Page
THE
WAR.
MILLION MORE MEN.
WILL CONSCRIPTION BE NEEDED
SUCCESSES IN THE WEST.
RUSSIANS HOLDING THEIR OWN.
AMERICA'S SECOND NOTE TO AUSTRIA.
GERMANY'S NEW
WAR CREDIT.
CHRISTMAS IN THE TRENCHS.
FRANCO-BELGIAN FRONT
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
CHRISTMAS. IN THE TRENCHES.
"PROMISES TO BE MOST
CHEERFUL
LONDON, December 23rd. Routers correspondent at Headquarters in France states that though the weather is depressing, Christmas in the British trenche, promises to be most cheerful. The trenches are quite comfortable when com pared to 1814, and the troops and addition ally conscious of their superiority over the exomy. The authorities have arranged for he distribution of Christmas puddinge to
the entire army.
There will be certainly no amenities, and nothing in the nature of a trues. All the British rank are bidden to remember That war is war, and that the Germans invari ably have a sinister motive in all they do, especially under the guise of friendly sen timeat. The admonition is unanimously and cordially approved in the trenches.
GERMAN FAILURE NEAR YPRES,
SUPERIORITY OF BRITISH BOMBERS.
LONDON, December 22nd. Router's correspondent at Headquar describing the German failure north tare,
east of Ypres on Sunday, says it is clear that the Germans hoped to surprise us. At least, colour la lent to this view by their failure to press the infantry assault. The
attack was made in the early morning, when the least resistance might be expect ed. Soon gas was seen to be coming. Our artillery pumped shrapnel and high ex- plosives into it in order to scatter columns
THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
SUPERIORITY OF FRENCH ARTILLERY.
ENÉMY AMMUNITION DEPOT EXPLODED.
PARIB, December 23rd.
1:36.m.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TRIDAY, DECEMBER AIR 1915.
A communique states: The evening re- ports speak of further successes by the French artillery, which exploded a Ger- man ammunition depot on the heights of the Mouse. The enemy, regained a small portion of the trenches captured yesterday at Hartmanns Weilorkopf which was held by French outposts, captured exceeds 1,300,
The total Germans
BOMBING ENGAGEMENTS NEAR LOOS.
LONDON, December 23dd.
THE BALKANS
(THROUGH BEUTER'S AGENCY.] GRECO-BULGARIAN INCIDENT, THREE HOURS ENGAGEMENT.
ATHENS, December 23rd. Unoficial details of the Koritza, incident state that a Bulgarian detachment sudden ly attanload on the pretext of pursuing a small Serbian force. The Greek guards defended, and after a three hours engage g the Balgare retrated with serious losses. The Government have made repre- sentations to Germany and Bulgaria, and have been assured that the Bulgarian officer responsible will be punished.
ENEMY QUIET,
SALONIKA, December 23rd.
NAVAL ACTIVITIES.
TERCEGH REUTER'S AGENCY.}
COMPULSORY SERVICE?
FURTHER SPEECHES IN THE COMMONS.
LONDON, December 22nd. The deepest interest was manifested in Mr. Asquith's speech The Galleries were crowded. Lord Derby and Lord Fisher wone sosted above the Clock.
Mr. Asquith added to his remarks on
(THROUGH REUTHEʼN - AGENOY.]
MILLION MORE MEN,
NECESSITY FOR ADEQUATE RESERVES.
LONDON, December 23rd.". The House of Commons have agreed to vote an additional million won,
Mr-Tennant, in the course of the dis cussion, said he hoped that the number of young unmarried men who had not yet come forward would be negligible, He the partial withdrawal from Gallipoli believed that the great majority of the that the men from "Anzte, after a country, and a large proportion of the much-needed rent, would proceed to a Members of Parliament were prepared to new theatre. Ho paid a warm tribute to support the Government if it was found General Monro and General Birdwood, and also passing to the Western front,sary to resort to compulsion. Re- ferring to the necessity for adequate to Field Marshal Viscount French and General Sir Douglas Hig. Expressing reserves, Mr. Tennant montioned that the his appreciation of Lord Derby's efforts, stage at the front was fifteen per cent. the Prime Minister spoke of the response from all parts of the Empire as a com mentary on the lethargy of some at home. back seize the oppertu
monthly...
