ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1918, Page 2

ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] HOLDING THE AUSTRIANS. 1 [AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER, j LONDON, Juno 19. British-Italian official.—The situation on the British front is unchanged. The Anglo-ltalian artillery shows great initiative, causing the heaviest losses. The air forces, owing to mist, have been unable to operate during practically the whole battle, but they gallantly delayed the enemy’s advance across tho Piave.. The total prisoners exceeds one thousand and the material includes five mountain guns, seventy machine guns and 20 Flammenwerfer.

BRITISH DEFENCE. • AUSTRALIAN A N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] LONDON, June 19. A correspondent, describing the fighting on Saturday, says that the British not only merely resisted all Austrian attacks, but counter attacked so gallantly that they, caused an Italian superior officer to remark, “They are slamming the gates of Italy in the. face"'of the invader.”

A detachment of British cyclists ac coiuplished heroic deeds. [Moving along a sunken road they suddenly ran into a vastly superior Austrian contingent who wore barfing the way. The Britishers immediately dismounted, fixed bayonets and charged the Austrians, who simultaneously charged a terrific fight ensuing, which ended in the Austrians discarding their rifles and fleeing. The cyclists pursued and took many prisoners.

AUSTRIAN POSITION: : LONDON, June 19. A wireless message from Rome states that the position of the Austrians -s who crossed the Piave is most precarious. They are surrounded by Italians and a swollen river, nnd are being continuously bombarded by our artillery, aeroplanes and destroyers. DEMORALISATION SHOWING ROMEj June 19. The “Messaggere” states that tho heavy rains of the last few days have rendered the Piave practically uncrossable. The Austrians find it almost impossible to transmit food and other supplies. The Austrians’ plight is all tho more serious because they have not brought up food reserves. The. enemy is showing many signs of demoralisation. \ ;

AT MONTELLO. LONDON, June 18th. Reuter’s correspondent at Italian Headquarters points out that unless tho _ Austrians can establish bridge-heads where they crossed the Piave and get guns over, especially on the small section at Montello, which they hold, probably the only result of their crossing will be that they will become prisoners.. CURIOUS HAPPENINGS. ROME June 19. Several curious happenings are reported behind the Austrian lines, where, it is stated Czechs are blowing up munition dumps.

ITALIAN SUCCESS. (Received This Dav at 9.50. a.m.) LONDON, June 20. The Italians* have recaptured Caporito.

. ITALIAN CONFIDENCE. Reuter’s Telegrams. ROME, June 19, Signor Orlando (Italian Premier), in the Chamber, dwelt on the sympathy of Italy for the oppressed Austrian Nationalities, who could absolutely rely on the promise of the Entente and their aspirations would be realised when the Entente was victorious. Signor Orlando declared that the Government would neglect no opportunity of concluding an honourable peace but there was possibility of such a peace yet presented. The certain so-called peace offers were solely enemy political meneouvres. The Government was convinced that it was interpreting tho sentiments of all Italians in declaring ike national annihiliation was preferable to a dishonourable peace.

The Chamber by 283 to 34 voted confidence in the Government and adopted the Provisional Budget.

ITALIAN REPORT. LONDON, June 19th. ' Ail Italian semi-official report states British infantry resisted magnificently on tho front lines, which were destroyed by the bombardment, even after tho enemy passed, and counter-attacked with such impetus that they re-estab-lished the situation. The Franco-Bri-tish contingent sustained an attack by fifteen divisions. ENEMY REPORTS. LONDON, June 19th. Captured enemy reports show the Austrians were ordered to advance at all costs, "Because the Italians will surrender in masses,” and express surprise at the splendid resistance. One report says the situation is desperate, units being mixed up, ammunition'was wanting and the attack enormously difficult. Captured enemy officers are unanimous in declaring that the offensive lias failed.

FRENCH PRESS HOPE. PARIS, June 20. The French Press assumes that Austria will be unable to avert a disastrous defeat in Italy. Their lo*tes are already enormous.