THE ITALIAN THEATRE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16053, 8 November 1917, Page 6

THE ITALIAN THEATRE.

ENEMY PRESSURE INCREASING. MOUNTAINOUS COUNTRY ABANDONED. (By Cabl».—Press Association.—Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Cablo -Association.) (Hcutcr's Telegrams.) _ LONDON, November (i. An Italian official communique states:— "The enemy has intensified liis pressure from the Upper Tagliamento against our loft wing, and has nlao pushed detachments towards the middlo and lower course of tho river. "In order to establish a new line, we wero compelled to evacuate portion:'/ of the territory in tho mountainou.', area, which, tho onemv occupied." (Australian and Jf.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YOltKj November G. It is reported that the Italians nru - retreating from the Tagliamento. WHAT THE GERMANS SAY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Associations 1 (Router's Telegrams.) LONDON, November 6. A Gorman official communiquo stales:— "Wo arc in possession of tho whole of the Tagliamento line to tho const. "The Italians arc retreating between the mountains and tho sea, conflagrations indicating the route of tho retirement. "Our pressure compelled the Italians to give up the mountain front from tho Fella Valley as far as the Col Bricon, , north of tho Sugana Valley, to a wMtli of 150 kilometres (93 miles). The one my is retreating. "Our further operations have Commenced." A later official German report states J "Our pursuit of the Italians is progressing." THE NEXT LINE OF DEFENCE. (Renter's Tolograms.) PARIS, November 6. A semi-official announcement states:— "If the hostile pressure on tho western bank of the Tagliamonto increases, as it probably will, General Cadorna's army may be obliged to retire to now positions on tho Piave, where the arrival of the British and French will doubtless succeed in stopping tho hostile rush. t "Allied reinforcements are pouring into Italy by day and night." NO ENTHUSIASM IN GERMANY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) ROME November 6. Telegrams from Berno show that ef* forts t° evoke enthusiasm in Germany by bell-ringing and flags in celebration of the invasion of Italy have ended in disappointment. The peoplo realiso that it is more likely to prolong the war than to bring poace. Many declare that success l tt- os balance the reverses in the West; and also that tho masses of guns employed in Italy would bo moi* useful on tho West front. M. VENIZELOS. " „ ROME, November 6. M. \onizelos (Premier of Greece) i® conferring with tho Allied Premiers and generals now visiting Italy. SITUATION STILL GRAVE. (United Service.) (Received November 7th 7.45 p.m.) LONDON, November G. The Italian situation continues grave. The new retreat covers a front of 100, miles, and large zones, consolidated fo' defence, have been abandoned. Tho troops aro still desperately fatiguod, and possess only a few guns. Tho Aus-tro-Cermans aro bringing sufficient ' light artillery forward to broak th* J Italian formations. The Piave lino promises strong dofoß*

gjvo features, but it is only 15 miles from Venice. Tho German propaganda in Italy which ted to the disaster was tho old lie that the Germans were rescuing the country from British tyranny. The Germans represented England as revelling in l raiir y while allowing her victims to freeze, starve, and die. This propaganda was skilfully used in both Italy and -Russia. A>* ORDERLY WITHDRAWAL. ("The Times.") (Received November 7th, 11 p.m.) LONDON, November 6. Mr Jeffries states that the cavalry were the first enemy troops across tho Taglia®ento. Tho Italian cavalry drovo them back, but had to retire before the enemy's motor machine-guns. A general retirement continues, in completo order, and working to time-tabie. Enemy scouts are 12 miles westward of the Tagliamento."