GENERAL BOTHA'S VICTORY.
(Continued from Saturday.) "
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH
THE SUICIDE OF HOLT.
EXTRA
HONGKONG, MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 1915.
THE CARDINAL MERCIER INCIDENT.
Latest German Version.
"Amsterdam, July 8.-With re- ference to the interview with the Pope published in the Liberte, the correspondent of the Kolnische Volkszeitung in Brussels has ob- tained a pronouncement from General von Bissing, the Gover- nor-General of Belgium
WAR TELEGRAMS,
(Continued from page 8.)
RUSSIAN COMMUNIQUE.
HURRICANES" OF GERMAN SHELL.
August 21, 2.35 s..
A Petrograd communique reports that after the Germans had occupied the fortifications of Kovno, the remainder of the garrison rejoined the field troops, occupying positions west of the Janowo- Koohedary railway.
;"
Albany (New York State), July 10, Governor Whiteman has re- quested the District Attorney of Nassau County to furnish a re- German Frightfulness, port on the circumstances of the death of Holt, or Erich Manter, We have said that German the assailant of Mr. J. P. Morgan, South-West Africa was rendered and on the conduct of the gaol precious by the German blood officials, from the sheriff down. pilt there. That was the tradi-wards. The aged keeper who tion remaining from the miserable was in charge of Munter on
General von Bissing denied that war of extermination against the Tuesday" night states that he Hereros in 1904 and the following heard a sound like a revolver shot Cardinal Mercier was ever arrest years. The campaign was con- just before he stumbled neroased addadded that when the famous ducted on lines now at last Munter's body in the outside Pastoral Letter was issued an familiar to the whole world, with corridor. The gaol officiala, ac officer was sent to the Cardinal very little honour to Prussian cording to the keeper. " made and said It will be well, Herr arms and with lasting disgrace to ap" the explanation of Monter's Eardinal, if you hold yourself to s series of Germans, of whom the death, namely, that the prisoner day at the disposition of the best remembered is General von fell 18ft. from an iron bar above Governor-General, since probably Trotha, the author of the famous his cell, striking his head on the he will want an interview with proclamation declaring that the floor.-Reuter
you." General von Bissing did
Our troops south of Kovno are still on the left of the Niemen. Herero people mast leave the
not, however, that day visit the
The Germans on Tuesday and Wednesday attacked strongly country, that within the German
Cardinal, but went to the Main from Ossowieca southwards along the whole Narew and Bug front, frontier every Herero, whather
Headquarters to discuss the affair while on the right of the Narew in the district of Strevkova, Goura, armed or not, should be abat, and
with the Imperial Chancellor, that women and children would
When there the Governor-Brela, Lipnitza to 12 miles north west of Brest Litovek our troops either be driven out of the country
General learnt that the Cardinal continue to hold the enemy Attacks with great forces of our or fired upon. This disgraceful
intended to go to Antwerp in cavalry aided in repulsing a German attack near Lipnitza,
The onemy having occupied the right bank of the Bug, east of war was the cause of bitter con-
order to read the Pastoral Letter Viodava on Thursday morning, directed subsequent efforts
"Then," troversies in Germany, and the
or discuss the matter. failure of German administration
added the Governor-General, "I along the road towards Pichtiche.
The communique further reports that near Novogeorgievsk the has been freely admitted. "But a
telegraphed or telephoned to him, sort of vague sentiment remained,
urgently praying him not to make Germans, aftor occupying the left bank of the Wkre, concentrated and, the German Army especially
the journey, since it would be their efforts against the north west of Wkra to the Vistula, and, by will be cut to the quick by the
likely to cause unreat ceaseless bombardment with hurricanes of shells, destroyed our news of the end of German
among the population, which was fortifications in this sector.
The Germans on Wednesday evening surrounded the fort in already somewhat excited."
