ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 June 1917, Page 5

ITALY.

THE GREAT OFFENSIVE. THE FIRST PHASE COMPLETED. ENORMOUS AUSTRIAN LOSSES. London, May SI. Tlio Daily Telegraph's Milan correspondent sayß that the statements of Austrian prisoners show that the cpmmanders used every means to revive the drooping spirits of the troops. Captured documents contained appeals to every contingent to resist to the utmost for the sake of the limperor and the Fatherland. General Schenk issued an order to the 23rd Army Corps, which was cut up at Hermada, reminding them that they had won nine victories and stating that if they won a, tenth they Would be recommended for high distinction. The socalled victories were merely successive retreats. As a final incentive the EmpeVor Karl addressed the sth Army, saying they had barred their hereditary enemy's advance on Trieste since the outbreak of the war. .."May the God of battles to- • day lead the valiant Isonzo army to victory." Despite such appeals the Italians won 25 miles on the road to Trieste. The Austrian losses werp aDout 00. '"•(). Washington, 31. A member of the Italian mission uncle a statement to the effect that the Italian offensive was directed on Laibach with the object of opening the route towards Vienna. If Russia struck now she would be certain to free her soil of the invaders, as the Austrians would be obliged to shift their best troops to the Italian front. Rome, May 31'. The Vodice Massif is, becoming the tomb of entire Austrian brigades, who arc sent in a fruitless endeavor to recapture th.e positions with reckless disregard of life. There have been espcciaily violent counter-attacks since Saturday. but they have always been vain and have produced enormous losses. The Austrians have not yet admitted the loss of the Vodice Massif, apparently hoping to recapture it. Rome, May 31. Correspondents at the front declare that at least '2O 0(10 Austrian dead lie in the Vodice Valley. A British airmail has arrived at Rome from London, via Paris, Turin and Pisa. London, May 31. , The- Central News' Rome correspondent states that the hattl* of the Isonzo completed its first phase by the failure of tlie Austrian counter-attacks on Vo--1 dice. The Austrians admit that thev relied on the impregnability of their own positions, and their plans were based on that assumption. These are now upset, and the initiative has virtually passed into Italian, hands. Prisoners declare that Austria regarded a separate peace with Russia as imminent. The participation of the monitors is increasing in importance. In view of their employment in addition to aeroplanes and all other weapons oi land warfare, the battle of the Carso is reaarded here as one of the most interesting of modern battles. London, May 31. Renter's correspondent on the Italian front speaks of Trieste as only ten miles away, but the intervening mountainous terrain is heavily fortified and without shelter. It is impossible to dig in without drilling. It, is reported that the Austrians are 1 removing the heavy guns from Hermada, but Hermada. is not the only obstacle to reaching Trieste. Other heights nearer the city are probably strongly held, and it is expected the Italians will have to fight for every foot of the ground, ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED. ALBANIAN TROOPS CAPTURE VILLAGES. A. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. , Received June 1, 6.50 p.m. London, May 31. An Italian official message states: The rain and fog have lifted, and the artillery activity has been renewed. We repulsed two attacks on the northern side of Mount Pizzul. Our Albanian troops attacked enemy irregulars eastward of Berat and occupied several villages.