ITALY

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 27 May 1915, Page 5

ITALY

ITALIANS *OVER THE BORDER.

THE KING SHARING HIS ARMY'S -:r-v --;^v(' •"-^ " v "'' ITALIAN FORCE FOR DARDANELLES LIKELY. PAST PROCEEDINGS PUBLISHED. HOW IMMUNITY WAS SECURED FOR SERVIA AND MONTENEGRO. FORECAST OF PROBABLE MILITARY .OPERATIONS. * AUSTRO-GERMAN ATTEMPT AT INVASION PREDICTED.

ROME, May 26

The Italians are advancing to- the point where the first contingents penetrated two to four miles, thus annulling the frontier imposed in 1866. They captured Cormons, an important gain to the Italians. '

The Austrians are burning property •ivOitroying public buildings in ihe the; Irentino likely to fall into Ith h hands.

A destroyer bombarding Barletta flew the. British flag several times., The Italian squadron pursued and seriously damaged .the destroyer. •

:Th^rGioriiaisD'ltali^ urges Italians to ■accustom £hemselves to raids on the Adriatic coast, but the Italian fleet is sufficiently strong to avenge them.

Shells were fired on unfortified towns. !

The King is going to General Cadorna's headquarters, and intends to share the ordinary rations of the

e-rmy

BERLIN, May 26

The newspapers opine that Italy will send 40,000 to the Dardanelles, and a force will also be sent to Montenegro to assist in the capture of Cattaro.

ROME, May 28

A Green Book has revealed that the immunity of , Serbia and Montenegro from attack during the last three months was due to Italy, on February 12, threatening grave consequences if Austria performing any military action in the Balkans without previous agreement with Italy.

Twenty Italians living at Meran were shot without trial as spies because a railway bridge was blown up.

LONDON, May £c

Rome reports that Italy.is publishing further official documents to prove that Austria throughout was only scheming to gain time. Italy is mobilising all men from the age of 20 years to 39 before Tuesday.

Military experts state that the Italians have massed on a point most dangerous to Austria, and which will most effectually ensure demoralisation.

It is reported the Pope will studiously maintain the Vatican's neutrality, permitting Italian Catholics to act in accordance with their own sentiments. Italians, irrespective of party, have full confidence in the Cabinet.

All hospitals and convents on the frontier have been evacuated. Many of theyiyrolese suspected of sympathy with Italy were arrested and taken to Austria as hostages.

It is reported .that Gei-man troops, with Zeppelins and some of the heaviest .artillery, are concentrated in the Adige valley, ready to strike. It is believed the plan of campaign will b3 an immediate Austro-German offensive, in an attempt to invade Italy. In the event of failure they will be content to remain on the offensive.

The opinion is held at Rome that only a limited number of Austrian and German troops are available, including many of the second and third lines, who will be pitted against fresh and enthusiastic Italians,, and the offensive is likely to collapse.

Indications are that Germany is irritated at the failure of Austrian diplomacy to prevent the war, and is determined to strenuously co-ODerate with Austria in , giving Italy the punishment it considers she deserves, even at the price of great losses.

The Kaiser, in a message of personal farewell to the Italian Ambas r sador at Berlin^ asked him to convey to King Victor the indignation that is felt in Germany. The Berlin press declares: We have been rrenared for

this, and are not going down on our knees because Italy intervened. It must be admitted, however, that our final victory is now further away.

Amsterdam reports that Germans are nervous because the publication of Austrian concessions indicates uncertainty, of ultimate victory.