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THE WAR.
FIGHTING ON
BRITISH FRONT.
AMAZING SITUATION IN AMERICA.
PROGRESS OF VERDUN
BATTLE.
ABORTIVE GERMAN ATTACKS ON RUSSIANS.
GENERAL COMPULSION QUESTION.
FRANCO-BELGIAN FRONT.
{THROUGH REUTER’#AUKSOY.] FRENCH LOSSES AT VERDUN.
GERMAN MENDACITY EXPOSED:
Pakis, April 13th,
The Germans claim to have taken a total of 35,876 unwounded prisoners at Verdun between February 21st and April 10th.
This exceeds the total of the French dead and wounded, or ( and) prisoners. The latter does not exceed 17,000.
GERMAN ATTACK PREVENTED
PARIS, April 13th.. 4.00 p.m.
Last night was calm at Verdun, i Today's communiqué says that a Ger msn attack was prepared at dusk'yester- day against Hill 304, but the enemy was. unable to leave his trenches.
NAVAL ACTIVITIES.
(THROUGH BEUTER'S AGENOT.]
MORE SHIPS LOST.
TÄR HONGKONG DAILY PRESK, SATURDAY APRIL 15TH, 2016.
LONDON. April 13th.; The Dutch steamer Colombia has been mined in the Channel, and has arrived at Gravesend.
The Russian sailing ship Imperator has been sunk. Nine men were saved; so of them are injured
[THEOUGH REDTER'A ¿CENUT.) UNIONISTS AND THE COALITION,
MR, BONAR LAW'S AUDIENCE WITH THE KING.
THROUGH REUTER'S JORKUY.] AMERICAN TROOPS ATTACKED
BY A MOB.
LONDON, April 13th. Politicians are speculating whether the audience which Mr. Bonas Law had with
Genera Carranza telegraphs that his the King yesterday morning related to his
troops assisted the Americans to resture position towards the Unionist War Co-order. He appeals in the United Bater mittee, which is awkward, as many
to recognise the dangers of arousin. Unionists are stated to be against the
untives; Government,
The cardinal face of the situation at present is that the Unionist leaders are most desirous to keep the Coalition in being.
AMAZING SITUATION IN AMERICA.
LONDON, April 13th. The amazing situation which has arisen in the United States with regard to the relations between the United Statse and Germany is being emphasised,
Washington correspondents point out that while President Wilson and the Cabinet are most resentful regarding Ger many's conduct they hesitate to break off relations because they know the country is Certain States in the opposed to war,
The Swedish steamer Murjek has been East would support the Cabinet in such a sunk.
step but the attitude of the West is an unknown and a dangerous quantity.
The British steamers Robert Adamson and Angus have been sunk. The crew of the former have been landed.
The Westerners appear to have forgotten the European War. Their papers deveto Dorthings to the Mexican War and only an inch
or so to the Verdun fighting.
A later message says that the steamers Orlock Hood (British) and (Danish), and the barque Inserlyon (Bri. tish) have been sunk. The crew of the Dorthea and twelve of the crew of the Ingerlyon have been picked up:
It appears that the Colombia is a Danish, Our curiain-fire and an enfilading dre from neighbouring batteries on the Gernot a Dutch beat.
man columts assembled at Malancourt Wood appears to have rendered the opera- tion abortive, ENEMY INFANTRY RESTING.
PARIS, April 14th. -1.20 4.25.
The evening communiqué says:-Weat of the Menso there was a continuous bo- barchaent of Hill 304 and of the Murt Home--Camieres front.
There was moderate artillery activity
east of the Meuse and in Woere. There was no infantry action,
The day was quiet along the rest of the frost.
GERMANS ATTACK BRITISH LINES.
TEAR" SHELLS AGAIN USED. LONDON. April 14th.
A British communiqué says:→The enemy on Tuesday night raided our trenches near La Boisselle after a heavy bombardment, largely with tear shells, but he was driven out. We lost a few prisoners.
"THE INTERESTS OF
HUMANITY;".
