THE WAR IN THE WESTERN THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 72, 18 December 1917, Page 5

THE WAR IN THE WESTERN THEATRE

INQUIRY INTO SETBACK AT CAMBRAI

AMERICAN WAR MINISTER ON THE OUTLOOK By Telegraph—Presa Association—Copyright London, December 16. In accordance with military practice, Sir Douglas Haig has commenced an inquiry into the cause of tho setback at Cambrai. Owing to there being several versions of tho cause of tho withdrawal, some timo will elapse before the inquiry is completed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FIGHTING ON THE BULLECOURT FRONT London, December 16. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"We completely ropulscd a local attack east of Bullecourt. We made a successful raid north of Bullecourt. Local fighting in tho neighbourhood of Poldorßhoek Chateau resulted in no change in the situation. There is considerable hostile artillery lire in tho neighbourhood of Hargicourt and Flesquieres, and between Gavrello and Lens, and also at Passchendaele."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. December 17, 10.30 p.m.) London, December 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"We flrovo off an attack west of Villers Guislain, and repulsed a bombing attack north of La Vacquerie. Wo have slightly improved our position rftst of Avion.. Wo repulsed a raid south of Armctitieres. There is mutual artillery activity south of tho Scarpe, and increased hostile artillery fire Lorth of Langemarck."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. GERMAN ATTACK REPULSED BY THE FRENCH. London, December 16. A French official communique states:— : 'A German attack was repulsed at Chaume Wood."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rco. December 17, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 16. A French official communique states:—"There is fairly great .xciprocal artillery activity between the Aisne and the Oise, and on the right bank of the Mouse, notably in the sector of Los Chambrettes."—Aus.-NIZ. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. December 17,11.30 p.m.; Loffdon, December 17. A French official communique states:—"There is an intermittent artillery duel on the greater part of the front. The bombardment is fairly violent in the region north of the llois des Caurieres."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. (Rec December 17, 5.5 p.m.) 0 London, December 16. A wireless German official report states:—"We advanced our lines to a 'park' at Poelderhoek Chateau. English attacks at Monnehy and Bullecourt failed."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. THE BRIGHT SIDE OF THE SITUATION (Rec. December 17, 11.55 p.m.) Washington, December 17. Mr. Nowton D. Baker (United States Minister for War), in a communique, referring to the German concentrations on tho West front, o;<ilores that the enemy will gain no permanent strategic advantage. "No element in the situation shows that the initiative in tho West is passing to Germany," he declares. "Germany realises the danger to her waning influence in the East, following on the British victory in Palestine, and is moro anxious than ever to conclude s speedy peaco before the war map is less favourable for her. The British air raids have concretely brought the war home to the German people, End discontent is heightened.' —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FRENCH GENERALS TO BE RETIRED Paris, December 16. M' Clemenceau is immediately retiring those generals whose bodily vigour is unequal to the strain of the war, even if they have not reached the age limit.—"The Times."