INVASION OF ITALY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9825, 23 November 1917, Page 5

INVASION OF ITALY

FIGHTING HAS PASSED TO DECISIVE STAGE DEFENDERS RESIST EVERY INCH OF BLOODY PASSAGE. By Telegraph—Press Associatiou—Copyright. Australian and Now Zealand Cable Association. (Received November 22, 7.30 p.m.) ROME, November 21. The Italians are still stubbornly resisting every inch oi the bloody pas* sage for the enemy on the Inga plateau in the Asiago region. The Tn-.rd Army - is valiantly contending lor the Lower Piave aud has declared itself ready i.o sacrifice the mst man to ensure victory. Some wounded soldiers who returned to the front to encourage thoir comrades, pieaoed for permission to enter the thick of the fight, where they again fought and died gloriously. Military critics state that the fighting has passed from the preparatory to the decisive stage. The enemy dad lour armies in the first line and one in reserve. Ho also possesses an enormous number of guns of all calibres. INTENSE ARTILLERY ACTION ON WHOLE FRONT THREE VIOLENT ATTACKS REPULSED AT MONTE PERTICA. Australian and New Ze-'n> d Cable Association'and Reuter. - ‘ (Received November 23, 8 p.m.) - ■ - ~ ‘ LONDON, November £l. A wireless Italian official message states: — There was intense artillery action on the whole front yesterday. Italian and British monitors are co-operating on the coastal zone. Wo repulsed l three violent attacks at Monte Pertica. The infantry actions were not renewed at Monte Tomba or Monfenera. DOGGED AND DANGEROUS DEFENSIVE ITALIAN RESISTANCE IS STUBBORN EVERYWHERE. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, November 21. Mr Percival Gibbons writes: —Already the Italian resistance on sectors of the Piave river line has hardened into a dogged and dangerous defensive, where the soldiers are holding the ground and arc counter-attacking. The Austrians have not recovered their organisation as quickly as the Italians have regained their active defensive capacity. The fighting near Zenson is particularly violent. . ~ .'V,''/ ~ The Italians included volunteers for storming duties, called Arditi. They call themselves the “Candidates for Death.” They wear a special uniform, and comprise only the strongest men. They rushed the enomy positions alter a short bombardment. The Hungarians fought well, but soon fell back to tiho river, losing heavily. ... The Italian resistance is everywhere stubborn, but pressure is increasing. I A FIVE DAYS’ BATTLE STRUGGLE FOR POSSESSION OF PIAVE CROSSINGS. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Reuter, LONDON, November 21. An Italian semi-official message states:— „ Furious fighting occurred at Mount Montenera all day on Monday. iwo enemy divisions, of twelve and sixteen battalions respectively, including -Prussian Guards, engaged in a struggle for the possession of the Pxavo crossings, where the river enters the plain, and! this contest continued for live days. In the Tomba-Monfencra-Cornella triangle, after repeated repulses, the enemy gained a footing at dawn on the 18tb in the Monlenc-ra salient, but were dislodged on the following night. They returned to the assault supported by drum-fire, and thereafter the salient constantly changed bands during the night and the following day. , The Italians finally.reconquered it .but were exposed without shelter to an infernal bombardment -and retired, leaving an advanced group in occupation. A desperate resistance continues. g enemy coC which attempted to break through to the left of Monfenera on Monday morning was'. annihilated 1 with, tho.bayonet, SITUATION SAID TO HAVE IMPROVED Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. , ■ PARIS. November 21M. Clemenceau, in an interview with the “Petit Journal,” said that th® situation had improved. General Fayolle has gone to Italy General Foch will remain there, and will bring hack a common plan for the Allies. _ ..PlObably a winter campaign will take place in Italy. FATE OF VENICE IN THE BALANCE POPE SUGGESTS NEUTRALISATION UNDER THE PATRIARCHATE. Reuter’s Telegrams. ROME, November 21. Austria has asked Italy to declare whether Venice is considered * fortified citv This is taken to indicate that the enomy intends to begin operations against Venice, and to provide justification for anything that ensues. The Consuls of the Allies are temporarily remaining m Venice. Published in “The Times.” PARIS, November 21. _ Jt is certain that Venice will be abandoned if a further Italian retreat h neCe fh?Popa has suggested to Austria the neutralisation of Venice under the Patriarchate during the war. The Italian Government refused to con sider the propo states that responding to the appeal by the Vatican the Austrians“g” to destroy Venice if all authority is transferred Jp . the Patriarchate. and New Zeaiatna Cable Association. * - ’ LONDON. November 31... A\sfp^t?fSr P op r iktiM of Venice has left the there still gondolas on the canals. The city is not despairing but is evneetant The asylums and prisons have been evacuated. The British and AmSican\olinfes have mostly gone, but a few of the t sri. sss

GERMANS FEAR FOOD SCARCITY By Tclesraph—Press Association— Copyright austrai'an rnul N.Z Cahio Association ROTTERDAM, November 21. Extensive smuggling and food Ucardir.c indicates that the Germans fear a scarcity in the winter. A hundred people were arrested at Cologne in ccnnection with a single conspiracy. The principal conspirators are railwaymen who diverted huge quantities ot flour, butter, and fats to wrong destinations. labelled as “munitions and afterwards sold the goods. A GROSS EXAGGERATION AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS AND ENGLISH GIRLS. By Telegraph —Prers Association —Copyright SYDNEY, November 22. Statements have been made that ten thousand Australian soldiers bave married English girls. This is officially denied by Senator Pearce (Minister for Defence), who declares that it is a gross exaggeration. Cabled advices up to September 7th showed that not more than 1800 or so had married.

BRITISH FOOD PROBLEM COMPULSORY RATIONING MAY COME. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Australian ami N.Z Cable AfisoClaUoa. LONDON, November 21. Lord Rhondda (Food Controller); " speaking in the House of Lords, said "" in reply to Lord Lamington that he hoped that compulsory rationing would bo avoided, but if during the next few weeks the public failed to respond to the present appeal to adopt voluntary rationing compulsion must come. There' was no fear whatever of a-famine, but - there might be a scarcity. IMPORTED 'BUTTER TO BE POOLED. Published in “Tha Times." - LONDON;’ November 21. In the House of Lords, Lord Khond* da announced that all imported butter would be pooled, and an average once struck at the New Y'car. Lord Rhondda states that the buttel purchases for 1918 will_ include 30,000 tons of Australian, 15,000 tons of New Zealand, and 53.0 tons of Argertine supplies.