Page
THE
WAR.
THE HONGKONG
OCCUPATION OF BAGHDAD:
MR. BONAR LAW ON THE ACHIEVEMENT.
AMERICA
AND ARMED MERCHANTMEN NOTE ISSUED TO FOREIGN DIPLOMATS.
CHINA'S BREAK WITH GERMANY: RECALL OF CHINESE AMBASSADOR AT BERLIN.
General.
LATEST CABLES.
{THROUGH REUTER'S AGENDY.} THE OCCUPATION OF BAGHDAD, SEQUEL TO SERIES OF BRILLIANT OPERATIONS.
GRAND FLEET'S CONGRATULA
TIONS
LONDON, March 12th, The Press Bureau reports that Admiral Beatty, through General Robertson, has conveyed to General Maude, the Grand Fleets admiration and congratulations on the magnificent achievement of capturing: Baghdad
EARLIER CABLES. GREAT DELIGHT IN FRANCE.
PARIS, March 12th, There is great delight at the fall
LONDON, March 12th. In the House of Commony Mr. Bonur Law stated that the
that the Occupation of Baghdad was the sequel to a series of
brilliant operations carried out by Brí. tish and Indian troops with a dash and determination for which no nesise could | Baghdad
be too high,
He recalled that, after severe fighting on the right bank of the Tigris, in which heavy losses were inficted on the enemy, General Mande's crossing of the river
near Kut imperilled the safety of the Turkish army in Meapuamia. The caemy immediately retired in the direc tion of Baghdad. General Mande pur sued them with the utmost energy. Not only were farge numbers of the enemy made prisoner and gaantities of material of all kinds taken during the pursuit, but there was good reason to helieve that
carly two-thirds of the whole of the cuemy's artillery either fell into our hands or had been thrown into the Tigris. On the 5th of March our cavalry came up on the Turkish rearguard 27 miles
from Bagħled. After du betion the Turks abandoned their prepared position, On the 7th instant our cavalry found the enemy in position on the Diala river,
This affluent of the Tigris presented a formidable obstacle, being over 30 yards wide and unfordable General Maude therefore withdraw his cavalry and brought his infantry into action. The Turks ineanwhile received reinforcements from Baghdad, and a formidable resist ance was offered on the Dials, covering
Baghdad from the south-west
DAILY PRESS,
CHINA AND GERMANY,
RESOLUTION TO BREAK OFF RELATIONE CARRIED
PERING, March 12
The House of Representatives has ap proved, by a majority of over three hundred, of the breaking off at relations with Germany,
DARDANELLES COMMISSION.
EVIDENCE NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
LONDON, March 12th
In the House of Commons, replying to Mr. Asquith, Mr. Boner Law said that the Dardanelles Commission does not recommend the publication of the evidence, because the parts dealing with naval and military considerations or the relation- ahip of the Allies could not be published without serious detriment to the public interests. Therefore the Government was not prepared to publish it
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14TH, 1917.
Franco-Belgian Brone
LATEST CABLES,
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.
BRITISH ACTIVITIES.
POSITION SLIGHTLY IMPROVED
LONDON, March 12th. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, in a QUUM UNLG UE. JUys —We have slightly in-
proved our positicu on the north-enat of Bouchavesnes We entered trenches in the same neighbourhood, securing pri soners.
OUR LONDON LETTER.
CHINESE TELEGRAMS.
BOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
BRITISH LABOUR SOLID FOR THE WAR
BY COURTESY OF THE
SANPO
KHUNG. NGÒI
LONDON
THE BREAK WITH GERMANY
THE MANDATE OF SEVERANCE
SHANGHAL, Morel 13th.
A Mandate to declare the severance of relations with Germany was discussed by yesterday's Cabinet meeting.
SILVER BULLETS FEDM HONGKONG,
The receipt of over half-a-million pounde sterling by the Imperial Govern- ment from Hongkong as a contribution towards waging the war has been L subject of very appreciative comment here......... Prominence was given in the Wo raided trenchies to the south of Metropolitan journals to the official. Arras and bombed dug-outs despite Announcement of the munificent gift; and strong resistance, inflicting many I notice that the London correspondents casualties.
of the great provincial dailies have BRILLIANT FRENCH ATTACK. | matter,
directed particular attention to
to the It is pointed out that while HUNS BOMBARD OPEN TOWN.
Hongkong cannot rise and equip great Armics like, Canada, Australia and New, Zealand, the Crown Colony has done some thing as useful and valuable within theo, limit of its powers.
LONDON, March 13th
A French official report from Chem pagne states:We re attacked in the afternoon German positions west of Sir Stephen Collins-Would it not Maisons do Champagne, and captured en have been
better if the report had a mile front all enemy trenches, as demand for money continues, and must not been published 1
Mr. Bonar Law: The Government thought it bound to publish it in conse ofquence of the Act of Parliament appoint
ig the Commission.
