ON ITALIAN SOIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 155, 30 June 1916, Page 6

ON ITALIAN SOIL.

WANTON DESTRUCTION. CAFTUKED TOWNS PLUNDERED. (Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 2D. The "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent with the Italians describes the Austrian efforts at wholesale vandalism. Earthquake and cyclone could not have effected worse devastation. The Italians found an immense quantity of furniture piled in Asingo in readiness for a bonfire, but the Austrians wore so hard pressed that they had not lighted the mass. They found hundreds of Austrians wounded dying of thirst in the eaves .on the hillsides. A colonel left a parade uniform covered with decorations in readiness for the triumphant entry into Vicenza. The Italians reverently buried a noble Austrian officer found with v revolver bullet in his forehead, lie had preferred suicide to the disgrace of defeat. The hurriednpss of the retreat permitted only a few burials, the line of retreat being marked by crosses and graves. Tbe Italians found a wonderful collection of plunder from Asiago at Carapo Rovcrc and Roana. Tbe victorious Italians in a few days reconquered more than half the territory the Austrians invaded. j