ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1917, Page 5

ITALY.

OFFICIAL REPORTS ENEMY ADVANCE DETAINED. London, Oct. 30. Italian Official.—Our withdrawal to new positions continued yesterday. The destruction of bridges over t'lie Isonzo and the successful action of our covering units detained the enemy's advance. Our cavalry is in contact with the hostile vanguards. German official: We are pressing on towards the Tagliamento. Austro-Ger-tnans from the Carnic Alps have gained a foothold on Venetian soil along the srhole front. FALL OF UDINE, THE BASE FOR ISONZO. FRONT. New' York, Oct. 30. Udine has fallen. ['Udine is an important railway centre, 23 miles from Gorizia, which has been the base from which the whole of the Isonzo front has been supplied.] HOW THE FRONT WAS 6ROKEN.; SLIGHT ITALIAN RESISTANCE. Amsterdam, Oct. 30. A correspondent of the Nienwe Rotterdamsch Courant who is with the Austrians says that General Mackensen chose Tolmino for attack because the Italians 'had only two brigades there and weak reserves, wheueaa 55 brigades were Biassed on the Bainsizza Plateau, with much artillery. The Austrian general Henvquez heavily attacked Bainsizza in order to provent reinforcements going to Tolmino, where the attack was a complete success, forcing a retirement to Kainsizza, but storming troops, penetrating u deep ravine, cut off ten thousand prisoners and two hundred guns. CALM CONFIDENCE. SITUATION GRAVE, BUT NOT DESPERATE. GUARDING THE RETREAT. PLAN OF ASSISTANCE ARRANGED. Received Oct. 31, 8.30 p.m. London, Oct. 30. The Daily Telegraph's Rome correspondent says there is calm oonfldcnce everywhere. The military situation is considered as grave, but not desperate. Ko delusions are entertained that the enemy can be prevented from invading the plains, but it is most important to resist sufficiently t<? enable the advanced troops being brought back to the solid line in the rear. The troops charged with this duty are fighting like lions. During General Fotfh's recent visit to Italy he matured a plan for the Allies assisting Italy in case of need. '" r PROLONGING THE WAR. VIEWS OF AMERICAN PRESS. New York, Oct. 30. New York newspapers are pessimistic regarding the Italian situation. The New York Herald says that it is now the duty of Americans to grit their teeth and prepare for two or three years of war. The Sun declares that if the Italians are driven back because they lack artillery there is yet time to halt the German advance. The World says: The Italians haVe been defeated, but it is ijot clear whether it is a disaster. The lesson we must learn is that every war activity of every nation must be speeded up' to drive back the ruthless Hun. | The New York Times comments that the Italian situation means deferred peace. Italy has not received the full j help she asked. The circumstances seem to indicate the lack of perfect co-ordina-tion among the Allies and the need of the supreme command keeping a vigilant eye on all fronts. America must Rupply the Allies with men, arms and foodstuffs, and prepare for a lengthy wax of great magnitude. Officials at Washington are discussing whether Italy's plight will force America to declare war on Austria, Mr. Frank Simonds, writing in the Tribune, says that it is too soon to be pessimistic, but we are seeing the beginning of what might become one of the greatest disasters in military history. The Italian offensive has been ruined, but Italy may yet rally. GERMANY'S PRICE. FOR ASSISTING HER ALLY. 1 Received Oct. 31, 11.30 p.m. Rome, Oct. 31. It' l is reported from Switzerland that Austria was compelled to promise to givo Trieste to Germany as the price of her assistance.

ITALY BETRAYED. HUNS GIVEN ALL SECRETS, Received Oct. 31, 10 p.m. Washington, Oct. 30. 'Administrative officials learn that Italy was betrayed, and declare that spies gave the Teutons all the militarv ?nd civil secrets. Germany is believed to be preparing two great spring thrums, one on the Italian plains, and the second on iPetrograd. THEY EXTRICATE THEMSELVES. THE REAL STRENGTH OF THE ENEMY. United Service. Received Oct. 31, 10 p.m. . _ London, Oct. 31. Attention is concentrated upon 'the Italians' efforts to extricate themselves. The fall of Udina will inevitably cut the railway and road communications with the Carnic and Carso armies. The principal difficulty on the Tagliamento line will be the shortage of artillery.' Much depends upon the real strength of the Austro-Germans. There is good reason to believe that the number of Germans participating has been exaggerated Probably the number is limited to six divisions. The Tagliamento is widely»flooded, and it is hoped the Austro-Germau effort may be expended by the time the river is reached. CLOSING UP THE RANKS. SOCIALISTS AND CLERICALS CO-OPERATING. Received Oct. 31, 10 p.m. Rome, Oct. 30. A conference of Socialists deputies decided to co-operate fully with the Govpi'iiment. _ The Pope has required clerical politicians to subdue their differences and unite for the Fatherland. ENEMY'S SLIGHT LOSSES. ITALIANS SAVE HEAVY ARTILLERY. Received Oct. 31, 9.40 p.m. Paris, Oct. 30. The Echo da Paris' Rome correspondent states that Austro-Gennan losses nre estimated at twelve thousand. The booty is scanty. The lalians were able to withdraw most of their Heavy arti!. lery. AUSTRIAN EMPEROR AT GORIZIA. POPULATION REMOVED BY ITALIANS.

Received Oct. 31, 10 p.m." Amsterdam, Oct. 30. A Vienna message states: The Emperor Karl entered Gorizia. The enemy destroyed and plundered a large part at the city and removed the population.

AN AUSTRIAN CLAIM. FRONTIER POSITIONS GAINED. Received Oct. 31, 8.30 p.m. London, Oct. 30. A wireless Austrian official report Btates: We wrested the enemy frontier positions south-westward of Tarvi3 and near Pontafel, in the Ploecken region, and Greatpal. GERMANY SENDING MORE TROOPS. Rome, Oct. 30. The Austro-Swiss frontier is again closed and Germany is, sending more troop 3 to Italy. THE NEW MINISTRY. Rome, Oct. 30. Signor Orlando is forming a Ministry. DESTINIES OF WAR COMPROMISED. Received Nov. 1, 1.50 a.m. . Rome, Oct. 31. Newspapers point out that the Aus-tro-German offensive is really aimed against the entire Entente the whole destinies of the war being compromised if the Central Powers prevail, for the strategic defensive is designed to conclude the war before the winter and force the Entente to treat for peace.