THE BLOW AT ITALY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10121, 31 October 1917, Page 5

THE BLOW AT ITALY.

SPIRITED ITALIAN DEFENCE. ENEMY CHECKED AT GLOBOCAK. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Oct. 29. The latest accounts from the Italian front are regarded as somewhat less gloomy, as showing that a combination of many adverse and unexpected conditions prevented the Italians stemming the first onslaughts. The Daily Telegraph’s Milan correspondent says: A small nucleus of troops defending the passes opposite Tolmino fought like heroes against an overwhelming force. Another enemy wave which tried to force a passage through the valley between Robic and Creda were stopped. Successive attempts to force a passage between Idcrseo and Lucio were foiled, and the Germans wore compelled to fall back before the repeated bayonet charges of a celebrated Italian brigade. The' German attack from Santa Maria and Sfanta- Lucia towards the valley of Indrio was checked at Camponi and Montcjozalo and finally at Globocak. A wireless Italian,official message says: Our troops are fulfilling their duty and are regularly checking the enemy’s advance over the plains. AUSTRO-GERMAN OFFENSIVE CONTINUES. ENEMY CAPTURES UDINE. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Received October 31, 8.35 n.m. NEW YORK, Oct. 30. Udine has fallen. [The fail of Udine was inevitable. Generad Cudorna having decided to withdraw to the Tagliamonto and to make his stand there. The town would, therefore, be left undefended, except possibly by a few of the retreating troops. Udine is an important railway centre, and has a population of 40,000 people. It is the chief town of the province to which it gives its name, and lies 75 miles north-east of Venice, on the V-enico and Trieste railway, is the seat of ail archbishopric, and was formerly the residence of the patriarchs of Aquileia. Its chief buildings are the Palazzo Publico (built in i 1457), Romanesque Cathedral adorned with fine sculpture in wood and stone, and the episcopal palace. The town is girt about by old walls and has a castle which dates back from 1517. Its cemetery —known as the Campo Santo—is one of the finest in Europe. Us industrial life centres around the manufacture of hats, leather, metal wares, gloves, etc., and it docs a considerable trade in wines. Possession of tflio town unfortunately gives the Germans command of a railway system connecting with the Austrian lines to the north and eastward, and bringing Venice within easy attacking distance.] WHY NIACKENSEN ATTACKED FROM TOLMINO, ITALIAN FORCES OVERWHELMED. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Received October 31, 10.50 a.m. AMSTERDAM. Oct. 30. A correspondent of the Nicuivc Rotterdamsch Courant, with the Austrians says Mackensen chose Tolmino for the attack because the Italians had only two brigades ihci'Q and weak reserves,_ whereas fifty-five were massed on Bainsizza Plateau with much artillery. The Austrian general, Ilenvquez, heavily attacked Bainsizza in order to prevent reinforcements going to Tolmino, where the attack was a complete success, j forcing a retirement to Bainsizza, but the ' storming troops penetrated a deep ravine, cut off 10,000, who wore made prisoners and 200 guns. . . Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Router’s Telegram.) LONDON, Oct. 30. A wireless German official message announces the capture of Udine. WHAT THE GERMANS SAY. LONDON, Oct, 28. A German official report says: The whole Italian Isonzo front has collapsed, the Third Army hastily retreating along the Adriatic coast. The Austro-Hungar-ians are now before Udine. Me also captured an enormous number of prisoners, and the total is continually increasing. THE KAISER AT THE FRONT. WASHINGTON, Oct. 29. Rome cables state that the Kaiser joins ■ the Austrian Emperor on the Italian front. NEW ITALIAN MINISTRY. Received October 51, 9.55 a.m, ROME, Oct. 30 Signor Orlando its forming the new Min- " [Signor Orlando held office in the Borelli Ministry as Minister of the Interior, and m (ho Salandra Government a« Minister-of Justice and of Ecclesiastical Affairs.]