast of Rogues a, with only one inter- , rnpt’on. (3) Bosnia-Het zegovini to be given to Serbia, with an outlet to the Adriatic at Ragusa. (4) Austria to have tbo pop of Fiume.

(5) In accordance with Preside it Wilson’s plea Albania lo be indepeDdent, and to be permitted t.O decide its own form of government by plebiscite.