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THE WAR.
THE BATTLE OF COMPIEGNE ENEMY FOUGHT TO A STANDSTILL.
GREAT AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE LAUNCHED. ITALIANS CAPTURE THREE THOUSAND PRISONERS.
GERMANS SLAUGHTER BOLSHEVISTË.
GERMAN OFFENSIVE IN NEUTRAL ZONE.
Franco-Helgian Bront.
LATEST CABLES. (THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] THE BRITISH FRONT. THE OPERATION NORTH OF BETHUNE.
LONDON, June 16th..
9.23 p.m.
British
Reuters Correspondent at
telegraphing to-day, Headquarters, describing the sucessful operation Borth of Bethune on the night of June 14th, mentioned in the communiqués, says the
attack, which was pushed to a depth of 500 yards, materially increased the security of our line.
rehearsed, It was extremely carefully being preceded by a brief bombardment On the left the enemy determinedly resisted. The Gordons and Suffolks, to whom the flank was entrusted, found their work cut out for them in the dark neas. Some of the enemy's machine-gun "nests,” which were overlooked, caused trouble before they were located and wiped out,
Fighting prowded throughout the night, and a German gunner declared their whereabouts by opening fire, when a cautions encircing of the new "nests " had to be begun. This clearing the ground in the dark initiated a new phas of open warfare.
The prisoners taken belonged to the 18th Reserve Division, which took part in the first Batth of the Home, and in the recent Lys fighting it suffered very heavy casualties. It was one of the first to enter Belgium, and its records are stained with the erimnes at Termonde and. Louvain.
ENEMY MAKE NO PROGRES ON BRITISH FRONT.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JUNE 18TH, 1918.
HOSTILE ARTILLERY ACTIVITY.
LONDON, June 16th. 12.50 p.m. Field-Marshal Sir Douging Haig re ports:-We entered a post south-west- ward of Merlie, and brought back 11 prisoners. We also captured 17 prisoners in other raids south of the Somme and in the neighbourhood of Hebuterne,
There was considerable activity by hostile artillery at night northward of Bethune, and between Loure and the Ypres Comines Canal. It was especially active on Bunday morning in the neigh
-bourhood of Dickebusch Lake,
ENEMY RELINQUISH GROUND. The French in an attack yesterday on enthy positions at Ridge Wood captured one officer and 40 men, but later had to relinquish the captured ground.
Hostile artillery were again very active in the Scarpe Valley, Fampoux being heavily shelled with gas-shells and high explosive shells.
NO INFANTRY ACTION,
PARIS, June 15th.
& communique states:-Thero was no infantry action to-day.
The artillery duel was fairly lively at Hangard Wood, south of the Aiste and in the region between Villers-Corterats and Chateau Thierry
To the material captured from the enemy on June 11th the following must be added-Nine guns, including seven heavy guns; and 10 machine guns.
On June 13th our aeroplanes shot down five German aeroplanes and two balloons. Seven enemy aeroplanes were put out of action. Nineteen tons of bombs were dropped on enemy zones, causing great damage.
FRENCH CAPTURE POSITIONS
PARIS, June 16th.
The enemy on the left penetrated our ALLIED COUNTER BOMBARDMENT DEPORTATION OF GERMANS front line on a front of 2,500 yards to a maximum depth of 1,000 yards, where ho is firmly contained.
The surmy suffered very heavy losses. No flying has been possible for several days, excepting early on the morning of June 10th, when seven hostile machines were destroyed and two balloons were brought down in flames,
Our low-fliers in the afternoon were con- timally engaged, machine-gunning and bombing the enemy bridges and transport on the lower Piave, doing great damage.
ITALIAN ARMY NOT SURPRISED.
LONDON, June 16th. 2.25 p.m. French experts · estimate that 50
Austrian Divisions are participating in the offensive against Italy. They em A communique states: South of the phasise that the Italians were not surpris Aisney in local operations we drove theed. The Italian Army was never in better enemy from Cocvres and Valfrey, which condition, and its lossca in artillery in the we captured.
last offensive have been largely replaced. They also emphasise that the Austrian offensive has been compelled by Germany. at a moment when the internal situation
in Austria is growing more and more. difficult.
We gained ground east of Mont Gobert, taking 130 prisoners and machine-guns..
Italian Front.
BARLIER CABLES.
THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCE-}··
GREAT AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE OPENED.
Rome, June 16th.
