Page
THE WAR.
THE
BRITISH LABOUR TO DISCUSS WAR. AIMS WITH FRENCH SOCIALISTS.
INTERNATIONAL WORKERS CONFERENCE
ROYAL PALACES OFFERED AS PUBLIC OFFICES.
DEBATE IN THE COMMONS ON VERSAILLES COUNCIL.
PRESS SUPPORT THE PRIME MINISTER.
Branco-Belgian Bront.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
THE BRITISH FRONT,
LONDON, February 15th; Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re- ports hostile artillery activity in the neighbourhoods of Epchy and Bullecourt
THE FRENCH FRONT.
GERMAN REPORT,
LONDON, February 14th.
A German official report by wireless states:-The British and French ave
continued their reconnaissances at many points, resulting in violent engagements northward of Lens and in Champagne.
The French gained a foothold in the salient south-eastward of Tabure.
A MINOR ATTACK.
LATER, Realer's Correspondent at French Headquarters reports that the raid mentioned in earlier communiqués was really a minor attack, the object being to bite off and retam a salient in the
General,
THROUGH RESTER'S AGENCE.]
THE ENEMY COALITION,
MR. BALFOUR ON DETACHING IT
LONDON, February 14th In the course of the Holt debate, Scottish Radical, Mr. Whyte, referring to a visit to Switzerland at Christmas in order
to
meet
HONGKONG DAILY PRESS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH, 1918.
PRESS COMMENTS ON VER-
SAILLES DISCUSSION, A
LONDON, February 16th The Press comments on yesterday's de-
FREEDOM OF THE SEAS
GERMAN MEANING OF THE
PHRASE
LONDON, February 14th: Asked in, the House of Commons what Germany meant by the phrase Fr
bate in the House of Commons appear to indicate that a combination of dom of the Bens, Lord Robert Cecil re
"THE EARTHQUAKE.
NO SERIOUS DAMAGE AT AMOX
Information gleaned from the Cap tain of the. Hai, Hong, which arrived from Amoy yesterday, hows that the earthquake did very little damage Amoy. The effect was very slight;
COMMERCIAL STRATEGY. VALUE OF CO-OPERATION IN TRADES
di; A Pteel Maitland, M.P. (Oversena Trade Department of Foreign Office and Board of Trade), was the guest of the British Empire Producers' Organization
Liberals and a Unionist group, called plied by quoting a speech delivered by building or two were cracked and a fo* At luncheon at the Connaught Rooma re the National Party, are againstur. Count Reventlow in Berlin in Marah ceilings fell down, but beyond this the cently when Bir Charles McLeod vice
Lloyd George, who is supported by the 1917, as follows:-
more moderate elemente
The Daily Mail says he grave Versailles decisions are being recklessly exploited for Party purposes. It is in tolerable at this crisis of the war, that Mr. Asquith should again attempt to thrust himself forward in the House of Commons We are not likely to sacrifice Mr. Lloyd George in order to make Mr. Arquith the '' defentist" Prime Ministar
The Times says It is significant that Mr. Asquith failed to inform Mr. Lloyd George beforehand what were the ques tions he desired to submit. Mr. Lloyd
George's refusal to satisfy his curiosity was based on an imperious and conclu- sive reason. Nothing could demonstrate the insincerity of any further curiosity more than the cheers of the little pacifist group, who formed a claque for Mr Asquith
Count Albert Mensdorf-Povilly-Dietriclistein, the ex Austrijn
Ambassador to inentioned certain terms and depres
We understand by Freedom of the Seas that Germany should possess such maritime territory and naval basca that at the outbreak of war wo should be able, with our Navy, ren sonably to guarantee oursives the com- mand of the sea. We want such a jumping off place for the Navy as would give us a fair chance dominating the sous, and being free in their use during war. The inalienable possession of the Belgian seaboard is therefore a matter of life or death to us, Lord Robert Cool added that Count
damage was net gerious The Hai Hong felt the shock when she tuás at Foochow
on Wednesday.
President of the organization, was in
the chair,
Sir A Steel-Maitland said that in Ger many there were attempts to compel
form associations for export trade after manufacturers in various industries to
The deaths in Bwntow are now y estimated at about 2,000, the original figure having been increased as the result of the excavations which have been in progress Only one European appears to have been injured.
WRECK OFF FOOCHOW.
LOSS OF AN ENEMY SHIP INTENDED FOR GREAT
BRITAIN
Was
We learn from an authoritative source evento represented the ruling elique Trautenfels), 2,023 tons, one of the into favour the manufacturer against
that the Fiam Sumuth (late 18 in Germany
POISON GAS IN WAR.
