ITALIAN FRONT

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11752, 21 September 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT

A WOKK(NG INTfiRREfiNUM

BOTH SIDES FEVERISHLY ACTIVE. (Australian-N.Z. Cable Association.) ' (Received Last Night, 7.4 5 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 19. Mr Julius Price, writing from General Gadorna's headquarters statuthat an anomalous state of affirs exists along jthe whole Isonzot front, established, in which -both sides are A working interregnum has been .fe.verigbJy•: completing preparations; to •&■ big scale;; and -it issJJill a question which belligerent will be first ready. '-''.'■ The Austrians had t>oh verted the Bainsizza plateau into a veritable fortress, and were so confident tbj the Italian guns could not drive them out, that they neglected to provide lings of communication. With the exception of a few short tracks, they had nothing in the natture or a scheme of roads for military purposes. When the Italian offensive commenced, this deartfch of roa'U greatly hampered the Austrian retreat. General C'adoroa through i»it 'took advantage of tho Austrian preparations. "■■ -- Immediately upon the heels of the attackers came the reservists, who enlargeid the rough roads, enabling the Italians to keep i» touch until the retreating Austrians wenbrought to bay. Close to the extreme edge of tho plateau is a position of great ratuml strength. This is being made daily more accessible for heavy urtiJcry transport, to enable the Italians to resume their advance. There is not a day without a local offensive, which ends in the Austrians being ejected from''a strong position.

lEtents are followng the . course that General Cadorna foresaw, by which tho Austrians will be driven back to the mountains encircling tho plateau. i(