FRENCH POSITIONS MAIN TAINED
PARIS, June 16th. The Austrian attack on the French front in Italy on June 15th was shatter.
The French positions were maintained, intact The enemy suffered serious losses.
A great Austrian offensive opened at seven o'clock this morning on the fronted. from Asiago to the sea." ITALIAN PREMIER'S STATEMENT.
ROME, June 18th. Signor Orlando announced the Aus- Flying today, was restricted by ad trinn offensive to the Chamber. He said verse weather.
a very violent bonbardment opened at
LATEST CABLES.
THE FRENCH FRONT.
ENEMY ATTEMPT FAILS.
PARIS, June 18th-
A communiqué states:-Local actions north-east of Bois-de-Benlis, south of Dammard and in the region of Vinly enabled us to capture 70 prisoners and machine-guna
The enemy attempt to cross the Matz at its junction with the Oise failed under out fire,
MARLIER CABLES.
ENEMY MAY STRIKE "AT" PARIS, AMIENS AND CALAIS
three o'clock and an inland aack was
ENEMY TROOPS RUSHED UP DURING THE NIGHT.”
LONDON, Jnno 16th
7:30a.m.
LONDON, June 16th.
10:10 p.m.
An Italian communiqué states-A great battle has been in progress singe Saturday, The artillery preparation vas exceptionally intense. The enemy'e masses of infantry began their expected offensive against the castern sector of the Asiago Platenu at the end of the Brenta Valley and Mount Grappa.
They also attempted t to force the Piave, and carried out heavy local actions on the remainder of the front.
FROM CHINA. GERMAN THREAT OF REPRISALS.
AMSTERDAM, June 15th. A Berlin incasage saya--In the Reichstag replying to a question regard- ing the deportation of Germany from China to Australia, Herr Kriege, on þe half of the Foreign Office, said the Ger man Government had taken the most emphatic steps against such a weasure and threatened the severest reprisals He said the Dutch Minister at Peking recently reported test the danger of the deportation of Germans was now re moved.
Replying to a question regarding the
Our own and the Allied barrage anti cipated the enemy's preparation with a deadly counter-bombardment.
The infantry
Bustained the onslaught in exchange of German Colonial prisonera, The Herr Kriege said it was a disgrace to advance of the defensive area.
keep prisoners in the tropics. A con- enemy attacked most intensely on 6 150 siderable number of such prismers, kilometres front, the initial rush occupy-whose health had suffered, were allowed ing a few front line positions in the after long negotiations to be repatriated Monte-di-Valbella and Asolone areas, or interned in a neutral can and a also at the head of the Mount Solarolo speedy return of Germans. in
Telgian
salient.
hands in Africa was expected. Negotia- tious were now pending with Great Britain in connection with the libera tion of civilian prisoners, including Colonial Gerinang both in Grent Britain and oversas, BRITISH MISSION TO
Some of the enemy crossed the Piave in the Nerves and Engaremusile areas,
ITALIANS CAPTURE THREE
THOUSAND PRISONERS. We energetically counter-attacked-all along the front and succeeded in with standing the powerful pressure and re- gained a good portion of the positions which we temporarily yielded, although isolated detachments with great valour continued to remain in some nt all costs. The violence of the struggle did not diminish at night.
We are firmly holding the front on the Asiago Plateau and completely reoccupied our original positions in the Asolone and Selarolo salient, and pressing very closely the enemy which crossed the Piave
We have so far captured 3,000 prisonera, including 83, officers.
and the Allied armen launched at seven o'clock along the whole Reuter's Correspondent with the taking a strong part in the battle, bom- Tine, and that nearly the whole of the British Army in Italy, telegraphing on barding the crossings of the Piave and froat is engaged, since the offensive Saturday states:--An attack on the machine gunning the cuenty's massesWe extends with equal and extreme violence British positions in the Asiago Plateau brought, dawn 31 aeroplanes. from Astice to the Brenta, thence to the this morning was made by a division
Naval Activities. Piave, and along the Plavo, everywhere | consisting of Austro-German and some involving the Astico Plateau, the Mount Bosnian troops.. Grappa sector, and the sector against the plain.
Signor Orlando added, The latest now, that has racked the summarising the situation up to one o'clock, is that our troops have offered a inagnificent resistanec."
- । 。
The enemy's objective, apparently was to reach the line of hills about the plateau and Cima-de-Pointe, kilometres behind the front,
four
The chemy reached our front lines, but made very small progress.
