Page
THE WAR.
VERDUN UNDECIDED.
CROWN PRINCE'S SACRIFICES WORRY GERMAN STAFF.
ACTIVITY ON BRITISH FRONT,
ITALIANS HEAVILY ATTACKED.
IRELAND STILL UNSETTLED.
FRANCO-BELGIAN FRONT
{THROUGH BEUTHE'S AGENCY.]· FRENCH REGAINING GROUND.
GERMAN ATTACK AT DEADMAN HILL COLLAPSES.
PARIS, May 20th.
5.20 p.m.
The German fary at Verdun has some what abated. The French have resumed their slow but steady progress, regaining ground,
To-day's communiqué says:—The ar tillery duel was still very violent at
Avocourt and at Deadman Hil
A German attack on Deadman Hill utterly collapsed under our curtain of fre
A French counter-attack made ground between Haudromont Wood and Thiau mont Farm. We progressed at night to the northward of the farm by bombing, making numbers of prisoners. STRONG ATTACK AT DOUAU- MONT CRUSHED.
Pants, May 27th. 1.50 m
The evening communiqué says:-Op the left of the Meuse artillery was very active in the region of Avocouri and Hill
304, where our second linea were inter-
mittently bombarded.
The Germans on the right of the Mouso in the afternoon strongly attacked our
trenches on the outskirts of Fort de
THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
FRENCH PROGRESS.
ELEMENTS OF LJEMY TRENCHES CAPTURED.
PARIS, May 28th.
1.09.
▲ communiqué states:-On the left of the Meuse, there has been an artillery and trench weapon duel at Avocourt Wood and the Hill 304 sectors. We cap- tured elements of trenches south-west of Morthomme and took fifty prisoners. A Gerce bombardment has continued in the Handremont and Dounurnout region. Right of the Meuse, we made appreciable progress in communication trenches north-west of Thisumont Farm. There has been great reciprocal artillery activi- ty in Champagne. The German's wing attacked the west of the Navarin rond
and gained a footing in an advanced line, but counter-attacks promptly eject-
ed them
THE BRITISH FRONT.
GERMANS MORE ACTIVE THAN
USUAL
LONDON, May 28th, General Sir Douglas Haig, in a com- munique states A hostile patrol was surprised and dispersed last night south-
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS MONDAY, MAY 2ɔra. 1916.
ITALIAN FRONT,
(THROUGH KELTIR'S AUCHOT,]
AUSTRIANS ATTACK IN
MAUSKS.
∙ITALIANS EVACUATE ADVANCED
POSITION.
Roun, May 27th.
A communique stysThe enemy is persisting in his impetuous attacks be tween the Adige and Vallarsa, and was again bloodily defeated. Masses of in fantry who assaulted Conizugna and the Buole as were exterminated. Between Posina and Astico, owing to the intenss enemy artillery fire, the Italians, after repulsing an attack, evacuated an ad vanced position on the right wing The enemy attacked east of Valdassa, and fighting continued with alternating,
trend all day on the 25th,
The enemy on the night of the 24th attacked several times at Monte Civaron, and were repulsed with serious losses.
DASHING ALPINISTS:
INFLICT HEAVY LOSSES.
ROME, May 28th.
A communique states-The situation generally is unchanged. There have been minor chery attacks at various points all of which were repulsed. The Italians
in the Sugana valley on Thursday with-
drew in good order from advanced posi-
tions on to Monte Civaron. Enemy attacks east of Calamento Valley on Friday were stopped by the alpinists who counter-attacked in the most desha manner, inflicting heavy lonica and cap turing numerous prisoners. There was a similer affair in the Montenero
zone, where the enemy momentarily pene. trated our trenches but was promptly ejected.
ENEMY "AIR RAID-
Bo May 27th. Enemy aircraft raided Bari, killing 18 and wounding 20 mostly women and children.
