Page
THE WAR.
ENEMY ADVANCING AT HEAVY
COST.
THE PRIME MINISTER
STILL
FULL OF CONFIDENCE":
BRITISH ARMY BARS THE PATH TO VICTORY
FRENCH ARMY INTACT AND AMERICANS POURING ACROSS THE OCEAN.
THE MAN-POWER QUESTION:
POLICY OF JUSTICE AND FIRMNESS IN
IRELAND,
CANADA'S DRASTIC MEASURES.
Franco-Belgian bront
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(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENUT. |
BRITISH FRONT.
METEREN RETAINED,
LONDON, April 17th. 1.65 0.10. Field-Marslin) Bir Douglas Haig re- ports: --We successfully counter attacked last evening in the neighbourhood of Wytschacte,
Our counter-attack also restored the situation at Meteren, which we retain.
We repulsed, with loss, repeated attacks
northward of Bailleul.
FRIGHTFUL RECATOMBS OF
DEAD
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS. FRIDAY, APRIL 191m. 1918.
They are now exerting their strength northwards," but tha previous failures, also Amiens, justify the hops that, the enemy may be stopped again.
A disquieting feature is the cridenco that the enemy is still bringing fresh divisions from Russia, this enabling him to increase his weight and pressure.
The Timer declares that Germans can
draw reserve from Russia for months.
Correspondente testify their own ex perience of the magnificent spirit of the English and Scottish regiments, who are fighting so sturdily that every man is convinced of ultimate victory.
Some writers suggest that Admiral Beatly's sweep of the Cattlegat was con. nected with the anticipation of an at tempt by the German Fleet to partici- pate in the offensive.
OFFICERS.
LONDON, April 17th. 4.45 p.m.
LATEST UABLES.
FRENCH FRONT.
ARTILLERY FIGHTING.
Naval Activities.
PARIA April 17th
A communiqué states—There fairly great reciprocal artillery firing.
And patrol encounters on the front ab
the Somme and the Oise.
THE LICENOWSKI
WAR MEMORANDUM,
TRANSLATION PUBLISHED.
LONDON, April 10th
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THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
SPANISH STEAMER
A translation of Prince Lichnowsky's TORPEDOEDfamous Memorandum has been published, LONDON: April 17h and Lord Robert Cecil stated in the House of Communs to-day that it would bemowidely circulated.
The Spanish steamer, Louisa, proceed. dengan We brought several coups de main, noting to the United States lins been tor pedoed. Three of the crew were drown- ably south-west of Butte-du-Mesnil, in the region of Tabure, and north of
ed
Firevi
We took prisoners,
An enemy attach east of Samogneux on the right of the Meuse failed,
EARLIER CABLES.
BOMBARDMENT OF PARIS.
PAKIS, April 17th,
GENERALISSIMO AND BRITISH The long-range bombardment of Paris
yesterday killed 12 and wounded 45.
ENEMY ATTEMPTS REPULSED, PARIS April 7th.
A communiqué states -There were violent reciprocal bombardments in the Montdidier region, but no infantry action.
In the House of Commons, Mr. Mac- Pherson stated that Generalissimo Fosh had no power over the appointment, er removal of any British officer. PARIS, April 17th. ENEMY'S FORCING TACTICS. A semi-offcial report states The
Losnov, April 17th. chey paid for his success between
18.15 am Bailleul and Neuve Eglise with fright
Reuter's Correspondent at British ful hecatombs of dead Whole battalions
Headquarters telegraphing last evening, were thrown in with an unexampled dis.states:The enemy is continuing his regard for human life. Undoubtedly the forcing tactics, and is employing large enemy will continue the battle with fresh reinforcements and fresh sacrifices. His objective in plear, namely, to turn the pin
range of heights rising 160 metres above. the plain in a triangle formed by Cassel and Bailleul This operation demands little time, and the French and British forces may stop it.
Our fire at close range raught bodies of GERMANS CLAIM POELCAPPELLE enemy infantry advancing
in close
formation, inflicting heavy exsunltics.
The enemy endeavoured to develop an attack yesterday forenoon eastward of Robecq, but our artillery broke up the advance.
NEW BRITISH LINE.
In consequence of the ertiny s pro gress on the Lve front, our troops in the forward positions eastward of Ypres with- drew to a new line. The withdrawal was carried out deliberately, and was undis turbed by the enemy.
German parties advancing over our old positions were caught and destroyed by
the fire of our butposts,
We drove out parties who entered our trenches opposite Boyelles, where our line is completely restored.
There is considerably increased hostile artillery bring this morning on the British front southward of the Somme.
TERRIFIC GUNFIRE.
