M. DELCASSE RESIGNS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3214, 20 October 1915, Page 18

M. DELCASSE RESIGNS.

PARIS, October 13. The resignation of M. Delcasse as Foreign Minister on account of ill-health has been Accepted, and M. Viviani (the Premier) takes his portfolio. Questioned in the Chamber of Deputies, M- Viviani (Premier) said that M. DelEasse, who had previously sent in his resignation, renewed it during his visit to

London on Friday. M. Delcasse did not give illness as his reason. M. Viviani added that a most perfect understanding existed between the French Ministers and the Allies. In the Chamber of Deputies, M. Viviani announced that M. Delcasse resigned on , ' account of ill-health. ' A deputy pointed out that various com- j mittees had warned the Government in

August of the danger of Bulgaria cooperating with the enemy, and the Government must assume the responsibility of M. Delcasse’s policy. M. Yiviani replied that any delay was due to the necessity concerning plans to prevent the weakening of the western front, where the final decision would be given, and also for the co-ordination of plans with

the Allies. He was unable to divulge the details of the plans. A vote of confidence in the Government was carried. GERMANS EXPECT ANOTHER OFFENSIVE. COPENHAGEN, October 14. German correspondents in the Champagne report a severe and continuous artillery duel, foreslladowing the resumption of General Joffre’s offensive. GERMAN REPORT. LONDON, October 14. A Berlin communique states : The English attacks north-east of Vermilks were easily repulsed. The French again lost a portion of the trenches east of Souchez. Repeated attacks south of Tahure failed, several groups of troops breaking down completely. The French lost a portion of their positions on the western slope of Sehratzmanelle. GERMAN TROOP-TRAIN DISASTER. AMSTERDAM, October 14. A German troop-train fell into the canal at Zeebrugge, and 85 men were drowned.