BAD WEATHER IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2917, 1 November 1916, Page 5

BAD WEATHER IN THE WEST

FRENCH ADVANCING IN SAILLISEL REGION HEAVY GERMAN ATTACK ON LA MAISONETTE Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. London, October 30. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "It is raining. Wo raided trenches west of Wjtschaote and east, of Boesinghc." (Rec. October 31, 11.45 p.m.) London, October 31. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Wo bombarded Bcaumont-Hamel. Thero has jeen considerable shelling in the Hebutorne and Auchy areas," FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. London, October 30. - A French official communique states: "Wo captured l a sjstoji of trenches lorth-west of (Sailly Saillisel. We progressed east towards Saillisel. Wo reiiilsod attacks l>otu r een Biacljcs and a point south of Ija. Maisonette, iho Miemy penetrated our trenches north oi La Maisonette." (Rec. October 31,11.45 p.m.) Paris, October 31. A French offioial communique states:—"Tho artillery struggle has. been lonttnued in the La Maisonette region. Bad weather is still hampering the operations generally." GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. i London, October 30. A German official communique states: "The enemy broke in our trenches south-east of Lesbooufs. We .stormed the French positions at La Maisonette Farm, towards Biachos." ENEMY'S PLANS FOR THE WEST KAISER, VON HINDENBURG. AND THE CHANCELLOR IN CONFERENCE. . Rome, October 30. The Kaiser, Field Marshal von Hindenburg, and lien- von BethmannHollweg had a conference in Borlin to considor measures to bo taken on the Western front, aud tho complications arising out of tbo submarine campaign. AN INTERVIEW WITH VON HINDENBURG ASTOUNDING STATEMENTS ABOUT THE WESTERN FRONT. (United Service.) (Rec. October 31, 5.15 p.m.) , London, October 30.; Field Marshal von Hindenburg, interviewed by the "Nieue Freie Presse" (Vicuna), mado some astounding statements. He said: "Tho position, is as favourable as'possible. It is nonsense* to assert .that it is my intention to shorten the West fronP, which is as firm as possiblo. Though tho enemy has gained soino ground, it will take him thirty years to break through, provided he lias sufficient man-power. Even the tenacity of the French will bo -unavailing, because at the fiuish none will remain. Tho French must thank the British for this fate. France appoalod for Britain's assistance; and the only hob slio got was to be forced to destroy herself. The greater portion of her army has perished on the Sommc." . i . . . "Should tho British demand a similar offensive in the spring, the rest will perish. Tho French do not realise the price Britain is casting them. The war will hardly modify my opinion of British military achievements. They especially 'lack great strategists. Everything is going on splendidly against the Rumanians, who aro getting 'thoir deserts." Von Hindenburg concluded that he bad only had seven days furlough during tho war. His only recreation was sleeping. ANOTHER VERSION OF THE SAME INTERVIEW. (Rec. October 31, 5.5 p.m.) Berlin, October 30. ■V message via Berlin gives the following version of the above interview! Von Hindenburg said:—"All will go well. Germany has still sufficient soldiers, and the Austrian reinforcements have not yet been used up. Our Western front is impregnable. The poople of Austria-Hungary have risen to all the sacrifices which tbey have been called upon to make, but tliey must still face further sacrifices in order that those of the past may not bo m % Tho correspondent interjected: "Austria-Hungary is anxious for the war to -end!" Von Hindenburg: "We all want that. _ When reminded of his own reported statement that the war could only be terminated in the East, von Hindenburg replied :'There is no set scheme as to where and how the victory will be gained. The decision may come in the West or in the East. ' Asked how long tlio war would last, he said: That depends upon our enemies It is possible that 1917 will bring battles which will decide the war. Ido not know—nobody knows. 1 only know that we shall fight on to a decision The French and Russian armies seem to be exhausted." Asked about the possibility of ending tho war. by a decisive blow, ho replied that it was obvious that it. was easier to strike a decisive blow at the time of the Battle of Tannenberg (when tho Russians were defeated) than now. He felt glad of Rumania's entry into tho war, because it had brought out one German army from trench warfare. , General von Ludendorff (von Hindenburg's Chief of Staff) supported von Hindenburg's eulogy of tho achievements of Germany and her allies,. and added: "Germany would not think of peace. She is absolutely decided to con(Ji sa pp o i u tcd the- public, wtio expected a more optimistic statemont MORE TOUT FOR PEACE (Re.c November-1, 1-30 a.m.) Amsterdam, October 31. i Tlio "Vorwaertz," commenting'on von Hindenburg's interview, advises Franco not to act as a further obstaclo to peace, adding: Our advice is more likelv to bo accepted if we are reasonable, and offer no obstacle. I we are going -to drag out the war indefinitely, the whole of Europe will Meed to death and America and the coloured races will bccome the heirs. Wo want Europe to live, not only Gerniany, but other nations who have done so much for the progress of tho world. ' IS A GERMAN WESTERN OFFENSIVE NOW POSSIBLE? London, October 30. it Marcel Hutin, in the "F.cho do Paris," predicts «■ struggle between the Crown Prince and Von Hindenburg on the question of reinforcements to enable a strong counter-offensive to be made at Verdun, The next few days should show whether Germany is able to launch attacks on the West whilst proceeding with her*efforts against Rumania. 1 NEW GERMAN MINISTER FOR WAR. Now York, Octohcr 30. A message from Berlin states: Tho Kaiser has removed the Minister of War GeuerafWild von Hohenborn, and lias, appointed Lieut.-General von Stein as his successor. Von Hohenborn has teen pren a corps in the Western army group. The change is for the Minister of War familiar through personal experience with tho icquirements of the field armies GERMAN GENERALS PUNISHED FOR VERDUN DISASTERS (Rec. October 31, 11.45 p.m.) A wireless message from Berne states: "According to tho Mannheim Volkstimme/ one major-jzoncral, two brii^adier-goneralb, belonging to the Crown Prince's,armies have been pW*>on the letired as a punishment for the recent disasters at Verdun.