Italy

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 46, 21 September 1916, Page 5

Italy

IMPORTANT GATHERING IN NOVEIKBEH. Press Association— Copyright, Australian and.N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 11.20 a.m.) Rome, September 20. The United Press learns" that the Pope intends to make an important' declaration on the war and the prospects of peace at a Consistory in November, when several new Cardinals will be created. Italy has informed the Vatican that she does not object to Austro-German Cardinals attending the Consistory. THE ISONZO OFFENSIVE. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Rome, September 19. The Italian offensive on the isonzo is proceeding steadily. During the first phase of the fight, from the 13th to the. 16th, the Austrians lost two- | thirds of their front line. The bloodiest encounters occurred on the second and third days, when the enemy's reserves arrived.' The Fifth Austrian Army Corps, which was countering the Italian right Hank, ( sustained enormous losses.

General Cadorna postponed the offensive for eight days owing to heavy rains. The bombardment was so tremendous that the Austrian trenches were reduced to mounds of pulverised ruins, mangled aims and legs. The attackers frequently found the Austrian trenches full of big unexploded shells.

Austrian 15-inch guns arc now frantically endeavouring to destroy Goriaia and Montfalcone. The Italian heavy batteries are demolishing the vast'caverns in the. heights behind Gorizia and Trieste, where the Austrian 15-in. guns are sheltering.