THE WAR.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18ra, 1916.
THE PEACE PROPOSALS.
MORE COMMENTS.
ANOTHER BRITISH WAR CREDIT.
General.
LULL IN FIGHTING.
AN AUSTRIAN SENSATION.
LATEST CABLES.
THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
PEACE OFFERS. THE GERMAN VIEW.
AMSTERDAM, December 18th... General von Hindenburg has telegraph ed Dr. von Bethmann Hollweg congratu lating him on his speech which he had rend with deep emotion and great satis- faction, as it is a great moral demonstra
FRANCE TO SUPPRESS ALCOHOL.
Paris, December 15th. A Bill has been drafted to suppress the consumption of alcohol and its requisi tion for defence purposes.
SAFEGUARDING POTATO
SUPPLY.
LONDON, December 15th, The Food Controllers, at the instance of the Board of Trade, have issited re tion of the strength of Germany. Wegulations safeguarding the 1917 supply soldiers know that at present there is of sed potatoes.
no higher or holier duty than prosecuting victory with the utmost energy, and living and dying for the Kaiser and the father- land."
The Chancellor replied: The deeds of the army on land, and our deeds ou the water, have cleared the way for a magnanimous decision by the Kaiser and
his Allies. If it does not please our enemies to terminate the war to-day, our soldiers will fight to secure for the father land a strong and lasting peace."
GERMAN REJOICINGS,
FLUSHING, Desember 15th. There have been great rejoicings among the German soldiers at the varicua Bel- gian frontür places, they believing that peace was imminent. Their behaviour everywhere was such as to indicate that they were a victorious army.
GERMANY AND LIMITATION OF ARMAMENTS:
WASHINGTON, December Uth. The Gerion Embassy has authorised the statement that it is certain that one of the most important subjects for dis- cussion at the pence conference would be au universal limitation of armaments.
RUSSIA AND PEACE. PROPOSALS SCORNFULLY
DESPISED.
PETROGRAD, December 15th,
A semi-official note scornfully criticises the peace proposals, and declare that all the innumerable sacrifices of the Allies would be nullified by a premature peace, with the enemy exhausted but not ret brought down,
ANOTHER BRITISH WAR CREDIT,
ESTIMATES EXCEEDED.
LONDON, Desember 15th. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar. Las moved & credit rote of £400,000,000%. which, he said, would suthe until Febru ary 24th. The average daily expenditure bad risen to £3,710,000. The total credit rotes for the financial year had been £1,850,000 000, which
WAS
£350,000,000 above the estimate. The increase was main ly due to munitions and loans to the Allies and the Dominions The extent of the
increase in munitions was enormous; it was almost incredible. This was striking proof of the country's vasality. The in- crease under the heading Loans to Allies and the Dominions" amounted to £100,00%, daily. The increase, however, had gone entirely to the Allies, as the Dominions had been able to finance their expendi
able to ture, A
⠀⠀⠀ Mr. Bodar Law emphasised Germany's advantage in the matter of controlling the resources of her Allies, and declared that the Entente Governments had been endeavouring to secure a central control. Mach had been done in this connection in the past six months. He believed that the rapidity of victory depended on the extent to which the resources of the Allies, in men money and munitions, could be thrown into the common cause
The Commons nasnimously adopted the vote of credit.
FALL OF AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT.
GERMAN INFLUENCE.
ZUBICH, December 15th, The fall of the Roerber Cabinet is due to the influence of Germany, who is displeased at M. Koerber's firmness. towarda Hungary, Germany favours a conciliatory Austrian policy in Hungary, with, the object of establishing closer political and economic relations between Austria, Germany and Hungary, M. Spitzmuller, who is forming the new Cabinet, is an ex-employe of the Deutsche hank.
MORE GOVERNMENT
APPOINTMENTS.
Pretymna
LONDON, December 15th. The following additional appointments have been announced.-Parliamentary Secretaries of Munitions: Mr. Worthing lon Evans and Mr. Kellawny of the Admiralty: Dr. Macnamara. Civil Lord of the Admiralty: Mr. Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade: Mr. G. Roberts to the Board of Agriculture: Mr. Winfrey. Parlia mentary Under-Secretary to the War Office: Mr. MacPherson. Financial Secretary to the War Office: Mr. Former Lord Steward of the Household Lord Farquhar Treasurer to the Household: Captain James Craig. Comptroller of the Household: Sir Edwin Cornwall, Captain and Yeoman of the Geard: Lord Suffield, Lords-in-Waiting: Laird Ken you and Viscount Valentia. Parliament ary Secretary to the Air Board: Mr. JL. Baird. Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury: the Hon. Neil Primrose, Lords of the Treasury: Mr. J. F. Hope, Mr. John Walsh and Mr. Pratt.
