THE WAR.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29ru.
ALLIES REPLY TO GERMAN NOTE: NO SURRENDER.
PEACE APPEAL BY SWEDEN.
INDIA AND IMPERIAL WAR CONFERENCE.
ARTILLERY ACTIVITY ON WESTERN FROMT.
General.
LATEST CAZLES.
{ZHROUGH KEYTER'S AGENOY.} "TEXT OF THE ALLIES' REPLY. NO SURRENDER.
LONDON, December 28th. The Telegraph says that the text of Allies' reply to Germany, which has been approved by all the Allies, makes it clear,
THE GERMAN PEACE NOTE. ALLIES" REPLY BEING DRAFTED.
LONDON, December 27th. Heuter learns that the Allied reply to the German Peace Note is being drafted in Paris, and that the Allies are mutually communicating on the subject,
It is unlikely that official action will be taken in regard to answering the Ameri
THE ARMY COUNCIL AND
to belligerents and neutrals alike, that can and Swiss Notes until the German no hope need he entertained of overNote is dealt with: persuading the Allies to surrender potential victory for the sake of a peace which would be only a German pesco so. long as German militarism remains un- broken.
A GERMAN BRAND OF PEACE
FRENCH OPINION,
PARIS, December 28th. in French opinion the German reply shows that Germany wants a German brand of peace which would be wrenched from the Allies by ruse in default of strength to obtain it by force. Her deceitful machinations justify the Allies in their determination to fight.
EARLIER CABLES.
WOOL.
SALE RESTRICTIONS,
LONDON, December 27th, The Army Council orders that no wool of the 1919-17 clip, consigned to the United Kingdom from Australia and New Zealand to growers' account, shall be sold except to the Director of Army Contracts. Persons holding or receiving stocks are required, immediately on arrival, to furnish particulars thereof to the authori ties and to sell the wool as directed.
AUSTRIAN APPOINTMENTS.
FRENCH FRONT. MARKED ARTILLERY ACTIVITY.
PARIS, December 27th. A communiqué etates:-There is mark ed artillery activity in some sectors south of the Somme, where an enemy battery was exploded.
Wo zuccessfully fired several mines in the region of Besuaigne, south of the Avre, and then raided the enemy lines, capturing prisonera,
GERMAN CLAIM,
LONDON, Dovember 27th.? A Berlin communiqué claims the bring ing down of nine aeroplanes in the Western theatre of war.
The Balkans,
EARLIER CABLES.
[THROUGH RAUTER'S LOHNOY,} THE GREEK CRISIS.
GREEK GOVERNMENT STILL
AMENABLE.
LONDON, December 27th,
PEKING NOTES.
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]`
POLITICAL
PERINO, December 20th.
Perhaps the chief event of the week politically has been the failure of the impeachment of the Fremier by the Kaomingtang intransigents in Parlia ment. As was to be expected, the House of Representatives was not in a position to discuss the motion on Tuesday by reason of abstentions, and as there was
1915.
ARMED ROBBERS AT WEST POINT. MOTHER AND DAUGHTER BOUND
AND GAGGED,
A daring daylight robbery took place on Wednesday afternoon at West Point.
armed, with knives, entered a house in At about half-past two o'clock six men,
Ko Shing Street and after terrorising a woman and her daughter, who were the only inmates at the time, bound and gagged thein.
not a quorum the matter was shelved and the many visitors who crowded the house in search of valuables and succeed. They then proceeded to ransack the galleries in anticipation of a lively debated in securing a quantity of jewellery were disappointed. It was understood that the impeachment would remain on
the agende until there was a quorum, but I hear that it is likely to be with drawn, its framera being apparently satisfied with thoir" warning to Tuan.”
Knowing the unpopularity of Mr. Hani Ti Ting's action with regard to the French seizure of Lachsikai, it is not surprising that he should now resign his position as Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs. A mandato issued to-night
announces the acceptance of his resigna
Tho
The Greek Government, is still satisfaction, and another mandate appoints Mr.
Lui Shih-hsan as bis sucCESIOT. torily carrying out the Allied demands.
The second Allied Note has not yet been atter was formerly Minister to Brazil, presented.
RUSSIAN MINISTRY.
IMPORTANT CHANGES EXPECTED,
LONDON, December Zită.
A message from Potrograd states that M. Trepoff has gone to the Imperial Headquarters. It is understoo! that his visit is connected with important Minis terial changes.
