ITALY'S PART.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1916, Page 5

ITALY'S PART.

EVACUATION, NOT A ROUT. THE AUSTRIAN VERSION. Received June 28, 8 pjm. Vienna, June 2S. A communique states: The shortening of our front between Brenta and Adige was completed on Monday The Italians' :laim to victories is completely untrue, as is proved by the following fact: On the night of the 2oth the partial evacuation of the advanced trenches, which were in unfavorable terrain, began after weeks of preparation. The Italians followed in the forenoon. They continued the bombardment of the positions we evacuated. Only at noon did the Italian detachments timidly begin to move towards some portions of our front between the Astaeh and Sugane valley. We evacuated the trendies in the Adige sector, and continued to retire during the whole day and the following night, proceeding to some points on Monday morning. There was no fighting on either day. vVe lost neither prisoners. guns, machine-guns nor other war material The Italians are now approaching our new positions and attacked at Montefesto on Monday morning, but they were repulsed with heavy losses.

ITALIANS' GREAT ADVANCE. ALL ALONG THE LINE. AUSTRIAN'S' BARBAROUS METHODS. Received June 28. 5.5 p.m. i Rome, June 2S. An official communique states: —We crossed the strong entrenchments at Matassone and Anglievpi, completing the conquest of Mount Menerle. We have cleared the enemy from the southern slspes of Mount Aralaca, od the Posina line, and begun the advance on the northem side of the valley Cavalry patrols on the plateau have reached a point south-west of Asiago and occupied several summits to the north-east. Along the whole front we fouhd traces of the enemy's barbarous methods, some hundreds of naked bodies of Italian iliers being found in a mire near Magnaboschi. THE ENEMY'S RETREAT. ABANDON ARMS AND TRANSPORT. Rome, June 27. For sixty hours the Italians continuously regained ground. The enemy's retreat at certain points developed into a rout. North of Asiago the retirement was so precipitate that the infantry 'osfc contact with the enemy and the cavalry for the first time advanced through thick weeds up steep hills to engage and hold the enemy's rearguard. Everywhere the Austrian* are abandoning arms, provisions and transport. The line of retreat is littered with dead and wounded.' On the top of Mount- Cengio, which was reconquered yesterday, was found an order to the Austrian troops, ending, "The good wines and beautiful women of Italy are waiting for us."