+
EXCHANGE:
„Closing Quotations 200m
T.T. London 24.496d.
On Demand 28. 4. 11-16d.
„WEATHER FORECAST
The Hongkong Telegraph =
(ESTABLISHED 1881) Copyright 1916," by the
Temperature
Desember 16, 1916,
Humidity
6 m. 55 47
2 pane
7540
日二十二月一十
SATURDAY,
TELEGRAMS.
[Renter's Service to The "Telegraph."]
HOLLAND ALERT. ·
May Still be Dragged in.
December 15, 9.40°p.m. According to Renter's correspondent at the Hague, replying to the Budget Report for 1917, the Minister of Stato said that Holland's monition supply was daily increasing. The Government was still of opinion there was a danger of Holland being dragged: into the war; therefore it was unavoidable that sufficient military forass should be at her immediste disposal.
THE ENEMY'S ARMIES.
Now they are Distributed.
December 15, 3.05 p.m.
A Paris official message says that on December i snemy forces were distributed as follows on the various fronts:-123 Divisions on the Western, 106 on the Rassino, 20 on the Rumanian, 12 on the Macedonian, and 33 on the Italian and Albanian fronts.
THE BALKAN strugGLE.
Activity on Macedonian Froat.
December 15, 3.40 p.m.
A Freach communique says:--There is intermittent artillery firing on the whole of the Macedoniau front, especially in the Doiran region.
Our fire dispersed an enemy oɔlamu north of Monastir, Allied sirmon are mɔat kotira,
Balgerien Progress.
December 15, 2.20 p.m.
A-Balgarian communique states :-Oar advanced detachments
have reached the Bokberset-Peteeti Railway,
Bastian warships bombarded Baltobik.
Ruselens Check Offensive,
December 15, 4.45 p.m.
A Russian wireless official message states :—Our artillery stopped an attempted advance to the south of Kiselin, and held up an offensive from Grabkoves to both sides of the Tarna pol-Zolotche railway.
——4,“-
The Romo-Romanises are falling back to Busen under pressure. In consequence of this retirement, the troops occupying the River Jalomitas are retiring.
Germans Capture Buzeu.
December 15, 6.10 p.m.
A German official announcement states:-We have captured Bosen.
ALLIED DETERMINATION.
December 15, 5.35 p.m.
Mr. Lloyd George has exchanged moɛeages with M." Tispoff, Signor Boselli and M. de Brocqueville containing mutual assurancas of strengthening friendships and apflinching fforts to secure viotory of common ideals and adherence to the pledges given to Belgium.
ON THE WESTERN FRONT.
Strong French Attacks.
December 15, 6.10 p.m.
▲ German official announcement states We repulsed a triple attack to the south east of Malancourt, while, after a strong pre- paratory fire, extending far and near, the French attacked in waves; at Cote de Poivre, but failed.
[In the event of telegrams arriving tooʻlate for Insertion on this page they will be found on an Extra).
EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
SHIPPING and the War.
The P. and. O. Meeting.
D.cember 13, 7.30 p.m. Presiding at the meeting of the P. and 0. Company Lord Inchcape foreshadowed an increase in passenger rates next year.
He paid a tribute to the Captain and crew of the Arabic for safely transferring 720 persons to the boats in fifteen minutes, The Company had received hundreds of letters from passengers in appreciation of their rescue and the arrangements made for their comfort, on which the company had spent £10,000,
The capital of the Company was now £7,500,000 ulerling. The financial position had been investigated most closely, and the result was quite reassuring. Ho hinted that the de- ferred dividend might be reduced. Referring to the sub- marine campaign he said that if all the stories were true submarines were being constantly sunk. He was perfectly confident that the Navy could overcome the momentary difficulties,
More Vessels Sunk
December 15, 640 am. The following vessels have been subic St Ursula, Harlyn, Harlington and; Burdhope (Britise), Bjorn (Noree gian), and Emma Laurens, a four masiși barque (French)...
DECEMBER
16,
1916.
TELEGRAMS. .
[Renter's Service to The "Telegraph."]
HOME POLITICS.
Credit Vote Adopted.
December 14, 4.40 a.m.
In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law moved a Credit Vote of £400,000,000, which he said would suffice until February 24.
