ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1918, Page 6

ITALY.

SUBMARINE BASES BOMBED. Home, May 24. A naval official report says that a British air squadron on May'2o bombed the hydroplane and submarine bases at Cattaro and started fires. All the machines returned safely, notwithstanding counter-action.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Rcuter. VISIT OF PRINCE OP WALES. Rome, May 24. The (Prince of Wales has arrived here. Enormous crowds welcomed the Prince, who will partake in the celebrations on the anniversary of Italy's entry into the war.

Italy's task, high spirit of patriotism. TEe Italian Consul in New Zealand, Mr J. H- Pagni, has received by last mail a number of papers and letters bearing on Ttaly'B pai-t in the war, and has furnished the following extracts which he hag kindly translated: THE PRIME MINISTER SPEAKS. When the Italian Prime Minister was last in Paris, he said to an interviewer: "The Piave shall bo the Italian Marne. The Germans believed that they had defeated the Italian morale, whereas it has increased with greater force the national spirit. Tho Italian soldiers are fighting like lions and are determined :iot only to stop the enemy advancing, hut to expel tliem beyond our natural boundaries. Tho Germans have lost tho war. From tho very start her victory was impossible, because of her ibrtitality—a 'Universal League was formed against her; and had it not been for tiie unfortunate defection of Russia, the complete vic£ory for the Entente would have been an accomplished fact. From an immense evil, wo will have an immense good. The union between England, France and Italy is a solid and unbreakable wall for the preservation of those principles which our forefathers fought and bled for us.''

A WAR CORRESPONDENT'S TRIBUTE Dr. A. G. Hales, the Australian war correspondent on the Italian front, sent the. following telegram. "On behalf of the countrymen of my yomig nation, Australia, and of New Zealand, well known on the battle "round of Europe under the name of "Anzacs," permit me to, express to the Italian nation and Army a fraternal salute and a fervent hope of a complete success in this terrible war against the barbarous enemy, who has invaded the sacred soil of Italy. To the name of Australia, will j'ou also permit me, being an ocular witness of the gallantry of the Italian Army, to express ray admiration for their heroism and their "pirit of sacrifice on the field of honor. And that when the war is over, and peace with honor restored, may the ureal spirit of brotherhood of love, of pi-rfect accord, bind up the old Italy with our dear young soil with reciprocal advantage."

THE CHURCH SPEAK& Monsignor 'lasso, Bishop of Aosta in his letter to his people said: "In this hour of pain I urge, from the bottom of my heart, upon all citizens and dear Italians in General to respond to the patriotic call of our soldiers who are fighting lo clear the enemy from our sacred soil; above all, to sink all differences whatever they may be, in onlcr to show a united front. To the women, I say, be of good cheer, and put explicit trust in the valor of our soldiers and invoke a prayer to the Almighty God that the sacrifices will be crowned with success. Tlio Bishop of Presela said: "In this exceptional hour for our .Motherland we muM: re-affirm our faith in the unfailing victory for the cause of justice and liberty." The Bishop of Chiavari said: "The hour is serious,, but w« must not be discouraged. Our forefathers went through much harder ordeal; they were subjected to foreign domination, but we will resist in unity and conrord till the tri'umph of civilisation and of justice is achieved."

THE MILITARY SPIRIT. A lieutenant, writing to h>s mother, 03 years of age, says: "You understand that the Austrian.? have entered on Italian soil. We must expel them. We, Jia.ve taken a supreme oath to fight til! then. When the appeal was made to us I was one of the first to cry out, "Let us go at once." My voice seemed to have- penetrated to the hearts of others and we have all volunteered- I have to-day passed my exam. Now I am entirely at the disposal of the mill-' tary authorities. Dear mother, smile at this news. My sacrifice is really, •mall. My life is nothing to wo. i*d

in consecrating it to my country, will acquire valor." Another officer states: "If our glorjous amiy has had to retreat to the great pressure of the enemy, we must not weep—we must keep pur heads up as a sign of haughtiness. Wo must have faith in the final victory. It is much better to die than have to again be under the enemy yoke." ',