IN THE WEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1915, Page 5

IN THE WEST.

GENERALS CONFIDENT. FRENCH LINES UNBREAKABLE, London, Nov. 30. General Joffre, interviewed, said the French lines are unbreakable. Germany is weakening herself in extending her front in her efforts to reach Constantinople; but the axis of the war is in France, where the end will be, Germany i_s aware of this, and is keeping two-thirds of her army in France. General Joffre added: "She is strong, but we.shall beat her." Paris, Nov, 30. General Gallieni, interviewed, said: "In September last year, when we repulsed his offensive, the enemy lost the game . That victory gave the Allies the essential time to enable thein to organise effective operations. Caught in a vice the enemy is struggling desperately to free himself. The attacks on the Yser, the ofiensive against the Russians, the campaign in the Balkans are but the convulsions of the enemy at bay, The enemy's recent successes were rendered possible iby the treason of Bulgaria, but will not modify the strategic situation. Being transported to the west, retransported to the east, and then to the south, the enemy's armies are exhausting themselves. iTlie courage of the Germans is rapidly deteriorating. "The issue must be fatal to the Teunothing but lack of energy on our parf can save them. We shall have the necessary energy, Go and travel about France; see everyone unchangeable, and they will persevere to the end."

COASTAL BOMBARDMENT TRAIN LOADS OF WOUNDED. Received Dec. -2, 12.10 a.m. Amsterdam, Dec. 1. A British squadron of 40 vessels bombarded the German fortresses between Ostend and Zeebmgge for two hours. Heavy firing has been heard every day on the Flemish front for a week past, and many train loads of wounded indicate that there have been lively operations.

GENERAL WAR ITEMS. *•3 INVALIDED GENERAL. Sydney, Dec. 1. 'Major-General Legge, commanding the Second Australian Division at Gallipoli, is in hospital ill, but not seriously. Colonel Holmes has taken over the command. WET CANTEENS. Sydney, Dee. 1. The advocates of wet canteens arc seizing upon the recent disturbances to urge the need for a beer canteen in camps. They urge that the men are compelled to go outside to secure supplies, and the result is that they drink much more than would he at their disposal in the camps. SOLDIERS' CROPS. Sydney, Dee. I. The farmers who have not enlisted are garnering the crops of those who have enlisted. SUGAR FOR JAM. Sydney, Dec. 1. Unfortmiatelv the shortage of sugar will eome at a time when the jam factories require extra supplies to deal with the fruit crops. ROUTE MARCHES. Sydney, Doe. 1. The South Coast Waratahs, the first of a number of route marches arranged to commence at various points in the State, left Nowra 50 strong.

A COT'RT-'MARTIAL. Melbourne, Dec. 1. A court-martial sentenced 20 soldiers who recently escaped from the detention camp to a hundred days' imprisonment. RECRUITING SCHEMES. Melbourne, Dee. 3. A meeting of both Houses of the State Parliament discussed the recruiting scheme for the new force, which, it is stated, will consist of 38 battalions. Twelve are. alloted to New South Wales, l r 2 to Victoria, 4 to Queensland, 4 to South Australia, 3 to Westralia, and 1 to Tasmania. The use of local committees for the proposed recruiting scheme was severely criticised. It was stated that it is likely to arouse much antagonism. GERMAN LIE REPUTED, London, Nov. 30. A Blue Book refutes the charge against the British of ill-treating German subjects in the Cameroons, made by the German Government through the American Ambassador. Extracts from the letters of Gierman prisoners are printed testifying to the excellent treatment. EXPLORER'S UNPOPULAR BOOK. Copenhagen, Nov. 30. Swedish newspapers give an unfavorable reception to Dr. Sven Hedin's great book on the war, in which he appeals to Swedes to abandon their neutrality in favor of Germany. A BRIBE OFFERED DENMARK.

Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, Nov. 30. Copenhagen reports that the rumors of 4)ie return of Schleswig to Denmark as a post-war payment for her neutrality have produced a German proclamation gtating that the military position does not facilitate speculation as to Germany's ability to give away anything, and that it is unfair to suppose that Denmark's neutrality can be >bo<uglit.