THE WAR.
GERMANY
FEELING
THE HONGKONG
THE PINCH.
CONFIDENCE OF THE ALLIES.
DU
GREECE PREPARING FOR WAR.
MORE FRIGHTFULNESS” FORESHADOWED,
General.
LATEST CABLES. (THROVON REUTER'S AGEYOT.]
FEELING THE PINCH.
MUCH SCARCITY IN GERMANY.
AMSTERDAM, January 8th. The German newspapers testify to the growing scarcity in Germany. The Frankfurter Zeitung says that Germany is now practically self dependent for milk, and butter, while choose has dis- appeared,
The Cologne Gazette says that further restrictions on potatoes are necessary, to three pounds weekly. The Munici pality of Essen protested against theso restrictions, and at a meeting of the Berlin Municipality, the policy of Herr Battocks Wea denounced, the eritics including Burgomaster War math, who dwelt on the scarcity of milk and potatoes.
The Council passed a resolution urg. ing the Government to secure a more equitable distribution of food, with lesa favouring of the country districts.
BRITISH AGRICULTURE. REVIVAL PREDICTED.
LONDON, January 7th. Mr. Prothero, President, of the Board of Agriculture, speaking at Bedford, forecasted a great revival of agriculture as a result of the war. He appealed to farmers to produce all they could for man and beast, and said he intended to establish clubs for growing potatoes and for pig-keeping, with the help of the Treasury.
INDIA AFTER THE WAR.
PROBLEMS OF TRADE AND
TREATMENT.
Louros, January 8th.
DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JANUARY 9TH, 1917:
GERMANY'S ECONOMIC
CONDITION.
POPULATION STARVING,
LONDON, January 6th. Reuter learns from an authoritative source that at no period of the war ins there been such striking evidence of rapid and progressive economic deterioration in enemy countries 24 during the past two months.
Expectations of hugo hauls of oil and grain from Roamanis have not been, realised, and owing to the failure of the potato harvest the population in many parts of Germany is starving.
Franco Belgian Front.
EARLIER CABLES. (THEQUGH REUTER'S AGHMOY.]
BRITISH FRONT.
SUCCESSFUL RAIDS: ATTACKS THWARTED,
LONDON, January 7th Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, in a communiquéé, saya:-We completely re pulsed an attack at Beaumont Hemel and successfully raided trenches south of Armentieres, capturing 18 prisoners.
A short and heavy bombardment pre- ceded a morning attempt to enter our trenches south-west of Wytschatte. The
The Balkans.
FARLIER VABLES. ĮTAROUGḤ BEUTURʼs a«Esur.] GREEK GOVERNMENT. PREPARING FOR WAR AGAINST ENTENTE.
LONDON, January 6th. Apparently the Greek Government is preparing for war against the Entente.
language, declares that the blockade has The pro-German Press, in most violent
caused an intolerable situation.
Beservists are being secretly enrolled and are ordered to be ready to join their regiments at an hour's notice.
AUSTRIAN EMPEROR'S
ACTIONS.
WEEDING OUT PROGERMAN OFFICIALS.
LONDON, January 6th. There is much speculation as to the attitude of Emperor Charles of Austria, who has displayed an unexpected deter mination in weeding out officials of the old regime. The remarkable fact is that most of the dismissals are of notorions pro-GermanS.
