ITALIAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 12 November 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT.

CADORNA SUPERSEDED. DEFENCE NOW CONCENTRATED. LONDON, Nov 9. Reuter’s correspondent at Italian headquarters states that the • bridges over the Livenza River were blown up in order -to delay the enemy’s • advance. Meanwhile the retreat has greatly shortened the front, which is now scarcely thirty miles. This favours concentration for defence^ WASHINGTON, Nov 9. Rome advices state that the Allies .Board has selected General Diaz, an Italian general, to succeed Count Cadorna as Commander-in-Chief of the Italian Army. A STRONG MAN SUCCEEDS HIM. Received 9.40. LONDON, Nov 11. The correct name of Cadorna’s successor is : Diaz. He is a Neapolitan with a distinguished career. He was comparatively unknown outside military circles. He is 56 years of age and his ancestors fought in the Napoleonic wars. He fought in the Abyssinian and Libyan campaigns and was wounded. He commanded an army corps on the Isonzo; he possesses volcanic energy. \ THE ITALIAN RETREAx. HOW RETIREMENT WAS

FACILITATED

HEROIC BAND’S SACRIFICE, i - Received 9.40. ROME, November 11. A few thousands of a certain division were cut off from the main body at Montefcsta, Monte San Simone, between the Tagliamento and Lake Cavizza. They held out heroically till Wednesday when their artillery and ammunition was exhai\stcd. On Tuesday, after destroying defensive works they attempted to break through the encircling enemy masses, with the bayonet. Superior numbers overwhelmed them, but this rearguard action facilitated the .main bodies orderly retreat. • a Viennese papers are giving promih-'-encc to a rumour that. Austria wills propose a general armistice when the?? advance into Italy ends. ‘ :vt

FRANCO-BRITISH TROOPS ARRIVING. : U ROME, November 10.1 , The Mayor of Turin issued a manifesto welcoming the Franco-Britifelr soldiers, /who continue to arrive in; great numbers. . PREPARING FOR RESISTANCE. .■ LONDON, November 10 ■ Wireless Italian official. Our, troops continue to , arrive ’and haveestablished themselves in positions chos;ep;. for resistance. Our rear-guards till hold up the enemy. , V ASIAGO CAPTURED. LONDON, November 11. German wireless official says. The Austro-Hungarians are pressing forward in the Valsugana and Upper Piave Valley. They captured Asiago after desperate street fighting. They repulsed an Italian rear guard, -which made a stand westward of the Livonza, and reached the Pava from Susegana as far as the sea. A wireless German official message states: Pursuit of the Italians through the mountains continues.

The Italian retreat is becoming more orderly. Some deserters were shot. Many Germans were discovered among the retreating refugees, bribing the people to demand peace. Italian official.—We repulsed an attack on our advanced positions in the Ledro Valley. Local engagements took place between the Yalsugana and the Piavo Valley. At Lorenzago one of our rearguards, which was surrounded succeeded in pushing 'through and occupied the village. From Susegana to the sea our rearguards became disengaged from the enemy and crossed the river blowin ,r up bridges.

(Asiago, which occupies an important position on a ridge, is 22 miles north j of Yicenza.)