VENICE

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1917, Page 2

VENICE

PROPOSED NEUTRALISATION,

AUSTRIAN INTENTIONS.

Received, this day at 8.45 a.m. PARIS, November 21.

The Pope has suggested to Austria the neutralisation of Venice under a

patriarchate during the war. j The Italian Government refused to consider the proos&l. (Reuter’s Telegram.) I ROME November 21. ! Austria ha s asked Italy to declare whether Venice is a fortified city. This is taken to indicate the enemy’s intention to provide a justification for ; anything that ensues. The Allies consuls are temporarily remaining. REFUGEES POURING IN. AUSTRIANS WITHIN 14 MILES. LONDON, Nov. 21. A large part of the population of Venice has departed, but there are still gondolas on the canals. The city 1 is not despairing, but is breathlessly expectant. The asylums and prisons have been evacuated. The British and American consuls have mostly gone. A few are remaining, whatever Venice’s fate. Refugees are pouring in from the outlying villages on the lagoons. The dull boom of the guns can he heard to the northwar dof Angoono. At one point the Austrians are actually within 25,000 yards (14 miles) of Venice. Dannuzo, conversing, said:—“Let us Sr© the city, rather than that, the Aus- ; trians should tread these atones..”

POSITION IMPROVED. WINTER CAMPAIGN IN ITALY. (Received This Dav at 9.50. a.m.) PARIS, No. 21. M. Clemenceaut, in an interview with the “Petit Journal,” says the situation has improved. General Fayalle has gone to Italy, and General remains there. He will bring back a common plan for the Allies. Probably a winter campaign will take place in Italy.

ITALIANS REPULSE GERMAINS. AT MONTE FENERA SALIENT. TAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & nVCTER.] (Received This Dav at 10.15. a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 21. Italian semi-official.—There was furious fighting at Monte Fenera all day °n Monday. Two enemy divisions, or respectively twelve and sixteen battalions, including the Prussian Guards, were engaged in the struggle for possession of the Piave crossings, where the river emerges on th© plain. There was a continuous five days’ battle in the Tomba-Monte FenoraCornalla triangle. After repeated repulses, the enemy at dawn on the 18th, gained a footing in Monte Fenera salient, hut were dislodged. The following night they returned to the assault, supported by a drumfire. Thereafter the salient constantly changed hands all day and night, the Italians finally re. conquering, but being exposed without shelter to an infernal bombardment, retired, leaving the advanced group in occupation. A desperate resistance continues. An enemy column which attempted to break through to the left of Monte Ferera o n Monday morning was annihilated with the bavonet.