Page
THE WAR.
BATTLE OF VERDUN,
DESPERATE FIGHTING DAY AND NIGHT.
HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES.
MORE RUSSIAN SUCCESSES.
PURSUIT OF DEMORALISED TURKS.
KAISER VISITS HIS CANAL FLEET.
MARRIED MEN TO BE CALLED UP.
FRANCO-BELGIAN FRÙNT,
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
THE BATTLE OF VERDUN.
CROWN PRINCE'S FUTIE EFFORT.
DESPERATE FIGHTING
LONDON, February 27th. It is estimated in Paris that the Crown Prince concentrated half a million men for the renewed attempt to force his war to Vordun, which has been his aim since September 1914. In order to provent a repitition of the Crown Prince's provious blunders the Kaiser appointed the vetoran General Hincselor, ex-Commandant of Metz, who was therefore well acquasited with General Terrain, his adviser. The new attack was based on General 'von Hindouberg's play in Russia,
Two hundred thousand troops were as sembled on a narrow front of seven miles, extending from Brabant-sur-Meuse to. Herbo Bois, The attack was beges in earnest on the 20th and the 21st when the French position were, furiously bombarded. by heavy guns. The German infantry began to advance on Monday evening, but were moun down by the French machine guas, whole units being wiped out. The are days' attack resulted in only a slight advance, and failure to pierce the line at any point. The best proof of its failure is a comparison with the Anglo-Freach advance at Loos, when the German line wag broken on the first day, and thousands of prisoners were captured,
THE HONGRONG DAILY PREAN. MONDAY, FEBRUARY ESTH. 1915
{THROWON BKUTER'S AORNUT,J'
ENEMY'S REPEATED ON- SLAUGHTS.
PARIS, February 26th.
To-day's communiqué saya :--Sovore fight ing continues north of Verdun, where the enemy is still directing his efforts against
the front eastward of the Meuso.
NAVAL ACTIVITIES.
[THROUGH BLUTER'S AGENCIA
THE MORWES" VICTIMS.
CORSAIR COMMANDED BY COUNT DANAU
ITALIAN FRONT
{THEODOR BEDTER'S AGENCY. 1
SNOW HAMPERS OPERATIONS.
Rons, February 27th. A communique states that the operations along the whole front have been hampered
by snowstorms
EVACUATION OF ALBANIA.
Ross, February Mih.
The Serbions and Montenegrins have com- pletely evacuated Albania, although ha- pered by a storm and by the attacks of the enemy, in which the latter lost heavily.
The Austriam began an attack on Durazzo after the Italians and Albanians and successfully evacuated the town
An Austrian communiqué claims that the Austrians are bombarding Durazzo Har- bour, and that Italian warships are re-
TEXERIEFFE, February 27th, The Mergi latest victims were sank between the South American coast and Fernandonaronka, between January 16th and February 2nd. She took the collier Corbidge to the mouth of the Amazon, re- plenished her bunkers and then sank the vesel On the Moene's approach the Flamenco began sending out distress signals, whereupon the Modwe opened fro and sark her, ono member of the crew being drowned and two wounded. The Captains have sent messages to Reuter plying. stating that the Morwe has a nett tonnage of 2.500, that she is armed with six seven inch guns, has two torpedo tubes, and also carrie, a number of mines. The Germans say that the vessel has a speed of seven- teen knots. The crew" numbering 270, are under Count Donau, Seven Germans, with | hand grenades, controlled the Westburn,
which carried 5,000 tons of coal.
It is reported that a British cruiser, which was lying off Santa Cruz when the Westburn arrived, went out in order to When she left the capture the corsair. Westburn had previously passed British
́and French warships..
[Count Donau is well linen to many in Hong The latest information says we are hold-kong, he being in command of the s... Teigtas ing our against repeated onslaughts by the
on the Chius Station before the war.). eneury, inad, regardless of sacrifices,
In the region of Douaumont fighting is
proceeding with particular fierceness. Our advance elements, which were held as an observation line from Ornes to Hennement, Fave been brought nearer to the foot of the Meuse, Hill without an attack by the
enemy.
Our artillery on both banks of the Meuse is replying unceasingly to the German bombardment
1. INTENSE ARTILLERY
ACTIVITY.
PARIS, February 97th.
MADRID, February 27th.
