Page
THE WAR.
SIR DOUGLAS HAIG TO HIS TROOPS: THE ENEMY HAS YET MADE LITTLE PROGRESS TOWARDS HIS GOALS.
**FACH ONE OF US MUST FIGHT ON TO THE END
BILL:
THE MAN.POWER
INCREASE OF AGE-LIMIT AND COMPULSION IN IRELAND PASSED.
THE IRISH CONVENTION'S REPORT.
EMPEROR KARL AND PEACE OVERTURES TO FRANCE,
Branco-Belgian Front.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENOR.)
BRITISH FRONT. ENEMY DRIVEN OUT OF NEUVE ENGLISE.
AERIAL OPERATIONS.
LONDON, April 13th. 12.40 a..
Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, Porting on aviation, enys:-
THE HUNGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, APRIL 15TH, 1918.
The
attacked
The flanks are holding firm,
The enemy, determinedly enemy has extended the marrow jugse of along the Messines Ridge, where the his salient in a way which nothing but South Africans who had hardly rested an immense superiority in numbers after a splendid there in the recent could render tactically fengible nor be douthern Biruting, did such grind work achieved. Wo have been counter-attack in restoring the situation on Wednes ing to-day, and the battle is fiercely pro-day afternoon The Buemy succeeded in Baining some ground, but the South gressing.
The clear weather is enabling our air. Africans again drove him out by n
reconnoitre
eo-spirited counter-attack in combination men to thoroughly operating in the combat with very effect
tive results.
with British troops. The enemy artillery opened a heavy bombardment at 2.45 this The enemy's objectives in this drive morning from east of Ploegsteert No include Bailleul, Aire Bethune and report has yet arrived of subsequent in Merville.
fantry action. The German guns were The enemy had 200 divisions at the also plastering the Dame Strasse arta vas beginning of the offensive on the Western early this morning. Our artillery was Front, of which 90 are believed to be kept intensely busy. Our airmen in practically unfit for the battle line, 20 great numbers are rendering invaluable Divisions have been thrown in on the aid. The Germans are developing great battle-line thrice since March 21st, and 40 twice while over four times that num. ber of divisions have been hurled against the British than against the French.
ENEMY MAN POWER EXTRAVAGANCE,
– The enemy rate of spending nis man repower cannot be long maintained Al-
The atmospheric conditions were courable yesterday for a great concentra tion of our neroplanes on the battlefront. Large numbers of low-flyers were en
ready to a considerable extent the 1919 fav-class are being sent to refit battle-line divisions, while the calling up of the 1920 class began a month ago
Our reinforcements are steadily coming From Givenchy to Lucun our line is
fighting magnificently
up.
artillery activity in the southern area, which possibly heralds further infantry
attacks,
The Bray-Corbie road was fiercely shelled from three, till daylight, and the valley west of Sailly-le-Sec was under heavy are all night,
BRAVERY OF BRITISH GARRISON AT ARMENTIERES.
AMSTERd, April 13th Asemi-official message from Berlin, referring to the capture of Armentieres, says Despite envelopment, the garri on held out with extraordinary bravery simultaneously did the remnant of the brave garrison, surrender.”.........
The Tartes, in mentioning the latter in an editorial for their conduct on Thursday, describes it as just as fine ne on Wednesday when their counter-attack recovered the ridge. Despite their fosses, on Thursday they thrust back the Gor- mang from the high ground of the fridge to the Messines, Wytsche road and he'd them there against repeated counter attacks.........
BOMBAI
ENT OF PARIS.
Pants, April 13th. long-range gun yesterday killed 2 and wounded 12 #JAMERICANS COOPERATING,
A sharp counter-attack by the French in combination, and Americans, acting i immediately ojected him.
The Americapa took 22 prisoners, be longing to six different units."
Two German aeroplanes and a captiva balloon were fellod, and 12 were driven down, damaged in the air-fighting,
dramatic glimpse of the desperation of the fighting is afforded by an episode in which the Headquarters Staff of two troops on the river Lawe, plunged into Brigades, opposing General Bernhardi's
We dropped 10 tons of bombs on the ral led his orderlies to the fray. the struggle with rifles, while one Gene-
Emphasising the gravity, of tion some papers point out that the station at St. Quentin, the aviation eniny now is only thirty miles from
the posi
(THROUGH RELTEN'S AGENCY.]
Dunkirk and forty miles from Calais ground north of Montdidier, and han while apparently the positions on gars at Champion." Mesines Ridge, have turned the whole are imperilled Northern Army's communications which Naval Activities.
