Late War News

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 December 1916, Page 3

Late War News

* (.Austral: a-New Zealand Cable Service) Received This Day 9 a.m. THEORISTS. London, Dec. 7. Sydenham, in an interview, said it wax inperativc that the War Council should not be more than five persons, who could be spared from the preoccupation arising from the m,inaming of large departments. At least two ought to be made to study the war on land and sea; one man with a !ar.;e practical business experience essential. The Prime Minister should be chairman; otherwiso there would he a conflict between the War Council and Cabinet. For certain a fifth member, ought to be a man of great political experience and states-man-like character. We had been attempting to pit amateurs against professionals, with the inevitable 'results. If we repeated these grave mistake* our remairiinfg -chance of succors would be lost. Lord iNiinburnolme, in a letter to the newspapers of the country, requires an executive consisting of the best soldiers and sailors and business men. As an example he gives the names of Jellicoe, Robertson, Devon port, Owen, and Phillips. Two good Labour men should be selected; men who would sco firstly that there were sufficient heavy batteries to utterly destroy JaJ! the German artillery and save the present heavy losses of' infantry; secondly, to blockade the whole of Europe, including neutrals, and thus cause an effective blockade; thirdly, to secure that sufficient heavy guns be immediately produced so that merchantmen would be able to sink submarines; fourthly, to compel the immediate construction of at least one thousand standardized merchant ships, in addition to those already building, and thua secure an adequate food supply, also raw materials for munitions for Great Britain and her Allies. SERBIAN SUCCESSES. The Daily Telegraph's Salonika correspondent states that the forces are pm.suing their advantage north of Grunista. The Serbians crossed the river at Grazeshnitza, though the weather was most unfavourable. The Serbians did not cease active operations for a single day. After the attacks extending over six days and nights there was a desperate assault which carried the whole series of strongly-fortified heights, the Bulgnrs and Germans flying in disorder and leaving seven guns and many prisoners. The total guns captured -were seventy-nine. GETTING THE TRUTH. ,MV Ward Price nays that all must remember the Allies in the Balkans are holding a front 200 kilometres long, and more difficult than any other theatre in the war. The Allied offensive is being carried out Torces much int'ericr to those of the enemy. A GIBBS' PICTURE. Mr Philip Gibbs states that a white, moist fog overhangs the western front. The men are like ghosts, having a hard time without comfort, shelter or rest; enduring cold and foul conditions following the November rains; the sheer fight for life against natural hardships and the inhumanity of the weather seemed more important to them than the figlit against the enemy. The Canadians met' hideous adventures at Oourcellette in the recent fighting that had been carried' on unbeaten in the morass and misery; , AT DOBRiUiDJA. The Russians have ceased their offens've in the Dobrudja, and 1 are deeply entrenching.