Page
THE WAR.
FURTHER FIGHTING AT
VERDUN.
TERRIBLE GERMAN:
LOSSES.
ITALIANS ON THE OFFENSIVE,
PORTUGAL AND
GERMANY.
GERMAN INFLUENCE IN MEXICAN
DEALING
REBELLION.
WITH
FRANCO BELGIAN FRONT.
{TEZOJOM REVIER'S AGENCE:]: MORE LIVELY EIGHTING BEFORE VERDUN. REPEATED GERMAN ATTACKS AT |
VAUX.
PARIS, March 11th.
·5.30 p...
To-day's communiqué says:-Northward of the Aismo, after several hours' bom- bardment, the enemy debouched from Ville au Bois and attacked our salient at Bois de Buite. After sively fighting we ejected the cuuny from a portion of the wood which he had succeeded in pocupying.
FREIGHTS.
NAVAL ACTIVITIES.
frH2OUGH REUTER'S' AUERGY.!
NORWEGIAN BARQUE
TORPEDOED,
AMERICANS ABOARD,
WASHINGTON, March 11th,
The American Consul at Havre reports that seven Americans have been rescued from the Norwegian barque Sitius, which was torpedoed without warning on the 9th inst.
AMERICA TAKES SERIOUS VIEW.
WASHINGTON, March 12th. State Department officials view the attack on the Siltus seriously, and await
If the barque was
Westward of the Meuse the Germans made strong sight attack on our trenches full Cnformation. on the Bettrincourt (1. Bethincourt) and torpedoed as described, the act will bo Chattaucourt road. An immediate counter-regarded as contrary to the assuranceS attack gave us complete possession of a important communication trench whion the Germans had penetrated.
East of the Meuse, between the village of Yaux and Fort de Vaux Ridge, there was a heavy bombardment right through the night. There were repeated infantry attacks on the ruined village. The enemy. captured, spons of the houses in the eastern. portion, but we still hold the westorn por. tion, against which all his efforts failed.
As the result of several attacks on the Fort de Vaux Ridge the enemy made some progress on the slopes, but our fire broke
all his efforts to reach the entanglements
in front of the fort.
received from Austris and Germany.
FRENCH LINER SUNK.
Haves, March 12th.
THE BONGKONG DAILY PREMA MONDAY, MAROH 1Sra. Wis.
[THEOUGH REVIER'S AGENCY.]
PORTUGAL AND GERMANY.
SIGNIFICANCE OF DECLARATION
OF WAR,
LONDON, March 12, The papers emphasize the significanes of Germany's declaration of war against Portugal, and its bearing on East Africa, where the Germans are now completely hemmed in.
Lasson, March 12th. It is expected that the Government will make a statement to Parliament regording Portuguese relations with Germany, and Then collectively resign.
The German Minister and the staff of the Legation have gone to Madrid.
Reuter learns that Germany's action is purely provocative, as Portugal was legally entitled to requisition ships which, were so long immobilised. Moreover, Por tugal's action does not violate the Com. mercial Treaty as the vessels were not in transit-
Congress, on the motion of the Premier, have agreed to form a National Ministry. THE MEXICAN REBELLION,
A GERMAN STREAK.
New York, March 12th. It is expected that General Funston will command en expedition to Mexico consist- ing of 5,000 men,
The Government will act cautiously, as it is believed that Viln's defiance of the United States has been prompted by the German, and that Mexico, in the event of hostilities, will become the meriting ground for belligose American-Germans,
AN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE,
WASHINGTON, March 19th.
ETHROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
DEALING WITH FREIGHTS.
ALLIED OENTRALISATION
OFFICE
PABIS, March 12th. In the Chamber, this Minister of Marine announced that the question of freights was on the road to a settlement by France, Great Britain and Italy, which were con sidering the establishment of an offipo for the centralisation of the freight require ments of the Allies,
** NELLORE " AGAIN AFIRE.
LONDON, March 19th. The fire on the Nellore has re-appeared in number two hold. The vessel is still discharging:
NEW UNDER-SECRETARY
FOR COLONIES.
