THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, JANUARY 187, 1917.
THE
WAR.
NOTE:
GERMANY'S PEACE
ALLIES JOINT REPLY. NO PEACE OFFER, BUT A MANŒUVRE.
LORD
CURZON ON THE SITUATION.
BRITISH AIR MINISTRY TO BE FORMED.
Franco-Belgian Front.
LATEST CABLES. (THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] SOUND THRASHING IN THE SPRING.
-WHAT THE GERMANS MAY EXPECT.
ALLIES' REPLY TO
NOTE.
WAR SAVINGS. ASSOCIATION TO BE FORMED IN HONGKONG.
OUR LONDON LETTER.
[FROM OUR OWN CORRISPONDENT.]
LONDON, December 27th.
A WAVE OF DEPRESSION,
READINESS.
WAR'S SACRIFICES. Prices are governed by many factors, and t mainly and always by the law of supply SIR W. ROBERTSON ON NATIONAL and demand. But while the Controller cannot control forsign markets, he will achieve a great deal even if he does nothing more than prevent the hoarding
The country is at present under a pas of commodities by farmers and merchant, Celtic cross. Upon it, beneath the motto,
war nearer.
We are very glad to bo able to announce that energetic steps are at luet being taken to form a War Savingsing wave of depression. It may be Association in Hongkong. It is a long traced to concern over the possible fate time since the advantages of such of Roumania; but it is also due to organisation were first pointed out in the
sense of disappointment that the "Big columns of this paper, but, though the Fush" has not brought the end of the idea commended itself to a large section
That was the topo raised of the local public, nobody appeared will- by some popular apeakers and writers in the Press, when the heaviest fighting on ing to take the initiative. The success of the schemo started in Shanghai and now the Somme was in progress and when extended to other ports of China and to the successive thrusts forward, resulting Japan hes, apparently, furnished the in the capture of one strong position necessary stimulus to this community. We after another, were acclaimed as PEACE understand that the Committee which has tories," whereas, of course, they were the matter in hand includes Mr. Monte-no, more than important successes, or were, on the road gue Ede, Mr. C. D. Wilkinson, the Hon. milestones, as, it
At one time it Mr. P. H. Holyoak, the Hon. Mr. E. H. towards final victory, Sharpe, K.C., and Mr. N. J. Stabb. It was thought that the wedge forged by is expected that the details of the schemo the Allies would be driven so deeply into the German defence that the enemy would will be made public in a few days.
have to carry out a general retirement all along his front in France, and
STIGMATISES PROPOSAL AB
ILLUSORY.
** vic-
LONDON, December 30th. The joint reply of the Allies to the Dorman Peace Note was to-day con- municated by the French Government to SHIPBUILDING IN HONGKONG. Flanders. That has not happened so far,
GOVERNMENT CONTROL.
LONDON, December 30th.
the United States' Ambassador at Paris. The papers warmly praise General Bir It begins by stigmatising the proposal as
The Gazette contains the following im- Douglas Haig's matter-of-fact statement, illusory, and proteste strongly against in contrast with General von Hinden-two material assertions thereof, namely, portant regulations, made by H.E. the burg's vague generalities. They express professing to throw on the Allies the Governor, relating to the control of ship the opinion that nothing but aberration responsibility for the war, and proclaim-building and ship-repairing facilities:- 1-(1.) No person shall undertake or of the strategic sense of the new Waring a victory for the Central Powers.
carry out any ship-building or ship
mission of the Colonial Secrtary.
(2).--Such permission may be given subject to any conditions or limitations which the Colonial Secretary may think
There is no
at home; and, by ascertaining what food stuffs are available, he will be able to stop attempts at rigging the markets and exploiting the consumer. shadow of doubt that the Government mean business. It is only a wook nga that the new policy was announced in Parliament, and already, as a prelimin ary, returns are being demanded of farm- ers of the quantities of corn and potatoes they have in hand. This is to be follow- ed immediately by a census with regard to milk production. In order to remove any possible misconception as to what is intended, the retail price of milk was fixed this week at a maximum of two- peace a quart above the price prevailing previous to the war; and in future there is to be only one quality of flour. THE GOVERNMENT'S PROCRASTINATION.