WASHINGTON, April 14th. President Wilson, addressing a banquet The Turperator has been towed into of Democrats from all parts of the coun try, prayed that the United States might Valencia,
not be drawn into a quarrel not of its own choosing, but he asked if the people were ready to go in where the interests of America were coincident with the interests of humanity, and would have the courage to withdraw where the interests of humanity were concerned? (Cheers, and shouts of Yes.")
TORPEDOING OF “TUBANȚIA
EMBARRASSING INVITATION TO
GERMANY,
19
THE HAGUE. April 14th. The Naval Department, anuances that another of the Tubaaria's boats had been picked up, and was found to contain pieces of the mechanism of a torpedo, one of which is stamped with a number.
The German Government has been asked to assist in establishing the identity of the torpedo. GENERAL.
(THROUGH HAUTEE'S AGENCY:]
RECRUITING CRISIS IN
BRITAIN,
NO GENERAL COMPULSION.
LONDON, April 18th, Member of the House of Commons last night were more optimistic regarding the Recruiting Crisis. :
Although Sir Edward Carson has tabled The onery on Wednesday nigh; thrice attacked and reached our trenches north- his motion in favour of the compulsion of -east of Caruoy, but he was driven back.a man of military age there is a consensus The enemy left a number of dend in our of opinion that the Cabinet will not decide on general compulsion believing that the trenches, à few of our men are missing.
There was some shelling to-day about House of Common, will not pass Bir Boucher. Carency, Hohenzollern Redoubt, Edward Carson's motion if it is pressed
to a division, and St. Eloi. We retaliated.
The enemy to-day exploded a amali mine in the Hohenzollern Redoubt, but caused
damage.
It is expected that the Government will introduce a Bill extending the Military Service Act to all youths attaining the age
There was trench-mortar activity in this of 18 years. Th ́s, and the embodiment of sector and at Arras to-day.
RUBBTAN FRONT
[2HROUGH `REUTER'S AGENCY.] ABORTIVE GERMAN ATTACKS.
PETROGRAD, April 14th.
A communique says:-After artery preparation the Germans attempted trap. proach the Ikskull Bridgehead, but were repulsed.
The Germans west of Lake Narote, ported by artillery, attacked from the village of Mokristsa with small detaca- ments, followed by strong columns. Our artillery dispersed the attacks and the Germans retired to their own trenches.
The Turks in Asia Minor fruitlessly at tempted to regain their lost ground, asing poisonous liquids.
the attested married men, will suffice to met military requirements for many months.
President Wilson, during his address, had been referring to the European War and the Mexican question, without intimat ing any plans in regard to either. GERMAN PLOTS IN AMERICA, BOMB FACTORY ON INTERNED SHIP,
NEW YORK, April 13th. Four Germans have been arrested and charged with conspiring to blow up muni- tion ship.
CHINESE TELEGRAMS. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHINESE LOAN IN AMERICA.
PEKING, April 13th.
A Loan of 20,000,000 gold has been cons
WASHINGTON, April 14th, It is reported that a meb attacked Amre- rican troops passing through Parral, included with the Boston bankers Lee, Chihuahun A fight ensued, and there Higginson & Co., on terms the most fav curable ever undertaken by China. The were many casualties."
bonds will be issued at 63, and will be quoted to the public at 97. CHINESE RAILWAY BONDS.
PERING, April 13th. Chinese Railway Bonds have improved and are melling at 84.
TSAI AO COMMUNICATES WITH CAPITAL.
SEIZED IN MAILS. ENEMY SECURITIES WORTH £9,000,000.
LONDON, April 13th.
The
PERING, April 195. General Tsai Ao, the rebel leader has Sir Edward Grey has stated in the House received permission to telegraph from
of Commons that the face value of caey atcurities stized in mal in trans from Holland to Amer en was approximately £2,000,000. They would be dealt with by the Prize Court in the same way as other Various neutrals had German exports. protested and discussion with them is pro coding.
FLOODS IN MESOPOTAMIA: INCREASING.
