THE FRENCH HIGH COMMAND

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2954, 14 December 1916, Page 5

THE FRENCH HIGH COMMAND

RUMOURED RETIREMENT OF GENERAL JOFFRE HIS PROBABLE SUCCESSORS By Telegraph-Press Assocmiion-.Copyrielit Washington, December 12. Advices from diplomatic circles in France support the reports that General Joffre may retire, and that a complete reorganisation regarding the conduct of the war is under consideration. General Potain and General NivePe are mentioned as possible successors. General Petain wants over-largo powers, and therefore General Nivelle is more likely to bo appointed. JOFFRE'S PROBABLE OFFICE. London, December 12. The "Manchester Guardian's" Paris correspondent states that General Joflre on retiring will be appointed President of the Military Council of the Allies, retaining the title of Commander-in-Chief.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NIVELLE THE NEW COMMANDER HERO OF THE VERDUN OFFENSIVE. (Rco. December 13, 5.20 p.m.) Paris, December 12. It 5e slated that General Castlonau will accompany General Joffre to the Allies' War Board. General Nivelle, the hero oE the Verdun offensive, will be the new Generalissimo. He was a colonel atthe outbreak of the war, and ruaHe his reputation by capturing twenty-four cannon, which were the first trophies of the war._ His most famous teat was at the Aisne on September 16, 1914. The Germans caught the Seventh French Army Corps at tho crossing of the river, and part of the corps was forced to recross. Nivelle galloped up with his guns, and a frightful massacre of the Germans fol-lowed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT NIVELLE'S NEW COMMAND ' (Rec. December 13, 10.20 p.m.) Paris, December 13. ' Official.—General Nivelle has been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the north and north-east. Tho new Cabinet members arc ten in number. A "War Committee has been j appointed, comprising:' I M. Briand, Premier. j M. Ribot, Finance. M. Lyautey, War. M, Lacazo, Marine. M. Thomas, Munitions. General Joffre, as Generalissimo, will attend the committee as technical and military adviser. | Technical directors will he appointed for mines and merchant shipping.— Reuter.