SIGNS OF FURTHER ETREAT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 120, 21 May 1917, Page 5

SIGNS OF FURTHER ETREAT.

ITALIAN SUCCESSES AT GORZ

THE RUSSIAN CRISIS OVER

CANADA TO ADOPT GONSGRIPTION

The Italians continue to hammer the Austrian positions round Gorz, and they have further extended their gains. Fierce enemy attempts to hold them back by massed counterattacks failed. The Italians have won important positions in the Monte Santo area, and have taken a total of 6432 prisoners. No extensive operations have been attempted on the British front during the past day or two, but there are indications that the enemy has decided upon a further retreat from Queant northwards. Explosions indicative of the destruction of materials such as preceded the retreat from the Somme have been heard, and it is also believed that the great artillery parks have been emptied. The French have maintained their gains in the Champagne against strong counter-attacks, the enemy losing heavily. There are also indications of another retirement on the Champagne front. The Canadian Government has decided to follow the American lead of adopting conscription on the selective draft principle. The reserve will be divided into four classes, from which an immediate 50,000, and possibly 100,000, men will be enlisted. America's first contingent for France, consisting of 25,000 men, will be dispatched very shortly. Most of them have had experience of actual fighting in Mexico and CubaIt is asserted by the Petrograd correspondent of the " New York Sun " that the Russian crisis is now past, and that there is now no fear of Russia deserting her Allies. A raid by Austrian cruisers and destroyers resulted in the destruction of fourteen British drifters. The raiders were pursued back to port, one reaching the coast on fire and in a sinking condition. The cruiser Dartmouth was submarined, but reached port with slight loss to her crew.