LONDON, April 17th. 4.10 p.m. Reuter's Correspondent SLE British Headquarters telegraphing to-day,
experience of this war I have never
AND LANGEMARK
LONDON, April 18th. 12.5 am
A Wireless German official message states-We have captured Podicappelle and Langemark.
GRAVITY OF THE POSITION:
RECOGNISED.
LONDON, April 17th. The gravity of the position resulting from the Intest German SUCCESELS I admitted by the newspapers, but there is still no note of despondency. It is recognised that the British Army bas been assigned an arduous role, in delay- ing the advance of a numerically superior eneiny by holding very tenaciously every foot of ground, but disaster is unimagin- able, for the Allied line is still unbroken
mansses of fresh troops,
Several onemy attempts at Pricats Wood were repulsed, after sharp fighting. Russian Fronti
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(TALOUDA LAUTER'S AGENCY.]
______ | FIGHTING IN THE CAUCASUS
TURKS OCCUPY BATUM.
Loxton, April T7ib. A Turkish communique states We occupied Batum after the forts were
stormed of surrendered.
Since the opening of the Western offer- aive the enemy has thrown in 120 Dini
sions, of whoin many were thrown in.
twice,
and even thrice.
Since the fall of Bailleul the Germans are fighting up the Ravelsberg. At fro sent, however, they have avanced only a few hundred yards,
The enemy this inorning renewed his assaults at Wytscharte, employing fresh
troops
The prisoners and booty have not yet been counted,
The cremy losses were cormous, Africa
LATEST UABLES:
{TAROVON REUTER'S AGENCY,]
COLUMN.
BRITISH SHIPPING.
LONDON, April 1701 The Admiralty announces that the Arrivals for the week were 2,911 and the
sailings. 2,450,
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Professor Gilbert Murray who writes the preface to the translation, contributes in te-day's Chronicle an article on the Memoit Into alia, Trofessor Murray says This femoix is not indiscreet or passionato. It tells a story with devnstat ing simplicity A story of good faith thwarted, by bad faith, wisdom by med- ness, and the patience of the peacemaker
· Eleven vesselg over, and four under, by the fret and greed of those who placed 1,600 tons were surk
their hopes in war. The story is not go Twelve vessels were immiccessfullly gow in England as in Germany, - It attacked, and one fishing boat was sunk,
only confirms what we knew from the White Paper and other diplomatic cor General.
respondence Prince Lichnowsky, gives his three main conclusions about the. German policy, namely Before July 23rd, 1914, Germany encouraged Count Berchtold to attack Serbia, though fully aware of the danger of its action leading to a world was. Between July 23rd and WE HAVE LOST TERRITORY BUT 30th, Germany rejected the British
[THEOUGH ESUTEB'8 AGENCY.
AT THE FRONT GENERALS
CALM AND CONFIDENT.
NOTHING VITAL."!!
LONDON, April 17th Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd George said that as regards. the situation at the front, there would be fluctuations of hope and despondency Ve should have both for some time yet, "but," he added "I am still full of
conadence (Cheers.) I have just seen a distinguished genora), from the front and he told me that he saw the generais who were fighting. Tant gallant old General Pinner(lond cheers)-one of the doughtiest warriorg of this coun- try--is incing great odds but he is quite confident (loud cheers.) We have lost
vital
of our generals; it is the view of Gene zal Foch, General Plumer, who is equally as calm and squally as confident an
GENERALISSIMO'S ATM
territory, but we have lost nothing To-day a news is not se good Rone ACTIVITIES OF CONVERGING | (Cheers) That is the view not merely. could wish, but I would suggest the following point of view. We are con- fronted by onormous concentrations of men and guns The purpose of the enemy has been revealed as the separation of the British and French armies, and crushing the former Generalissimo Foch, who is in the closest agreement with Field Marshal Bir Douglas Huig is alming not only at arresting the enemy, but at a counter-attack which shall defeat the Germanns. Therefore, within certain limits, it is a sound policy to allow the Germans to spend their surplus power
LONDON, April 17th. an East Africa oficial report states:
A Cinco April 1st General Edward's General Foch, was seen also this after columns from the coast and General | noon by a distinguished general who is Northey's columns from Lake Nyusun,
now waiting for me. General Foch despite the Leight of the rainy season,
absolutely confident (cheers). have been converging against the Ger mons concentrated to the north of the Liric River.
In this connection Field Marshal Siras Javishly as possible in order that it Douglas Haig's appeal to the troops is should reach a stage of equality, or even
inferiority. recalled in which he spoke of the French forces hurrying to their support, and of the confidence which he felt that they would intervene at the proper time It is a repetition of Verdun on a grander scale, with Bailleul, Neuve Eglise and
Plates --In the courses of three years Wyischnete euch representing Thinumont Farm, and all offered to the enemy at the price of his exhaustion.
