Page
THE
ANGLO-FRENCH
WAR.
PROGRESS ON
WEST FRONT.
GERMANY FLATTERING RUSSIA,
AUSTRIAN OVERTURES
A
FOR PEACE.
HE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, APRIL
Africa.
LATEST CABLES. (THROUGH SETTER'S KOGNOY.] EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGN. RAINY SEASON SUSPENDS OPERATIONS.
-
NAVAL CHANGES.
LONDON, March 31st. Admiral Sir George A. Callaghan re- places Admiral Sir A. D. Fanshawe as an Admiral of the Fleet, the latter retiring owing to age limit. Vico-Admiral Sir F. E. E. Brock has been promoted Admiral, the patent to be absorbed by the establish
2ND. 1917.
DEALING WITH THE EMPIRE. REPORT OF ROYAL COMMISSION.
LONDON, April ist. The final report of the Dominions Royal Commission - expresses the view that the existing organisations are lande. quate to deal with matters of joint in The War Office reports: The Fainsterest to the Empire as a whole; such as season has suspended extensive operations the scientific development of the Empire in East Africa and the opportunity is resources, the deepening or harbours on a being taken to reorganise forces, exchange co-ordinated plan, an improved mail and. and relieve units, perfect transport and cable service, and the preparation and reconstruct railways. The whole Garman publication of statistics, and, therefore,
LONDON, April 1st,
ment.
FRANCE AND HER MUNITIONS. WONDERFUL WORK AND MEN WHO DO IT.
Mr. Edward Marshall, an American
correspondent, writes from Paris:-⠀⠀⠀
France wants peace, continuous and happy, so she will fight this war through
This positive and uncompromising state- to such an end as will mean exactly that."!
ment was made to me in a quiet room in Paris by M. Loucheur, FrenchUnder WAR APPOINTMENT,
Secretary of State for Munitions. The LONDON, April 1st.-
French Minister of Munitions, M. Albert Sir Eric Geddes has been appointed Thomas, has had a wonderful condjator"
The two have worked Inspector General of Transportation for in M. Loucheur.
together with perfect synchronization, pro-
of Director General of Transportation cheur's statement must be regarded as on Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig's one of the definitely important utterances staff, but vocates his War Office post of of this war. Director General of Military Railways, to which Sir Edward Gamot has been
AMERICA AND GERMANY: rritory north of the Central railway is recommends the establishment of an Im all war theatres. He retains his position during a result so efficient that M. Lou-
THE LAST STRAW.
PLAIN SPEAKING
IN THE REICHSTAG.
FRENCH SUCCESSES.
Branco-Felgian bronie
LATEST CABLES. THROUGH, REUTER'S AGINOY.} TRENCH ARTILLERY ACTIVE. BOMBS DROPPED ON DUNKIRK
LONDON, March 31st,
A French commiuniqué says:-There has been feeble artillery fire on the north and south of the Oise by the enemy, north of
Soissons:
The Germans twice counter-attacked their lost positions north-east of Vrogny Both were stopped dead by our fire.
On the left bank of the Meuse our artillery destructively bombarded German organizations on Hill 304.
German aeroplanes dropped bombs on Dunkirk, killing two civilians. FURTHER BRITISH PROGRESS. MORE VILLAGES AND POSTS CAPTURED.
A CONSIDERABLE ADVANCE.
LONDON, March 31st.
being civilly administered and is rapidly settling down..
A small party of wandering Germans wore captured on the slopes of Kilimanjero on the 25th ultimo.
The principal German force remains south of Rufiji, with outposts in contact with our columas.
There is more activity in the western. area, where the German columes moving
perial Development Board, representing not only the United Kingdom and the Dominions, hur India, the Crown Colonies and Protoctorates. In the initial stages the Board should be advisory, with the following representation thereon suggest ed--the United Kingdom, India, the Crown Colonies and Protectorates, sever; South Africa, Canada, Australia, New
A French communiqué states:-South southward have been engaged by the Zealand and Newfoundland, ong repre
of Ailette we successfully attacked the enemy's position at different points ou the front Neuville-sur-Margival to Vregny, advancing considerably and brilliantly carrying important points d'ami despite energetic defcnes.
Our machine-gun fire and barrage. smasted up, with very serious enemy losses, five violent night counter-attacks against a position we re-captured, yes- terday, west of Maisons de Champagne. The Near East.
LATEST CABLES. (THROUGH RESTER'S AGENØY.] BEYOND BAGHDAD. ALLIES CONVERGING ON KHANIKIN.
