ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1916, Page 5

ITALY.

DESPERATE AUSTRIAN ATTACKS. , REPELLED WITH HEAVY LOSS, Rome, March 31'. ■A communique states: After an intense artillery duel the enemy, with large reserves, attacked the northern extremity of the 'Podgora heights, and the fighting extended rapidly along the entire front as" far as Sabotine. The fighting was particularly desperate across Peumica torrent. The attacks were repeatedly repulsed, the enemy renewing them each time with fresh troops, but was ultimately routed, We captured east of Selta a strongly entrenched position at the bayonet's point.

MR. ASQUITH AT ROME, ' . r A GREAT RECEPTION, THE CITY EN FETE. f Received April 2, 5.5 p.m. Rome, April 1. f Mr. Asquith received a splendid ovation in the streets, the crowds shouting: "Viva la Quadruple! Viva Asquith and Britain!" There was a great demonstration in front of the Embassy, where Mr. Asquith bowed his acknowledgments from the balcony and cried in Italian, "Vive II Ee! Viva l'ltalia!" Later the King gave him an audience at the Quirinal, and Mr. Asquith then visited Queen Margherita. When Mr. Asquith arrived in the city the school children and Government and private employees received holidays. The Union Jack and the Allied flags were flying everywhere, and it was difficult to control the enormous crowds.