A German
GERMAN CLAIMS. CAPTURE OF 6,500 RUSSIANS,
LONDON, December 27th. communiqué says:---We have captured 5,800 Russians within the last few days in the Great Wallachia moun tains, south of Rimnicul Sarat. MORE PRISONERS,
LONDON, December 27th.
the
and money, of the value of $1,505.
the police, and some of the stolen property A number of arrests have been made by has been recovered,
SHANGHAI TUG CASE. PRIVY COUNCIL JUDGMENT,
| FAR ¦ EASTERN MEN AND THE WAR.
Lieutenant-Colonel C. II. Davies, who is appointed to command a brigade, saw service with the China Expedition. He won the D.8.0. in the Derwesh Khet carapaign.
Taylor, Royal Garrison Artillery, who Lieutenant-Colonel Cecil Salusbury
has died of wounds, was an Assistant Inspector (second class) of Warlike Stores at Hongkong, from March, 1801, to May, 1800.
who is reported as died of woundla Ssecond-Lieutenant R. N. Heathcote,
received in action, was the only son of
the outbrook of war, being an assistant bury, Lancashire. He was in Japan at Dr. and Mrs. Heathcote, of West Dids-
in Messrs. Cornes, & Co., at Kobe. He returned to England, obtaining a com- mission in the East Yorkshire Regiment.
Capt. John Herbert Jordan, R.A.M.C., son of Sir John Jordan, K.C.B., the British Minister at Peking, as already noted, has had the Military Cross con- ferred upon him. The official record is: "Under very heavy firo he reconnoitred the front area for wounded, and by his many wounded men from shell-holes.” gallantry was instrumental in recovering
Temp. Lieut. Archibald Probart Jones, R.A., eldest son of Mr. H.. D. C. Jones, one of the Loudan managers of the Hong- ong and Shanghar Backing Corpora tion, is the recipient of the Military Cross. The official announcement is:--- "He carried messages and brought up reinforcements under very heavy fire, displaying great courage and determina tion. Later, he rescued five mon, show- ing a complete disregard, for his own personal safety.”
in a shipping appeal from Shanghai, in The Privy Council has given judgment which the Kochien Transportation and against a decision of the Supreme Court Tow Boat Company, Ltd., appealed for China at Shanghai against the Shanghai Dock and Engineering Com pany with regard to a towing vessel. The appellants alleged a contract made between themselves, as purchasers, and THE MISSION TO JAPAN.
the respondents, as contractors, for the construction of a seagoing towing vessel The departure of the Mission to Japan called the Brodie-Clarke, and in which to convey the Grand Order of Merit to they claimed repayment of four instal
ments of purchase money which they had Emperor has been postponed propaid, and interest thereon. The respon- sumably at the request of the Tokyo dente claimed by counterclaim payment Government, and a very unpleasant damages for failure to take delivery.
of the fifth and final instalment, and feeling has resulted, allusions being made Lord Wrenbury delivered the judgment
Brigadier-General F. E Johnson, to the thilar insalt offered by the ships' opinion was, that the plaintiffs' been appointed Inspector of Royal Horse of the Council, atating that their Lord D.S.O., C.M.G., Royal Artillery, who has
Government in the early part of this year regards the counterclaim, the fifth instal- tion, 1900, including the relief of Peking Japanese Government to the Chinese claim to recover the four instalments Artillery and Royal Field Artillery in when the former, at the eleventh hour, ment was payable after satisfactory and actions of Feitseng and Yangsten paid could not be maintained. As India, took part in the Chins Expodi-
declined to receive the Envoy delegated. The contractual trial trip had never with clasp); and in the present war trial trip." This event had not happen (mentioned in despatches, D.B.O., medaļ besa held. It followed that the counter-earned a double mention in despatches claim failed The order under appen and the C.M.G, appeal from so much of the order must dismissed the plaintiffs claim.. The
Second-Lieutenant H. E. K. Travers, Le dismissed, and the order affirmed. It whose death has been already announced, ffth instalment. The appeal from this bomb. He was the only son of the late farther ordered the plaintiffs to pay the was killed by the premature explosion of part of the order must be allowed. plaintiffs must pay the costs of the claim master-General of Hongkong, and M16. The Mr. Arthur Kennedy Travers, Poet-
counterclaim. A set-off should be allow Draycott-avenue, 8.W., and Chewton The defendants must pay the costs of the Josephine Travers, of 3, Cadogan-court, ed. There would be no costs of the place, Keynsham, Somerset. His regi
ment was the Sherwood Foresters, but at the time of the accident he was attach- ed to the Loyal North Lancashire Regi-
appeal.
