Page
THE WAR.
POSITION BEFORE VERDUN,
IMPORTANCE OF MEUSE HEIGHTS.
·RESERVED OCCUPATIONS TO BE MATERIALLY REDUCED
GERMAN IMPORTS AFTER THE WAR.
BRITISH AND RUSSIANS TO LINK UP.
TURKISH CIVILIANS EVACUATING TREBIZOND,
FRANCO-BELGIAN FRONT
[TEROUGE REUTER'S AGENCY.] NO INFANTRY ACTION.
PARIS, March 3rd. The evezing communiqué says:-Thoro has been no further infantry action in the Verdun region. De
GENERAL.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGINOY.} TRADE WAR AFTER PEACE. GERMANY NEVER AGAIN ALLOW. ED TO EXPLOIT BRITAIN,
LONDON, March 1st. At the Guildhall Mr Boner Law said The enemy continued the bombardiment that trade was one of our chief war wea of the zone between Malançour, and
рода. Gormany had plunged the world. Forges, west of the Meuse and east of the into misery, balioving it would pay. We Meuse, particularly the districts of Vaux were united in saying that Germany would Datloup, and our trenches at Fresnes, innover again be allowed to exploit the Em-
Woovre
pire. We must thoroughly examine the Our artillery was very betive along the post-war problems, in conjunction with the whole of the onery front
Dominions, who were as entitled us we POSITION BEFORE VERDUN, were to say what should be the future
policy.
IMPORTANT OF HEIGHTS OF
MEUSE.
PARIS, March 2nd.
Speaking at the meeting of the Associat- ed Chambers of Commerce, Mr. Benar Law The present position before Verdun is announced that there would be an econo that the German advance is momentarily mic Allied Conference in Paris regard checked. The French strongly hold theng trade war after the war.
chosen line of resistance between Poivre and Depaumont Ridges. The French are most hopeful. Two thousand Branden. burgers are surrounded at Douaumont, The real battle is on the heights of the Mouse, which rise rapidly from the river east of Verdun, The engagements in Woevre are of only secondary importance, since the ground there is impracticable owing to the mud, which is unequalled elsewhere on the front. Weevre is absolute- ly commanded by the Meuse heights, and any advance of the Germans in Woevre will bring them more effectively ander the Bre of the French guns,
PARISIANS UNMOVED BY BATTLE.
PARIE March 2nd. The psychology of Paris in the Ence of the momentous battle was remarkable.
There was no outward sign of the nearness of oritica) happenings. The theatres were crowded sa põuel.
BATTLE OF VERDUN, ENEMY CLAIMS 18.800 PRISONERS.
AMSTERDAM, March 1st
GERMAN IMPORTS AFTER WAR.
PROHIBITION CONTEMPLATED.
LONDON, March 2nd. The inner circle of the Cabinet, says the Daily News, is considering the incor- poration in the Budget of an announce ment of the prohibition of German imports after the war, and also the inclusion of provisions to encourage imports from the Dominions and Allies by means of pro ferential duties. A decisión has not yet been reached. The matter will be con- sidered at a conference of the Allies in Paris.
IMPORTANCE OF MAINTEN- ANCE OF TRADE.
BRITAIN'S BURDEN OF SUPPLY.
LONDON, March 1st. During his speech in the Guildhall, at the meeting held to urge national economy, Mr. McKenna laid the greatest emphasis
TAR HONGKONG DAILY PREMA, SATURDAY, MARCH åra. 1914.
(THROUGH REUTER'S- AGINOR.] TEAR'S PREDICTION, BRITISH AND RUSSIANS BOON FIGHTING SIDE BY SIDE.
PETROGRAD, March 1st. The Tsar, thanking the King for the Field-Marshal's Baton, expressed his assurance that the British and the Russians would soon be fighting side by side.
General Sir A. Pagos presentea the Baton, and said it was a token of the King's affection and a tribute to th heroism of the Russian Army:
TUBKS EVACUATING
TREBIZOND.
(THROUGH REUTER'E AGUMOR.J
GERMANY AND HOLLAND. NO SECRET UNDERSTANDING.
THE HAGUE, March 1st. The Foreign Minister, in the Chamber of Deputies, denied that there was any secret understanding between Holland and Germany. Holland had in nowise aban-
doned her liberty of action.