GENERAL.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] RETRENCHMENT IN PUBLIC
SERVICES..
LONDON, February 20th..
THROUGH RIUTER'S (AUKNUY.]
DISTRESS IN HOLLAND.
· HEIGHTENED BY HEAVY
SNOWFALL
AMBTERDAM, February, 25th,
PEKING NOTES.
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT]
PEKING, February 17th A BHOOND CHANCE,
Is this land of topsy-turvey nothing is surprising, and the case of General Pau
A heavy mewfall is augmenting the Ying-chu is just another caso illustrating distress due to the floods, More bouses have the Chinese way of doing things." This Tartar General of Hsua-Yuan has been been swept away at Buiksloot, and only ordered to come to the capital for punish- ten romain:
ment For neglect of duties, which resulted CARDINAL MERCIER LEAVES in the outbreak of brigandage in his dis
ITALY.
Ros, February 25th. Cardinal Mercier has left for Belgium. Ho was 'accorded a very enthusiastic fare- well.
CHINA'S CORONATION
POSTPONED.
PEKING, February 27th.
trict, flo is fortunate, however, to have n friend in court" who is influential enough to be able to secure for the General n very light punishment. It is thought that tuo Government will nominally depriva im of his official title but allow him to continue in office that he may be able to neblevo "row merits to redeem his past demerits."
IN SEARCH OF A MOTHER.
Mr. Hsiung Hsi-ling, who until lately was director general of the National Oil Bureau, suffered in a pecular way at the hande the rebels. He lost his mother.
The enthronement of Yuan Shi-khi hasThe old Indy's home is situated within the been postponed owing to the revolt in Yoo.
TROUBLE AT CHANGSHA.
SHANGHAI, February 25th, The Governor's Palace at Changsha was attacked on Monday. No details are Martial law has been pro-
claimed.
The Committee on the Retrenchment of the Public Servicce recommends a detailed review of the Civil Service, the re-organsa-available. tion of the Circuit and County Court sys- tems, the simplification of the Insurance Act various alterations in the postal and telegraph services, and the temporary sus- pension of old age pensions where the ro cipients are receiving increased wages,
The Committee says that a member of the House of Commose who is serving with the forces does not receive both salaries and Armay pay.
The Festburn was captured when six PATRIOTISM AND PICTURES. days out from Pernambuco.
ITALY AND ARMED
MERCHANTMEN.
THE REPLY.TO AMERICA. «
WASHINGTON, February 27th, Italy has replied to Mr. Lansing's suggestion that balligevents shall disarm merchantmen The reply merely points out that Italian steamers clearing for American ports will give a pledge not to use their armament except in defence,
KAIBER VISITS HIS FLEET.
COPENHAGEN, February 25th.
The Kaiser arrived at Wilhelmshaven on Wednesday morning, inspected various war- ships, and conferred with the Chief of the
LONDON, February 27th. With the cordial approbation of Lord Cromer, Lord Gladstone, Lord George Hamilton, Lord Ampthill, Lord Reus, Lord Charles Beresford; the Earl of Meath, Lord Lamington and many other prominent gentlemen, the British Patrio tio Productions Company have arranged for widespread exhibit at the variety theatres, cinemas and other public places the United Kingdols. France and Americ, and it patriotic lectures, por
slides of Indian Princes and leaders who are helping in the cause of the war. Lord George Hamilton writes that the movement will help to consolidate the
union of Great Britain and India,
MARRIED MEN TO BE CALLED UP.
A VOLUNTEER TRAINING CORPS.
LONDON, February 27th. It is reported that all the attested married men will be called up by July 8th,
The Governmen have decided conditional
North Sea staff. He left the same evening. by to recognise a Volunteer Training Corps,
THIRTY-SIX
organised throughout the country for Home defonce. The liability of eligibles for army ENEMY SHIPS service will not be affected. CAPTURED.
LONDON, February 27th, The Austro-German ships: captured in
A communiqué states.-North of Verdua there has been a heavy snowfall all day, The activity of artillery on both sides has continued in a most intense manner along the whole front, especially east of the Meuse, where the fighting has not dimi. nished in desperation. There were several Germen attacks with great effectives and with unprocendented violenço on Poivre Hill. They were unsuccessful. Another attack on Layouche Wood was also stopped. There has been no infantry action west of the Meuse. We attacked and captured an the Tagus number thirty-six. The German enemy salient south of Otemarienpy, in ship Hochenfeldt (Hochfeld) escaped Champagne, taking 300 prisoners.
from Madeira on Tuesday night..