Fit
In the quadrangle of Bradfield College, near Reading, stands a tall pillar of grey stone, fashioned in the form of a "Pro Deo et Patria," are carved 159 names-the names of Old Boys of the the school who have already fallon in great war. The unveiling of this memo- rial was performed on Novemon Crist by General Sir William Robertson, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, in the pre- sence of relations and friends of many of these heroes, who have, as the dis tinguished soldier said, given in this var all they can give their lives."
diers from hoi- About 100
ag, Newbury, and lee- where in the neighbourhood were includ ed amongst the spectators. Standing on the headmaster the steps of the cross, called the roll of honour, and after he had concluded the recital of the list,
the Last Post, buglers sounded special prayers were said, and the Na- tional Anthem was sung.
Sir William Robertson then addressed He said: There are, tho gathering. or were, about 2,700 names of old boys. on the register of the college, and about 1,300 have served or are serving in his Majesty's Forces. Of that number 159 have lost their lives. In addition to the great honour thus coming into the pos session of this college, other old boys have gained many distinctions. One has gained the Victoria Cross--not an asy thing to gain in these days; two have become Companions of the Bath; three have become Companions of the Order of St. Michael and St. Georges twenty have earned the Distinguished Service Order; forty-five have earned the Military Cross; soven have been specially promoted; Avé have earned foreign decorations; and 163, or about 14 per cent, of the whole, have been mentioned in despatches. (Cheers.) I am pleased to have been able to come. and all concerned on the wonderful re- cord which has been achieved. I should. like to take this opportunity of express ing en the part of the War Office the great debt of gratitude under which we have been to all officers of the Officers Training Corps in the country during the way.
What we should have done without them I do not know.
Cabinet will save the Germans from a Both assertions are untrue and such repairing work without the written per weather and the state of the ground.higher and higher they asked themselves here to-day to congratulate the college
claims are alone sufficient to render Bound thrashing in the Spring. Thoy re- gard the dospatch as an ample explana-sterile all attempt at negotiation.
tion of the origin of the German 'prace fever.
FRENCH FRONT.
A QUIET DAY.
PARIS, December 30th.
A, communiqué sags,—The day has been quiet, with the exception of some artil-i
The Allies aro as strongly devoted to Peace to-day as they were in 1914, but after Germany's violation of solemn engagements Germany's promise is no sufficient foundation on which to eats lish a peace which she broke. A more suggestion, without a statement of torms, that negotiations should be opened is not an offer of peace. Germany's putting substance and precision, is less a poncs It is founded on offer than a manœuvre. a calculated misinterpretation of the
fit.
These vigorous measures, which are regarded as a first instalment of others although acbody whose opinion is worth to come, have helped to reassure the coun- having doubts for a moment that it will try. For months past an uncomfortable come in good time, and sooner, perhaps, feeling has prevailed that the public waa
Meanwhile
at the mercy of unscrupulous gangs of than the pessimists think
"profiteers." Since the middle of the the pressure against the enemy is being maintained, although operatione on a summer the price of staple commodities grand scale are unlikely to take place has increased at an alarming rate. before the Spring owing to conditions of householders watched them mounting
The winter is, at best, a dreary time; and where it was going to end. The man it is specially so in war time, with the in the street" concluded that some people knowledge that there is a long way to go were making fortunes out of the needs yet, before the Huns will be forced to of the nation, and he held the view that
hanging was too good for them. every side the Government was assailed for having, with apparent indifference,
had. The Cabinet was appealed to, but permitted things to roach the pass they made no sign. Hence the determination
yield to the hard blows of the Allies.
THE DARK SPOT ON THE MAP,
2-1 is boreby declared that where the fulfilment by any person of any con-, contract is interfered with by the neces aity on the part of himself or any other person of complying with any of these re. gulations, that neamity is a good defence
The position of Roumania is the dark spot on the map for the Grand Alliance At the moment it is feared that that country is destined to share the terrible
On
WORK OF PUBLIC SCHOOL BOYS, In the early days of the war many of
lery fire on both banks of the Avre and forward a sham proposal, lacking all to any action or proceedings taken against fate of Belgium and Serbia. Before this of the railwaymen to force the hand of Despatch riding in those days was
loft bank of the Meuse.
The Balkans.
LATEST CABLES.
