ITALIAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 23 November 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT.

VENICE TO BE ABANDONED. IF RETREAT CONTINUES.'. PARIS, November 21. It is certain that Venice will be abandoned if a further Italian retreat be necessary. Responding to the Vatican appeal, the Austrians have agreed not to destroy the city if all authority be transferred to the Patriarch.

PIGHTING ENTERS DECISIVE

STAGE. ROME, November 21. The Italians are still stubbornly resisting every inch of the bloody passage for the enemy on the high plateau in the Asiago region. The Third Array, valiantly contending for the lower Piave, declared itself ready to sacrifice the last man to ensure victory. Some wounded soldiers who returned to the front to encourage their comrades, pleaded for permission to enter the thick of the fight, where they again fought and died gloriously. Military critics state that the fighting has passed from the preparatory to the decisive stage. The enemy had four armies, in the first line and one in reserve. It also possesses an enormous number of guns of all calibres.

INTENSE ARTIILERY ACTION. LONDON, November 21 Wireless Italian official.—There was intense artillery fire on the Avholc front yesterday, Italian and British monitors are co-operating in the coastal zone. We repulsed three violent attacks on Monte Pertica. Infantry actions were not renewed on Monte Tomba or Monfinera. A TEARFUL SUICIDE. ' ' HAWEEA, this day. Ernest James Francis ( a single man was found by his brother, yesterday afternoon, in his home with his head blown off. There were no fire arms about. At the inquest, the verdict returned was the deceased committed suicide whilst temporarily insane by explodin a detonator or dynamite in his mouth. Francis had been indifferent health for some time.

CLEARING UP ATRICA. GERMANS ABANDON EVERYTHING. Received 5.50. LONDON, November 22. The pursuit of the remnants of the Gorman main force, under von Lcttow himself, across the Marcudc Plateau continues and fighting is most determined. Fine work was done by the King's African Rifles, the Cape Corps and the Nigerian Brigade. It is significant that the Germans are surrending hospitals throughout the country. All British prisoners have been released, and the enemy has abandoned his last five-inch gun intact, and destroyed all! sniall guns.