AUGGIANFRONT,
"[THROUGH_RŠUTER'S AGENOT }
east of Laventine, and a high explosive | TURK OFFENSIVE DEFEATED. Douaumont, and were completely rẻ charge for wire-cutting was captured.
WITH CONSIDERABLE ENEMY
paled, with serious lossen.
LOSBES.
Our artillery dispersed German troops changing their position in Chauffour Wood
FRENCH SUCCESS AT CUMIERES,"
SEVERAL GERMAN TRENCHES
·CARRIED.
PARIS, May 27th.
4.55 p.m.
To-day's communiqué says:~Last oven- ing our troops, attacked the village", of Cumieres and the positions west thereof. After a fierce struggle we penetrated the castern part of the village and carried several German trenches north-west of Cumieros. A violent enemy counter- fod to dislodge us from the con-
quered ground
East of Hill 304 our bombors pirogress- ed during the night..
We bombarded enemy trenches south-cast of Neuve Chapelle during the night, and destroyed enemy stores at Brillemont. The enemy, for eighty minutes, heavily bombarded our trenches west of. Fricourt
and also shelled our trenches near Serre. We sprang five mines at Hulluch and Givenchy, The enemy sprang a mino at Hohenzollern and another west of La
Fole The orater of this one was occupi- ed by our troops, Enemy artillery har
been active to day at Suzanne, Ovillers,
Hebuterne, Souchez, Lous, Bois Grenier,
St. Eloi and Ypres. We bombarded enemy trenches west of Lens and south- east of Laventine. We also dipersed working parties east of Maricourt. The Germans recently have been more active than usual, and their expenditure of ammunition is lavish,
A second German attack last evening | CROWN PRINCE'S EXCESSES.
against our positions on the outskirts of Douaumont Fort failed completely.
There was an intense artillery duel
north of Verdun last night,
GUNS AND MINES.
THE BRITISH OPERATIONS.
WORRY TO GERMAN STAFF
LONDON, May 28th. Evidence of the straits to which the German Staff is reduced in order to keep pace with the Crown Prince's incessant demands for men is furnished by a fact revealed in French semi-official com General Sir Douglas Haig, in a communiqué, that two Bavarian Divisions 2018niqué, says :— The activity during the which attacked at Douanmont be- last 24 hours has been almost entirely longed to a Corps withdrawn from the mining and artillery operatione,
LONDON, May 27th.
The enemy exploded a large mine at Fricourt in the night without doing any damage.
Underground operations continued in the Loos salient, where minor explosions Decurred in the night.
British front and, apparently, replaced by five Divisions taken from Germah reserves on the Somme. The object of the- German attacks at Vimy was to mask the departure of the Bavarians.
A semi-official communiqué emphasises There were mutual bombardments at that the result of the desperate move was many points.
most unfortunate. Wave after wave of Bavarian attackers was mewn down, and finally they abandoned the struggle, leav-
We dispersed a working party opposite Serre with a Jong range-gun-to-day.
We raided hostile trenches at Mameting heaps of dead. The semi-official com last night, and maintained our ground In spite of a bombing fight inside the trenches for 25 minutes.
An encounter cecarred north of Ypres salient in no man's land" with a hos tile covering party, which was driven back to the trenches.
saunaque adds:Nevertheless, the battle
of Verdun is far from finished. The enemy will still hurt millions of shells at the French positions The French soldiers have to face a hard trak" but will hold.
fast.
PETROGRAD, May 27th.
A communiqué states-On the western front, we stopped an enemy offensive. On the Mosul front the Turks, supported by Kurds, took the offensive in the direc
* TOROVCH REUTEL B AGENCY.}
PRESIDENT WILSON AND
PEACE
WHAT AMERICA IS PREPARED TO
DO
WASHINGTON, May 28th: / President Wilson delivered an eagerly expected speech to the League to en- foree Peace. He said that the causes of the European war were at present im material. The great nations of the world must reach an agreement on what wa fundamental to their common interests,
[THROUGH REUTER'S" "AGENCY"}
THE IRISH REVOLT.
