ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1917, Page 5

ITALY.

THE GLOOM DISPERSING.

ITALIANS FIGHT LIKE HEROES. ENEMY EFFORTS FOILED. "Received Oct. 30, 7.25 p.m. " • London, Oct. 20. The latest accounts from the Italian front are regarded somewhat less gloomily, as showing that a combination of many adverse and unexpected conditions prevented the Italians from .stemming the first onslaught. The Daily Telegraph's Milan correspondent says the small nucleus of troops defending Ihe passes opposite Tolmino fought like heroes against an overwhelming force. Another enemy wave that tried to force a passage, to the valley between Robic and Creda was stopped. Successive attempts to force a passage between Iderseo and Lucio were foiled, and the Germans were compelled to fall back before the repeated bayonet charges of a celebrated Italian brigade. The German attack from' Santa Maria and Santa Lucia towards the valley of Indrio was checked at Cemponi 'and Monte Joza, and finally at Globocak.

COLLAPSE OF ISONZO FRONT. ITALIAN ARMY RETREATING. A GERMAN REPORT. Reecived Oct. 30, 10 p.m. London, Oct. 20. German official: The whole Italian Isonzo front lias collapsed. The third army is hastily retreating along the Adriatic coast. The Austro-Ihmgarians are now before Udine, and have also captured Cormous. The number of prisoners is continually increasing. THE TRUE POSITION. NOT SO BAD AS IT LOOKS. London, Oct. 29. Mr. Ward Price, writing from Italian headquarters, says that the truth is that the enemy overwhelmed a single corps Of the second Italian army, and forced their way into the gap 'thus formed, obliging the Italians to "vacuato the Bainsizza plateau. The German attack was the more formidable owing to the use of special gas before a bombardment from unsuspected batteries. This "broke the Italian resistance. Neither Italy nor the Allies .should exaggerate the gravity of the position. CHECKING ENEMY ADVANCE. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Renter. Received Oct. 30, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 23. A wireless Italian official message ftates: Our troops are fulfilling their duty and regularly checking the enemy advance over the plains. THE ALARMIST FIEND. Washington, Oct. 23. A high military authority says the drive, will play havoc with'the Italian situation, which is the most serious for the Allies since the Marne. According to other information the Allies will rush to the assistance of the Italians with men and big guns. CADORNA WILL MAKE A STAND. Washington, Oct. 20. Official advices state that General Cadorna will make a stand on the Tagliamento river. The Italians are now cheeking the Austrian advance. (The Tagliamento river is parallel to the Isonzo and between 30 and 40 mile 3 west of it.) EXAGGERATIONS DEPRECATED. London, Oct. 29. An authoritative statement says that the exaggeration of the enemy's strength is unfair to the Russians and Roumanians, who, despite the Russian collapse, still retain as many enemy divisions on their front as were there when the Russian offensive began last July. It also suggests that the Italians were left to bear the brunt of the attacks of a numerically superior enemy. This was not the case. i The Italians were fully prepared for the attack and confident of success without help from the Allies. They were in considerable numerical superiority to the enemy on the whole front. This exaggeration also gives a.-false impression of the enemy's power of transporting large forces from the east to the west in a. short time. AN 'HISTORICAL INCIDENT. London, Oct. 29. The Morning Post Rome correspondent gays that during the recent debate in the Italian Chamber, Signer Labriola caused a sensation by reading a. telegram from King Nicholas of Montenegro to the late Emperor of Austria, saying: "Your troops having occupied Montenegro, I ask for an armistice and peace. Your generous heart cannot be cruel to my people." The Emperor Francis Joseph replied: "I am glad to learn that your Majesty wishes peace, which shall be made on the conditions already known." RETIREMENT TO IMPREGNABLE POSITION. Rome, Oct, 29. The Giornale states authoritatively that the army is withdrawing to impregnable positions. ANGLO-FRENCH AID. London, Oct. 20. The British Government has already taken steps to afford the fullest assistance to Italy. The Central Npws states |that the French Cabinet has decided to send troops to the Italian front. KAISER VISITING ITALIAN FRONT. Received Oct. "0. 3.5 p.m. Warrington, Oct. 29. P.ome cables state that the Kaiser will Join the Austrian Emperor on the Italian frunt.