WILSON LINER SUNK.. LON ON, February 28th. The Wilson liner Vide has been sunk Part of the crow were saved,
We
UNCEASING BOMBARDMENT. also affectively Lombarded enemy works in
PARIS February 27th.
Argonne. There was an artillery duel in the Fecht Valley, in the Vongos, À communiqué states.-North of Verdun
GREAT DYNASTIC MOVEMENT, an increasing bombardment continues east
LONDON, February 27th. and west of the Meuse, the French reply."
The French daily review of the German ing to all the attacks by vigomon, counter. attacks. All the fresh attacks by the offensive at Verdam states that it is ap- Germans in the region of Champrouvillerarently not only a vast military enter- and Poivre Hill, where we had solidly priso, but a great dynastic movement, established ourselves, were repulsed. A which the Germans have been preparing dosperate struggle is raging around for over two months. They brought up Bourmount Fort, which is an advanced all their 42 centimetre howitzers and sil element of an old defensive organisation of the available Austrian 30 centimetre guns Verdun Fortress. We again reached and and heavy artillery which participated in passed beyond the position which the the invasion of Serbia, besides the Kaiser's Gorzang captured in the morning after best troops, of which seventeen divisjons several fruitleg and most costly assaults, have already been identified. and all the enemy attempts to force us back failed.
A BRITISH COMMUNIQUE
LONDON, February 27th. Our beavy artillery bombarded haugars
General Sir Douglig Haig reports that and depots north-east of St. Mihiel, The Germang sent several heavy 'shells in the oux seroplanes successfully bombed an direction of Luneville and Naney.
Adenmy aerodrome near Lille, and all re jutant Navarre today in the Vordun turned safely. The British artillery have region, on a monoplane, brought down with been active against enemy trenches about a machine-gun two Germans aeroplanes, Ypres, the Comines Cana] and diet of Two Gorman aviators were killed and two Boesingko. wers captured. This is the fifth-machine brought down by Adjutant Navarro.
SATISFACTORY MINING -,
RESULTS.
LONDON, February 28th..
A British communiqué saya:-We sprang
Nina French aeroplanes dropped 144 bombs on Metz and Sabon station, and another squadron bombed establishments at Chamblay, north-west of Pout-a-Mousson, three mines near Loos with satisfactory re- There has been mine fighting in Artois sults.
RUSSIAN DESTROYERS
ACTIVE.
PETROGRAD, February 27th... Rumian destroyers in the Black Sea sank four sailing ships. They also destroyed railway bridges on the Austalian coast. RUSSIAN FRONT."
ITHROUGH REUTERʼN AGENCY.) DEMORALISED TURKS. BIG RUSSIAN CAPTURES...
PETEOGRAD. February 27th:
IN MEMORY OF FALLEN OFFICERS.
LONDON, February 25th.
At a service at St. Mary Abbot Church, Kensington, in memory of British officers of The 5th and 6th Gurkhas who have fallen during the war, there was a large congre gation, including a number of officers and ex-officers of the Indian Army, some of whom had been wounded
NEW NATIONALIST M.P.: BYE ELECTION AT NORTH LOUTH.
LONDON, February 25th. The bye-election at North Louth, necess- itated by the death of the sitting member, Mr. J. Roche, resulted as follows
WHITTY (Nationalist) HAMILL (Independant
alist)
Nationalist majority INQUEST ON JABEZ BALFOUR. A TRIP TO CHINA.
Nation-p
2,299
..1,810
489
LONDON, February 27th. At the inquest on Jabez Balfour, who was found dead in an express train at Newport on Wednesday morning, a son stated that the deceased went to the East last August
(Continued on page 6.)
