ITALY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 300, 28 May 1915, Page 5

ITALY

INITIAL ITALIAN SUCCESS. RAGE FOR AUSTRIAN SOIL. ENEMY'S FEEBLE RESISTANCE. PEOPLE WELCOME ITALIAN'S. Received May 27., 11.40 p.:n. Rome, -Ma ,■ 27. The Italian army of liberation ha; met with gratifying intial success. At dawn on the 24th they bombarded the Austrian lines and silenced the enemy's guns. Under cover of artillery Italian infantry regiments had a great race for the honor of being lirst 011 Austrian soil. J'hey are now tirnily established 011 the Venetian Friuli. They met with feeble resistance. The inhabitants acclaimed the Italians as deliverers and einbracea the soldiers, calling them.'"fratelli."

THE KING IN COMMAND. BLOCKADE OF AUSTRIAN COAST. Received May 27, 4.30 p.m. Rome, iJlay 20. King Emmanuel is in supreme command of the land forces and has gone to the front. Italy has declared a blockade 011 the Austrian and Albanian coasts. Experts point out that the Austrian defences really begin on the east bank of the Isonzo. .Several battalions specially trained in the use of land mines are stationed at Trent and Koveredo. The Austrian* boast they intend to use dynamite first and then cannon,

THE FEELING IN GERMANY. COOLNESS' OF ITALIANS. (Times and Sydney Sun Services,) Received -May 27, 5 p.m. London, .May- 2ti, The Italian Amhasador at Berlin departed this morning, and his carriage drove through the back streets, llerr von Jagow visited tile Embassy, llerr von liethmann-llolhveg declined to receive Signor liollati, who was surprised at being prevented from carrying out the rules of international courtesy, A crowd at the railway station hissed Signor liollati. Anti-Jtalian feeling is high throughout Germany Signor Salandra telegraphed congratulations to the Venetians on their splendid courage under their first air-bomb-ing. Flags were hoisted 011 the housetops in defiance of the visitor and crowds on the piazzas sang patriotic songs, the municipal bands playing. Five bombs wounded four women.

BRITISH PRAISE ITALIANS. THE EXODUS FROM LONDON. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) Received May 27, 5 p.m. London, May 20. There is an exodus of Italians from London hotels, which lose thousands of chefs, cellarmcn and waiters. The situation is desperate, as Swiss are not available owing to mobilisation. The news of Italy intervening has delighted the British army. All ranks welcome the alliance. Our officers hold a high opinion of the fighting qualities of the Italian army.

THE ITALIAN OFFENSIVE,

SEVERAL, rorXTS CAPTURED. Koine, -May 20. Ofl'icial: In the Trontiiiu We occupied Moiitozuluile, l'oute (.'atlaro in A nloni (Jiudicaria, mid tin; territory north of Ecdrar, also Monte JJaldo, -Monte Conic and Monte Eoppiano, oil Uie north slopes oJ Mounts bikini and I'asubio and Monte iiullV lllanii, iit tin', extremities of the Ajjno iiml b-ogrnva valleys, also t!it high ilclile of the BrenU valley. We occupied all the- frontier passes at C'adore, while 0)1 t]i:■ I'arnie Alps frontier we won .by a bayonet attack the \al Inferno I'ass at the end of the \ al lie Uano. Our offensive is progressing near (Japoreto, anil our aviators are. bombing t ! ie electricity works and railway stutiou at Mpnfalwne. Amsterdam, >May '2O. The Austrian Ministry lias published documents dealing with the Austi'o Italian negotiations, and points out thai. Austria -was not obliged under the Triple Alliance agreement to ask Italy.s consent to diplomatic, action against Serbia, which did not mean war, though it, could lead to it. A memorandum claims that alter agreeing to certain territorial concessions, Austria was ready to continue the ncgotinlions and make Jurther concessions but Italy did not reply to the latest offer'anil denounced the Triple Alliance. London, May 20. .Mr. Asuuitli's message to Signer Halaudra paid it tribute to Italy's longstanding attaehmeiit to the great, ideals of humanity, which the .\llies were struggling to preserve from utter ilc»iriictloir lie was proud that Italy hail joined the Allies. Signer Salamlra, replylitir, 1 itir, nopes lor tlie re-;:staldi-hment of liberty and peace oil the basis uf respect for the highest principles of nationality and that Italy Juay contribute to the -pecily re«li<*litm I of the ideal.