ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1917, Page 3

ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

ITALIAN REPORT. LONDON, November 11. Italian official—in the neighbourhood :of Asiago the enemy captured ouf advanced pjostis at Gallia and Monteferraghioe: but subsequently they were expelled. We captured the enemy’s vanguard at Tezze, in the Lugana Valley and requlsed the enemy at Valdobiadane Height. We crossed to the right hank of the Piave and destroyed the Vidor bridge.

THE ITALIAN RETREAT.

REARGUARD FIGHTING

(Received, This Day at 8.50. a.m.) ROME, Nov. 12.

Mr Gibbon says the Tagliamento served Italy badly. When the Italians were retreating tbe river was a rushing torrent, and when the enemy cavalry approached, the river had subsided and become a normal rivulet in a track of sand.

The Italian retirement was glorified by a score of fine fights by the rearguards, bringing their pursuers to a standstill. Again and again the Eersaglieri, who were fighting and march, ing continuously for a fortnight, put up a great resistance at Lacile, where house to house fighting occurred. •The fact that they were now fighting

for their own beautiful country fired the Italians with a new and terrible enthusiasm. The troops to whose defection. General Cadorna attributed the disaster on October 24th, were then in Austrian territory. Now they were fighting on Italian soil, yielding by inches. / The correspondent regrets he cannot indicate the location of the line it is intended to defend, nor the consequence of a failure there, otherwise the world would realise exactly the stakes for which they are fighting. Italy is literally fighting for her life.

OTHER VIEWS. ROME, Nov. 12

Other correspondents believe the Italians cannot long hold the Piave line. The capture of the important town of Belluno and the rapid progress in Sugana valley tend to inspire anxiety. NEW LINE OP DEFENCE. THE ITALIAN POSITION. j (Received This Dav at 11.20. a.m.) I LONDON, Nov. 12 I Mr. Ward Price says the Italian Army is practically established upon its next river line. The first Austrian shells are already falling in the neighbourhood of the • position where the next great defensive battle will be fought. The supreme need now is that the Allied plans be carried out, with the utmost energy and speed. ASSISTANCE FOR ITALY. (Received This Dev at 11.25. a.m.. PARIS, Nov 12. It is understood it ha's been arranged that Anglo-French assistance to Italy shall be equally divided. PRINCE OP WALES IN ITALY. ROME, Nov. 12th. There is a growing movement in favour of more complete mobilisation, and the closing, of theatres. The first batches of permanently disabled soldiers have gone to the front to encourage the fighters. The newspapers note with pleasure that the Prince of Wales is cordially welcomed in the villages, wherever he is seen. He walks the streets with' an escort. His presence in Italy in the time of crisis is regarded as a proof of England’s warmest sympathy. PEACE AT VENICE. /Received This D"*' "t 11.25. a.m.) PARIS, Nov. 12. It is reported that Austrian officers encourage their men to go forward by promising peace at Venice-

REARGUARD ACTIONS.

A MOVE FRUSTRATED. (■Received This Dev at- 12 p-' ' NEW YORK, Nov. 11. The United Press correspondent telegraphs from Rome that fierce rearguard actions are in progress in the Piavo zone south of Lugano Valley. The ? nemy attempted the encirclement of the Italian 'infantry, hut our cavalry counter-attacked. Heavy rain enhances the value of the rivers for defensive purposes.