INDIA'S LOYALTY,
GIFTS OF MEN AND MONEY.
LONDON, March 3rd. In the House of Commons, on the Army Supplementary Estimates, Mr. Forster said that they had received from India £6,000,000, including
a most generous con- from the native States.
PETROGRAD, March 2nd. Turkish civilians are evacuating Trebi-tribution zond.
(Cheers.)
Col. Lockwood said that the House was most grateful for the assistance of the Dominions and the native States in the way of men and money,
"TEMPERANCE? SOCIETIES
OF CEYLON, QUESTION IN THE COMMONS,
BULGARIANS COMPLAIN. RUSSOPHIL FEELING GROWING.
LONDON, March 1st. Router's correspondent, at the Hend quarters at Salonika says that duály Bulgarian deserters complain of hard-
ships and lack of food, while the Germans are well-fed and are deauding the country of foodstuffe. Russophil feeling is growing in Bulgaria.: ENLISTMENT
CORRESPONDENCE.
THE NEW LIQUOR DUTIES.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE “HONGKONG DAILY PRESE."] SIR,-In your leading article on the above subject you draw attention to the fact that taxation and the cost of living in this
the same extent as in Great Britain owing Colony have not increased to anything liko
to the war. While this is, no doubt, true, it may be pointed out that in Great Bri tain there has been a great advance in the Barnings of the people to counterbalance it-Yours, etc.,
FAIRPLAY
(The point to which our correspondent draws attention had not escaped us, It increased earnings to which "Fairplay" re- must be borne in mind, however, that the
fers belong almost exclusively to a class which is not represented among the British community in this Colony. It is the work- ing classes, and not the middle classes, who have chiefly benefitted by the condition now prevailing at home, and even they are now called upon to pay income-tax-ED.]
HONGKONG WINE DUTIES.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS."]
BI,May I have the courtesy of your columas to submit a proposition by which the Government can add to their wire revenue appreciably †
LONDON, March 3rd. in the House of Common, Mr. Bonar Law said that he had no information re- garding the resignation of school masters
In the good old days, Vinho Tinto and Irom the Temperance Societies in conse-Vinho Branco (Portuguese table wines) quence of the amendment to the Ceylon AND FRIGHT- Education Code, but he would ask for a
were imported from Portugal and Maenu FULNESS.
report: There was no foundation for the into the Colony in considerable quantities suggestion that the Ceylon Governmen. by theurbers of the Portuguese community desired to discourage temperance Or
A NOTABLE DAY.
LONDON, March 1st
The papers state that a proclamation will be issued in a few days, calling up eight groups of married 2 attesteds." To-day is the last day for voluntary enlist- ment, and it also works the advertised opening of the new submarine frightful- neg."
The papers state that there is little evidence of any widespread desire to attest on the part of the men affected; there were hundreds of recruits in London yes terday, but no rush.
As regards" frightfulness," the new threat is not ridicated, especially as it is not doubted that Germany has been build ing new and more powerful submarines but every confidence is felt in the Navy
The Admiralty appropriately issues a list of forty unarmed British merchantmen and fourteen neutral ships, which have heen submarined without warning during the past year to December 31st, exclusive of undoubted casty of submarining that have been omitted in the absence of actual proof.
RESERVED OCCUPATIONS,
MARRIED MEN TO BE
TRANSFERRED.
LONDON, March 2nd.
Mr. Tennang said every endeavour would be made to transfer married men who were liable to service to reserved occupations in pics of single men. The power reserved
on the inter-dependence of trade and vio¦ to extend the age-limit for solistment was tory. He said wo were different from the not at present considered necessary" Allies in this respect, because the ultimate
LIST TO BE MATERIALLY burden of supply falls on Britain, which
REDUCED. A. Borlia communiqué chains that in the could only bear it if trade was fully main- In the House of Commons Mr. Lloyd whole battle of Verdun the Germans captained. And chocrs, Mr. McKenna de George said the Government intended not tured 16,800 prisoners, 78 gaus, some ofclared that we must never again be depen-only to revise the list of reserved occupa dent on Germany for the things essential tions, but to materially reduce it in order to our trade, and he said the Government to free more men for the Army, were prepared to give assistance to our | A MORATORIUM FOR MARRIED. foreign trade in order to ensure that our bitter enemies shall not have the control they had had in the past,
which were heavy, and 86 machine-guns.