EARLIER CABLES.
EXPERT OPINIONS ON THE POSITION
LONDON, April 17th.
$7.20 2.m It is pointed out, however, that in the Allies tactics delay cannot be pressed much longer, as the German successes
THE PRICE OF DEFENCE On the other hand, Generalissimo Foch, in endeavouring to avoid the enemy, obtaining a great strategic advantage by aimultaneously placing a definite price upon certain places as worth so much and
One et General Northey's cloumns on April 5th occuped Mabun, south-west ward of Qsalu A detachment passed eastward, despite the flooded rivers, and inflicted severe løsses.
The enemy are aiming at destroying the British Army. They feel that if they could only get this arm out of the way their path would be clear to victory They have not yet got it out of their
43 (Cheers.) They have inflicted am sorry to say, heavy losses, but nothing to the losses they have sustained. The French Army is intact and the American Array is pouring across.
Un April lith the main German group was encountered moving south west from Alsalu to Mahun.
There may be hope, there may be des Cheneral Edwards' troops, after a nondency; but if we stand together firmly hight march, seized Medoboma of April 19th, after an all day battle, with severe German losses."
no more in defending. Thus when the 226 Balkans, price for defending Bailleul was paid, Bailleul was evacuated. Remember that General Ludendorff has practically laid down all his cards, and that Generalissimo Foch has not yet shown his hand. What Httle I know of Generalissimo Foch's dispositions inspires a degree of eun- fidence which the situation in Flanders semingly does not justify.
EARLIER CABLES.
[1BEOUGH REUTER'S AGENCY
BALKANS FRONT. BRITISH AND GREEK SUCCESSES.
BRITISH SOLDIERS STEAD- FASTNESS,
heard auch terrific unintermittent gun fire as has been going on since yesterday afternoon, and is still proceeding. It is like the roar of a factory full of high- speed machinery, parts of which are con- stantly crashing off through the roof and walls—The battle is raging with incredibly intensity, but notwithstanding the weight and desperation of the attacks
Rest assured that our own Supreme the enemy has not gained further ground.
now threaten not merely the pres Command is watching both the endu GOOD NEWS LAST NIGHT.
and is sector, but they opatrol the const. It is and the map with intense vigilance, Perhaps the best news was that last even urged by some experts that it would While the enemy hopes to frustrate our night we were advancing in the neighbo better to abandon Ypres and Paas plans by forcing changes by weight of bourhood of Wytschaete,
chendaele immediately for the Gormons Lumbers, so far the incomparable steed- Early yesterday the enemy heavily are now behind Ypres. Both north and fastness of our soldiers has deprised the and determinedly attacked Dammetrasse south they have pressed back the British enemy of the fruits of his schemes. (halfway between Hollebeke and St six or seven miles from Messines to the Flo) line, where he was beaten off
foot of the lines of the heights doznal Our artillery dispersed large bodies ing the countryside. Wytechacte is the oncentrating for another attempt
eastermost of these bills
Its loss, SLAUGHTER APPALLING therefore, is more important than Bail Among the many attacks yesterday, leal The battle during the next few The enemy is attacking hard in the direction of Meteren The situation there one of the greatest was against the days will probably develop northwards is obature From La Bassee to Robeck Zillebecke sector. Here the enemy's against Mounts Kemmel, Noia and the Germans are vigorously shelling our line at Boyelles, south of Arras. The Rouge at an average height of five hundenmy obtained footing in a trench Trassed waves were shot down like mown
red feet. Scone satisfaction is derived system, but our counter-attack drove him hay. They were ordered to retire, upon which our gunners got them in the flanks with open sights, and the slaugh- ter was appalling.
*
The famous leaning Virgin in the Albert Cathedral was shot down by the Germans yesterday?
from the reflection that this is not the áriginal German plan.
LATER.
Their objective Inst week was Béthune, Held there, they tried Hazebrouck, which was a more important centre than Bailleul They were stopped here also
The latest report 16 that the enemy carried Wytschaete and established him-
self at Spanbrokmolen. Therefore, although we are upon the slopes of the Messines Ridge, the greater part of the Ridge is in enezny honda,
"ortu
BELGIANS RECOGNISE FOCE
PARIS, April 17th. The Herald states that the Belgians have decided to recognise General Toch 38 Generalissimo.
|
LONDON, April 17th.
A British official Balonika report status: The Greeks crossed the Struma above Lake Tahinos, and occupied the villages Bejlikmah, Kakaraska, Salmah, Kispeli and Ada.-
The operation was most successful and the Greek casualties were slight
The British further north occupied Kumli and Ormanli, and captured a fe Bulgarians.
