THE ITALIAN REVERSE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17158, 10 November 1917, Page 7

THE ITALIAN REVERSE

SUGGESTED ABANDONMENT OF TERRITORY. ITALIAN SENTIMENT PREVENTS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. BERNE, November 8. The Journal states that the AustroGermans in tho Trentino are seeking to attack Brescia. There is great activity west of Lake Garda. Several Swiss-Italian military experts consider that General Cadorna should withdraw to the Adige, whence a vigorous counter-offensive might destroy the enemy. This means abandoning Vicenza, Padua, and Venice, which the Italians will not allow. During the offensive in May, 1916, General Cadorna telegraphed to his Government; "If you will permit me to abandon Vicenza, in 48 hours I will deliver you the Austrian army." Tho Italian Government, however, refused, and the result was that the Austrians, though defeated, were not captured. ME BONAR LAW'S VIEW. AN EXTENDED BATTLE FRONT. Router's Telegrams. LONDON, November 8. Mr Bonar Law said at Manchester that he believed the Italians would be able to stop the Germans till the Anglo-French troops arrived. " If we obtain a battle front from the English Channel to the Adriatic the Italian reverse might have some compensating advantages." AMERICAN RED CROSS ACTIVITY. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON, November 8. The Red Cross Society is sending a commission to Italy to' take every step to alleviate the sufierings of soldiers and civilians. DECtSIVE BATTLE BEGINNING. MANCEUVRINC FOR POSITION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON, November 8. (Received Nov. 9, at 7.30 p.m.) Cablegrams from Rome state that a decisive battle is beginning. The Italian Army is manoeuvring for position. The Franco-British reinforcements are massing on the Piave River line. CHECKING THE ENEMY. ITALIAN RETIREMENT CONTINUED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, .November 8. (Received Nov., 9, at 8.20 p.m.) Italian official: We continued our withdrawal to the new line yesterday. Our larger unite retired unmolested, but there were numeronis engagements between the Vittorio Hills and the confluence of the Monticano River, witih the Livenza, in which we succeeded in detaining the enemy advance. Onr aeroplanes renewed the bomba/rdmentg of tho enemy along the Tagliamento. ~" GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. EXTRAVAGANT CLAIMS MAINTAINED. Admiralty, per Wireless Press. LONDON, November 8. (Received Nov. 9, at 8.20 p.m.) German official: Our detachments, advancing along the mountain roads, have broken the resistance of the Italian Tearguapds. An outflanking movement cut off the retreat of the Italians in Middle Tagliamento, between Tolmezzo and Gemona, also the fortified Monte San Sincon. Already we have taken 17,000 prisoners, including a general, and have taken 80 guns. Fighting has developed on the plain along Livenza. The •AustroW3ermans are vigorously advancing. Despite destroyed bridges, we forced a crossing, and threw back the enemy westward of Topal. Our captures are over 250,000 prisoners and 2300 guns. _ •