THE ITALIAN RETREAT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1017, 9 November 1917, Page 5

THE ITALIAN RETREAT.

BRESCIA TO BE ATTACKED BY AUSTRO-GERMANS. VIEWS OP SWISS AND ITALIAN . MILITARY EXPERTS. Received November 9. 8.40 a.m. BERNE, Nov. 8. Th© Journal states that the AustroGermans in the Trentino are seeking to attack Brescia, There is great activity west of Lake Garda. Several Swiss and Italian military experts consider General Ladorna should \sithdraw to the Adige, whence a vigorous counteroffensive might destroy the. enemy. Tins would moan abandoning Vicenza, Padau, and Venice, which the Italians will not. allow. During the offensive in May, 1916, Cadorna telegraphed the Government:, “If you permit me to abandon Vicenza, in fortyeight hours 1 will deliver to yon the Austrian army.” The Government refused. The Austrians' were defeated, but not. captured. SITUATION GRAVE BUT MURE HOPEFUL. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, Nov. 7. Italian headquarters report: The situation is grave, but more hopeful, because order lias been restored, and our troops are reaching their now lines. The enemy pressure |i continues strong on the right, centre, and left. A brigade of Piedmontese Grenadiers, all over six feet, made a gallant stand in an attempt to stem the advancing hosts under heavy shrapnel fire. They emptied their cartridge bolts, and thou hurled bombs, and when the last officer was dead, charged with bayonets, and fought with clubbed rifles till not a single giant, grenadier was left alive, . . Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON. Nov. 7. General Maurice reviewing _ the Italian position, admits it is very serious, but declares the- statement that General Mackensen led 300,000 troops in a., tremendous surpiis© attack to bo absolutely untrue. Mackonson has never been in Italy. The Germans wore led by Von Bulow. General Cardorna knew, approximately, the time, and was aware of the place to bo attacked, ffho disaster was greatly due to the insidious propaganda which had spread further than ; Cadorna was aware of. The withdrawal from tlio Tagliamento was part of the I original plan arranged by Cadorna before reaching that line. . . Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON. Nov. 7. A wireless German official message says; \ Ve .have reached the Livenza line. I

RED CROSS HELPS ITALY. I Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Received November 9, 9.0 a.rn, WASHINGTON, Nov. 8. ! The .American Rod Cross Society sends a commission io Italy, and takes every step to i alleviate the suffering of soldiers and j civilians.' | MR BONAR LAW’S BELIEF. I Received November 9, 8.40 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 8. j In his Manchester speech, Mr Bonar Law, 1 referring to -the Italian reverses, said he boj llovod llu> l\ta Hans would be able to stop | the Germ a nst till the Anglo-French troops I arrived. If vie obtained a battle front from I the English Channel to the Adriatic, the [ Italian reverse .might have some advantages. _ - « If « MARK