The other positions are unchanged. MR. HODGE AT WORK. DEALING WITH STRIKERS,
LONDON, December 15th, Mr Hodge has announced that he is dealing in a drastic, manner under the Munitions and Defence of the Resim Acts, with the boiler makers strike at Liverpool. The strike is interfering with work of vital importance, and it arose against the leaders advice over an award in connection with the increased cost of living Mr. Hodge's offer to hear the grievances if work is resumed has been disregarded.
LORD SYDENHAM.
LONDON, December 15th. The rainter's Company have conferred a Freedom on Lord Sydenham in recogni- tion of his great services to the Empire, particularly as Governor of Hombay.
Lord Sydenham, in acknowledging the honour, said he had done his utmost for the Empire for many years in varied capacities, especially in trying to produce organisation for war.
FRANCE ORGANISING
NATIONAL DEFENCE.
PARIS, December 16th. authorising the Government to take, by The Government has introduced & Bill
decree, measures necessary for national defence, especially regarding agriculture, the industrial output, recruiting labour and the sale and distribution of som modities
P. & 0, ANNUAL MEETING.
INCREASED PASSENGER RATES.
LONDON, December 16th
Presiding over the P. & O, annual meeting, Lord Inchcape foreshadowed an incrents in passenger rated next year. - He paid a tribute to the Captain and crew of tly drabia for safely transferring 780 persons to the boats in fifteen minutes. The Company had received hundreds of lettera from passengers expressing appre- ciation of their rescue and the arrange ments made for their comfort, on which tho company spent £10,000. The P & O, capital wae now seven and half millions. The financial situation had beon most closely investigated, and the result was quite reassuring. He hinted that the deferred dividend would be reduced. Referring to submarining, Lord Inchcapo said that if all the storice word true, submarines were constantly sunk and he was confident that the Navy would overcome the momentary difficulties,
DANISH WEST INDIES.
COPENHAGEN, December 15th.
A plebiscite on the sale of the Denisb West Indies has resulted in 281,604 votes in favour and 187,506 against.
SERBIA'S INDEPENDENCE.
LONDON, December 15th.
ANARCHY IN AUSTRIA- HUNGARY.
THE EMPEROR'S POSITION.
THE " POLAVEN” FIRE.
EVIDENCE BY PROFESSOR MIDDLETON SMITH,
Mr. Looker--I object to that remark You are not here Professor: Smith sto speak us to the carelessness of workmen here or anywhere else
Commander Beckwith I think it is interesting, Mr. Looker,
The same would happen it. a gas came into contact with flame.. There would be a sort of noise, but not
THE CAUSES OF COMBUSTION. AMSTERDAM, December 15th.
Cross-examined by Mr. Looker-Protes Herr Koerber's resignation has caused The inquiry was resumed at the Hongsor Smith said he had no chemical degrees, sensation in Vienna, where the Em kong Marine Court yesterday into the but he had passed chemical examinations in order to obtain his M. Sc degree. He peror's move is regarded on revolution cause of the fire on the Asiatic Petroleum would expect to hear a sort of paff if a ary, and as indicating an intention to Company's boat Polaven, when she was
tin of kerosene were ignited; not an ex- restore absolutism into the réguine. The alongside the Hongkong and Whampoa plosion. Emperor personally requested Herr Koer Dock Company's wharf on November 2ud. ber to resign and no explanation le forth. Mr. H. W. Looker appeared for the Dock coming, but it was undoubtedly due to Co., and Mr. F. C. Jenkin (instructed growing political anarchy. It is reported | by Mr, Hooper) was for the owners of that the Emperor previously conferred the vessel. with Count Tisza, for the latter, în a speech at Budapest on Tuesday, admitted that Austria-Hungary took the first step in the direction of offering peace,
The Court was composed of Commander Beckwith, R.N., Commander Gibson, Capt. Walker (8.8. Krangtung), and Mr. 3. Macdonald (Government Marine
At the outset Mr. Jenkin said he would-
Herr Alexander Spitemueller who is Surveyor). forming a Government; is a director of the Viennese Credit Anetelt and is in-be calling Professor Middleton Smith to significant politically. It is believed that † Count Berchtold- will return to the give expert ovidence.
