ENEMY FORCES FOR THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 77, 24 December 1917, Page 5

ENEMY FORCES FOR THE WEST

FIFTY DIVISIONS FROM RUSSIA SIMULTANEOUS ATTACKS PROBABLE (Rec. December 23, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, December 21. Mr. Joseph Reinacli. writing in the "Figaro." estimates that the Germans are withdrawing 'fifty divisions from Russia, representing half a million men. Austria may send to the Western front from ten to twenty-five divisions. Avoiding the mistake at Verdun, Hindenburg and Ludendorff will probably attack on several sectors simultaneous-ly.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SIR POUGLASIAIG'S REPORT (Rec. December 23, 6.5 p.m.) London, December 21. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We repulsed a raid north-east of Mossmes and took prisoners in a few patrol encounters." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. GERMANS OCCUPTFRENCH TRENCHES EJECTED AFTER HARD FIGHTING. (Rec. December 23, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 21. A French communique states: "There is artillery activity in the region of the Oaurieros Wood. An attempt to rush our trenches west of Cerney was repulsed. At Hartmaunswciler Kopf the enemy, after a very big raid, occupied our advanced elements in the frontline, but was completely ejected after hand-to-hand fighting, in which lie lost hear-ily."-Aua.-N.Z- Cable Assn.-Rcuter. SIR DOUGLASIiAIG CRITICISED MATTER REFERRED TO HIGHEST AUTHORITIES. London, December 21. Speaking, in the House of Commons, Commander Wedgwood said the Houso had a right to consider three points in reference to Sir Douglas Haig. The first was that ho was over-optimistic; the second that as a cavalry officer ho believed it possible to uso cavalry w breaking through; third, that when a lartro army did not fulfil expectations the° best way to r'estoro its morale was to change its head. ' Mr. J. I. Macpherson, Parliamentary Secretary to tho War Office, promised to bring the points to tho attention or tho highest authorities.—Aus.-A.Z. Cable Assn.