LIKELY TO DISPLEASE.
LONDON, December 27th. The Times aaye the appointments of the Bohemian Slavs, Counts. Clammar tiniz and Casennin, na Austrian Premier and Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister A Berlin communique states:Break respectively, seem to have an anti-Magyaring through several Russian positions the is believed that such a Note is imminent, and anti-Prussian tendency, and are like. Eestern Danube Army forced its way Majesty, they then at the instigation of the report concerning the Singapore killed on November 7th, aged 34, was tho
PEACE OVERTURES.
SWEDEN PUTS IN A NOTE.::
LONDON, December 27th. The report that Britain has received a Swedish Pa
Note is erroneous, but it
WASHINGTON, December 27th.
It is officially announced that Sweden has addressed a peace appeal to the belli- gerents and neutrals.
THE IMPERIAL WAR
CONFERENCE.
INDIAN REPRESENTATION GENERALLY APPROVED.
LONDON, December 27th. The newspapers applaud the decision that India shall be represented at the Imperial War Conference.
by Yuan Shih-kai to convey a decoration to the Emperor. It must be admitted that the present action is not so decisive It takes the form of a request that the mission be postponed. If any affront should be felt, it must be conceded that the Chinese have left themselves open to it. They first of all asked, if it would be agreeable to the Emperor to accept such decoration, and when the Japanese Government replied in the affirmative added that Tsao Ju Lin se special Savoy would be acceptable to His
Parliament displaced Teno in favour of through the enemy front, after bitter
positions.
these circumstances if a further hitch The enemy since September 22nd has should occur. The Chinese Government lost 7,000 prisoners,
give the impression of not knowing its A BULGARIAN REPORT.
own mind,
Certainly the Premier's LONDON, December 27th vacillation in this respect is not con- A Bulgarian New York, December 27th.
Eneny monitors bombarded Tulcea.
comunque asistent with the general belief that he is The retreating Russians destroyed the |*- strong man. Heiung Hei-ling The Federal Reserve Board has been bridges across the Danube.
endeavours to "save face" by announc. permitted to appoint the Bank of Eng-possession of the bridgehead at Macin.
At Isaccea, fighting is proceeding foring that the departure of the Mission to land its agent under the American bank-
Japan is postponed on account of his ing laws.
sickness and the severity of weather.
ly to be viewed with dispensure in Buda-fighting, compelling a repeat to prepared Hsiung Hsi-ling. It is not surprising in
pest and Berlin.
BANK OF ENGLAND. APPOINTED AMERICAN BANKING
AGENT.
This most important development is a radical departure from existing Snancial methods, as it practically places the American and British Governments in direct financial relationship. Imperial cause in the war entitles herrease in the use of gold in the settlement effect is expected to be a noticeable de
The Timer says: India is to be given a place in the Conference to which her enthusiastic and devoted support to the
of international balances,
OBITUARY.
The first
SIR JESSE HERBERT.
The extension of the invitation to India suggests that the Government does not anticipate any objection from the Domin- iona. India has indeed buttressed ker claim, already very strong, by the splend out of her devotion to the Imperial tio in timo of war. The Government now shows that it recognises her desire and [Bir Jesse Herbert who was a barrister, and Political Secretary to the Liberal strongly sympathises with her in her legi-Chief Whip, is also stated to have been timate and moderate aspirations."
The Daily Mail suya that the repre- sentation of India by Mr. Chamberlain, and two skilled advisers from the East, will give due weight to Indian opinion in the War Cabinet, as is only right after the, noble contribution which the Indian Army and Princes have made in the cause of freedom in the war.
LONDON, December 27th. The death is announced of Sir Jesse Herbert.
ECONOMIC WAR. VIEWS OF SIR CHARLES ADDIS.
M ·
ment.
THE SINGAPORE MUTINY.
