RETREAT GLORIFIED BY A SCORE OF HEROIC FIGHTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1010, 13 November 1917, Page 5

RETREAT GLORIFIED BY A SCORE OF HEROIC FIGHTS.

THE ENEMY HELD AT LAST. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Received November 13, 8.35 a.in. ROME,. Nov. 12. Mr Gibbon cays: The Tagliarnento served Italy badly. When the Italians were retreating the river was a rushing torrent, but when the enemy cavalry approached the river had subsided and become a normal rivulet in a track of sand. The Italian retirement was glorified by a score of fine fights by the rearguards bringing the pursuers,to a standstill again and again, and the Bersaglieris, who were fighting and marching continuously for a fortnight, put up a great resistance at Kurile, where house-to-house fighting occurred. The fact that they were now lighting for their own beautiful country fired the Italians with a new and terrible enthusiasm. . The troops to whoso defection General Cadorua attributed the disaster of October 24th were then iu Austrian territory. Now thev were lighting or. Italian soil, and yielding only by inches. Thp correspondent regrets he cannot indicate the location of the line it is intended' to defend nor the consequence of failure there, otherwise the world, would realise exactly the- stakes- for which the Italians-are fighting. • Italy is literally lighting for her life. Other correspondents believe the Italians cannot long bold the Piavo line. The capture of the ini|K>rtunt town of Belluno and the . rapid progress mnd.y in the Sngana valley, tend to increase the anxiety.

COMPLETE MOBILISATION SOUGHT. • .PRINCE OF WALES IN ITALY. PROOF OF ENGLAND’S SYMPATHY. Received November 13,-11.30 u.m. ROME, Nov. 12. | There is a growing movement in favour of ' a move complete mobilisation, closing the theatres first. Batches of permanently disabled soldiers have gone to the front to encourage the fighters. The newspapers note with pleasure that the Prince of Wales is cordially welcomed in the villages wherever he is seen. He walks the streets without escort. His presence in Italy during this time of crisis is regarded as a proof of England’s warmest sympathy. ITALIAN ARMY ESTABLISHED. UPON NEXT DEFENSIVE LINE. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Received November 13, 11.30 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 12. Air Ward Price says the Italian army i-s practically established upon its next river line. Tito llrst Austrian shells are already falling in the neighbourhood of the positions where the next great offensive battle must, be fought. The supreme need now is that the Allied plans should be carried out with the utmost energy and speed. FIERCE REARGUARD ACTIONS. HEAVY RAINS' FALLING. Received November 13. 12.50 p.m.. NEW YORK, Nov. f2. The United Press correspondent telegraphs from Romo: Fierce rearguard actions progress in the Piave zone, south of Ghiarano Valley. The enemy attempted the encirclement of the Italian infantry, but our cavalry counter attacked. Heavy rain enhances the value of the rivers for defensive purposes. ANGLO-FRENCH GIVE EQUAL HELP. Received November 13, 11.30 a.m. PARIS, Nov. 12. It is understood it ha.s been arranged that Anglo-French assistance to Italy shall be equally divided.