The attack on the right was completely repult, but succeeded at first in gain- ing a few hundred yards near the left
One line, following a shell-like depres-. sion, in which the town of Asiago lies, is an irregular outling of thickly-wooded places."
Signor Orlando continued:-" In view of the gravity of the battle, in which the enemy is engaged, with his whole might, LONDON, June 11th.
6.55 a.m.
any boastfulness on my part would not go and centre. With the enemy fought to a standstill cord with Le moderation and diguity. something like a stable line is being re-characteristic of our race. It may, how established in the Compiegne battle on ever be stated that the first effect which the whole front between Montdidier and usually follows a crashing offensive is Chateau Thiery.
wanting. (Cheers.) The message which
have just received concludes, A com parison of all the reports from the battle field shows the attack presses wholly on the first zone of resistance alone, and that not even at a few points has the enemy achieved the effect which he must
LONDON, June 16th. Reuter'a Correspondent with the British Army in Italy, telegraphing last evening. states--The first day of the Austrian offensive cannot be said, from any point of view, to have been altogether a success
On the Britisk front, at any rate, he did not make much progress. It is truc The outlook is now regarded in that in attacking along the railway from Paris with more confidence, but anxiety Asiago to Casuna he succeeded temporis expressed in London, where it is arily in creating a small salient in our line, and even took a battery of guns, which have since been recaptured. This short-lived success was only attained in an attack by a whole division in the depth of the depression where they were invisible until the last moment. The not result of the day, as far as the British front is concerned, is that we hold our old line practically and entirely and have captured 200 prisoners, while the French captured 160 prisoners.
EARLIER CABLES.
ENEMY'S FORWARD POSITIONS CAPTURED.
LONDON, June 10th. - 1,50 a.m.
Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re ports We captared 196 prisoners in a successful opemtion carried out on the night of July 4th northward of Bethune.
As a result of this attack we claimed possession of the enemy's forward posi tions on a front of two miles, securing allnur objectives.
Signor Orlando said the Austrians had failed to achieve even a preliminary
recognised that great peril is still ahead, as the Germans have not shown their hand. Their effort has undoubtedly fallen short of their complete objectives have hoped from the powerful bombard and has entailed very heavy losses, but ment and the enormous effectives launched their advance has appreciably increased in the attack, which our troops are re- the threat of an offensive greater than sisting inagnificently," " (Load and pro. in March last almost at any moment,
longed cheers)' The numbers at the disposal of Prince Rupprecht for instance, are practically identical with those of a fortnight ago, despite his sending Bavarians to assist the Crown Prince, for his tired divisions have hind time to recover and recruit, There are three goals at which the enemy may strike, namely, Paria, Amiens, and Calais, and the Allies have tittle chance of ascertaining the enemy's intention before the blow falls.
GERMAN REPORT.
LONDON, June 16th.
1,55 a.m.
A wireless German oficial report
In the fighting reported on the worn states: Our prisoners southward of the
ing of June 15th eastward of Nieppe Aisne are now 49 officers and 2,000 men. Forest, the enemy, by a local attack, car. ried out under a heavy bombardment, succceded in driving in three of our advanced poita westward of Vieux Berquin
There is active hostile artillery firing eastward of Arras, also northward of Bethune..
We drove down two enemy aeroplanes on June 14th.. The British lost two machines.
AMERICAN REPORT:
LONDON, June 15th
An American official report states Thero was heavy reciprocal shelling, in- cluding gas, north-westward of Chateau Thierry
Our aviatore shot down two hostile machines.
success
sivės.
stomary with crushing offen
VIOLENT ARTILLERY FIRE:
Lospos, June 15th.
6.50 p.m. An Italian official report states:
Italian off There is intensified artillery firing from the Lagarina Valley to the sea..
Thète is extremely violent artillery hiring castward of the Brente and at the middle of the Piave.
AUSTRIAN DIVISIONS ATTACK.
BRITISH FRONT:
LONDON, June 16th. 11.35 am..
Flat as it looks from our positions, the country is full of hidden folds, and the ground lends itself to an attack by small isolated detachments. The morning was also unusually misty. The bulk of the enemy approached along the railway between Asiago and the little village of Casuna, which follows the marked depres sion in the ground.
In accordance with the recent German methods the attacking troops were rushed up during the night from Val Sugana by motors.
The preliminary Lombardment was very heavy, but gas shells were sparingly used against us.
