CADORNA'S GREAT RETREAT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1016, 8 November 1917, Page 3

CADORNA'S GREAT RETREAT.

FIGHTING REARGUARD ACTIONS, LONDON, Nov, 30. Mrs Waterman (Tillies correspondent ;it Milan), telegraphing from the front, says:— bow have realised the stern uphill task which Italy Kid herself in pushing her battle line from the plains U 1 Urn foothills, and theneo to tlie peaks; She was facing u first-class military Power with ;ij;o-k)iiß military tradition, whoso roads .and stroughoWs, all of the highest importance, were directed to the plains. Austria has now for IJl.e first Umo fonoeritfatet) her forties, directed and aided by Gorman hate-inspired exertion 'against her one-time ally. Three German corps had the post of honour in the overwhelming onslaughts'. It is essential to-understand that the Italian line from Plfisxo Basin to Vi'ppaco was adapted to the offensive, and unsuitable for the ■ defensive. The Italians, by the greatest audacity and sheer grit,rhad climbed the tnblula'ndfl and peaks and threatened Trieste, SURPRISED IN TDK FOG, The enemy chose the. line of attack ottering the greatest advantages, the Tolmino Valleys and the great military :oad from Plezzo, and using selected mountain troops. The rain and dense jog gave the Italian "defenders a false idea of security. An endless Gorman column, with feet firmly planted on the magnificent road overhanging 'the. cliff, passed down to Plezzo, and swept over the small outposts in tlio gorge, encountering strong opposition at Saga Pass, where Uio.y were, held up for a day. They then left the lsonzo, and began che ascent of Monte Nero from the. 1101 th. At the same, time two corps I'lToin Tolmino attacked Monte. Svro Irom the south, freeing the. river road towards Cnporotto. The second German corps climbed the blulfsand took Globacak in a violent action lasting a day. The filth Bcrsaglicri Brigade rushed up the rearward slopes and drove the, enemy down. The constant resistance to the overwhelming frontal attacks on the Bainsizza Platoua and .Monte Nero, although the latter was isolated irom the first hours was beyond praise, ' Tlio line J was obviously untenable after the captun, of Cuporetto opened tlio Ju'drio j and Natisone Valleys. The success was: strictly, a German manoeuvre; and was due to gas overwhelming the forces, j and the. inexperience of the Italians of German methods. The troops were not used In heavy-bombardments, unlike those on the Corse, where, under innumerable attacks since October 24, they had not yielded an inch. These had already passed through hell. Those who know the Italian .soldier do not doubt the result of the battle, nor its effect in steeling his heart for victory. ITALY'S NEW LINE. The Times fears thai the enemy claim thai lh ewhole of the Ison&o front has collapsed is well founded. It is very difficult to reconstitute a line in the face of a pressing pursuit on a great .-cab'. A very serious factor is that the lines are giving on the Caniie Alps as far as Plocken Pass. The enemy communications must pass through difficult country.

The Austrians allege that tlio Italians have destroyed and plundered a large part ol the city, and removed the population, YANt OI'YKPv, Oct. 30. The administrative officials at Washington learn that Italy was betrayed. They declare that spies gave the 'teuton all secrets, military and civil. PITCHED BATTLE ON PLAINS. LONDON, Oct, 30. Italian military critics point out-that the Germans have two narrow valleys through which to move their armies and equipments, and will be unable to attack further in their favourite mass formations. Their desoenl into the plain will lie an opportunity tor a manoeuvre battle, in which the Italians excel, The cavalry and motor batteries will have the chance which trench warla re denies. KXTUICATINO THE ARMIES. Attention is concentrating on the Italian efforts to extricate themselves from their difficulties. The fall of IMiuo has inevitably cut Ihe railway ami road Communication with the Cavnic and Carso armies. Despite Cadorna's prompt retirements this may lead to further losses, and weaken the resistance on tlio Taglifumnito. Here the principal difficulty will be shortage of artillery. Much depends on the real strength of the AUstro-German armies. The Tagliamento is wide and Hooded, and there is hopo that the Austro-G-er-niun effort will liave been expended by the time the river is reached. The Austro-German losses are estimated by the Echo tie Paris at 12,000. The booty ia scanty, as the- Italians withdrew most of their heavy artillery. Rearguard fighting is continuing desperately, and showing renewed vigour. An early counter-offensivo is hoped for. General Eoch recently visited Italy, and planned for co-operation if required.

HELPING ITALY. AUSJTIALIANS DO THEIR PARI. (From Captain Bean, Australian Press ' .Representative.) .LONDON. Oct. 29. ■ In the face of the serious situation which confronts the Allies in eonse(|Uenee of the If alitnv;reverse, it may be some small consolation to Australians to know that every ounce, of Australian strength in the. force has been directed straight at the heart of the Gornums, where it was niost effective, and helped io drive home sonic of tho hardest blows tlie Germans have received in the war. The saving of strength from the Russian front has enabled the Germans to concentrate this force against Italy, but as far as is within our power that blow will he lightened. Tlio Germans brought against the Australian front during the recent battle at least one division which had been intended, and was specially equipped, by the Germans for sending, to Italy. Exf,ra teams for the transport of its guns and waggons in mountainous areas had already been detailed when the division was diverted for urgent need before Ypres. The Australian force here has been exerting its utmost efforts, and with the British, Canadian and Australian artillery, which have been lighting heavily since the middle of July; tho infantry, engineers, pioneers and others are. still facing the heavy trial with great sacrifices, in order to help shoulder aside the peril irom the world.