ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1918, Page 3

ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

[rEll PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.)

j AUSTRIAN NAVAL LOSSES. | ROME, June 23rd. j In the Senate, Admiral Delhono, Min- 1 I ister for Marine, referring to | naval successes, said that the'Austrians within the month, had lost two, and possibly three battleships, besides other I smallor vessels which had been damaged I severely. This blow will bo increased j if they added the loss of the battleship Worn, in the port of Trieste, also the damage and loss inflicted on lighter, surface craft and submarines. The: number of submarines which had been i dealt with was remarkable. 1 1

j LLOYD GEORGE’S OPINION, j (Received this day at 1.5 p.m.) j LONDON, June 24. j Hon. Lloyd George considers it quosj tionablo whether the Austrians will be ; able to make a proper retreat." The Allies nre ready for any blow that Germany might launch. I AUSTRIANS DEFENDING, i [LONDON TIMES SERVICE COPYRIGHT] Received this day at 2.36 p.m.,) LONDON, June 42. Mr Ward Price writes that the Austrians are badly beaten everywhere. It is estimated they have lost 180,000. They are still attempting to continue local fighting at the crossings of the Piave, with a view to preparing for the next stage of the general struggle, by linking up the two salients. Fierce collisions occurred in the central swamps at Cava-Zuccherina which protect Venice. All the fighting in this topsy turvy corner of the field is done j along narrow shelves between the dykes, . giving advantage to the defenders, who j are composed of odd assortments of sailors, Bersagliers and coast-guards us- | ing amphibious batteries, moved alternately on land and water. A CORRESPONDENT’S VIEW.

Received this day at 2.36 p.m.,) LONDON, June 24

Mr Hamilton Fyfe says the suggestion that the delay in the resumption of the offensive is duo to 4 - influenza in the enemy's ranks, appears to rest on a flimsy foundation. It is unwiso to accept a concurrent report that sections of German soldiers ire unwilling to fight, hut there is evidence of increasing dissatisfaction, due to the scarcity and inferiority of food, which consists of under twelve ounces of bread daily, coffee, brewed from roasted acorns, barley, very little meat, and tobacco made from dried oak leaves and bjrch bark. There lias been somo recent desertions, but it would be stupid and criminal to assume a real general lowering of the enemy’s morale. More- ' over, their numbers are still increasing from Russia. ANOTHER VIEW. LONDON, June 24. Mr Lovat Eraser says it is too soon to sing the Doxology of an Austrian failure Some Stout German divisions will pro bably stiffen tlic enemy and enable him to re-attack somewhere between Tondle Pass and Garda. { THE RETREAT. (Reuter’s Telegram.; ! ROME, June 24. ! An Italian war correspondent says the ■ Austrians are not only beatou, but they suffered a partial disaster, the extent and importance of which cannot yet be j estimated. | Hie Austrians at night began to withdraw' from the Piavo, hoping to retreat without attracting attention, but the Italian patrols, penetrating the enemy’s lines, discovered the manoeuvre. Italian artillery directed an intense fire on the enemy troops as they were crossing the river, and at eleven yesterday morning the Italian infantry, with magnificent dash, took the offensive and broke in the Montello front, ana the Austrian retirement became a disorderly retreat. ■At Nirvasa, which the Italians reoccupied, they found the Austnfcn guns intact, with ammunition, as well as Italian artillery lost at the beginning of the offensive. The waters of the Piavo are carrying away much material and hundreds of corpses. Italian aviators bombed and machinegunned the retreating masses, which were crowding the bridges.