Tired of the war?

Turks said to desire peace

Austrian gold sent to Holland

There are good reasons to believe that Telmino (Tolmein on some maps) will soon be in the hands of the Italians and the Isonzo River operations are brought to a successful conclusion.

Down below, the capture of Monfalcone and Cormons was followed by the occupation of Gradisca; and Gorizia (Gorz) also South of Tolmino and (and 22 miles north of Trieste) is in jeopardy. The Italians having opened a vigorous bombardment of the surrounding fortifications (Santa Maria, San Pietro, San Marco and Santa Lucia) as well as the Austrian position in the mountains dominating the town, especially Monte San Gabriele to the north-west.

Above Tolmino, Caporetto and Monte Nero are in the possession of our Allies, so that the news of the fall of the most important Austrian stronghold on Upper Isonzo should soon be coming through.

The capture of Plava (eight miles north-west of Gorizia) an important station on the railway between Trieste and Tolmino, makes the further success look still more likely. And then, perfectly secure all along the Isonzo – forward Barsaglieri, for Trieste, and the isolation of Austria’s Istrian forces.’ On the other points of advance success continues to attend the Italians and passes and heights are taken with a dash which sugars well for the future of the campaign.

A telegram to hand since the above was written gives details of some harder fighting than has hitherto been recorded and the complete repulse of all Austrian counter-attacks. A further success on the Isonzo line is also recorded. The Italian heavy field artillery, after destroying a duke on the Monfalcone canal, ‘succeeded in erupting the railway between Gorizia and Monfalcone near the railway station of Sagrado’.

Some remarkable rumours are afloat regarding the attitude of Turkey towards Italy. It is stated that the Turkish Ambassador and his staff are still at Rome and it is now learned that the Italian Ambassador has delayed his departure from Constantinople ‘as the Turks say they have no quarrel with Italy and do not want war’.

It would be unwise to build upon such a slight foundation as this, but the existence of a peace party in Constantinople is undoubted, and the heavy terribly heavy losses sustained in the Peninsula are having their effect upon public opinion throughout Turkey.

Another rumour to which also only a slight measure of importance must at present be attached is to the effect that Austria would welcome an opportunity to throw up the sponge and the Amsterdam ‘Telegraaf’ yesterday States that the Austrian gold, exceeding in value £400,000 has reached Holland for Dutch banks. This is a statement of some significance.

If both Austria and Turkey realise the improbability of a successful termination of the war a new turn may be given to events.

In this connection it may be remarked that the Greek elections took place yesterday and that it is expected that M. Venizelos has won the day. M. Venizelos is generally regarded as being in favour of Greece’s early intervention in the war and in the event of such a step being taken Romania and Bulgaria could not remain outside any longer.