CORRECTED STATISTICS OF CAPTIVES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 239, 27 June 1918, Page 5

CORRECTED STATISTICS OF CAPTIVES

4500 PRISONERS, NOT 45,000. London, .Tune 25. The Italian Embacsy, correcting its own figures, states that 4500 Austrian • prisonors have been captured during the Fiave battle, not 45,000, as previously \reported.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable , Assn. AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE INITIATIVE BROKEN NO DANGER NOW FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. London, June 25. It is understood that the Austrian defeat is bo crushing that it will bo impossible to resume the offensive for several weeks. The spirit of the troops has been broken. Some of the best Austrian units are no longer of any fighting value. One of the causes of the disaster was faulty judgment in placing the reserves. The German scheme of attack waa cunningly worked out, but the- Austrians neglected to apply the German thoroughness to (fetalis, hence tho reserves foiled at the critical moment to meet the clover Italian strategy. Tho line of the Piave from Montello to tho sea is now most strongly held, and, it will be impossible for tho disorganised Austrian armies to retake it. The military view is thi»t there is not the least likelihood of the Austrians attempting to recross the river. Thirty-seven enemy divisions have been identified — ■Eeuter. AMERICA'S CONGRATULATIONS Washington, June 25. Mr. N. D. Baker (Secretary for War) has telegraphed America's congratulations on the Italian victory. ~ r , ~ . The Italian Embassy has received dispatches which etate that the ltanan offensive began on Sunday. Violent artillery bombardment destroyed all tno enemy bridges except one, and the infantry advanced with irresistible impetus. The flooded Piave soon contained thousands of Austrian corpses, and the enemy divisions on tho Italian side of the Piave were decimated. Montello surrendered after three different attacks, and the enemy lines were broken at un ciena Madonna and Nervesa. Fighting continues on the Sardona sector. _ American airmen participated in the battle. One of them landed in the middle of the Piave, after a battle with two enomy Cable Assn. , j AMERICAN PRESS OPINION (Eec. June 26, 10.55 p.m.) ■New York, Juno 23. The Ke.v York newspapers are enthusiastic in praise of the Italian victory. The New York "Herald" save: "Germany's hope of crushing tho Italians must now be abandoned. The German internal situation is bad, and the Austrian is worse. Tho victory is the greatest triumph tho Allies havo had- since the Marne. The Kaiser must see the handwriting on the wall." The New York "Sun" says: "The Italian victory is most disheartening to Austria, whose military future it must a£'ect. The nation is already torn by dissention and suffering the pangs of hunger."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ROYAL FELICITATIONS. (Eec, June 2G, 11.50 p.m.) London, June 25. The Press Bureau states that the King has congratulated the King of Italy on the victorious operations and gallantry and fortitude of the Italians, which had elicited tho admiration of himself and the British people—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Eeuter. < , > STRONG DEMAND FOR POLITICAL PROPAGANDA ALLIES SHOULD EXPLOIT THE VICTORY. London, June 25. In view of the Austrian setback on tho Piave, there is a strong demand in London for the political exploitation of the situation. The "Daily Chronicle's" diplomatic correspondent urges Mr. Lloyd ■ George, M. Clemenceau, and Signor Orlando to sign a manifesto containing a. decisive utterance expressing sympathy vritli the oppressed nationalities. Such an action would produce a climax Hunger, social unrest, tho political crisis, and the military disaster, says the writer, exist as the Allies' instruments. Such a manifesto would shako tho frail fabric of the Austrian hegemony like a chargo of dynamite—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. VICTORY WILL HAVE FAR-REACHING EFFECTS. Washington, June 25. Itus believed that the Italian victory will havo far-reaching MJects on tho Central Powers. Despatches indicate that tho Teports on tho (Austrian food situation are no!; exaggerated. It is therefore possible that a dissolution of tho Teutonic Alliance may result when tho Allies are etrong enough to undertake tho offensive at all points—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE INTERNAL CRISIS IN AUSTRIA ■ -l ' PROSPECT OF ABSOLUTE MONARCHY ' London, June 25. > The "Daily Telegraph" expresses tho opinion that Dr. Seidlor will attempt to patch up a Ministry in consequence of the Emperor's refusal to immediately accept his resignation; but it anticipates that tho effort will end in failure. Ihe Bmneror has meanwhile charged Dr. Seidler with responsibility for tho conduct of affairs until ho lias considered his decision. The Emperors letter clearly shows that he is determined to continuo to refuse justico to tho JugoSlavs, Czechs, Poles, and other nationalities, and not to allow them nny voice in the Government. , The same newspaper's Rotterdam correspondent excludes the possibility of Dr. Seidler securing a Parliamentary majority, owing to his failure to obtain Polish support. Therefore, he says, the Emperor's attitude is generally togarded as indicating that lie intends to challenge his dissentient subjects, and to take advantago of the famous "Article XIV " of the Constitution, which enables him to govern without Parliament. It is quite-' likely, however, that Karl's policy is largolv stage-play, as an attempt to break down the German resistance to'an Aiistro-Polish policy by showing that its adoption is necessary to the maintenance of the Dual Monarchy—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. VEHEMENT DEMONSTRATION AGAINST GERMANY INCIDENT IN THE HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT. (Eec. Juno 2(5, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, July 25. A vehement demonstration was made against Germany in the Hungarian Parliament on June 18, The chairman of the National Merchants' Association said that Germans became jobbers immediately they left tho Fatherland. They were disloyal and dishonest allies, exploiting Austria - Hungary whilst sneering at her imuorlunities. A violent scene followed, members shonting: "They've robbed,us and sucked Transylvania dry I" ■ ' Count Karolyi joined the demonstrators.—"Tho Times." GERMAN PRESS COMMENT. "' Amsterdam, Juno 25. The "Lokalnnzeiger" states that one of the most; serious aspects of tho unrest in Austria-Hungary is the insurgency of tho Poles and Czechs. Harvesting on Iho Hungarian lowlands has commenced. Tho people of Vienna havo been promised two pounds of horse-flesh extra per week, and also mobile military kitchens, to supply 100,000 people daily for four weeks, with cheap, warm soups, and meat and vegetables.—Tho Times. GRAIN FROM GERMANY . FOOD CRISIS ONLY SLIGHTLY RELIEVED. London, Juno 25. The arrival of 500 wagons of jrrain from Berlin (says the Rotterdam correspondent of tho "Daily Telegraph") has only slightly relieved tho food situation. The greater part of the grain is ear-marked for the Army. Altogether Germany has promised a thousand wagonloads, of which four hundred are available for civilians. This will merely assure Vienna of its half-ration oj bread for a fortnight. Although Germany has also foregone its sharo of Hungary's potato crop, the outlook until tho harvest is critical. ' ■ Gen'evi messages slato that it is difficult to learn the progress of the strikemovement in Austria, as the frontier ia practically closed. Extremists are still advocating a general strike, which tho Workmen's Council hesitates to proclaim ' The Moderate Socialists urgo tho. immediate convocation of Parliament, and declare that it will be the only way lo avert a catastrophe.—Aus.-N.Z. ■ Cable Assn. AN ITALIAN SEAPLANE ATTACK DURAZZO BOMBARDED. London. June 25. TUr Italian Admiralty reports: "Our seaplanes bombarded Diirazzo on Juno 23 (Knndnv). A bifi steamer was hit. and fires were started. near an enemy hangar. " The bombardment was cVoetively repealed on Monday and simlilfan'pnusly British machines, reconnoitre! ovctr Cablo Assn-Keutcr.