THE WAR.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, MAY 11mm, 1918.
DETERMINED ENEMY ATTACK IN FLANDERS.
BRITISH ORIGINAL LINE RESTORED.
THE MAURICE LETTER DEBATE.
MR. ASQUITH MOVES FOR SELECT COMMITTEE
BRITISH SUCCESS IN MESOPOTAMIA.
Branco-Belgian Front.
LATEST CABLES. (THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY:1
BRITISH FRONT.
BRITISH LINE PRESSED IN.
LONDON, May 8th.
2:15 pm Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re ports:Successful British and French counter-attacks in the La Clytte-Voor mezcele sector drove out this enemy from portions of our front line in which be had obtained a footing, and we re established our original position.
FRENCH FRONT-
ENEMY TESTING STRENGTH OF ALLIES IN YPRES ZONE.
PARIS, May 9t
General.
LATEST CANLES. (THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY THE POLITICAL CRISIS. MR. ASQUITH NOT SEEKING OFFICE
A semi-official report states:-The front of the attack between La Clytte and Voormezeele was less than two miles dis tant. La Clytte constitutes the hinge of this front with the line running north and the sense that the crisis has diminish- The Lobby was quieter yesterday, in
LONDON, May 9th
STRIKE LEADERS IN SPAIN RELEASED.
Madrid, May Uth. The Aninesty Bill, releasing the strike leaders, has been passed.
WE ARE COMING
THE EMPIRE'S PART IN THE WAR
LONDON, May 8th. Mr. Walter Long, presiding at a
SUBMARINE LANDS MAN IN luncheon to Sir Frederick W. Young,
IRELAND.
upon the latter vacating his position as
LONDON, May 9th,
-Minister of Crown Lands in South
Australia, said the Empire was a won-
In the House of Commons, replying
confirmed that a man had landed from thing like it in the whole history of the
south, bordering the Flanders hills. Theel, in view of a general expectation that to Mr. Ronald McNeill My MacPherson derful thing. There never had bön any-
line La Clytte-Voormezcete commands an unbroken plain, leading to Poperinghe, six miles west of Ypres. If the enemy pierces the line, thus outflank ing Ypres from the south the evacuation. of the latter may become a delicate operation, although at present it would
the Government would secure probably a three-figure majority today."
night not to participate in the debate.
The Irish Nationalists decided last
It is now stated that Mr. Asquith ising to be court martinfled; not making a bid for office, but it is
assumed he calculates that, the debate
unbated fury. We still hold the hamlet of Kleine Vierstraat, but we have been not be difficult. The High Command is further weaken the Government, pressed back south-west of the wood bound to consider all eventualities, and The papers continue to comment some- The French were then holding the line its decision will conform to the what bitterly on the situation, but none along the Wyverbeek. The Germans,terests of defence. The Germans ves em suggest an alternative Ministry The terday were testing the strength of the only proposal in this direction to-day Allies in this zone.
in by a letter from Sir West Ridgeway, that the Speaker should be the
Dew Pre- mier.
"ARTILLERY ACTIVITY.
Panis, May h.- A communiqué states there was i
Ministerial organs hope that, if Mr.
THE ROUMANIAN PEACE
TREATY
a German submarine recently on the world. In the war what a marvellous west coast of Ireland, and had been part the Empire has played! At the arrested. He is now in the Tower await
moment when it was apparent we were going to stake our very existence on the snered eaise there came from every part of the world where the British fing flew, not requests for further information and. TREATY CONCEALS SCHEME OF Awkward questions, but one wonderful
SPOLIATION
ers, We are coming. (Cheers) And when they came what a page they have written in the military history of the world. Although loosely knit the moment the Empire was confronted with a real danger they stood, as one man, and ni the troops had shown they were entitled
LONDON, Miny th The newspupces refer to the Roumanian Peace Treaty na justifying worse than what has been
about what Germany will do if she has the power. It is pointed out that the formidablo
Later the French helped to Ciprocal artillery activity north and Lloyd George's answer, they expect noumanian Army was led to lay down to rank with the heroes whose names ar
continuing to throw in fresh
troops, pressed us back towards the western. edge of Ridge Wood and momentarily owupled a greater part of this. We still had parties holding out in Kleine Vior- straat. restore our complete possession of this place. Before sunset the Germans fought themselves to a standstill, having suffered very heavily, but they had gained ground of some tactical importance at Ridge Wood, being a distinct step towards the coveted point d'appui of Scherpenberg.