LATEST CABLES.
SUPREME COMMAND'S REPORT.
EARLIER CABLES.
THROUGH NEUTER'S AGENCY.)
GERMANS LAY MINES FOR REPATRIATION VESSELS
LONDON. June 10th
ARGENTINA,
BUENOS AIÏës, June 16th, The visit of the British Mission, under- Sir Maurice de Banten, which is now proceeding to Chile, has mailo an excel- fent impression destroying everywhere the effects of the Germanophife pro- pagando.
TRADES COMMITTEE REPORTS
LONDON, June 14th. The Departmental Committee on the Electrical Trades, has presented a report 10 Parliament. It says that startling evickmice had been submitted showing the manner in which German or American, control had been secured in xisting companies in the British Dansitions, and recommends legislation on the subject. It is suggested that India and the Dominions take stock of their facilities for generating electricity, whether from water-power, coal, oil or other resources of energy, and should appreciate, their growing importance to the Empire.
The Committee urgea that "elčerical supply ought to be considered as a matter of imperial inportance. The Empire's resources should not pass into alien hands.
The Engineering Committee's report
recommends that all the Allies impose surtax against the products of present enemy countries, subject to a progressive diminution, and that for three years after the war no conference arrangement be permitted between British shipowners and the present enemies.
The Admiralty announce The area within five miles of the position in which the Koningen Regentes was sunk on June 6th has been carefully searched, but no ins were found. We swept up nine Dew German moored minira between June ・oth
and June 7th in the track used only by Dutch vessels employed in the repat riation of British and German prisoners, and which was guaranteed, safe by the British and Gorman Governments. These mincs were not within 50 miles of the COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS position in which the Koningen Regentes was sunk. It is clear that the mines were TO EXAMINE DETAILS OF HOME
POLICY
laid to catch the repatriation vessels on their passage west, and that the sub- marine which laid them remained on the routs in order to sink ships on the
LONDON, June 15th. The Daily Mail states a Committee of eastern journey, if, as proved to be the Ministers, with Bir George Cave ne case, they had not been, already sunk with Chairman, will be appointed to examino the British repatriated prisoners of affecting the home policy during the war. the details of the legislative measures hoard while on their way to Boston. It is The Heads of the principal Government remarkable that on this occasion the Departments will serve on the Committee, number of German, prisoners repatriated which will not have a title nor the func was exceptionally small, being 67, and of tions of the Cabinet. It will meet once. these none were on board the Koningen
Regentes.
Aerial Activities,
EARLIER CABLES.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY-J
AIR RAID ON PARIS
PARIS, June 16th An official report states-An air raid alarm was given at 71.40 last evening, All Clear" was signalled at 12.45 mm. Some bombs were dropped. There were neveral victims and some material damage resulted.
General.
ROME, June 16th.:: Signor Orlando informed the Benato and Chamber that the Suprem Command at eight o'clock yesterday evening bad reported as follows:--The battle con Linues very violent. The entwy pressuce remains equally strong at all points on the front of attack, namely, from Asiago Plateau to the sea. Our resistance, as always, is very strong and does not allow the enemy to pass our lines of greatest resistance, and the battle still Four Austrian divisions attacked the proceeds on the first line with fluctua
tiona We made numerous counter- British front.
attacks, some of which were successful in headed by Prince Tokugawa, has left for re-establishing the original situation.
A British Italian official report states -- After
a heavy bombardment from the sea to the Adige, the enemy's infantry attacked all day.
The attack on the right completely failed, with very heavy enemy losses.
LATEST CABLES.
THROUGE REUTER'S AGENOT.]
JAPANESE RED CROSS MISSION.
TOKIO, June 16th. The Red Cross Mission to the Allies,
Amerien.
week, and its decisions will be sub- mitted for the approval of the War Cabinet. A vecond Committee will be established to deal specially with econo mic and commercial questions. Sir Albert Stanley will probably be Chafe-
man:
BRITISH LABOUR CON- FERENCE
AUSTRO.GERMAN AND DUTCH
SOCIALISTE.
AMSTERDAM, June 16th
A Vienna telegram states that before. going to the British Labour Conference in England on June 20th the Dutch Socialist leader, M. Troelstra, has been invited by the Austra Gorman Bocialists to confer at The Hague, whither the Austro-German Socialist Delegates Seits and Ellenbogen are accordingly proceed. ing.
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