THE ITALIAN ADVANCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 35

THE ITALIAN ADVANCE.

ALPINE CHASSEURS' VALOUR. ROME, June 4

A platoon of Alpine Chasseurs at Vallinferno attacked a trench holding a superior number of Austrians. The chasseurs’ lieutenant was wounded, and a corporal who assumed command was killed. Another corporal replaced him, and the platoon rushed the trench, killed 25, and took 'prisoner some others, a few only escaping. The King has conferred a silver medal for valour on the lieutenant and the corporal. June 5. An Italian cruiser found a German •waterplane at sea off Brindisi, the aviators having apparently been drowned. The Austrians in Trentino, on retiring towards the Fiume Valley, destroyed the magnificent mountain health resort of San Martino, including six German hotels. Austrian soldiers of Italian nationality are daily deserting and asking to be enrolled in the Italian army. Official : Our offensive is’, on the Isonzo River, beset with great difficulties on the ground of formidable enemy entrenchments, numerously manned, and well equipped with machine guns and artillery. After fluctuation of action throughout Thursday and Friday, the summit of the slopes of Monte Nero remained in our possession. Our advance continues along the rest of the front.

The Greek steamer Virginia was mined and sunk near Cape Salvore. The crew perished. During an attack on Alontecorado the Italians by means of a few bombs stampeded a herd of wild buffaloes against the Austrian entanglements, anil smashed a way through

PARIS, June 5

Mr M'Kenna (Chancellor of the Ex'chequer) and the Italian Minister of Finance conferred at Nice regarding the financial arrangements connected with Italy’s prosecution of the war. Mr M’Kenna will pass through here en route to England to-morrow. FIRST IMPORTANT BATTLE. PROGRESSING IN FAVOUR OF ITALY. ROME, June 6. The first important battle has been raging since Thursday for possession of Tohnino. It is progressing ably to the Italians. AN ENCIRCLING MOVEMENT. / ROME, June 6. The encircling of Riva, More, and Roveredo is proceeding systematically, though slowly, owing to the steepness of the mountains. The artillery at Pasubio is enabling the Italians to occupy villages along the valley.

Official; The concentrating movement of great massed Italian troops continues everywhere in perfect order, and our advance continues.

Along the whole front, from the Stelvio Pass to the sea, our infantry is entrenching a powerful position on conquered ground, strongly supported by our artillery.

[The Stelvio Pass is on the western Boundary of the Tyrol, where the frontiers of Austria, Italy, and Switzerland meet.]

The Italian authorities have confiscated 57 Austro-German steamers totalling 216,770 tons. The Messagero states that during the aerial bombardment of Pola. two Austrian battleships were manoeuvring to escape, when they collided, and one was badly damaged. One warship also struck and sank a destroyer. AN AUSTRIAN REPORT. AMSTERDAM, June 7. An Austrian communique states that the Italians suffered considerable losses at Monte Nero. Three hundred were killed in the enemy’s attempt to cross Isonzo, near Sagrado. Southward of Gradisca we repulsed the enemy with heavy losses. THE POPE’S DIPLOMACY. ROME, June 6. Cardinal Gasparri is preparing a White Book showing the Pope’s diplomatic action in favour of peace, and explaining the cessation of the English, and Dutch special missions to the Vatican. It concludes by exposing the system of diplomatic pressure exercised by the Austro-Hungarian and the German Empires upon the Holy See. STATE OF SIEGE AT VIENNA. LONDON, June 6.

Zurich reports that the situation in Vienna is very grave, and a state of siege has been proclaimed. The despatch of newspapers and letters to Switzerland has been forbidden.

SAN MARINO

LONDON, June 6

It is reported that the Republic of San Marino has associated itself with Italy, and declared a state of ;\var.

[San Marino is a tiny/republic comprising 22 square miles of rough country inland from the Adriatic port .of Rimini.]