ITALY

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144714, 24 June 1915, Page 3

ITALY

ITALIAN PROGRESS .SLOW* STRONG AUSTRIAN RESISTANCE. (Received June 24, 9.30 a.m.) ROME, June 523. General Cadorna reports that the Alpha m the Monte Nero zone encountered considerable new forces of the enemy, apparently from Galicia. They attacked, but our men repulsed them with heavy losses. The Austrian infantry at Plava renewed night attacks, assisted by intense artillery fire and grenades. The inundations which the Austrians caused by means of the Monfalcoue Canal are subsiding, but are still a formidable obstacle.

INTERVIEW WITH THE POPE. STRICT NEUTRALITY OBSERVED. PARIS, Juno 23. The Liberte publishes an interview with the Pope, who declared that the criticisms of the Holy See's silence upon crimes which were revolting to the conscience of the civilised world were unjustified. It was neither seemly nor useful to involve the Pontifical authority in disputes between belligerents. The Germans' reply to every accusation made it impossible to initiate an inquiry at the present time, but it was necessary to condemn the destruction of Louvain and other cathedrals. The sinking of the Lusitania was a horrible crime, but the blockade, strangling two Empires and so condemning millions of innocents to starvation, was not inspired by very l«umane principles. “After the war I may proclaim a syllabus summarising the doctrines of the Church upon the subject and regulating the rights and duties of_ belligerents,'' added the Pope, “This will doubtless contain a formal condemnation of the crimes admitted.” He, as a neutralist, wished to spare Italy the sufferings of war, and war endangered the Holy See. Intercourse with- nations at war with Italy was really suppressed. The Government offered him the privilege of a secret code to representatives of the Powers accredited by the Vatican, but under the control and responsibility of the Holy See. That was too dangerous, and ho declined the responsibility. “Wo trust the present Government, but we tremble to see ourselves exposed to uncertainty in the public life of Italy,” ho concluded. “Pshan watch for an opportunity to initiate peace, and will throw mysolf upon the firsti hand stretched out.’ 0

GERMAN STATEMENTS TO THE POPE. (Received June 24, 9:30 a.m.) PARIS, June 23. The T.iberte reports that the Pope »aid-—“ You will bo astonished to hear that Cardinal Mercier was never arrested and has been able to move freely in his diocese, i have received a letter from General von Bissing, saying ho will repress with the greatest energy acts of violence against ciiurches-.or ministers of God.”