LONDON, March 11th. Sir George Vandelen Fiddes, K.C. M.G., C.B., C.M.G., has been appointed Per mancnt Under-Secretary of State for the
Colonics.
[Siz George Fickles has been Assistant Undur- Secretary of State for the Colouiza sinso 1909.)
ARMY APPOINTMENT.
LONDON, March 12th. Licut-Colonel Sir Percy Sykes has been gazelted temporary Brigadier General.
NEW PRIVY COUNCILLOR.
LONDON, March 12th.
The Hon. Mr. Hughes, Premier of Aus- tralia, has been made a Privy Councillor, [Telegrams received on Saturday, and published in an "Extra" on Sunday, will be found on page 6.)
PEKING NOTES.
[FROM OUR OWN CORESSPONDENT].
GERMAN FLEET'S GALLER PLAY.
STEAMS INSIDE OWN MINES, BUT AFRAID TO COME OUTSIDE, An offcind of the British Adiniralty, who arrived at New York on January 13th, with despatches from London, brought news that the German battleship feet left its anchorage in the Kist Canal, where it had been eince the beginning of the war, and mado throu sorties on December 13th, 16th and 17th. The cot did not succeed in finding the British North Sea fleet be- cause they kept along the coast by the mouth of the Elbe and through the Bight of Heligoland, and did not, venture out- side the lines of mines that had been laid down by them,
io-
The British battleships cannot gu sido Heligoland," the official said," be- cause of the mines and submarines and the dan- shoals, which render navigation inside the Bight and along the shore very
gerous.
"
PRKING, March 2nd, THE REVOLUTION. While it has to be conceded that the re- volution in the South has not been confined to its place of origin, but has spread into three other provinces, there seems to be no decline in the confidoncs expressed in the north that the Government will ultimately succeed in suppressing the rising. Long views are entertained, but at the same time one cannot resist the feeling that the authorities are anxious to propitiate rather than to fight the rebels. I have heard it said that the armies which are op posing each other are not too enger to get to close quarters. One explanation offered is that when a loyalist army reaches the vicinity of a rebel host the latter dispatches a delegato to treat with the northerners. He is instructed to remind them that they are brothers, and to point out that the revolutionists are fighting for the people of China, while their opponents are fighting for one man, Furthermore, the delegate suggests that as they are bro- thers they should not kill each other if they remain in opposite camps, but firo their rifles in the air during the progress of a battle! Of course, I do not offer this explanation ag official, but it is one which is acorp'ed by many Chinese. Certainly the reports of sanguinary battles," in which three men are killed and ten rifles captured, lend, some colour to this theory. Up to the present the official reports are largely apologetic, recounting how govern." ment troops went out to meet the enemy, fought bravely for gome time against greet odds, and finding themselves outnumbered, retired or had to withdraw to certain posi-out and bring the injured as the tions to wait for reinforcemente. Covera nient victories have undoubtedly been won, but they are not at all substantial, and grent deed, have yet to be achieved before the rebels can be considered as defeated.
with the Government, but their task is greater than when they commenced it.
In explanation of the German maneuvro, the offer said:
The real food plots at Berlin and other cities in Germany early in December and the feeling among the people have growi 20 strong over the British blockade that the naval vessels were forced to leave the Kiel Canal and make a pretence of search. ing for our worships
The White House amounces that an ade CHINESE TELEGRAMS. Needless to say, all the probabilities lie
quate force will be immediately sent to capture Villa, but that they will seru- pulously respect the sovereignty of Mexico.
Carranza has expressed regret at the Columbus outrage.
BANCH RAIDED,
DOUGLAS, March 12th) Two hundred Vilisius raided a ranch The French liner Lou's one has been Osborne Junction, kliling at American and stealing cattle. Six squadron of cavalry are ready to
pureno Villa MR. WINSTONE CHURCHILL. RETURNING TO COMMONS.
sunk.
