ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1917, Page 5

ITALY.

FIERCE AUSTRIAN ATTACK., TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON .THE ISONZO. ITALIAN PRESSURE UNABATED. TREMENDOUS LOSSES INFLICTED. V Deceived May 23, 8.30 p.m. London. May 22. The Exchange Telegraph's Rome correspondent states that tlie" Austrian counter-offensive at Trentino yesterday was eliaracterised by increased violence, but nil infantry efforts failed. A most determined attack was made in the afternoon, after an intense bombardment. Dense, columns of picked troops wore repulsed with heavy losses, but' re-advanred after midnight and gained a temporary footing in the advanced trenches, sustaining tremendous losses. The Austrian attack, which was one of the fiercest of the whole war. was aimed at seizing Pasubio,"so as to relievo the pressure on the Isonzo, but the pressure is unattated. AUSTRIANS PREPARE NEW LINE. tVREAKING VENGEANCE OX GORIZIA. , Received May 23, 10 p.m. London, May 23. The D|ily Telegraph's Rome correspondent states that, having lost the chief point d'appui on the Isonzo, the Austrians have established their right wing on the heights of the Ternova forest, where they have prepared r, new and formidable line. The Austrians continue to destroy Gorizia, realising they have lost all hope of re-taking the town. AUSTRIAN PLANS SPOILED. BY CADORMA'S, OFFENSIVE. London, May 22. The Daily Telegraph's Rome corres pondent reports that- prisoners state that General BoroeVitoh 'had prepared a grand offensive. He obtained in April a number of divisions from the Russian front and new guns. An offensive was contemplated between Monte Santo and the sea, and the object being to destroy the Carso salient, deliver Gorizia and re-capture the whole Isonzo line as far as the Carso .Valloy. General Boroevitc'h concentrated I'SOO guns on a ten-mile front, and had 40 reserve batteries. General Ludendorff visited the Trentino and advised the Gorizia offensive, which was due on May 20. General Cadorna's offensive spoiled the plan, and the Austrian losses . are so heavy that General Boroevitch has asked Germany for assistance. ALL ENEMY ATTACK'S REPULSED. Received May 23, 5.5 p.m. \ London, May 22. An Italian official report states: We repulsed raids at the Cavento Pass and in the Giumella valley, also attacks at Monte Dolsalto, the Zugma-Posina, valley, the Asiago plateau, and Carnia. Repeated enemy attempts eastward of Gorizia failed. • POLA 'ARSENAL BOMBED. (Received May 23, 5.15 p.m. Rome, May 22. Italian aeroplanes bombarded the arsenal' at) Fola, causing a great fire, which lias been burning for two days, important buildings being destroyed. HEAVY AUSTRIAN LOSSES. Rome, May 22.

-The Telegraph's Berne correspondent states that tho Austrians have ftow 55,000 killed, wounded and missing, including a whole battalion buried alivo in a cavern which collapsed under the Italian artillery. Tho Emperor's conference with Gen eral Boroeivitch was extremely dramatic. The Emperor was much disgusted with what ho had seen and 'heard on the Italian front. REPINGTON REVIEWS THE SITUATION. Times Service, Loudon, May 22. Colonel Sepington reports that Austria Is gnrifle stronger on the Italian irofitf than last year. She has 36% divisions in the ltaliun theatre, of which possibly 10 divisions are employed In the Isonzo area. Italy is stronger than the enemy in men and guns. She has performed a lino feat of arms, which is evidently only the beginning of the most important operation.

BOHEMIAN DIVISION WIPED OUT. Home, May 22. The 23rd Division of Bohemians was unable to withstand the Italian artillery and fied in confusion, being mown down almost to a man. The Austrian General Sarg has been killed, and General Kurtenhuber is dying in h'o&pital. A CHANGE IS COMMAND. Heeeived May 23, 11.45 p.m. Borne, May 23, The Austrian command iu 'bhe south-' western front has been transferred from the Archduke Eugene to Marshal Conrad.