ITALIAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 5 November 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT.

PUBLIC REALISING EXTENT OF. DISASTER. LONDON Nov 3. The Daily Telegraph's Milan correspondent says the public are gradually realising the extenTTJf the disaster and there is a growing determination to resist the invasion. Signor Giolitti, leader of the largest political group, offered whole-hearted co-operation with the new Government. The universities at "Padua and Pavia eloquently appeal "to stiffen the against the invasion of barbarianll&,.: REMARKABLY ORDERLY RETREAT. LONDOI7 'Nov 3. Though war correspondents on the

Italian front are not yet permitteT T u disclose details of the Italian retreat, latest accounts show that the movement was conducted in remarkably good order despite the prodigious task of withdrawing nearly a million men. Roads were utterly congested, but apart from the inevitable confusion there was no serious disorder. Military and civilian traffic moved slowly along the roads, torrents of rain adding to the discomfort and difficulty The vast majority suffered from hunger and fatigiie*. ITALIANS DRIVEN OVER TAGLIA MENTO. LONDON Nov 3. Wireless German official. —Our attacks on the eastern bank of the Tagliamento compelled the Italian brigades which were still holding out to retire or surrender. The left bank of the river from the Fella Valley to the Pasatic is free of the enemy. LONDON Nov 3. i Italian official. —Enemy pressure is heavier on the" left* wing on the Tagliamento line. We detained attempts to reach the right bank GERMAN FRTGHTFULNESS AGAIN 3T J ftf '•;! »?/ LONDON, Nov. 3. [■, I ItaliaiiF i recalls the" first—days of the Belgian ; the-- advancing: Hosts laying bare Italy's richest agricultural "districts • "-burning,-•pillaging and iIT-.treat-ing the terror-stricken population, It is reported that Mackensen ordered a systematic campaign of brutality and lust in order to terrorise the/people ,and punish Italy's intervention.

DARK TREACHERY CAUSE OF THE RETREAT. . v -LONDON, Nov;3. : Mi: Ward Price states that the principal, cause of the Italian, retreat was that 1 a section of the; .troops, disaffected by the, German peace opened a gap in the heart of the Italian defences, cutting off and surrounding strong mountain beyond the river, and necessitating the withdrawal of the whole Isonzo army. The Carso army was compelled to follow. If it had delayed retirement a single hour it would have been irretrievably lost, TvTany civilians joined the army in the retreat All manner of vehicles were mixed, baggage waggons and army impedimenta blocking the roads for miles. Railways were also blocked by trains. The enemy rapidly followed the retreat, patrols occupying Udine at 7 o'clock on Sunday nignt, bTTrnTiig Cividareel Grandprisca and Polanova. The Germans tried to rush the Taglianiento bridge on Saturday night, but the flooded stream "defeated them, sweeping- numbers away. - Ths- -ftalians wiped out those who succeeded in crossing. *"*' Wireless German official.—ltaliar prisoners are now 200,000 and the captured guns 1800. AN ITALIAN OFFICIAL. STRONG.ENEMY ATTACKS RE-. PULSED, Received 10.10. LONDON Oct 4. An Italian official message states: We repulsed a strong attack on advanced posts in the Daone and Guimelia Valley on the sector GOING TO ITALY. A GREAT MILITARY COMPANY. Received 10.10. LONDON Oct 4. The Press Bureau states that Mr Lloyd George Is going to Italy.and that Generals Smuts and Robertson, also Generals Wilson and Maurice and other officers will acompany him.

REASSURING REPORTS ITALIAN STORES ALL DESTROYED THAT WERE NOT, MOVABLE .A BIG BATTLE PENDING . Received 10.40 ROME, November 4 General Corsi, writing in the Tribuna, states that the evacuated zone was the main supply-base, containing munition depofis and" other stores accumulated for a winter campaign. Everything was destroyed which the Italians were unable to remove. It seems plain that fne enemy's strategical position on the plain will compel him to accept a battle on a large scale. The London Observer's correspondent reports that the enemy has not yet fully debouched on the plain. J Other correspondents state the re- 1 treat manoeuvre was one of the greatest difficulty, and which touched the border of panic and might have been converted into a disaster. The \ enemy maitnained a terrific fire with every kind of shell along the lines of communications. Through all the tornado of fire the troops showed no signs of defeat. The cavalrys reckless daring largely contributed to the success of the retreat. They repeatedly charged the advancing troops amicl a hail of advancing machine bullets. AUSTRIAN NAVAL PREPARATIONS. REPORTED IN THE DRIATIC. Received 10.40. LONDON, Nov 4. Reports from Berne state there are great naval preparations at Pola and Cattaro. The Austrian fleet supported by German "submarines is ready for actios.

FIRES.

A DUNEDIN CONFLAGRATION THOMSON'S CORDIAL FACTORY BAMAGED. K V. JrVBRSBOi, this day. A fire-at Thomson and Go's cordial factory, late-Saturday night, did damage to the extent of between seven and ten thousand pounds. ! :, The fire started in the bottling department, doing much damage to'tSe machinery, hut two fire brigades extinguished the flames before the "central "portion of ,the premises were demolished. t ,•-• .• * Insurances, are spread among six companies, the Guardian covering the largest amount. '••'■'■♦