INCOME TAX AND ALTER- NATIVE FORMS OF TAXATION. REPORT OF THE STRAITS SETTLE- MENTS SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
The committee appointed by H. E. the Governor of the Straits Settlements to advise whether a better means of raising an appropriato contribution by the Colony towards the prosecution of the war could be devised than by means of resolution unanimously:- an income-tax, passed the following
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS AND
THE WAR. FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS,
The financial result of the Straits Bettlementa "Our Day" was a total contribution, less expenses, of $427,406.57. Singapore's. contribution (including $40.25 from Christmas Island), was
$272,129.37; Penang, 868,118.28, Malacca, $41,173.90, Johore, $31,019.45, rad
$1,020.72, and the grand total 8428,039.73. Labaan, $6,679, The interest Wog
accounts were closed on December 20th. A The expenses amounted to $543.16. The
sum of £49,000 has been remitted to Lon- don, and there remains a balance in hand
"That the members of this committee, in view of the ever increasing cost to the Empire, both in its manhood and, ia its wealth, occasioned by the present of 81,775.95. war, wish to place on record their unanimous opinion that a contribution towards the expenses of carrying on the war should be made by the people of all nationalities who reside in the Colony of the Straits Settlements. Realising the magnitude of the stake at issue, they con- sider that it is their boundon duty to being made by their fellow subjects in share as far as possible the sacrifices now
the United Kingdom."
INCOME TAX,
At a meeting which was held for the purpose of bearing the financial state- ment, H.E. the Governor said that he tary subscriptions, and his view had been had not been a great believer in volun- strengthened by the fact that, although Colony as yet, in the first two years there had been no war taxation in the and
two months of the war--that was up to the end of September last-
British Malaya. a sum, he might say a sum only, of £180,000 WILS subscribed throughout He did not consider that a large subscription, but the success of "Our Day" had greatly done away with that non-belief of his.
Regarding the Straits War Loan, Hir Excellency said he was disappointed and amounted, for the first month, only to a sorry to state that the applications little more than 4 million dollars. That was a small sum for Singapore to sub- scribe, and he especially asked all com-
A majority of eleven members of the committee against nine consider that an income tax for war purposes only, lega- kised by an annual Ordinance, should be The latest diem osals include Baron Maccio, the principal departmental chief should be conducted on the lines indi-munities, and chiefly the rich Chinese imposed. The collection of the tax
of the Foreign Office, and Count For-cated in the letter of the Colonial Secre- who had not yet come forward properly
Discussing the Raj's investigations in enemy was driven off in disorder and gach, the second chief, to whose machinatary forwarding the draft bill for the and he desired that they might come
regard to post-war trade, the Times re-sustained considerable losses. marks that some limitations will be re- quired regarding the way in which minoral, may be dealt with after extrac tion, in order to prevent their being used against us in war.
north of Ypres under cover of an intense Our fire drove off an enemy attempt
bombardment.
in regard to shipping, it points out that India will be able to bargain for fair treatment, since the may prohibit or restrict the employment of lascars on alien ships.
The Bavarian Ministry has ordered hotel-keepers to cease feeding foreigners. The New York Times states that the reason for the Gorman Peace Note is In regard to tariff problems, it saya,” apprehension as starvation as a resaltin view of the possibility of dumping of the British blockade.
ALLIES' CONFIDENCE. "DEFINITE AND COMPLETE VICTORY.""
ROME, January 8th. Signor Boselli, President of the Coun- cil, at a luncheon held in honour of the Conference Delegates, in proposing the toast of The Allies, prouffested a finite and complete victory which would result from their closely concerted action and determination.
M.. Briand, the French Premier, in replying, associated himself with Signor Boselli's prophecy.
A crowd outside accorded an ovation to the departing delegates, especially to: Mr. Lloyd George, M. Briand and General Cadorna. The latter's motor-car was compelled to go at a walking pace, the streets being packed by a continu- ously cheering populace.
The Giornal Italia emphasies the im- portance of the phrase "definite and complete victory" which, it says. Signor Boselli and M. Briand repeated in order the show the world the meaning of the conference.
after the war, it is necessary to consider the effect of a heavy or moderate duty on enemy imports and a preferential tariff, graded according to the country of origin.
SWISS NEUTRALITY,
RENEWED ASSURANCES BY FRANCE.
LONDON, January 7th.
re
In view of the possibility of Germany meditating a blow at France through Switzerland, it is noteworthy that the French Government, according to porta from Paris, recently renewed its assurances to the Swiss Government that France would strictly respect Swiss neu trality,
"PEACE TALK SIMPLY SILLY."
THE ONLY WAY.
