THE ITALIAN FRONT.

Mataura Ensign, 11 December 1917, Page 4

THE ITALIAN FRONT.

FIRST SHOTS EXCHANGED. BETWEEN FRENCH & AUSTRIANS. Received December 11,8.55 a.m. LONDON, Dee. 10. Renter's correspondent in Italy says, "1 he lirst yhots between the French, commanded by Ceneral Buehesene, and the Austnaris liave. been exchanged, ihe sector the French occupy .is one of the most dangerous and exposed along the whole front, it, is a strong holding of the utmost, importance ana has been thoroughly organised On the same scale as in France."

BRITISH SECTOR DESCRIBED. STRONG ENEMY REINFORCEMENTS. , Received December 11,8.55 a.m. LONDON, Dec. ID. Mr Ward Price (the official press correspondent on the Italian front) says, "The British soldiers greatly appreciate the change from the Flanders mud. The, enemy opposite us has not ye I appeared in force or established positions on his side of the Piave River. Aionlello, which forms part of •our sector, is a euriouslv-shaped hogsback rising to 10001'f. "There is another lull on the Asiago Plateau, but Prince Conrad is reinlorcirig his troops daily. Men and guns are pouring down-the line from Trent to (Irisnolano. Six divisions are concentrated on a six-mile front. The enemy front-line troops have to be relieved daily, owing to the losses inflicted by the Italian .machine guns, which ai'e as important, as shells in this mountain warfare." THE KEEL OF THE HUN. SLAVERY OF ITALIANS. (Published in 'The Times.) , Received December 11,8.55 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 10. The '(.azetla del Popolo' publishes a proclamation ordering men, women and children in the Udine to work' in the Holds from 4 o'clock in the morning" to S o'clock at night, threatening those who are lazy with imprisonment and beating. Italian prisoners are compelled to work under she.Hfire.

Udine, a town of about 20,000 inhabit ants;, fell at. the end of October. It is the most important raihvav centre in North-Western Italy. It, lies in the centre oi' the Hat,, fertile country which borders the southern limits of the Tyrolean mountains. This strip oi country provides really-1 he only nonmountainous approach In Austria from Italy, but immediately the Austrian frontier is crossed the mountains again rise above the traveller, and the way becomes difficult. It is in the flat country about. Udine that the silk-work industry flourishes, and the well-water-ed, plains simply gush up vegetation.