Page
THE WAR.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28TH, 1917.
THE NEW GERMAN LINE REACHED: IMPORTANT FRENCH MOVEMENTS.
RUSSIAN SITUATION IMPROVING:
ENTHUSIASM AMONG TIGHTING TROOPS.
AMERICAN
ACTIVITIES:
PREPARING TO DEAL WITH INTERNAL DISORDER.
Franco-Belgian from
LATENT CABLES.
[THHOUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
·MUCH ACTIVITY ON BRITISH
FRONT.
Meanwhile it is noteworthy that tele- grams from Petrograd emphasise that the shortening of the German front in the
The Balkans.
EARLIER CABLES. {THROUGH SKUTER'S AGENOY.]
SERBS REVOLT AGAINST BULGARS.
LONDON, March 2øtli,
Serbian advices confirm the reports of a serious rising in Serbian territory against the Bulgarians, whose harshness has made life unendurable.
Naval Activities.
EABLIER CABLES. (THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
EFFICIENT BRITISH
BLOCKADE.
LONDON, March 28th. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar!
MUNITION WORKERS STRIKE. STATEMENT BY MR. BONAR LAW.
LONDON, March 27th.
THE NEW RUSSIA, ENEMY'S ABSURD CONTENTIONS.
LONDON, March 26th.
In the House of Commons, replying to A telegram from Rotterdam states that a question regarding the serious strike at German experts are focussing public Enrrow-in-Furness since the 23rd lust, attention on Russia, declaring that the Mr. Bonar Law said that the cause of the Revolution hag upset the Entente plans strike was the alleged cutting of time of a combined offensive, as the Russion allowance under the premium bonus system. As a result of a conference between Mr. Hodge, Minister of Labour, the Amalgamated Society of Engineers
HONGKONG EXPORTERS AND DEALERS.
ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of the mom- hers of the Association of Exporters and Dealers of Hongkong was held at the Chamber of Commerce Room, New Gov- ernment Building, yesterday Mr. F.
Bevington (Bradley & Co.) presided, and
the other firms represented were as follow W. G. Humphreys & Co (Mesars, W. al. and A, D, flumphreys); Holland, China Trading Co. (Air, A. van Andel); Dodwell & Co. Mr. Symo Thompson); Tang On Lee Car Un
Armies are unfit for active operations.
GERMANS LESS FEARED,
Losnos, March 26th. Reuter is informed from a Russian
keen sent asking the strikers to resume German advance towards Petrograd is work immediately on the understanding of less to be feared now than before the an arbitration award within seven days. Revolution. Moreover, it would have a This offer was still open, Mr Bouar Law zobering effect on the extremists. Any added that the Government viewed the how, the Germans would encounter interruption of the production of munitaries of most strongly fortified positions. tions with the utmost gravity, and the Regarding the food question, it is sigui-
and other Allied bodies, a telegram had diplomatic source that the threatened to ham Wah); U-Humjahn
U Humjaho); W. A. Haunibal
(Mr. Hannibal); Alex. Boss & Co. (Mr D Wicking & Co (Mr K Moss) Harry
S. Pina), W, R. Loxley & Co. (Mr.:0. R. Chunnutt); John D. Hutchison & Co., (Mr. Higginbotham) 8. C Ismail & C. (Mr. Manuel Baptista); F. P. Tulat & Co. (Mr. P. Tulati); Thoresen & Co. (Mr. K. Jensen), Union Trading Co. Mr. B. W. Churn); Gilman & Co. (Mr. E Warron); Northwest Trading Co. Becretary, Mr. E. A, M, Williams.
West in part of a plan to overwhelm Law stated that the Cabinet, with naval stoppage of work when other methods for feact that the other day more food reached Mr F. Hamilton Sawyer); with the
Russia.
THE GERMAN DEFENCE. LONDON, March 27th.
