THE ITALIANS.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14588, 17 December 1917, Page 5

THE ITALIANS.

ENEMY'S TRENTINO OFFENSIVE.

DESPERATE EFFORT TO REACH

THE PLAIN

HUGE ARTILLERY CONCENTRA-

TION,

(Reuters Telegrams.)

London, Dec. 14

Router's correspondent at Italian Headquarters states ttat it is estimated that 150,000 Austro-Germans have been lost since the beginning of the offensive in the Trentino. Nevertheless tho enemy are renewing desperate efforts to enter the plain, employing whole divisions in each attack.

Apparently Marshal Conrad yon Hoetzendorff and Yon Bulow are determined to pass thp" Alpine bulwark before the severe Italian winter sets in.

Italian scouts have ascertained tihat the onemy have concentrated 2500

guns on less than ten miles of-.front-between the Brenta and the Piave.

Judging by the present action, the enemy have reverted to the original idea that entry to the plain is only possible by the capture of Mont© Grappa Pass. Hitherto ttey have encountered a redoubtable resistance, whole battalions of Italians allowing themselves to be destroyed in preference to yielding, now that the.British and French Allies are beside and behind the Italians.

Their intervention has saved the day, giving a well-deserved rest and breathing space to the Italians, wto have endured an unparalleled strain during five weeks of unremitting fighting.