Just before dusk we counterattacked
south of the Avro
Naval Activities.
LATEST. CABLES. [THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY ] MINESWEEPER MINED.
LONDON, May 8th The Admiralty announce that a British mine-sweeper was mined and sunk of.
at Three officers and 23 men, in cluding the mercantile crew, were killed.
EARLIER CABLES.
is complete and crushing, then an end will be put once and for all to the cam- paign of intrigue and rancorous attack.
PARTIES INTENTIONS. At a meeting of the Unionist War Committee it was decided to support the Government in the event of a division tomorrow on the Maurit affair.
arms by fair promises, only to find that every promiss concealed a scheme of spoliation. With wholesale loss of torri tory and her great oil assets the Bou mania indemnity must his counted in millions sterling.
The Manchester Guardian characterises
Committee has similarly decided
It is understood that the Liberal War the treaty as being as harsh as could be
The Labourites will remain undecided. efore the debate.
The Nationalists, who are in Ireland,
devised.
GERMANY BLEEDING BULGARIA.
AMSTERDAM, May 9th,
A Vienna telegram states that in ex
practically everywhere, leaving only one SUBMARINE RISK DECREAS" are not expected to return. It is under-change for territorial acquisitions in the
or two little pockets of Gerinans to be topped up. Further south the Australians around Morlancourt further improved
We captured several prisoners. The enemy is again attacking north ward of Kemmel this morning. Ho pressed in our line slightly at one point, under cover of a terrific bombardment where fighting continues,
The enemy was forced to yield ground Two German divisions participated in he had occupied at such a cost, and by Wednesday morning's attack. Our ar
night we had restored our original line tillery and infantry, inflicted heavy ensualties both during the attack and in our counter-attack. We captured 30 prisoners in local fighting at Bucquoy... Wo further progressed between the Somme and the Ancro and improved our new positions here, taking prisoners.
We repulsed raids at Lens and Merris. The enemy's artillery developed con- siderable activity in the Albert sector
EARLIER CABLES.
ENEMY LAUNCHES STRONG LOCAL
"ATTACK
of the Somme Canal."
ING
NEW YORK, May 9th.
It is officially announced that Trans the line gained by their advances north Atlantic war risk insurance rates for American steamers have been reduced from three to two per cent, owing to the decreased risk of submarinisun.
EARLIER CABLES.
GERMAN INFANTRY ATTACK.
LONDON, May 8th. 1020 p.m.
stood that the appointment of a judicial Dobrudja Bulgaria will recognise and consolidate all her floating debis in Ger
tribunal has been abandoned The House will debate the advisability of set
ting up a Select Committee of the House many for army supplies. The Bobranje of Commone
will be asked to vote one-and-a-half FRENCH PRESS COMMENT. milliards of marks for this, and a four-
PARIS, May 9th.
and-a-half per cent. Joan will be issued, Several newspapers regret the publica
A Germano-Bulgar Company will ex tion of the Maurice letter and emploit Constanza harbour, also the Con
phasise the necessity for maintaining the credit of the Allies leaders, also the
THE DEBATE.
GERMANY'S LAST CHANCE. AMERICA IN TO THE FINISH.
LONDON, May 5th. Reuter's Correspondent at British
One thousand American naval men Headquarters, telegraphing this evening, were entertained at the National Sportunity of the Allies in view of a renewal LONDON, May 8th.
states-Fellowing a
of the German offensive. 11.16 pan
heavy and continuing Club. Sir Frederick Smith said he ous bombardment along a wide front in Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig -
was glad Americans were here to see ports: This morning the enemy launch-Flanders, the German infantry this morn
the spirit of the people and the sacrifice ed a strong local attack against the Bri-ing attacked south of Dickebusch Lake. they were prepared to make to secure tish and French between La Clytte and It was not a very big affair, apparently victory for democracy, Voormerece. After heavy fighting in only of divisional strength. The caemy the centre of the attack the enemy enter ed the Allied front line at certain pointe. The fighting continues in these localitics The attack was repulsed at all other points.
A successful French local operation advanced the line during the night south ward of La Clytte
A number of prisoners were captured. AERIAL OPERATIONS. We dropped 400 bombs on different targets along the front and brought down twelve German machines in air fighting eight of which were during a big encoun- ter in the neighbourhood of Douai. None of ours is missing.
LONDON, May 9th In the House of Commons there was great interest in the debate arising from the Maurice letter. The House was eroyded everywhere.
gr
stanea Cernavoda line
EARLINK CABLES.
