ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16213, 26 April 1916, Page 8

ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

SALIENT EVACUATED. (Received April 23. 11 v.m.) Rome, April 25. An. Italian communique states ''We evacuated a small salient in Seitz Valley which was exposed to the, enemy's firo." ITALY AND THE ALLIES. RELATIONS WITH GERMANY. London, April 14. .A Rome cable states that in the. Chamnor of Deputies yesterday Baron Sonnino, Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, said:— recent Paris conference was tho strongest and the most manifest proof of the indissolubility of the Entente. Italy is firmly resolved not to lay down her arms until Belgium's independence is completely restored." (Cheers.) Lord Robert Cecil, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, stated in tho House of Commons to-day that a state of war did not exist between Italy and Germany, but the Italian Government had forbidden all commercial intercourse, with Germany. GREAT MINING ACTIVITY. MANY GERMAN DESERTERS. London, April 15. The London Times correspondent at British headquarters on the Western front describes the recent mining activity. Ho tsysthat 46 mines have been exploded in one small section under the enemy's linens since the end of March. The Germans are constantly counter-mining.

■ Many, deserters have come over, tho principal reason being that they are tired of. the war. All declare that the food supply is abundant, but the quality poor. The bread is coarse and the meat bad. Notwithstanding the desertions, there is no'evidence that tho foe is using inefficient fighting men -as a whole.

ESCAPE FROM GERMANY.

RETURN OF AVIATORS.

London, April 18.

The Paris newspaper Le Matin states that Captain Menard and Lieutenant Pinsard, well known aviators, escaped from tygolstadb fortress, Bavaria, and have arrived at Paris.

Captain Menard was taken prisoner during the defence of Lille,, and Lieutenant Pinsard, was captured in January of last year. Previously each had performed , splendid air feats, visiting the enemy lines repeatedly. They have gone to the front again with the latest machines.'

CKOWN PRICE'S ESCAPE.

MISSED BY FRENCH SHELL.

London*, April IS.

A Geneva report states that the Crown Prinze has had another narrow escape on the Verdun front. Accompanied by his staff and a number of correspondents, he approached within range of the heavy French guns. A shell exploded near the party, several of whom are said to have been slightly wounded. Others, including Colonel Mueller,, the correspondent of the . Berne (Switzerland) Bund, were knocked down.

BID for LIBERTY.

GERMAN SOLDIERS AT LARGE.

London, April 16. Considering the circumstances in which they are -placed j it is difficult to believe that the German prisoners who give up their time and thought to devise means to escape from English camps really hope to succeed'in leaving the country. Scarcely a week passes in which men do not succeed in eluding the vigilance of the guards and getting clear of the camp, only to be recaptured after a few hours' absence. Today four soldier' prisoners escaped from the Frongoch camp, in Wales. The official descriptions say that all the men are in uniform, and that none can speak English fluently. N . It may be that, military prisoners after months of internment tire of the monotony of camp, and are glad of the excitement of even a few hours' liberty. ' HELMETS FOR TROOPS. ! London, April 14. j Replying to a question in the House of Commons concerning steel helmets for the soldiers on the British front, Mr. Tennant, Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the War Office, said that when hostilities were actively resumed tho troops would be well provided with them. RUSSIA TO VERDUN. London, April 19. M. Hutin, tho well-known Paris writer, states that during the latest offensive the Crown Prince used many reserve divisions brought from the Russian front. REFUGE OF "SHIRKERS." At a meeting of the executivo of tho Scottish mine workers in Glasgow recentlv, it was stated that since the outbreak of war 160,000 men throughout Great Britain had jeft other occupations for the min?s becauso underground workers wero barred from militaiy service. The chairman, Mr. Robertson, pointed out that : should r the war last a considerable time these men would become miners and (rouble would ; arise when the old miners returned " from military , sen-ice. It /agreed''that'the . matter should bo brought- before' the /Minors' Federation of Great Britain and that representatives , of this" men should - meet' : Scottish mineowners . to. ensure the reemployment' ■■ or miners; who had joined the 'army,';-, >'.-