LONDON, February 14th. In the House of Commons, Lord Robert Cecil stated that the Government pro posed to consult the Allies regarding the
the
war, the war, but he did not think that in Great Britain such action on the part of the Government would be tolerated. On the other hand, if asked for a frank ex pression of opinion on the desirability of manufacturers and producers in groups of industries now split up combining from the point of view of foreign trade, ho had absolutely no doubt whatever.
In saying this he had in mind a sort of difference of opinion between the two sections of an industry the manufactur ers and the merchants. It
sometimes thought that the Government was
inclined merchant. There was no truth in such a statement. The real fault with us was and to certain extent it obtained in the United States that if two British fris were engaged in the same business they set to work to fight each other; but German Beris in like circumstances would seek to make an agreement.
An examination of the course of trade before the war forced the conclusion that gerous ne German commercial strategy was as dan- her military strategy.
and not always so intelligible. One essential the Siamese Navy, after which she was dustry end finance. On the proposal pub
forward by the
Bank of In he would not venture to pronounce for he had not been through
terned enemy ships which was to have been handed over to Great Britain by Siam, struck the Alligator Book, twelve miles south of Faochow, on the 3rd inst, and is a total wreck
The Liam Samuth, which was the
Stamore waters, was bound from Japan biggest of the prize boats lying in
Londen, The Daily News says: The intolerable action to be taken conjointly in view of cated these casays in secret diplomacy mystery enveloping the Command of the the Red Cross. Society's appeal for the to Bangkok vid Hongkong with coal for feature was close co-operation between in
to which he attributed much of the Junker aggressiveness of Germany dur ing the last few weeks Mr Whyte characterised as foolish the attempt to
separate any one enemy from the rest,
British Army remains.
The Daily Express
Buys Mr. Asquith's speech was an incitement against the Government by factions of atra-militarists and semi-pacifists. Mr. Lloyd George is fighting them with his hands tied, because loyalty to the Allies compels socrecy.
Mr. Baliour began his speech by re forring to Mr Whyte's remarks and said Mr. Whyte attempted to give, on what information I know not, en The Daily Chronicle says: General account of certain events of which the Sir William Robertson remains as Chief enomy doubtless know the true version, of Staff with the full approval and con and which vorsion is utterly at variance idence of the War Cabinet. General with everything that Mr. Whyte has said.
***Wilson continues as the principal re- He is entirely mistaken as to the whole
presentativo at. Versailles.
enemy's line which is troublesome to the character and scope of that, and though It it understood that certain changes
I do not mean, for obvious reasons, to
discontinuance of poison gas,
Mr. Pemberton Billing. Will the right to have been transferred to Great lishment of 101 the estab
hon. gentleman use his influence with the War Office to continue the use of poison gas as long as our enemies do so f
Lord Robert Cecil replied that the question was purely a military one.
AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS, MR, HUGHES AND THE COUNCIL
OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Kaijudement But whether that should
Britain. At the time of the disaster she was flying the Siamese flag
Ninety seven of the crew have been on the the rocks since the 3rd inst, and, owing to the high sc
sca, no vessel could get near the rocks to render assistance,
in
Boheme or not was a minor was that somehow there ought to be, from consideration what was really important
the point of view of export trade, closer Association between industry and finance. Ho proposed to obt the advice and co- A wireless message, received yesterday oporanking and morning at Hangkung, stated that the tions
of those
business was and limita
erew and the Captain had been taken off of a Goverment whi
to' Foochow with their hands and feet injured.
that
to the best of ita ability. was for the Department to oce commercial attaclic service was con- stituted to effect its primary purpose, but
deal with this matter, I can assure My Order in Council, recreating the the resignation by Mr. Hughes of the ready to render help as soon
as the Dominione
Whyte that to misunderstood the policy Chief of General Staff, are impending, of the Government. He seemed to lay with a view to restoring the supremacy down at a principle that no effort should of the Secretary of State for War. ever he made to detach a single ehemy from the Coalition with which you are at war. I entirely refuse to subscribe to that doctrino. If it were possible to
French salient situated in the area where a French assault in September 1915, was brought to a staridstill. The present at tack was rendered more difoult because enemy guns were sown at every point of vantage commanding the rugged area, and the operation was carried out in wet weather, which converted the chalky Soil beneath into a detested white sline break up the Coalition, nobody would Ficked infantry participated and over-rejoice more than myself." came occasional, resistance by grenade INTERNATIONAL Eurowing. The final objective was at- tained within an hour French and American artillery co-operated with splendid precision.
EXTENSIVE FRENCH RAID.
PARIS, February 14th.
WORKERS
CONFERENCE,
LONDON, February 14th. The Labourite, Mr J, A Thomas, speaking during the Holt debate, said the Labour Party was determined to hold an International Conference, and de
Lord Rebert Cecil summing up the debate, and referring to the pacifist
A communiqué states In Champagne,clared that any Government which again after a short artillery bombardment, deliberately attempted to prevent an we carried out an extensive raid south International workers meeting would be west of Butt-do-Mesnil on a 1,200 metre acting fatally to its own interests. front and penetrated the enemy positions ne far as the third line, shattering the defences, and destroying a number of dug-outs and taking 100 prisoners.
