INTIMATIONS
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, AUGUST 18TH, 1914.
is any truth in the Chinese report we published yesterday that the German Government is prepared to restore, Kiso chow to China, it suggests that Germany: recognises that the place cannot be successfully defended against attack. It was but quite recently, indeed, that n
A. S. WATSON German General was laying bare in the
& CO., LTD.,
ESTABLISHED 73 YEARS,
German press the inadequacy of its fortifications end vigorously advocating scheme for making it a strong naval, base regardless of financial or other con eiderations. It was estimated that up- wards of twenty million pounds sterling would be required to make Kinochow a
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approach that there has ever been to Gibraltar in the Far East was the fortress of Port Arthur while it was in the hands of the Russians. For the gallant forces which captured that stronghold in 1804 the taking of Kinochow is not a task to make them quail. We can well believe that the Japanese, will enter upon this enterprise with more than ordinary satisfaction, for they have not for gotten the part that Germany played, with Russia and France, in compelling her to retrocede to China the Liaotung peniusala after the Japan China war of
WHISKY. 1896. The German seizure of Kiaochow
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[19
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The Daily Press.
HONGKONG, AUGUST 18TH, 1914.
and its environs two years later, as reprisal for the murder of two German missionaries, was certainly not calculate
to lessen the bitterness of the pill, and there is no doubt that the recollection of these incidents has not consed to rankle in the minds of the Japanese. Neverthe less, the announcement that Japan is performing an operation in the war
which British residents in the Far East
had been expecting the British forces in
the Far East to undertake has been received not without surprise, but when we bear in mind the smallness of
the British forces, and that the operations of the ships of the British Squadron must extend from North China probably ro the Caroline Islands and German New. Guinea, Japan could hardly assist her ally better than in the manner proposed. Germany has spent a great deal of money in developing Kiaochow, in the construc- tion of docks and harbour-works, in the development of mines and the construc tion of railways, and the surrender of the place would mean a large monetary loss as well as a fatal blow to Germany's prestige in the East.
We are informed by the Colonial Secretary's office that a telegram has been received by the British Consul at Harbin from the British Consul at St. Petersburg stating that passengers travelling by Siberian route are going on by Finland, Stockholm and Bergen.
Amongst the Japanese exhibits to be sent to the Panama Canal Exhibition at San Francisco are two war-junks, one built 284 years ago, the other about twenty years later. The former is 147 feer in length, 34 feet in width and 11 feet in depth. It was painted red and decorated
with gold-plated metal work and used to be stationed off Shiba, Tokio, to warn the public that const defence must not be neglected.
One of the first decisions come to by the new committee of the Shanghai. Swimming Club after their appointment was that a letter be sent to Hongkong to the effect that, as a result of the war, the proposed visit of a Shanghai team to the Southern port would have to be abandoned. It is clear, says the China Aross, that this was the only thing to do in the circumstances, for, though the mobilisation of various nationalities here does not at all affect swimmers, still, most of them are Volunteers in the Shang- hai Corps, and the presumptive hosts down in the Crown Colony will have morë serious maiters to attend to, their port not being like Shanghai, within the neutral ares,
THE CONFIDENCE TRICK
AN AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE.
