ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 October 1917, Page 5

ITALY.

A GRIM ORDEAL A FIGHT TO A FINISH. GERMANY DETERMINED ON POLL TICAL VICTORY. Received Oct. 23, 7.45 p.m. " Rome, Oct. 28. War correspondents unanimously opine that the Austro-German offensive will mean a fight to a finish, because Germany is determined to seek a political victory over Italy's stubborn resistance to German pacifist activities. Germany is aiming at the disruption of the Entente, and planned an offensive on a tremendous scale. Troops and transports for weeks had been pouring from the Balkans and Russia, which fronts 'are now almost stripped of armies, including some of the finest German troops, all being well equipped with artillery and machine-guns. The latest bulletins indicate that the Italians have not yet stemmed the assaults. London military critics admit the offensive is a grini ordeal for Italy, It may be neecssary to speedily come to I her aid, especially with artillery reinforcements.

A BLOW THAT SMARTS. FAILURE OF ITALIAN UNITS. ENEMY PENETRATES ITALY'S SOIL. Received Oct. 2!), 11.55 p.m. London, Oct. 29. Wireless Italian official; The failing of resistance of some of the units forming the second army, by retiring in cowardice (without fighting or by surrendering, allowed the Außtro-Germans to penetrate our left wing on the Julian front. The valiant efforts of our troops were unable to prevent the enemy from advancing into Italy's sacred soil. We are withdrawing to a line according to the plan prepared. All stores and depots in the evacuated places were destroyed. The record of so many memorable battles successfully fought by our brave soldiers during 2i'years of war arc sufficient to assure the Commander-in-Chief of the army, whereto the country's honor is safely confided, that they know how to fulfil' their duty.

AN AUSTRIAN REPORT. GORIZIA OCCUPIED. Received Oct. 29, 11.55 p.m. Amsterdam, Oct. 23. A Vienna official report states that the Austrian* occupied Gorteia, and that the Italians have withdrawn across the Isonzo. .STRENGTH OF REINFORCErMENTS. FIGURES GROSSLY EXAGGERATED. ONLY SEVEN ENEMY DIVISIONS. GERMANS TURN THE SCALE. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. (Received Oct. 30, 1.10 a.m. I London, Oct. 29. It is authoritatively reported that the number of enemy troops who have recently arrived on the Italian front has been grossly exaggerated. So far as is known there are only live German divisions on the Isonzo front, whereof only three have been definitely identified by the Italians as participating in the attack. Possibly another German division arrived, but was not engaged in the attack. Two out of five of the abovementioned divisions came from the Western front, where they had suffered heavily at the hands of the British, and were replaced by two divisions from Russia, The German strength on the West front is therefore undiminished. Indeed, it has been increased by two divisions since August 1. The remainder of the German reinforcements on the Italian front have been transferred from Russia and Roumania.

. Regarding Austin reinforcements, only two Austrian divisions are known to have arrived at the Italian front last month, but, possibly, two others arrived recently, though they have not yet been identified. The total reinforcements, therefore, known to have arrived at the Italian front amount only to seven sionsj, and the enemy's success is entirely due to the presence of from three to five German divisions, which attacked the Plezzo and Tolmino front.

INSIDUOUS GERMAN PROPAGANDA. CADORNA MEETS THE EMERGENCY. Times Service, Received Oct. 29, 11.55 p.m. London, Oct. 29. Mr. Ward Price states that an insidious and widespread German propaganda in Italy accompanied tho offensive. General Cadorna's measures on the new line of defence should enable the troops fighting on the heights to retire on their first support.