Captain Haworth Walter Trefusis, The official account which appears in Northamptonshire Regiment, who was Mutiny does not materially add to our third son of the Bishop of Crediton and knowledge (says the London and China Mrs. Trefusis. In 1919 he was appointed that there is no reason to believe that the pany, at Kuching, Sarawak, and he was Express.) The conclusion is expressed electrical engineer to the Borneo Com- Germas prisoners in the Prisoners of there when war broke out. He returned War Camp were parties to the mutiny, to England in Desember, 1915, and Germaa money doubtless supported the seditionist move-
and German agente received a commission as lieutenant in the R.V.N.R., but after some months' ment both before and during the war. service he applied to be exchanged into No money that could ever be suspected his old regiment, and went to the front of coming from alien sources was found in March last, on any one of the hundreds of men who surrendered. No letterg · were found Lieutenant-Colonel Bryan C. Fairfax, showed any enemy influence, It is estab-mand of a Chinees Battalion of Labour- amongst their effects, or in the post, that who has just been gasetted to the com- lished that the prisoners of war were era, had considerable experience of the terrified when the mutineers appeared at Chinese in South Africa the
the camp, and that zons of them attempt Durham Light Infantry in 1893, he ed to escape until some hours after the served in China during the campaign of mutincera had left. Of the many extra 1000 (medal with clasp), took part with ordinary facts, says the report, in con the Mounted Infantry of the Faithf pection with the mutiny, none, perhaps, Durhams in the South African War of is more extraordinary than the fact that, 1901-02, placing various actions in the with such an opportunity, it achieved so Transvaal, Orange River Calooy, and little. If the mutiny had been pre- Cape Colony to his credit (Quesa's Medal concerted it is almost impossible to be with four clasps). In 1905 he was lieve that in the whole of Singapore there appointed Inspector of Chinese Labour could not have been one man to help it in the Transvaal, and held that appoint- in some overt manner. But not a finger ment till the abolition of indentured was stirred. When once the mad looting labour in that country. of the ammunition lorries had been made the regiment, as a whole, had no idea what to do next. Singaporo was for some hours at its mercy; and yet beyond the attack upon the guard at Tanglin, and the strost murders, but little was attempted and nothing was done,
FRANCO-CHINESE RELATIONS.
Though no atatement has been made on
two
Addis asked: Can it be said that a case thisubject, it is apparent that some sort
At the Bankers Institute Sir Charles has been made out for engaging in this funderstanding between the much-talked-of economic war! I suggest Governments has been reached, as the that the members of the Institute of significant figures cited in the appendix French concession in Tientain and the Bankers would do well to ponder the Chinese police have resumed daty on the to their President's address. Let them boycott and the strike movements seem to consider that political memories arc short-lived, that international trade is have lost their strength. If there has carried on by individuals, and that been a settlement it will redound greatly Jumen nature changes but slowly to the credit of the veteran diplomat in from ago to ago. I hope, indeed, that
we shall emerge from this war stronger, charge of the Foreign Office, Dr. Wu more industrious, more efficient. But tTing-fang. expect any fundarental change in the
mind of man or in the motives which PEKING CLUB ACTIVITIES, ordinarily govern his conduct is to cherish An innovation which is meeting with
world of illusion. After the war, s before, men will still be found seekinguess is the bridge dinner arranged Professor of International Law at to satisfy their wants by the least possible every Wednesday night at the Peking Canton University," and "Legal Adviser expenditure of time and trouble, com(ub, to the South China Government," These peting with their neighbours to buy in relate to Dr. Sun Yst Sen's revolutionary market. last-mentioned appointments presumably the cheapest and sell in the dearest campaign.]
Franço-Belgian Front.
EARLIER CABLES. (THROUGH REUTER'S AGENOY.] BRITISH FRONT. SEARCHING AND BOMBING. The Daily Chronicle says it is right and proper that India be represented at
LONDON, December 27th. General Sir Douglas Haig reporta the Imperial War Conference, for her
We searched and bombed a few hunred interesta are vitally concerned. Her vast
yards of trenches and dugouts to the population has remained peaceful and north-west of Lens, greatly damaging loyal. Her ruling chiefs and others have them, without incurring any casualties, given many touching examples of devo-
Our positions northward of the Somme tion to the Empire.
and near Le Sars were heavily shelled at intervala.
The Daily News says the presence of representatives of India besides the Pre- miers of the Dominions will mark the opening of a new epoch, and that it will be a profound disappointment if it is opt decided that at least one of the spokes. men for India shall be an Indian.