LONDON, April 13th. General Laks reports that the weather is very bad. There was a hurricane yes- terday and terrents of rain. The floods on both sides of the Tigris are increasing,
AND SECURITIES MONEY
DECLARED CONTRABAND.
LONDON, April 13th. Gold Siver, Paper-money and Securi- ties have been included in the latest list of absolute contraband. STEEL HELMETS FOR BRITISH TROOPS.
LONDON, April 13th. In the House of Commons Mr. H. J. Tomanat assured the House that the active
uption of hostilities would not find the British troops unprovided with steel Helmets.
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
AFTER WAR. RECONSTRUCTION OF POLICY.
Lucbow to Peking.
The Government point out that Suifu, Luchow, and Nachi are still in the posses sion of the Loyalists.
THE SOLVING OF CHINA'S PROBLEMS.
PERING, Aprij 13th. Foreign belief here is that irrespective of the defection of certain Provinces the Chinese can solve their problems if left alono,
(THROUGE REUTER'S AGENOT.] ANOTHER INDEPENDENT
PROVINCE,
SHANGHAI, April 14t The Governor has officially declared the independence of the Province of Kings, Except the Provincts of Hunan and Fakien, the whole of South China is now against Yuan Shib-ket,
SHIP'S OFFICER SENT TO PRISON.
At the Marine Court yesterday, before Commander C, W. Beckwith, R.N., Frank Linden Hotchin, supernumerary second officer of the Hangong, was charged with absenting himself from the ship without leave on the 8th and 10th inst.
The Master (Captain Spencer Wile) aid that on Sunday, when the ship was moored to the Government busy at Kowloon, he gave the defondent part of his pay.. Shortly after he went ashore, and did not return to his duties until Tuesday morn ing. The defendant way taken before the Harbour Attendang at Singapore on March 3rd this year for the same offence and was cautioned. He had been on the Hangsung about four months.
His worship sent defendant to prison for a fortnight, without option, and severely reprimanded him for his conduct
OPIUM SMUGGLERS" SCAPEGOATS.
WIE LAST POST:"
BY E. HARRIS DEANE]
One of the few places where the com- munal system really exists, is, "appro- priately enough, in France that part of France cficially known as “somewhere."
As far as the receiving of parcels is concerned there are no lonely soldiers in the British Army. It would be quite suffi- vent to address parcels,Anybody Any B.E-F. France," and leave it Regiment, out fairly, to the field postal authorities to share then
The receipt of a parcel when the post comes in is the signal for a chorus of "Matey,” and so many jack knives flashi out to cut the string, and so many tin openers are poised in readiness, that the luck yowner is fortunate if he gets off with a flesh wound.
One night Mac and I were on picket and gured respectively, and as we marched back from inspection Mec was greeted with a hungry howl of " Mn-tee.
1
It was only a small parcel, butt was the only one in that day, so the while of Danb gathered round expectantly. while ravenous members of other subs bung about in the rear, on the offchance of a
stray crumb.
Good egg," said Mac, taking the parcel, is the one I was expecting, And, to the consternation of everybody. he There was a famished groan. Mac, the put it in big pocket. most generous of men, to keep a prrcel to himself!
"What is it, Mac?" inquired roung, 'Ills, seeking a reason for this closeness,
gocks1
His best girl's made in a cholera- belt out of her flannel petticoat." declared Scotty. "and he's afraid to show it.
No kings?" queried Bill. the boy bombardier; who was in charge of the guard,
"Carry on Deansie, you and Mac lake first turn."
The first turn is the one most sought after. Everybody is sitting about in the. horse has, smoking, playing banker, or cock-fighting, which makes cheerful com pany; and the horses, busy at their hay- nets, give no trouble.
And then one's second turn from twelve till two leaves one four undisturbed bours for slumber before reveille,
Mac and I turned in at about ning o'clock leaving a banker school gambling madly for song and owings" by the light of a candle, shielded from observation by an empty oatsack. The arguing and the quarrelling continued for hours after wards, but it is easier to rob a hungry lion of a bose than to snatch his rightful rest frein an old soldier. (I use the term “old oldier in its new sense wo were veterans of six months' service.)
