RETIREMENT OF SIR JOHN FRENCH

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2646, 17 December 1915, Page 7

RETIREMENT OF SIR JOHN FRENCH

AT HIS OWN REQUEST f CREATED A VISCOUNT E t ; SIR DOUGLAS HAIG TO I SUCCEED L BULGARS IN GREECE? REPORTS STILL IN CONFLICT I ENEMY'S DESIGNS ON EGYPT To-day's cablegrams, in the terse unpicturesque language of officialdom, announce the retirement, at his own request, of Sir John French from the chief command of the British Army in France and Flanders, his successor being Sir Douglas Halg, who is one of the most brilliant products of the present war, albeit he enterod it'with an established and very high reputation for military efficienoy and successful leadership. Sir John French has been cieated a Viscount, and has accepted the command of tho armies in the United Kingdom. No material new development is reported from the Balkans. Persistent reports—and • equally persistent contradictions—are current that the Biilgars have entered Greece. The Greek military and civilian population are gradually leaving Salonika and its precincts, leaving tho vicinity free for' more active operations and manoeuvring. Elaborate plans for a Turco. German invasion of Egypt aro stated to be in train. Lively air-fight-ing and artillery duels are reported from the Western front.