A French Eastern communiqué states: The Allies carried out successfully an extensive raid on the left bank of the Suruma, between Ormanli and Lake
Tanincs.
They cleared the Bulgarian outposts from the villages.
The Greek troops brilliantly co-operat
longside the British forces Hertal Activities.
EARLIER CABLES:
[ZZROUGE_BETTER'S AGENOT.]
THE FRIEDRICHSHAFEN
FIBE
PARIS, April 17th,
and all other proposals of mediation. On July 30th, when Count Berchtold wanted to como
terms with "Russia Germany prevented him by Inunch
ing hor
hor_Ultimatur. All this s
matter of common knowledge to us. On the other hand, the Secret Council at Potsdabi on July 5th, 1914, at which the Emperor decided upon this war policy, is evidently commou know- edge in German diplomatic circle, and Prince Lichnowsky only meations it in
sirg. Everyone now knows Sir Edward Grey did all that mas could do to avort war, but some critics are still inclined to argue that his previous pro- French and pro-Russian policy had been, directed against Germany and brought war neniet Prince Lichnowsky's ovid- enco on this point is quite clear Sir Edward, Grey, having settled all the out- standing points of difference with France and Russia, wished to make similar agreements with us. It was not his ou jet to isolate us, but to make us part- new in the existing association.” Princy Lichnowsky then gives Sir Edward Grey's own words describing his sim:
Without interfering with our existing friendship with France and Rusi,
ar which has no aggressive obligations upon England, to arrive and friendly understanding with Ger- at a rapprochentent
many, Prince Lichnowsky show how this aim was pursued."!
Professor Murray proceeds to mention. the thres main questions at issue between Great Britain and Germany before the war, namely, the Bagdad Railway, the Naval Programme Sir Edward Grey Portuguese Colonics and the German
ngreed not to object to the eventual and steadfastly, not giving way to fear acquisition of the Portuguese Colonies or panic, but prepared to give and take by Germany, provided Portugal's con in all measures it all parties in Great sent was obtained in a legitimate, man- new that certain Anglo Gerinan Britain and Ireland stand together, the Irishmen in Ireland fighting with the Irishmen who are coming by the million across the food to fight brigaded with British troops if we do that we will vin through in the end. cheers)
(Tremendous
SHIPPING CONTROLLER'S APPEAL TO SHIP BUILDERS,
“REDOUBLE YOUR SPLENDID EFFORTS,"
Losdas, April 17th. Thy Pies Burcan announces: Lord Pirtis, Shipping Controller, urgently appeals to shipyard workers, employers, and all connected with ip-building to redouble the splendid efforts already made, reminding then that they can
take almost a direct part in countering the enemy offensivo which had thrown a greatly increased burden on the Allies
resourocĂ
SWITZERLAND DEMANDS
REPARATION
BERNE, April 17th. The Government has demanded from Germany reparation in respect to the tarpedoing of a Spanish stearoor carry
ing corn for Switzerland.
Germany has replied that she is avait
Sir Edward Grey's only stipula
secret treaties must be published, of which, of 1895, divided the Portuguese Chlonies into economic spheres of influ ence between England and Germany
Prof Murray says there was nothing claim to territory. We merely agreed sinister in this treaty. It involved na
not to push our trade in one part and Germany agreed not to push here in the other part, but the German Government refused to agree to the publication of the Treaties. Prince Lichnowsky considerat
refusal insensate.
this
To have published this Treaty would have lot the German people into the secret that England, whom they were taught to regard as enemy, was really
acting
cordial understands the tier
German
as a friend.se
Professor Murray proceeds Tha story is just the same as with the Bagdad Railway and German shipbuilding namely, a steady endeavour by Sir Ed ward Grey, even at the cost of some risk, to meet Germany's- legitimate wishes and help her to a place in the circle of and a steady man Government to be bound by ne ties determination in winch winch might hamper her in the future- in an unlimited craving for power
Professor Murray wonder why the Lichnowsky's Memoirs to be published in Government allowed Princ Germany He suggests that the reason to that the German Government is riding two horses. If the western offensive the cry will be "Gott straffe The confessed contrivers of BO
did a war will be national. voices, and none will listen to the mall of Prince Lichnowsky, If the offensive fails, it will be just as
well to have the people prepared for some reasonable concessions. If this is truc then there is some power in the back ground behind the German militarists ready to profit by their successen if they win, and equally ready to discard them if they lose. General Ludendorff, trinm. phant will be master of the world, but General Ludendorff besten will not even.
on
General De Comenck is leaving the Ministry of War to take up the command Le Temps states that the fire at. Frieding the return of the submarine which to coaster of Germany of the Belgian divisions under Genrichshafen was caused by a bombardment eralismo Fuch
by Allied armen.
was responsible for the loen.
Continued