PARIS; March 20th, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re- ports:We captured Lagni Court, north- The Allies have apparently reached the ward of the Bapaume and Cambrai Road,so-called Hindenburg defensive line of and took 39 prisoners. We drove off which Bt. Quentin is believed to be the determined counter-attacks eastward and centre, with Cambrai on the north and north westward, and the artillery dis Laub on the south as support points,
The Allies have again confronted persed a third attack and repulsed a bombing attack northward of Beaumetz. trenches where the fighting is intensify- Machine-guns scattered parties who were ing but the more vigorous German resist approaching the neighbourhood of Fau-ance has not checked the dash of the quissart. At Ypres there has been much air figating. Two Gerinan machines were brought down and three were driven down damaged. Seven of ours are missing,
GERMAN CLAIMS.
LONDON, March 27th.
A wireless German official message says:-We attacked the French, who had advanced across the Somme and the Crozat Canal, inflicting heavy losses in a force fight, and taking 100 prisoners, We repulsed three attacks eastward of Oilette, and hand-to-hand fighting result. ed in a check of the French advance northward of the Aisne. An air-squadron on Saturday night attacked Dunkirk There were several fires. The enemy, ost "eleven aeroplanes on Sunday.
EARLIER CABLES.
PURSUING THE GERMANS. BRITISH ASTRIDE HINDENBURG'S
LINE.
LONDON, March 26th.
The principal week-end developments in the West have been, on the French. front. The British advance has slowed down as the country they have had to cross between Arras and Peronne has been smashed by the terrike eight months' bombardments. Nevertheless, the British
assailants, who are inflamed at the spectacle of wanton devastation,
The Germans on the whole line have had to fall back under pressure, losing heavily The French are now closs on St Quentin and have out the St. Quentin Chauny read. They have maintained and even extended their gains to the north of Soissons, and on the Laon or Vreguy plateau, despite two powerful conter attacks. The numerous German effectives now engaged prove the extent of the effort the enemy is making to arrest the advance,
FRENCH HOLDING ON.
al counter-attacks,
PARIS, March 20th,
advisers, had fully coandored the whole queation of the blockade, and were satis fied that the present policy was right in principle and efficient in administration. Neutral accounts from Germany seemed to confirm this view.
General.
LATEST CABLES. (THROUGH REUTKE'S. AGENCY.}]}
GENERAL ELECTION IN AUSTRALIA.
GOVERNMENT VERSUS LABOUR.
MELBOURNE March 27th,
We are now in the throes of a general election. Most of the members of the Federal Parliament have gone to their constituencies to open the campaign, which will be bitterly fought between the supporters of Mr. Hughes and the Government, and the Labour party who broke away from Mr. Hughes on tho con scription issue, Mr. Hughes, who has been offered thirty-two seats, has decided to contest Bendigo, and he will make an important speech there next Thursday. Mr. Tudor, ex-Minister of Customs, and
settlement were open could not be too strongly deprecated
Kieff in twenty-four hours than during the whole of February.
CRITICAL HOUR NOW PAST.
BRITISH PRISONERS.
LONDON, March 26th. TURCO-BRITISH EXCHANGE.. Router's correspondent at Paris says
LONDON, March 27th. that M. Kerensky, interviewed in Petro In the House of Commous, Mr. Hope grad, said that the situation was still Halle believed that the Germans had serious, but he believed that the critical 22,500 British prisoners 8,762 British hour was past. A Constituent Assembly prisoners in Turkey had been traced, while 2,079 were untrated. The Govern ment was considering a proposal for the exchange of 600 Taroo-British war pri soners with a view to wider exchange in the future.
EARLIER CABLES.
PROBLEMS.
WAR THE NECESSITY FOR CO-ORDINA TION.