(THROUGH ZHUTER'S AGENOT.) THE EVENTS IN GREECE. RESPONSIBILITY #TAED: '
PARIS, December 30th.
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber announces that it has received
and future.
AN AIR MINISTRY.
LONDON, December 30th, The Telegraph announces that the Government has decided to form an Air Ministry with ample powers. Tho Mini-
that person in respect of the non-fulfil ment of the contract so far as it is due to that interference.
3.--Every person who carries ou the
letter reaches you the result of the for the Prime Minister by their ultimatum midable onslaught by the enemy will be if they did not receive a rise of 10s, à known. If the worst happens and Bou-week in wages they intended to strike. menia goes down, the war will be pro- That trouble was tided over, but it was followed by the unanimous demand of tracted for many months-even for a
replenish Weir depleted stores of minerals and oils, which they badly need, and also their stocks of grain. Thus, by a single blow, they would gain nearly all they have been compelled to forego owing to the British blockade in the North Soa
tandooring of all food supplies by the State. Still Ministers deferred taking action-why, nobody could understand. At
ing Corps and from the universities Fac companied the first lige Army in the the boys from the Junior Officers Train-
never forget the fine work they did. capacity of despatch riders, and I shall
source, good physique, auch unselfish ness, and determination. I have had perilous business, requiring great re-
many experiences of the splendid work done by those despatch riders. No mat- ter what time of the day night, or whether the weather was wat or fine, the despatch rider was ready 1 remember well on one occasion during the retreat, when things were perhaps at their worst, it was necessary to get some instructions to headquarters. All my despatch riders were away, and there was no one to send. length public opinion became Presently two boys came in, don 3- They had heard that I wanted somebody
I did thoroughly aroused at secing wheat ad- They had been out for hours and days, vancing to a figure higher than in the and they offered their services. time of the Crimean War, while potatoes not like to send them and I said, "You were fetching £14 a ton compared with are not fit to go." They replied Year sir; we will go.!! They went, they gut Obviously there and I am glad to say they came 4 a couple of years ago,
Training Corps very largely for the
created the solidarity of the nation would be Armies something had to be done, as otherwise back. Later on we drew on the Officers by Lord Kitchener. undermined-and the Government has at Foreign officers often say to me," How do you get your officers for these big It is difficult for me to tell last done it by appointing an absolute armies! dictator to be Food Controller. Nobody them, being foreigners, because we hap his job. Nopen to get them very largely from the public school boys. (Hear, hear.) The need envy the new man matter what he does he will fail to public school boy is not to be surpassed please one class or another. But he will. I do not think myself he is to be equalled. He has my greatest admiration. de hae no doubt, be a convenient whipping boy, had it for years, and I think he will who will be expected to bear the brant always have it. The public shocks give to become loaders, either in military, or plies and prices. of future criticism in the matter of sup- great opportunities to boys who aspire civil life. There they learn habite of cbedience, unselfishness, loyalty, co-opera- discipline-- tion, playing-for-the-side,
all that is essential to men who aspire to become leaders,
character of the struggle, past, present business of shipbuilding or of ship whole year-longer than would otherwise the Trade Union Congress for the com reparing, and every person in the embe the case. The Germans would be able ployment of any such person, shall forth with in demand give to the Colonial Secretary or to any person deputed by him all such information with regard to his business as the Colonial Secretary or the person so deputed may require,
That is a practical and and shall allow any person so deputed to remove any document or other thing hard matter-of-fect way of looking at the which such person so deputed may con- position; but, in addition, there is the AUSTRIA.
It is not necessary to en- sider necessary for the purpose of the hunian side. WHOLESALE RESIGNATIONS AND enforcement of these Regulations.
largo on the feelings with which we must DISMISSALS.
4.-No person shall for the purpose of all view the suffering which must inovit evading any provision of any of theseably follow for the gallant little country if it should by a cruel Fate come under Regulations make any false statement or
the Prussian jackboot.. representation or furnish any false in- formation.
information fixing the responsibility oater will probably be a Peer. King Constantine and the Greek Staff for the events of December 1st, demon- strating the necessity for energetic action.
GERMAN CLAIMS.
