ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1917, Page 5

ITALY.

SITUATION GRAVE BUT HOPEFUL. ORDER AMONG ARMIES RESTORED. i ~~ ENEMY PRESSURE STRONG. I Times Service. j Received Nov. 8, 10.20 p.m I j London, Nov. S. Italian headquarters reports:, The situation is still grave but more hopeful, because order has been restored and the troops arc reaching the new lines. Enemy pressure continues strong on the right centre and left, A brigade of Piedmontese Grenadiers, all over 6ft. in height, made a gallant stand in an attempt to stem the advancing hosts, under heavy shrapnel fire. They emptied their cartridge belt?, then hurled bombs, and, when the last officer was dead, charged with bayonets and fought with clubbed rifles 'till not a "ingle giant Grenadier was left alive.

THE GERMAN DRIVE.

I GENERAL MACKENSEN NOT IN I ITALY. ! INSIDIOUS PROPAGANDA CAUSE OF DISASTER. Received Nov. 8, 10 p.m. / I Reuter Service. London, Nov. 7. General Maurice, reviewing the Italian position, admits it is very serious, but j declares the statement that General Mackensen led three hundred thousand troops in the tremendous surpriso attack is absolutely untrue, as General Mackensen has never been in Italy. The Germans there were led by General von | Bulow. General Cadorna knew approximately the time and was aware of the place to he attacked. The disaster was greatly due to the insidious propaganda which had spread further than General Cadorna was aware. The withdrawal from the Tagliamento was part of tho original plan arranged by General Cadorna .before reaching that line.

GERMAN GUNFIRE SUPERIORITY. KEY TO ITALIAN RETREAT. ITALIANS SHELLED TO BAGS. London, Nov. 7. Italian official.—We have withdrawn in good order to the Livenza River, aa tin- defence of the Tagliamento was difficult owing to the low water. Our aeroplanes and airships repeatedly bombed the troops who were repairing the bridges over tho Tagliamento and crossing the river. Mr, Pcrcival Gibbon says the Austrians crossed the Tagliamento at a point where it has fine channels, all passable by a motor-car. Their shelling across the river thus far has been exclusively by field guns. The German superiority in gunfire is the key to the Italian retreat. The Germans shelled the Italians to rags, holding hnlf their fire until the infantry were in the open, in order to secure a snrnrisc. Reorganisation is the order of the day lon the Italian front. Committees have been established everywhere to receive refugees. The one question is whether the Allied reinforcements will arrive in force before the Austro-Grmans attack. A wireless German official report says: We are continuing the pursuit of the Italians in the mountains and in the Venetian plain. Thousands have been nlade prisoners. Rome, Nov. 7. Three hundred and fifty-six deputies of all parties have signed a manifesto appealing for unity and fortitude. The I bat tie cry for all must be "Save the Country from the Foreign Invaders." ENEMY REACHES NEW LINES. Received Nov. 8, 10 p.m. London, Nov. 8. | German official: We have reached the Livenza line, behind the. Tagliamento.