LONDON, March 28th.
ukset
for
In
The UHAIRMAN said: Gentlemen, the report and accounts having been in your hands for some time, I will follow the usual custom and take them as read. The export business of this Colony was, as you are aware, considerably restricte the high rates of exchange prevailing, during 1916, some of the chief cases being
generally the political unrest and tled state of affairs in China, the small amount of tonnage available for Europe. and America, and the high rates. Freight and War Risk Insurance, addition to this there has been the uncer- would be elected as woon ng possible, but tainty of space and rates owing to ernment. This has in some instances there was not time to establish female steamers being requisitioned by the Gov- suffrage before the election. The Work caused a considerable loss to exporters in this Colony, as they have booked freight men's Committer had appointed five mom by a particular bont which was requisi- tioned, and when another vessel was put on the berth they have in some instances bers to check the acts of the Government. Work bad been resumed everywhere to had to pay an advance in freight which had come into force since their original meet the needs of national defence.
bookings. We all know the difficulties under which shipowners have to work at MESSAGES FROM THE TRENCHES.
nevertheless, I would sug presuus, but, LONDON, March 26th.
gest for their consideration that they According to Reuter's correspondent at should endeavour to bear in mind the Petrograd, an excellent sign of the times interests of the merchants, and the fact is the arrival of most enthusiastic deputathat if any advance in freight rates is tors with messages from the trenenes, made after merchants have booked busi- assuring the country that it can rely on- Hess, the logs as a rule falls on the long- its defenders. As an example, oue regi kong exporter. It is hardly necessary for ment sent a message in ach it says me to more than briefly refer to the traile working closely together in order necessity of all interested in the export to make best possible use of present cur- times come again all the Allied countries will be in a position to present a firm tailed facilities, so that when normal
shall We front to the strong, competition experience from our enemies There is an even more important call for close work- ing against the prevention of bad prae: fices wongst native dealers. I refer in particular to bristles. As most of you are probably aware, doulers have recently been using very heavy paper for packing, and in addition to this have loaded the strings so that buyers have had to pay for excessive weight in paper and string at the prices they are paying for bristles. The Committee took this matter up and tried to standard form ofalers to agree to a packing, but I regret. to say that this was not found possible. the general reason for this was that one denler feared if he agreed to a standard form of packing, that his competitora who were not so bound would have an advantage over him. The Committee Would like all the members of fite Associa tion to make a special effort to get the native dealers to join this Association, Our only hope of competing against mal-
M. Ribot, in a message to the Times
cover Russia with eternal slame. The emphasising the need for military coA inconclusive end to the war would ordination, anys it may be necessary to new Husain must not be stumped win
enemy; let us conquer the foreign foe?! create some general instrument of Allied treachery. You have defeated the internal u-ordination, or somehow to revise the present excellent arrangements between the armies of Field Marshal Sir Douglaà Though the Haig and General Nivelle. present understanding reached at the last
NATIONAL SERVICE. CAMPAIGN COMMENCED.
LONDON, March 20th. A great week's recruiting campaign on of Manonal Service was opened by meetings to appeals, iron all the pits There were appeals from the pulpite
A communiqué says:-Our fire stopped now the leader of the opposition, has
issued an electoral address stating that conference in London is working satis if returned the Labour Party will dofactorily, and the military situation is yesterday."
We repulsed several frash enemy attacks during the night on the Easigay-Bon front, between the Somms and the Oise, serious loss being inflicted on the enemy We entirely maintained the positions captured yesterday, and we continued to advance south of the Oise, despite the state of the ground and the bad weather. We pushed patrols beyond. Felombray, south of La Basseo, and in the forest of Coucy.
attention. He forecasts a drastic prohibi. tion of French imports and intensive food- growing.
their utmost, under a voluntary system,qnomic problems which need special most gratifying, it is the tremendous
to secure every fit man for the front, and also to extend ship-building and help the Allies by stimulating food produc- tips. Repatriated soldiers will also bo helped to the atmost, and a scheme of tariff revision will be immediately intro- duced with a view to the protection of Australian manufacturers. He describes the Daylight Saving Art as vexatious, Our batteries blew up an enemy am-
and promises its repeal, and also says munition depot east of Godat farm, north pug
that war profits will be further taxed. of Rheima.
We will again submit to a referendum
Five enemy aeroplanes were brought
down, ▲ French air squadron dropped the proposal to extend the powers of the a ton of bombs on factories at Thionville
Commonwealth Parliament, and we will
are already astride the famous Hinden- barg line between Cambrai and St. Quen tin, as a result of the capture of Roise and in the Bricy basin, and also on rail provide pensions for widows and.or
and Vermand
way
CHINA AND GERMANY, MINISTER ASKS FOR PASSPORTS
AMSTERDAM, March 26th. The Chinese Minister at Berlin has asked for passports for himself and staff. STATE AND THE LIQUOR TRADE,
ATANK FROM MALAY.