MILITARY SHOULD HAVE HAD GREATER POWER
LONDON, May 26th. General Friend, giving evidence before the Irish Commission, complained that he should have had greater powers against the Sinn Feiners He emphasised that Lord Wimborne had no control over the Military, while St Matthew Nathan sometimes demurred on the grounds of public policy to steps which witness suggested. General Friend said he still Every people should be entitled to thought the main source of danger was South Ireland. He did not recollects Mr. choose their own sovereignty,
Birrell requesting an increase of troops, although Mr. Birrell wrote suggesting a military demonstration in Dublin. MARTIAL LAW IN IRELAND
| namely --
K
Small States should be entitled to en-
joy the same respect for their sovereignty and integrity is great States.
The world was entitled to be freed from every disturbance of the peace originat ing in aggression.
He said that the United States was willing to become, the partner of any association of nations formed to realise these objects and to secure then against violation.
President Wilson added that the rights and property of the United States and been profoundly affected by the war, and the longer the war lasted the more deeply.
and when it did end they would be as would they be enncerned. It should end.
much concerned as the warring nations that peace should be permanent. "If it will ever be our privilege to suggest or initiate a movement for peace among the warring nations, I am sure that the eople of the United states will wish the Government to move on the following
lines
A settlement between the belligerents regarding their own immediate inter ests: we have nothing material to ask for ourselves, and are in nowise parties to the quarrel
An universal association of nations to maintain in iolate the security of the highway of the peas for common
De and unkindered use by all nationa of
the world.
To prevent any war being begun, either contrary to treaties or without warning, without full submission of the causes to the opinion of the world. This would be a virtual guarantee of territorial integrity and politica! in dependence.
་ :,, "
LONDON May 27th.
~ A Proclamation issued in Dublin says that whereas disaffection and unrest still prevail in parts of Ireland, martial law will be continued throughout Ireland until further notice..
PRESSING MUNITIONS OUTPUT MR. LLOYD GEORGE SAYS HOLI DAYS ARE UNTHINKABLE.
LONDON, May 27th.
Mr. Lloyd George, in a conference in
engineering and shipbuilding employers London with representativos of the
on the Clyde and Tyne with reference to holidaya at Whitsuntido, anid, he was most anxious to press the output of war munitions and equipment for the Army and Navy. The fighting was getting hotter and hotter on the British front. and the demand for ammunition was greater and greater. Holidays, therefore, were unthinkable. He thought the facts need only be stated to the workmen for them to respond to the appeal on behalf of their comrades in the trenches,
It was eventually decided to call a conference of the workmen on Monday after which it is hoped that a statement may be made by Mr. Asquith in the Hapse of Commons,
SITUATION IN CHINA. VIEWS OF THE PROVINCES.
The Conference on the situation China was continued at Nanking on the 19th instant. The principal questions discussed were in reference to the finan- cial resources and military strength of the provinces represented; and the de- legates were each asked to declare whether the province he or they repre sented was in favour of peace or war
The following is a summary of what the delegates of the provinces said on that day
(1) Kinngs:-Our loyalty to the Co- tral Government is quite sincere, but wo lick strength. Should it be decided to regtime war, the Central Government must send us a full division of troops.
(2) Bonam; We may spare one Bri- gade of troops for service outside our province.co
(3) Shenet-Neither able to ronder military assistance to any neighbouring province, nor have we over suficient
financial resource.
(4) Shunting: Regarding our mili tary strength, it is already taxed to its fullest extent owing to diplomatic com plications; even when the latter are settled, we have no surplus force to spare for expeditionary service. Wo require loans to overcome our financial embar rassment even now. We require still more the help of General Ni and General Chang in defending the southern part of our provinec, muR IN ACTOR: |(5) Fengtien-We can despatch 20,000
troops from our province if required.