SHAMEEN MUNICIPAL
COUNCIL.
district of Hunan, which has recently been over-run by the rebels, and she was not heard of after the raid. Mr. Hsiung tele graphed to his home in Yuechow, but did not receive any reply to his messages, sa. with filial piety, he obtained permission Leave Peking and set out in search of his mother. Fortunately the story has a happy
nding. The lady was found,
AMERICAN PHILANTHROPY. Mrs. Howard Gould, an American lady who is interested in Chinn, has just left the capital after spending some time mak- ing plans for the establishment of a school on the Montessori system here. While in Peking a entertained representatives of various social and educational organisa tions to dinner with the assistance of Mr. Ching Chun chuan, of the Metropolitan Police. Mrs Gou'd was much impressed At a committee meeting held on February returned to America to tell her friends who with the earnestness of Mr. Ching, and has 17th, there were present:-Messrs. A V.prophesied that she would meet with no Hogg, G. O. Kitching, O. Eager, H. assistance but obstructions and squeeze
that there is still some leavón left in China. It is, perhaps, to be regretted that there Staples Smith, and C, H, Shields.
CHARMAN.—Mr. Kitching proposed and so much individual effort and little co Mr. Shields seconded that Mr. A. V. Hogg rdination there would be less likelihood of operation in such work, because with go- be Chairman for 1916, Mr. Hogg proposed friction in these philanthropic enterprises. and Mr. Eager seconded that Mr. H.There is plenty of room for all such workers.
A DIVIDED HOUSE. Staples Smith bo Vice Chairman and Trea
The unprecedented political situation in Orica. The other offices were distrl-Chino is responsible for many ludicrous buted as follows:- Mr. Shields, trees and happenings. Baturday last, 13th February, open spaces; Mr. Eager and Mr. Kitching, the fifth anniversary of the Republic, was celebrated by quite a number of residents roads, drains and sanitation
in the capital The Customs College was closed, as well as a number of official and China is, commercial places of busincas, indeed, a land to conjure with, and to it belongs the honour of having for the first time in the world's history one man fulfill- ing the dual role of Emperor and Presiden at one time.
yurer.
DEFENCE CORPS.-Two forms of enzol ment were received from the Municipal Council, Shanghai, and will be sent on to Capt. Hector to report t
NOXIOUS TRADES-A letter from the Medical Officer of Health was read inform ing the Council that he had heard from Dr. Aird, of Hankow, as to what was done in that port in the matter of inspecting hides human hair, bristles, ete, on the
UNSPORTSMANLIKE DEHAVIOUR,
It is unfortunate that when the Chinese
Settlement. After discussion it was left to are beginning to take an interest in and to the Chairman to frame a bye-law and sub-enjoy sport of various kinds, incidents such mit it at the next meeting,
WATERWORKS JETTY Messrs. Little, Adams and Wood are to be asked to furnish an estimate for removing barnacles from and painting the jetty.
SAMPANS-The Chairman stated that the matter of unlicensed sampaus was being taken up vigorously by the Harbour Master.
FIRE BRIGADE A letter was received from the French Council enclosing cheque for $100 being their contribution to the Fire Brigade for 1916
NenSING HOME.—Messrs. Little, Adims and Wood are to be asked to go further into the matter of establishing a nursing home
SHAMEEN AMENITIES, PIGS THAT SQUEAL IN THE NIGHT.
Attention is called in the Gazette to a Shameen 'nuisance as follows-
Cargo boats bound for destinations situ- sted in Shamoon Creek frequently make a practice of attempting to reach those destinations at times when they know there
as were witnessed the other night within the building of the Y.M.C.A. should occur. While a basket-ball match between Ameri- can Marines and a Chinese team was in progress, one of the American players (c. cording to report) lost his temper because the Chinese team seemed to be getting the better of the game. He started playing in a very rough manner, and then struck one. of the Chinese players who had romon strated with him. The Referee brought the "Jack Johnson "7 match to a close and walked off. evidently quite pleseed with himself. As the timid Chinese looks to the foreig er ns his guide in manly sport it is up to the foreigner always to "play the game."
REDUCED PAPERS.
Poking, like other parts of China, is threatened with a paper famino. In this land where, abundance of raw material for the manufacture of paper is to be had, there is not enough produced for home consump tion and imports from abroad bave hitherto supplied the demand. Owing to conditions in Europe the importation has become rò- stricted and prices have consequently in- creased by leaps and bounds to the great benefit of Japanese manufacturers,
before,
THY REVOLT.