General von Bisaing added the region of Vymysloff, and then directed their columna notwith- that Cardinal Mercier had a standing enormone losses on the positions behind in Zakrotebim general pass allowing him free sector. This compelled our troops to retreat on Thursday to the movement throughout Belgium, line of old forte on the front for general defence. and the Governor-General had The Germans during the next few days destroyed two of these never written to the Pope or made forts, and then by a series of annguinary assaults occupied their any such declaration (concerning rains, finally directing their fire on the central defence.
We exploded the bridge on the Narew and then abandoned the repression of acts of violence against the Church) as had been the forts in the northern section. attributed to him. A declaration of the kind would be absurd, sa it had always been "his endeavour to protect the right of the Church.
"Sad West."
General Botha's Service,
Whatever happens in Europe, General Botha has made certain that the German flag will never fly again in South Africa. After the occupation of Windhuk the German's endeavoured to come to terma with Boths on the basis of an armistice until the end of the war in Europe, they to rotain their arms. The proposal was characteristically impertinent. Needless to say, Botha was no more inclined to listen to it than he was to the insolent anggestions made to him in the letter from Baron von Humboldt, the late German Coneul-General in Cape Town. A few weeks after the war broke out the Baron wrote advis ing the Union Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief to pay no attention to the newspaper reports of British successes in Europe, as they were all lies, and the "triumph of German arms was
inevitable.
When their overtures were rejected at Windhak the majority of the German garrison and of the German settlers were anxious to surrender, but Governor Seitz persuaded them to hold out for a couple of months longer by tell- ing them abundant lies about the progress of the campaign in Ear- ope. Calais, they were assured, was in the hands of the Germana; the Russians were hopelessly beaten on the Eastern front; and the war was certain to be" over in
Now York, July 10. There is a strong sentiment here in favour of furthat investigation into the death of Holt. The Press says that, from the sheriff down, nearly everybody who was responsible for keeping Holt before his death and answerable sfterwards for the facts of the case, seems to have been deliberately off his job," and continues
.
The public is bound to reflect that it very easily could have seem
ed to Holt's associates and backers, if he had sach; that it was more important for him to die with the secrets he carried looked for ever in his bosom than for him to live and give information that might possibly turn a great conspiracy inside out.-Renter.
be left to garrison the conquered territory until the end of the war in Europe.
very
BOOKS FOR SOLDIERS.
What to Send and Not to Send.
The free collection by the Post Office of reading matter for soldiers and sailors began on July 8 when a number of books and magazines were received over the counter at various branch offices. They were placed in baskets, to
་
LOSS OF THE ARABIC.
FURTHER DETAILS.
August 20, 8,35 p.m. The magnificent bravery shown on the Arabic is another glori ous xeoord in the history of the sea. That each an enormous num- ber should be saved in a few minutes way little short of miraculous. The vessel was steaming serenely at 16 knots on a flat blas ses, and and then Captain Finch saw the wake of a torpedo a few hundred yards from his own ship. Fortunately the boats were already swung out and everyone had lifebalts on as this was the danger zone,
f.
