ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1917, Page 5

ITALY.

ITALIAN DIFFICULTIES. l r WHY GERMANY HELD OFF. p i , London, Aug. 27, Italy's capture of Monte Santo has 1' (,'iven the Italians access to the Vippaco Valley, nevertheless the entire posses- ( sion of the latter is a pre-requisite to t the siege of Trieste; but before conquer- » ing the Vippaco Valley the Italians must capture the Ternova Wood, which flanks j it on the north. This 'will give the com- o niand of tho Laiabeh Plain, arid also enable the Italians to turn tho Cargo. The i difficulties uf the ground are considerable, and will possibly enable tho Austrians to prolong their resistance. The fact that Germany regarded tho Isonzo as an unsurmountable barrier for i the Italians explains their withholding I assistance from the Austrians. I ' A GREAT TRIUMPH. AUSTRIANS RUSHING UP RESERVES | i Rome, Aug. 27. ' The capture of Monto Santo was bail- J 4d as a great victory. The Austrians were defending the positions with the greatest tenacity. The Italians assault- ', ed in three columns, the first from ( Vodice, tho second a frontal attack from the Isonzo, and the third from Doll. An Italian fla.g was cut in three pieces, and tha leader of each column was given a third. When the victorious columns met at the summit the three pieces were rejoined and hoisted over the convent at | the top, Tho Austrians are continually j putting in shock troops to assist in j counter-attacks, and are rushing up reserves from all fronts. THE CAPTURED FOOD. SOLVES VICTUALLING PROBLEM. ITALIANS MOST HOPEFUL. Received Aug. 29, 12.3t> a.m. London, Aug. 28. The Daily Chronicle's correspondent, Mr. Perceval Gibbon, states that the Italian attackers are utilising the captured food, rendering the victualling problem easy. Something like a battle movement manoeuvre has replaced trench warfare on tho northern portions of the battle ground. The Italians are filled with the highest hopes. MAGNITUDE OF THE CONFLICT UNPR-EOEDKNTEDLY LARGE FORCES ENEMY POSITION SERIOUS, Received Aug. 29, 12.30 a.m. Copenhagen, Aug. 28. German and Austrian correspondents state that the battle of the Isonzo was the greatest battle ever seen, the Italian army being twice as great as in any previous light on the Italian front. The Italians were tenfold move numerous than the Austrians in some places, also they have a thousand batteries. It is a fact that the Italians directed their artillery fire t>n .Monte Santo from two sides and compelled the Austriaa withdrawal on a front of six kilometres. Monte Sau Gabrielle is now the only barrier protecting the Austrian, positions j north of the Gorizia-Isonzo pas's.