IN THE WEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1915, Page 5

IN THE WEST.

PERFECT UNDERSTANDING. STATEMENT BY FRENCH PREMIER, Received Oct. 14, 5Jj p.m. London, Oct. 13. . Questioned in the Chamber, M. Vm- . tni said that iM. Delcasse had previously Knt in hia resignation, and he renewed it during his- visit to London on Friday. M. Dellasse did not give illness as a reason. M. Yiviani added that the most perfect understanding existed between the French Ministers and the other allies. ' Received Get. 14, 10.46 pjn. Paris, Oct. M. M. Painleve pointed out that various committees had warned the Government in AugUßt of the danger of Bulgaria cooperating with the enemp. The Government must assume the responsibility for M. Deleasse's policy. - r - M. Delcasse replied that any delay was due to the necessity for concerting plans to prevent the weakening of the Western front, where a final decision would be given, and also to the coordination of plans with their allies. He x was unable to divulge details of the plans. ■ ' THE HIJN AT BAY. FRENCH OFFICIAL REPORT. Paris, Oct. 13. y A communique says: We completely repulsed infantry attacks after a heavy bombardment on our positions northeast of Souchez. There was a particu l - larly intense artillery engagement in the night between the Somme and the Oise. We are making further progress from trench to trench east of The Trapeze. The enemy renewed the attack in the Vosges after artillery preparation on , : the whole front. The assault on the whole failed. The enemy at one point ' gained a footing in lour £rdt line trenches on a front of 60 to 80' metres. Our counter-attacks recaptured portion . of the lost ground. - THE FRENCH MINISTRY. M. DELCASSE RESK2N6. ' Palis, Oct. 13. .. The resignation of M. Delcasse, foreign Minister, on account of illheal th, has been accepted. M. Viviani, the Premier, takes the portfolio. The Chamber of Deputies passed a (vote of confidence in the Government. THE FRENCH OFFENSIVE. GERMANS EXPECTING RENEWAL. S Received Oct. 14, 9 p.m. Amsterdam, Oct. 14. German correspondents in the Champagne district report a severe continuous artillery duel, foreshadowing tfie resumption of General Joffre's offensive. THE EFFECT OF SHELLS. reason for recent successes. [ Received Oct. 14, 9 p.m. London, Oct. 13. A French '-Eye-witness" attributes 'lie successes in the Champagne district on October 8 to the uninterrupted fire that had been maintained since September 23th. The Frenchmen again proved their ascendancy. The first blow was the explosion oi an enormous mine under a German trench, obliterating eightyfour yards. The heaviest projectiles were constantly thrown into the enemy communications, sfnd machine-guns upon the heights were ceaselessly harassing the Germans, whose resistance was broken down in a few days. Many ■wounded were abandoned. ACCIDENT TO A TROOP TRAIN. Received Amsterdam, Oct. 14. A German troop train fell into a canal at Zeebrugge. Eighty-five men were. . drowned. FRENCH REEORT. Received Oct. 14, 10.40 p.m. Paris, Oct. 14. A communique says- the enemy renewed their violent attacks north-east-wards of Souchez, also near the crossroads between Vimy and the redoulbt at , . Givenchy forest. Despite furious assaults the enemy only penetrated a few sections of a trench in Givenchy forest, and elsewhere were repulsed with heavy losses. GERMAN REPORT. Received Oct, 14, 9.10 p.m. Paris, Oct. 14. A Berlin communique states: English attacks north-east of Vermelles were easily repulsed. The French again lost a portion of the trenches east of Souchez, and repeated attacks south of Tahure failed, several groups of troops breaking down completely.- The French again lost a portion of the sosition* on the wertern