(6) Jéhal -- We shall follow others in
(7) Kiri: We suggest that the mem all matters suggest that the bers of the dissolved Parliment should be assembled to solve the question of the President. We assure you it is quite vub of the question for the Three Eastern. Provinces (Manchuria) to furnish mili
Power, we can spare 2,000 men and by tary forres, owing to their foreign rela- tions. In case of war with a foreign
rigid economy we can give $100,000
(8) Chakhan-We are utterly depen dent upon the Central Government for help in every way.
| (9) Suiguancheng We are impotent. Our geographical position renders any help we may render too slow to be of
service.
(10) Heilingking: Utterly with nothing to spare
y |(11) ZunanOur military strength can scarcely withstand the onslaught of the present agitation. Let means to re- lieve the situation be at ones devised and adopted.inda
| (12) Hupch We wish to maintain the President's present position and let the Parliament solve the question. We wish you to consider:
(a) How to assemble the Parliament in the quickest timing
(b) How to disband the troops recruit- ed after the revolt of Yunnan.
(e) Can it be possible to prevent inva gion or aggressiveness on the part of others if our troops are recalled to their original stations INS
() As the retreating troops will neces Harily pass Wuchang and Hankow, the deplorable incident of the 1st year of the Republic way again happen, who can guarantee that no such thing shall
EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGN. BRITISH AGAIN ADVANCE
LONDON, May 56th. General Smuts reports that advanced troops occupied, unopposed, Ruivulager,
As regarde our resources, although wo on the Pangani River, and Lembeni ure militarily strong, we can spare no Ngulu, eight miles south cast of Lembeni. men for outside service, inasmuch as the It is reported that there has been & attention of the revolutionists is focussed newal of hostile activity at Kondom Nor have we money in reserve. irangi. The Germans at Ruanda are If absolutely necessary, we can furnish treating before converging Belgians, 4,000 men at three months' notice.
tion of Sirchist. We compelled the ALLIFS SEIZURE OF MAILS holding. Kigali Niansa.
enemy to retreat with considerable losses by a series of bayonetattacks and cavalry charges,
GERMANS PREPARE FOR ATTACK.
ELABORATE PRECAUTIONS."
PernOGRAD, May 28th, risoners state that the Germans are working furiously at strengthening the defences at their rear on the Russian front în anticipation of an attack. They have constructed two railways; one from Mitau to Shavie and the other from
Memel to Muravievo. They have also established a great branch of Krupps at Mitau and are transfroming Libau into a first class naval bass.
AVAL ROTIVITIES:
THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
GERMAN "HIGH SEAS” FLEET.
A NEW COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
LONDON, May 27th, Vice-Admiral Scheer has been appoint- ed to the command of the German High Seas Fleet, in accession to Admirs! Pohl
SUBMARINE. WARFARE.
LONDON, May 27th,
A STRONG PROTEST FROM AMERICA
WASHINGTON, May 27th.
A Note potesting against the Anglo-
French trontment of neutral mails hag been published. It denounces the illegal and arbitrary methods of forcing neutral ships into ports to seize the mails, and complains of the loss of important and irreplaceable documents and frequent delays. “Only a radical change in the Anglo-French policy, restoring to the United States her full rights as a neutral Power, will satisfy this Government
In a general sense the Note is friendly. It admits the difference concerns prac fice not principles, and concedes to the
Allies the right to seize securities, which had hitherto been contested.
THE COTTON WORKERS' DIFPUTE.
LONDON, May 27th At a joint conference of the cotton spinners and employers at Manchester. yesterday the lattor offered a five per cent. advance on condition that the wages remain fixed for two years, and that future changes should only be made at intervals of two years for the next ten years, and should not exceed five per
TARIFF REFORM AND PREFERENCE.
LONDON TRADERS
RECOMMENDATIONS.