Foreign Office, '...
PEACE QUESTION IN COMMONS,
THE BRITISH POSITION.
LONDON, December 14th. In the House of Commons Mr. Bonar Law, referring to the Peace proposal, re- minded the House that Mr Asquith, in.
A Chinese fitter, who was on the Polaven when the fire occurred, said that when he saw the smoke and flames he also "heard a noise," but could not say what kind of noise it was. The smoke and flames were so fierce, and came along so quickly,'
load explosion. He had never heard in fin-casings where there was no waste of spontaneous combustion taking place or any infammable material. He could give no reason for the cause of spontane-, oue combustion in a steel fan-casing He tion was a frequent occurrence in cotton- did not agree that spontaneous comhus- waste, he had never heard of any such spontaneous combustion occurring in cuses; neither had ho heard of cases of
cotton in cotton laden ships He was of opinion that kerosene gave off practically no vapour at all..
Mr. Duinker Superintendent Engineer of the Asiatic Petroleum Company, said. ho went on board the Palaven soon after the fire broke out, and he saw a flock company's hose pouring wator into the engine-room Apmaks
This was all the evidence.
Mr. Looker again reminded the Court that its function was to inquire into the causes of the fire. The owners of the vousal held the Dock Company responsible for
that he had not time to rescue his cloth-the fire, and, if they persisted in such ing
Another utter corroborated, and this
Mr Lloyd George and M. Pasitch have shoving the last Voto of Credit, declared concluded the evidence for the Dock Com-fire was purely a matter of theory: Thore"
exchanged messages on the Allies deter mination to prosecute the war until Serbia's independence is restored.
M. BRIAND INDISPOSED.
PAI, December 18th. M. Briand the Premier, is indisposed; due to strain in speaking and replying to interminable interpellations for six hours.
BARLIER CABLES,
PEACE PROPOSALS.
RUSSIAN OPINION.
PETROCHA, December 14th. An authoritative opinion hero aaya that the peace proposal is a fresh trap, and that a prematuro peace would be a terrible mistake. The Allies must pro ceed to final triumph.
BRITAIN AND THE PROFOSAL.
that the Allies require adequate roparn tion for the past and adequate security for the future. (Loud cheers.) That is still our policy Mr Bonar Law said, " and that is still the determination of the Government." (Prolonged cheers.)
FOOD
AND SHIPPING CONTROL.
LONDON, December, 14th. A correction to the massage received on the 11th inst, outlining the personnel of the new Cabinet, indicates that Lord Davenport has iven appointed Food. Controller, and Sir Joseph MacLay, Shipping Controller.
Franco-Gelgian Front.
LATEST. CABLES" (THROUGH REKTEN'S AGENOY.]
LIVELY ARTILLERY ACTIONS.
any, after which Mr. Jenkin called Professor Middleton Smith,
Witness said that he had had practical experience in engineering on ships, and was now Professor of Engineering at the Hongkong University.
Mr. Jenkin then gave the reasons put forward by Mr. Forsyth on behalf of the Desk Company, as to the cause of fire and asked witness his opinions on them.
Professor Smith, who had reviewed the
ovidence, said that if there had been com bastion of the coal he would expect deose clouds of smoke to be thrown off from the coal for a very long time previous to the
a very long time pre Forsyth's
opinion was that there was instantaneous combust on of the coal. In order for com bustion to take place there must be air: PARIS, December 15th: present, and if there had been air in A communiqué states:--There have been the bunkers it was clearly possible for fairly lively artillery actions mouth of the Summe and on both banks of the smoke to come out of the bunkers. - The Mouse and the heights south of Bon'tween dock plate mist have been exceed."
LONDON, Desember 14th.. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law stated that up to the present no pence proposal had reached the Govern-homme ment,
GERMANS ANXIOUS FOR PEACE:
AMSTERDAM, December 14th.
The Frankfurter Zeitung publishes a remarkable actiule, the song of which is one of studied moderation, endeavouring to persuade the Rufente to accept the peace offer.
It says that, although they are not yet known, Germany's peace proposun will he found to be moderate, and that the great majority of Germans are anxions ter a lasting peace.
