ITALIAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 1 November 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT.

ISON2O BRIDGES DESTROYED

| LONDON, Oct 30. I An Italian official message says;— j The withdrawal to new positions conI tinned yesterday. The destruction of the bridges over the Isouzo and successful action by our covering unit? detained the enemy’s advance. Our cavalry is in contact with the hostile vanguards. A German official message says: ' ‘ ‘We are pressing on towards the Tag- | liamento River. The Austrians and | Germans from the Carnie Alps gained a foothold on Venetian soil along the ■whole front.” The Austro-Swiss frontier is again closed. Germany is sending more troops to Italy. I ITALIAN CAGTTsET RE-FORMED I j ALL PARTIES REPRESENTED. Received 11.15. ROME, Oct 31. The new Cabinet includes all parties except advanced Socialists. M. Scnnino retains the portfolio of Foreign Affair*. LATEST ROME CABLES, CADORNA’S MASTERLY RETREAT A SAVING FLANK MOVEMENT. Received 11.15. ROME, Oct 31. The latest Rome cables state that Cadorna is extending his masterly retreat of the third army and may be able to execute a flanking movement, thus saving much territory.. THE RETREAT CONTINUES. LONDON, Oct 30. The Daily Telegraph’s Rome correspondent says there is calm confidence everywhere. The military situation is considered grave but not desperate. No delusions are entertained that the v enemy can be prevented from invading the plains, but it is most important that the Italians resist sufficiently to enable the Italian advanced troops to be brought back to a solid line at the rear. The troops charged with this duty are fighting like lion* ' ' " '

During General Fdch’ s recent 5 visit to Italy he matured a plan for the Allies to assist Italy in case of need.

; AUSTRIAN EMPEROR ENTERS GORIZIA. AMSTERDAM, Oct 30. A Vienn a message states: The Emperor Karl entered Gorizia. The enemy destroyed and plundered a large part of the city and removed the population. ITALY BETRAYED. , WASHINGTON, Oct 30? Administrative officials' learn that Italy was betrayed. They declare that spies gave the Teutons all military and civil secrets. Germany is believed to be preparing two great spring thrusts—one from the Italian the second to Petrograd. 12,000 ENEMY CASUALTIES. LONDON, Oct 30. The “Echo de Paris’ ” Rome correspondent says the Austro-German losses are estimated at 12,000. The booty taken is scanty. The Italians were able to withdraw most of their heavy artillery. CAN ITALIANS EXTRICATE THEMSELVES. LONDON, Oct 30. Attention is concentrated on the Italians’ efforts to extricate themselves, The fall of Udine inevitably cut the railway and road communications between the Carnic and Carso armies. The principal difficulty with the Tagliamento line will be the shortage of artillery. Much depends on the real strength of the Austro-Ger-mans. There is good reason to believe that the number of Germans participating aas been exaggerated. They are probably limited to six divisions The Tagliamento is widely flooded. It is hoped the Austro-Ger-man effort may be expended by the time the river is reached.

AUSTRIANS CLAIM FURTHER SUCCESS. “LONDON ,Oct. 31. Wireless Austrian official.—We ■wrested from the enemy frontier positions south-westward of Tarvis, near in the Ploecken region, and Greatpal. ROME, Oct 31. It is reported from Switzerland that Austria has been compelled to promise Trieste to Germany as the price for -her assistance.

GENERAL CABLES BRITAIN’S WAR BURDEN LONDON;, October JO. Mr. Bonar Law, in introducing a four hundred million vote credit .-aid we had now exceeded the Budg , estimate by £239,000 daily. Wo had advanced the Allies eleven hundred millions and the Dominions 160 mi Lons The war had increased the National Debt three thousand millions. The Germans had passed votes of credit for /,400 millions, not including loans to Allies. There were indications that Germany would bo hopelessly bankrupt after the war. Our financial burden after the war would largely depend on the peace which we were able to secure. If it ended satisfactorily, the financial burden would be one which we would bo able to bear. BEENE, October 30. The Eeichsrath official reporter gloomily described Austria’s financial situation. Ho said that England alone among the belligerents was able to pay interest on war loans and furnish considerable sums for current war necessities. Germany s finances were in an unfavourable condition. The increased German revenue from new taxes totalled a million marks. The whole of the war loan interest amounted to three milliards. He anticipated that Austria would long suffer after the war from a law rate of exchange. The Austrian Premier announced that Austria was still ready to sit at a peace table if her enemies were ready to create the foundation of equal relations. STANDARDISED SHIPS. LONDON, October 30. In the House of Commons, Mr. Chiozza Money, stated that five standard cargo steamers of 5200 tons each, had been built to October 25th. Eighteen will be completed by the end of December.