The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1916-08-18

italy Near Break With Germany
On the Carso plateau, where the
Austrian and Italian forces are locked
N fierce struggle for the possession
of the vital positions around Trieste,
the only development of importance
pointed to the speedy breaking out of
formal warfare between Italy and Ger.
many. Although at war with Austria,
Italy has declined to declare war upon
Austria 3 allies, the Germans, and Ber-
Tin also has refraihed to date from
lending assistance to Austria in her
truggle with the Latin legions.
Yesterday, however, this state of af.
fairs appeared to be on the point of
changing. Dispatches from Milan de.
Iareu that Germany had already sent
troops to take over the defense of Tri-
ste against the advancing Italians,
rom the Austrian armies, which are
said to have been badly shattered by
the defeat at the hands, of the Italians
when the latter took the city of Go
rizia and forced the Austrians to aban-
on the bridge head leading over the
IsonZo river.
Germany Sends Special Troops
No confirmation o. this report has
been received from other sources, and
military authorities are Withholding
any expression of opinion pending veri,
fcatiOn of the report. 1t is apparently
certain, though, that the TentOns are
bending every effort to hold to the
city, which is the strategic port of the
Adriatic, and vital to the continuance
If Austrian control of the Istrian coast
line. The Milan dispatches declared
that the German general staff is send
ng specially equipped German troops
to defend the city from the Italian at
tack.
| In the meantime the Latin rush con
inued yesterday, according to the Off
.ial statements issued by the war Of
Ice at Rome. East and southeast of
fOrizia the Italians have battered the
lefense of the Austrians to bits, and
have captured q number of towns and
positions, together with a large num-
)er of prisoners. A squadron of Ital
an and French aeroplanes few over
Frieste yesterday and dropped bombs
lpon the city, INJECTING much damage
One French aeroplane WAS reported
lost.
British Attacks Are Successful
The attack on the German positions
north and south of the Somme was
preceded by heavy artillery lombard
ment. This rapidly grew in intensity
until the fire was terrific, deluging the
German lines with a rain of high ex-
plosives. Then came the infantry at
tacks against the shattered trenches of
the TeutOns.
In almost every instance these were
successful, and with night came the an
nOuncemeDt from the headquarters in
the field that the British had taken
nearly three miles of trenches to a
depth of from 300 to 500 yards.
The French, striking with equal
force, had driven the Germans back in
the vicinity Of Belloy en- Santerre,
south of the Somme, taking trenches
three-quarters of a mile wide and cap
turing considerable number of Pris-
Oners.
North Of the river the Allies were
successful in theft effort to flank the
towns of Clery and Maurepas. This
they managed to do in both instances
on both sides, so that the towns are
practically isolated and their defenders
gre endlPdsd.
Road To COMPLIES Dominated
The British attack was pressed home
north of Maurepas until the troops of
Sir Douglas Haig reached and captured
the road leading from Maurepas to
Guillemont. This advance if maintain
ID will give the Allies in that sector
practical control of the road to Com
bles, and will bring them to the town
itself soon. Combles is an important
railroad center, and necessary to the
support Of the German lines in this
neighborhoOd.
There was also heavy fighting in the
sectors of Fleury and Thiaumont, Vaux
and Chapitre wood, north of Verdun,
the bombardment being particularly
severe by both sides No changes were
reported there. The French reported
minor gains, and the British despatch
rs told of repulses administered to the
troops under the command of General
Petain.
In the eastern theater of the war the
struggle continued unabated, although
apparently there were no important de
velopments, to judge BY the statements
made in the Official cOmmuniques issued
from Petrograd, Berlin, and Vienna. The
fate Of the army under General Count
Won Bothmer remains undecided, al,
though the reports mentioned heavy as
saults upon positions held by his lines.
! patPnOra1 iaauaH SIGNIFICANT afafa.