The
is not sufficient water to enable them to do effect is seen in Peking in the reduced size 50, with the result that they take the ground of the vernacular papers, which are being off Shareen and there wwait a rise of water, set in smaller type in order to give their blocking the fairway for smaller craft, andders as much value for their money as
It is expected that papers dise of laden with pigs or other noisy cargoes, where will follow suit. constituting themselves a nuisance by the residents of Shamen, especially at night All that can be said of the situation st time. This is quite unnecessary. Therefore, cargo boat owners are hereby warned that on and after March 1st, 1918, any cargo bost found attempting to reach Shameen Creek with insufficient water, and; ia so doing, taking the ground in the vicinity of Shameen, will be detained and the owner heavily fined,
the moment of writing is that it is no worse, Despite a natural inclination to scepticism where Government reports are concerned, tore scens every reason to believe that the Government have really scored a few vic- tories It is certain that Luchow la still in loyalist hands, and that a big battle near Chikiang is imminent between the forces of General Tsao Kan and the redoubtable Tsin Ao as himself. It is interesting to add
viewed by General Aoki the other day,.op- timistically declared that the suppression of the revolt, was only a matter of a few days. This may represent so much "hot air," but, all the same, it shows that Gen- oral Feng is on the right side,
appointment at Nantu, close to the Chinese HONGKONG VOLUNTARY AID that General Feng Kuo Chang, when inter. frontier, but the manager thought that he could not stand the climate, so he returned to England before Christmas,
A communiqué states.-Thirteen thou-in the expectation of taking up a mining aand Turks, 323 guts and vest supplies were captured at Erzerum The pursuit of the demoralised Turks continues. Their rearguards have been thrown back fifty miles west of Erzerum road and Trebizond, FURTHER RUSSIAN SUCCESSES
PETEOOKAD, February 27th.
The Russians have taken Kermanshah: A communiqué states. Our troops 15: the Caucasus have stormed the bown of Laspin, and they continue to pursue the Turk, in the Erzerum and Khayas regions, The Russians in Persia. after dislodging the enemy from mountain positions in the Kermanshah region, occupied the town of
German counter-attacks on o salient we An enemy air raid on our trenches south. Sakhue, taking four guns. The Russians saptured south of St. Jarieapy, in Cham-east of Maricourt was repulsed
south of Teheran entered the town of pagus, were repulsed, the Germans losing There has been mutual artikety activity | Kagban. There has been violent cinneadd-
about Ypres.
log in the Rigs and Drinsk sectors,
340 prisoners
A verdict of death from natural causes”
was returned.
THE REV. R. J. CAMPBELL NEW THEOLOGIAN BECOMES PROTESTANT MINISTER.
LONDON, February 27th, Thy eminent Non Conformi t, the Rev. R. Campbell, was ordained a Deacon of the Church of England at Birmingham.
BLIZZARD IN ENGLAND,
LOWDON, February 27th, There is a blizzard in England.
INCREASE IN PRICE OF SUGAR.
LONDON, February 27th. The Sugar Commission announces-an-in crease of two shillings per hundred weight in the price of sugar.
DETACHMENT
MAY BE CALLED UP FOR SERVICE
A FINANCIAL,
It is notified in the Gazette for general Aid Detachment of the Hongkong and information that the Hongkong Voluntary
We hear a good deal about the finareinl China District. St. John Ambiance stringency in Peking and there are pes. Brigade Overseas, is, until further orders. simists who imagine that the Government liable to be called up for duty is in dire straite. It is well, therefore, to aid of the Nursing Staff of the Military remember that the surplus of last year's Forces of the Colony Mobilization salt revenue is lying in the bank and can Orders are in the hands of Lady May be requisitioned if desired So far, the Commandant of the Detachment.
FOR MARINERS,
A DRIFTING BARGE,
authorities have not drawn upon this. Neither have, they shown any undig haste in accepting the terms of the Anderson. Meyer group, who are negotiating a loan. All this proves that the Government is not in auch a bad way as is reported in certain ciroles. I might add that at the end of It is notified in the Gazette that a lead- January the Salt Gabelle handed over colour painted steel hopper barge mirked 24,000,000: Besides the Government is re- Me has been reported adrift in Latitude deeming the 8 per cent. Military Loan to 27dog. 11 N., Longitude 121deg, 9 E., at 8 the exten of $1,150,000 which, as the pm, on the 19th instant. The bargo consti- Peking Daily News points out, is a moral futes a menace to vessels bound North from and not a legal obligation which might vory
well be postponed if money were tight. Hongkong.