WHAT NEUTRALS THINK
LONDON, March 1st. Telegrams from Scandinavia and Hol land show that the German claims of successes have not arrested the fall in the value of the mark. On the contrary, the depreciation has been accentuated,
HOSTILE AEROPLANE BROUGHT DOWN.
LONDON, March 1st. The Admiralty announces that Flight Sub: Lieutenant Simms to-day attacked and shot down a hostile aeroplane which foll in flames a short distance in front of the Belgian lines. The combat and its re- sult were viewed by Belgian soldiers in the treacher
MAVAL ACTIVITIES.
(THROUGH SWEIKE'S LOKIGT.)
ANOTHER BRITISH STEAMER SUNK
LONDON, March 1st. The British steamer Thornaby has been sunk. All on board were either killed or
rowded.
OPIUM RESTRICTIONS, SAFEGUARDING HOME SUPPLIES..
LONDON, March 1st.
In the House of Commons. replying on behalf of the War Trade Committee to questions regarding the withholding of permits to re-export opium, Mr. Bridge. man said it was not considered that the stocks exceed the necessities of the country The suggestion that inports had been re- stricted in the interest of manufacturers of morphia, was unfounded, and it was not couidered that the policy of safeguarding home supplies would injure the country's trade.
GERMANAGE TS' WORK
RIO DE JANEIno, March 1st, The police have ascertained that two Gerwang caused the explosion - on the steamer Tennyson,
DERBYITES.
LONDON, March 1st. In the House of Commons Mr. Walter Long said the Government was consider ing the question of a Moratorium in regard to the liabilities of the married classes.
ARMED MERCHANTMEN
hostile societies whose real object was the Owing to their comparative cheapros-20 promotion of temperance, but he regretted cents and 35 cents per quart bottle, r called temperance societies had been large to say that the establishment of many sospectively, combined with their refreshing.
ly to propagate views which it was invigorating and health producing quali impossible for any Government to approve.ties, the 200 odd Portuguess families re SIR JOHN NIXON SEES THE
sident here, indulged freely in these beverages KING
LONDON, March 1st, General Sir John Nixon has had an audience with His Majesty the King.
DUTCH EAST INDIES. NEW GOVERNOR-GENERAL ENTERTAINED,
new
CAPETOWN, March 1st.. Count Limburg-Stirum, the Indies, was the principal guest at & lunch Governor-General of the Dutch East
given in his honour by General Louis of the Cabinet, the Hon. Mr. J. X. Merri. Botha, Lord and Lady Buxton, members moo, and Sir T. Smartt, were present.
STRIKE RIOTS IN MADRID.
MADRID, March 1st.
A bakers' strike, owing to the dearners riots, Some arreste have been effecto, of flour, has led to a generaj strike and and a few people wounded. The Mayor has resigned,
AGRICULTURE AND RIVER CONSERVANCY.
MANDATE FROM PEKING.
The following Mandate was issued through the Chongshitang from Peking on
February 22nd: ---
Upon the enactment of the Liquor Ordi. nance, which fixed the duty on still wines at 25 cents per quart bostle, prices of these wines went up a 100 per cent, to 79 cents and 80 cents per bottle, resper tively. To the underpaid Portuguese tho use of their national wines became an ex- pensive luxury and the upshot of it was a heary falling off in consumption, bordər ing on total elemination. The recent ic. crease of the duty from 25 cents to 33 cents tends to aggravate the situation and few indeed will be the Portuguese homes which can indulge in the cap that cheers.
Now it occurs to me that the Govern mont can afford thy Portuguese community. relief, assist in the revival of this trade, increasing their wine revenue at the same“ ime. by revising the duty to a more reasonable level. As matters stand the Government are not tapping a potential source of revenue and are depriving s poor and hardworking community of their national beverages, which are more bene. ficial than harmful to health,
On an ad valorem basis the duty rates are pronouncedly inequitalie, as may be seen from the following figures :-
Cost, Duty, Percentage. Brandy82.50 $1.00 40 per cent. Whisky 8.00 0,68 33 per cent. Tinto...... 0.30 0.33 110 per cent. Trusting that an abler pon than min
question. Yours faith.
A TINTO DRINKER. Hongkong, 3rd March, 1916,
FUNERAL OF GENERAL SAMOYLOFF.
