ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1918, Page 5

ITALY.

ITALY READY. FOR THE HUN BLOW, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. 'S CONFIDENCE IN HIS TROOPS. Mr. J. H. Pagni. Italian Consul, at present visiting Taranaki, lias supplied- un with a translation of an interview which the Corricre delta, Sera had recently with the Italian Commander-in-Chief, who, aftei expressing the opinion that in future the Eastern front could not eau=e any an.viety to the enemy, continued: "We must, therefore, be prepared for the eventuality of a fresh offensive which the Austro-Germans and Bulgarians would like to attempt against us. It is impossible to state the precise time when this offensive will take place. The weather will have a great influence on the enemy's intentions. "As they did lost November and December, so they will asain break against the determination end resistance of our soldiers, in whom I still have the same complete and unshakeablc confidence which I had in more anxious days. The country must await events with firmness, and remember our resistance on the plateaux, on Monte Grappa and the Piave. asrainst the moot war-hardened German troops and tho proudest soldiers of Austria and Bulgaria. "The present victorious engagement on the plateaux shows the tenacity and offensive spirit of our troops. The country's confidence must be demonstrated by effective and active assistance to the troops at the front. The soldiers' families must constitute the strongest strat- [ egic reserve against the enemy. That is what the country should do to hasten in the next phase of the war the victory I of our soldiers."