Others a little more hopeful point out that the more Germen Divisions that are engaged the easier will be General Foch's trak. They state that it is still too soon to assume that the direct thrust in the North for the Channel porta bas become the enemy's major operation. The increased activity of German artil lery astride the Somme points to a renewal of the contest on a large scale.
FRENCH FRONT/ FRENCH RECOVER HANGARD.
Pants, April 19th.
A communiqué states-During the night our counter-attacks in the region of Hangard-en-Santerre completely threw We again possess the entire village
GERMAN SUBMARINE
BOMBARDS MONROVIA.
LONDON, April 13th. leuter's Agency learns that a German submarine appeared off the Liberian Const un April 9th and seized a small armed vessel, which she torpedofil after making the crew prisoner e
The Commander presented an ultima- tuma to the Government and threatened to bombard Monrovim if the wireless was not dismantled and the French cable. closed. This was accordingly done. Later the Commander insisted upon their destruction, which the Government re- bombarded Monrovia for one hour, and
a result of last night's fight.ployed in bombing and machine-gunning bolding well. Everywhere our troops are Only when assaulted on both flanks back the chemy, fused to do. The submarine thereupon
LONDON. April 13th.
11.95 p.m. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re- *ports:
ing the neighbourhood of Neuve
in Englise, the enemy succeeded, after a pro- into Jonged struggle, in forcing his way the village. Our vigorous
counter attacks this morning drove out the El number of enemy, and we captured prisoners, including a battalion com
mander.
We successfully repulsed a later attack, and also
a number of other attacks at different points along the battle-front northward of La Bassce Canal,
SEVERAL ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED.
LONDON, April 13.
4.45 pm. There were three separate attacks on our line south-westward, westward and northward of Merville, which in each Case were repulsed after heavy fighting.
We successfully drove back an attempt- cd attack southward of Metern, and we also beat off four attacks launched on
our positions south eastward of Bailleul Heavy casualties wore inflicted on the
Senemy
This afternoon a hostile attack in strength has developed between Meteren- Bacque and the river, south-weetward of Meteren and Wulverghem. Sovere fight- ing is taking place on the whole of this front,
On other parts of the British front there is no change.
·BRITISH SLOWLY PUSHED BACK.
LONDON, April 12th.
11.55 p-m..
the roads, which were packed with enenly troops
Thirty-
tons bombs were dropped.
and 110,000 rounds of ammunition
Over were fired by us.
Other formations, flying at a greater height, engaged the enemy's aeroplanes. which were extremely active in this sector.
Owing to pressure we have fallen back lightly in the area east of Bailleul.
STRATEGIO SITUATION
UNALTERED..
GERMAN REPORT. PROTON RENA LOYDON, April 13th.
12,45 am Airelces German official report" states:In the capture of Armentieres English garrison. with 50 officers and 3,00 men laid down their arms after a
also the cemetery, and
Apart from his resultless losses the destroyed the stations and inficted chemy left 70 prisoners in our hands onsaltios. A passing steamer interrupt duel continues violont ined the submarine, and a fight between The artillery this region
the two vessels ensued. Between Montdidier and Noyon there were lively bombardments and great. The Near East. patrol activity.
Enemy raids north of Orvillers-Sorel between Miette and the Aisno broke
general braves mongst down.
LONDON, April 18th.. * 11.00p.m.j Reuters Correspondent at British Headquarters reperts:- The position at the moment seems to justify. the hope that the Germans will achieve no more towards a decision in Flanders than they have done in Picardy and Artois. They have overrun a lot of and scored a series of tactical achievements, but the strategic situation remains unaltered, for so long as the Allied armies continue to face the enemy in an unbroken line of men and gun When the mist cleared, there was great the issue for then remains as clear as
before they were pressed out of the posi activity on the whole front.
tion they occupied prior to March 21st, SITUATION STEADILY IMPROV ING.
Other machines reconnoitred the bettle area, bringing back information of the positions of our own and the enemy's
troops.
We made several long-distance recon- naissances, taking photographs of much of the fighting.
We brought down 21 aeroplanes and steadily improving in drove down 14,
Four of ours are missing and two of aura, reported missing yesterday, have
since returned.
We dropped over eight tons of bombs last night on Bapaume, villages south ward of the Somme, und military ob- jects at Ostend and Zeebrugge. Ons of our machines is missing.
We successfully bombed Sablon and the railway station at Metz to-day, drop ping 22 heavy bombs, all of which burst on the railway eidings.
All our planes returned. ENEMY PRESSURE CONTINUED.
LONDON, April 18th.