FOUR V.CS. DEEDS THAT SAVED MANY LIVES.
A list of war honours issued recently is headed by the names of three corporals and one private who are awarded, the Victoria Cross for nets of conspicuous bravery. Two of the recipients are Territorial. The list is as follow
No. 1665 CORPE, ALFRED A. BURT, IST HERTS (68).
For must conspicuous bravery at Cuinohy, September 27th, 1915. His company had lined the front trench pro paratory to an attack, when a large minenwerfer bomb fell into the trench. Corporal Burt, who well knew the de structive power of this class of bomb, might oasily have got under cover behind a traverse, but he immediately went for. ward, put his foot the fuse, wrenched it out of the bomb, and threw
on
it over the parapet, thus rendering tho bomb innocuous, His presence of mind and great pluck saved the lives of others in the traverso,
NO. 9730 PTE. JOHN CAFFREY, 2ND YORK
AND LANCS,
For most conspicuous bravery. Nov. 16. 1915, near La Brique. A man of thes West Yorkshire Reginent had been badly wounded, and was lying in the open, unable to move, in full view of, and about 300 to 400 yards from, the enemy's trenches. Corporal Stirk, Royal Army Medical Corps, and Caffrey at once started out to rescue him, but at the first attempt they were driven back by shrap- nel fire. Soon afterwards they started again, under close siping and machine- gun fire, and sucoseded in reaching and bandaging the wounded man, but just Ds Corporal Stirk had lifted him an Private Caffrey's back, he himself was shot in the head. Caffrey put down the wounded man, bandaged Corporal Sticke and helped him back into safety. He then returned and brought in the min of the West Yorkshire Regiment. He had made the journeys across the open under close and accurate fire, and had risked his own life to save others with the utmost coolness and bravery;
NO. 8-107 CORPL, ALFRED DRAKE, TH RIFLE BRIGADE,
For most conspicuous bravery on the night of November 23rd, 1915, near La Brique, France. He was one of a patrol of four which was reconnoitring towards the German lines. The patrol was dis covered when close to the enemy, who opened hoavy. fire with rifles and a machino gun, wounding the officer and one man. The latter was carried back by the last remaining man, Corporal Drake remained with his officer and was last seen kneeling beside him nad ban- daging his wounds regardless of the enemy's fire. Later a rescue party, erawling near the German lines found the officer and corporal, the former un- conscious, but alive and bandaged, Cor poral Drake beside him dead and riddled with bullets. He had given his own life and saved his officer.
NO. 1147 CORPL. SAMUEL MEBKOSHA, 1-6TH WORKS (£.F.),
For most conspicuous bravery near the Yeer on November 10th, 1915 Ho was with a platoon of about 20 non-commis- sioned officers and men, who were hold- ing an isolated trench. During a very heavy bombardment by the enemy Mix of the platoon were killed and seven wound. ed, while all the remainder were more or less buried. When the senior non- commissioned officers had been either killed or wounded Corporal Meekoshi at once took command, sent a runner for assistance, and, in spite of no less than 10 more big shells falling within 20 yards of him, continued to dig out the wounded and buried men in full view of the enemy and at close range from the German trenches. By his promptness and magni- ficent courago and determination he saved at least four lives.
SOME PERTINENT QUESTIONS. CHANCELLOR INTERROGATED IN THE REICHSTAG.
The full text of Herr Liebknecht'e ques- tions asked in the Reichstag on December 20th are given for the first time by the Berne correspondent of the Morning Post:
I
Is the Chanceller aware that during the present war, hundreds of thousands of the Armenian population in the Turkish Em pire, which is our Ally, have been driven. from their homes and butchered?
