ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1917, Page 5

ITALY.

A BRILLIANT CAPTURE. IMPORTANT KEY POSITION Received June 22, 8.15 p.m. . . London, June 21. The Daily Telegraph's Milan correspondent stateß that the Italians' brilliant capture of Ortigawa is the sequel the capture of the Agnella Pass on the 10th in&t. Heavy storms and the worst possible iweather interrupted operations for eight days, but preparations were completed in the interval for another dash attack, which covered an eight miies front, consisting of lofty peaks. The loss of Ortigawa. delivers to the Italians one of the bulwarks protecting the Sugana valley. TEe Austrian positions on the Asiago plateau are now reduced to a narrow strip between Asia and Galmarra. which probabh' will be untenable j/ the Italians further advance from Ortigawa. Received' June 22, 5.5 p.m. Rotterdam, June 21. The Kolnische Zeitung's correspondent states that a battle of extraordinary magnitude ha* begun along the whole front of the Sugana valley to Asiago. A wireless Italian official message states: We exploded a powerful mine on the spur of Piccololagazuoi, in the Ampoziano sector, destroying the garrison. The Alpini carried the summit of Hill 2988 on Piccololagazuoi, establishing themselves. Received June 2-2, 0.30 p.m. London, June 21. A feature of the Italian success on the ABiago plateau is the employment of 145■ aeroplanes, which threw 5J tons of air torpedoes on the enemy's com- i munications. Received June 22, <9.'i6 p.m. Rome, June 22. Baron Sonnino, in the Chamber of Deputies, said Italy adhered to the Allies' war aims respecting Belgium, Serbia, Montenegro, and Poland. Italy also favored the independence of Albania, and was willing to guarantee full international autonomy, but he pointed/ out that an over strict interpretation of the "no indemnities and no annexations" idea could bo utilised to justify and prolong ail the past violence. Italy herself did not seek conquest, but safe national frontiers were needed for her future independence and developmnt.