WESTERN FRONT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17665, 18 December 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

THE BRITISH LINES

CAMBRAI REVERSE INQUIRY

A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Routor. LONDON, December 16.

In accordance with military practice, Sir Douglas Haig has ordered an inquiry into the Cambrai affair, owing to several versions being given of the cause of the withdrawal.

Some time will elapse before tho inquiry is completed.

SITUATION UNCHANGED

A and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, December 16.

Sir Douglas Hai ff reports:We completely repulsed a local attack eastward of BuHecourt. We made a successful raid northward of Bullecoiirt. Local fighting in the neighbourhood of Poldershoek Chateau caused no change in tlho situation thereabouts. There is considerable artillery activity in tho neighbourhood

of Hardcourt and Flesouieres, between Gavrelle and Lens and at Passchendaelo.

ENEMY ATTACK FAILS. (Received December 17, 10.35 p.m.) LONDON, December 17. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—We drove off an attack west oi : Villors Guislain and repulsed a bombing attack north ,of La Vacqucrie. Wo slightly improved our position east of Avion and repulsed a raid south of Armentieres. There was mutual artillery adtivi'.|y south of the Scarpe and increased hostile artillery fi.ro north of Langemarck.

ENEMY CLAIMS.

A. and N.Z. Cab'c Association and Eeutor,

(Receivod December 17, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 16. A wireless German official message says:—Wo advanced our lines to tho park at Poelderhook Chateau. English attacks at Mouchy and Bullecourt failed.

AN AMERICAN VIEW. EFFECT OF BRITISH AIR RAIDS. (Received Deoember 17, 11.55 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 17. Mr Newton D. Baker in a communique referring to the German concentrations on tho west front declares that tho enemy gains are of no permanent strategic advantage No element in tho situation shows that tho western initiative is passing to tho Germans. Germany realises tho danger of her waning influence in the east, following the British victory in Palestine, and is more anxious than ever to conclude, a speedy peace before tho war map is less favourable. The British air raids have concretely brought the war to tho German people, whose discontent is heightened.

WITH THE FRENCH

ATTACK REPULSED. A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Reutor. LONDON. December 16. A French communique says:—• A German attack was repulsed in Chaumo Wood.

\ and N.Z. Cable Association and ReutM(Recoived December 17, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, December 1(3.

A French communique says:—There is fairly great reciprocal .artillery activity between the Aisno and the Oise and on the right bank of the Meuse, notably in the scotior Los Chambrettcs.

A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Reutor. (Received December 17, 11.35 p.m.) PARIS, December 17.

A French communique says:—Thero was an intermittent artillery duel on the greater part of the front. The artillery fire was fairly violent in the region north of the Bois des Caurieres.

RETIREMENT OF GENERALS PROPOSED. " The Times " Service.

PARIS. December 16.

M. Clemenceau is immediately retiring generals whoso bodily vigour is unequal to the war strain, even if they have not reached the ago limit.

THE CAILLAUX CASE

EX-PREMIER EXAMINED.

(Received December 17, 7.5 p.m.) PARIS, December 16.

M. Caillaux, examined beforo the Parliamentary Committee, protested that ho was entirely innocent of the charges preferred against him. He admitted that ho had been in company with certain persons like Cavallini, who came to a bad end.