Experts assert that there is reason to believe that General Mandé organised the advance and disposed the forces, mea and material in such a manner as not to be at the mercy of the chems in a counter
movement,
NO MENTION IN TURKISH ANNOUNCEMENT
LONDON, March 19th. Today's Turkish official announcement does not mention Baghdad.
RETIREMENT FOR MILITARY REASONS.
AMSTERDAM, March 12th
In the Turkish Chamber, Enver Pasha admitted that the Turks had retired in Mesopotamia and Persia for military
caso,
LATEST CABLES.
GENERAL SMUTS.
LONDON March 17th. General Smuts has arrived in London.
INTERESTING INTERVIEW
Hill 185. We entered a fortified work thereon and took a hundred prisonera.
There has Leon en artikery duel on both banks of the Meuse,
The Germans, in the afternoon, bom- Mr. Churchill-Who is responsible for barded, the open town of Boissons with the excisions ?
incendiary shells, causing several fires,
BARLIER CABLES
Mr. Bonar Law The Foreign Office, the Admiralty and the War Office made,
Both men and money are casential to our success in the war, and, while we are already sure of the men required; tho
continue until final victory is achieved. Hongkong has undoubtedly shown other small communities within the Empire in a notable way how they can give expres | Bign to their loyalty and devotion to the common cause. When Mr. Lloyd George was Chancellor of the Exchequer and launched his first War Loan he declared that it was possible that the last million
the excisions, and the Cabinet is respon GERMAN SURPRISE ATTACK.r so of money would win the war. It is
sible
COUNT BERNSTORFF.
OFF TO COPENHAGEN
CHRISTIANIA, March 12th Count Berustor has left for Copen angea,
POTATOES NOT TO BE RATIONED
LONDON, March 12th.
In the House of Commons, replying to a question, Mr Bonar Law stated that it was not proposed to ration potatoes. Russian Front.
LATEST CABLES. THROUGH REUTER'S URNCY.1
RUSSIAN CAPTURE,
TURKISH TROOPS ROUTED
LONDON, March 12th
LONDON, March 12th Interviewed by Reiter's Agency, General Smute said: —The only thing delaying the absolute end of the German East African campaign is the prevalence
A Bussinal COMMUNIQUÉ sayyWe of the rainy season till May when the
noccupied Rissotun, in the region of Germans will be compelled to surrender Hamadan, on the 8th instaat, after rout or enter Portuguese territory, where the General Maude bridged the Tigris at Portuguesa are quite prepared to the point of its confluence with the Diala handle them. The enemy only consists Thereupon his cavalry crossed the river of remnant of an army. Practically supported by troops on the right hank all South Africen white troops have Despite the heat and dust the troops departed. The native battalion raised, brilliantly marched 18 miles, finding the owing to the unfavourable climate, are chey strongly entrenched six miles south
remaining to finish up, west of Baghdad The enemy was im mediately driven back two milea
On the 8th instant, our troops, after
TRIBUTE TO NATIVE TROOPS. General Smuts spoke in high terma of the natives magnificent infantry work, and said they would shortly be available
for service elsewhere,
EARLIER CABLES,
COTTON IMPORT DUTY.
GOVERNMENT STANDE BY ITS
ing the Turks, who withdrew in the direc tion of Hadji-Abad, hard pressed by us
We repulsed enemy gas attacks south west of Laken-Arotch and south-east of Kovel
Air-fighting has been continuous. Nine enemy machines have been brought down of driven down, four of which are known to have been destroyed, Five of our machines are missing.
Naval Activities.
LATEST CABLES.
THROUGH BEUTTA'S AGENCY.]
AMERICAN SHIPS ARMED.
FOREIGN DIPLOMATS NOTIFIED
WASHINGTON, March 15th.
COMPLETELY REPULSED.
LONDON, March 32th.
recognised here that the people of Beng kong have nobly done their part in that
direction.
A French COMMUNIQUE ... – says:—The | LABOUR AND THE WAR.. enemy ide a surprise attack in the region of Paissy between Soissons and Kheims, but was completely repulsed The enemy sustained losses and left pri
We again progressed by means of hand grenades towards Maisons de Champ une, and we successfully raided German tretches in the Waevre,
Thoro, were putzal encounters in the sectors of Anterive and in Lorraine, wherein we took prisoners.
GERMAN CLAIMS.
AMSTERDAM March 12th A Berlin communique states that clear visibility 15 responsible for increased long rango artisery con uviation activity on the Western Front Firing has been especially violent on the Antre between Bucqroy and Le Transloy South of Ripont we repulsed a French attack As 4 result of attacka by our aviators the enemy lost sisteon aeroplanes and two captive balloons
WAR NEWS. DUKE OF CONNAUGHT COLONEL IN-CHIEF OF VOLUNTEERS.
