THE ITALIAN OFFENSIVE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11648, 17 August 1916, Page 5

THE ITALIAN OFFENSIVE.

CONTiHUED WITH VIM AND SUCCESS.

Tii»' revelations made by Messrs Montague and Lloyd George have in them material for astonishment and hope. That even as late in Hie war as the battle of Loos high explosive shells used by the British wore mors dangerous to them than the Germans, and their use had to be discontinued is a most astounding 'statement. They were, however, obtaining shells from any firms in America that would make them as well as obtaining them from linns in Britain who had never seen a shell previous to being asked to manufacture them. Hope comes in the prospect of plenty of munitions. The Germans are seeking to frighten us with an account of a Man of Mystery who is commanding [their armies on the Somme. There have been rumours of many men of mystery in command in this war, have usually turned out to be mere humans in use. The correspondent says be is unable" to mention his name. Probably it is one of those polysyllabic all-consonant affairs which dislocates all jaw=. German officers who have been captured by the Russians have an idea that if the war continues [until next spring the Germans may ask for peace on the basis of evacuation ot allied territory and possibly submit to pay an indemnity, but would immediately prepare for another war. If that is their intention we shall carry on until they abandon it. Bubonic plague has made its appearance in Bristol and the horrible disease baa been traced to a rat which had been deliberately infected. By whom? It Js easy to guess, A people which proclaims the inten. turn to massacre British civilians by air raids would sow any dreadful epidemic among its population if they were able to do so. The Italian offensive has not yet lost its momentum and is still being energetically pushed. They have ousted the Austrians from several strong positions. On the British and French front the British have gained the last good position position held on the Pozieres plateau and the Russians still continue to advance. The German abominable barbarities still continue- in France. A whole town has been ordered to work for them and on refusal has been threatened with the massacre of its fifteen thousand inhabitants and the destruction of the town. How can the civilised world complacently look on while these Bottomless jiit ghouls continue their atrocities