FURTHER OHAPTERS
LONDON, May 8th.. The Roumanian Peaco Treaty provides that Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bul- garia, Turkey and Roumania shall have the right to maintain warships on the Danube, but the warships shall not put in at the shore of another State
except in case of force majeure or the previous consent of the State concerned,
Admiral Sima said America had come penetrated our front line between thein with both feet, and would stay in Some enemy with both feet till finished. Germany's lake and Ridge Wood.
Mr. Asquith, in moving for the ap parties are reported to be in the castern only hope of winning was by her sub poirtment of a Select Committee to in- fringe of the wood, the greater part of marines, but since April last year the quire into Major-General Maurice's which we hold, which is likely to prove sinkings had steadly decreased, and the allegations, said that a good deal of very costly to the enemy if he attempts curve of the building programme was misconception seemed to prevail regard | Chapter 7 deals with equal rights for ascending. These curves would cross withing what really was a very simple in a fortnight, and we would be increasing matter. Neither in intention nor in fact our shipbuilding instead of submarines was his motion a vote of censure upon decreasing it. Germany knew that, and the Government (Cheers, laughter and
cry The Irish are not here."') that was why she was making a desperate y effort on the Western front, which was ber last chance.
an onrush.
We also hold Kleine Vierstratt, where
fighting continues.
In åne weather and good visibility the airmen of both sides were very active. Ours are splendidly serving the artillery, swooping down and engaging hostile in fantry
The Near East.
The tactical objective of the operation waa, apparently, an attempt to clear a way for a thrust on Scherpenberg from. the north-east, which may prove the be- THE ginning of further fierce fighting in this region:
LATEST CABLES:
DETERMINED ENEMY ATTACK.
LONDON, May 9th. 3.00 p.m.
THE POSITION OF YPRES. Reuter's Correspondent at British
LONDON, May 9th. Headquarters, telegraphing to-day,
0.15 am states:-Throughout yesterday the enemy The German attack yesterday morn pushed an attack in the direction of the ing is believed to have been an attempt north-eastern slopes of Scherpenberg to clear a way for a thrust towards with great determination. At first be Scherpenberg from the north-cast, and is made several successive stages of pro- possibly a prelude to renewed force
ress at the opening of the infantry fighting attack, launched at 9.30 o'clock under
cover of an intensive bombardment,
which was directed against the right
which was di
flank of our northern army and overlap
ping our junction with the French.
GERMAN REPORT,
LONDON, May 5th- 11:15 pm wireless German official report states:We carried out & successful recon- noitring operation southward of Nieus
some Belgians
An hour later, after, throwing in port and captured
EARLIER CABLES. THROUGH BEUTER'S ADENCY.]
Mr. Asquith continued:
Since he had
Bat on the frent Opposition Bench for eighteen months he had never voted against the Government on any question, and he had done all he could, not only in the House, but outside, without with holding what he considered legitimate MESOPOTAMIA OPERA. criticism, to assist the Government in
TIONS.
the prosecution of the war, and parti BRITISH TROOPS ENTER KIRKUK.
cularly in the definition and the propaga tion of the great purposes of the war LONDON, May 8th.
and the peace for which the Allies were A Mesopotamia official report states:- contending.
entered Kirkuk A portion of our troops on May 7th SPANIARDS The Turks, who retired towards the lesser without opposition.
Zab River, left 600 men in hospital and abandoned three damaged aeroplanes.
Heavy rain has fallen. Italian bront
EARLIER CABLES. {THROUGH REUTER 3 AGENCY.] DESTRUCTIVE BRITISH
BOMBARDMENTS
LONDON, May 9th, A British Italien official report
several waves of assaulting troops, the Forefield engagements on the Somme Germans gained a footing on our front resulted in British and French prisoners states:We twice successfully raided line on a considerable width. The enemy being taken. The enemy, after strong min. during the past week, taking a few parties penetrated to Kleine Vierstraat ing operations, unsuccessfully attacked prisoners, Kabaret. The situation at this time
on both sides of the Corbie-Bray road." Our artillery, carried out several scems to have been rather difficult. Our fire effectively caught troops which destructive bombardments. Thenceforth until the early afternoon the
were being kept in readiness. After machines and brought down another un- Our airmen destroyed 17 hostile Germans made a vigorous effort
to get further attack at night southward of the controllable. Several of these fell in through Ridge Wood, and at about half road our counter-attack drove back the
par lines
We also bombed military targets in past one the battle was still raging with
enemy.
