25 AUGUST 1917, Page 1

The Austrians began on Monday night a series of attacks

on the Trentino front, by way of diversion, but the Italians were not caught napping and these efforts failed. General Cadorna can concentrate his attention on the Eastern front. The crux is Mount Hermeda, south of the Carlo. On Monday the Italians took the Solo defences, a first step, as the map shows, towards turning Berme& from the north. If they can reduce thin stronghold, which is being assailed by gunfire from land and sea, by bombs from hundreds of aeroplanes, and by resolute infantry, the road to Trieste will lie open, and the whole Austrian line will be left in the air. Our Allies have at any rate begun well.