THE AUSTRO-GERMAN OFFENSIVE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10120, 30 October 1917, Page 5

THE AUSTRO-GERMAN OFFENSIVE.

means a fight to a finish. ITALY’S SERIOUS POSITION. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. ROM E, Oct. 28. War correspondents are unanimously of the opinion that the. Austro German offensive means a light to a finish, because Germane is determined to seek a. political victory over Italy’s stubborn resistance to Gorman pacifist activities. Germany is aiming at the disruption of the Entente and planned an offensive, on a tremendous scale. Troops and transports for weeks have been pouring in from the Italkans and fiom Russia, which fronts are now almost stripped of armies They include some of the finest German troops, all well .'.■ quipped with artillery and machine guns. The latest bulletins indicate that the Italians have not vet stemmed the assaults. London military critics admit that the offensive is a grim ordeal for Italy, and it- may be necessary to speedily come to her aid, specially with artillery reinforcements. Austraiian-New ZeaJan.l Cable Association. LONDON, Uct. do.

A wireless' Italian official message states: Flailing resistance by some _ units forming (ho Second Army, which retired in cowardice without fighting or surrendering, allowed the Austro-Germans to penetrate our left wing on the Julian front, the valiant efforts of our troops were unable to prevent the enemy advancing into Italy s sacred non and the withdrawing of our lino according to a plan prepared. All stores depots m the evacuated places were, destroyed. Ihe record of so many memorable battles successfully fought by our leave soldiers _ m the two and a half years ol war is sufficient to assure the Commaiider-in-Chicf that the army to which the country s honour and safety is confided knows how to in.til i s duty. GERMANS CAPTURE 80,000 PRISONERS AND 600 GUNb. LONDON, Oct. 23. A wireless German ollicial message says ; The rapid development ; of our united attack on the Isonzo was entirely successful. Un Saturday our powerful thrust threw buck the Italians who were seeking to prevent us emerging from the mountains, lie entered Cividale, which was burning. Ihc Austrians and Germans took Gorma early in the morning. Our prisoners now number 80/100, and the guns captured bUU.

GORIZIA OCCUPIED BY THE AUSTRIANS. AMSTERDAM, Oct. 28. A Vienna official report states; The Ausirians occupied- Gorizia The Italians ha’vo withdrawn across the Isonzo. GENERAL CADOP.NA’S STAND. AUSTRIAN ADVANCE CHECKED. Received October 30. 8.40 a.m. WASHINGTON, Oct. 29. Official advices state that General Cadorna is making a stand on the Taghamento river. The Italians arc now checking the Austrian advance. WHAT THE ENEMY CLAIMS. Australian-New Zealnind Cable Association. (Router’s Telegram.) Received October 30. 10.20 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 29. A wireless German official message says: The Second and Third Italian armies are retreating westward. We are pursuing them rapidly between the miounfains and Ihe sea. and have captured no.w one hundred thousand prisoners ami sitven hundred guns. GERMAN SHOCK TACTICS. ARMY CORPS OVERWHELMED. Australian-New Zealand Cable AssociationReceived October 30, 11.10 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 29. Mr Ward Price, writing from the Italian headquarters, says; The truth is the enemy overwhelmed a single corps of the becoml Italian Army, and forced its way into the gap thus formed, obliging the Italians to evacuate Bainsizza. The Gorman attack was more formidable owing to the use of a special gas before the bombardment from unsuspected batteries. Tin's broke the Italian resistance. Neither Italy nor the Allies should exaggerate the gravity of the position.