Twenty-eight enemy aeroplanes were
brought down between the 1st and the
10th of February, of which 14 were en
tirely deatroyed and 14 severely damaged.
AMERICAN ARTILLERY ACTIVE,
LATER
RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.
EXCESSES BY RUSSIAN SOLDIERS,
STOCKHOLM, February 14th.
It is reported that Russian soldiers are committing shocking excesses in the Aland Islands.
The Swedish inhabitants have fled to the outlying islets, and Swedish rescue expedition, with an ice-breaker, will despatched.
TURKEY TO RETAKE THE
CAUCASUS
AMSTERDAM, February 14th, The opinion is authoritatively express ed in Vienna that Turkey will naturally retake possession of the Turkish territory in the Caucasus.
Premiership, and of the leadership of the National Party, was rejected by 80 votes
aveen
SYDNEY, February 14th, At a meeting of the Council of the
The Chinese National Association a resolution, de
Customs of Foochow in the new development it was for busi news' men to co-operate. The Trade Com Superintended the rescue work. A roissions Service had started from a com wealth and the National Party required bons Mester's boat vers near the rocks, claring that the interests of the Common Chinese cruiser and the Foochow. Har paratively small, beginning t there were throughout the Em- now 18e would, he truste
closer commercial relations
the mother weather moderated. The s. Kutickou country. We had potencialities of
growth in th
and the great and passing vessels from Shanghai gave
Colonies
it was the aim of
immense. As to com possibilities were mercial
should be the of British trade. The work
"on with enthusinam, and with the carries of business in their objects -the development of the Empire within itself and the promotion of trade with foreign countries would be attained. (Cheers.)
to 6
BARON FORREST OF BUNBURY. MELBOURNE February 14th. The Rt. Hon. Sir John Forrest has adopted the title of Baron Forrest of Bunbury
RETURNED SOLDIERS AND FORESTRY BOHEMES,
Mr. Millen says that returned soldiers will be absorbed under the forestry schemes in the various states, and more will be absorbed later.
BARON FORREST TO ACT AB PRIME MINISTER. It is stated that the Hon. J. Hume Cook accompanies Mr. Hughes to the Imperial Conference, Baron Forrest, if well acting as Prime Minister.
BUSH FIRES IN VICTORIA.
The intense heat in Victoria has caused
bush fires in the western district of THE POSITION OF LITHUANIA Victoria Considerable damage is re-
AMSTERDAM February 14th.
ported.
ATHENS February 14th
A court-martial has decided that the recent mutiny at Lamin was engineered by agents of the ex-King Constantine, Mo The Court sentenced three Lieutenant
the crew water. Evidently provisions
were taken off the wrecked shine organization to promote, and
The vessel 18 still on the rocks, with first was right that their
the stern afloat, and the bow broken, The rocks are about twenty feet high.
POSITION OF BAR ISLAND
LIGHT ALTERED.
Notice: is given that on or about the
he
200,000 IRISHMEN OF MILITARY AGE.
LORD LONDONDERRY'S APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT
20th of February Bar Island Light (situated on First Bar Island) will be moved to a position bearing 8. 61deg. doft E., distent 100 fect, from the posi tion it at present occupies. The light Lord Londonderry, speaking recently keepers' but will be moved as 5000 as at a fancy fair held at Londonderry for wossible after that date. All vessels are war charities, sald the members of the requested to proceed at dead slow speed Irish Convention earnestly desired to when passing the vicinity of the Light remove from the path of the Government Station during the time the work of removal is in progress.
The characteristics of the light colour of the hut, etc, will continue to be as beretofore,
UP
ROBBERY OF RLS 2,000,000.
problem that was hempering the sue cessful prosecution of the war.
́ ́ ́ ́ I am convinced," he said, " that there is no reason whatever, why all legitimate. nspirations should not be satished and I believe at the same time that it is pos sible to bring about the direct association, of Irishmen with and
by 'and I believe
irishmen of Irish the control maintenance of the existing cquality of
citizenshipag now enjoyed
Scotland and Wales. I do bot
believe that in the satisfaction of legiti«
with
praise of the Bolshevik attitude, said It cannot be said, so far, that the policy of cringing to the Germans bas proved successful.
