THE WESTERN THEATRE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15773, 14 December 1916, Page 7

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

MINING OPERATIONS. A BRITISH SUCC ESS. (Br Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) CAuatralian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Router's Telegrams.) (Received December 13th, 8.15 pjn.) LONDON, December 13. Sir D. Haig reports:— "There were successful mining operations southward of Ypres. "The enemy engaged in artillery and trench mortar fire opposite Festubert, and Neuve Chappellc. "An enemy ammunition dump at Vimy was fired. "We bombarded in retaliation the enemy's support line northward of the Ancre." WITH THE FRENCH. (Received December 13th, 8.15 p.m.) PARIS, December 13. An official message says:— "South of the Somrae there wa6 brisk reciprocal artillery-fire in the Biaches and La Maisonette sectors." AN ENEMY ATTACK. LONDON. December 12. A French communique states :— "Last night a German attack on Bois de Loges, north of Lassigny, was broken up by our barrage. Enemy detachments which gained a footing in our advanced trenches were driven out with grenades, and our line was entirely re-established." RE-ORGANISATION.

GENERAL NIVELLE AS LEADER. NEW CABINET FORMED. • (Received December 13th, 10.20 p.m.) PARIS, December 13. It is officially stated that General NiveTle lias been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the north and north-east. The new Cabinet numbers ten. A War Committee has been appointed, comprising M. Briand, Premier, M. Ribot, Minister of Financc; General Lvautey, Minister of War; Admiral Xiacaze, Minister of Marine; and M. Thomas, Minister of Munitions. General Jofire as generalissimo will attend the committee as technical and military adviser. Technical directors will be appointed for mines and merchant shipping. A WAR DISCOVERY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.» {Received December 13th, 5.20 p.m.) PARIS, [December 12. It is stated that General Castlenau will accompany General Joffre to "tie Allied War Board. General Nivelle is the hero of the Verdun offensive. The new generalissimo was a colonel at the outbreak of the war, and mado his reputation by capturing twenty-four cannon, which were the first trophies of the "war. His most famous feat was on the Aisno on September 16th, 1914. lhc Germans had caught the Seventh French Army Corps crossing the river. Part of the corps was forced to recross wlien General Nivelle galloped up ■with guns, and a frightful massacro of the Germans followed. EARLIER GOSSIP. LONDON, December 12. Advices state that diplomatic; circles in France support tho rc-ports thaiGeneral Joffre may retire. Complete reorganisation of the conduct of tho war is tinder consideration. erals Petain and Nivelle arc possible successors to General Joffre. General Petain -wanted over- large powers, therefore Genera] Nivelle is more likely to be appointed. JOFFRE'S FUTURE. LONDON, December 12. The "Manchester Guardian's"' Paris correspondent states that General Joffre on retiring will be appointed Provident of the Military Council of the Allies, retaining the title of Commander-in-Chief. NEWS FOR SOLDIERS. (Received December 13th, 8.15 p.m.) IX>NDON, December 13. The first number of "The New Zenlandcr" has been published. It aim« at conveying Dominion news to the troops in Europe. Prominent New Zeal and ers are providing the tunus.