ITALIAN FRONI,
{THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY. Į
ITALIAN OFFENSIVE COX-
TINUED.
DESPITE SNOWFALLS AND AVALANCHES,
Rome, March 11th.
LONDON, March 19th..
The Daly Express states that Mr. Winstone Churchill has decided to return to the House of Commons, hoping to lead the new opposition.
A communiqud states that snowfalls and | EAST HERTS BYE-ELECTION.
An intense bombardment continues in the avalanches in the mountains, along with district of Eix and Moulainville,
One artillery in Lorraine severely damaged the enemy's works near Ember-
menil. TERRIBLE GERMAN LOSSES CLOSE FORMATIONS MARCH ON ARTILLERY AND MACHINE GUNS,
PARIS, March 12th.
9.00 2,m. A communiqué states:-Left of the Mease the opposing artilleries were less The bombardment on the right active. bank has continued being interse in the region west of Douaumont. It was slower in the remainder of the sector and at Wouvre. The enemy has not attempted an infantry attack on the whole of our front.
A WIEL
Fresh reports confirm the terrible Ger- losses in their fruitless assaults west of Douanmont on Friday. The Germans thrice attacked in column of four, and were mown down by artillery and machine They then retired, leaving the gung. ground covered with corpses,
A French aeroplane in the Deuaumont region brought down a Fokker, which fell
in flames in the German lines.
SATISFACTORY MINING.
PARIS, March 12th.
3.50.8.m.
torrential rains and inundations on the plain. have not prevented the Italians con- tinning their offensive at various pointe, pausing the enemy to send large forces into the trenches, which were then effectively
shelled,
AURBIAN FRONT
(THROUGH HEUTEN ́S AGENCY.]
GREAT ENEMY LOSSES
PETROGRAD, March 11th.
A communiqué states that an attack by considerable enemy forces east of Kostoff, on the Upper Strypa, was repulsed with great enemy losses, GENERAL.
{TBRODOR BEUTER'S LUINCY.)
MORE MARRIED MEN TO BE CALLED UP.
LONDON, March 19th.
It is stated that a Proclamation calling up married men from twenty-seven to thirty-five years of age will be posted on the 17th inst.
NON-COMBATANT CORPS. DEALING WITH CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.
نفسی نشنوم
LONDON, March 12th.
The formation of a Non-combatant Corp is announced, It is opined that this is A communiqué states:-We exploded designed to meet the case of conscientious three wines east of Vermelles with entis | objectors easted through the Tribunals. factory results. The artillery on both They will probably be employed in trench: sides have been active about Abert, Huldigging, as burial parties and in similar: -Inch and Ypres
À SURPRISE RESULT.
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
THE CITIZENS' CONVENTION.
GENERAL FENG.
Much comment is associated with Gen.. PEKING, March 10th. The Bureau that had charge of the erai Feng Kuo Chang, who has asked and been granted sick leave. Some suggest preparations for the Citizens' Convention that he is in sympathy with the rebels and has issued an official notice stating that would gladly relinquish, his post in order „the preparations for the election were proto bo ngurer bis friends, but there are good
oseded with in strict accordance with the law and denying the charge of pre-arrange ment.
RELIEF OF DISTRESS IN SHANSI
A Mandate authorises the appropriation of $50,000 for the relief of the districts of Shansi which suffered from drought and foods and Istor from looting by
bandits REWARDS FOR VICTORIOUS
GENERALS.
Mandate announces Government vio- tories in the South and confers the Order of Merit on Chang Chin-yao and Haiung Hamng sheng,
reasons, apart from loyalty, which should induce Feng to refrain from active asso- These
ciation with the anti-Yuanites. reasons are knowledge of the power of the President and knowledge of the weakness of the gebels.