The daily average expenditure had risen to £5,730,000. The total Credit Votes for the financial year had been £1,850,000,000, which was £330,000,000 above the estimate. The incrosse was mainly due to munitions and loans to bur Allies and the Dominions. The extent of the increase in muni- tions was enormous, almost incredible, and this was a striking proof of the country's vitality. The increase under the beading "Loans to Allies and Dominiona” amounted to £400,000 daily. The increase, however, had gone entirely to the Allies as the Dominions were able to finance their expen- dituro.
He emphasised Germany's advantage in the matter of controlling the resources of her allies: he declared that the Entente Governments had been endeavouring to secure cen- tral controland that much had been dous in that direction during the last six months.
He believed that the rapidity of victory depended on the extent to which the resources of the Allies in men, money and munitions could be thrown into the common cause. Be ferring to the peace proposals MF. Bonar Law remind- ed the House that Mr. Asquith in moving the last Credit Vote declared that the Allies would require adequate repara- tion for the past and adequate security for the future (loud cheers). That was still our policy and that was still the determination of the Government (prolonged cheers).
Later. The House of Common, bas unanimously adopted the Credit Voto.
New Appointments.
December 15, 12.45 ».m. The following appointments are announced :-Parliamen- laris to the ministry of Munitions, Mr. Worthington Erne Mr. F. G. Kellaway; Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, D. T. J. Macnamara. Civil tary Secretary of the Admiralty, Dr. T. J. Macnamara; divil Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. E. G: Pretywan; Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Trade, Mr. G., Roberts; Parlia mentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, Sir R. Wing frey Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the War Office, Mt, J. J. MacPherson; Financial Secretary to the War Offier Mr. H. W. Forster; Lord Steward of the Household, Lord' Farquhar; Treasurer of the Household, Mr. James Craig: Comptroller of the Household, Lord Cornwall; Captain of the Yeoman of the Guard, Lord Suffield; Lorde Waiting Lurd Kenyon and Viscount Valentia: l'arliamentary Secretary to the Air Board, Mr. J. L. Baird: Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. Tallot Primrose: Lords of the Treasury; J. F. Hope, S. Walsh and J. W. Pratt. The others are unchanged.
THOSE PEACE PROPOSALS,
Russia Jeers at Germany,
December 14, 10.45 p.m. According to Renter's Petrograd onrespondent a semi- official Russian Note Meorafully criticises the pence pro- posals and declares that all the innumerable sacrifices of the Allies would be nullified by a premature peace with an- enemy exhausted but not yet brought down.
The Note says that the German Government is striving to persuade its peuple that the offer of peace is refused and that therefore their enemies are responsible for the continuation of the war. I proceeds to riddle the notes with refer. neds to the respect for the rights of other uations; it shows that the idea of the hegemony of Germany everywhere predominates in them, and declares that no favourable ground exists for peace negotiations. The speeches of the Allied Premiers should convince Germany of the inacceptability of the proposal. This explains the avoidance of the mention of peace conditions. We are convinced that the new enter- prise is condemned to failure, like the previous efforts. The Entente powerz would assume a terrible responsibility before there peoples and all humanity if they suspended tw struggle; but no illusory enemy proposals can weaken their firm deter mination to continue the war to a final trumph.
S-rbla's Independence.
D comber 15, 12.10a.m.
Mr. Lloyd George and M, Pastich have exchanged mess- agen regarding the Allies'-letermination, to prosecute the war until Serbia's independence has been restored.
Von Hindenburg's
إنما
Deep Emotion."
December 15, 2.25 a.m. According
Renter's Amsterdam correspondent, General von Hindenburg has telegraphed to Dr. Beth-
mann Hollweg congratulating him on his speech, which be read "with deep emotion and great satisfaction as a great moral demonstration of the strength of Germany, We soldiers know there is at present no higher and holier duty than the prosecuting of victory with the utmost energy, living and dying for Knisor and Fatherland.”
Dr. von Bethmann Hollwog replied: "The deeds of tha Army on land and water have cleared the way for the magnanimous decision of the Kaiser and his Allies. If it does not please our enemies to terininate the war to-day our soldiers will fight to scoure the Fatherland a strong and lasting posse,
FAIR.