The Achievement, The scope and character of General Botha's achievement can only be appreciated if we remem- ber what was the position in the Union when the war broke out and what has happened since then. In the first place the military forces of the Union in August, 1014, were utterly inadequate, alike in numbers and equipment, for the invasion and conquest of a territory with an area of over 300,000 square miles, and gar. risoned by 10,000 trained troops
"The Captain dryly remarka that it is well everything was in amply provided with artillery
readiness otherwise the consequences would be lamentable. There and munitions. At the outbreak be sent with the letter maile from was absolutely no warning. The explosion shattered a life beat, of war the Urion had not 4,000 the sorting office to the head offices but twelve boats got safely away although the other two cupsized trained men at its disposal, and five in Scotland, and about 40 as the liner foundered;" the machinery of the Union in England-and thence to a No panic existed. There was some excitement in getting the Defence Act, which was designed central depot. There they will women and children in the boats first. There were a number of to bring a citizen army gradually be handed over to the Camps cases of people giving up their seats to others older or more trail. into being, bad scarcely been set Library, the War Library, the It was an amazing sight to see the Arabio standing straight on in motion. In the operations Prisoners of War Help Committee, and before the final plange, stern first. which preceded the occupation of Windhuk there were probably close on 40,000 men in the field, Not only has this army been created, trained, equipped and and sailors at home or abroad, in Third engineer Lugon perished in the engine room; fulfilling transpotted hundreds of miles by camp or at the front, in hospital bis duties to the Inst. lund and sea within a period of six or detained as prisoners of war. months; but a rebellion in which For the guidance of the public at one time some 10,000 South the Postmaster General states that Africans were in arms against experience has proved that novels after the fall of Windhak. The the Government had to be sup- and monthly illustrated magazines campaign must be costing the pressed while the work of organi- are most appreciated. A small Union something like £50,000 a zation was going on. Botha, number of educational text-booke, day, and the longer the struggle sided by the superb abilities and including foreign language teach endured the greater was bound to splendid. resourcefulness of ing manuals, will be of value, be the discontent among the mal- General Smuts and loyally sup- especially for prisoners of war content section of the Datoh ported by colleagues like Mr. De Newspapers, whether speaking population. If the Ger- Wet (Minister of Justice) and Mr. or weekly, illustrated or not, mans retired into the difficult and Barton (Minister of Railways), has cannot be accepted; nor can mountainous country to the north not only had to carry through the magazines more than a year old. there was no saying how long the organisation and equipment of an Books and magazines must be campaign might fast. Botha, army fit to conquer Damaraland, clean and complete. They must however, faced the position with bat has carried through the vio not have been exposed to infection
two months.
Botha would unquestionably have been glad had wiser counsels prevailed in the German camp
and other voluntary organisations The captain was sacked under as in a maelstrom, bat soon approved by the War Office and came to the surface. Eventually he was picked up. Every man of the engine Admiralty, who will undertake the engine room staff was a hero. The captain saya their distribution to the soldiers room was worth twenty Victoria Crosses.
daily
his usual energy and promptitude. torious campaign itself, despite any person who bande in a
the bitter hostility of a section of
THIRTY MISSING,
August 21, 10.57 p.m. To-night's official figures as to the Arabic are that five pass engers and 25 of the crew are missing. Arabio. It is characterised as another foul blot never to be removed The Dominions are filled with anger over the sinking of the
from the German escutcheon.
AMERICAN COMMENT,
August 21, 11:42 p.m.
WAR TELEGRAMS,
THE REICHSTAG AND PEACE.
August 21, 10.51 p.m.
A memage from Amsterdam reports that, in the Reichstag, Herr Liebknecht asked if the Government was disposed to abandon the idea of any annexation, and if it would enter into immediate pesoG pourparlera should other belligerente be similarly inclined.
Herr Jagow snawered and said':—“I think I have the consent of the majority of the House if I declins to reply at the present unsuitable time" (storms of applanas).
Herr Liebknecht attempted to speak but was continually howled down.
FRENCH COMMUNIQUE,
GERMANS REGAIN LOST TRENCHES.
August 21, 8.45 p.m. A Parie communique states that there has been an artillery duel at many points on the front.
The enemy at Artois after violent artillery action and thres counterattacks on Thursday night succeeded in regaining a footing in the trenches which we captured on Wednesday. On the Ablain- Angres road he suffered appreciable loss.
Active mine fighting continues in the Argonne.
FRENCH GOLD RESERVE.
August 20, 8.50 p.m. The amount deposited in the Bank of Franos during seven weeks was 18 million sterling.
S.S. BOVIC SAFE,
August 21, 8:32 p.m. It is reported that the White Star freight boat Boviohas been sunk.
August 21, 8.45 p.m.
The .. Bovic in safe and has arrived in Liverpool.
THE WEEKLY SUBMARINE TOLL.
August 20, 8.05 p.m. The British steamer New York City proceeding from Bristol to New York, and the Norwegian steamer Severesboorg, have been sunk. The British Admiralty in the weekly return states that out of a total of 1480 sailings and arrivals two British steamers were mined and eleven submarined, of a gross tonnage of 22,970, besides ton small fishing vessels.