PEACE NOTE IN AMERICA.
BRITISH ACTIVITY.
LONDON, Deamber 13th General Sir Douglas Haig reports --- We entered trenches in the Beighbourhood of Monchy Aubois Southward of Arias
ingly hot, white hot in fact, to cause fire; he did not understand the term explosion. If the coal had been in the state described, the engine room would have had a temperature of 190 or 130, or even more. A density of gases, he said,
we bombed dug-outs full of troops. The would go dowo, not up, and, from what enemy'a attempt at a raid in the neighhe had read of the evidence, the term bourhood of Halluch failed. We bom barded and fired a dump in the neighbour hood of J’ys.
opinion, proceedings would follow and, in view of that, the Court must be careful not to prejudice anyone. The cause of the was no evidence of any description put forward on which it was possible to base the slightest substantial element of fact, as to how the fire occurred. It had been alleged that the workmen were us
candles in a careless manner, and thất
they sot something night, but they had not the slightest evidence of that descrip been put forward was that spontaneORE tion. The only real theory which had combustion occurred in the coal, but it with any certainty. The fire was most was impossible to ascertain the cause
probably caused by some spontaneous con-
bustion occurring either in the store-room or in the coal bunker; that seemed to be the only reasonable theory. How . After the tin adjournment, Mr. Jen- 'kin addressed the Court on behalf of the Asiatic Petroleum Company and reviewed. the evidence at considerable length. He agreed with Mr. Looker that the only function the Court had to perform was to give a décision in accordance with the evidence as to the cause of the fire; but be held that, in view of the evidenoo put forward, the Coner could have nn difficulty in coming to the conclusion unwilling as they might he to do so¬-that the Dock Company were guilty, in thesonide of being responsible for the fire. The ship was in the hands of the Dock Company, and the only person on board who was not connected with the Dock Company was Mr. Hook, who had nothing to do with the work that was going on, but was there merely in an advisory capacity- The only people who could give definito information were employes of the Dook Company, and, it would be obvious to the impossible, to get at the real cause of the Court that it would be difficult, if not
explosion had been used in a very vague fire if the subordinates of the Company sonse. There might have been a paff, but tural lines of defence had been put for had to admit negligenco, Four confer
nothing in the nature of an explosion.ward for the Dock Company. There was They could not have an explosion with an additional theory of explosion, but Mr. Looker, like the unconventional out pressure. As to the second theory, player at bridge, had discarded through the coal dust in the fan casings being right because the scientific witnessca ignited by a current of fresh air, witness be an explosion in the circumstances that were in agreement that there could not said there would have to be ignition Awere present in this case. Counsel next LUNDON, December 15th, current of air could not cause a fire of proceeded to deal with the four conjec- The latest sinkings are it. Ursula, this sort unless it was invested with heat. combustion among the coal; (2) coal gas tural causes of the fire, (1) spontaneous Hurlyn, Harlington, and Burakape (British): Bjoer (Norwegian) There must be flame, or an electric spark accumulation in the fan igniting on con- Laurens and a four masted barque to ignite the whole thing. That matter tact with fresh air; (3) damp cotton waste becoming saturated with kerosene and (French),
had been investigated by the Home Office, spontaneously igniting; and (4) the mix- and they were by no means elear on the ing of gases-gne drawn off from kerosene subject. Dealing with the damp cotton coming in centret with the hydrogen in the air and causing an explosion and fire, waste theory, witness said that cotton- He proceeded to deal with each of the waste was frequently close to kerosene, theories in turn, and costender that none |of them could by any possibility, from and he had never heard of any combustion the facts and creumstances elicited by taking place as a conecquenos. He had the inquiry, be the cause of the fire. These never heard of cotton-waste, under the conjectures, he held, would not stand examination," and were put forward by circumstances mentioned in that case, people who realised that if they put for bursting into spontaneous combustion; ward the real cause it was going to pre
judios ter position in the event of and he had used cotton waste for twenty future action. As to the real facts, ho years. If cotton-waste was confined in was going to ask the Court to believe that a tin, it would have to combust for that their lies had been put before the these people had lied throughout, and
long time
tin before the
becaroe safficiently bot to cause a fire, and even then there would be a lot of smouldering This depended a great deal on how the cotton-waste was packed; but there would always be a lot of smouldering.
Naval Activities.
