ITALIAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 1 June 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT.

TRIESTE’S DEFENCES

CRUMBLING BEFORE ITALIAN ATTACK.

NEW YORK, May 30

The New York Herald’s Paris correspondent quotes the Rome correspondent of Le Journal as stating that the Austrians arc evacuating Trieste. The archives have been sent to Vienna and the money in the banks to Laibach. The defences barring the Italians’ progress are rapidly crumbling, and the resistance is losing its vigoqr.

ONLY TEN MILES FROM TRIESTE

EXTRAORDINARY DIFFICULTIES

AHEAD

Received 8.15

LONDON, May 31

Reuter’s correspondent on the Ital- ] ian front speak of Trieste as only ten miles away, but the intervening mountainous terrain is heavily fortified and shelterless. It is impossible to dig in drilling. It is reported the Austrians are removing heavy guns from Hermada, but Hermada is not the only obstacle > before’ reaching' Trieste, as other heights bar the city, all of which probably are strongly held. It is expected the Italians will have to fight for every foot of the ground.

THE BATTLE OF ISONZO.

FIRST PHASE ENDED

AUSTRIANS ’ MISCALCULATION

MONITORS’ INCREASING VALUE

Received 10.10 a.m

LONDON, May" 31

The Central News Rome, correspondent states the battle of the Isonzo completed its first phase by the failure of tlie 'Austrian counter-attacks oh Vodico. The Austrians admit they relied on the impregnability of their positions. Their plans were based on that assumption, and these are now upset. The initiative has virtually passed into the Italians’ hands. Prisoners declare the Austrians regarded separate peace with Russia as imminent.

The participation of the monitors is increasing in importance in view of their employment in addition to aeroplanes and all other weapons of land warfare. The battle of the Carso is regarded here as one of the most interesting of modern battles..

REVIVING THE AUSTRIANS’

DROOPING SPIRITS.

INVOKING THE ALMIGHTY

AUSTRIAN LOSSES 90.000,

Received 11.15

LONDON, May 31

The Dally Telegraph’s correspondent at Milan writes: Austrian prisoners’ statements show the commanders used every means to revive the troops’ drooping spirits. Captured documents appealed to every contingent to resist to the utmost for the sake of the Emperor and the Fatherland. General Schenk issued an order to the Twenty-third Army Corps, which was cut up at Hermada, reminding them they had won nine victories, and if they won the tenth they would be recommended for high distinction. The so-called victories were mainly successive retreats. As a final incentive Emperor Carl addressed the Fifth Army, saying they had barred their hereditary enemy’s advance on Trieste since the outbreak of the'war. May God bless them to-day and lead the valiant Isouzo army to victory. Despite such appeals the Italians won twenty-five miles of the road to Trieste. The Austrian losses amount to ninety thousand.

RUSSIA'S OPPORTUNITY,

TO STRIKE A BLOW.

Received 11.15 a.m

WASHINGTON, May 31

The Italian missioner has made a statement that the Italian offensive was directed at Labach with the oi> #ct of opening a route towards Vienna. If Russia struck a blow now she was certain to be able to free her soil of the invader, as the Austrians had been obliged to shift their best troops to the Italian front. IN VODICE VALLEY. 20,000 AUSTRIAN DEAD. Received 11.15. ROME, May 31. Correspondents at the front declare that at least 20,000 Austrian dead lie in the Vodice Valiev.

THE TOMB OF AUSTRIAN BRIGADES. RECKLESS DISREGARD OF LIFE. Received 11.55 a.m. ROME, May 31 ■ The Vodice massif is becoming the tomb of entire Austrian brigades, wlxoi are sent on a fruitless endeavour to recapture the positions with reckless disregard of life. There have been especially violent counter attacks since Saturday, but always in vain, and entailing enormous losses. The Austrians have not yet admitted the loss of Vodice massif, which they apparently are hoping fi recapture.