ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1917, Page 5

ITALY.

ENEMY FORCE SHELLED. ENCAMPMENTS BOMBED. Txwffik 0. Italian official.—Our tatter , ■ the Asiago plateau heavily shelled ..jtilc Torres. A French patrol between the Uranta and Piave brought bar?k prisoners. Our aeroplanes oflVclivo bombarded tho lilies of communication to the Asiago plateau, firing with machine-guns at tho troops. Our airships dropped four tons of bombs on enemy encampments. AN ENEMY WEDGE. THE ITALIAN WITHDRAWAL. London, Dec. 0. Tho Observer's Rome correspondent states that General Conrad's principal attack began between Mounts londarecar and Badenceul, enabling him to insert a wedge in this portion of the Italian line, which is here wea'kest, since no complete defences is possible, inasmuch as tho positions are under the enemy's batteries on the summit. The wedge having been thu9 inserted, the Austrian Commander changed the' direction of the attack towards the small plateau of Foza, where all the roads and mule-paths meet. The Italians, after a valiant defence, abandoned Mclctte and the Castel Gomberts system, and fell back on the Micla-Spilia line. » Five enemy divisions at night time occupied the rocky slopes of the Frenssela and Gavena Valleys. The Italian right Wing withdrew across the Frenzela Valley and took up positions inNjlie main line of defence. The withdrawal was a complete success, all tho units maintaining contact. It is estimated that General Conrad has massed ten divisions on tho short Tine Trom Mount Sisemol to the Brcnta, outnumbering tho Italians at spme points by ten to one. The enemy has opened a general bombardment between the Astico and Monte Grappa, thereby announcing another effort. THE ANGLO-FRENCH. TAKE OVER A PART OF THE LINE. Received Dec. in, 8.15 p.m. Rome, Dec. 0. The Anglo-French haw taken over a part of the front line, the British occupying rugged trenches on the Montallo crossing, between the mountain; front and the Piave line, THE BRITISH POSITION. BLOCKING THE ENEMY'S MAIN •DESCENT. ' Received Dec. 10, 8.15 p.m Reutor Service. London, Dec. 9. An Italian headquarters correspondent aavs the Montello hills, which tho British strongly hold, extend for ten miles, and are situated in the curve formed by the Piave where is debouches from the mountains. The position commands thirty miles of the I'iavc valley, and overlooks the two main roads whereby the enemy can invade the country from the Feltre. The Montello hills form the east bulwarks in the way of the Austro-German descent from the eastern side of Monte Grappa. ARREST OF BOLSHEVIKS. Rome, Dec. 9. Ex-Deputie; Bonanno, Brunicarbla and Dini have been arrested for complicity in the 8010 affair.

(JHIJSJA

OFFER OF ACTIVE HELP. , Washington, Dec. 0. It is reportea that the Chinese Government ha? officially informed the Allies that China wishes actively to participate in the war if provided with munitions and money. The Allies have not replied to this offer, Which will be submitted to the Paris Conference.

FRANCE

CHARGE AGAINST A SENATOR. Paris, Dec. 9. The Senate suspended Senator Hambert's parliamentary immunity to enable his prosecution on a charge of trading with the enemy in connection with his investments in La Journal.