GERMANS DEPRESSED.
Let the base he caid, "and fellow MORE: VORWAERT" COMMENTS.
nity even now,” the example. patriotically, set by the
LONDON, December 23rd.
[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
FURTHER INCREASE OF FREIGHTS PROBABLE.
GOVERNMENT'S HEAVY DEMANDS,
LONDON, December 23rd. The Times thinks that freights may still rule higher if the Governments present heavy demands on the mercantile marine recur. The regular lines are daily refus ing offers of freight, The Times, estimates that the total amount of British shipping now in Government servico is equal to the whole of the German shipping before the
·war, The profits of British owners: nre enormous, though they are less than what neutrals are making. However, the with drawal from Gallopoli should relieve the situation, which is so noule that the Government cannot ignorosit.
CHANGES IN BRITISH
·COMMANDS.
LONDON, December 22u. The War Office announces that General Hamilton in the command at Gallipoli) will succeed General Bir Douglas Haig in the command of the First Army in France.
will
The situation at the front is stationary.great mass of the country
Mr. Asquith said he hoped the Paris The debates in the Reichstag have de The enemy have not yet shown signs of Conference would lead to greater con-pressed the Germans. The Forwaerts em entration of purpose and co-ordination invading Greek territory.
of plans common energy, and effective-phasises that Herr Hefferich has abandon. Monro (who succeeded Sir Ian ed his prospect of war indemnities, and ness. There had been in this war an abundance of errors and miscalculation; says that Germany, even if indemnified, but this had not been confined to our must starve on a great scald for yours. side. The Allies had never wavered for a moment, and now their fighting fores, both of men and material, were every month ampler in quantity and better mobilised and organised for campaign ing,
THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] YASAKA MARU" SUNK.
PORT SAID, December 3rd. The Japanese liner Fusaka Maru kas been gunk.
The passengers and crew were saved. [Further particulars will be found on another page.1
BRITISH SUBMARINE ACTIVITY,
ATHENS, December 22nd.
A British submarine has sunk the Ger man steamer Hers and other craft in the Sea of Marmors.
APPEAL TO NATIONALISTS AND LABOURITES.
After a long succession of speakers arguing for and against Compulsion, Mr. Tennaut said that Mr. Asquith bad indicated that, if certain conditions as regarda recruiting were not fufilled steps taker in the past might have to be substituted by others, and the Govern ment might have to ask for further
powers,
He did not wish to foreshadow what they would be, but the Government should feel that in arking for those powers they had behind them not only the vast ma- jority of the members of the House of Commens, but also of the people outside, He appealed to the Nationalists and the the Government in their efforts to bring the war to the only possible termination conceivable.
RUSSIAN BOMBARDMENT OF Labourites to throw in their lot with
VARNA
ATHENS, December 22nd-
It is learnt from diplomatic sources that Russian squadrons are bombarding Varna (the Bulgarian port on the Black Bea) and that sixteen transports full of troops were in the offing. CREW OF THE "HUNTLEY."
LONDON, December 23dd. The crow of the Huntley, the British steamer which was reported sunk on the 22nd, have been saved with the exception
The Press Bureau publishes a communicativo. é from Hoodquerters, which says: There wers bombing engagements on Tues-THE REAR EAST. day evening about the quarries to the north of Loos. There was considerable onemy fusillado opposite Armentiores, where some mine craters are being dis puted. There was also considerable hostile shelling north of Loos, about Xpros, we retaliating.
(THROUGH PEUTER'S AGENCY.] HEAVY TURKISH LOSSES.
The enemy artillery to day was active in zome places. Our guns retaliated effective. ly. The
determinedly enemy twies attempted to occupy craters opposite Armentieres. Both attacks were repulsed after stubborn bombing contests. The enemy exposed himself freely, and lost heavily.
