Italy’s Piave Victory

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13947, 27 July 1918, Page 5

Italy’s Piave Victory

WON BY OWN EIGHT HAND, AUSTRIANS NOT YET ROUTED. LONDON, June 25. Commenting on the Italan victory on the Piave, the “Times” says; The British and French gave valuable help in the mountain sectors, but it is a victory won by Italy’s own right hand, crushing the deadly menace which has been overhanging tho west Piave for eight terrible days. Mr Lloyd George 's estimate of the defeat perhaps is excessive. The modest despatches of General Diaz pay tribute to Austrian valour, and do not suggest at present a routed and broken army. It is too early confidently to speculate on developments. The Austrians so far have generally borne defeat stubbornly. Von Wurm’s and the Archduke Joseph’s armies were obliged to retire into a narrow front, where they were raked by continual Italian fire. It was difficult to obtain supplies. The enemy apparently intends to say that the retirement was spontaneous owing to the Piave being flooded., but it is evident * that the waters have diminished, as, the majority of the Austrians were enabled to ford the river and escape. Mr Ward Price reports that a heavy British counter-attack at Asiago synchronised with the Austrian defeat on the Piave. During the retreat the Austrian artillery raked the Italians, but the latter did not falter, irresistibly rushing the enemy into the river, where hundreds wore drowned. They then advanced in three-column formation and comleted the debacle. The desperate resistance only increased the enemy’s losses. A New York message states that the Italian Navy effectually co-operated, battering the Tagliamento positions, while the marines, operating along the Lower Piave, advanced and captured hundreds of prisoners. The Austrian losses include an appalling number of killed. DEMONSTRATIONS IN ROME. There was a great demonstration in Romo in honour of the array. Flags wore flown in Venezia Square, and an. enormous crowd, carrying flags, cheered the fervent patriotic orations. Afterwards the crowd went in procession to Parliament and the Premier’s residence, where Signor Orlando spoke from the balcony. The Serbian Premier, M. Pashitch, telegraphed to Signor Orlando expresing the enthusiasm of tho Serbians for Italy’s brilliant victory, “which brings nearer the accomplishment of the war’s great task —respect of the rights of all peoples. ” Reuter’s correspondent at Rome reports that 200 deputies marched in procession to the Premier’s office to convey the congratulations of Parliament on the victory. Signor Orlando welcomed them with tho cry “Vive Italia!” He explained that the enemy was completely ejected from Montello. He lost two-thirds of the ground he occupied on the middle and lower Piave, and also positions between Caposiie and the lower Piave held by him prior to the offensive. The enemy was still defending himself desperately in a few positions.