The War Office announce that the Duke of Connaught is to become Colonel in Chief of the Volunteer Force.
PROTECTION OF RAILWAYS.
The Government has ordered the Pro vincial officers to protect all railways
SPECIAL MILITARY LOAN.
The Ministry of Finance is preparing to issue a Special Military Loan. CONTROL OF GERMAN RESIDENTS. The Government is consulting as to measures for controlling German rusi- dents in Chios.
RECALL OF CHINESE,
SAMBASSADOR
The Government has telegraphed to the Chineze Minister in Berlin ordering him
to leave Glarniany.
that the action of the Government sa necessary war mesure.
The public vill submit to almost anything if assurance is given that the change is a means to tho great end in view the defcat of the enemy.
propes of this, feeling is growing up that instead of trying to regulate the quer traffic by restrictions on the public, it would be far better if the Government asted boldly and put the whole business under State control. The manufacture and sale of intoxicants could then be regulated from inside in tod of from without by means of pairs and penalties
The discussions at the annual meetings of the Labour Conference are rightly regarded as a pretty accurate indication of working-class opinion on questions of the day; for, of course, the delegates are bound to vote according to the instruc- tions they receive from the Trade Unions they represent. This year's Conference, just concluded at Manchester, discussed at PRESIDENT WILĜON AGAIN.
length the all-absorbing question of the - In a recent letter I remarked that, War In the result it has been conclu- speaking generally people feel that they sively demonstrated that, ns regards the have heard enough to peace talk, and Hat energetic prosecution of the struggle and car business is to get on with the wars do patched my peace the workers of the But we may be sure that until the war in
onded country are as unyielding as any other
there will be constant discussion cineses of the community,
About pence, for the Germans will see to The extreme Bucralist, who masquerade that. What the average man does not under the high-sounding title, the Inde comprehend is why the United States perdent Labour Party, with Messrs. President keeps the subject to the fore Namsay MacDonald, Philip Snowden gud. His specch to the Senate in which ho |F. W. Jowett as shining lights, sought to said the war should end in a “ porce carry a resolution calling on the Govern without victory. " is resented in England ment to enter into immediate negotiation,
the proposal by- for peace. But the Conference rejected
majority. Another attempt was made to agreements which end the war must an overwhelming The Times says that the treaties and
mislead the world on the attitude of embody terms which will create a peaces British Labour by a resolution in favour worth guaranteeing and preserving " of an International Socialist Conference and the paper hluntly adds,
as indicating a desire to interfere which cannot be tolerated,
the United
This will be a popular appointment, for Field Marahind the Duke of Con naught has worked hard for every step he attained in the Army, and is regard ed in the Service as an enthusiastic and In this instance, alsu, the Pacifist wire States will have no voice in determining capable soldier.
pullers were heavily defeated Trade what theec terme shall be." The West The Duke went with the Rifle Brigade Unionists in this country may have been minster Gazette, in a spirited reply, to Canada in 1869, and was with his hattalion when it mobilised against the guilty of many mistakes in the past, but taks Would you, President Wilson, iftt | Tenian rioters gear St. John's River. it is to their credit that mange the you bad boen in our position, suffered
His Royal Highness commanded the Guards in the fighting at and preceding beginning of the war they have never what we have suffered from 1914 onwards, the battle of Telle-Kebir id 1882. He served in their loyalty to the great have patiently listened to a third party: was mentioned in dispatches, and receiv
telling you that you must be content to end the war without winning it! Was Lincoln Trady to end his war without winning it, and dic he encourage the intervention of Europe in the American struggle."
ed the shacks of both Houses of Parli cause. The Pacifists remain labelled after
ment
the Conference, as they were before it, a negligible, if noisy, quantity
THE STATE AND LIQUOR CONTROL.
Twice he has held a command in India twica in England and, once in Ireland and the Mediterranean. In 1011 he Yes, appointed Governor - General of Canada in fuccession to Earl Grey, and he has only recently relinquished that ap pointment, alter a highly mecassfole tenure of office
DENMARK AND THE ALLIES
During the week an official statement, was issued that further measures are to
To Britons who are in this war to the
be adopted in order to diminish the con- death it is trying to hear the Presidenti sumption of alcohol. Something has beon of the American Republic,
country done already with that end in view, as speaking our language and bound to us An address on Denmark and the
already noticed in this column, by in many other ways looking on The State Department has issued a War" was delivered by Mr. Axel Gerfalk banning the time-honoured custom of fight for the freeilon of the world and notice to Foreign Liplomats that Ameritaseting of the Aldwych Club retreating, and by restricting the hours the future of humanity with an air of
cently. Mr. Gerfalk, who has received the for the sale of drink. Now, Lord Deven complete detachment But the truth is can ships traversing the submarine zone thanks of the Foreign Ofen for his ser- for the s
evices in promoting friendly feeling beport, as Food Controller, yous a step as those with know edge will bear mo will carry an armed guard for the pro- tween Great Britain and Denmark, has further and declares that the allowance witness, that outside the Eastern Staten tection of the vessel and the lives of the also had the distinction of having his of grain to brewers must be cut down on the Americans are not
name put on the German black-list
persons abcard."
