ITALIAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 7 November 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT.

FATE OF MAIN ARMY HANGING IN BALANCE. RETREAT FRQM PIAVE INEVITABLE. LONDON, November 5. The fate of the main Italian army hangs in the balance. The Austrians made an attempt to debouch in the rear from their Lake Garda positions. They were held up, but the Ger.iiiai pressure on the left wing at the ..agiiamento is most intense. One . ..ciern bridgehead has been lost, and it-treat towards the Piave, which deinto the Adriatic, 20 miles ~c'J of the 'iagliamento, seems in- . ■ J..UL.IC. j.u connection with the German pro„g.„flda which was allegedly a strong Jucior in the recent happenings, on cae Italian front, Colonel Yates in the riousc of Commons, asked what steps the Government were taking to deny the Austro-Gcrmans' falsehoods, re garding Britain disemiuatcd amongst the Italian troops. Mr. J. ,F. Macpherson, (Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office, replied that the Italian military authorities had been asked to supply copies of the propaganda, but he could not promise to disclose what steps were intended.

CADORNA RECEIVES ASSISTANCE FRANCO-BRITISH TROOPS ROME, November 6. General Foch and Sir William Robertson have already joined Cadrona. Correspondents describe demonstrations while British troops were travelling to the front. They were offered flowers, fruit and tobacco, by great, cheering crowds. A Turin message states that the arrival of French troops also aroused unbounded enthusiasm, the soldiers fraternising with the people and singing the ''- Marseillaise'' and Garibaldi's Hymn. Concentration towards the future field of resistance is progressing. At night every train is loaded with men and material going to the front.' The outlook is more cheerful and good news may tbe heard /before, long. ■ ••: '.:•■■!> o >:;:; i iuoi t \

LONDON, Nov.iO. Mr Ward Price .says: Large forces of Austrians arc five miles beyond the Tagliamento, using the Pinzano bridgehead, but the crossing; does not. imply a fresh Austrian victory> as the river is only the first line ,q£. defences upon which General Cadorna is depending. The struggle -will largely consist of a race between tho enemy heavy artillery and' that of the Allied reinforce; ments. The Italians are sorting themselves out, and are being'reinforced, but the inevitable shortage of ammunition ;and the considerable. , loss of guns are. a grave drawback, to; tho Italian defences, though their ■■ position is naturally strong and capable of being made stronger.

It is believed that the Austrian attack west of Lake Garda was only a feeler, but the Italians in Trentino must be ready for severe trials. WHY ANGLO-FRENCH TROOPS ARRIVED. PARIS, Nov. 5. The fact that General Foch in September drew up complete plans with General Cadorna accounts for the i swiftness with which the Anglo-French reached the Italians, which surprised the Austrc Germans. Mr. Lloyd George and M. Plainleve (French Premier) have gone to Italy to give encouragement, advice and warning to Italy, particularly regarding Boloism in Italy, which is of Socialist origin. STRONG RESISTANCE EXPECTED. LONDON, November 5. Mr Ward Price, telegraphs: Enemy patrols crossed the ■Tagliamento on the Italians' left, but are being held even if retirement must be continued to a stronger line of retreat, it will be a fighting withdrawal. The rain has ceased' and the floods which might have lasted for weeks, have unfortun- , ately subsided. AUSTRIANS' TERRIBLE POISONGAS. AMSTERDAM, Nov. 5. The Gorizia correspondent of the Buda Pest paper, "Pesti Hirlap" states: Th(e Austrians city with a new poison gas, the invention of a Viennese professor. It is far more terrible and deadly than any hitherto used in the war. Italian gas masks are of no avail to counter-act the effects. ITALIANS STILL RETREATING. THE TAGLIAMENTO ABANDONED. Received 11.20. NEW YORK, Nov 6. It is reported that the Italians are retreating from the Tagliamento.