ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1917, Page 5

ITALY.

ENEMY DRIVEN BACK. ATTEMPTS TO CROSS PIAVE. London, Dec. 2. Italian Official:—There was very intense artillery activity, from the Asiago Plateau to the Lower Piave. We drove back the enemy who attempted to approach Melette. One of o\ir parties reached the enemy position in the Monte Petica region, but was unable to hold it owing to conceijtratipn of fire, Italian Headquarters.—The Italians now are praying for rain. The drought has made the Piave very low, greatly assisting the enemy, who' are endeavoring to cross by wading and on pontoons, rafts and boats. The Italians'have destroyed most who have crossed. Generally they purposely allow the enemy to cross and then fire right into the crowded troops.

Rome, Dee. 2,

_ Two-third* of the population of Venice has departed. An average of a thousand arc leaving daily. The remainder declare that they are resolved to defend the city to !he last drop of blood. Only nine English remain, including the family of die British Vice-Consul. ENEMY CRAFT ATTACK COAST. BEATEN OFF BY ARMORED TRAINS. Received Dec. 3, 10 p.m. Rome, Dec. 2. Official: Fourteen enemy light craft attacked the coast on the 28th, but were counter-attacked by armored trains, and quickly withdrew, managing to evade the torpedoers despatched in the direction of Pola to intercept them. An armored train hit an enemy ship.