In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 38, 14 October 1915, Page 5

In the West

FIERCE FIGHTING RENEWED. ALLIES’ SATISFACTORY REPORT. United Press Association. (Received 9.35 n ,m.) Paris, October 13. A communique states: Me completely repulsed infantry attacks after a heavy bombardment of onpositions north-east of Souchc/.. There was a paricularly intense artillery engagement at night between the Somme and the Oise. We are further progressing trench to trench east o( “The Trapeze.” The enemy renewed the attack in the Vosges after artillery preparation along the whole front, hut the assault on the whole failed. The enemy at one point gained a* footing in our first line oi trenches on a front of GO to 80 metres, but our counterattacks recaptured portion of the lost ground. FRENCH CABINET PORTFOLIOS. (Received $.35 a,n>.) Paris, October 13. The resignation of M. Deleasse, Foreign Minister, which was on account of ill-health, has been accepted. M. Viviani (Premier) takes the portfolio. CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT. (Received 1.20 p.m.) Paris, October 13. The Deputies passed a vote of confidence in the Government. UNITED ALLIED FRONT. ' STATEMENT BY FRENCH PREMIER. THE BALKAN ASPIRATIONS. * Paris, October 12. The Chamber of Deputies met in a state of feverish anticipation, this inflecting that the public at large felt the uneasiness, which lias been increased by the rumors that negotiations of the Entente are still incomplete, and the certainty that there is no evidence of effective unity of a.?tion among the Allies. The Deputies listened* S«o> the Premier’s (M. Viviani) speech in the tensest silence, which was lifhken by loud cheers when the Premier announced that Russia was landing troops in ~ Bulgaria.

]VI. Yiviani said that owing to the grave circumstances the country was entitled to a clear statement regarding the Balkan crisis. This had been encaging the Allies’ attention , | before the war. 1 The Treaty of Bucharest had left a feeling of deep rancour in Bulgaria. and neither the King nor the Bulgarians were, resigned to the loss of the fruits of their sacrifices in the Turkish war, nor to the burden resulting I from an unjust war; i against Greece and Serbia. ( M. Viviaui continued : “The A'lntente Bowers, therefore, guided by a policy in the spirit of generosity and justice, tried to restore union among the Balkan peoples, with a view of satisfying their principal national aspirations. An equilibrium, seconded by mutual sacrifices, and freely assented to by each Power, wopld have been the best guarantee of future peace. Notwithstanding the persevering efforts, to which Roumania, Greece, and Serbia repeatedly lent help we were unable to obtain sincere collaboration from the Bulgarian Government.

“The chief essential difficulty was negotiating at Sofia. Bulgaria was advancing her claims on all frontiers at the expense of her neighbors. We had reason to hope that Roumania, Greece, and Serbia would finally consent to sacrifices, for which they would receive compensation. Our efforts in Roumania were not without success. The state of semi-mobilisation in which she is holding her troops would enable her to repel aggression and keep close watch on the frontiers. Roumania knows, moreover, that only the victory of the Quadruple Entente will assure her independence and satisfy her national aspirations. The equivocal attitude of the Bulgarian Government led Greece to maintain a policy of expectation. “At the moment when the Quadruple Entente announced the extensive concessions to which Serbia had consented, King Ferdinand signed an agreement with Turkey, and hound himself definitely to Germany. To friendly intentions he replied by the mobilisation of the army. 1' rom moral and military standpoints we were unable to consent to the isolation of Serbia and the interruption of communications with our friends and

allies. Our action must be energetic, to correspond with the efforts of out enemies, who, dominated by the Allies on the Western front and checked in Russia, are now seeking success in a new field. “To help the Serbians it was necessary to pass through Salonika, and as soon as Bulgaria began to mobilise we entered into negotiations with the Greek Premier. These negotiations were natural, in vew of the treaty between Greece and Bulgaria. It Has been said that we violated the neutrality of Greece. Some even dared to compare our action with that of Germany in the violation of Belgium* when she disowned her signature. The conditions under which we went to Salonika, and the reception accorded ns, sufficed to prove the inanity of the accusation. Energetic action has been taken in Britain and France, in agreement with their allies, “We have weighed its difficulties, and our own chief preoccupations, which dominates all other considerations ; that is, the defence of our front and the deliverance of our territory. We must devote ou r strength and sacrifices of blood to secure a victory on our own soil, but, without weakening our own front, it is our duty to perform the mission which is affecting our interests and honor. The understanding between Britain and France is complete, and we are now fully agreed to help Serbia, who has asked for our assistance, and also to ensure for the ' benefit of Serbia, Greece, and Roumania respect for the Bucharest treaty. Russia has expressed anxiety to help Serbia, and tomorrow her troops will fight side by side with ours.” “Gentlemen,” said M. Viviani, “with our allies wo have done our duty. Never has accord between us been so complete and close, and never have we been more confident of our common victory.”