THE ITALIAN THEATRE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16043, 27 October 1917, Page 9

THE ITALIAN THEATRE.

GREAT BATTLE RAGING. AUSTRIAN'S LAUNCH BIG OFFENSIVE. (By Cable.—Prass Association.—Copyright.) (Australian ar.d N.Z. Cable Association.) (Keuter'a Telegrams.) LONDON, October 25. An Italian official message says:— "The enemy launched a strong attack after it most violent bombardment, especially between Mt. Rombou and the northern edge of Bainsizza. We resisted, but more to the

southward tho enemy ponetrated our advanced lines on the left bank of the Isonzo, and crossed tho river at Saint Maria and Saint Lucia. "We checked powerful attacks westward of Volnik, and also on the western slopes of San Gabriele." BRITISH AND FRENCH TO ASSIST. (Australion and N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, October 25. Cable advices report that an extremely great battle is raging on the Bainsizza Plateau. Twenty new divisions of Austrians are taking part in an offensive. General Cadorna has been reinforced by British and French forces. THE GERMAN VERSION. LONDON, October 25. A German official message states: "Austro-G ermahs attacked on a thirty-kilometre front (nearly 19 miles) on the Isonzo. "\Yo penetrated tho Flitch basin and Tolmiiio, overrunning strong positions in the first thrust. The Italians desDeratelv resisted, and fighting is proceeding. We took prisoner bv the evening 10,000 men, including divisional brigade staffs, and captured rich booty." A later German report claims further successes near Flitdi and Tolmino, the number of prisoners increasing.. MAGNITUDE OF THE ATTACK. (Australian nnd N.Z. Cable Association.) I Admiralty per Wireless Press. (Received October 26th, 8.10 p.m.) , LONDON; October 20. ' Correspondents on the Italian front state that Austria is attacking •with almost the whole of her afmy and with important German units. The enemy artillery lias been reinforced by several hundred gtiiis, nevertheless the Italian resistance is formidable and tho means at the Italians' disposal . are greater than those of tho enemies. Moreover, tho enthusiasm of the Italian tffiops is immense. ENTHUSIASM IN ROME. (Australian and N;Z. Cable Association.) (Received October 26th, Bilo p.m.) HOME, October 25. There was an ehthtisiastic scene in tho Chamber when the Minister for War, Signor Giardeno, called attention to tlie fact that the Germans had joined the Austriaris in-a ht&Vy onslaught. Ho said: "Tho Italian armieg are fully prepared. Our losses during the August offensive were remarkably small. It is difficult to know whether the Alistro-German attack is based on political or military grounds. Whatever may happen in Russia, or the enemy will never' tread our sacred and inviolable Soil." <THE ENEMY'S AIM. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received October 27th, 2 a.m.) LONDON, October 26.

Tho "Daily News" correspondent says that the main blows of tho Austrian and German attack fell in tho neighbourhood of Plezzo and Tolmino, vhere the Italian advance had been least marked Bince the Isongo campaign commenced. 'Thus it was tho shortest cut for a raid into Italian territory for the purpose of impressing German publie opinion. Unfortunately the point south of Tolmino is important strategically, because if the enemy push down the right bank of the river on the heights above tho water's edge, the recent Italian gains on the Bainsizza Plateau riiust be jeopardised. Tho strip of country Bkirting the river lends itself to defence, and General Cadorna was not surprised, so thero ate good reasons for hoping. that ho will soon bring the attackers to a standstill.