GERMAN SUBMARINE WARNED
OFF
Angnet 20, 8.05 pm, Reuter's correspondent in Copenhagen reports that a German submarine stopped the Norwegian mail packet Irma, northward of Jasterens Reef. The mail packet swang out her boats according to the Germans warning shots. Meanwhile a Norwegian destroyer arrived on the scene and informed the submarine she was in wer wegian territorial waters, the submarine then retiring.
FRENCH CHAMBER_REASSEMBLES; ESTIMATES
DEBATE.
August 21, 5.30 am. According to Reuter's correspondent in Paris the Chamber reas sembled and has debated the estimates of the new Secretaries for War. M. Millerand, replying to criticisms of the medical servica admitted it was incomplete at the beginning of the war, when only a fifth of the necessary 15,000 surgeons was available, but all difficulties had been surmounted and no fears need be entertained as regarda ammunition, clothing and food."
Millerand said since October he had been forced to change two-thirds of the high officials in the Ministry of War, but rigordum measures were necessary if confidential and cordial relations were to continue between the Minister of War and the Generalissimo, of
absolute loyalty to one who enjoyed the confidence of the country
change the command of the armies, a deputy shouted, "Nobody and the army, hore members cheered frantically for four minutes When M. Millerand mentioned that he had been asked to
bere ever madesuch a demand.”
M Millerand concluded by saying parliamentary control had never been interfered with, but power must now he given to the military authorities, as General Joffre said in war time every- one must be subordinated to the chief. M. Millerand added:-Uur Allies rely on our wisdom, our enemy hope for dissensions among da. Let us remain wise and united till victory is achieved.
The retreating Germans were
book or magazine which may Renter's correspondent in New York states that the disaster to. followed by the burgher mounted his own countrymen-a hostility carry infectious disease commits the Arabio has shocked the entire American nation. Officials hoped forces under Brigadiers Manie which burat into armed rebellion an offence against the law" With that after the last American Note there would be no further aggrava- Batha, Myburgh, and Brite with a last November.
the exception of educational text- tion. There is already a tense situation. President Wilson is greatly rapidity which, considering the It is an illustrious achievement, books they must not be written worried and is anxiously awaiting official details. -- pr difficulties of the country, is which is no less clearly indicative in any language other than Eng-The comments of the American newspapers are 'extremely vehe nothing short of amazing. So of the simple greatness of Botha's lish. They must not be books or ment. They ask whether the sinking of the Arabic is Germany's okilfully, had Boths laid his plans statesmanship than of his military magazines issued for the purposes reply to the American Note. They recall the terms of it and opine that the enemy a few days ago genins, his forceful personality, of propagande. They must not be that the Government cannot endure humiliation and further flouting found themselves cat off in detail and his strength of will, and which wrapped or packed or addressed
The Attorney General has promised to investigate the and hopelessly enveloped. The places the British Empire vinder to any individual, anit, or hos- World's charges against the German agents, 16/37461 South African Mounted Rifles, a debt that will be universally pital. Finally, they should be
President Wilson and Mr. Lansing will probably shortly who conglitate the permanent pari acknowledged, but can never be handed in at the post office, not decuse the tination cuising from the mention of the men of mom-An official statement in Berlin says that E13 was destroyed at
bers of the German embassy staff in the matter,
of the Union forces, will no doubt repaid. The Times
put into the letter-boxes,
BRITISH SUBMARINE LOST, CASUALTIES.
August 21, 6.15 a.m. Reater's correspondent at Copenhagen states that Lieutenant Commander Layton, Lient. Eddie and Acting Lieutenant Garrick with twelve men have been saved from the E13. Fourteen doid men were landed. One man is missing.dev
Two of the wounded were brought in by a Danish cruiser to Copenhagen, where they were placed in hospital. Both had lose their clothes and were wrapped in blankets,
the southern outlet.