Page
THE WAR.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 1918.
PRESIDENT WILSON'S REPLY TO
GERMANY.
PLAINLY WORDED "NOTE,
NEW BRITISH ATTACK.
ADVANCE OF THREE MILES IN FLANDERS.
General.
'LATEST CABLES.
(THROUGH REUTER'S. LOMNOY.] THE CENTRAL POWERS AND
PEACE.
'AMERICA'S CRUSHING REPLY TO
GERMANY.
WASHINGTON, October 23rd.
The Secretary of State makes public the following Note from the Secretary of State to the Charge d'Afaires of Switzer- lanti ad interim in charge of German in- terests in the United States;
'
"DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
October 3rd, 1918." SIRI have the honour to acknow- ledgo the receipt of your Note of October 22nd, transmitting a communication
under date of October 20th from the Ger man Government, and to advise you that; the President has instructed me to reply thereto follows:-
."
Having received the solemn and ex- plicit assurance of the German Govern. ment that it unreservedly accepts the terms of peace laid down in his Address to the Congress of the United States op January 8th, 1918, and the principles "of settlement enunciated in his subse- quent Addresses, particularly the Ad- dress of September 27th, and that it desires to discuss the details of their application, and that this wish and
purpose emanate, not from those who have hitherto dictated German policy and conducted the present war on Ger- many's behalf, but from Ministers who speak for the majority of the Reichstag. and for an overwhelming majority of the German people; and having recoiy. ed, also, the explicit promise of the present German, Government that the humane rules of civilized warfare will be observed both op land and sea by the German armed forces, the President of the United States feels that he can- not decline to take ap with the Govern. ments with which the Governments of the United States is associated the question of an Armistice. He deems it it his duty to say again, however, that the only Armistice he would feel justi fed in submitting for consideration would be one which should leave the United States and the Powers associat--| ed with her in a position to enforce any arrangements that may be entered into and to make a renewal of hostili ties on the part of Germany impossible.
The President has; therefore, trans- mitted his correspondence with the present German Authorities to, the Governments with which the Govern ment of the United States is associated as a belligerent, with the suggestion that, if these Governments are dispored to effect pence upon the terms and
principles indicated
sers and
the
their military military advisers of United States be asked to submit
The President would deem himself lacking in candour did, he not point put in the frankest possible terms the reason why extraordinary safeguards must be demanded.
Significant and important as the constitutional changes seem to be which are spoken of by the German Foreign Secretary in his Note of October 30th, it does not appear that the principle of a Government responsible to the German people has yet been fully worked out or that any guarantees either exist or are in-contemplation that the alterations of principle and of practice now partially agreed upon will be permanent. Moreover, it does not appear that the heart of the pre- sent difficulty, has been reached." It may be that future wars have been under the control of the German people, bat the "present war has not been; and it is with the present war that we are dealing.
"It is evident that the German people have no means of commanding the
FORMATION OF A DIPLOMATIO COUNCIL
Lownes, October 24th.
THE STATUS OF THE NEW GERMAN GOVERNMENT.
The Daily Mail states that the Govern 1.
LONDON, October 21st. The missing portion of the German ment is collecting the views of the Reprereply to Pesident Wilson, the remainder sentatives of the Dominions concerning the "armistice torms as to whether these
coże which was received on the morning would affect their home interests and the fundamental condition of
of October 21st, reads as follows:--- their troops in Europe
LATEST CABLES,
THE BRITISH NAVY.
LONDON, October 23rd... Trafalgar Day celebration throughout the Thirty-million people attending the
United States, passed a resolution paying British Navy to the Allies The resold tribute to the stupendous services of the
says, inter alia, thất:--
Understanding the full significance of the part which the British Navy has been privileged to play in liberating the world from autocracy and misrule, and appreciating, particularly, its gallant and efficient work, in transporting and conveying American men and supplies, with so little loss as to achievement which must stand for ever constitute au
Sion of every arbitrary power that can peace the President prescribes the destruction single choice, disturb the peace of the separately, secretly, and of its own
It is understood that Colonel House will be at the head of the American Diplomatic Mission to Europe in connee-world. tion with the establishment of an Inter- Allied Diplomatic Council.
It is stated that. Lord Beading has delayed bis return to Washington becauss the assembly of a Diplomatic Council is j imminent.
