WES-TERN ATTACK.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1917, Page 5

WES-TERN ATTACK.

BRITISH SUCCESSES. ARTILLERY ACTIVITY London, Dee, Hi. Sir Dotsla3 Haig reports: *We completely repulsed a local attack westward of Bxtlleeoilrt. Tim local fighting in the neighborhood of Polders-hock Chateau caused no change in the situation thereabouts. There is considerable artillery activity in the neighborhood of Hargicourt and Flesqnieres, .between Gavrelle and Leris, and at Passchendaele. Enemy gained no advantage. INITIATIVE STILL WITH ALLIES. GERMANY'S WANING POWER IX THE EAST. ANXIETY FOR SPEEDY PEACE. Australian Cable Association. Received Dec. 17, 11.25 p.m. Washington, Dee. 17. Col! Baker, in a communique referring to the German concentration on the West front., declares that the enemy has gained no permanent strategic advantage, and that no element of the situation shows that the wetsern initiative is passing to Germany, Germany realises the danger of her waning influence in the East, following on the British victories in Palestine, and is more anxious than ever to conclude a spijedy peace before the war map is less favorable. The British air raids have concretely brought the war to the German people, and discontent is heightened. THE CAMBRAI INQUIRY. ' A LENGTHY BUSINESS. London, Dec. 16. In accordance with military practice, Sir Douglas Haig has started the Cambrai inquiry. j)wing to several versions being given of the cause of the withdrawal, some time will eiapse before the inquiry is completed. . ATTACKS DRIVEN OFF, BRITISH SLIGHTLY IMPROVE POSITIONS. / «.» Received Dee. 17, 10 p.m. London, Dec. 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports: We drove off tin attack west of Villers Guislain and repulsed a bombing attack north of La Vacquerie. We slightly improved our position east of Avion, and repulsed a raid south of Armentieres. The mutual artillery activity south of the Scarpe increased. There was hostile artillerying north of Langemarek.

ARTILLERY ACTIVITY OX FRENCH FRONT. Received Dec. 17, 5.55 p.m. London, Dec. id. A French communique states: There ia (l fairly great reciprocal artillery activity between the Alsne and the Oise, and oil the right bank of the Meuse, notably in the sector of Les Chambrettes. WEEDING OUT FRENCH GENERALS, Paris, Dec. 10. M. Clemenceau is immediately retiring generals whose bodily vigor is unequal to Hie war strain, if they have not reached the age limit, FRENCH REPULSE ENEMY. London, Dec. 16. A French communique says: A German attack was repulsed in the Chaume Wood. ARTILLERYING CONTINUES. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter, Received Dec. 17, 11.35 p.m. London, Dec. 17. A French communique states: An intermittent artillery duel is proceeding on the greater part of the front, being fairly violent in the region north of the Bois dos Cautieres.