The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-17


 London, May l6.--Q1:10 D. m.) The King of Italy has refused to ac- cept the resignation of Signor Salan- dra and the premier and whole war cabinet retain office. This, it is con fidently believed here, foreshadows the almost immediate entrance of Italy into the circle of belligerents on the side of the allies.
 Action. however may be delayed un- til the meeting of the Chamber of Dep uties on Thursday when the premier will announce his policy and will re- ceive the support of a majority of the deputies.
 Should the expected action of Italy materialze the allies will be in a bet ter position than ever to launch their big offensive movement against Aus tria and Germany. which is being pre- reded on the western front by se- i1es of attacks, furnishing a foretaste of what is to come.
 British Become Aggressive
 Scarcely had the German attacks on the British lines around Ypres ex- hausted themselves and the French of fensive north of Arras shown signs of coming to an end than the British became the aggressors north of La Eassee and the French and Belgian troops began their attempt to throw ha ao< canal
 These attacks according to the French official account which. how ever, does not agree with that from Berlin, were successful and again com Delled the Germans to counter attack --the most costly of all operations in fiege warfare. Fighting at both points continues today and in Arlos where the French added a further slight gain to those made during the week and which. combined, constitute the biggest forward movement of either army in the west since the battle of the Marne.
 Fighting in Woevre
 Fighting also is in progress in the / Woevre, particularly west Of the forest of Le Pretre. which the French also won during the past week.
 There does not appear to be much change in the general situation in Ga- hcia although the Austro-German ar mics have been able to make an addi- tional slight advance by the with drawal of the Russian rear guards, which have been holding off the vic- torious troops until their own armies could get into new positions behind the San river. This territory promises to be the scene of another big battle, for the Russians, strongly reinforced, Will make a desperate effort to stem the tide which has been running so strong ly against them
 In. the Russian border provinces along the East Prussian frontier iso- lated engagements are occurring in which both sides claim to have the ad- vantage.
 Berlin Report
 Berlin, May 16.--tVia London, 6 D. m.)-The following recital of yestei : days events at the front was given out today at the war office:
 Western theatre:
 Strong enemy troops since yester- day have been attacking north~ of Ypres. our positions east of the canal at Steenstraete and Hetsas without regard for their own losses, All att tacks were repuised The battle at Eteenstraete continues.
 South of Lille, British infantry at tacks after strong artillery prepara- tions, already have been repuIsed in most places. but fighting continues at one or two points.
 "Farther south. on both sides of the ridge of I.orette hills and at Souchez, and at Neuville, north of Arras. renewed French attacks broke down under fire. The French suffered especially heavy losses in the Lorette hills.
 By an attack we took possession of a strong French vantage point 800 metres wide and 900 deep. north of Suldhr Tourba. and held them notwithstanding three enemy counter attacks during the night. in which our opponents suffered heavy
 (Continued on Page Tweivs) za