LORD MILNER'S VIEWS.
that hitherto the representation of the To this the German Government replies people in the German Empire has not been endowed with influence on the fo stitution did not provide for the concur mation of the Government. The Con- rence of the representation of the people: in decisions regarding peace or war.
These conditions have just now under- gone a fundamental change. The new Government has been formed in complete accordance with the wishes of the people. LONDON, October 24th:"-
The principle of representation of the In the House of Commons, replying to people is based on equal, universal, secret, Mr. David Davies, Mr. Bonar Law stated: The lenders of the great Parties in the
and direct franchise. that Lord Milner made the statements in Reichstag are members of this Govern- his own responsibility. an interview, cabled on October 17th, pa
[Lord Milner then stated that the German people were as axion as the Allies to see an ignominious defeat of militarism; that the Allies main tank must, therefore, be to that the Allies may be enabled to impose hasten the after wreckage of militarism, so the peace terms which the Germans had already generally accepted
Lord Milner also deprecated the attempt to dictate drastic changes on the German Government.]
REICHSTAG SUPPORTS PRINCE
MAX'S REPLY.
AMSTERDAM, October 23rd. The Reichstag, after a debate on the Chancellor's speech, unanimously passed a vote of confidence in him.,
THE FATE OF THE GERMAN COLONIES.
LONDON, October 23rd. Speaking at the Australian and New
·ment
}
GERMANY ILL-TREATS RUSSIAN SOLDIERS.
at
LONDON, October sand,
of inhumanity on the part of the Germa states that a fresh and striking instance Reuter's Correspondent Bruges
Belgian soldiers in liberated territory authorities has been discovered by the
man Labour Companies, captured three The latter found a large number of Russian soldiers, belonging to the Ger-
years ago.
utmost brutality. They are being forced The Russians are being treated with the to labour behind the firing line. Ring revolution; the Tsar's murder, or These men were utterly ignorant of the the Brest Pence.
ן:
ALLIED CO-OPERATION, among the most glorious annals of the great war, we, the people of America,
LONDON, October 23rd The Inter-Allied Parliamentary Com- numbering over 30,000,000, assembled in mittes called on Mr. Lloyd George and our sharches, theatres, lodges and other congratulated him on his great achieve- meeting places, desire that this expres-ments during the war. Replying the sion of our lasting gratitude and en-Premier emphasised that the necessity of during esteem be eonveyed to the officers working together after the war would be and men of the British Navy and thena essential as during the war. peoples of the British Empire.
REPRISALS AGAINST AUSTRIA In the future, no Government enn take air. W. Joynson-Hicks, Mr. J. F. Hope
LONDON, October 23rd. In the House of Commons, replying so or continue office without possessing the stated that the Government informed condence of the majority of the Reich-Austria that the sternest reprisals would stag.
GERMAN DEVASTATIONS.
be immediately taken if British airmen were put to death for dropping leaflets on enemy linea
Ross, October 23rd. Getman protestations of innocence as
Evidently the Pope does not accept the HERR DITTMAN RELEASED, regards the outrages and devastations. Observatore Rumani, declares that the who was sentenced by a court-martial to
The official organ of the Holy See, the
AMSTERDAM, October 23rd. Herr Dittmann, the Socialist Deputy, German Armies who destroyed and bursave years hard labour in a fortress for ed the French and Belgian cities and high treason, and also to two months' hard towns must be compelled to evacuate been released.
labour for resisting the authorities, has France and Belgium.
It announces that the Pope has "ad- Prince Max of Baden, to prevent further dressed a direct appeal to the Chancellor, unnecessary devastations.
The Holy See has similarly appealed to the Papal Nuncio of Bavaria, THE CHANCELLOR'S IMPORTANT SPEECH.
LONDON, October 23rd Prince lax, the new Chancellor, speak. ing in the Reichstag, said that he hoped at rest the question whether President
THE SEA PIRATES
LONDON, October 23rd. Houston affirmed that the sinking of the In the House of Commons, Mr. B. P... steamer Pentland lange was due to a bomb being placed on board the vessel by an enemy agent in Buenos Aires and that the fire on board the Danish steamer British Commissioner of Wheat Supplies, Fiona, loaded with hessian bags for the vas due to incendiarism.
