THE WAR IN THE BALKANS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1918, Page 2

THE WAR IN THE BALKANS.

THE ADVANVCE CONTINUES.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, July 13.

An Eastern communique states that our advance in Albania continues on both banks of the Dovoli. Mount Komjams on the right bank was captured. The mountainous region, on the left bank, between Dovoli and Tomorica has been cleared except tho hill commanding the confluence, where the enemy is resisting. Over four hundred prisoners have been taken, PRISONERS TAKEN. LONDON, July 12th. The Allies captures ■ in Albania to date total 1,600 prisoners, and six guns. The enemy losses are very heavy. BOOTY SECURED. LONDON, July 13. Italian official: Our booty in Albania includes three guns, and four trench j guns. SALONIKA MOVE EXPECTED WASHINGTON, July 11. American military officers expect momentarily an Allied drive from Salonika. EFFECT IN BALKANS. ROME, July 13. The Italian advance on. Albania, With French assistance in the centre, . and Greeks on the right flank and British naval support, is producing a great political and military effect in the Balkans. All oppressed Austrian nationalities are anxious to jofti in the fight. The latter declare that Austria is the Achilles Heel , of the enemy Alliance. If the Allies , succeed in attacking this valuable.spot, i the whole Austro-German compact may collapse like a pack of cards.

A SERIOUS DEFEAT.

ROME, July 12th. The Austrians’ defeat in Albania is serious. Tile Italians advanced in three days from thirty to forty kilometres alongthe whole southern bank of the Semeni, and occupied Herat, which they enveloped after a three days* battle. The Italians captured Fieri and found an aerodrome with several aeroplanes intact. Later an enemy aeroplane, unaware of what had happened,'landed. The aeroplane contained an Austrian aviator and four ladies. GREAT ITALIAN VICTORY. •,/ WASHINGTON. July 11th. ’ Official advices confirm the Italian capture of Herat. The Fnvnco-Italian troops operating in Albania are seriously menacing the Bui gnrian right wing near Monastir. The Allied offensive is developing favourably, forcing the Austrians to retreat which in places, approaches a rout. Various engageihents along a 125 kilometre front, between Hake Obhreda and the sea resulted in the Allies capturing large quantites of war materials.

The French continue to advance -at Osum and west of Kortz, while the Italians, operation from Vallonais seized Demnlacastra and reached the lower course of the Senicni. Austrian reports acknowledge that Berat was surrounded before the Austrians retired. THE ALBANIA SUCCESS. LONDON, July 12. A Rome semi-ocial report states that the importance of the success in Albania is only realisable by the knowledge of topography. The country is unlike most of the other theatres of war. Occupation of territory can only lie carried out by detachments holding isolated tactical points. Our advance lias resulted in the shortening of the front by dozens of kilometres. AUSTRIAN ADMISSION. ' OF GREAT LOSSES. ' ZURICH, July 12..: The Austrians admit great losses, in Albania, including Berat. . ITALIAN SUCCESSES. (Received This Dav at 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 13. Italian official.—We repulsed an attempted attack south of Sassofosso. AVo maintain contact with the new enemy line north of Semeni. AA'e dispersed retreating enemy columns north of Berat. Prisoners since the 6th exceed 1,800. MURMAN OPERATIONS. iAUSTRALIAN <S* N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATI-W ifc REUTER. ] (Received Tine ef-11.25. a.m.) LONDON, July 13. The news that the Allies are landing an army for protecting Murman draws attention to the gravity of events in Russia. There are thirty-five German and fifteen Austrian divisions between Finland and the Black Sea. . German divisions are approaching Murman railway from Finland, and divisions are moving east in other directions, seriously threatening Allied interests, have nearly reached the Volga and gained the rich Don territory, and are aiming at the Baku oil fields, the possession of which opens the route to Central Asia and tho Indian frontier zone. Tho obscurity of Russian news complicates tho situation/- but it is believed the Bolshevik Army, with a maximum of 60,000 is unlikely to fight. GERMAN EFFORTS. (Received This Day at 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 13. Germans, with the aid of Finns, are making an effort to .establish submarine bases on the Murman coast, which are open all the winter, and also to cut off Russia from the Allies. Further forces are being sent. BIG ITALIAN ADVANCE. (Received This Dav at 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 13. The Italians in Albania have advanced from ten to twenty miles. The Austrians are retiring in disorder.