GERMANS ADMIT IMPORTANT
FRENCH SUCCESS.
AMSTERDAM, December 22nd.
A Berlin communiqué admits the im which might be massed behind it. How-portant French success of the sapture of over the German rush was spent before it the ridge of Hartmanns Weijerkopf and reached the parapet. A deafening artil other positions. The fighting took place in lery dual followed...
driving snow.
PETROGRA", December 23rd.
A communiqué states that the Russiane inflicted every heavy losses on the Turks near Olty, GENERAL
{THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
"A DANGEROUS POLICY." GERMAN'S NEW WAR CREDIT. AMSTERDAM, December 22nd.
The Reichstag has passed the third reading of a War Credit for £500,000, 000 sterling, a number of Socialists voting against it. The Reichstag ad journed until January 11th.
In the course of the debate a statement on behalf of the Socialist Party was read regretting the lack of response to its approaches to the workers of other countries with a view to restoring in Europe the peace so eagerly desired, and declaring it to be the duty of Germans to continue the war, but insisting on the soldiers and the feeding of the poor. protested against plans of conquest,
Herr Edbert said he hoped every chance would be seized for negotiating
When the fag and debris cleared to FRENCH EXTEND POSITIONS. adequate maintenance of the families of
Capacious Craters were sealed near the Ypres Armentieres railway. Like swarme of insects tiny green figures were seen wriggling thither, but they steadily melted before the fusillade of rifle and machine- gun fire without getting closer. Finally the British occupied the craters,"
PARIS, December 22nd
8.20 p.m..
A communiqué states--Yesterday's at tack enabled the French to extend their positions on the slopes cast of HartmannsS Weilerkopf. Twelve hundred Germans
are now prisoners,
RUSSIAN FRONT,
(THROUGH BLUTER'S, AGENCI.]
The correspondent, adds that our bom- bera are increasingly active and daring in this form of warfare, which is frankly distasteful to the enemy. The individual superiority of our men over the steadily RUSSIANS HOLDING THEIR deteriorating enemy is daily becoming more
marked.
ARTILLERY ACTIVITY AT MANY POINTS.
The Prose Bureau announces
LONDON, December 23rd.
that a
OWN
MANY CAPTURES.
PETROGRAD, December 23rd. A communiqué recounting minor en counters between Scouts, and some bomb
peace,
It
Herr Geyer, on behalf of nineken Socialists, said that the German politi- cians who were working for annexaticna were the greatest obstacles to peace nego tiations. Dr. Bethmann-Hollvegg, in his speech of the 9th inst., supported this dangerous policy therefore, Herr Geyer and his comrades refused to vote for the war credits. CAPTIVE BRITONS IN PERSIA.
LONDON, December 23rd. In the House of Commons, Lord Reber Cecil, in reply to Sir E. Cornwall, said it had been decided to leave the question as to how the release of the British ed to the Persian Government. however, would carefully watch any deve- lopments.
SAFEGUARDING EXPORTS
Mr. Runciman said we could only pay for munitions produced abroad by safe guarding our exports. Unless the latter were kept up we would damage the cause of our Allies as much as if we failed to put another million men into the field. It was easy to underestimate Great Britain's War burden. If we had not cleared the German cruisers off the seas the Allies would not have lasted six months. Moreover, where would the Allies be without British credit behind them and British industries maintained in a state of efficiency?
IRELAND'S ATTITUDE-
Twentione Socialists have seceded from their parts, and formed an independent organisation.
AMERICA'S SECOND NOTE
TO AUSTRIA.
WASHINGTON, December 22nd. trin is most brief.
The second United States Noto to Aus- It declares that the admission of the Austrian Admiralty that the liner was torpedoed after she had stopped and while passengers were aboard alone justifies the American domands. It concludes,The continued good rela tions between the two countries depends on the action of Austria."
EXPLOSION IN
GERMAN
MUNITION FACTORY.
300 WOMEN KILLED.
AMSTERDAM, December 22nd. A great explosion occurred as the Muenster munitions works, Westphalia Huge damage was done to the town, and the railways were interrupted.