AMSTERDAM, December 30th.. A German official wireless message states: --On the Transylvanian frontier mountains we ontored the enemy's posi- tious, and despite strong counter-attacks, also pushed ahead, taking 660 prisoners. General Mackensen is pursuing the re treating enemy on the whole front be twoan the mountains and the Danube.
SEVERE ENEMY ATTACKS.
PETROGRAD, December 30th.
A Russian official wireless message alates:-The enemy occupied several heights in the Ortuz Valley. We are
POLITICAL CHAOS IN
LONDON, December 30th. Political chaos reigns in Austria Hungary, and there have been wholesale resignations and dismissals of prominent Ministers, who are generally regarded as being responsible for Austria's parlous condition as the satellite of Germany. The chief victim is Dictator Tisza, who will crown the King to-morrow, but will probably retire afterwards.
6.-Every person who commits a breach of any of these Regulations or of any condition imposed thereunder, and every person who aids, abets, counsels or pro cures any such breach; shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months and to a fine not exceeding eight hundred
*A LORD OF THE LARDER.”
A MEDICAL PRONOUNCEMENT. dollars.
LONDON, December 30th. 6.--(1.) A summons in respect of an Exports of the London Hospital have offence under these Regulations may be announced that after several years of served on a body corporate or a firm by consolidating ourselves northward of investigations they have decided that leaving a copy thereof with an adult at livered:
Horeha and east and south of Sismezosyphilis is not hereditary.
The enemy has continued obstinate attacks north and east of Rimniksera, mainly along the railway. The enemy captured Bordestshi, sad pressed us back near Zalestsi. We heavily repulsed attacks southward of the Danube,
General.
LATEST CABLES. · (THROUGH RIVIER'S AGENCY.]
CURZON ON THE
SITUATION.
LORD
WE MUST NOT FALTER.""
LONDON, December 30th, Lord Curson, in a lather to the Prim- Tim League, says.--We all pray that this war will be the last, but its end is not
They also
express the opinion that a child contractu the disease from the mother after birth.
AID FOR FRENCH SHIP- OWNERS.
Parte, December 30th. The Chamber has authorised the State to advance £8,000,000 to shipowners for the construction and purchase of ships. MOBILISATION OF FRENCH
CIVILIANS.
PARIS, December 30th. A Bill has been introduced in the Benato providing for the mobilisation of civilians between the ages of 17 and 60, fand for the organisation of national
abour in France and the Colonics,
the last known address of the body cor porate or firm.
(2). In answer to such summehsa body corporate may appear by an officer of sach body corporate and a firm may appear by a partner or by a responsible representative of such firm.
7. In these Regulations:-- ***Persun," except so far as relates to the imposition of the penalty of impri, Boment, includes a body corporate and a firia.
Ship" includes overy vessel exceed ing 80 tons net register tonnage which is propelled by any mechanical means other
than pars and sails.
8.These regulations may be cited as the Ship-building and Ship-repairing Regulations, 1910,
9-These Regulations shall come into force on the 8th day of January, 1917.
A PRECAUTIONARY MEABUER
These Junior Officers' Training Corps
There is unbounded satisfaction that the Government has at last tackled the food problem by deciding to appoint an Oficial Controller of Food Supplies. At
From what I have said it must not be the time of writing it is not known who assumed that there is at present an will be the new Joseph in Egypt. He is alarming shortage of food. All that has been done by the Government is to aseme to have unlimited powers. His authority definite charge of supplice a step which are now giving us every year about 30 will be absolute. He will be expected to Ministers ought to have taken in the officers. See what that means. Before the war the total number of officers entering know in detail how much food is in the early days of the war. They are censur-
they waited until the Army from all sources was about 700 a year. Now we are getting four country at any given timo, how much is ed, and rightly, because
prices have risen to a height which has
times that number from Junior Officers' Training Corps alone. (Cheers) This available for our use in lands across the caused serious dissatisfaction, until sup
cross has been erected in memory of the. is shorter still." The truth is that the
Old Boys of this college. Let it be, as sea, and how and when it is to be de-plies are short, and merchant tornage The distribution of supplies country as a whole is only beginning to
I am sure it will be, an incentive and and the quantities to be distributed will feel the real pinch of war. All the other example to the boys here, ow, and to belligerent nations, and neutrals as well,
those who follow them. i s the mout be possible only as he decrees. He can have felt it severely for a very long time, splendid example it would be possible. and the Germans, despite their prepared seize stocks in hand at any moment with-
ness for the war and their boasted organ- cut potice; and he can fix prices for the isation, most of all. As time passes, wa producer, the wholesaler, and the retail shall feel the pinch still more; and, er. No man in England has ever been indeed, I am not so sure that we shall not come to meatless days and food entrusted with such tremendous authority tickets before the end. over the well-being and the comfort of bis countrymen.