Mr T. J. Nacnamara admitted that
L
acquiescence of the Military Authorities Zealand Luncheon, Club in London, "Mr. President Wilson's next answer would set inquiries supported both these suggestions.
of the Empire in the popular will; that the power of the. King of Prussia to control the policy of the Empire is
unimpaired; that, the determining initiative still remains with those who have hitherto been the masters of Ger-
many.
Balfour alluded to the question of the German Colonies.
He said that it was absolutely essential that the British Empire's communications should remain safe. If German Colonies were returned what security was there that the original possessors would not use them as bases for piratical warfare.
"Feeling that the whole peace of the world depends now on plain speaking
He could see no answer to this question, and straightforward action, the Presi-than that in no circumstances was it dent deems it his duty to say, without consistent with the safety and security any attempt to soften what may seem of the unity of the Empire that the harsh words, that the Nations of the Colonies be returned
to Germany, World do not and cannot trust the word (Applause.)
of those who have hitherto been the This was not a selfish imperialistic masters of German policy, and to point doctrine. It was one in which the inter- out once more that in concluding peace ests of the world were almost as much con- and attempting to undo the infinite cerned as the interests of the Empire injuries and injustices of this war the itself. Government of the United States can-
Wilson wanted a peace of justice or of
violence.
of President Wilson's programme was a Continuing, ho said that the essence League of Nations, which meant the independence and sovereignty, both by Abandonment of unqualified national Germany and others.
mental that national egoism which till If the Germans maintained as funda- recently had been dominant. the bitter thum for generations. They must com news thereby engendered would cripple prebend that the significance of the of justice, and if they submitted to this frightful war was a victory for the idea idea they would find in it the cure for present wounds, and a reservoir of future strength. .
When he advocated a League of Nations force, he did not deny that heavy opposi as a source of consolation and a new tion must be overcome before the idea is realised.
INDIAN TROOPS IN PALESTINE
LONDON, October 23rd.
Sir J. D. Rees, Mr. E. S. Mentagy stated 100,000 Indian troops.
In the House of Commons, replying to that General Allenby's force included over All accounts endurance of all ranks. testified to the courage, discipline and,
DEATH OF THE SAILORS FRIEND."
Weston, Hon. D.I founder of the Royal The death is announced of Mias Agnes
Lospon, October card. Sailors Bests at Portsmouth and Devon- port
WOMEN: ELIGIBLE FOR BRITISH PARLIAMENT.
LONDON, October 23rd.. brought, whether war or peace, the passed forthwith making women eligible Whatever the next few days and weeks 274 votes to 95, that a Bill should be The House of Commons resolved, by German people would be best prepared to be Members of Parliament." for either by carrying out the Govern
If we were to remain a united Empirement's programme and definitely break-SURRENDER OF THE TOWN
ing away from the old system,
not deal with any but the veritable, it was absolutely necessary that the ways representatives of the German people, whereby the component parts could com who have been assured of a genuine communicate with each other shall never again stitutional standing as the real rulers be at the mercy of an unscrupulous power. of Germany.
(Cheers,)
The Chancellor, then outlined the re forms in, the Prussian franchise, and of Reichstag shares responsibility with the the Imperial Government, by which the Chancellor for Imperial polley; also a medaurs of autonomy for Alsace Lor- raine..
"If it must deal with the military INDEPENDENT GERMAN-AUSTRIAN measures would include a Bill altering
masters and the monarchical autocrats of Germany now, or if it is likely to have to deal with them later in regard to the international obligations of the German Empire, it must demand not peace negotiations" but Nothing can be gained by leaving this casential thing unsaid."
"Accept, Sir, the renewed assurance of my high consideration. -
surrender.
(Signed) Rouza LANTING. ALLIES UNANIMOUS AS REGARDS TERMS
LONDON, October 23rd.
Reuter, is informed that the Allied Governments are unanimous as regards the terms on which, if possible, to nego tiate the armistice. The terus must include guaranices as regards sea-power
Dever Asimed
to the Governments associated against which the Allics consider of the first in Germany the necessary terms of such
portance. an Armistice, as, will fully protect the interests of the people involved and insure to the Associated Governments the unrestricted power to safeguard aid enforce the details of the peace to which the
the German Governman Govern- ment has agreed.