LONDON, May 27th, The London Chamber of Commerce Special Committee on trade during and after the war, suggests the speedy adop- tion of a tentative tariff for five years on an ad utorun basis, subject to the subse- quent settlement of the question of a scientific tariff. The report dwells on re- parts of the Empire, and emphasises that ciprocal and perferential trading in all
the Dominions should be free to deter mine their own fiscal relations unles: the while Empire agrees to set together.
SITUATION IN CHINA. TIMES ADVISER RETENTION
OF YUAN
LONDON May 27th, The Times in of opinion that the best chance of the restoration of order in China lies in the retention of President Yuan Shih Kat
GENERAL GALLIENI
FAMOUS FRENCH SOLDIER DEAD.
PARIS, May 27th The death is recorded of General Gal licni, the famous defender of Paris, who was, until recently, Minister of War.
50. (Continued on page 6.),
(13) Fukien-We will support the Central Government and follow the deci sion of the three generals. The question of the President should be deci ed by Parliament
(14) Shanghai-Our position is uni que. We shall look up to General Feng for guidance.N
(15) Chikli We will follow what the three generals may decide. If no trouble exista in Shantung, we may despatch 1,500 troops for outside service.
(16) The delegate from the Minister of Marine: We shall certainly not recog niz anyone as President uulces elected by Parliament. by Part-We will obey orders.
(18) Aube-We wish most earnestly to support toe Central Government.
No definite result was reached, and the Conference was again adjourned.
General Wan, Chief of Staff to General Nye Tee-chung, speaking as delegate. from Anbui said
In order to reach a peaceful solution of the present situation without any deviation from cor laws, we have to re tain our President temporarily in office. This is the only feasible way to-day. Everyone will admit that there is ab solutely no hope to reconcile the North and the South in view of their opposite attitudes. But should we permit the very unsafe theory that we are to change our President when there is no suitable man to take up the post of the Executive Chief to become a fact For it is quite as likely as not that the situation may still remain unsolved after the President has abdicated. Will that boneft or harm our nation? Our only hope lies in our ability to maintain peace. Therefore, we are obliged to change our plan to some extent in order to realize our object...
Now, the south west provinces are not all of one mind. The Two-Kuang can Puo moro represent the Yun kue than tho
Yun kuei can speak for Chekiang Therefore, General Feng's friendly me diation has not found ready acceptaneo by the South. The prolongation of the situation is fatal to the interest of our nation Onen foreigners interiere, our A steamer of about 4,000 tons arrived ation would be in danger of being de, off Batavia on May 14th. On anchoring troyed. Consequently we should seize in the Priok roads she hoisted the Ger this good opportunity to unite ourselves man mercantile fing. The officers appear into a body, and proceed to work towards ed to be GermADA,
the realization of our object, as quickly. The steamer was painted to resemble as possible, The sooner peace in our British India Steam Navigation Com-country is restored, the better will it bet pany's boat and has
has been damaged by for, the nation. We can leave matters of British guare,
De desil to be adjusted nright afterwards. The steamer appears to be a German We will proceed steadfastly and methodi- one which has escaped from shelter at cally and I hope we shall succeed some foreign portuges
(Applause.)
ESCAPED GERMAN STEAMER OFF BATAVIA.
The British steamers Denewood and E rent at one time. The spinners declined DAMAGED BY BRITISH GUNFIRE
Argentino have been sunk. The crews were saved. The Italian sailing ship Australia was also sun c
GENERAL
[THROUGH REUSER'S AGENCY:]
DUTCH TO REMAIN MOBILISED.
the offer the carders and weavers are
considering it.
Failing farther offer, the spinsera will re-issue strike notices next week.
OF THE COMMAND
CANADIANB.
LONDON, May 28the Major-General Sir Julian Byng has The Dutch War Minister has announced, taken over the Command of the Cana then he will not allow any demobilisation. mans, ab, the Front
PARSERDAM
$7th
We bave received the following official message from headquarters, Fort Con- ning, says The Straits Times: