ON THE ITALIAN FRONT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 90, 9 January 1918, Page 5

ON THE ITALIAN FRONT

ENEMY POSITIONS SHELLED

BRITISH PATROLS FORCE THE PIAVE

(Rec. January 8, 8.20 p.m.)

London, January 7. An Italian official report states: "The English and French batteriee repeatedly shell the positions and rear areas between Vidor Pontcdolla and Griula, with excellent results. British patrols have forced the Piave at some points."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter.

BRITISH HOLDING POST OF HONOUR ON THEPIAVE

(Rec. January 9, 1.25, a.m.)

London, January S. Mr. Ward Price interviewed General Diaz, the Italian Commander-in-Chief, who said: "The British in the Montello sector are holding the post of honour on the Piave. The British made a magnificent impression. Their troops are worthy of England." Ha added that the holding of the Piave line, since tho groat withdrawal, had been one of the defensive successes of the war. The Italians had determinedly stood the supremo war test, namely, a retreat.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ADSntO-GEBMAN RECRIMINATIONS OVER THE INCOMPLETE SUCCESS OF THE OFFENSIVE. (Rec. January 8, 8.20 p.m.) Rome, January 7. Tho Austro-German newspapers are indulging in recriminations regarding tho incomplete success of the offensive against Italy. The Austrians blame tho Germans for delaying assistance in order to carry out an offensive on tho Riga, while the Germans blame the Austrians for permitting tho Italian offensive on Bainsizza, which delayed the AustroGerman offensivo for two months, and criticise tha Austrian High Command for leaving Czechs at Bainsizza and not realising that they .intended to seize the first opportunity to surren-der.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.