THE ITALIAN REVERSE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17157, 9 November 1917, Page 5

THE ITALIAN REVERSE

WITHDRAWAL TO THE LIVENZA. HARASSING THE ENEMY. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association and Reuter. LONDON, November 7. Italian official: We have withdrawn in good order to the Livenza River, as tho defence of the Tagliamento Was difficult, owing to low water. Our aeroplanes and warships repeatedly bombed enemv troops repairing the bridges on the Tagliamento and crossing that river. CROSSING THE TAGLIAMENTO. AN EASY PASSAGE. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. LONDON, November 7. Mr Percival Gibbon says: The Austrians crossed the Tagliamento River at a point where its five channels are all passable by motor car. Their shelling across the river thus far has been exclusively done by their field guns. The German superiority in gun-fire is the key to the Italian retreat. The Germans shelled the Italians to rags, holding half their fire until their infantry deployed in the open in order to secure against a surprise. Reorganisation is the order of the day on the Italian front. Committees have been established everywhere to receive refugees. The one question is whether the allied reinforcements will arrive in sufficient force before the Austro-Germans attack. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. Admiralty, per Wireless Press. LONDON, November 7. German official: We continue our pursuit of the Italians in the mountains and in the Venetian Plain, and thousands of them have been made prisoner. "SAVE THE COUNTRY. POLITICAL BATTLE-CRY. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. ROME, November 7. j No fewer than 356 members of the Chamber of Deputies, of all parties, have signed a manifesto appealing to Italy for unity and fortitude. The battle-cry for all (says the manifesto) must be: " Save the country from foreign invaders." SHIPPING FOR ITALY. NEW YORK, November 7. Two more merchantmen have been turned over to Italy, whose shipping needs take precedence of France's requirements. SIGNIFICANT DOCTOR'S ADVICE. AMSTERDAM, November 7. The Kaiser has cancelled his visit to Gorizia, his doctors ordering him not to overtax his strength, and advising him that he must do less travelling. BRITISH REVIEW OF SITUATION. DISASTER DUE TO SEDITIOUS PROPAGANDA. WITHDRAWAL FROM TAGLIAMENTO. Renter's Telegrams. LONDON, November 7. (Received Nov. 8, at 7.30 p.m.) General Maurice, Director-general of Military Operations, reviewing the Italian position, admits that it is very serious, but declares that the statement that Marshal von Mackensen led 300,000 troops in a tremendous surprise attack is absolutely untrue. Von Mackensen has never been in Italy. The Germans there were led by General von Bulow. General Cadorna knew approximately the time and was aware of the place to be attacked. The disaster -was greatly due to the insidious pro-German propaganda, which had spread further than General Cadorna was aware. The withdrawal from the Tagliamento was part of the original plan arranged by General Cadorna before reaching that line.

GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. Admiralty, per Wireless Presa. LONDON, November 7. (Received Nov. 8, at 8.45 p.m.) German official: We have reached the Livenza line. THE SITUATION IMPROVING. GALLANT PIEDMONTESE GRENADIERS. FIGHT LITERALLY TO THE DEATH. The Timed LONDON, November 7. (Received Nov. 8, at 10.20 p.m.) The Italian headquarters reports that the situation is grave, but more hopeful, because order has been restored, and the troops are reaching the new Giles. The enemy pressure continues strong on the right, centre, and left. A brigade of Piedmontese Grenadiers, all over 6ft, made a gallant stand in an attempt to stem the advancing hosts. Under heavy shrapnel fire they emptied their cartridge belts, then 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. PASSAGE OF THE TAGLIAMENTO. ITS DEFENCE DIFFICULT. High Commissioner's Report. LONDON, November 7. Italian official: The Tagliamento is at low water, rendering the defence of the river difficult. We have withdrawn our line towards the Livenza. Protection in the north is given by our covering units and in the south by rearguards. Enemy bridge repairs were repeatedly bombed last night.