LONDON, March 31st. LONDON, March 31st,
An official report from Mesopotamis Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, in a communiqué, says: -We have captured States Our troops, since the 19th inst.. have been operating on the north and Heudecourt and made considerable pro
We have north-east of Baghdad, actively engaged gress east of the village. also taken possession of Marteville, pushing back the enemy and consoli
Vormand and Soyecourt.
dating positions,
Our troops, as also the Russians, are converging on Khanikin, and have on
Rhodesians and Nyasalanders, north and mortheast of Lake Nyasa,
General.
ment.
sentative cach
The report declares, regarding the scientific development of natural r sourcen that it is vital that the Empire should be placed in a position enabling it to resist any pressure which a foreign power, or a group of powers, could exer- eise in time of peace or war, through the control of essential raw materials and commodities, and a complete survey should accordingly be made of the rela
appointed.
WAR FINANCE,
LONDON, April 1st. The Army Appropriation account states that the sum of £5,370,320 credited to the Raj includes the provisional payment of £542,300 by India, representing the estimated saving by the Taj on sea trari- sport service from 1914 to 1916 inclusive. The War Office and the India Office are still corresponding in connection, with this.
INDIAN RAW MATERIALS.
LONDON, March 31st.
of
LATEST CABLES. {THROUGH REUTER'S AQKNOT.]
AUSTRIAN PRESS.
CLAMOURING FOR PEACE.
VIENNA, April 1st. The Austro-Hungarian Press is follow
A meeting of the Raw Materials Com- ing the Foreign Minister's lead. Ition between Empire production and clamours for peace, declaring that Empire requirements of such materials.mittee of the Association of Chambers of proposal is an honourable settle With reference to such materials and Commerce was hold at the Imperial In- Czernin's propošal
consider the question commodities as are mainly produced or stitute so. controlled outside the Empire-such as cot-promoting the further use in the United ton, petroleum, nitrates, and potash--the Kingdom of certain raw materials of most careful inquiry is needed regarding India, and recommended a course of the possibility of new sources of supply, action by Chambers of Commerce in or the finding of substitutes within the co-operation with the Indian Trade In- Empire Survey and investigations inquiry which is now in progress at the this respect should be entrusted to the Imperial Institute. Imperial Development Board, should work through the existing depart- ments of the United Kingdom and the
Dominions self-governing scientific departments, and the Imperial Institute for India, the Crown Colonies and Protectorates. The report emphasi-
asked
GERMAN SOCIALISTS.
PLAIN SPEAKING IN THE REICHSTAG
which
GERMAN ELATTERY FOR
NEW RUSSIA..
WHEEDLING FOR SEPARATE PEACE.
AMSTERDAM, April 1st
LONDON, April 1st, Speaking in the Reichstag, Herr David, Socialist, said that a separate peace with Russia was not so enay ng the Chancellor imagined.
He demanded the creation of a Constitutional Democratic State.
Herr Ledebour, another Socialist,
the Kaiser advised the Tsar 1903 to no longer oppose his people's demands, why does not the Chancellor venture similarly to advise the Kaiser? sies the necessity for a cheap, speedy and accord, Batters new Russia and hints at
transport, and We regard a Republic as inevitable in the efficient development of Germany (Uproar.) | Jarger vessels and larger harboure there arching with seven lengue for Improvement schemes should be History is marching Our troops encountered considerable boots. The German people are incredibly supervised by the Imperial Development forces in this direction. These offered,
Board. The report also suggests im- patient. (Sho strenuous resistance, but we inflicted
proved mail facilities and quicker routes and some mensute of Government control
Our artillery forced the enemy to retire from St. Emilie, which we occupied,
We have captured the villages of Jean-countered considerable difficulties, wo court. Hersdeilly and Heshecourt, and owing to having to bridge a number of canals and rivers, and the Russians on captured-posts in the neighbourhoods of
secount of snow, the devastation caused by the retreating Turks and the formidable
St. Mein and Heninsic so Jend,
killing or capturing the whole
orrison
We carried out successful raide on the north-east of Neuville-St-Vaust, eastward
Paitak Pass position.
of Loos and northward of Ypres, destroy-severe losses and captured prisoners ing several dug-outs and taking some food-stuffs and supplies. prisoners.
We occupied Shahroban on the 23rd Wo repulsed a hostile roid in the neigh-instant after lively fighting, and heavily bourhood of Neuville-St-Vaast
punished the enemy on the Diala river in the region of Jebel-Hamrin and Kizil Rahati
GERMAN REPORT.
LONDON, March 31st."
A German official wireless report atates: British night advance on both Bidos of Loos failed.
The British attacked on both sides of Peronne-Fins high road. We repulsed
On the 25th instant we occupied · Deļ tuvak and Sindyah and rich productive north of areas 35 miles in extent, Baghdad.
