ITALY AT WAR.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 215, 27 May 1915, Page 5

ITALY AT WAR.

■ FIRST OFFICIAL REPORT. ' CONSIDERABLE TERRITORY OCCUPIED, ■s\ ' •: (Rectf 10.45 pum.); ROME, May 26. Official: In Trentino we occupied Montozohale and Ponteeaffaro in Volonigiudicaria,- and terrtiory north of Ferar, also Montebaldo, Montecorne, Montefoppiano, on the north slope of lifi'ssini Pasubio and 1 Monteboffllami, also at the extremities of Agno Logravalleys, as well as the high defiles of the Breenta Valley. We occupied all the frontier from Vasses to Cadore, while on the Carnic frontier we won, by bayonet attack, the Valiniferno Pass, at the end of Valdegano and our offensive is progressing near Caporeto. Cur aviators are bombing, the electricity works and railway station at Monfalcone.. ITALIANS OVER THE FRONTIER. AUSTRIANS DESTROYING PROPERTY, DESTROYER ABUSES THE BRITISH FLAG. * ROME, May 26. The Italians are advancing op. a hundred kilometres front. The first contingents have penetrated from two to four miles, thus annulling the frontier imposed in 1866. The captures of Cormons and CeroIjnano are important to the Italians. The Austrians ar e burning property ind destroying public buildings Part of Trentino if; likely to fall into Italian hands. Ths destroyer bombarding Barletta flew the British flag. An Italian squadron pursued and seriously damaged the, < The "Giornale dTtalia" urges Italians 'to accustom to raids on the Adriatic coast, but the Italians fleet is sufficiently strong to avenge shells fired on unfortified towns.

The King is going to Cadorna's head, quarters. H e intends to share the ordinary rations of the army. » DISPOSAL OF ITALIAN TROOPS!. i GERMAN PRESS COMMENTS. / (Reed. 10.45 p.m.) ] " LONDON, May 26. Berlin newspapers cpme that • Italy will send forty thousand to tin Dardanelles and a force will be sent to Monten3»"D to assist in the capture of Cattara. i • ——_—_ V ITAL/ SAVES SERVIA AND \ MONTENEGRO. >s-,. _ !~j " ROME, May 26. A Green Book revealed thai the immunity of Serv a and Moniei egro from attack during the last three months ■was due to Italy en February 12th th? a'rrjning grave consequences if Austria took mi.itary action in the Balkans without previous agreement with Italy. jgf.j.; SHOT WITHOUT TRiAL 7* ? (Reed. 12.45 a.m.) LONDON, May 26. .' Twenty Italians living ?.t Meran wer e »hot without trial, as spfrs, because a railway brdig e was blown up. ##* - h: . BERLIN PRESS OPINION. f '"'' ' -i i . _ ?" LONDON, May 26. Tl«k Berlin press declares: We have T)eea prepared for this; and ar e not go-, down on our knees because Italy Intervened, It must be admittedtka£ our fyml victory & n9 # further

ITALIAN ACTIVITY. ' PROSPECTS OF SUCCESS. (Times and Syciney Sun Cables). (Uccd. 5.45 p.m.) LONDON, May 26. Rome reports that Italy is publishing further, official documents which prov .• that Austria throughout was only seemingly gaining time. Italy is mobilising all men age*d from 20 to 39 years before Tuesday. Military experts say that the Italians are massed at a point most dangerous to Austria, and most effectually to ensure demoralisation. It is reported that the Pope will studiously maintain the neutrality of the Vatican, permitting Italian Catholics to act in accordance with their own sentiments.

Italians, irrespective of party, have full confidence in the Cabinet. All the hospitals and convents on the frontier have been evacuated. Many Tyrolese suspected of sympathising with Italy have been arrested and taken to Austria, as hostages. It is reported that German troops, with Zeppelins and some of the heaviest artillery, are concentrated in the Adige valley ready to strike. It is reported that the immediate Austro-German offensive will be to attempt to invade Italy; in the event of failure they will be content to remain on th e defensive .■'...> The opinion is held in Rome that a limited number of Austro-German troops are aavilable, including many second and third lines, who will be pit ajgainst Jfresh and' Italians. The offensive is likely to collapse. , ii. ,

GERMANY INCENSED. WILL SACRIFICE WESTERN SUCCESS TO PUNISH ITALY. (Reed. 5.45 p.m.) LONDON, May 26. Indications are that Germany, irritated by the failure of Austrian diplomacy to prevent the war wttft Italy, is determined to strenuously co-oper-ate with Austria in giving Italy the punishment which Germany considers sh e even at the price of the loss of Ghent. KAISER'S MESSAGE TO THE KING. (Reed. 5.45 p.m.) LONDON, May 26. The Kaiser, in a message of persoaal farewell to the Italian Ambassador at Berlin, asked him to convey to King Victor" the indignation felt in Germany. AUSTRIA STILL WAITING, ITALY'S CONSENT NOT REQUIRED.. FOR ATTACKING SERVLW AMSTERDAM, May 25. The Austrian Ministry has published documents dealing with Austro-Italian negotiations which point out that Austria was not obliged under the Triplice Agreement to ask Italy's consent for diplomatic action against Serbia which did not mean war, though it could lead to it. A memorandum claims that after agreeing to certain territorial concessions Austria was ready to continue negotiations and to make further concessions but Italy, did not reply to the latest offer* but denounced tha Triplice agreement. : The "Frankfurter Zeitung,'* discussing' Ro/ura&t'ita's position, saya there p reason. *& .believe that Germanic £H# Austria, parfeetlT admt 'ftDirawiftia's ct9»tat& in. Bfgga.?3jfc&,;. .. : : ;£:. \ ;S I

BRITAIN'S TCt> KEftkX SIGNQR - SALANERAi?& REPLS;^ -v (Recdi 12;5ft p.m), LQNDON>, May 2&. Mr Asguith.in a message: to Signer Salandra, paid? high.; tribute to Italy's, long-standing. attachment to the great ideals of humanity; whichV the ARTea were struggling from--utter destruction.. He was proud' feat Italy had joined the> Allies.. Signer Salandra, replying, said he hoped for the re-establishment of liberty and peace on a basis of respect, for the highest principles of nationality,, and Italy would contribute towardis! a speedyrealisation of that id'eaT;. austriani instability* (Recdi: MS psm.) LONDON, May 26. Amsterdam reports that the Germans are nervous' because the publication of Austrian concessions indicate* th e uncertainty of ultimate victory.