LONDON, March 16th, The Army Council has gratefully Accepted & gift of 20,000 made by Mr. Buong Song, a member of the Federal into the liquor trade has reported to the practices Buch as I baya raferred to.
Council of the Malay States, for the pur chase of a "tenk."
BRITAIN'S FOOD PROBLEM. GREAT ECONOMY CAMPAIGN.
LONDON, March 26th.
LONDON, March 20th. It is stated that the committee enquiring
Goverument in favour of State purchase and control in England, Wales, and Ir land, excluding Scotland.
BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR,
LONDON, March 28th.
In the House of Commons, Mr. Hope
stated that we had bo,307 German, 16 Austrian, 763 Bulgarian and 18,519 Tur kish war prisoners, but undoubtedly the The Ministry of Food has arranged for last-named was considerably under:
estimated.
is for
standard to be able to insist on strong the Association to become sufficiently forms of packing, etc., and where dealers will not agree to these terms, to refrain from doing any business with them. We want as many members as possible to join this Association, and I would point out thint
members
of this Association have the advantage of receiving quiries for new business which reaches this Colony through the medium of the Chamber of Commerce With a good membership list we should be in a position to more effectively urge for more considerate Mr. Tudor opposes a compala campaign for the reduction of food sory levy on wealth, favouring, instead, consumption, with a view to retaining
erins in Europe and the U.8.A. in the case of claims, e arbitration awards, revenue by income tax. He declares, also, voluntary rationing. This campaign will
In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar which should contain clear statements that the decisions of the Imperial Con- be directed by twelve hundred local War ference affecting Australia should be Savings Committees, and thirty-five thouLaw announced that a Government Bill reasons for allowances, etc. This Associa for again prolonging the life of Parliation has been in existence for several There will be ment would be introduced on March 27th submitted to the Federal Parliament for sand War Associations.
ARMY FINANCE. ratification.
stations at Conflans and Montmedy phans.
EARLIER CABLES.
THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.}
FLEEING TURKS.
RUSSIANS IN PURSUIT,
The French have been able to advance more rapidly, as the bombardments Russian front. farther south have been less severe. Their operations or the Oise and the western border of the great wooded Bt. Gobain plateau, near Laon, are most promising. This is a natural stronghold, fifteen miles square, rising seven hundred feet above the Ome to the west, and the plain of Leon on the north. It was here that General Joffre intended to stand in 1915, but lack of munitions forced him to fall back to Soissons, repeating the experience of Napoleon in 1814, Since then thie woep's nest." as a French writer cle scribes the forest has been the classic theme of the military schools
LONDON, March 28th.
A Russian communique says:-The Rus sians are pursuing the Turks and have entered the vilayet of Mosul.
LONDON, March 28th.
Ministerialists are confident of 2 majority in the Lower House, but it is generally felt that the result in the Senato will be doubtful
DIVIDING BELGIUM.
AMSTERDAM March 27th
It is now officially announced that
exhibitions, canvassings and communal kitchens. The Mayors will convene meet- inge and lectures. They will also open an information bureau.
PROLONGING PARLIAMENT.
LONDON, March 28th."
SOME STRIKING FIGURES.
LONDON, March 26th.
years and has, I think, certainly justified its existence. Owing to ro- presentations emanating from this Associa
within tion, the Government have, the last two years made arrangements for certain officially testing and examining articles exported from this Colony, such
of
The immense military effort being madens tin, wood oil, essential oils, etc., snd the by Britain is strikingly illustrated in the Hongkong Government Certificates are in the markets of now being recognised Army Appropriation Account for 1916,
being showing that the total net expenditure for the world. Experters bere do, I think,
the benefit and advantage realise the Army was £43,187,548. This smountable to obtain Government Certificates as includes Pay £98,167,156; supplies and to quality, etc, of shipments they make clothing, £212,860,815; quartering, transThe
correspondenes published, he been, and always, willing to take up any
which are
of interest to the mem
AMERICA AND GERMANY. NATIONAL GUARD CALLED UP.
