THE DECISIVE ISSUES IN ITALY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 51, 23 November 1917, Page 5

THE DECISIVE ISSUES IN ITALY

WILL VENICE BE EVACUATED?

ITALIANS GALLANTLY DEFENDING

(Reo. November 22. 9 p.m.) ' London, November 21. An Italian official report states: "There was intense artillery activity along our whole front yesterday. Italian and British monitors are co-operat-in.r on the coastal zone. Wo repulsed three violent attacks on Monte Portica. Infantry actions have- not been renewed on Monte Tomba and Monto Mon-fenoi'a.'Mft.us.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. i' >

FURIOUS FIGHTING AT MONTE' MONFENERA

SALIENT POSITION CONSTANTLY CHANGES HANDS,

London, November 21

An Italian semi-official message states: "Furious fighting occurred at Monte Monfenera all day on Monday. Two enemy divisions, of twelve and sixteen battalions respectively, including Prussian Guards, engaged in a struggle for the possession of the Piavo crossings, where the river enters the plain and this contest continued for five days. In the _ Tomba-Monfeitera-Comella triangle, after repented repulses, the enemy gained a tooting at dawn on November 18 in,the Monfonern salient, but were dislodged on tlio following night. They returned to tho assault, supported by drum-fire, and thereafter the salient constantly changed hands during the'night and the following day. Tho Italians finally reconquered it, but were exposed without shelter to in infernal bombardmont, and retired, loavmg an advanced group in occupation. A desperate resistance continues. An enemy column which attempted to break through to'the left of Monfenera on Monday morning was annihilated with tho Cable Assn.-Reuter.

THE GERMAN REPORT (Rec. November 22, 7.30 p.m.) , A German official report states: "The situation in the Italian theatre is unchanged."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assti.- Router.

DECISIVE STAGE OF THE BATTLE REACHED

(Rcc. November 22, 7.30 p.m.)

London, November 21. , Military critics state that the figh ting has passed from the. preparatory to the decisive stage. The enemy has four armies in the first lme, and one in reserve, and also possesses an enormous number of guns of nil calibres. General Dallolio, interviewed, advocated the standardising of the war material of all the Allies. This, ho thinks, would result in a colossal increased output that could bo available for any front.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE FIGHTING ON THE ASIAGO PLATEAU (llec. November 22, 7.80 p.m.) Romo, November 21. Tlio Italiaus are still stubbornly resisting every inch of the bloody passagt for the enemy on the high plateau in tho Asiago region. The Third Army, is valiantly contending for the Lower Piave, and has declared itself readyto sacrifice its last man to ensuro victory. Somo of the wounded soldiers returned to the front to encourage their comrades, and pleaded for permission to enter into the thick of tho where they again fought and died gloriously.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ITALIAN RESISTANCE HARDENING London, November 21. Mr. I'ercival Gibbons writes: Already tho Italian resistance on certain sectors of the Piave River line has hardened into a dogged and dangerous defensive, where tho soldiers are holding tho ground and are counter-attack-ing. The Austrians have not recovered their organisation as quickly as the Italians have' , regained their active defensive capacity. Tho fighting near Zcnson is particularly violent. Tho Italian forces hicludo volunteers for storming duties, called "Arditi." They call themselves the ' "Candidates for Doath." Thoy wear a special uniform, and compriso only tho strongest men. They rushed the enemy positions after a short bombardment. The Hungarians fought well, but soon fell back to tho river, losing heavily. The Italian resistance is everywhere stubborn, but tho enemy's pressure is increasing. The Shadow Over Venice. A large part of the population of Venice has left tho city,but thero are still gondolas on the canals. The city is not despairing, but is breathlessly expectant. The asylums and prisons havo been evacuated. Tho British and' American colonies have mos% gone, but a few of_ the peoplo will remain whatever the fate of Venice. Refugees are pouring in from the outlying villages on the lagoons. The dull boom of the guns can bo heardto the north of tho lagoons. At one point the Austrians aro actually within 25,000 yards (fourteen miles) of Venice. Signer Gabriel d'Annunzio, in conversation, said: "Lot us set fire to the city, rather than let Austria tread these stones."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY ABOUT TO ATTACK VENICE Rome, November'2l. Austria has asked Italy to declare whether Venico is considered a fortified city. This is taken to indicate that tho enemy intends to begin operations a'gainst Venice, and to provide justification, for anything that ensues. Tho Consuls of tho Allies aro temporarily remaining in Venice.—Reuter. POPE SUGGESTS NEUQ'RALISATION OF VENICE. ' It is certain that Venice will be abandoned if a further Italian. retreat is necessary. The Pope has suggested to Austria the neutralisation of Venico under the Patriarchate during tho war. Tho Austrians have agreed not to destroy Venico if all necessary authority is transferred to the Patriarch. The Italian Government has refused toconjiider the proposal—"Tho Times."