2.10 p.m.
Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re ports-There was severe and continuous fighting last night in the neighbourhood of Merville and Neufberquin.
The
Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig ra ports-The enemy maintained a strong pressure throughout the day southward enemy, continuing his pressure, pro and south-westward of Bailleu, making gressed in both localities and captured constant attacks in great force, which Merville at night time. He succeeded, after heavy fighting in the neighbourhood are still continuing.
of Plogsteert, in pressing us back to new positions in the neighbourhood of Neuve why Eglise, ovve
We have been slowly pushed back in the continuous fighting to positions in the neighbourhood of the Bailleul rail way, where we are heavily engaging the
-enemy.
The situation on the remainder of the
northern battlefront is substantially un changed,
There was sharp fighting also north penetrated northward of Festubert.
ward of the La Bassee Canal.
The enemy slightly progressed between the Lawe and Clarence river,
Elsewhere our positions have been
A counter-attack regained a portion of our position into which the enemy had The enemy's attacks on the Loiste Lawe front and northwards were pulsed.
re
Fighting continues on the whole front and northward of it has local attache
The situation at the week-end is
our favour Although the Germans delivered several heavy attacks to-day at various points. all were repulsed Not only has the спету, apparently, made no progress anywhere, but the retaking of Neuve Englise by our troops may force him to relax his effort in the direction of Bail fuel. There is a tendency towards a luil in the offensive, which probably means that the Germans are very tired, f
DETERMINED ENEMY ATTACKS.
LONDON, April 13th
4.53 p.m. Reuter's Correspondent at British
telegraphing to day Headquarters, states-The enemy to-day continues to
press, his offensive on the northern lins unremittingly with French troops.
The weather again is hazy, limiting observations
The Germans launched a mass attack last night penetrating the line east of Locon. Our counter-attack drove them back with big casualties
The enemy three hours later assaulted the name spot, and was again repulsed, yet another attack, was no more sucea ful.
BRILLIANT ANGLO FRENCH
LOCAL SUCCESS,
The also attacked near La Bassee, night was wonderfully clear, and our carrying a strong trench position. The airmen were intensely active, mbing local success which the British and enemy concentrations. It was a brilliant French won at Hangard, where we carried strong positions.
We have
other booty.
FRANCO-AMERICANS SHATTER
ATTACKS.
The total of prisoners in the battle of Armentiores is now 20,000, including an English General and 200 guns. The enemy continues to bombard The French assault westward of Rheims, a purtion of which is in flamca. Morenil broke down, leaving 200 prison- We are endeavouring to restrict the con- ers, who were subsequently killed by the flagration French artillery.
VON QUARST AT ARMENTIERES.
AMSTERDAM, April 13th The Koelnische Folkeretting states that General Ferdinand von Quast, who is commanding the Army in the Armen- tieres sector, is S. He commanded an Amy Corps in the invasion of France, to in the Aisne, Champagne and Somme attles.
He became the Commanding General of
1917, the Prussian Guards at the beginning of
FIELD.MARSHAL HAIG'S APPEAL TO THE TROOPE. "EVERY POSITION MUST HOLD TO THE LAST MAN."
LONDON, April 12th. 0.25 p.m.
Field Marshat Sir Douglas Haig, in a special order issued to-day to the troops in France says
The enemy is renewing his attacks at the Forest of Appremont against Bow Brule,
The Americans, in awon with our troops, vigorously shattered most of the attacks.
- LIVELY BOMBARDMENTS.
PARIS, April 19th.
A communique states: The artillery struggle was somewhat violent at night- time the region of Hungardens Santers,
Our reconnaissances were active in the sector of Noyon and Canny-sur-Matz, taking prisoners. There are fairly live ly bombardments, in the region of the Offe canal and the Forest of Parrov.
FURIOUS STRUGGLE FOR 'HANGARD.
PARIS, April 1301. A communique states: Following: an intense artillery preparation, the Ger mans this morning attacked our front at Hangard-en-Santorre and Hourges. A furious fight lasting all day, developed, The enemy in front of Hourges did not progress
The Germans, after several fruitless attacks, ceaselessly fed by fresh troops, entered Hangard-en-Banterre,troo
began his terrific attacks on a 60-mile Three-weeks ago today the enemy front. His objects are to separate us from the French, to take the Channel and to destroy the British Army, Despite having thrown already 306 Divisions into the battle end having
Counter-attacks brought us hack to the ondured the most reckless sacrifice of western part of the village, whore fight life, he has yet mnada little progressing continues desperately. towards his goals, We owe this to the determined fighting and self- Noyon sector. ⠀e sacrifice of our troops, Words fail ine to express the admiration that I feel for the splendid resistance offered by ranks under very trying ar Many arongst 18 BFG now tired. To those I would say
Victory belongs to the side holding olding out the longest
There was active artillery bring in the
The Germana bombarded Rheinis where several tres broke out, notably round the Cathedral.
