DIFFICULTIES OF THE ITALIAN ADVANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16023, 15 September 1915, Page 7

DIFFICULTIES OF THE ITALIAN ADVANCE.

NATURAL DEFENCES OF GREAT STRENGTH.

ITALIAN ADVANTAGE IN ARTILLERY.

Times and Sydney Sun Services.

London, September 13.

The correspondent of the London Times on the Cadore front, says that the pressure upon the eastern side of the Trentino continues. 'The Austrians are being slowly pushed back, but lines upon lines of barriers remain." he writes. "As these are reached the ground has to be won yard by yard, as in Flanders, though here it is Flanders tilted at an impossible angle and riven by gullies. There is no rifle fire except a little sniping. The bayonet and the hand grenade become the chief weapons of the infantrymen. The positions held by the Austrians have enabled them to adopt a vessel containing an inflammable liquid which is rolled down on the Italian trenches. The Italians have a great advantage in numbers, but the Austrians have all the advantage of position for defensive warfare. If the matter should come nearer to a settlement before the winter closes down, it will be through the superiority of the Italian artillery clearing the way for the brave and hardy infantrymen.

" The Austrians seem to have plenty of guns and ammunition, and next to Germany, Austria evinces greater preparation for war than any other Power, but the superiority of the Italian artillery is unquestioned. Italy has better guns and her gunners shoot better. The troops have developed a marvellous faculty for hoisting artillery to apparently inaccessible places. Names cannot be given, but if those knowing the country could hear from what ridges Italian guns are sounding they would share the admiration of those permitted to see the great work."

Austria is preparing to mobilise boys of 16 to receive a course of military tuition, so that they will be ready to be embodied in the active army should the necessity arise.