PARLIAMENT MAKING:
The blockade is going to be drawn tighter than ever now in an endeavour to cut off the enemy's food supply, and wa expect that the Kaiser's fleet will be co- polled to steam out past Heligoland into the North Sea. Then the biggest naval battle in the world's history will take place.
Our North Sea flest in keeping a bright look-out day and night for the Germans to come out. It has other ships with eight. and ten hydro-aeroplanes on board which Aro continuously king cents to take observations of the enemy's fleet.
"The battle for the supremacy of the Bong will come without warning, and may take place at any time. All preparations have been de along the cast coast of England for taking care of the wound d and hospita, ships are waiting ready to gu
The official went on to say that the receit Teutonic subuerfue activity in the Medi terranean would be taken off by the Br tish alone, and that effective protect an would be given to merchant vessels. Tho trouble had been that the guarding of shipping against, submarine attacks had been under a dual control, certain sections
under the French and other portions under the British. This had been all changed, ha added, and the patrolling of the routes from Gibraltar to Alexandria was under the British Admiralty.
The official asserted that it was well known in Paris and London that the large submarines, reported by morchant vessels. in the Mediterranean, were German, be cause Austria had to submarines of such B. Bike;
**THE MEN FROM COOK B.".. The "men from Cook's" have arrived in. Peking. At long last an office of this world famous touring agency is to be opened in the capital, and Mr. Blanch, and Mr. Baker, from your port, who is to be in charge, have come here to make the pro- liminary arrangements. Offices have been socured in the building belonging to the Chinese Eastern Railway in Legation short time wo may expect Street, and in to have in our midst a much-needed travel bureau.
THE FEKING 'CLUB, Like other cluba in the For East, the Peking Club has boon forced to examine attended annual general meeting agreed its financial future. On Monday the well-
to the monthly subscription being raisl from 37 to $10 per month, the agımple of The Hongkong Club being quoted, but de clined to raise the entrance fee from 950 to $100, as invited by Mr. Lenox Simpson. OLD TIMES,
May Day will be celebrated in China with the inauguration of a Parliament. The electoral machinery for the election of the Citizens" Convention is (happy thought !) to be utilised for the election of the LA Fa Yuan. This idea was embodied in a dispatch sont from the Government 1ast Friday to the Tsan Chen Yuan, which met the following day under the presidency of Prince Pu Lun and difcused the Bill framed to accomplish the proposed change
To find that an old ordinary bicycle was in a constitutional isauner. Notwithstand in use would cause something of a shock ing its importance, it was deliberated upon in an English town, but what must be and passed within half-an-hour-a proced-
the feeling to discover a Chinees riding ing which shows that the talkoo-talkoo such a vehicle through the principal street of the capital of China, as was the case this business can on occasions be dispensed week? Foreigners rubbel their gym and with. Not only was the Bill passed, but wondered if they saw aright, but the man, who seemed to be of the mechanic. class, the reply was drafted the same day and for pedalled along the Hatamen in apparent A NEW RAILWAY.
warded to the Chen Shih Tang, which | composure, while all the Chince riding The completion of the Changsha-Yu- issued a dispatch next day announcing safety bicycles looked behind them and says that as Mr. Billing is an Independent chow railway is to be accelerated for mili- that the first day of May had been selected grinned with great joy,
Fong Yukiang, the victorious General at Suifu is made a Baron and the rewards for the troops have been authorised
Thai Ao's property in Human has been
LONDON, March 18th. The papers agree that Mr. Pemberton Billing's election as an Independent can. didste for East Herts is most surprising. The Daily Mail, which supported his candidature, declares that the Government Whips aro perturbed at the result, which | confested, shows that "the people cannot be per manently chloroformed." The same paper
candidate be will not receive the support
of the Party Whips, but he will find plenty ory requirements. It will be opened in of support from both the Unionist and
Liberal War Committees,
The Daily News regards Mr. Billing's return with disquietude, as showing that the battle with the liquor interests is in no-vise ended. It says that the publicans voted solidly against the Coalition, candi. date
ITALIAN POLITICS,
DISSATISFACTION WITH PREMIER
LONDON, March 12th,
a fortnight.
being explained that the inaugural session for the convocation of the Là Fa. Yuan, it
was exceptional and that, ordinarity, the Li Fa Yuan would assemble in September and sit till the end of the year. Thus we seg the beginnings of that long-promised wider popular participation in the govern The Way Office issued the following ment of the country.- communication last month;-
SINGLE MEN AND COMPULSION.