THROUGH RESTER'S AGENCY.) OPERATIONS IN PALESTINE. RETREATING ENEMY PURSUED,
LONDON, April 12th. A Palestine official report states - Throughout the day fighting was in pro gress in the coastal sector.
On Wednesday the Turks and Germans penetrated the advanced positions in the direction of Berakiu and Elkfer, but were eventually ejected:"
We advanced or lines at several points, and inflicted substantial losses.
We took a few Turks and Germans prisoner.
A Turkish attack on the cast bank of. the Jordan in the vicinity of Elgho Raniyeh on Thursday broke down with heavy losses under our artillery re
Our mounted troops pursued the re
short distan DEF trenting enemy within
of Shunet Nimrin.
An attack astrido the Jericho Jablus road westward of the Jordan was also repulsed,
General
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.)
THE CZERNIN LIE?
LETTER FALSIFIED.
AMSTERDAM, April 13th A Vienna official says that the letter from Emperor Karl, officially published in Paris, is falsifed. MISINTERPRETATION OF LETTER
SUGGESTED."
AMSTERDAM, April 13th.
It is now significantly admittel in Vienna that the Emperor Karl had sent The enemy in the Forest of Apremont some kind of a letter as regards Alsace strongly attacked our positions at Bois Lorraine, the explanations taking the Brule and gained a footing in the form that the letter, we misinterpreted
ur falsified. advanced elements paypa
THE THREATENED OBJECTIVE.
PARIS, April 12th
A semi-official message says:The Ger man attack on the British in Flanders
ITALIAN SHIPPING.
LONDON, April 12th. The arrivals of Italian shipping dur-
was originally intended as a diversion, ing the week were 144 nad the sailings.
ail to re- far as Hollebeke Strong a of reinforcements to
Over 110 German Divisions have to far heen engaged since March 21st, of which over 40 have been thrown into the Battle, twice and thrice.
The ensins after prolonged fighting further north entered a post near Tilloy Lez-Moffaines, but was immediately driven out and the poet was re-establish driven or an increased hostile artillery ing astride the Bomme
Of the sinkings there were one
RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.
THE TURKISH OFFENSIVE
London, April 13th. The Russian Government has sent a Note
The French Army is moving rapidly and in great force to our sup- port. No other course is open to us but to fight it out. Every position must hold to the last man. There must be no retirement. With our backs to The enemy secured a direct hit upon
the wall and believing in the justice but, owing to the initial success, has been $19. the famous Amiens Cathedral.
of our cause, each one of us must fight changed into an attack pushed through steamer over 1,500 Lous and three sailing on to the end, for the safety of our to the full with fresh divisions. The vessels, of whom one was over 100 tons. FIERCE BATTLE RAGING.
homes and the freedom of mankind threatened objective is specially the LONDON, April 12tb depend alike on the conduct of each mining district of Bethune, for it would
4.10 p.m.
one of us. This is a critical moment.be very rash for the enemy to aim at EFFECT OF APPEAL foresee the issue, but it should be con- reaching Dunkirk, It is impossible to Reuter's Correspondent at Headquar ters saya:The battle in Flanders con-
LONDON, April 13th, templated confidently, for the British tinued this morning, in brilliant sun-
7.20 ani,
possess a second very powerful position shine and clear visibility with a fierce. ness which has scarcely flagged sincs it Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig's which they have not yet ached, on to Berlin declaring that the offensive of the bogan. The situation continues to be removing appeal to the troops has which their resistance would be consider Turkish troops on the Caucasian Front whole Armenian population, women and wide üsttieseld, therefore only a generating that the struggle has reached in pottably facilitated. Moreover, the arrival has been followed by the muxion of the children being killed mercilessly, pro- perty plundered and burnt. The peace PARIS, April 13th. on our positions in the neighbourhood of and incomplete outline of the position is that may even be decisive in the war establish the situation, skin
Treaty which the Russians were forced to Neuville Vitasse were repulsed possible. There lias been no appreciable The words are made the text of articles mug woman in the British Isles to take them change from Givenchy to the river Lawe in the papers, urging every man and
A semi-official statement says:Enemy ign at Brest Litovsk left the determina- during the past twenty-four hours, t
We successfully beat off a heavy attack to hourt, while breathing confidence."