I was awakened about ten minutes past twelve by the angry suntry I was due to rofieye kicking me in the ribs,
Who's the relief) he demanded, in- To listen dignantly --- * it's one o'clock. to you moring, anybody id think you was a ruckly officer."
I got up yawning, and took the rifle he
got up ya
All for one and tuppence a day." 1. sighed. "What's it like, Mael"
74's a beggar," returned Mac cheer- fully, turning up the colar of his coat
Ready, boy?"
**Stat that B door," growled gonebody. The barn which we used as a guard- room, I ought to mention, bad two doors. The one that was shut was presumably. 44 A door,
It wig ng Mae had said, a beggar of a night..
The rain came down in a steady down- pour that soaked through us; it ran up high round our boots. the cuffs of our conts, and sloshed ankle
There's one thing," said Mae, who had a cheerful song that nothing could dampen, "the horses won't be any trouble."
That is the only consolation of a rainy cower together, too dispirited to be rest night in the horse lines; the poor brates
lex.
We walked once through the lines toge ther hasning an incurious and casuai Janter as we passed, and there we sprashed our way to the cook-house,
LONDON, April 13th. Mr. Asquith stated in the House of the Counting that surcommittees of Cabinet are dealing with questions regard. ing the reconstruction of our commercia! and industrial policy likely to arise after the war The Government are communi cating with the Domitions on the most important. aspects of the problem
BRITISH PURCHASES OF JAVA SUGAR,
At the Magistracy yesterday, before Mr.
if we had been fund away from our Chinos werc LONDON, Apr 14th. F. A, Hazeland, three
posts we should both have been cou→ The Time, says that £7,000,000 in yearly charged with being unlawfully in postes artialled, and pessibly shot; but death
scewed sweet on a might like that,
In the cook-house, a nud and rubke Early on April 5th, Police-Sergeant erection about five teet square, we set Treasury Bills have been taken for Dutchsion of 217 tuels of opium,
The heap of fire about lighting & tire. account in payment of the British pur-
Bond was watching a number of spans,
wood piled outside being souden. when he saw one leave the Ceylva Maru.
suptieu the bully-beef tins out of a box, He was about to board it when he saw two and broke that up. bags thrown overboard. The Sergeant got! on beard, and in a bug. between the feet of the first defendant, he found 27 tins of opiu and round bis waist 35 more. large stone was tied to the bag, evidently for the purpose of sioking the stuff, and later dredging it up. The other two men had opium conculed round their waists. Mr. Agassiz, who defended, pleaded. guilty, but said the men were probably only tools of somebody else, the
The names of the men are Becker, Bode, three first Walfert, and Kliest. The named are employees of German steam ship lines. Bode admitted that he was the agent of Yon Papen, and Becker ad-chases of Java sugar and other debts. witted that a bomb factory had been estab lished on an interned German ship. More arrests are expected.
The police say that the funds are sup plied by a wealthy man whose identity has not been disclosed.
THE MEXICAN TROUBLE. AMERICAN TROOPS ASKED TO WITHDRAW.
WASHINGTON, April 14th. The Mexican Government has asked that
AUSTRALIA'S OVERSEAS
CONTINGENT.
Melbourne, April 14,b. It is officially announced that 169,000 troops have embarked in Australia.
BOOT TAMINE THREATENED. CAUSED BY HUGE RUSSIAN ARMY ORDER
LONDON, April 14th
A boot famine in regard to British civilians is threatened owing to a record
A
Ha worship I think they are all inois. Mr. Agassiz-They are not the real offenders, but only the scapegoats.
Inspector Gordon said it was presumed that the drug came from Indo-China,
His worship fined the first $9,000, the
the American troops be withdrawn from Rusian Army order of 8,000,000 pairs, second $4,000 and the third $5,000,
Moxiesa territory, and that the pursuit of General Villa be left to the Mexican Constitutionalist Aray, as the Americaus have fulfill their object in dispersing the bandits.