We occupied Fallujah, 36 miles west- the
of Tresson.
The President cautioned Herr Ledebour, who continued--The Reichstag must have
Reichetag demands..
The German Press, with one inspired
recommends the conclusion of a separate peace. It denies the rumours of impending German offensives on Petrograd and Bessarabia, and says these are inspired by Britain.
a voice in concluding alliances, peace of steninship companies regarding treaties and declarations of war. The freights, Cheaper cabling is described Chancellor must be dismissed when the as an urgent necessity. The reports states that the Dominions opinion favours State control of Imperial wires, and the Commissioners recommend the State acquisition of the trans-Atlantic cable. A considerable reduction in press rates is proposed to enable a wide dissemina tion of Imperial news
NATIONAL REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.
COLOSSAL FIGURES.
LONDON, March 31st. The revenue for the year shows a total
the attack near Mettencostiere, but the war Baghdad on the 10th instant, of E873,427,682, an increase of £235,000,758,
ther south be reached Houdecourt and treating in the direction of Hit.
Saint Emilie.
We inflicted beavy losses in engage" ments with the French to the south of Hipont. The French penetrated the centre portion of our trenches, but wore elected in a few hours.
FROM HEADQUARTERS. PRISONERS EMPLOYED CLOSE TO FIRING LINE
LONDON, March 31st. Router's Correspondent at Headquar ters, telegraphing this afternoon, szys
We have made considerable program dur- ing the week-end substantially deepen ing the bulge toward St, Quentin and biting into the enemy defences between Broisilles and Bapaume-Cambrai Road,
The Germans stoutly defended the vil lage of Boullecurt, twelve miles south- east of Bapaume, which we took after hand-to-hand fighting, in which the enemy suffered heavily This place is tactically valuable
The Germans are certainly carrying out their threat to employ prisoners close to the firing tine. Two Russians escaped into our trenches at près yesterday.
The BalkaTLET,
LATEST CABLES. (THROUGH RIDIEKʼD AGINOX.) GERMAN CLAIM.
LONDON, March 31st.
A German official wireless report says:We captured 200 prisoners on the ess of Kirlibaba and south of Meste canesci Naval Activities.
LATEST CABLES, (THROUGH BETTER'S AGENCY ]
The expenditure amounts to £2,198,112,710, compared with £1,539,168,377 last year.
FEATURES OF THE REVENUE RETURNS
LONDON, April 1st. Features of the Revenue Returns are the Income Tax and Excess Profits. The former totals £205,000,000 compared with £128,250,000, and the letter £140,000,000 compared with £140,000 last year. total revenue is £70,000,000 in excess of the estimate, but the expenditure is over £373,000,000 in excess of the estimate. The total deficit is £1,624,685,128.
The
Dealing with trade questions, the Com missioners advocate speeding up in the intelligence system, the periodic holding of inter-imperial exhibitions, and the unification of legislation, particularly in regard to patata, trade marks and com- Panies laws.
ANGLING FOR PEACE SIGNIFICANT STATEMENT BY AUSTRIAN FOREIGN
MINISTER.
AMSTERDAM March 31st. The Austrian Foreign Minister, in the course of an interview published in the semi-oficial organ, the Fremdenblatt,
GERMAN RAIDER'S VICTIMS. THE RUSSIAN DEMOURACY. states that the Central Empires are ready
BRITISH, FRENCH AND ITALIAN SAILORS LANDED.
RIO DE JANEIRO, March 31st. The French barque Cambronne bas arrived with 200 British, French and Italian sailors belonging to vessels sunk by a German raider off Trinidad
The raider is described as a sziling vessel with gasoline auxiliary. She is probably one of the ships captured by the Moene
The survivors state that many lives were lost in connection with the sinkings
BRITISH PEOPLE'S CONGRATULA- TIONS.
LONDON, April 1st. Great meetings held in London yesterday adopted resolutions congratulating the
Russian Democracy.
The most influential was that held in the Queen's Hall, presided over by Mr. Bryce, and addressed by the overseas Ministers Fisher and Mono The largest meeting was in the Albert Hall, where Lord Lansbury presided,
to negotiate for peace honourable to our enemies, as well as to ourselves, More. over, if the negotiations fail the war can
continue.
Coming after numerous reports of new Austro-German peace moves, this declara tion is regarded as most significant,
OBITUARY.
LONDON, March 31st The death is announced of Mr. John Dawson Mayne, the author of the
Indian Penal Code
NEW GOVERNMENT VISITS THE FRONT.
