, 1916-05-20

wv " MI OOAA NluO Ii lAO 4LASA
Parliamentary Party. The witness also read
a manifesto issued by the disloyal section, in
which it was said that henceforth Ireland
should provide for it's own defence by means
of a permanent army and a trained force of
volunteers. The manifesto also intimated a
purpose to resist by force any attempts to
compel men of Ireland to join the British
Army prior to the establishment of o free
National Government of Ireland.
London, May 18th-A despatch to the
"Morning Post" from Amsterdam says: The
food question in Germany is at present in
such a position that, in the opinion Of the
physicians of Greater Berlin, who recently
considered the matter, uniform regulation of
the foodstuff is necessary 10 the interest of
the health of the people. The Committee
decided to send a petition on the subject
to the Imperial Chancellor. A conference
was held at the Prussian Home Office to-day
to devise measures for feeding the popula-
ton Of Berlin.
Paris, May 18th-The attack launched by
the AustriaDs against the italian front in The
southern Tyrol. and which has gradually
extended to The entire Austro- Italian front,
is being followed here with close attention.
It is generally believed in military circles
that the great Austrian offensive, which has
been expected for some time past, has at last
begun. No Importance is attached to The
falling back of the italian advance lines,
which is considered an obvious move, as they
were not sufficiently strong to resist an
attack on a large scale. Although the TIA
liam central position on the Lavarone
Plateau is not yet involved, it is thought
probable that the principal effort OF the
Austrians will be made in that direction.
II oHo,pC oC;1ont chat A. A ,1l..,- T-.4.
intend to try and carry out their former
plan OF smashing Il way through to the
Vicenza Plain. The fact that heavy rein.
forcements have been moved up under
cover of the formidable series Of forts
stretching from Folgaria and Lavarone,
favours the belief that Vicenza is the real
objective of the offensive. The French
military authorities are satisfied that the
Austrians are doomed to failure, regardless
OF what efforts they might make.
Rome, May 18th-An Official despatch
from Italian Headquarters at Udipe reports
that Austrian aeroplanes are displaying
great activity and have made several attacks
on towns III the vicinity of Venice. It is
stated that these attacks have caused insig-
nIhcant material damage, that no lives have
been lost and no military results accom-
plished.
Paris, May 18th-1ne Official commupica-
ton issued by the War Office to night reads:
North of the AisDe we dispersed au euemy
detachment which attempted to reach one
OF our trenches to the south Of Navron. On
the left bank of the Meuse, the enemy after
violent commandment launched about five
O'Clock a strong attack on our positions in
the Avocourt Wood and on Hill 3O4. Our
curtain of fire and the fire Of our machine
guns stopped the enemy who appeared to
have suffered serious losses. The artillery
actions continued very violent on the whole
OF the sector. There was an intermittent
Commandment on the right bank, more in
tense at Les Eparges. There is no impor-
tant event to the report on the rest of the
front. Belgian communication Yesterday
toward the end of the evening after a vio-
lent bombardment with trench nrotars and
hnO IVY