The Forgaerts understands that the TRIAL OF GREEK MUTINEERS VLADIVOSTOK, HOTEL HELD that this is not inconsistent with the Replying to criticisms of spcret trenties | first subject to be discussed by Count Lord Robert Cecil said the Government Hertling, Baron Kuehlmana and the was bound to adhere to International Kaiser at Headquarters will be the obligations As regards a League of arrangements for immediately proclaim Nations Count Hertling proposed to leave ing the independener of Lithuania the consideration of that till after the Vienna papers report that tha war That was not the proper attitude Ukrainian Rada has transferred its seat for the British Government. Lord Robert of Government to Zittomia and American batteries rendered most effe Cocil had personally given much atten established direct communication with two aid in the important raid mention- tion to it and had even prepared a scheme Austria. ec in a previous communiqué We have of he own
A communiqué states:There has been lively artillery activity in the region
ast of Rheima.:
organised the captured positions, The BRITISH LABOUR- DEFUTA-
prsoners exceed 150.
Nival Activities.
THROUGH PEUTER'S ACENOT
TIAN SUBMARINE SINKS SCENEMY STEAMER
ROME, February 14th
Italian submarine on Tuesday. aftroon torpedoed an armed enemy stemir pear the island of Lustin
submarine was fiercely attacked by aerdener and dustroyers but returned
TION TO PARIS.
TO DISCUSS WAR-AIMS WITH FRENCH SOCIALISTS.
LONDON February 14th
It is announced in the newspapers that
POLAND AND GALICIA.
SA Zurich message states that the Polish Cabinet has resigned owing to the Ukrainian Peace arrangement,
Viennese papers state that there is con siderable ferment in Poland and Galicia,
a Labour deputation goes to Paris to-day in consequence of Ukrainia's incorpors
to discuss the war auns with French tion of the Governments of Cholm: Nocialists
Kielco and Libir.
THE KING'S SOLICITUDE FOR AN AUSTRIAN WARNING.
THE WOUNDED.
BALMORAL CASTLE AND OTHER PALACES GIVEN UP
LONDON, February 18th
and two soldiers to death..
Three ex Ministers, and
pide ex
Depaties, several officers and two journ
lists are to be deported.
THE SILVER MARKET.
ABSENCE OF BUSINESS.
LONDON February 16th.
The Harbin correspondent of the mate aspirations there is any need for which NO Daily News reports
Ulster claims on
abrogation of that citizer Vladivostok telegramos state that on the claiming equ night of the 3rd instant some fifteen and Scotland and Wales we are abo
equality of privilege with Eng
armed robbers, among whom were soldiers prepared to take a full share in the effort with rifles, held up the Hotel Versailles, this moment it caused me the greatest en
the crifices of the Empire ALL and in ons of the principal hostels, and robbed prehension that there is me process of the guests of about Rs 2,000,000, incind making an indelible stain, that it conta over be said that Ireland has not takes ing jewellery and for costa Pamport her full share in the war. and documents were appropriated. The British Government must uca into the Among the victims was the emel of the their power to bring
war. It is a duty which the British Gov- Ussuri Railway police, Colonel Egoraffle to realise that all nations in the Ireland, because it is
Silver is quoted at 424d. There is a and two or more foreigners, including an world who have stood with the Britian absence of business.
(Continued on Page 0.)
ome Affairs
American, Mr. Willime
The robbery had evidently been care fully planned, as the culprite kuceroded in gejting safely sway with their booty.
more
the
Ireland for that while tities and as com and sacrificed our back prepared to
the
Ight and
ome, and
legen
sto see those 300 000 tiền sgo who care in Ireland, and part in the war but are
To a proy to
German intrigue, a
NEW PORTUGUESE MINISTRY.
Mr A. P. Stokes asks 128 to notify for winch we fough The new Portuguese Ministry has been those who have goods to advertise and
I should constituted as follows:
desire to benefit the Mercantile Marine of milita Major Sidomo Paes President War England and the Naval Prisoners of nee Dob
and Foreign Ware ist advertisements for the pro in fact i
gramme of the entertainment to take tor or victims place at the Theatre Royal Boxt Satur hindrance to the British Empire instead day will be very welcome Those who of an asset I wish that what is best in wish to advertise will kindly send form would come forward and urge on the Ireland, the loyal elemente in Ireland, of advertisement to Mr. AP Stokes British Government to bring theso men Kingsclere not later than Tuesday under those standards which are being evening, accompanied by cheque for $20 upheld against the forces of karbarig or as much more as they may feel disas exemplified by the Gerum Impu posed to give.
Cheers.
AMSTERDAM, February 14th. The Vienna Fremdenblatt, referring to Capt. Machado Santos the possibility of a Bolshevik movement.
dagalhaen. Instruction: ^
Labour Marine Commerce.
ja frustrate peace between Ukraine aLL
Brinco
enhor X enhor 132
steves
The Daily News Gays The King has offered Balmoral Castle as a resort for the Central Powers, wares Petrograd wounded soldiers and Buckingham that the Central Powers could not termit Paled and Kensington Palace, as nublio g
this
offices.
finance" Barboza stolonies.