WASHINGTON, December 14th The Peace Note, accompanied by a confidential report from the American Chargé d'Affaires in Berlin, outlining the affairs which led up to the Chancellor's! overtures, has been received and is not before President Wilson. It is not ladi- | cuated whether the President will add anything, prior to its immediate trans mission to the Allies, RUSSIA ALIVE TO THE POSITION
PETROGRAD December 14th.
of
the
German efforts to create an idea of peace A semi-oficial Note reviews preus prospects among her own people in order to obtain support, and to animate the troops. It dwells on attempts to sow discord among the members Entente by reports of a separate peace. and declares that the lack of sincerity: and the object of the new proposals are. evadent, It points out that the enemy will need heroic measures to complete the gaps in her armuted, topitaneously pre- jecting a sort of serfdom in the guise of compulsory military work.
BRITAIN'S WAR BILL.
OUR FINANCIAL RESOURCES,
LONDON, December 14th. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law stated that Britain's total war expenditure was 23,852,000,000 --- He said. he believed we should be able to maintain the present rate long enough to ensure that financial causes would not prevent vickory (Cheers.) PARA Mr. McKenna promised Mr. Bonar Taw his fullest support in a difficult task,
AUSTRIAN GOVERNMENT.
CAUSES OF RESIGNATION.
AMSTERDAM, December 14th. Amsterdam, a telegram from Vienna According to Reuter's correspondent at
states that the resignation of the Ministry is dus partly to opposition to a number of German Deputies, and partly to the question of Constitutional relationship with Hungary,
CAPTAIN BLAIKIE'S CASE
GOVERNMENT ACTION.
LONDON, December 14th. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law announced that the Government is taking such action as is thought necessary in the case of Captain Blaikie, of the Caledonis
LATEST CABLES. {THROUGH XEUTER'S AGENCE.].
SINKINGS.
The Balkans,
BARLIER CABLES. [TABOOGE REUTER'S JOERGE.]
MONASTIR BOMBARDED.
CIVILIAN CASUALTIES.
Larnos, December 14th. A French communique states: The eremy bombarded the whole of the Monastir front, as well as the town itself We effec causing civilian casualties. tively replied.
RUSSIAN OPERATIONS.
STUBBORN BATTLE IN PROGRESS.
LONDON, December 14th.
GERMAN REFORT.
GENERAL MACKENSEN
· PROGRESSING.
As to the theory of kerosene gas mix-
Court simply to screen the real facts and the people responsible -
Mr. Looker-Do you say that witnesses have been put up to lie in the witness box? Do you suggest that I have put them forward to lie?
Mr. Jenkin-I adhere to what I bave said,
Mr Looker-Are you prepared to with- draw it
Mr. Jenkin--I do not withdraw a word I have said
A
Mr Looker-Do you say 1 have had anything to do with putting up theen witnesses to lie?
Mr. Jonkin-I do not.
↑ A Russian communque states: The enemy on the 13th inst. continued his attacks in the direction of Buzen,
Our cavalry and infantry came ining with oxygen and causing an explo controt with the enemy to the west and sign, Professor Smith said he frankly did south-west of Buzeu and fought a stub born battle. The communiqué does not not understand anything about that, be mention the result, and presumably the had never heard of anything of the sort battle continues,
happening. Kerosene did give off £ vapour, but it would require a consider. ~ Proceeding, Mr. Jenkin reviewed and zble best to cause an explosion. There analysed the evidence as to the use of mam cradles in the vessel at the time of the would be no explosion under ordinary fire, and the conflict of evidence on the atmospheric conditions; there would be point between the witnesses Neck and li, no explosion in a temperature of 120 or Heck had no caribly reason for telling 130. Even them there, would have to be what was not true; la was an employe mition, and if there was any ignition of the Dockyard Compass, and had reason If a fire broke out in the fan-casings, it
here would be no bomb-like explosion. to hide the f the there.
would be an admirable place for rapid combustion, for it was an air shaft, val
Witness added that from his own experienen of workmen on ships of the Cour Polaven kind, be could say that Chines workmen were ten times ka carolece zu: British workmen.
LONDON, December 14th. A Berlin official message states that General von Hackensen is programing of the whole front, despite the greatest difficulties
The road in Great Wallachis, south of the railway line from Bukhament to Cernavoda, has been clearest of the army. HUMINE 20 poted Care pathians, and Berbian attacks east of the Cerna word repulsed.
that
endier