ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1917, Page 5

ITALY.

DOGGED AND DANGEROUS DEFENSIVE. CANDIDATES FOR DEATH. FIVE DAYS' CONTINUOUS FIGHTING. ENEMY COLUMN ANNIHILATED. London, Nov. 21. Sir. Fercivnl Gibbon reports that already the Italian resistance Jn the Piave sectors lias 'hardened into a dogged and dangerous defensive. Where the r.oUlicrs are holding their ground and counterattacking the Austrians have not recovered their organisation as quickly as the Italians regained their active defensive capacity.

The lighting near Zenson was particularly violent. The Italians included volunteers for storming duties called "Arrliti," self-styled candidates for death wearing a special uniform and comprising only the "strongest men. They rushed the enemy positions after a short bombardment. Tim Hungarians fought well, but soon fell hack to the river, losing heavily.

The Italian resistance is everywhere stubborn, but the pressure has increased. A large part of the population of Venice lias departed, but there are still gondolas on the canals. The city is not. despairing, but breathlessly expectant. The asylums and prisons have been evacuated. 'Die British and American polonies have mostlv gone. A few are soing to remain, whatever the fate of Venice. Refugees are pouring in from outlying villages 011 the lagoons. The dull boom of guns can be beard northward of the lagoon.

At one point Hie Austrians are actually within 25.000 yards (five miles) of Veil ice. P'Annunzio. in conversation, said: "Let n 1 ! fire the city rather titan permit Austria to tread these stones." Italian Semi-official.—There was furious fighting on Mone Fenera all Monday. Two enemy divisions, of respectively twelve and sixteen battalions, including the Prussian Guards, engaged in a struggle for the possession of the Piave crossings where the river enter? the pin hi. There was a continuous five days' battle in the Tomba-Moute Fencra-Oormilla triangle. After repeated repulses the enemy gained a footing in the Monte Fenera. salient, but were dislodged. The following night they returned to the assault, supported by drumfire, and thereafter the salient constantly changed hands all day and night. The Italians finally reconquered the ground but, being exposed without shelter to an infernal bombardment, retired leaving an advnneed group in occupation. Desperate resistance continues.

An enemy column, which attempted to break through to the left of Monte Fenera on Monday 'morning, was annihilated with the bayonet ITALIAN SITUATION IMPROVED WINTER CAMPAIGN PROBABLE. Paris, Nov. 21. M. Clemenceau, in an interview with the Petit Journal, says tl.at the situation has improved. General Fayolle lias gone to Italy, and General Focli will remain there and will bring back a common plan for the Allies. It is probable that a winter campaign will take place in Italy.

STUBBORN DEFENCE CONTINUES. READY TO SPEND LAST MAN FOR VICTORY. DECISIVE STAGE COMMENCED. Au«. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Router. Received Nov. 22, 7.30 p.m. Rome, Nov. 21. The Italians are still stubbornly resisting every inch of the ground, and it is a bloody passage for the enemy on the high plateau in the Astygo region. The third army, which is valiantly contending for the lower Piave, lias declared itself ready to sacrifice the last man to ensure victory.

Some wounded soldiers, who returned to the front to encourage their comrades. pleaded for permission to enter Hie thick of the light., where again they fought and died gloriously.

Military critics state that the fighting lias passed frim the preparatory to the decisive stage. The enemy had four armies in the first line and one in reserve. He also possesses an enormous number of guns of all calibres.

General Dallolio, interviewed, advocated the standardising of the war material of all the allies, which would result in a colossal increased output that could be available for any front.

VIOLENT ATTACKS REPULSED BRITISH MONITORS CO-OPERATE. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. Received Nov. 22, 9 p.m. ■ London, Nov. 21. Wireless Italian official: There was intense artillerving on the whole front yesterday. Italian and British monitors are co-operating on the coastal zone. We repulsed three violent attacks at Monte Pertica. Infantry actions have not been renewed at Moritu Touiba and Monte Finera. POPE'S. PROPOSAL REJECTED. FOR NEUTRALISATION OF VENICE. Paris, Nov. 21. The Pope has suggested to Austita the neutralisation of Venice under a patriarchate during the war. The Italian Government refused to consider the proposal. It is certain that Venice will be abandoned if a further retreat is necessary. Responding to the Vatican appeal the Austrians agreed not to destroy it if all authority was transferred to a patriarch, ate. AUSTRIANS SEEK JUSTIFICATION. Rome, Nov. 21. Austria has asked Ttaly to declare whether Venice was to be considered a fortified city. This is taken to indicate the enemy's intention to begin operations against Venice and provide justification for anything that ensr.es. The Allies' Consuls are temporarily remainin?.