ITALIAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 30 May 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT.

OFEICIAL MESSAGE.

FURTHER PROGRESS

LONDON, May 28

A wirlcss Italian official message states: We strengthened onr positions on the Julian front. We captured strongly fortified trenches south-east of Jamiano, crossed the Timavoor River and occupied San Giovana north-west of Duino. We captured nine six-inch guns. We repulsed counter-attacks on Vot dice and the heights eastward of Gordzia, PRISONERS TOTAL TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND. 80,000 AUSTRIAN CASUALTIES ROME, May 28. It is reported that non-combatants hao been ordered to evacuate Trieste. The archives and deposits have been re moved. The Italians’ haul of prisoners were 80,000 between May 14th and 24th Another account says that the enemy totals 25,000. Tlfo Austrian casualties are still strong, especially in heavy artillery and machine-guns from the Russian front, but Kerensky’s to the Russian front has had the- effect of preventing the withdrawal of further troops, the enemy fearing a surprise attack by Brussilolf. ARMY FRESH AND INTACT. HERMADA IN RUINS. ROME, May 28. The Italian army, after six days’ battle, is still fresh and almost intact. It has inflicted tremendous losses. The results arc due to the superior Italian artillery and the effectiveness of its fire. The Austrians are badly lacking in aeroplanes and balloons. The profile of Hermada has been completely changed. It resembles an immense ruin. The Austrians are hastily constructing defences near Trieste.

ITALIANS’ DESPERATE VALOUR. : v MILES .OF TRENCHES AND — • TUNNELS. • Received 9.20 a.m. ‘LONDON, May 29. ‘ Mr. Murdoch, visiting the Italian front, after reviewing the position of the armies, says the battle was essentially one of infantry. Folds in the hills, gullies and peaks protect the Austrian machine gunners from the Italian guns, compelling the infantry to do most of the work, which was being done against strongly placed machine-guns, of which the Austrians have large supplies. The Austrian artillery does little counter-attack work, conserving themselves for defensive barrages during ail attack. There are indications that the Austrians have drawn many guns to these regions. He saw 18,000 prisoners, mostly Dalmatians, Czechs, and Hungarians, of all ages from IS to 45, but .19 per cent, were from 22 to 32 years of age. They struck him as nui9 cular in appearance, allowing they had net ■suffered from, a shortage of food. Mr. .Murdoch says a lull in . the fight ing was - necessary to prepare for a further offensive, particularly here, where the skill of the Italian sappers alone makes the war possible. Ridge after ridge must bo systniatically bought at their price until the gates arc unlocked, perhaps months ahead. Every trench must be blastd from rocks, and miles of tunnels exist. None can question the valour of the Italians nor the heartiness of their war effort. The figures of mobilisation would astonish the world.

AUSTRIAN EMPEROR VISITS THE FRONT. IN A STATE OF FURY AND DESPAIR. Received 8.45 a.m. ROME, May 29. It is believed that the Austrian Emperor has returned from the Isonzo in a state of fury and despair at the Austrian failure to resist the Italian offensive. He ordered the dismissal, of the general commanding the Kuk sector, where the losses reached 14,000 in a single day. TRIESTE TO BE DEFENDED AT ALL COSTS. AGAINST GERMAN ADVICE. BITTER ANTI-GERMAN FEELING IN VIENNA. Received 11.45. ROME, May 29. The Corriere d’llalia’s Zurich correspondent states the Austrian General Staff, at a council of war at Labach, decided to defend Trieste at all costs, although Generals Falkenhayn and Ludendorff, considering the situation hopeless, had advisel its abandonment, and withdrawal to a stronger line of defence. This advice, for political reasons, was not accepted at Vienna, where bitter anti-German feeling prevails.

DRIVING- BACK THE AUSTRIANS. COUNTING THE SPOILS. High Commissioner reports: LONDON, May 29. Rome Official.- —At Plavo the enemy has been driven to the end of the valley to the east of the Globna, and lost 100 prisoners. The captures since May amount to 23,691, 36 guns, including 13 heavies, 14 machine guns, 27 trench mortars, and a large quantity ,of other material. On the south-east slope -\ve arc overcoming tenacious resistance, the enemy being hidden in caves. We have importantly progressed and have established our positions. 'AUSTRIANS’ TERRIFIC LOSSES LONDON, May 28. The Austrians’ repeated counter-at-tacks with the object of recapturing Yodice resulted only in useless carnage. Thousands of Austrian bodies cover the ground. INCIDENTS OF THE WAR. BRAZIL SHEDS NEUTRALITY. NEW YORK, May 28. The Brazilian Congress, by 13 to 3 voted for cancelling neutrality.

CANADIAN CONSCRIPTION. AN ANXIOUS PERIOD. OTTAWA, May 29. Sir R. Borden’s announcement of Cabinet changes is being anxiously awaited. Even Ministerial papers admit that changes are forthcoming in order to strengthen the Government to cope with the difficult situation arising out of the adoption of conscription, MUNITION FACTORY BLOWS UP. AMSTERDAM, May 29. A lire and explosion occurred in a munitions factory at Bolovce, in Bohemia. There were-numerous casualties. Sixteen dead were recovered. Fifty are still entombed in the wreckage. THE STOCKHOLM .CONFERENCE. •>. . PARIS, May 29. French Socialists have decided to send delegates to the Stockholm Conference to explain the attitude of neutrals, but to have no dealings with Germans. GERMAN t OFFICER ESCAPES.

HE IS RECAPTURED, Received 8.50. n ■ i LONDON, May 29. Lieut. Thelen, a German prisoner, has escaped from Chelmsford gaol. Previously he made sensational escapes from Donington Hall in 1915 and Maidenhead camp in 191(3. On Saturday night Thelen apparently was locked safely in the cell. The warder saw him and a companion asleep throughout the night. They were really two dummies who occupied the bed. Dummy padlocks were made of cardboard and replaced. They picked the locks in the cell. Thelen also picked the locks in the corridor and gate of the gaol yard. He and his companion climbed the wall. A cyclist pursued them and found them hiding chin-deep in water. SOCIALISTS AND PEACE. MANDATE FROM FRENCH CONFERENCE. Received 11.45 a.m.

PARIS, May 29. The Socialist Conference by a resolution gives its delegates at the Stockholm Conference a mandate to join hands with the Russians in securing the summoning of an international conference. It also instructs its delegates to lay before preparatory conferences at. Stockholm the French views for common action in preparing- for peace on the principles laid clown by the Socialists in (ho Russian Government. REPATRIATIN'G WOUNDED SOLDIERS. Received 11.45 a.m. PARIS, May 29. Franco and Germany have signed an agreement, through the intermediation. of Switzerland, in regard to the direct repatriation or internment in Switzerland of sick or wounded prisoners. The agreement will shortly be applied) .and 15,000 prisoners in. Switzerland will bo repatriated. STRIKE IN MONTE VIDEO. Received 11.45 a.m. BUENOS AYRES, May 29. There is agencral strike in Monte Video, and the army has taken over the oliee duties. Newspapers are not being üblished.