LONDON, January 7th. The Times, in an editorial, says:- After the Kaiser's Army Order pesce talk is simply silly. The only way to secure peace is to inflict decisive mili- tary defeat on the enemy. It is all-
All the delegates expressed satisfac-important that we steadily increase our tion at the complete success of the con-superiority on the Western front and not
ference, whose decisions will be trans- lated into decisive action, which, it is believed, will pave the way to victorious iznes. The discussions were charac- terised by their absolute frankness, unvellishness, harmony and iron deter- mination.
THE ALLIED CONFERENCE. COMPLETE AGREEMENT.
Bows, January 8th. The Conference of the Allies has reiterated and recorded complete agree ment on the various questions discussed. It has also been decided to carry out still closer co-ordination of efforts.
EARLIER CABLES.
MAJ.-GEN. SIR SAM HUGHES. EXONERATED OF AMMUNITION SALE CHARGES.
run risks by dissipating our efforts.
RUNNING AMOK,
SYMPTOMS OF GERMAN RECKLESSNESS.
FRENCH FRONT.
MIXED ACTIVITIES.
LONDON, January 7th. A Freach communiqué states:-There
tions the war was largely due.
consideration of the unofficial members It is reported that the Emperor is going field, in accordance with a suggestion of the Legislative Council and ampli- to Budapest to supervise the reorganisa-made by the chairman that by means of tion of the Government and the rooting sub-committees formed in ench out of the pro-Germans.
munity, who would report to a central committee, all inquisitorial methods might be avoided.
Another significant move the un- muzzling of the Austrian Socialists, who are now permitted oven to demand the
com.
to the loan. forward as soon as possible to subscribe
FOOD BEFORE LIQUOR. MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S HINT ON STATE CONTROL,
Mr. Lloyd George has made a signiß- cant statement on the liquor trafic în re- The committee, after due considera-lation to the war-time food problem. Writing to Mr. Elite Davies, M.P., on trol of the liquor trade, he says:
were bombing encounters west of the evacuation of Allied territories ation, are unanimously of the opinion the question of Slate purchase and con-
Meuse.
Our artillery frequently bombarded the northern slopes of Hill 285 and Garman defences near Mort Homme
An enemy coup de main cast of the Mouse failed completely.
west and the south.
GERMAN CLAIMS.
FIGHTING IN THE VALLEYS.
LONDON, January 7th. wireless Cortana official report
that as an alternative to an income tax, the methods of taxation shown as ap proved by them in the list of resolutions submitted with this report might suit ably be adopted. They consider that such taxes can readily be collected by mittes have borne in mind that in all meang of existing machinery. The com
Attempted enemy attacks in the Vosges states:We pushed back the Russo-taxation, fairness of incidence is a moat,
was stopped by our fire.
One of our aeroplane squadrons bom- barded aerodromes at Haucourt and Matigny, a railway station at Areigny, enemy cantouments at Liancourt Wood and depots at Attiche.
ARTILLERY STRUGGLE IN
BELGIUM.
LONDON, January 8th.
A French communiqué reports a lively artillery struggle in the sector of Nieu- port-Bains, Belgium.
GERMAN REPORT. ENGLISH ATTACK BREAKS DOWN.
LONDON, January 7th.
Boumanian forces between Oitas Valley and Patna Falley and stormed the sum mit of Odobesti.
The Russians attacked on a 25 kilometre front between Foscani and Fundeni, and advanced in the direction of Obilesti,
English attempts on the Bulgarian ad- vanced posts, north-east of Doiran, failed.
BANNY
RUSSIAN VERSION.
ROUMANIANS RESTORED
POSITIONS.
LONDON, January 7th.
A wireless Russian official report states-In the Oituz Valley we retired A German official report states:Anto the north-west of Focsani and to the English attack to the south of Arras past of the Ronmanians' restored pori- broke down under our gun-fire. The tions. weather has restricted fighting.
Naval Activities,
EARLIER CABLES. (THROUGH RÉVITER'S AGENCY.] LATEST HUN RUSE. FALSE SIGNALS OF DISTRESS.
