ITALY'S WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17644, 23 November 1917, Page 5

ITALY'S WAR.

RESISTING EVERY INCH. FIGHTING REACHES DECISIVE STAGE. (Received November 22, 7.30 p.m.) ROME, November 21. The Italians arc still stubbornly resisting ©very inch of a bloody passage for tho enemy on the high plateau m tho Asiago region. Tho third army, valiantly contending for the lower Piave, declared itself ready to sacrifice its last man to ensure victory. Some wounded soldiers havo returned to the front to encourage their comrades. They pleaded for permission to enter the thick of the fight, where they again fought nnd died gloriously. Military critics state that tho fighting has passed from a preparatory to a do«isi w « staj'e. Tho enemy had four armies in the'first lino and one m reserve and also possesses an enormous number of guns of all calibres.

GERMAN WIRELESS. A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. (Received November 22, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 21. A wireless German official message states:—Tho position an the Italian theatre is unchanged. VIOLENT ATTACKS REPULSED. INTENSE ARTILLERY FIRE. A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. (Received November 22, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, November 21. A wireless Italian official message 6tatos :■— There was intense .-.artillery fire on the whole front yesterday, Italian and British monitors co-operating on tho coastal zone. Wo repulsed three violent attacks on Mont© Portica. Infantry actions wero not renewed on Monte Tomba and Monte Fenera. STATEMENT BY M. CLEMENCEAU. SITUATION IMPROVED. PARIS, Novembor 21. M. Clemenceau in an interview witb the "Petit Journal," says that the situation has improved. M. Fayolle has gone to Italy, and will bring back a common plan for the Allies. General Foch will remain in Italy. Probably tho winter campaign will take place in Italy. A FIVE DAYS' BATTLE. DESPERATE RESISTANCE CONTINUES. A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, November 21. An Italian semi-official message says; Furious fighting at Monte Fenera took place all Monday. Two enemy divisions, of respectively twelve and sixteen battalions, including Prussian Guards, engaged in a struggle tor the possession of the Piave crossings, where tho river emerges on tho plain. ■ Thero was a continuous five days battle in tho Tomha-Monte Fenera-Cor-nalla triangleAfter repeated ropulses, tho enemy, at dawn on November 18, gained a footing in the Monte Fenera salient, but were dislodged. On the following night they returned to the assault, supported by drumfire, and thereafter the salient constantly changed hands all day and night, the Italians finally reoonquering, but being exposed, without shelter, to an infernal bombardment, were compelled to retire, leaving an advanced group in occupation. • The desperate resistance continues. Th e enemy column which attempted to break through to the left of Monto Fenera on Monday morning was annihilated with tho bayonet. ON THE PIAVE. DOGGED AND DANGEROUS DEFENSIVE. LONDON, November 21. Mr Perceval Gibbon reports that already the Italian resistance in tho Piave sectors has hardened into a dogged and dangerous defensive, where the soldiers are holding their ground and counter-attacking. The Austrians havo not recovered their organisation as quickly as the Italians regained their active defensive capacity. The fighting near Zenson was particularly violent. The Italian troops included volunteers for storming duties, callrd Arditi. They are self-styled candidates for death, and wear a special uniform, and comprise only the strongest men. They rushed the enemy positions after a short bombardment. The Hungarians fought well, but soon fifll back to the river, losing heavily. Tho Italian resistance is everywhere stubborn, buti the pressuro increases. STANDARDISED MATERIAL. ITALIAN GENERAL'S SUGGESTION. (Received November 22, 7.30 p.m.) ROME, November 21. General Dallolio, in an interview, advocated the standardising of the war material of all the Allies, which would result in a colossal increased output, that could be available for any front. THE FATE OF VENICE. AUSTRIANS NEAPING CITY. LONDON, November 21. A largo part of the population of Venice has departed, but gondolas aie still on the canals. The city i 3 net drspairing, but is breathlessly expectant. The asylums and prisons have been evacuated. Tho British and American colonics _ are mostly gone, but a few are remaining whatever Venice's fate may be. Refugees are pouring in from outlying villages. Tho dull boom of guns can be hoard northward of the lagoon. At the point the_ Austrians are actually within fifteen miles of Venici?. Gabrielo d'Annunzio, th© novelist, said, " Lett us fire the city rather than that Austria tread these stones." IS VENICE FORTIFIED? OPERATIONS AGAINST CITY PROBABLE. Rsuter'd Telegrams. ROME, November 21. Austria has asked Italy to declare whether Venico is to be considered a fortified city. This is taken to indicate the enemy's intention to begin operations against Venice, and to provide justification for anything that ensues. The Allies' Consuls are temporarily remaining. THE POPE'S SUGGESTION. The Times" Service PARIS, November 21. Th© Pope suggested to Austria the neutralisation of Venice, under a patriarchate during tho war. The Italian Government refused to consider the proposal. AN AUSTRIAN PROMISE. " The Times " Service. PARIS, November 21. Responding to a Vatican appeal, the Austrians have agreed not to destroy. Venice if all authority is transferred to the Patriarch. VENICE TO BE ABANDONED. " Tho Times " Service. PARIS. November 21. It is certain that Venico will be abandoned if a further Italian retreat is necessary.