The development of agriculture is disuredly dependent upon a beneficial servation of the rivers to their courses bo system of waterways. Provided the con-
maintained, not only will water for irriga- tion purposes be always available, but no bursting (of banks) and flooding (of the will follow up this country) need be apprehended. I am fully, working day and night, the interest of the people" claiming my foremost attention. What is constantly and uppermost in my mind is the plan of conservancy with re gard to the waterways near the Capitol, the Huaiho, iu Kiangsu, and Anhui, the West River, in the Two Kuangs, and the Tungting in Hunen, affecting, as it is,
What representations has the Chancellor the life of the people Thus I am resolved
The funeral of General Vladmir Bamoylon made to the Allied Turkish Empire in cart, all works in connection with the who died on Feb. 14th between Japan and order tirs; the necessary stands may be widening and deopening of the waterways; Shanghai on board the Andre Lebon took made to ensure the remainder of the it is only because of limited means that we are obliged to carry out such works at dif- Shanghai. General Samoylof represented treated as human beings and to pravank place at the Bubbling Well Comatory, Armenian population in Turkey being ferent periods,
Some time ago, Hsu Shih-kuang was and after the Russo-Japanese war,
the Russian Army in Japan both before the recurrence of such atrocities? appointed Director-General of Conservancy The funeral was accompanied with
Is the Goverment prepared without Works on Waterways near the Capital, military honours. Inside the chapel was delay to place before the Reichstag and Ton Hasuh-heng was appointed a distinguished attendance of mourners information concerning the condition of the Director-General Works on the West including the members of the Allied Con- population in the foreign territories in River, whilst as regards the conservation sular body, Mr. E. C. Pearce, Chairman German occupation; how this population National Conservancy Bureau has also pre- General Aoki, who represented the Japan and housing accomodation); what is their works in respect of the Huaiho the of the Municipal Council and Lieut. is supplied with provisions (food, clothing pared a detailed plan.
ese Army VATAN
state of health; what is their legal situa Apart from having started work UN The service was conducted by the Roy. tion; how many punishments and assures waterways adjacent to the Capital, al Mr. Eustacbus pastor of the Greek of reprisals have been taken against though the difficulty of raising funds or Orthodox Church in Shanghai, who with them by the German authorities, and of the postponment in concluding a loan has four choristers sang the simple service what nature and on what grounds, to what delayed works in other parts of the coun- The firing party and guard of honor were ions for the Army, and on what principles extent they bave been subjected to requisi- try, yet, with persistent effort and con-supplied by the Shanghai Volunteer Corps stant application, we must ultimately under the command of Major T. E. True this requisitioning was carried out; also, succeed, however great our difficulty may man A Company (British) provided what is the amount of the contributions bs, lat Tan Heegh-hong act in conjung- the firing party, and the guard of honour imposed on this population, especially on tion with Chang Ming-chi in directing was composed of the Maxins, the Engine the Belgians!
IHT carefully all works that should be done iners, "B" Company (British), the Shang- the said province and see to their pro- hai Scottish, and the Japanese and Italian Huaihe and the deepening of the Tung.V.C. turning out. There were also on gress. As to the Conservation of the Companies, 30 men and officers of the
ting, the National Conservancy Bureau parade the Annamites and European mom. and the Ministries concerned are hereby berg of the French Garde Municipals COTTON ESTIMATES.
ordered to consult the civil governors of the said provinces and devise proper. LONDON, March 3rd.methods of procedure. Let deputies be The Civil Service Estimates show the to survey and make maps, At the sam appointed first to make investigations and following reduction in the increase in time funds shall be raised and work start cotton cultivation within the Empire: with the
ed according to the degree of importance,
object of completing 1,000 as compared with 19,000; but in works of importance in these provinces all
Somaliland statistics-ure 80,000
several years hence, when profitable deve lopment of our agricultural passart "pared with 82,000.
be confidently expected.
QUESTION,
PRESIDENT WILSON'S POLICY
@WASHINGTON, March 1st
The armed merchantmen question will be debated in Parliament.
It is expected that, with the e.pport of the Republicans, a vote of confidence in President Wilson will be passed.
THE "BARALONG" CASE.
before the Reichstag without delay in
Is the Government prepared to lay
formation concerning :-
The general and special measuris taken by the German military and civilisa authorities during the war, on the p'es of the state of martial law prevailing, to abolish the right of association and meet- ings and personal freedom (for instance, suppressions of meetings, dissolutions of Rotterdamsche Courant has received from the post, police supervision of telephonic The London correspondent of the Aiegue sociations, violations of the secrety of reliable neutral source confirmation of communication, arreste, houses searched, which the muleteers who gave evidence ions under arrest (cuchot) by the military. the report in the Aftenposten according to etc.), and particularly the number of civi- against the crew of the Karalong theme or police during the war, without legat solves committed the acts complained of by trial, and on what grounds they were so the Germans.
arrested, and for how long.