LONDON, March 26th, According to Reuter's correspondent at
sea transport of troops cost £30,687,382. A sum of £5,570,320 wes credited to the
Belgium is to be divided into two admin Washington, fourteen regiments of the and remounts, £96,373,107, of which Association, as you will have seen by
the
matters
A Russian official message says:We trative areas, with Brussels and Namur National Guard from the various States Indian Government for the ordinary bers: Steps are now being taken to argo huyo been called up to protect industries expense of the Indian Expeditionary the Government to furnish statistics of
occupied fortifications at Kalaichanin, in the direction of Kanykin, the Turks main taining themselves on the heights near Miantaga
as the respective centres..
SILVER MARKET.
LONDON, March 27th Montage's report, dated March 22nd,
The French are now threatening to turn the Hindenburg line as a result of their successes at La Fere, where the line is already partially broken. They have further captured important posi- GERMAN ADVANCE THROWN states that the silver market is apathetic.
tions south
south of St. Quentin inflicting Leavy losses on the Germans for the first time since the beginning of the retreat, If a further French blow carries them across the wide marshy valley of the
Oise, the whole Laon salient may go,
BACK.
LONDON, March 26th,
A Russian official wireless messige states: A German advance in the region
Arrivals have been small until today, when a large consignment from America was delivered. There has been a certain amount of general demand and some "bear" covering on the part of the
from domestic disorders in the event of
hostilities.
Prendent Wilson has signed an order: increasing the personnel of the Navy from 62,000 to 87,000
OVERSEAS BRITONS. PRACTICAL PATRIOTISM
British subjects in the Dutch East Indies have sent & subscription amount
Forces.
GERMAN BARBARITY.
TREATMENT OF FRENCH PRISONERS.
***** PARIS, March 20th.
exports from this Colony. I now beg to propose the adoption of the report and. accounts.
Mr. D. K. Moss seconded, and the
motion
was adopted.
THE COMMITTEE
Of the proposition of Mr. Hicerg BOTHAM, seconded by Mr. PINNA, the Comer The President of the Association for War mitter was re-elected en bloc as follows: Prisoners has written to the Foreign Messrs. F. Bevington, A Van Andel, FA Minister urging the Government to compel Beaumont, J. H. Brister, W. A. Hanni the Germans to abandon their barbarons bal, W. M Humphreys, U. Rumjahn, F. treatment of French war prisoners, of Byme
NEW
LONDON, March 28th. which, he say thirty thousand are from 20mpson end. Un Kam. Wah.
On the proposition of the CHAIRMAN and overcrowded. Many sleep on muddy ground and are forbidden to write or to seconded by Mr VAN ANDEL, the election receive letters and parcels. Many are of the following new members was con
French lines.
Trading Co., Ltd., of Seattle Thoresen & Co. Hung Tang, and Maxim & Co. -
especially as the French are simultane of Postavy following four gas waves, India bazaars, the bear positioning to £3,815 to the Overseag Club, for forced to work within a mile of the firmed:Joseph Bros The Northwest
ously and more vigorously attacking the Plateau,frontally from Soissons, gaining
was thrown back
Germans dressed in white overalls at ground, despite obstinate opposition attacked to the east of Baranoviteli, but
were dispersed. Vergny and Margival.
which has been reduced to some extent, the purpose of purchasing two neroplanes. possibly owing to the stendier tone of the Overses residents have now paid for Shanghai exchange, which does not favour ninety-five units of the Imperial Aircraft fresh big gales from China
Flotills formed by the Overseas Club,
SILVER.
LONDON, March 27th The silver market is quiet. The latest quotation is 357%
CHAIRMAN AND VJOY-CHAIRMAN
At a subsequent Committee meeting Mr. F. Berington was re-elected Chairman, and Mr. Van Andel was elected Vice-
Chairman for the ensuing year.