ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 13 December 1916, Page 5

ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

GERMAN ATTACKS REPULSED. Received 10.30 LONDON, Dec. 12. A French communique states that a German attack at Bois de Logos, north of Lassiguy, was broken up by our barrage, and enemy detachments which gained a footing in advanced trenches were driven out with grenades, and our line entirely re-established.

GERMAN LOSSES ON THE SOMME.

PARIS, Dec. 12. An authoritative estimate of the German losses on the Sommc is 700,000. RESUMPTION OF BRITISH OFFENSIVE. .EXTENDS TO BELGIAN FRONT.. BRITISH ARTILLERY'S SUPERIORITY. LONDON Dec, 12. Sir Douglas Haig reports successful raids eastward of Neuville St. Vaast, and south-eastward of Armentieres, destroying machine-gun emplacements and taking prisoners. An attempted enemy raid eastward of La Boutillerie. failed. Hostile working parties at Fauquisart Wieltje were dispersed. There was reciprocal artillery fire and trench mortar fire at Loos, Arras, Ypres and north of the Ancre. Tlic Daily Chronicle's Paris correspondent says: Coinciding with the cessation of stormy weather the intensity of the cannonade on the British front has redoubled since Saturday, but snow has begun to fall. The artillery duel on the Ancre is the most violent since the beginning of the Somme battle. British gunners north of the Ancre gained marked success over the German heavy guns. The cannonade is extending to many sectors, including Loos, Givenchy, Armentieres and Ypres, also the Belgian front. FRENCH FORCES ACTIVE. PARIS, Dec 12. A communique says: There is violent artillery fire at A T ille an Bois, northwest of Rheims, and in the Douaumont sector. A coup de main was successfully carried out against enemy trenches at Bois le Pretie, west of Pontomonsson.

BERLIN WITHOUT FOOD.

LONDON, Dee. 12. The Daily Chronicle's Amsterdam correspondent says that the "Taglicher Uhdschau," in a desperate, almost threatening article regarding Berlin's foodlcss plight, says the scarcity has almost reached a climax. The supply of bread for weeks past has been constantly failing. Fish is now one of the most important foods, but no flesh is available. The price of smoked fish is sixfold the normal price. Apples alone are obtainable in reasonable quantities Small cauliflowers are selling at 22 ! pence apiece. The writer urges the seizure of all Berlin stocks of food for I sale to the people, direct. He emphasises the growing popular belief that the Government is behind these difficulties, hoping to make the people agree tnme readily to a communal feeding system.

RUSSIAN POLITICS. I

PETROGRAD, Dec 12. The Upper House almost unanimously passed a resolution approving of the formation of a Government acceptable to Parliament. This is regarded as marking a new era in constitutional development, and is especially opportune when the Duma is striving for a National Government corresponding with the nation's desire to put forth her whole energy.

SHUTTLES OF EMPIRE'S LOOM. I

INCREASING SHIPPING OUTPUT. PAYMENT BY RESULTS PROPOSED LONDON, Dec, 11. The report oi'. a committee of the engineering and shipbuilding employers of Glasgow, established for devising better means of organisation, suggests the formation of a National Advisory Committee of Industry, under a Minister, with comprehensive powers. It advocates payment, by results, and improved relations between workmen and employers,' with a view to increasing production.

__ AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

MANUFACTURE OF MUNITIONS IN COMMONWEALTH. SCHEME IMPRACTICABLE. MELBOURNE, Dec. 12. Replying to a suggestion to send to Britain munitions instead of half the iron and steel output, thus increasing employment here, Senator Peare o stated that attempts to manufacture munitions had failed. Specifications were beinp continually altered owing to experienc. oT/i-cd on the battlefields.