fighting cu the Disia, established a foot ing on the northern bank During the 9th and 10th our troops on the right
NO RETURN TO GERMANY. bank, despite dust storms, pressed" their
Nothing bad given greater pleasure advantage, driving back the enemy to than Mr. Walter Long's statement that within three miles of the outskirts of no German Colony would return to Ger- Baghdad "Simultaneously our troops
many. The more suggestion was propos gained the passage of the river, forcing terous. He shuddered to think what the enemy back upon Baghdad, which
would happen to the natives if any part we entered on the morning of the IIth A Sh
was returned. The natives bad support instant
Concluding Mr. Baner Law saided us magnificently, and our prestige in General Maude thus completed the vic- the East would suffer. tory of Kut by a pursuit of 110 miles, in which the Tigris was crossed three times." (Cheer) The pursuit was con- ducted through a country destitute of supplice and despite the commencement of summer heat. Apart from the skill and
LONDON, March 19th vigour of the leadership and the valour
Replying the Lancashire Cotton Trade and endurance of the troops, both British and Indian, such operations were only Deputation demanding the withdrawal of cotton
SUBMARINISM. possible in such a country after the most the new Indian import duty on thorough, systematic, and careful arrange goods, or a corresponding increase in the
ITALIAN OFFICIAL REPORT: ments had been made for supply; and the countervailing excise, Mr. Chamberlain fact that General Maude was not only said it was not practical politics to raise
ROME, March 13th. able to feed and munition his Army, and the excise, as there was not a single mem-
An official report states:- For the week assure proper attention to the sick and
ikber of the Legislative Council of India ending 8th March there have been 493 wounded, but is able to report that he | en provide necessaries for the Army in who would vote for it. The Government Brivals (301,211 tons) and 444 sailings (315,801 tons) From Italian ports. Four stood by its action, which, it considered, Recorded with Imperial interests and the steamers and three sailing vessels have
Baghdad reflects the greatest credit on the General Staff and all Doncerned.
Cheers)
ACTION.
Spirit of stice
particularlygi
In a brief historical survey, Mr. Gor the ground that it is required for bread cordial towards us The cabled extracts It is expected that European vessels falk forred to Denmark's struggle with itstead of for beer a
HOME Praseis n 1864. Denmark remembered The immediate effect of the new mea Tribune and the New York Herald reflect from great papers like the New Torb Blying to American ports will take ad 1884, and when the question Why did vantage of the new ruling of the Staterassed that should not be forgotten supply of the brown October beloved England and the Allied cause; but, on the Denmark keep out of the war was sures will be seen in a reduction of the
opinion which is certainly friendly tod Department, permitting vessels to be Bhe knew that with an army of 40,000 men by the British workingman, coupled with other hand, there are scores of papera armed fors as well as aft,
she had not a ghost of a chance against the German hordes
an advance, in the price by a penny or in the Middle West and the Far West, and The Danes were a nation of honest two pence a pint. The output of spirite
hundreds of thousands of people there farmors, and they had not been cajoled by the Germany, who had offered le also to be curtailed, and the public are
who would just as soon see the férmana during the war to pay 15 per cent more"
warned that in a few weeks well-known
win the war In addition, for produce than the English would. The brands of whisky will cost from Rs. to 10s.
German-Americans are frantically eager "Denes felt after this war England would *
have to give some preference to her a bottle, while at the same time the for the success of the Fatherland P Colonies, but, in spite of that, they had tillers will be permitted to dilute the stuff dent Wilson, who is 28 Wise in his genera been loyal, and although the British with water up to 50 per cent. Although
blockade had been seriously felt by the country it had not reduce that loyalty these drastic measures are by no means
The Danes are with although arcumstances forbid that we would kill any political party) no effac in spirit, popular (in peace time such proposals
should be with you with the sword. WRS Live protest is made because it is Believe Mr. Gorfall's sumining up of the
been sunk
(Vonlanned of food in next column)
on as the next man in American po
as these pedole in mind when he delivers
ample and
fact is kept in mind we shall) now how to rate at their proper values
ancern