ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1917, Page 3

ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

ANOTHER OFFENSIVE. Received, this day at 8.45 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 9th. The Observer’s correspondent adds— The withdrawal \Vqs a complete success, all unit* maintaining contact. It is estimated that General Conrad massed ten divisions from l.ecil Siseniol to Bi'cntu. outnumbering the Italians at some points by ten to one. The enemy lias opened ,a general bombardment between Astieo and Mont Grappa, thereby announcing another effort. ITALY’S DANGER. THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE. (Received This Day at 11.25. a.m.) LONDON December 9.

The Observer’s Romec orrespondent stat es - General Conrad’s principal attack began between Monte lonzarecan andßadeveculi, enabling him to insert the wedge in this portion o! the Italian line, which is here the weakest, since u ° complete defence is possible, in asnnicli as the positions are under the enemy’s batteries on the summit. The wedge being thus inserted the Austrian Commander changed the direction of the attack towards the small plateau of Foza, where all Toads and nnilepaths meet. The Italians, after a valiant defence, abandoned Melette and Custel-Gom-herte system, 'and fell hack to tlie Minsta-SpiUu line. Five enemy divisions at night time occupied the* rocky slopes of Frcnzeld and Godena valleys. Tlie Italians right wing was withdrawn agross Frcnzeld valley and took up a position on Hie main line ’of defonce.

ITALIAN REPORT. rAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER.] (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.l LONDON December 9. Italian official—The batteries on Asia go plateau heavily shelled hostile forces. A French patrol between Brenta and Pinre brought bank prisoners. Our machine gfunnling troops. Airships aeroplanes effectively bombarded lines of communication on Asiago plateau, dropped, four tons of bomts on enemy encampments. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. ESPIONAGE IN AMERICA. NEW YORK, Dec. 4 7. Important papers were seized following the arrest of Otto Markel, secretary to the German University League. They tend to show the existence of a German military, organisation in the United States for “defence.” The papers indicate that information regarding military preparations, and economic and industrial resources were foi-warded to General von Mackensan through a Dutch medium.

ANGLO- JAPANESE PROTEST. (Reuter’s Telegram.) TIENTSIN, Dec. 7. Anglo- Japanee protests have been lodged against the Telefunken wireless contract with China being granted, because the promoters are masquerading as Danish. FINAL DARDANELLES REPORT. (Reuter’s Telegram.) LONDON, Dec. 8. j The final Dardanelles report, comj pleted, deals with the operations from , the 23rd March to the evacuation. I The Government ha§ not .decided on j .its immediate publication, or to post- ! pone it until after the war. j WAR AGAINST AUSTRIA. i WASHINGTON, Dec. 7. The, House passed the resolution hv 361 votes to 1, and it was immediately sent to White House. President Wilson signed it this evening, completing the legislative process. j TWO AEROPLANES LOST. I (Received, This Day at. 8.50. a.m.) | .AMSTERDAM Decembr 90. It is reported that two German aeroplanes ret inkling .from the English raid, fell at Zeebrugge, the crews being killed and the machines destroyed. I CHINA’S OFFER. > • (Received Tl ,: « Dav at 11.25. a.m.) T WASHINGTON December 9. It is reported the Chinese Government has officially informed the Allies that China wishes to actively participate in '-.,e war, if provided with munitions and money. The Allie s have not replied to this offer, which, will be submitted to the Paris Conference,

j A STEAMER, lost. (Received This Day at 9.15 a.m.) OTTAWA December 9. fllhe Government. Steamer Guncoe wnjs abandoned (Inning ,a st'prrn at Magdalene Island. The crew of 46 lock to the boats, and arc believed to be drowned. EQUADOr SEVERS RELATIONS (Received This Day at 9.15 a.m.) GUAY AQUIL, December 9. Equador has severed relations with Germany because German agents provocation is affecting the national dignity and continental solidarity. PEACE RUMOURS. [LONDON' TIMES SERVICE —COPYRIGHT] (Received This Dav at 9.30. a'.ro.) •LONDON December 9. Tho lobbies are full of all kinds of rumours. Some are reflected in the forthcoming question to Hon. Lloyd j George asking whether peace overtures had been received from the Central | Powers. | A FINNISH REPUBLIC. Received, this day at 8 45 a.m. STOCKHOLM, Dec. 9th. The Finnish Diet lias adopted a Dill constituting Finland a Republic. The election of a President for live years, is fixed for loth Jan. The President will be inaugurated In April, the Premier acting aR Presidentin the interval. MISSING. WASHINGTON Dec. 9. Captain Bagley, in command of the Jacob Jones, and a brother-in-law of Secretary Daniels, i* among the missing. *.

CAPT. BAGLEY" RESCUED. (Received Tld* llnv at 11.25. a.m.) WASHINGTON December 9. A motor boat with six survivors from the Destroyer, including Captain Baglv, having been picked up and landed at Scilly. The total saved wa* 43. She was of the newest type of 1350 tons. There is much comment that she sank 500 miles from shore. REVOLUTION IN PORTUGAL. .MADRID. December 9. Wireless—Follnwimc the revolutionary food riots the Costa Government has been overthrown and a provisional Government established under Senator Dais, a former Minister of Works and Justice. GOVERNMENT RESIGNS. [“REUTER'S” TELEGRAM.] (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) - LISBON December 9. After three days fierce fighting between* troons faithful to Government and revolutionaries under Senor Pais, Government in order to avoid disastrous dissensions in the army, proposed the cessation of hostilities and resigned. Lisbon is militarily controlled. During the fighting .the Cruiser Vasco di Famnl, and the torpedo-boat Juan Diano shelled the city.