the rear of the enemy lines. We lost no machines
INDIFFERENCE
TO THE WAR,
the
MALTA, May 9th. A Dutch gentleman has arrived after three years sojourn in Spain. He describes
country as wholly being taken up with bull-fights. Even the poorest have enough money to attend and bet on the bull-fights. The People do not care a rap about the war, and at least two-thirds are avowedly pro German but nothing will induce them to fight on either side. Barcelong, how ever, is pro-Ententer
religious denominations in Roumania, specifically the Roman Catholic, Greek,
Uniate,
Bulgarian, Orthodox, Pro testant, Moslem and Jewish, with the right to establish private schools.
shall immediately be applied to persons The principle laid down in Chapter 1
having no nationality, including the Jews, who have hitherto been regarded
as foreigners.
written in gold in the Empire's history."" He had never doubted the issue, hut victory would be obtained "only if, wo realised the magnitude of our task and he immochate nature of our difficulties and Bet our Backs to the wall determined that nothing should overcome us and that no difficulty would be too great.
AFFAIRS IN THE REICHSTAG.
GERMANY'S SERVICE TO SWEDEN.,
AMSTERDAM, May 8th.
In the Reichstag, von Payer declared that by liberating" Finland Germany had performed a very considerable service to Sweden by creating a protective wall
castwarda
JUSTIFYING EICHHORN'S
DECREE
Regarding Ukraine von Payor justifiet.
the necessity of obtaining the grain pro- von Eichhorn't defree on the ground of
mised to Germany by treaty,
AUSTRIA'S REWARD TO
HUNGARY
AMSTERDAM, May 9th. A message from Berlin states that the incorporation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Dalmatia with Hungary is foreshadowed stop to Hungary for her support of Austria's Polish policy.
THE IRISH QUESTIÓN. A GRAVE BLUNDER.
LONDON, May 9th. The Daily Chronicle's Correspondent at Dublin states that General Sir Bryan
Mahon has been superseded.
the
The Correspondent describes supersession, if true, as a grave blund
er, because it will be associated with Ulster and the covenanting antece- Prussianisin of Lord Milner.” dents of Sir Henry Wilson and the rigid
APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT.
A manifesto by the joint Executive of the Trades Union Congress and Labour
Chapter 8 declares that the economic arty appeals to the Government to relations between the Allies and Rou
refrain from imposing conscription on manin shall be regulated
Ireland, at least until the Irish Parlia Treaties.
ment is fully in existence.
separate
The ratification of the Treaty shall oc- cur as soon as possible.
HOUMANIA'S LOYALTY TO KING AFFIRMED.
AMSTERDAM, May 9th
A message from Bukharest states that Premier Marghiloman has telegraphed the King of Roumania anouncing the signature of the Peace Treaty, of which the final stages underwent changes favourab
to Roumania. The Premier affirms Roumania's loyalty to the King and dynnety.
From Vienria comes an inspired com munication
THE HOME RULE BILL
LONDON, May 8th
In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law said he hoped that the Home Rula Bill would be introduced before Whit suptide.
GERMAN INFLUENCE IN INDIAN FACTORIES.
LONDON, May 9th.
In the House of Commons, replying to Sir A. Fell Mr. W. Hayes Fisher saidh there were certain factories in South India connected with a well-known Mis- sion under German influence, in which a
which points out that Swiss agency was employed, but steps Austria receives 800 square kilometres were being taken to secure the elimmation. THE INACTIVITY OF South of Cierowitz, and Hungary of German capital and influence from
5,000 square kilometres of mountain them, land
AUSTRIA'S ARMY. CREATES IRRITATION IN GERMANY.
The war damage payment provision primarily relates to the Roumanian de LONDON May 9th
struction wrought in Transylvania. There is evidently a good deal of irrita tion in Germany owing to the continued
FRENCH COMMENT. General von Lichert, writing in the inactivity of the Austrians. Tegleche Rundschau, compleins that
PARIS, May 9th. The newspapers comment, sadly upon Generalissimo Foch is not only able to the Boumanian peace treaty, but em recall British and French divisions from Italy, but Italy is sending her own units Phasise that revenge is being prepared to France.
on the battlefields of France.
Sir A
Fell-Ars not some of these factories run at a great profit! Is it certain that the profits are not held in reserve for the Germans interested?
Mr. W Hayes Fisher replied the face tories are being closely looked into.
THE SILVER MARKET. LONDON May 9t The silver market is steady.
(Continued • Pane ()