ITALY

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 145998, 3 December 1917, Page 7

ITALY

THE HAVE RIVER LOW. AIDING ENEMY ADVANCE. VENICE POPULATION LEAVING. i By Telegraph —Press Assn. —Copyright Australian and N.Z, Cable Assn. (Received Dec. 3, 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 2. Italian Official.— L Thcro was very intense artillery activity from the Asiago Plateau to the Lower'Piave. We drove back' the enemy who attempted'to -approach Molctte. One of our parties reached -the enemy position in the ‘Monte Petica- but was unable 'to hold it owing to concentration of fire. Italian Headquarters.—The Italians now are praying for rain. The drought ■has made the Piave very low. greatly assisting the enemy, who are endeavouring to cross by wading and bn pontoons, rafts and-boats. The Italians have destroyed most who have crossed. Gcner■ally they purposely allow the enemy to cross and then -fire right into the crowded' troops. ROME, Dec. 2. Two-thirds of the population of Venice has departed. An average of a thousand are leaving daily. The remainder declare that the}’ are resolved to defend the city to the last drop of blood. Only ■nine English remain, including the family of the British Vice-Consul,