ITALY'S PART.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 July 1916, Page 5

ITALY'S PART.

THE ITALIAN OFFENSIVE. EXTE-\ T D.fID TO WHOLE FRONT. BARBAROUS AUSTRIAN 1 METHODS. , Rome, July 2. An Italian communique says:—Between the Adige and the Brenta we nre continuing the offensive vigorously. The infantry has begun an attack in the Val Arsa against a strong enemy line, the artillery shelling the enemy's .fort at Possacchio, and the Austrians stubbornly resisting from fortified positions between Cosmagnon and Mountspir, Our position on the Posina-Astieo line continue to improve. After completing the conquest of Mount Majo we occupied the south side of Mount Seluggio and attacked and drove out the Austrians from the trenches northwards of Pedescala. They abandoned arms and ammunition. There have been skirmishes on the \siago plateau and upon the north side of the Arsa valley. We brilliantly carried more trendies and took more prisoners at Monfalcone and repulsed a counter-attack with heavy losses. Aeroplanes bombed Marostica and various places in the low Isonzo region. There were no casualties and alight damage. A semi-official nessagc says the Italian offensive has extended to the whole fiont, and the Austrians are powerless to arrest their advance. The Austrians are employing most barbarous methods. General Boroevic wafted asphyxiating gases in great quantities on" the Italians, surprising them by the measure, which was prepared to the minutest details in the presence of the Archduke Joseph. Boroevic's scheme gave every promise of brilliant results, but the Italians, after the first moment of surprise, were able to resist until fresh troops arrived in time to throw themselves on the adversary and capture 400 prisoners. Another device is the arming of special squads of Austrians with clubs with sharp points to despatch fallen Italians. These barbarous implements have been found on the battlefield. AUSTRIAN REPORT Vienna, July u. An Austrian communique says: Fighting on the Doberdo plateau has decreased, and we repulsed the Italian attacks. DENOUNCEMENT OF TREATIES. Copenhagen, July 2. The Lokal Anzeiger learns that Italy will shortly denounce the Italo-German commercial and other treaties. CONFIDENCE IN MINISTRY Rome, July 2. The Chamber, by 969 votes to 44, passed a vote of conftdencj in the Goye.rs,mwtt