ITALY’S OFFENSIVE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1917, Page 2

ITALY’S OFFENSIVE

A Hopeful Position (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter,) (Received June 1, at 10.10 a.m.) „ London, Maj 31 The Central News’ Rome correspondent states the Battle of Isorzo has been completed in the first phase in the failure of the Austrian counter attacks on Yodice. The Austrians admitted that they relied on the impregnability of their own positions. Their plans were bated on that tssumption These have now been upset, and the initiative has virtually passed into Italian haads. Prisoners declare that Austria reported that Switzerland had reported a separate peace wiih.Risra was imminent. The participation of the monitors ie increasing in importance, in v»ew of their employment in addition to aeroplanes and all other weapons of land warfare. The battle of Carso is regarded as one of the most interesting of modern battles.

THE FIGHT FOR TRIESTEA Big Job[BBUTER’S SERVICE, —COPYRIGHT. 1 London, May 31 Reuter’s correspondent on the Italian front speaks of Trieste as only ten miles away, but tbe intervening mountainous terrain is heavily fortified and shelterless. It is impossible to dig in without drilling. It is reported the Austrians are removing heavy guns from Hermada, but Hermada is not the only obstaole to reaching Trieste. Other heights nearer the city are probably strongly held. It is expected tbe ' Italians will have to fight for every foot of the ground. AUSTRIA’S DROOPING TROOPSAppeals to Patriotism. / (Received June 1, at 11.15 a.m.) London, May 31 Tbe Daily Telegraph’s Milan correspondent says Austrian prisoners statements show that the commanders use every means to revive the troops’ drooping spirits.

Captured documents appealed to every contingent to resist to the utmost, for the sake of the Emperor and Fatherland.

General Sobenk issued an order to tbe 23rd Army Corps, which was cut up at Hermada, reminding them that they h&d won nine victories, aisd if they won a tenih they would be recommended distinction.

Tha so-called, victories were merely successive letreatp.

As a final incentive, Emperor Karl addressed the Bifth Army, raying—- “ They bad barred the hereditary enemy’s advance to Tries s since the outbreak of the war. May the God of battle to-day lead the valiant Isodzo army to victory.” Dtspite such appeals, the Italians won 25 miles of the road to Trieste, and tha Austrian losses were about 90,000.

Austria’s Desires Copenhagen May-31 The Austrian Socialist delegation at Stockholm has-issued a statement asserting that Austrians want peace without annexations and compensation, also the independence of Belgium, Serbia, Montenegro, Finland, end Russian Poland. .The settlement of tbe Balkans must be left to the populations thereof, the Poles in Galioia and Prussia to be autonomous, within tbe Austro-German Empire,

Austrian Dead Rome, May 31 Correspondents at the front declare at least 20,000 Austrian dead lie in Yodice Yulley. A British aeroplane has arrived at Rome from. London via Paris, Turin and Pisa.

Italy’s Aim (Received June 1, at 11.15 a.m.) ' Washington, May 31 An Italian miaeioner has made the statement that the Italian offensive is directed against Laibach, with the objact of opening a route towards Yienna. If Russia were to strike a blow now she would be certain to be able to free her soil of the invaders, as the Austiians will be obliged to shift their best troops to tbe Italian front.

An Austrian Grava

Rome, May 31 The Vodioe Massif ia becoming the tomb of entire Austrian Brigades, who are gent in a fruitless endeavor to recapture the position#, wuh a reckless disregard of life. There have been especially violent counter afctsoks since Saturday, always causing enormous losses to the Austrians, who have not yet admitted the loss of Vodice Massif, apparently hoping to reoapture it. A Triumphal Tour. Petkograd, May 31 Advices from the front state M Kerenekys tour is a triumphal pro* gross. JLL *v«3 received with enthusiasm by the troops, who declared their readiness to advance.