FRANCE AND BELGIUM.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144851, 1 December 1915, Page 3

FRANCE AND BELGIUM.

GENERAL JOFFEE. STILL CALM AND CONFIDENT. TIMES AND SYDNEY SUN SERVICES. (Received Dec. 1, 8 ft-m.) LONDON, Nov. 30. General Joffre, interviewed, said the French lines are unbreakable. Germany is weakening herself in extending her tront in her efforts to reach Constantinople, but the axis of tho war is in France, where tho end will be. Germany is aware of this, ond is keeping two-thirds of her strength in France. General Joffre added: "She is strong, but wo shall beat her.” WAR PROSPECTS. FRENCH GENERAL’S SUMMARY. CReceived Dec. 1, 8.10 a.m.) PARIS, Nov. 30. General Gallictti, interviewed, said: ‘Tu September last year when wo repulsed ms olfousive tiro enemy lost tho game. That victory gave mo Allies itio essential lime to enable them to organise effective operations. Caught in a vice the enemy is struggling desperately to free himself. Tno attacks on the Yscr, the offensive against tho Russians, the campaign m tho Balkans are hut the convulsions of the onomy at bay. The enemy’s recent successes were rendered possiole by the treason of Bulgaria, but will not modify tho strategic situation. Being transported to the west, lotransportod to tho cast, and then to the south tho enemy’s armies are exhausting themselves. Tho courage of tho Germans is rapidly deteriorating. “Tho issue must be fatal to the Teutons; nothing but lack of energy on our part can save them. Wo shall have tho necessary energy. Go and travel about Franco; you see everyone unchangeable and they will persevere to the end.” SIR JOHN FEENCH'S REPORT. ARTILLERY ACTIVE. LONDON, Nov. 30. Sir John French reports: A party of our troops on November 25 forced an entrance to tho enemy’s trenches near Goramecourt wood. They bombed several deep dug-outs and then withdrew. Wo sprung a mine in front of Givenchy on the same night and destroyed two enemy galleries, causing considerable casualties. Wo have bombarded various portions of the onomy trenches during the last few days. Tho enemy’s artillery is active oast of Aveley, north-east ol Loos, and east of Neuve Chapelle, Armentiores and Ypres. On the 28th the enemy’s aeroplanes were active. There were fifteen aerial encounters, and one of the Gormans was brought down. One of our pilots fought five aeroplanes in a single night. Wo were successful in bombing attacks against tho Gorman aerodrome at Gits and the ammunition factory at La Chapoletto. Fourteen machines attacked the former, and nineteen the latter, doing considerable damage. All our machines returned safely. A British aeroplane on the 28th destroyed an enemy submarine off Middolkorkc. The submarine was seen to break in half. PARIS. Nov. 30. A communique says:—A lively attack northward of tho labyrinth forced the enemy from tho mine crater which they had occupied since Saturday, with considerable losses. LORD KITCHENER. A VISIT TO PARIS. (Received Dec. 1, 8.30 a.m.) PARIS, Nov. 30. Lord Kitchener had an enthusiastic reception. He had a long conference with M- Briand.