HEEOIC RESISTANCE BY THE ITALIANS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 36, 6 November 1917, Page 5

HEEOIC RESISTANCE BY THE ITALIANS

NATION UNITED IN THE CRISIS

THE MILITARY OUTLOOK REVIEWED

By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright

Rome, Norcmbflr 4. Th« latest reports state that the Italians heroically resisted the '-Teutons, rrv, \rU ffas roused the whole of the people who aro convinced that the inThe crisis has r ,°^J n Ifc is re ported that the enemy hopsd to capture Venice, aTdforle Peace .to ruin the city or hand it over to Austna-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. • ITALIAN OFFICIAL REPORT. v London, Norembor 4A n Tfalian official report states: "Wβ repulced a etrong atteck Rgainst

COMMENTS ON THE SITUATION

POSSIBLE BIG BATTLE ON THE PLAIN.

Rome, November 4. r-» n «,i Pn™ writin" in the "Tribuna," states that tie evacuated zone she [along the lines of communication. Through all this tornado o£ firothe ra™ troops; amid a bail of niachmo-gun bullets.-Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn.

LATEST NEWS OF THE SITUATION ON THE TAGLIAMENTO

(ltec. November 6, 1.20 a.m.) Rome, November a. The "Popolo Romano" states that the Tagliamento battle is likely to continue violently for some time un the Italian left. Washingtonj 5 _

Xα. official dispatch 6tates that the Italians are holding the Teutons evorywhere. The French High Conmision points oat that the Anglo-French attacks are compelling Germany to transport more troops to the West front. This will probably restrict the aid which she is able to extend to Austria on the Itahau front until the situation there is relieved.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

ANOTHER STORY OF THE FIRST ATTACK

(Eec. November 5, 10 p.m.) London, November 5. Mr. Ward Prise writes: "Tho great Austro-Gorman attack on the Italian front began at 2 o'clock on the morning of October 24, from the bridgehead at Santa Lucia towards Plezzo. A violent bombardment was kept up for two hours with special gas-ehells, obliging the Itallians to take cover. Fog and rain helped tho enemy to advance secrotly. When the bombardment stopped at i o clock the Italians believed that it was a lull, and as it had seemed an inadequate preparation for a big: attack they were not on guard, whon they suddenly saw tne enemy storming forward. Next day it was discovered that German divisions were .concentrated between Plezzo and Gorizia, Some of the Italian battalions left their posts and fled without their arms and equipment, though Hie others were fighting gallantly at Monte Nero and elsewhere. But the undermined section of the Italian wall of defence had given way, and tho rest was vain. The enemy was through, and once across the Isonzo the Austro-Germans began to pour down the valley towards Cividale and Udino." "On Saturday morning it was cloar that Udino was doomed, and _ that an immense sacrifice of territory muet bo made in order to save the Third Army. As I crossed the leonzo I found the Italian engineers Teady to blow up the bridge. Tho road was blocked with carts, motor-lorries, and pack-animals, though fortunately it was not shelled, Tho night scenes during the retreat resembled Gustave Dore's conception of the Day of Judgment. Houses, sheds, depots, and stores of evory kind crackled into flames. The sky was ablaze with the reflected glare from the town of Palmanova, which had accidentally been bnrnt by flames from burning dumps. In thirty-one- hours my train had only covered fifteen miles, so I got out and walked. On either side of tho tram plodded endless stream of soldiers, fleeing townspeople and peasantry. Tho ietreat continued for four days. Many died, but hundreds ana thousands got behind the Tagliamento River somohow. Flooded rivers, tho marshy district, and torrential rains prevented the Austro-Germans from closely pursuing. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

AUSTRIAN NAVAL ACTIVITY

GREAT PREPARATIONS AT THE BASES

London, November 4. Reports from Berne state that there are great naval preparations at Pola and Cattaro. Tho Austrian Meet, supported by German eubmarines, is ready ior action.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH MISSION TO ITALY London, November i. The Press Bureau reports: "Mr. Lloyd George is going , to Italy, accompanied'by Genoral Smuts, Sir William fiobcrtson, Gonorals Wilson and Maurice, and other officers."—Aus.-N.Z. Cnblo A6sn.