ITALIAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 4 December 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT.

BIG GUNS ACTIVE. DROUGHT ASSISTS ENEMY. LONDON, December 2. An Italian official message states: "Very intense artillery firing is in progress from the 'Asiago Plateau to the, Lower Piave. We drove back the enemy attempting to approach Monte Melatte, south of the Sette Comune. One. of our parties reached the enemy position in the Mount Portiea region, but was unable to hold owing to concentrated fire." Reuter's crrespondent at Italian headquarters states that the Italians are now praying for rain The drought has made the Piave very low, greatly assisting the enemy, who is endeavouring to cross by wading, pontoons, rafts and boats. The Italians destroyed most of those wjao crossed. They generally purposely allow the enemy to cross, and then fire right into the crowded troops. Two-thirds of the population of Venice has departed, and an average of 1,000 is leaving daily. The remainder declare that they are resolved to defend the city to the last drop of blood. Only nine English remain, including the family of the British Vice-Consul,

ANGLO-FRENCH TAKEN OVER PIAVE FRONT. Received 10 a.m. NEW YORK, Dec 3. A United Press message from the Italian front states that' the AngloFrench have taken over the ; eiitire Piaye river front, and the Teutons will find it an impassable barrier. ROME, December 3. Official. —Fourteen enemy light craft attacked the coast on November 28th. but were counter-attackcd by armoured trains, and quickly withdrew, managing to evade torpedoers which were despatched in the direction of" Pola to intercept them. An armilred train hit an enemy ship. VENICE MAY BE SAVED. HUN INVADERS HALTED. Received 11.10. WASHINGTON ,Dec 3.

Cables from Rome state it is believed Venice will be saved from the Teuton. The advance at the Adriatic end of the Piave river of the invaders has been halted.

INTENSE ARTILLERY ACTIONS.. Received 11.35. LONDON, Dec 3. An Italian official message states: There is intense and prolonged artillery actions on the Passebro and Melethe region, also northward of Monte Grappa.