ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1917, Page 2

ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

ANGLO-FRENCH IN ITALY. ROME December 9. The Anglo-French have taken ever part of the front line, the British occupying the rugged trenches of Montallo crossing between the mountain front and the Piave line. < DETAILS OF BRITISH POSITION. LONDON December 9. The Italian headquarters correspondent says.—The Montallo Hills, which the British strongly hold, extend ten miles. They are situated in the curve formed by the Piave River where it debouches from the mountains. The position commands thirty miles of the Piave Valley and overlooks two’ main roads whereby the enemy can invade the country from Felture. The Montello Hills form the east bulwark in the way of the Austro-German descent from the eastern side of Mount Graff a - THE BRITISH IN ITALY. Received, this day at 8.45 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 10. Mr Ward Price, writing of the Italian front, says the British soldiers greatly appreciate the change from the Flanders mud. The enemy opposite us have not yet appeared in force, or established position* <m his side of the Piave river. Montelln, which forms part of our sector, is a curiously shaped hogs-bnek, rising to 2000 feet from .•mother- bill.On Asia go Plateau, General Conrad is reinforcing daily, men and guns pouring down the line from Trento and Grinimlano. Six divisions are concentrated on a six mile front. The enemy front line troops have to be relieved \lailv. owing to the losses inflicted by Italian machine gums and rifles, which are as important as shells i n this mountain warfare.

TREATMENT OF ITALIANS. [LONDON TIMES SERVICE COPYRIGHT] (Received This Day at- 9.50 a.m.) LONDON Decombo rlO. The Gazetto “Del Popolo” publishes a proclamation ordering men, women and children in Udine to work in the fields from four in the morning till 8 at night, and threatening those who ;>, ar c lazy with imprisonment and beating Italian prisoners arc con-polled to work under sholl fire. FRENCH FRONT IN ITALY. Received, tWIs day at 8.45 a.in. LONDON Decmeber 10. Reuter’s correspondent in Italy says the first shots between the French commanded by General Bushesne and the Austrians have ben exchanged. The sector the French occupied was one of the most dangerous of the whole front and a strong holding of it is of the. utmost importance. It has been thoroughly organised on the same scale as in France.