AuSTERDAY, January 6th.
The Telegraaf states that a Dutch ship returning from the Dutch East Indies received a distress signal in the Bay of Biscay. She proceeded to the spot and found & German submarine not in the least distressed, whose commander wAS
Amsterdam, January 7th. Another indication that Germany is likely to run amok at any moment is most disappointed at the arrival of a contained in the Dutch pro-German Dutch, instead of an English, steamer.
organ, the Toekomst, intimating that tho Germung regard all British merchant- men as auxiliary cruisers, which will be sunk without regard to life. It warne neutrals that their flags will not protect them.
BOASTFUL PRESS.
"AN EMPTY SHELL."
AMSTERDAM, January 7th. The German Emperor's Order to the Orrawa, January 7th.
Army and Navy has started a new out- The Report of the Commitee of. Inves-
burst of boasting in the German Press, tigation into the Militia Department's which shouts with joy at the capture of sale of ammunition to the Admiralty Braila, although a German official mes completely exonerates Major-Gen-Birsage admits that the place was an empty Bam. Hughes.
shell,
SUBMARINE PIRACY,
LATEST SINKINGS,
LONDON, January 6th.. The latest sinkings reported. are the Norwegian steaemer Helyog and the Greek steamer Teiropinas,
Italian Front.
EARLIER CABLES. {ZEBOUGA REUTEr's agemot.]
THE CARSO FRONT. ITALIANS ADVANCE 500 METRES.
LONDON, January 7th
A wirolees Italian official message says:--We have advanced 500 metres on
the Carso front.
At Kapatunu, in the same area, wo threw back a dense attack, and south west of Focsani we took up the offensive and reached the line at Tuspites Lake. Russian Front.
EABLIER CABLES, (THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.}
GERMAN REPORT.'
1,300, PRISONERS TAKEN.
LONDON, January 7th. Strong Russian attacks failed at Mitaa, where we took 1,300 prisoners.
RUSSIAN REPORT. CAPTURE OF 500 PRISONERS.
LONDON, January 7th.
A wireless Bussian official report states: In the Rigs fighting we took 500 prisoners and surprised and cap- tured trenches.
THE. AMERICAN LOAN TO CHINA.
QUER-SUBSCRIBED IN THE WESTERN STATES,
of
NO
The Chinn Press publishes a special cable reporting that a Chinese official wire from Washington reports that the State Department has expressed great surprise at the Quintuple Group's protest against 3.85,000,000, considering that there the American industrial Ioan
real basis for opposition. The loan bas been three times over-subscribed in the Western States, affording a fine prospect for a second loan. This is important, as this is the first Chinese loan from Western interests.
if not the most, important considera. tion. At the same time, they realise that some sections of the population will fear that such a contingency is inevitable practically escape altogether; and they unless an effective income tax is in force throughout the Colony,
Since the beginning of the stupendous struggle on which we are all engaged- the importance of this question has become greater and greater. Tentative. efforts have already been made in this direction by the Board of Control. Thew, I believe, have already produced Excellent results in localities whore they have been carried out.
Now that the food problem is becom- ing everyday more and more urgent the liquor problem has assumed a new aspect, and the nation must be pre- pared to see agricultural products put to the most urgent uses.
The German Chancellor's speech has made it quite clear that the German people are prepared to suffer say macri- fice to attain the false ideals which, ap-. pently, they still cherish. I have every conadence that our fellow- countrymen will be ready to make even grøster sacrifices than these to secure -the triumph of those great principles of liberty and justies which have always been the precious heritage of our people.
Increased postage rates.-The rates for postage stampe to he increased. Carried unanimously.