against the northern front. British line of the provinces of Ardagan, Kars and upon Laisne, and also repulsed, with the noble Armies which have already now seems to be devoting all his effort tion of the future destiny of the people inmenso ceny losses, three. Wacks andene that the men can do, and with From 2 point west of Hollebeke the line recent events testify to the renewal of
proved their mettle will leave nothing here is convex from the north-southward. Batum to the people themselves, but launched in big waves near Neuve the French hurrying to their aid, will passes Wytschuete. Messine and Neuve the old policy, and the annihilation of Chapello. The ground in front of our yet save the day
Eglise to the approaches south of Baile Armenian people line was strewn with corpses Further
lenl. Hence to Neuf Bergin it attains The responsibility for all the horrors north our line was withdrawn to a more
maximum advance at Merville, whence which the Armerian population is now advantageous defensive position about a
it beads south-easterly
Facaut, suffering in the regions already occupied thousand yards west of Beaupre through
Locon and
it joins Pestubert where sh Neufberguin and thange in jo plus to heuters Correspondents add little old line at Givenchy Government, which directly helped Incapable of being Turkey to secure these regions. The Reuter's Correspondent at Headquarwesterly direction to La Vernia. Thus to Router's socount of the heroic fighting The The enemy launched a strong attack, ters, telegraphing this evening, states: the enemy salient has become consider of the British, but the details they give re-established cohesinent the Government insist upon the immediate preceded by a heavy bombardment, east The enemy continues to strain every ably more acute, though I hear the enemy emphasise the supreme courage with British troops in no way, destroyed, and energetic intervention of Germany in the war of Locon, and succeeded in entering effort to break through in Flanders. Al-js still pressing on the town of Merville, which small bodies have held on to out the Allied supreme commands now knows Caucasus in stopping further murders and our lines at certain points, but were ready 30 enemy divisions have been
ready.. 30. neta divisions from other ward from the direction, Baillon and think in touch with other bodies, but what measures to take in order to obviate parts of the front. The enemy is em from the north towards Steenwerk, but all the time inflicting boy bio Allied forces. The course of battle should the night, and also repulsed an attack playing his great gun-power reinforced did not succeed in pushing back the
gigantio conflict local ane
Alucinations westward of Merville.
accounts The Liverpool battalions and count
Only the
blows Arden the remainder of the by hauls from the East, in the same enemy although we punished him are prominently mentioned shot arouse a lack of confidence, for in such The situation on north battle front is unchanged.
The Germans are throwing in reserves to Royal Scots, Royal Scottish
it is
·AMSTERDAM, April 13th, a very severe test upon our troops.
is essential, Sharp Jocal fighting: ocurred yester
the Black Watch, the Gordons, like the present to ra
raciain in the end. · Between 40 and 50, including police- day south of the Somme in the neigh. Their response, in courage and endur-fir the same prodigal manner, as during
out for special incidents the stronger. Generalissimo Foch, by men, were wounded in the food riots at bourhood of Hangard, Anglo-French unce, defies all praise. By the sustained the opening days of the present offensive though singled
Prisoners unanimously agree thint the mere but representative of the conduct sparing his men as long as possible, is The Hague. A number of shops were. counter-attacks regaining positions into pressure of dense masses and the constant
pressed hock" tactics, the enemy has German High Command's object is to us the whole Army. Particular praise awaiting an opportunity. The object of plundered. which the enemy had penetrated. C
The enemy's artillery is more active succeeded during the past 24 hours in swamp the British by sheer weight of accorded for the fighting for Messines the renewed attack in the south in to
Hidge of Boots and South Africans, retain the French forces there.
Continued on Paac 6.) north of the Somme.
SITUATION UNCHANGED.
LONDON,, April 13th.
2 p.m. Heavy fighting developed last even- ingin the neighbourhood of Neuws Eglise and Wulverghem, and was still continuing late last night.
We advanced our line slightly in the
Jew
neighbourhood of Festubert, securing E
prisoners
driven out by a counter-attack.
We beat off a second attack later in
ENEMY STRAINING EVERY EFFORT.
LONDON, April 12th.
11,55 p.m...
counter-attacked later south-west-
GLIMPSES OF THE FIGHTING,
LONDON, April 18th.
sometimes isolated
sometimes
bloody losses
situation
laviab manner as his men, thus imposing beavily other Lancastres, the Durham Lightinnen in a decisive.
advancing in the centre of his attack numbers.
The
hardly
man
annihilation."
RIOTS IN HOLLAND.
CASUALTIES.