THE ITALIAN WAR.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14129, 4 July 1916, Page 5

THE ITALIAN WAR.

VIGOROUS OFFENSIVE CONTINUED.

POSITION STEADILY IMPROVING.

MARKED ITALIAN PROGRESS ON

ALL FRONTS

AUSTRIAN BARBARITY

(United Service.)

Rome, July 2

An'ltalian communique says that between the Adige and the Brenta we are continuing the offensive vigorously.

The infantry have "begun the attack on Vallarsa against a strong enemy line, and our artillery is shelling the fort at Possaeehio.

The Austrians are stubbornly resisting from fortified positions between Cosmagnon and Monte Spil.

Our position on the Posina-Astico line continues to improve, completing the conquest, of Monte Majoo. We occupied the south side of Monte Seluggio.

We attacked and drove out the Aust trians from the trenches northwards of Pehiscala, the enemy abandoning arms and ammunition.

There are skirmishes on the Asiago Plateau. Upon the north side of the Arsa Valley we brilliantly carried more trenches and took more prison-

At Monfalcone we repulsed a coun-ter-attack, inflicting heavy losses. Aeroplanes bombarded Marostica and

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various places in the lower Isonao re- .i gion. There were no casualties an<3 only slight damage.

A semi-official report states that the Italian offensive extends along the whole front.

The Austrians, powerless to arrest the advance/are employing the most barbarous methods. General Boroevie wafted asphyxiating gases in great quantities on the Italians, surprising, them by a measure which was prepared! in the n:inutest detail in the presence of the Archduke Joseph. Boroevic's scheme gave every promise of brilliant results, but the Italians, after the first moment of surprise^ were able to resist until fresh troops arrived in time to throw themselves on their adversaries and capture 400 prisoners.

Another device is the arming of special squads of Austrians with clubs with sharp points to despatch fallen Italians. These barbarous implements have' been found on the battlefield.

Recently a raid was made on an Ans-t trian aviation camp at Pergine. wherer there were 30 aeroplanes. Italian1 bombs destroyed all the irachines. an<3 also wrecked the headquarters camp.