ITALY AT WAR

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 298, 26 May 1915, Page 5

ITALY AT WAR

THE FIRST ACT OF WAR. SMALL ARTILLERY ENGAGEMENT WHERE BATTLES ARE EXPECTED. ACTIVITY AT SEA. .DESTRUCTION BY THE FLEETS. Received May 23, 10.40 p.m. Rome, May 23. A strict censorship lias been established which prohibits the publication of casualty lists or forecasts of the naval and military operations. General Caderna, chief of the general stall', has gone to the front. It is believed he commands the armies in the field with General I'errow, chief of staff. The first act of war was when Austrian artiUery shelled the Italian outposts at Adige. The Italians replied. The first big engagements are expected on the bank of the Adige. Austrian torpedo boats bombarded several points between Venice and Barletta, and were everywhere repulsed. They bombarded a revolving bridge at I'inlgaglia, killing eight troops. They bombarded Ajicona for an hour, damaging the railway station and several buildings in the town, killing several civilians. An Italian destroyer destroyed the ",.iy at I'ortobuso, and sank motor :ats, Tilling and taking prisoner fifty A.wtrians.

FrfAHY ITALIAN VOLUNTEERS. G.ERMAX SPIES ARRESTED. Received May 25, 11..'J0 p.m. Rome, .May 25. Ten thousand joined the volunteer army in twenty-four hours. -Marconi is returning from America to assist the Government with expert advice. Five German spies were arrested in a train at Rologna, disguised as women, hut their clitmpsy gait revealed the secret.

AMBASSADORS LEAVE ITALY. NO DISTURBANCES TAKE PLACE. Received Hay 2."), 0.40 p.m. London, May 25. Prince von Bulow and Baron Macchio have left Rome, as has also the Austrian and Bavarian ministers at the Vatican. There were no disturbances. DEMONSTRATIONS FRANCE. Received Hay 25, 11.40 p.m. Paris, .May 25. There were many Franco-Italian manifestations. The shops were decorated with the. Allied Hags. Great crowds surrounded the Embassy, singing national songs. There, we're proItalian demonstrations at -Belfort, and at all towns along the eastern frontier there were similar demonstrations.

THE START OF HOSTILITIES. ENCOUNTERS IN Tllli TYROL. New York, May 24. A telegram from Rome state's that -hostilities ibetween Austria and Italy have commenced. The Berne Wolff Agency states that Germany lias declared war on Italy. Rome, May 24. Four thousand Austrian troops, complaining of starvation, deserted and Were interned in the north of Italy. Anarchists and Communists exempted from military service have enrolled in the Red Crass. A sensation was caused Ijy the announcement that Baron Burian's resignation had been accepted. Throughout he advisnd the Emperor Franz Joseph that Italy would never fight. Vienna, May 24. 'Official.—Small encounters ihave occurred on the Tyrol frontier. Paris, Mayi 24. ' Le .Matin states that Italy lias 'sefeed all Austro-German vessels' in Italian ports. Ollicial.—Austrian aeroplanes' bombarded Porto Corsihi (near Ravenna) and the railway near Angona. Italian aircraft guns with an aeroplane and dirigible drove them off with little damage. Austrian destroyers -were driven oil' from I'arletta on tlie south-east coast. Austrian aeroplanes attacked the arsenal at Venice, but were speedily driven off. -Paris, May 24. An Italian communique says it was anticipated that the moment" war was declared the offensive would be taken against the Adriatic shores, with a view to the moral effect rather than the military advantage. Means have been taken to effectively repel the, attack.

WHY ITALY WENT TO WAR. AUSTRIAN EMPEROR'S APPEAL. Rome, May 24. ißaron Sonnino, Minister for Foreign Allairs, in :i circular not;' to the Powers, says tlmt Austria-lfuiigary violated tins letter and spirit of the Triple Alliance, especially in the ultimatum to Serbia, lie points out that long-existing grievances justify the action of Italy, notalbly the constant policy aiming at the destruction of Italian nationality! and civilisation on the Adriatic coast, such as replacing Italian officials bv other nationalities, the exclusion ot Italian employees from industries at Trieste, the denationalisation of municipal services and shipping companies. Huron Sonnino recalls that in lull, while Ttaly was fighting Turkey, the General Staff in Vienna Mas preparing actively for aggression against Ttaly and armaments were placed on the Italian frontier. ''From that moment,'' lie says, "we were always under the impression of a possible une-:pceted armed menace. Italy had a sincere (lesire for peace, lmt was obliged by the course of events to seel; another solution, since the treaty only served to conceal the l'ealitv of tlie continual daily discord, Our Ambassador was instructed to declare Ttaly "free from all lies incurred by the treaty. Austria then presented fresh concessions, but tlicyi were inadequate and could not be accepted." Amsterdam, May 24. The Vienna Zeitung published the Emlievor TYancis Joseph's letter to the troop-It reads: '•Our allv has committel. a r.crfidy f'e like of which is un-

known in history. After thirty yours, during which lie has -been able to inert-use his territorial possessions ami ( evelop ) himself to an uuthought-of extent, Italy luus abandoned us in our hour of danger and lias gone flying to lliu enemy's camp. We have always loyally respond--ed to the duties of our alliance and afforded our protection -when lie took the field. We have done more. When Italy directed covetous glancs across our frontier we resolved on a great principle, of sacrifice which particular'*' griived our paternal heart. ISut Italy's' covetousness could not he appeased, and so fate must be accomplished. Jlv annies have victoriously withstood the mighty enemy of the north in a gigantic. conflict, but the treacherous enemy'of the south is no new enemy. The great memories of Novara, Alortara (.'iistow.a. and Lissa, which constitute the pride of my youth, and t'.ie spirit of Radctzky and the Archduke Alhrecht and Togetthoff, which continues to live in my hind and sea forces, guarantee (hat we shall successfully defend our frontiers and monarchy. I salute my battle-tried troops and injured. The problem of victory will rely on them, their leader-:, and my people, to whoso unexampled (spirit and sacrifice my inmost paternal thanks are due. I pray to the Almighty to bless our colors and take our just cause under Ilia protection." 'London, Mayi 24. Le Temps' Berne correspondent says it is understood that Switzerland is taking charge of German interests in Tttily. Venice, .May 24. Tlie Anstriana are terrorising the Ttalian population at Trentino. ' "Residents of towns and villages are fleeing the country. Gendarmes are visiting houses and are carrying off men between the ages of 17 and 50. "Rome. 'Mav 24. The value of eighty Ai; -1 ro--crasni steamers seized is ft,(1,10,000. Enthusiasm is unabated in Italy. There is pealing of bells and processions in every town. A majority of members of Parliament are joining the forces. Shiny offices, factories and shops are already short-handed, while tramways and public services are curtailed and partly run