The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1918.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4904, 25 June 1918, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 1918.

V The latest accounts ol the fighting in Italy are most cheering, for they reveal the immensely pleasing fact that the new Austrian offensive has, indeed, signally failed. We are told that the Austrians are scampering hack over the Piave in great disorder with Allied forces in close pursuit. In short the position is that the Austrians now find that they have landed themselves in a most awkward predicament. When some ten days ago they advanced they had bright visions of capturing Venice, well known as the Queen City of the Adriatic. They may have reckoned up--on encountering stubborn opposition, but it is safe to conjecture that they were firmly convinced their attacks would be rewarded with success, otherwise they would not have risked the loss of military prestige which failure would have had iu store for them. It is now a matter of history that, the combined British, French and Italian armies put up a wonderful defence even. although an insignificant amount of territory had at the outset to be yielded. The invaders i had, "by the way, quickly to give up most of their hard-won fruits of their terrific onslaughts. At this , juncture the Allies, it is also well known, were aided by floods in a most fortunate manner. jWliat is now transpiring comes,, therefore, as no surprise. In strict fact the Avistrians have no option but to retreat beyond tile Piave as best they may, for they liave not been permitted to establish themselves south of tho Piave and the Allies, realising that the floods have destroyed the enemy's temporary communications, have most wisely counter-attacked in a most strenuous manner. Austria, it is beyond question, inaugurated this particular offensive with a view to assisting the Huns on the West Front by causing the Allies to reinforce their, armies in Italy or at any rate to prevent the _ Allies getting valuable aid from Italy for the West Front. The heayy reverse that is being inflicted on the Austrians is a most fortunate happening for the Allies. If the Austrian offensive had succeeded, it would assuredly have upset the Allies’ general calculations. Unquestionably - the Huns

Good News from Italy.

will bu greatly disappointed. How they viow Austria’s poor showing may be fudged from the' fact that word came to hand a day or two ago to the effect that it had beem decided to send si number of Hun divisions to Italy in,return for the despatch of Austrian divisions for, use on the West Front. What does such an intimation "convey ? It certainly shows that, as soon as\tlie- Hun authorities became aware of the real position in regard to the Austrian offensive, they realised the necessity for assisting in stiffening up the Austrian forces. No aid that the Huns cannow s end Austria will, however, convert the retreat that is now m progress into a successful offensive The Austrians had reckoned without their host and have paid an awf-.n price for their failure. If nothing else has done so the latest attemp at a big offensive on the P art J Austria should'convince the peoples of the Dual Monarchy that they are on the side which must eventually be vanuished. Maybe the Hun authorities will do their utmos ° minimise Austria’s set-back, mt in due course the Hun armies engaged on the West Front will learn the true facts and the effect should be far from encouraging. But the Austrian reverse may—we feel it will prove to have also an unexpected sequel insofar as Russia is concerned. The pro-Ally sections of the Russian people will be greatly heartened by Austria’s failure against Italy and it is not unlikely that it may _ lead to Russia re-asserting herself in an unmistaken manner. There will, it is certain,-be widespread rejoicing » Allied countries on account of the disaster that has overfallen Austria. Just twelve months ago the Italian armies were making great headway in the direction of Trieste. Then in October came the smashing AustroHun attacks- which drove the Italian forces right back on to the Piave. It is not over-stating matters when 'it is declared that.six months ago it seemed as though Italy were in a bad way. Italy lias, of course, a great deal to thank Britain and France for in the v.-ay of aid. The fact refiiains, however, that since the Austro-Hun drive in October last there has been a wonderful change for the better in Italy’s fervour m the war. Italy to-day is united as was never the ease and she can be depended upon for the future to put her whole strength into the struggle and make if necessary still greater sacrifices in carrying out her far from unimportant share of the Allies’ immense task.