President Wilson evacuation of occupied territories as the the
only condition precedent to an armistice as the Germans had always argued.
PRESIDENT. WILSON'S
STATE. AMSTERDAM, Octüber 24th.
:4
A telegram from Vienna states that the German Deputies in the Reichsrath met as a Constituent German National Assem bly and resolved to take measures to form an independent German-Austrian State, having a voice in the peace negotiations. CURTAILMENT OF SUBMARINISM DEPLORED.
AMSTERDAM, October 23rd. In the Reichstag, the National Liberal, Herr Stresemann, following the Chan cellor, despondently referred tary situation, especially in view of past guccesses.
The Chancellor said that the reform the Imperial Constitution, in order to embody the fundamental idea of the now give the Reichstag, as the House of the form of Government This Bill would
sibility of deciding peace and war. Peoples' Representatives, the joint respon (Cheers.) But not till the League of Nations bad taken practical shape, and secret treaties abolished,
The Chancellor dealt lengthily with the modifications of military rule and the decreed, emphasising that they had been amnesties of political prisoners, already proposed by the Kaiser.
COD:
Thus, the Chancellor's new form of Government harmonised with driticisms of the political changes, but he stitutional precedents. He anticipated would welcome them, because opposition to the milis asserted that he and his colleagues
was the breath of parliamentary life. were unanimous in the purpose of giving the German people political authority. which, he said, was confronted by superior He concluded by extolling the Army the soldiers, and to the pet chato defend the against unjust charges and to give the Army the men, material and food is needed.
The Conservative, Herr Westarp, re- gretted the curtailment of submarinism before the blockade bad been suppressed.
•
RETRIBUTION AND JUSTICE.- LONDON/October 23rd.
Armistice on the basis of the balance of
A. Havas message says: German pretension to arrange an military power is described in Paris as
OF BAKU. LOND ROBERT CECIL'S 'STATE-
HENT...
LONDON, October 24th.
Franco-Belgian "Front.
LATEST CABLES. THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.) BRITISH FRONT: IMPORTANT · ADVANCE OF THREE MILES.
LONDON, October 23rd. Router's Correspondent at British Head
attack, a depth of nearly three miles on a quarters, telegraphing on October 23rd states:-
front of about seventeen miles and reached By mid-day, we penetrated, in to-day's the east of the Raismes Forest, to the western bank of the Scheldt.
PROGRESS
TOWARDS THE SCHELDT CANALA A
quarters, states:
LONDON, October 23rd. Heuter's Correspondent at British Head
The
cipated in the latest attack, towards the The Third and Fourth Armies parti- Scheldt- Canal and its tributary. situation, simply stated, is that we want his wish to get away. to prevent the enemy from carrying out
misty weather
An attack was nunched 1.20 mm in
of
The enemy is lighting doggedly. The First Army crossed the Scarpe east
Nivelle
The advance continues.
increased resistance
The Fifth Aray and Second Army, and also, the Belgian Army are meeting with
BRITISH ATTACK MET WITH STRONG RESISTANCE.
リ
attack met with very strong resistance.
LONDON, October 23rd. Reuter learns that day's British The enemy had massed nine Divisions
two on a front of 12 miles and began counter Preparations ball an hour before our attack was begun.
We made progress between one and miles on the whole front and reached high ground overlooking the Harpies Valley
We took over 2,000 prisoners.
To the east of Le Cateau we reached the line starting to the west of Ors, thence through Bishops Wood, to the east of
edge of the Raismes Forest. Croix Beaurain and Romeries.
We captured Bruay on the south-eastern
WERGHEM CAPTURED.
LONDON, October 24th. A British and Belgian communiqué states:-
There is nothing to report in Flanders except that the French captured Werghen and 200 prisoners.
ANTILLERY AND MACHINE GUN ACTIVITY.
In the House of Commons, Lord Robert entered into negotiations for the surrender activity on the whole of the Ecigian trout. informed that the Armenians at Baku Cecil stated that the Government was now
LONDON, October 24th. A Belgien communiqué states: of the town on the advice, of General
There is artillery and machine-gun Dunsterville when he saw that the fall no blame could be of the town was imminent. Therefore,
THE EVACUATION OF GHENT. emphasised the gallant services of the evacuation of Ghent is in full swing. The
attached to the Armenians on the matter.
