BULLECOURT TAKEN

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3088, 19 May 1917, Page 7

BULLECOURT TAKEN

ENTIRE VILLAGE NOW IN BRITISH HANDS ■ GERMAN DESTROYER SUNK ' ITALY'S. GREAT PUSH . s AUSTRIANS DRIVEN FROM MANY HEIGHTS RUSSIA'S INTERNAL SITUATION DESPERATE OUTLOOK

An interesting item of news this morning is the official announce-' ment of the final capture of the village of Bullecourt by the British. For days past there has been desperate fighting in this neighbourhood, in which the Australians have figured prominently-. The Germans sot a high value on this village, and according to Mr. Philip Gibbs, the Australians beat back twelve desperate counter-attacks. The French, too, have had to repulse counter-attacks, and definite progress is reported in the neighbourhood of Craonne. The Italians have begun their offensive with great vigour, and have secured many dominating heights, and in three days secured over dflOO prisoners. The Austrians have been obliged to weaken their Russian front, and have withdrawn troops from there to meet tho Italian push. Considerable fighting is taking place on the Macedonian front, where the British havo met with some success. Tho reports from Rnssia are of a disquieting character. Correspondents report that the situation is desperate, and that anything is possible. In the meanwhile negotiations are proceeding between tho Workmen's and Soldiers' Committee and the Government for the formation of a National Cabinet, and both sides have submitted proposals. It is further staled that some of the Generals v and ex-Cabinet Ministers are proceeding to Moscow, there to form another Government. Against these gloomy forebodings must be sot the fact that Bussian stocks have substantially advanced on the Loudon Stock Exchange, which may be accepted as ,a very accurate barometer of tho true state of affairs. At a Navy League ■ luncheon in honour of tho American flotilla, Sir Edward Carson made an interesting speech, rebuking the croakers. From Amsterdam comes a . report that an enemy destroyer was sunk off Friesland, but it is uncertain whether the vessel was rained or torpedoed.