THE PIAVE RIVER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 43, Issue 133097, 14 November 1917, Page 4

THE PIAVE RIVER.

Behind the Tagliamento river the Italians had :>. number oL' smaller .streams iv their rear which enabled them to make the enemy's advance more difficult than it would otherwise have been. None of these streams, however, offered a really strong defensive lino until tho Piavu 'river wa« rcachod. This river, which enters the sea about 10 miles westward of the mouth of the Tagliainento river, is in some respects similar to that stream, it breaks up into several different channels iv the course of its passago across the plains, but it also has its weak points, which would not fail to appeal to an enemy endeavouring to effect a crossing. It differs from the Tagliiunento river in that it Hows in a south-easterly direction, while the Tagliamento flows roughly southward —or, rather, that portion does which the Italians used for defensive purposes in their retreat. If the enemy succeeds in crossing the Piavo river ho will have overcome tho last serious obstacle covering Venice, Treviso and other important Italian towns. The Italians report to-day that there is brisk lighting taking place over the Piave river—that is, on tho northern side. The Italians aro tightening up their defence and the enemy's prospects of advancing further westward are dwindling away.