AMSTERDAM, October 23rd.
and stated that the Allies were consider the canal to Belzaele.
Lord Cecil
The Telegrant announces that the Armenians during the Turkish campaign ably indebted to the Armeniana.
laat boats are being hastily towed down
-EARLIER QABLES, IMPERIAL WAR CABINET. LONDON, October 22nd
EARLIER CABUES,
CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS
ACHIEVED.
LONDON, Oetcher ard, In the House of Commons replying to Douglas Haig this morning is on a front The new attack mentioned by Sir
had not yet formally nominated, the taken several villages. The enemy-is Mr. J. H E Mariott, Mr. Bonar Law of six miles. We advanced about a mile stated that the Dominion Governments along the whole attacking front, and have resident Ministers to act as regular resisting stilly. but Sir Richard Borden had recently arranged for the attendance of a members of the Imperial War Cabinet,
Canadian representative at the meetings. of the Imperial War Cabinet.
sentative of South Africa, while as re- General Smuts is available as the repre- gards Australia, Mr. W. M. Hughes would be able to attend the meetings.
Several meetings had been held since the last session. ALLIED SHIPPING
DECREASING
LOSSES
LONDON, October 237 The Admiralty announces that the
NEW ATTACK ON LE CATEAU- SOLESMES FRONT.
Le Cateat-Solesmes front, making good
LouDox, October 23rd. Early this morning we attacked on the Sir Douglas Haig states:-
progress.
BRITISH TROOPS BEACH BRUAY.
LONDON, October 22nd Sir Douglas Haig states Between. Valenciennes and Tournal, we have token Braay and have reached the west bank of the Scheldt at Bleharies and Yapaip
There was considerable resistance on this
The War Minister, General von Stein, alleged that the Allies, and not the Ger- mans, set fire to the evacuated towas. He inhabitants and declared that soldiers denied that the Germans had carried off
excesses were punished, when known,
EARLIER CABLES. A SOP TO THE ALLIES. Provided her deam such an Armis tice possible from the military point of
AMSTERDAM," October 22nd. The Frankfurter Zeitung elucidates the view should such terms of Armistice be Note by saying that Fresident Wilson ambiguous first paragraph of the German
Brussels, states that telegram from Baron Falkenhausen, the German suggested, their acceptance by Germany now possesses the opportunity, by arrangGovernor of Belgium, has pardoned the
Makeup will afford the best concrete evidence ing & time and place to give the repre Belgians and neutrals imprisoned by the of her unequivocal acceptance of the sentatives of the Amies of both sides an military, He has ordered the release of Justice it would be averime Engainst The sailings of steamships exceedin
merely ridiculous French opinion fails British merchant-fonnage, losses, foresterday, also sharp fighting in
OPPORTENITY."
AMSTERDAM, October 24th.
terms” and principles of peace from
opportunity for discussing and arrang
the whole action proceeds i
an armistice:
the Belgians and the neutrals interned in Belgium and Germany.
at British
to see the utility of much talk if the September totalled 322,000, gross and the dicted many casualties, expelling Kaiser is not surrendering his sword Allied and neutral los coulined him fmir the positions and taking a num vigorously pressed the enemy Speaking in the Senate, M.Pichon amounted to 88,000. The aggregate con berros prisoners expressed his confidence that the time was stitutes the lowest monthly sinkings since TOUBNAL THE NEXT OBJECTIVE. coming when the enemy will be forced to Angust, 1916, and is below that of the make amends for his crimes year's monthly average dignon, October 2nd. for Lille, remanied his seat in the Chamber ended 30th September was 303, 000 aston Headqus
said that if the Treaty of Prace did quarter, and 1,000,000 tons in the corre M Delory, member of Earliament
The total losses for the three months aleuter Correspondent
not provide for doe restitution and sponding quarter of Jaat BA of Deputies after four years absence pared with 964,000 if the previous staten
telegraphing this evenin
ciennes France and humanity.vided
The Chamber, unanimously decided to placard the speech of A Delory through out the country
dom and the Overses ports. 1500 tons gros between the United K oro-Channel traffic, was 7.500, in September.