JAPAN'S participation in the war is now definitely announced. We pointed out some days ago that Japan automatically comes into the war under the terms of her alliance with Great Britain, for if the the special territorial possessions or interests of either Power in the regions of Eastern Asia or of India are mensced, the Agreement provides that the two Powers shall fully and frankly communicate with each other, and "if by reason of uztpro- voked attack or aggressive action, wherever arising, on the part of any other Power or Powers, either contracting party should be involved in war in
An illustration of the gullibility of defence of its territorial rights or special human nature has just been brought to interests mentioned in the Preamble of
light, says a Melbourne message dated the Agreement, the other contracting July 9th. It appears that on the voyage party will at once come to the assistance round from Sydney of the RM.. of its ally and will conduct the war in Osterley, which left Port Melbourne at 3 o'clock for Colombo and London, a common and make peace in mutual agree passenger, W, who is proceeding from ment with it. It is, therefore, not to Sydney to London, became acquainted with another passenger who said that. be doubted that Japan, in advising "
he, too, was homeward bound,
This Germany to withdraw or disarm all her
man borrowed 18 sovereigns just to pay armed vessels in Japanese and Chinese a debt, and when the steamer arrived on Monday morning, both went into Mel- waters and deliver Kisochow to Japan bourne. The man told W to wait with a view to its eventual restoration to outside a certain building he entered, but China, is acting with the full concurrence failed to return, so W returned to and support of Great Britain. Germany the ship only to find that his friend bad a already been there before and taken his
has till Sunday next to decide whether luggage on shore. W reported the she will accept this advice," or chal-matter to the Police, but up to the hour of the vessel's departure nothing had lenge Japan to take the necessary occurred to lead to the belief that the man steps to enforce its acceptance. If there wanted would be found.
>
THE WAR.
[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.)
JAPAN SENDS AN ULTIMATUM TO
GERMANY.
REQUIRES THE RESTORATION OF KIAOCHOW TO
CHINA.
LONDON, August 17th.
2.45 8.m.
A message from Tokyo states that Japan has sent au Ultimatum to Germany saying that Japan, in order to prevent a disturbance in the Far East, de contemplated by the British Alliance, advises Germany to withdraw from, or disarm all armed vessels in, Japanese
and Chinese waters,
and
deliver Kinochow to Japan with a view to
its eventual restoration to China.
to
Japan requires an answer by noon on August 23rd. If the advice
is not accepted unconditionally, Japan will take the necessary steps to en- force compliance."
THE
LAND OPERATIONS.
FRENCH WIN AN ARTILLERY DUEL.
LONDON, August 16th,
5.p.m.
After an Artillery duel at Dinant, the French drove the Germans
from the town.
AUSTRIANS HARD PRESSED BY RUSSIA.
LONDON, August 16th.
b. pan
The Russian troops compelled the Austrians to evacuate Kielce and
neighbourhood.
RUSSIAN CAVALRY NBARING GERMAN FRONTIER..
LONDON, August 18th.
5 p.m..
The Russian Cavalry is pressing forward to the German frontier.
THE HEAVY LOSSES IN THE AUSTRO SERVIA BATTLE.
LONDON, August 16th.
p.m.
An Austrian official despatch conorms the report of heavy losses on
both sides in the recent engagement between the Austrian and Servian:
forces.
GERMANY'S PRESSING NEED OF HORSES.
LONDON, August 18th..
-6.16 p.m
The Official Press Bureau says that the Germans are greatly
inconvenienced by a scarcity of horses. Thousands have been killed and
captured by the Belgians, and Germany cannot obtain more.
STATE OF SIEGE PROCLAIMED IN BULGARIA,
LONDON, August 10th.
6.15 p.m.
slate of siege has been officially proclaimed in Bulgaria,
A TEMPORARY LULL IN HOSTILITIES.
LONDON, August 17th. 21
The latest telegram from Brussels says that there is no change in the general situation since Saturday evening. The German army does not appear to be in great force before the Belgians, and the Belgian army is not in direct contact with the enemy at any point, and generally there seeins to be a temporary lull-
ANOTHER FRENCH SUCCESS.
LONDON, August 17th..
1a.m.
An official dispatch from Paris states that the French forces drove the German Army Corps from the heights commanding Blamont and
The Cirley-les-Forges back on Saarburg, after a hot engagement Gerrenos suffered serious losses, and & number were taken prisoners.
[Blamont is a French town with a population of about 2,000, 17 miles East of "Luneville, while Cirey-les-Forges is 21 miles East of Luneville with a population of 3,000. Saarburg is the capital of Alsace-Lorraine,]
MORE GERMAN PRISONERS.
LONDON, August 17th,
-3.15. a m..
The French Chasseur Regiment pursued the enemy for several kilometres in the fighting at the Vosges yesterday.
The day before the French took 1,500 Germans prisoners, and also captured several big guns.