GROUP SYSTEM TO END..
THE LONG WINTER. With regard to the Military Service Act, it should be realised that the groups
Though the arows have commenced build- for single men under the Derbyscheme ing their nests and trees are being pruned, will close on March 2nd, 1910, as after that though there is a suggestion of green and date all such men liable for service aro brought automatically into the Army Resuspicion of blossom here and there, it is difficult to realise that spring has officially serve by the operation of the Act
Men coming under the Act will be clasii- come.. King Frost has not yet relaxed his hed ecording to age in classes, an thy fey grip, and the cold north winds are attested men were in groups, mencing on March 3rd, classes will be searching and nncomfortable Yet, while called up corresponding with the groups complaining of the cold we have to concede that have been called up. The resson for calling them "asses is simply for that the winter has not been so severe as administrative purposes, to avoid coxfait might have been, Infections disease is sion. They are as follows:
A telogram from Milap statos that there is dissatisfaction with Signor Salandra, the Premier, and a desire for a more re presentating Cabinet is growing.
Biguor Bissolati is indicated as the now Year of Premier
Birth
Year of Class Birth, 31885 21884-
Class
་་
:
BCARCITY OF PAPER Last week I commented on the scarcity of news print and the reduced size of local journals. It now trampires that some half-a-dozen papers are feeling the pinch. Bu severely that they have closed down. Paper, which formerly cost $2.70 a ream, now commands 88 a ream, price which is absolutely prohibitive for the legs prosperous newspapers. These properties cannot afford to increase the price of their sheets by one cent, and so they have to go out of business,
GYMKHANA
Sunday's bumblepuppy gymkhana, BI- ranged by the Peking Hunt Club, was very successful in spite of the blesk weather conditions. There was a good attendance, and the entry in the several events was higher than usual, while the sport and the variety were all that could be desired, though the events might have been got through in better time. The opening scurry was remarkable for the success of a new jockey whamam, and seened to know,
Mr. Jucker Hero Count Mattel's pony to victory to the surprise of everybody and rampast, and the cemetery outside the Best to the benefit of the Club, for not a single Gafey where unknown children are buried, ticket was bought on him in the pri mutuel. Mr. Juckes had two other, wins, 13 is said to be overcrowded Fever is par- and will no doubt he watched is future. 14ticularly rife. Though skating is stul ea- There was a tug-of-war on donkeys which 15
joyed, it is felt that the ice may go any proved most amusing; a Victoria Cross race, a donkey race and a camel race. The 17 day. Consequently no more ice hockey is latter evoked roars of laughter. One of the 18 being played. Though'y are turning in-
"ships of the desert when prodded to Intart kon't down on the courtg and left- stead to layn-tennis and golf. The ADB his rider badly in the lurch. The winner. trian marines bare developed an interest in riddon by Mr. Poulsen, an old hand, gal, loped in-s most ungainly fashion, while foo'ball, and may be seen daily kicking a the second camel seemed to be tangoing all
16.
1897.
If he accepts it wEl mean a closer union between Italy and the Allies, and a declara 1893 tion of war against Germany.
1885.
1894
18933 1892
3 1883. 4.
1882 1881
TRENCH MINISTER
189LY
1880. 11870.
INDISPOSED.
1890.
8
1878.
1880.
$1677.
PARIS, March 12th.
1889:
10 1876.
1687.
11 1875
MGellion;Minister of Defence, is ill.
1890.
had about on the Glacis.
the way