TREACHEROUS TROOPS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1013, 5 November 1917, Page 5

TREACHEROUS TROOPS.

CAUSED THE RETREAT. BELGIUM’S MARTYRDOM RECALLED. LONDON, Nov. 3. Mr Will'd Price states that the principal cause of the Italian retreat was a ■ section of the troops which i were disaffected by the German peace propaganda, opening up a gap in the heart of the Italian defences. Thus cutting off the surrounding strong mountain positions-! beyond the river and necessitating the withdrawal of the whole of the Isonzo army. The Carso army was compelled to follow. If it had delayed its retirement by a single hour it would have been irretrievably lost. Many civilians joined the army in the retreat. All manner of vehicle's was mixed with the baggage wagons and the army imjn-di-meritaT blocking tlto roads for miles. The railways wore also blocked with trains. The enemy rapidly followed the retreat, patrols ocupving Udine at seven on .Sunday night. The Gormans tried to rush the Tagliamcnto-bridge on Saturday, night. Tho flooded stream defeated thorn, -sweeping numbers away. The Italians, wiped out those who succeeded in crossii*g- The evacuation pregnantly, recalls tho Curst days 0 f the Belgians’ retreat, the advancing hosts laying bare Italy’s richest agricultural districts and burning, pillaging and ill-treating the terror-stricken population, Tt. is reported that Mackcnsep ordered a systematic campaign of brutality and lust order to terrorise the people and punish Italy for her intervention. OUTPOSTS ATTACKED. ITALIANS REPULSE ENEMY. Auistsfß.lis.n-N®w Zealand Cable Association. Received November 5, 30.10 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 4. An Italian official message says; Wo repulsed a strong attack against our advanced posts in the Daono and Giumelia Valleys on tho Giudicario sector. BIG BATTLE PREDICTED, EVACUATED ZONE A BIG BASE. Received November 5, 10.40 a.m. ROME, Nov. 4. General Corsi, writing in the Tribune, states that the evacuated zone was the main supply*' base containing munition depots and otlber stores accumulated for tho winter Everything was destroyed winch the Italians werte unable to move. It seems certain that the enemy s strategical position on the plain will compel him to accept a battle on a, large sc,ih*. HEAVY ENEMY PRESSURE. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Nov. 3. An Italian official message says: The. enemy pressure is heavier on the left whig of the. Tagliamcnto line. Wo detained attempts to reach tho right bank. ITALY’S SUPERB CAVALRY. THEIR PART IN THE RETREAT. Received November 5, 10.40 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 4.

Tho Observer's correspondent, reports that, t\* enemy has not yet fully debouched on the plain. : Otlior correspondents state, that, tlio ietrcut was a manoeuvre of the greatest difficulty, and which touched the border of panic and might have been converted into a disaster. The enemy maintained a terrific tiro with every kind of shell alons the lines of communication. ihrough an this tornado of tiro the troops showed no sign of defeat. The cavalry s reckless daring largely contributed to the successful retreat, They repeatedly charged the advancing- troops amid a hail of machinegun. bullets.

ITALY DETERMINED. I/)NDON, Nov. 3. The Daily Telegraph's Milan correspondent says :'The public are gradually realising the extent of tlio disaster, and thenis a crowing determination to resist invasion. Signor Gioletti, tho leader of the largest political group, has offered his whole-hearted co-operation to the new Government. Tho Universities of Padua and Pavia have made an eloquent appeal to stiffen tho national spirit against the invasion of tho barbarians. ITALIANS AROUSED. INVASION MUSTJ3E STEMMED. Received Novotnbrr a.m. The latest reports as to. how tho Italians heroically resisted the Teutons lias roused tho whole capital, which is convinced that the invasion must be stemmed. It is reported that the Germans hoped to capture Venice and force peace by threatening, to ruin the city, or hand it over to . Austria.