ITALIAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 25 August 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT.

.ENEMY FIGHTING DESPERATELY /_ —: . Received 10.55. < ROME, AUGUST 24. The resistance on the Carso is stubborn. , The whole front of the Carso sector is enormously valuable ■to the enemy, and is held by -his best troops, who are fighting with great bravery, but are losing ' ground, despite counter attacks. The Italian foil of prisoners does not include wounded men, who are in larger numbers than in ,any other action. FEROCIOUS FIGHTING. HERMADA ' COMPLETELY INVESTED. ,',,. ROME, August 24. Several Austrian divisions on the Carso were so badly shattered that they have been withdrawn from the firing line. The fighting .around Hermada was marked by incredible ferocity. An Austrian reserve division, on the third day of the struggle, was thrown in in an effort to break the Italian iron ring. Airmen signalled their presence, and suddenly 40,0 Italian gun s opened a terrific and accurate fire, scattering the division like chaff. An Austrian detachment in the Selo sector, wearing Italian uniforms, got near the Italians with a hundred machine guns, but the trick was discovered, and all were annihilated. British and Italian naval gun s were largely instrumental in piercing the defence of the Carso to the northward The Italian front 'ls being methodically advanced along the entire line. The "Secelo" state's that Hermada is completely invested by land and sea, and in undergoing most intense attacks. RUSSO-ROUMANIAN CAMPAIGN. , EBB AND PLOW CONTINUE. LONODN, August 23. Wireless Russian official—We retired under pressure in the direction of Tukkum. The enemy penetrated trenches at Zborysh. A counter attack drove out the enemy. We occupied a height noth-west of Jazovetz A counter-attack restored the position. Fighting continues in the direction of Okna. ■ The Roumanians repulsed attacks on Soveia. The Germans "unsuccessfully attacked in tlTe direction of Focsani. LONDON, August 23. A Roumanain communique states: Enemy attacks north of the SusTta Valley slightly forced us back, but dashing counter-attack s drove the enemy back as far as the Susita Valley and Saturna, south-west of Panciu. Violent enemy" attacks between Sla*iicu and Tirguocna were driven back almost everywhere in disorder.

RIGA SERIOUSLY THREATENED. 'MAY BE EVACUATED' Received .30 ASHINGTON, Aug. 24W News has been received which is "interpreted to mean that Riga is seriously threatened, and will pcf-sibly be evacuated. The serious military, economic, and political crisis will severely test the stability of Kerensky's Government The capital may <be removed to Moscow.