TENSION IN AMERICA.
WASHINGTON, April 14th. President Wilson has cancelled fris en
PREMIER'S STATEMENTS. Mr. Asquith intimated in the House of Commons that he would make his recruit ing statement on Tuesday. The discussion would take place then or on Wednesday The Premier also promised to make statement on Air questions next week, ingagements in consequence of the tension cluding the resignations of Lord Derby due to Germany's latest reply on the sub- marine question, coupled with Mexico'a and Lard Montagu of Beaulieu-
demand for the withdrawal of the Ameri BUDGET TAXES MODIFIED,
can troops now puraning Vila. LONDON, April 13th. The House of Commons has agreed to amendments of the Finance Bill, relieving from he new tax matches which wer, made before April 5th, and halving the lax on large boxes of watches.
It is officially stated that American troops will not be withdrawn from Mexico at present. The pursuit of Villa and his adherents will be vigorously maintained while
the question is being discussed with Genera Carranzs
employing all the manufacturers in Bri tain for mouths
~WAR SERVICES OF AGA BHAN
LONDON, April 13th. Reviewing the Aga Khan's services in the war, the Times says he has earned the gratitude of the whole Empire for his enthusiastic and practical support of the Allies.
OBITUARY.
LONDON, April 13h.
The death is announced of Richard Harding Day's, the American Lovely and playwright.
The deathu are also annoozed of Lord Curicarde and Major General Jon Vaughan,
"I bring from £40,000 to £80.000 a year into this country," said an exporter of "everything" in applying for the one fit The only other man left in his office. chap feft, with me is an old wooden-legged elenk
Everybody else has left for the war. My son's fighting, my daughter's come into the office as my clerk and if this one man goes it'll be the last straw, gentle men ! ¦ I'm an old man and can't keep going- as I used to when I was five and twenty."
"We'll allow you three months ponement," said the Chairman.
"What's the good of that 1 I asked for total exemption cried the old gentleman, banging the table with hig umbrella.
We
In a little whue we had a fire going, and hacking off a couple of stices of meat from a joint, we set them in a dexey lid over the hire.
Tas fine smoked horribly, and we sat eboking, the tears running down our faces, turning the scorching meat with ou fingers,
We had had no bread for days, and as we could find no biscuits we made our tap. per off the meat alone. It was burnt, and the inside was raw, but it was the nearest approach we had had to a steak since we had left England, and we ate it with relish.
"Harris." said Mac, when we bad wiped I hated to our fingers on our puttees,
be
a hut there wasn't enough of 15 to go round. I got this out to-day."
Diving bis hand in his pocket. he 1o. duced a pocket-flash, He held it dose to the Are for any inspection.
" I said, smacking my lips. **Whisky," "No. Her his voice trembled at- the word, Benedictine"
Heavens, how we gloated over that poor little quartern of Benedictine. We hesitat ed to even wet our lips with it. for fear of robbing each other of his share
As we ripped the liqueur we heard the White cab-whistles blowing in London, post-table-cloths and waiters passed as mea
mirage before out eres,
Our very Woodbines gave forth the frag- frag- rance of a Bock perfectos.
Something, it may have been memory, gripped us by our hearts, and squeezod them until the teary came into our eyes.
We are granting no total exemptions except in very special cases, and yours is not one of those
"Then it's a U.P. with me," declared the applicant sadly. If you only saw this, chap I want to keep I'm sure you'd let him go! He's a poor, nervois, miser able, weak beggar and, if you'll let him stay, danme! I'll go myself in his place! I should stick a long sight more
you my word." Germans than he would any day, I'll give
Bat the tribunal was obdurate.
Harris,' said Mac, with the smoke in his throat, "what a dinner we'll have when we get back
Less than a week later God took one of the best fellows in the word, and left nie
mangled, but alive,
Somehow, now, I feel that I cannot drink Benedictins save on one day in the year.
I suppose, what it is, as we get older,, things begin to disagree with us.--Daily
Chronicle.