A later telegram says that 300 women were killed out of the 600 employed at the factory
SWISS PEACE TALK.
BERNE, December 23rd. Replying to Socialisti interpellation suggesting that the Federal Council should offer their good offices for the con- clusion of an armistice, or for paving n way to peace negotiations, M. Hoffman, Sir Edward Carzon said his only eri-head of the Political Department, on be ticism was that the vote cams too late half of the Council, while sympathising and was not large enough. Trade must with the suggestion said that it was fore spare the necessary men. Referring to doomed to failure, and it might be mis Mr. Redmond's speech, he said he did understood. Until both sides favoured not believe that Ireland would hesitate peace outside interference would be pre to join in whatever measures were neces sary to fish the war
The sitting continued through the night.
RECRUITING RESULTS.
TO BE GIVEN AFTER
VACATION,
LONDON, December 23rd.
judigial.
MESOPOTAMIA
CASUALTIES.
LONDON, December 2nd.
General Sir Archibald Murray" succeed General Mouro.
Major-General Sir W. R. Robertson, the now Chief of the Imperial Staff, has been given temporary rank as General, with Major-General R. Whigham as his deputy General
ral Kiggell, Assistant Chief
of the General Staff, becomes Chief of the Staff of General Sir Douglas Haig, Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, in France,
PAY OF INDIAN OFFICER PRISONERS.
LONDON, December 23rd, In the House of Commons, Mr. Cham berlain aid that the Indian Army officers who are prisoners of war receive, after sixty-one days on full Indian pas, British pay and allowances, or Indian Army leave pay, whichever was the greator. It was not considered that any alteration would be required.
[UAYAS GERVICE.}
FRENCH NATIVE ARMY.
PARIS, December 20th. The President of the French Republic yesterday signed a Decres authorising the natives of the French Colonies and Dominions to contract an engagement for 18 years in a Corps of the Army detor- side their Colony. Thie Decree is to be mined by the Secretary of War and out put into force in Indo-China, Mada gascar, Central Africa, Somaliland Coast, New Caledonia and Occania.
[1HROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
KAISER INDISPOSED.
POSTPONES VISIT TO WESTERN FRONT.
AMSTERDAM, December 22nd.
A Berlin official announcement says that the Kaiser has postponed his journey to the Western Front owing to
In the House of Commons, Mr. Chamber.elight inflammation of the cellulartiosno, lain said that the casualties in Mesopo- which confines him to his room0 tamia up to the 18th, where 1,127, includ ing 200 dead, of which number 49 were caused by disease. General Dixon is not at Kut-el-Amora General Townhend yesterday reported that the right had
quiet.
In the House of Commons, Mr. Asquith intimated that information regarding Lord Derby's recruiting scheme results was like ly to be given when the House re assembled.been
Mr. Hodge asked for aggregate figures, in view of the moral effect they would have upon the country and the Allies.
Mr. Asquith said that the suggestion: was tempting, but he wished to avoid any suspicion of giving a misleading staty-
ment.
AUSTRALASIANS AND“ANZAC
WITHDRAWAL,
MELBOURNE, December 22nd. The withdrawal from the "Anzac " zone has not shaken the determination of Australians to see the war through
The Premier, Mr. Hugues, said.Aus tralia will be in the war till victory is
Allies. The evacuation serves to spur final, complete, and overwhelming for the our resolute purpose. de leg te begin
WAR FINANCE. ADVANCES TO BRITISH FIRMS.
LONDON, December 2ärd.
In the House of Commons, Mr. Mo Kenna announced that the Treasury, in the early days of the war, advanced £200,000,000 in the United Kingdom to enable firms to meet their obligations.. Eight two per cent of this had been repaid.
RELEASE OF DE WET.
FAVOURABLE IMPRESSION IN
HOLLAND.
LONDON, December 23rd. The release of De Wet and his followers has caused a favourable impression in Holland, where the British policy of magnanimity is contrasted with German methods.
