THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 90, 14 April 1916, Page 6

THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

ROME, April 12. A communique says: — Between the Adige and Sugana Valleys our artillery caused great fires in the neighbourhood of Calceranica and seriously damaged Fort Lusenena. THE TONNAGE PROBLEM. POSITION BECOMING WORSE. LONDON,: April 11. • In the House of Commons, Lord Robert Cecil said the Government Avas considering the question of employing enemy ships now sheltering in neutral ports. Neutral Governments must first decide, taking into consideration that the destruction of merchantmen affected neutral trade a well 1 as belligerents. The Government would carefully consider any proposals by neutrals.

IF NEUTRALS ARE FRIGHTENED? A SHIPOWNER’S ADVICE. LONDON, April 11. Mr. R. P. Houston shipowner, interviewed by the Daily Mail, said the shortage of shipping threatens to create the war’s most serious problem. Tbereon depends not merely the price of foodstuffs, but whether foodstuffs will be available. It was estimated that the British had lost during the Avar 940 ships, representing 3,000,000 tons. BetAveen one-third and one-half 3of the nation’s food Avas brought in neutral ships. If Germany frightened neutrals, Avhat tonnage avouM be left? A SPY SHOT. LONDON, April 11. A spy convicted at Westminster in March A',ms shot to-day.

GERMAN STRENGTH AND LOSSES. PARIS, April 12. Including reinforcements, it is estimated that there were 450,000 Germans before Verdun on April I. It is computed that 200,000 were killed or wounded between 21st February and Ist April. GERMANS REPORT REPULSE OF FRENCH. ‘ LONDON, April 11. A German communique says:A French counter-attack oh tiro Ha--court-Bethineourt front collapsed with great enemy losses. We captured a blockhouse south of Crowswood, also further defensive works south-east of Douaumont.

ATTACK OK BRITAIN. RISK NOT REMOVED. MILITARY WRITER’S OPINION. LONDON, April 11. Discussing generally the situation in France and Flanders, Colonel Repington says it is net impossible that the G-enmans aggregate S00„000 against the British northern front. Therefore it is not impossible that we will be attacked, while before we can successfully attack such numbers we must have full effective and more divisions. Considering Germany’s absolute necessity to aim a blow at Britain, it cannot be said that the risk of attack has been removed.

SOLIDARITY OF THE ALLIES. STATEMENT BY MR. ASQUITH. LONDON, April 11. In the House of Commons, Mr. Asquith, referring to the recent great Allied Conference at Paris, emphasised that the results were to reaffirm the solidarity of tire Allies, establish complete identity of their view's, and ensure unity in the action, prosecution, and conduct of the war. His visit to Italy was signalised by a most striking manifestation of the traditional Angio-Italian friendship which the brotherhood of arms had served to demonstrate.

VON PAPEN DISCLOSURES. LONDON, Aprirl 12. During the Prize Count hearing, Von Papen’s letters were read, wherein he referred to the stealing of a wallet from Albert, containing important documents, including extracts from his report on buying liquid chlorine, phenol, and the acquisition of Wright proplane patents.

ALLIED NAVAL BASE IN GREECE. AN IMPORTANT DECISION. GREECE ENTERS A PROTEST. ATHENS, April .12, The Anglo-French Ministers informed Premier Skouloudis that the Allies intended to land forces at Cephalonia, especially at the harbour of Argostoli. They gave assurances that Greek soveign nights would be respected. The Premier energetically announced that ho could only protest against this

fresh infringement of Greek sovereignty* The-British Minister was granted an audience by the King. The Anglo-French Legations announce that the establishment of a naval base at Argostoli Avas a pur -1; defensive measure. , (Cepbalonia, the largest of the seven lonian Islands, lies opposite the entrance of th,e Gulf of Corinth. The capital is Argostoli). THE SALONIKA CAMPAIGN. SALONIKA, April- 12* A sustained artillery duel for the greater part of Monday is reported from the Allies’ advanced position.

GERMAN SITUATION CRITICAL. FEARFUL LOSSES AT VERDUN. LONDON, April 11. It is authoratatively stated that the losses of German units at Verdun from February, 29 to April 1 averaged 50 per cent. For example, the 3rd and 18th Army Corps Avera Avithdrawn from the lines after losing respectively 22,000 and 17,000. At Vaux fort half of the 7tb and 16th Regiments Avere mown doAvn by the French machine-guns. During' the attack on Vaux village on March 9th the 19th Regiment lost 60 per cent., and one company Avas annihilated in the house-to-housc fighting. During t’ie attacks at Malancount and Avocourt and Avocourt Avoods, betAveen March 20 th and 22nd, three regiments of the 11th Bavarians and four regiments of Ahe 2nd Landwehr divisions, lost half their effectives. Referring „to the strength of the Germans, the same source says that betAveen February 21 and April 1, 239 infantry and 23 engineer battalions were engaged at Verdun, totalling 1,145 companies, averaging 260 men. Thus 208,000 infantry alone Avere in action. They Avere reinforced by SO batalions, t-be total infantry faced by the French being 450,000.