THE WESTERN THEATRE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15489, 17 January 1916, Page 8

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

ARTILLERY ACTIVITY. GERMAN POSITIONS DAMAGED The High Commissioner reports: — LONDON, January 15 (5.5 p.m.). In Belgium our artillery caused three large explosions north of Steenstraate. At Chiry (on the Oise south-east of Roye) a German revictualling convoy was caught by our fire. Between the Mouse and the Argonne (north of Verdun) our gUDS of large calibre destroyed a blockhouse.

HASTY JUDGMENTS. DEPRECATED BY TISCOUNT FKEN'CH. TRIBUTE TO THE FIELDMARSHAL. LONDON, January 14. Viscount French, when receiving the Freedom of the Fishmongers' Guild, deprecated tlie tendency of the public to rush to conclusions and form hasty judgments. None who had not seen it could understand how war had been revolutionised. Sir Evelyn Wood, in speaking, said that Viscount French had the knack of always- being on tho spot at the right moment. As a commander he stimulated the efforts of his men in the firing-line by his own heroic example. At one critical moment when a trusted general was stunned by a shell and his staff incapacitated for over an hour, Viscount French took charge of tho subordinate army himself, and made dispositions which threw back the Germans. It is understood that Sir Evelyn Wood's story refers to Sir Douglas Haig during the battle of Ypres.

AERIAL ACTIVITY. GERMAN CLAIMS. LONDON, January 14. The Germans claim to have brought down ten British aeroplanes on the ■Western front in the past month. Possibly this success. is due to a new Fokker monoplane of 150 horse-power, and a speed of ' 112 miles an hour, •which is able to soar to a height of 8000 feet in teji minutes. The craft carries only a and two machineguns.

A JUST FATE. MISS CAVELL'S BETRAYER ASSASSINATED. LONDON, January 14. The Amsterdam correspondent of the "Daily Express" reports that the. Belgian spy, Cels. who denounced Mis 9 Cavell, has Keen assassinated near Brussels. His body, was found in the-streefc with two bullet wounds in it. Cels was formerly in the Belgian Army, \nd had been in German pay for a month. He professed to help Belgians to cross the frontier, but betrayed them. He was the only witness against • Miss Cavell. : Hundreds of Belgians swore' that Cels should die, and a number met in Brussels recently and, elected an avenger. The Germans, in obedience to General von'Bissing's order, are not attempting to find Cels's assassin. IN GERMANY. TJiE KAISER'S ILLNESS. BIRTHDAY FESTIVITIES . CANCELLED. Ai COUNCIL SUMMONED. (Received January 16th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 15. The Kaiser's birthday festivities have been cancelled. Prince Henry of Prussia (brother of the Kaiser) has been recalled to Berlin. ' The English newspapers are making a feature of the Kaiser's illness. The Kaiser repeatedly promised to personally read his speech in the Prussian Diet, but was unable to do so. It .is reported . that fever supervened. ("Times" »nd "Sydney Sun" Service*.)

(Received January loth, 6.35 . p.m.) LONDON, January 14. The Rome correspondent of the *'Daily News" says Prince von Bulow's sudden return to Berlin from Switzerland was due to a summons to attend a Council, convened by and under the presidency of'the Crown Prince, to decide what measures will he necessary if the Kaiser's illness is prolonged or if the operation is unsuccessful, and also for; tho discussion of other matters.

Meanwhile it is impossible to obtain information ■ oven from neutral diplomatic, sources . concerning the Kaiser's condition. The usual optimistic official reports are now being withheld. CONFLICTING KB PORTS. (Received January 16th, 11? p.m.) LONDON, January 15. Reports regarding the Kaiser's illness remain contradictory. A message from Zurich asserts that it is more serious, and the doctors differ in their diagnoses. Reports from Berlin minimise the seriousness of the Kaiser's illness. Some reports say that he is suffering from a persistent catarrhal cold, while others adhere to the statement that he is suffering from virulent carbunclcs. Ali tho reports agree that the patient is finding it difficult to throw off his illness owing to mental and physical strain. STILL BOMBASTIC. KAISER'S BIRTHDAY MESSAGE. (Received January 16th, 11 p.m.) LONDON, January 15. The Kaiser's birthday message £o the t German people is in the usual exalted key. "The war," it says, "was forced upjqn us-by-the envy .and hatred of our enemies. May' God accept oiir heavy sacrifices joyfully .offered on the altar of the Fatherland." The Kaiser asks his peoplo to dispense with the usual festivities and offer up loyal prayers.

THE SOCIALIST PARTY. DB. LIEBKNECHT EXPELLED, (Received January 16th, 5.5 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, January 15.' The German Socialist Parliamentary Party, by GO votes to 25, decided that Dr. Licbknecht, leader of the party, should be expelled.