THE PARLIAMENT BILI
LONDON, December 22nd. The Parliament Bill has been read s third time without a-division MADAME SARAH BERNHARDT,
LONDON, December 22nd, Madame Sarah Bernhardt is reported to be dangerously ill.
AN INVESTITURE.
LONDON, December 23rd. His Majesty the King at Buckingham
FOR SERVICES RENDERED, PENSIONED SUBADAR MAJORS HONOURED.
LONDON, December 3rd. The following pensioned Bubador WELLINGTON, December 22nd. The Premier, Mr. Massey, said "We Majors formerly belonging to the regiments had better face the position, and be done indicated, have been Gazetteer Palace, invested Lieut-Gen, Sir Arthur Captains in recognition of valuable ser- with it, than proceed with an enterprise vices rendered during the war-Gir A Barrett as Knight Commander of the which is commonly believed to be the re- salt of an error of judgment" He de Dhari, formerly 42nd. Regt., Sur Ja, 48th Star of India. precated criticism and ammosity and Hegt., and Kudban Ali Khan, 109th,
ed front to the enemy. urged the necessity of presenting an unit- Regt.
SMUGGLING RUBBER INTO GERMANY,
A
The following have been Gazetted Honorary Lieutenants. Shah Ali Khan, 108th Regt., Bitiramg Bogle, 117th. Regt., and-Him Singh, 14th Regt.
[HAVAS SERVICE.] FRENCH STOCK.
French stock now standa at 63.75,
FOMENTING STRIKES IN CHINESE TELEGRAMS.
AMERICA.
LABOUR LEADER'S TESTIMONY.
NEW YORK, December 22nd. Gompers, President of the Na
POSTHUMOUS TITLES.
LONDON, December 22nd. Elaborate schemes to emuggle rubber into Germany from Americs have been
PERING, December 23rd. revealed. The latest to be discovered was through the seizure in New York of
A mandate confera posthumous titles. 3,500 lbs, of raw rubber, which was about
Chao Ping Hun, formerly Tatuh of to be shipped without a declaration.ional Labor Union, testified before the Chilli, Mirister of the Interior and This had a sequel in the revelation of
Federal Grand Jury that what he had Secretary of State has been
appointed fresh endeavour to send large quantities in the personal luggage of women agents seen in the way of the fomenting of a Duke, and Hau Pao Shan,Tiger travelling to Holland. Confession, made strikes was not only morally wrong but Han, Commander of the Second Army to the Federal authorities show that a exceedingly likely to lead America into at Yangchow has been made an Earl,
TO ABOLISH EUNUCHS. regular procession of women travellers war.
AMERICAN SECURITIES,
PEKING, December 23rd. was to have proceeded to Europe, each
A mandate addressed to Administrative taking a quantity of rubber.
demoralising, and instructs the appoint- ment of lady officials.
A German agent at Rotterdam had, bez to Germany. We
Headquarter's report states that thereings, shows that the Russians are holding subjects captured at Shiraz can be secur-arranged for the forwarding of the rub An invitation to sell or fond American Headquarters abolishes eunuchs as being
has been artillery activity at many points their ground on the Drino frost. The during the last twenty four hours, Bussians likewise had the best of the encounters in western Galicia, capturing principally about Fricourt, on both sides of the La Basses Canal and at Ypres prisoners and quantities Our artillery effectively replied,
ammunition.
DUTCH EDITOR RELEASED.
AMSTERDAM, December 22nd Dr. Schroeder Editor-in-Chief of the Telegrant, has been released.
THE LATE SIR THOMAS JACKSON.
LONDON, December 23rd. Bio Thomas Jackson died suddenly while transacting basines at the Hongkong and Shanghai bank,-
LONDON, December 3rd. securities to the Government is gazetted. The wording of the announcement AD- pears to indicate that the amount at present required is already largely assured by tenders from Insurance and Trust Companies
the
OBITUARY,
PERING, December 23rd. Lady Walsham, widow of a former
The House of Commons haya passed third reading of the Bill anent American Minister has died at Tientsin at the
age of eighty-6.
securities valenca Sanden