The skating rink has been completed, and skating was opened this week. The Are the general economic arguments in number of subscribers is, for good favour of Freo Trade weekoned by a state of war? After we have defeated Germany reasons, not as high as before,
The Peking Hunt Club is receiving in arme, am I to be told that we are supinely to cast the crown of our cou considerable support in its Sunday after mercial aupremacy at the feet of a people on hunts discredited politically and industrially
Mr. Folchaert was the crippled, and that the only alternative winner on the last two occasions. to this catastrophe is to protect ourselveg
It has been arranged to hold a winter by measures which, if adopted, would curtail tho resources and limit the gymkhana on Sunday next, and a very economies in production upon which our attractive programme has been drawn recuperative power after the war deup, but it is just possible that the tall pends! Protection is the policy of the pessimist; it is a counsel of timidity and of now may cause it to be postponed. despair. Who fearg German competition? BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. banko And to protect the incompetent been established in the capital, and Certainly not the competent trader or A British Chamber of Commerce has is to stereotypo inefficiency, We doceive ourselves if we pin our faith to Glovera should do much to promote British ment protection or Government control, mercantile interests. Mr. Hillier, the or even to novel forms of business or agent of the Hongkong and Shanghai ganisation, to anything else than our own strong will and intelligence. It is prob- Bank, is chairman of committee. able that after the war this country will ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY. surt less handicapped commercially than
Christmas Day is to be celebrated as the any of the other belligerents. If we are to retain this advantage and to improve anniversary of the revolution which upon it, it can be by no other means than defeated the monarchical movement, and There have been a number of air-fights, by learning better, working harder, aled to the restoration of Republicanism An enemy aeroplane was destroyed and producing more cheaply than they: in five damaged. Three of oure aro miasing. efficient.
Parliament delights in this kind of word, by making ourselves more &
(Continued at foot of next Column.)
We successfully bombarded defences and trench-mortar emplacements in the neighbourhood of Hulluch and westward of Messines.
sting.
business, as well in honouring heroes" and passing compensations for “members of parliament who die.” BALE OF WORK IN AID OF BLIND AND
CHIPPLED SOLDIERS.
The thought, labour and time.expended paration for the sale of work in aid of by Mr. Ker and her assistants in pre- the Blind and. Crippled Soldiers were amply rewarded by the crowded rooms Britons, Allies and Neutrals thronged and the quick sales of Tuesday Jast her house, which had been transformed and was utilised from cellar to attic and would be purchasers had to be opry in order to secure the pretty and useful articles on sale. The children were not: forgotten and the presence of Father Xmas and bin Wife naded considerably to the enjoyment of the younger members of the community. Mre. Keris to be heartily congratulated her enterprise and splendid organisation. Her assist- anta were active but not too insistent, a fact which did much to contribute to the success of the afternoon, ELECTIONS
Elections are proceeding in several province, for those senators whose period that the Kuomintang are increasing of office has expired, and it is noticeable
their representation, a result which may basten events of big importance in the not distant future"
BNOW.
It is quite timely and proves the accuracy A heavy fall of snow took place to-day, of the Chinese calendar which can predict within a few days the first fall of mow, the beginning of winter, the cessation of frost, etc
Joining the
Birch, D.8.0, RE. It is recorded:→→→ Capt. (temp. Major) Alan Grant "With a small party he pushed forward on reconnaissance work under very heavy fire. The information gained was of great value. He was severely wounded (D.8.0. awarded in Gazette dated Janu- ary 14th, 1910.) For this Major Birch has been given a Bar to his D.8.0. Major Birch is the son of the late Mr. J. Grant Birch, who was drowned in the Yellow River in China when the raft on which he and Lieat. Watts Jones were descend- ing the river was wrecked. This was at the time of the Boxer disturbance in 1900. some time, and though he is progressing Major Birch has been in hospital for favourably, it cannot yet be stated (says the London and Chinese Expres) whe ther the injuries to his foot are of a permanent nature ar only temporary, as his friends all hope.
"WE DEMAND PEACE."
A new turn has been given to the peace agitation by a remarkable article in the Vassische Zeitungs of Berlin:-
I
If we wish the French, and even the English, to see that in their own interests they ought to plece no further obstacles in the path of peace, we ought to show them plainly that we, at all events, have. the wisdom which we wish them to have in, other words, that we do not wish to place hindrances in the way of a speedy peace.
be continued indefinitely, the words If it bo imagined that this war can which Hindenburg applied to the French would apply equally to alls not France only, the whole of Europe would annihi late itself, and America and the yellow races that would be the inheritom. We, German people only, but also all the however, wish Europe to live-not the others who contributed so much to human Kultur and for whom there still remains so much to be done.
We demand pesse