The question of what would constitute this Colony to the Imperial Government a suitable contribution to be made by for the purposes of assisting in carrying on the present war was considered und the opinion of the committee was un- animous that the coatrbation should be a sum of not ipss than £500,000 annually. Of this amount the committee are aware that £200,000 has already been voted by the Legislative Council. To provide the recommend the imposition of the alter further sum of £300,000, the committee native taxation referred to as soon as of five per cent, on assessment to be im- Tax on landlords and tonaats,~A tax the Government is in position to in-posed on landlords and five per cent, on troduce it.
tabanta. Carried by 14 votes to B. opinion that the question of the intro half a cent per bos, a standard size of
The committee are unanimously of
Tax on matches--Matelas to be taxed duction of an income-tax should be box to be adopted. Carried unanimously. They are not, as is shown by the further A tax of $200 on all cats imported, in- investigated during the coming yest.
Tax on motor-cars and motor cycles. resolution, & copy of which is appended
to this report, opposed to it in principle, cluding lorrica, and a tax of $50 on ull.. but they are not prepared to advocate it motor cycles imported. Carried un unanimously at present, in view of the animously. alleged objections to its introduction and Tax on aerated waters.-A tax on serat- difficulties in the way of its collection.ed wateis, one cent, per large bottle and Finally, the committee wish to record ballant per small bottle. Carried that their resolutions relate only to unanimously. taxation to be raised for the purposes of Tax on profits of locally-registered com- the present war.
panies at otherwise taxed-A ten per (Signed) F. S. James, R. J. Addie, A. cent. tax on the profits of all companies Agnew, 0. Alsagoff. J. 8. Elian, G. U.locally iegistered, companies already pay Farrant, A. Hook-Begg, Hoh San Hin, Fing taxes for war purposes to be exempt Lim Peng Siang, H. R. Llewellyn, Moona (thus excluding rubber Kader Sultan, M. Purabotumdas, Beah Carried unanimously. Liang Seah, Scet Teong Wah, E. Tessen- sohn, N. Veerasamy, A. D. Duncan, F.
companies).
Resolution carried unanimously:--- Daxbury, A. F. Goodrich, Quah Benged the question of the introduction of an "That this committee, having consider-
Kee, F. Inkson, Tan Cheng Lock.
BUGGESTED TAXES.
Tax on exported rubber-An export tax of five per cent, on all rubber pro- decod in and exported from the Colony, with a rebate to all firma registered in the United Kingdom. Carried Un animously.
income tax into the Colony of the Straits Settlements for the purpose of raising money as an annual contribution to the Imperia Government for the purpose of carrying on the present war, while in favour of the principle of such taxation Be the most equitable system of taxation Tax on increased and now capital in European countries in its incidence A tax of $8.50 on every, $1,000 of in- on all classes, are of opinion that, in. crossed capital and ФД now capital. view of the want of machinery for the Carried thanimously.
collection of such a tax and the difficul- Increased stamp duties. An all-round ties attendant on its collection amongst increase in stamp duties. Carried un-n Asiatic population such as exists in animonsly.
Increased duty on petrol-The import the Colony, if possible some alternative duty on petrol to be increased by five taxation should be devised by the machin- cents per gallon. Carried unaniomusly.
ery at present in existence. They realise, Increased stamp duty on cheques and
as already expressed in the resolution dividend warrants.-The stamp duty tribution to be made to this Home carried by this committee, that the con- cheques and dividend warrants to he increased from four cents to ten cente. Carried unanimously.
Government should be made with as little delay as posible. In advocating the Tax on theatre tickets and wayanga-alternative forms of taxation, as they A tax on theatre tickets, 20 cents on have, the committee foresee that experi- tickets of $1 value and over, five cents ence can only pre whether the incid on tickets of a value of less than $1. anco of such talon is fair or other- Carried unanimously.
wise, and they are of opinion that as the Increased tobacco duties--The duties, taxation is to be annual, the question of on tobacco to be increased. Carried un-an income-tax to replace such alternative animously.
taxation for the purposes of assisting in carrying on the war may well be further inquired into during the first year of the Javying of the taxation now recommended by them.
Increased liquor duties.-The Timor duties to be raised by 25 per cent Carried unanimously.
(Continued at foot of next enlumii.)