THE ITALIAN OFFENSIVE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15917, 2 June 1917, Page 9

THE ITALIAN OFFENSIVE.

NEARING TRIESTE. ATTACKERS' DIFFICULT TASK. (By Ca.bl«—Press Association—Copyrijiit.) (Australian aud N.Z. Cuble Aseociation.) LONDON, May 31. Ilcutcr's correspondents on tuc Italian front speak of Trieste as only ten miles away, but stato that the intervening mountainous torrain is heavily fortified and shelterless. It is impossible to dig in without drilling. It is reported that the Austrians are removing heavy guns from Hermada, but Hermada is not the only obstacle to reaching Trieste. Other heiguts nearer the city are probably strongly held. It is expected that the Italians will have to fight every foot of the ground. ON TO VIENNA. THE ITALIANS' OBJECTIVE. RUSSIA'S OPPORTUNITY. WASHINGTON, May 31. One of tho members of the Italian mission to tho United States has mado a statement regarding the Italian offensive, which ho states is directed at Laibach, "with the object of opening the route towards Vienna. If Russia struck a blow now she certainly would bo able to free her soil from tho invaders, as the Austrians have been oblieed to shift their best troops to the Italian front. AUSTRIA'S "IMPREGNABLE" POSITIONS. ITALY ASSUMES INITIATIVE. m, • LONDON, May 31. J. lie Jinme eorresjiondent of the Central News Agcnry states that the ! hrst phase of tho battle of the Isonzo ! has been completed in the failure of the Austrian counter-attacks on the heights of Mount Vodice. The Austnans admit that they relied on the

impregnable character of their own positions. Their plans were based on that assumption, but theso have now been upset. _ The initiative has virtually passed into tho hands of the Italians.

ENEMY'S SPIRITS DROOPING

COMMANDERS URGENT APPEAL

LOSSES TOTAL 90,000

' LONDON, May 31. The "Daily Telegraph's" -Milan correspondent says tho Austrian prisoners statements show that tho commanders use every means to revive the troops' drooping spirits. Captured documents appealed to every contingent to resist to tho utmost for tho sako of the Emperor and the Fatherland. General von Schenk issued an order to tho 23rd Army Corps, which was cut up at Hermada, reminding them that they had won nino victories, and that if they won tho tenth they would bo recommended for high distinction. The so-callod victories were merely successivo retreats. As a final incentive, tho Emperor Karl addressed tho sth Army, saying that they had barred their hereditary enemy's advance to Trieste since the outbreak of the war. "May tho God of I Battles," he said, "to-day lead the valiant lsonzo army to victory." Despite such appeals tho Italians havo won 25 miles of tho road to Trieste. Tho Austrian losses are about 80,000. THE VODICE MASSIF. "TOMB OF WHOLE BRIGADES." ROME, May 31. The Vsdino Massif is becoming the tomb of entire Austrian brigades who have been sent in a fruitless endeavour to recapture j/ositions. with a rockless disregard of • life. There have been especially violent counter-attacks sincu Saturday, which have always rosulted in enormous losses. Tho have not yot admitted the loss of the Vodice Massif, apparently hoping to recapture it. A VALLEY oF SLAUGHTER, 20,000 AUSTRIAN DEAD. ROME, May 31. Correspondents pt tho front declare that at least 20,000 Austrian dead lio in the Vodice Valley. BRITISH MONITORS' ASSISTANCE. INCREASE IN ACTIVITIES. ROME, May 31. Tho participation of tho monitors jn the attack upon the defenders of Trieste is increasing in importance, and in view of their employment in addition to aWranlnnps and all tho other weapons of land warfare, the battle of the Careo is regarded here as one of tho most interesting of modern battles. SEVERAL VILLAGES OCCUPIED. WEATHER IMPEDES OPERATIONS. (Australian anil Sf.Z. Cubta Association.) (United Scrvicc.) (Received Juno Ist, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. An Italian official message states: — "Rain and fog have limited our artillery activity. "We repulsed two attacks on tho northern side of Mount Pizzul. "Our Albanian troops attacked enemy irregulars eastward of Berat, and occupied several villages."