PETROGRAD, April 1st, The whole Government ha, proceeded to the Russian Headquarters at the front,
(Continued on Page 6)
CHINESE TELEGRAMS.
(BY COMIESY OF THE CHONG NGÔI BAN:FO,"]
CHINESE MINISTER AT BERLIN.
GERMANY DELAYS GIVING, HIS PASSPORT.
SHANGHAI, April 1st,
As I sat and talked with him I had the
unusual European experience of feeling that I might be in the New York bead- quarters of a great American enterprise sny in the offices of the United States Stenl Corporation or those of the Standard Oil Company discussing enormously intricate and wonderfully simplified affairs with the executive chief responsible for them,
FAMOUS ENGINEER.
Of all the important workers in the European war zone, I have found bone who has impressed me quite as M. Lou cheur did. Carefully groomed, shaved to the quick save for his black and very neat moustache, with an energetic and deter- mined math and Bashing eyes, singularly free Irom the habit of waste motion, M. Loucheur presently began to make me feel that if, unhappily, we ever are drawn into a war, it would be a man of exactly his type whom I might well hope that wo would find to do for us such work as he is doing for France.
M. Loucheur, before the war, was
of the most eminent engineers in world: When he entered the Ministry Munitions he was obliged to write and. sign sixty-two letters of resignation from what we would call boards of directors, but what the French call boards of administration, of which he was either chairman or member. Never had he made a failure. His word and name were magic in the business and engineering fields. That is why I took him very seriously when he said:
"very solemnly say that I mean," that the French Ministry of Munitions means, that every man and woman in all France means to get ahead of Ger- many and stay ahead of Germany in the manufacture of arms nud ammuni- tion,
HAND FACTS.
"This is not the statement of a states- man or soldier. It is the statement of an engineer, dealing with exact facts in An exact way. The most carefully exact study of the situation, the most minute the most thorough compilation impia offgures in every associated of facts which bear upon the case, prove tented with a doubling of her efort, and, to me that if Germany fails to be con-
until she finds herself able to manufacture instead, supremely energises her endeavour three times as much war material of all kinds in each suec.eding month as she manufactured last month, we, the Allies, still will be able so far to surpass her that our final end cannot fail of its accom- plishment."
As the very outbreak of the struggle M. Loucheur declared that while France could furnish all the patriotism that possibly could be required, the Jathies would have to come from the United States. It was he who declared that addi- France must build special plants. tion to the State munition works, and it was to him that the task of American machine equipment was entrusted by M. Millerand.
In November, 1914, M. Millerand signed contracts for the equipment of two great plants with a possible output as great, ag that of all the previously existing works On the following day a put together. mission started for America, where it purchased machines and automatic tools for these two plants to the value of £400,000.
After he had started these two great plants M. Loucheur went to M. Herriot, in Lyons, where he took over great new buildings which had been intended to serve as immense model slaughterhouses. Within two months these were, in opera- tion ag munitions factories. MAGIC WORK.
An example of how quickly we were Our Minister 26 Berita has telegraphedworking at this time," said M. Louchenr may be found in the fact that the to me, to the Government stating that
the lapse of time between the departure. German Government have not given Jum of the machinery from the States and its
his passport and that therefore he cannot
leave the country.
PRESIDENTIAL ENTERTAINMENT. President Li entertained Lu Wing ting yesterday, 128 officials participtast.
FOREIGN MINISTER
The Government will appoint Liang Cha-Chao or Ka Or-chien, Minter of Foreign Affaire, as Parliament is opposed to the appointment of Lu Cheng Hsiang. CONGRATULATING RUSSIA'S NEW
GOVERNMENT.
Both Houses of Parliament have tele graphed to the Bussian Duma to co gratulate Russia's new Government
THE AUSTRIAN MINISTER: The Austrian Minister at Peking preparing to leave.
employment in actual munitions produc tion in France amounted to only thirty days. At about the time when the great Lyons plants began to operate a plant one half as large was started near the suburbs of Paris
The working staff of these two muni tions enterprises now totals more than Fourteen thousand people, and they are the mest efcient manufacturing concern, that ever have existed in my country.
They manufacture everything in com nection with projectiles. They not only make the shells, but they make the fases to explode them, and this means a wide The construction of range of processes. the larger part of an explosive shell may be regarded as a rough if not a crude procedure, but a the fuse which must attached to each projectile are twenty two pieces of a delicacy so great that at the start we found it only through machinery which previously had been used in making
matches.
Then came the necessity, imposed upon us by our adversaries, of the manufacture of asphyxiating gas. Exartly sixty days. is elapsed between the time of their inception and the day of the completion of the first asphyxiating gas plants."