And yet the appointment
"KISMET."
to have.
yet.
SETTING OUR TEETH, But I venture to think it is something more even than that. It is a monument to British grit and British determination to see this war right through. (Choor.) We are now passing through a time of some stress, though hot very great stress We must expect that it will be much greater in the future, and in this of an autocrat greater than any Cesar
connection we must remember that success is hailed with pnbounded satisfaction. THE FINAL PERFORMANCE. in war, as in nearly everything else, in
variably goes to those who show the If there is any complaint it is that the
greatest determination, and who can best The fual presentation of " Kismet "
set their teeth, That is a remark that Government ought to have taken this
was given with every success at the applies not merely to the soldiers and step long ago. Press and public look to
Theatre Royal on Saturday night. There sailors at the front, but to the people at home, from the highest to the lowest. the Food Controller as the saviour of
was a full "house," which testified with You wonder what I think about how the situation which has become serious; and
war is going on What I think about there is delight that mention a few greater freedom than hitherto to its ap-
the war is this: We have every reacha the titles coined for the occasion-preciation of a splendid performance. At to be thoroughly satisfied with what we of t
the close, the leading members of the have done up to date, seeing the start wet sza-to have a Lord of the Larder, a
we had. I think that we may look for President of the Diet, an Autocrat of the Company were called before the enrtain, ward to the future with complete con- With ferons to the protesta which
and a well-deserved tribute was paid to fidence (cheers) subject to the cond
tion that we do the right thing, and that Mr. W. Sinclair, who was responsible for we do it in time. (Cheers.) I cannot appeared in several Swedish paperBreakfark Table, a Food Dictator. against the seizure of Swedish letter mailTO BIS IN FOOD PRICER, from the steamship United States, Beuter I am afraid, however, that thoes who the production. The play, which started help but think that the whole Empire- to meny the women who have worked so says:The examination of mails to and from Scandinavia and Holland has reare loudest in applanding the Govern at 7.30, was over by eleven o'clock, and and I am referring to women as well as much is fully sulted in the stoppage of cheques, drafts, mont policy because they are expecting | afterwards a large proportion of those hard and given up" co papar money and other remittances in prices to fall as a direct cânsequence will who had witnessed it took supper in the ready to make any further sacrifice and NEW YORK, December 30th.
course of transmission for enemy bete be woefully disappointed. It is beyond Grill Room of the Hongkong Hotel, the Four hundred thousand railway
representing more than £50,000,000. The workers threaten to strike on Izanary examination of letter mails from Sweden, the power of any man or any body of management of which had generously 1st, if the operation of the new law estab-hae ahown that in many instanoss & con- men in England to restore the cost of sunounced its intention of devoting the fishing an eight hours' day, and other siderable percentage of datansible Swedish concessions, is delayed.
mailbage are nothing hat. German mail food to prowar rates by a stroke of the proceeds to the "Star and Garter” bags done up and re-labelled.
pend the ine of a proclamation. Fund
NEW KNIGHT.
LONDON, December 801b,
Mr. Gordon Hewart, K.C., M.P., has
in sight. -- Although there are signs of been Knighted. ezhaustion in many quarters and peace kites are dying, neither side has obtain-THREATENED RAILWAY
ed a preponderating decision, and it seems likely that the war will last well salo another year. But we must not falter, since a patched-up peace would mean our immediate moral humiliation and ultimate destruction,
STRIKE IN AMERICA,
(Continued on page 6.)
GERMAN MAILS LABELLED AS· - AWEDISH
may further demands that its leaders may tell its are necesary in order ultimately to achieve complete victory sad to ensure that the supreme sacrifion which has been made by an many of the best part of our manhood smil not have been made in vain. (Choon.)