GERMANS FATAL FLIGHT.
LONDON, August 17th.
3.15 m
message from Paris states that a number of Germans, when fleeing before the French attack at Dinant, failed to reach the bridge and fell down the steep banks of the Meuse and were drowned.
[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.)
BIG BATTLE PROCEEDING IN SERVIA
LONDON, August 17th.
12.30 p.m.
big battle is proceeding at Shabats, and there are rumours of
a Servian victory, but no official reports are obtainable.
Shabats, or Sabac, is a Servian town and capital of the province of Sabag, situated on the Save, and 37 miles W. by S. of Belgrade. Population. about 9,700.]
ALONG ALSACE LORRAINE.
-LONDON, August 17th:
12.30 p.m.
FRENCH TROOPS ADVANCING
The French troops are advancing all along Alsace Lorraine, and the movement is paticularly rapid towards Stransburg. They have captured many heavy calibre guns, field guns and convoye, including motor lorries.
RUSSIANS ENTER AUSTRIA.
LONDON, August 17th.
12.30 p.m.
The Russians have entered Austria by the upper course of the Bug and the Styr.
The Russians have also taken the offensive against Thorn and
Graudenz
The Germans are hurrying forward largo reserve forces to support. their five Army Corps on this frontier.
(Thorn is the capital of the province of West Prussia. It has a fortress and an old castle. The fortifications are strengthened by seven detached forts. The town is situated on the right bank of the Vistula. Graudenz is in the same province and is also situated on the right bank of the Vistula. The fortress erected here by Frederick the Great is now razed, Graudenz has steamboat communication with Danzig-]
FRENCH CAVALRY SUCCESS.
LONDON, August 17th.
12.30 p.m.
The French success at Dioant was followed by the French cavalry repulsing the German army on the right bank of the Mouse.
GENERAL INFORMATION.
AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR LEAVES LONDON.
LONDON, August 17th.
11.
The Austrian Ambassador has left London, and is returning
Austria from Falmouth by sea.
KAISER AND HEADQUARTERS STAFF LEAVE FOR MAINZ.
LONDON, August 17th.
8.5.a.m.
A telegram despatched from Berlin to Berne at 4.30 a.m. announces that the Kaiser left this morning for Mainz with the Headquarters Staff.
JAPAN TO SAFEGUARD AMERICAN INTERESTS
The Japanese Ambassador
every American interest
LONDON, August 17th..
12.30 p.m.
laformed the United States that
will be safecarded.
The United States regards Japan's promise to restore Kiaochow to
China" as satisfactory.
FIELD MARSHAL SIR JOHN FRENCH ARRIVES IN PARIS.
Authentic information reached the Colony yesterday that Field
Marshal Sir John French, Inspector General of the Forces and
Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force, arrived in Paris on the 15th inst, and was loudly cheered by the populace. He had a long interview with President Poincaré and the Minister of War.
NAVAL NEWS.
FRENCH NAVAL VICTORY AGAINST AUSTRIA.
LONDON, August 17th.
5.10 a.m.
A Servian semi-official statement says that the French Fleet attack-
ed the Austrian Fleet off Budua (in the Adriatic Sea) yesterday morning, Bank two Austrian ironclads, set another on fire, while a fourth went northward. The fight lasted over an hour.
[FROM THE "CHUNG NGOI SAN PO.")
CHINA AND THE WAR.
BRITISH RESIDENTS AT TIENTSIN ORGANISING VOLUNTEER CORPS.
PEKING, August 17th..
A conference has been held in Holland, headed by American representatives, at which the question of mediation in regard to the Powers engaged in the war was discussed.
Wong Chung-wei will be appointed advisor in regard to China's neutrality.⠀⠀
The British residents at Tientsin are organising a volunteer corps for the protection of the Colony.”
A reply has been received from the British and French Govern- ments to the effect that Chinese residents will be escorted from the war
The reported capture of the S.S. Shingking by a German vessel iz
untrue.
The steamship, companies here are gradually recovering, and ships are now leaving for northern and southern ports.