Barometer 30 14
Temperature 6 middo
December 16, 1915, Humidity.
**@ @*+=+✯✯✯ SINGLE COFY 10 CENTS.
TELEGRAMS.
[Beater's Service to The "Telegraph."]
THOSE PEACE PROPOSALS,
The Hoodwinked Haas,
December 15; 2.25 x,m:** According to Reuter's correspondent at Flashing, there are great, rejoicings among the German soldiers at, the various Belgian frontier places, they believing, pesos, to be imminent. Their behaniour everywhere is that of a vic torious army.
Germany Looking Ahead.
Desmber 15, 11.00 a.m...
According Lo Beuter's Washington correspondent the German Erbassy has authorised the statement that it is certain one of the most important subjects for discus- sion at the Peace Conference would be the universal limita- tion of armamenta.
LORD SYDENHAM HONOURED."
December 13, 7.30 p.m.
The Painters Company bar-granted the Freedom of the City to Lora Sydenham in recognition of his great services to the Empire, particularly while Governor of Bombay.
Lord Sydenham in saknowledging the honour said he had done his utmost for the Empire for many years in varied capacities, especially in trying to produce organisation for
the war.
THE POTATO supply.
December 14, 11.00 pm.
It is officially announced that the Board of Food Control, at the instance of the Board of Träde, has issued regulations for safeguarding the 1917 supply of seed potatoes.
HANDLING THE STRIKERS.
December 14, 11.00 p.m.
According to an official statement, Mr. Hodge has announced that he is dealing drastically under the Munitions and Defence of -the Realm Acts with the boiler maktors' strike in Liverpool, as the strike was interfering with work of vital national importance. It arose against the advise of the leaders over. -as award for the increased cost of living. Mr. Hodge's offer. to hear the grievancen if work was resumed was disregarded..
THE ALLIED OFFENSIVE.
Enemy Ammunition Dump Destroyed.
December 18, 12.10 a.m. General Sir Douglas Haig reporte-We entered trenches
in the neighbourhood of Monchy-as-bois, to the south of Arras, and bombed dugouts full of trips.
The enemy's attempt at a raid in the neighbourhood of -Fuliuch failed.
Wa bombarded and fire to ammunition dump in the
· neighbourhood of Pye.
Lively Artillery Actions, “
Dcember 16, 12.45 e.m.
A Paris communique says that there have boon fairly lively actions south of the Somme, on both backs of the Meuse and on the heights south of Bonhomme,
FRANCE AND NATIONAL DEFENCE.
To Suppress Alcohol Consumption.
December 15, 450 a.m.
A Bill is in draft to suppress the consumption of alcohol ́and to requisition it for defence purposes.
Taking the Necessary Measures.
the
December 15-4.50 8.m. Reuter e According to
correspondent in Paris, the Government has introduced Bill authorising the Government to take by decree the measures cossary for national defence, especially regarding the agricultural and industrial output, recruiting of labour, sale, distribution and consumption of commoditics.
M. Briand's Policy.
L
December 15, 6 40a.m. According to Router's correspondent in Paris, Mr. Briand is indisposed through the strain, af speaking and replying to interminable interpellations for six hours; and though continuously and passionately criticised for alleged lack of energy in dealing with Greece and Rumania, he retains a majority, which is practically unaltered. is still confronted with a solid opposition headed by M. Clemencesu, but many of the latter will support M. Briand if they are satisfied that he is pursuing a vigorous policy.
AUSTRIA'S TROUBLES,
Ho
December 15, 4.50 ■,m. - Reuters correspondent at Zurich MATI that the Call of the Koorber Cabinet was due to the influence. of Germany, who was displeased with Herr Koerber's firm- noss towards Hungary, Germany favoure & conciliatory Aus trian policy towards Hungary with the object of establishing closer political and economia relations" between Austria, Germany and Hungary,
Herr Spitzmaller, the new Pramior, is an ex-employee of the Deutsche Bank.
$36 PER ANNUY.
TELEGRAMS.
(Routers Service to The "Telegraph”,♪
EARLIER TELEGRAMS,
· DANISH WEST INDIES.
** Tondoo, Ravelrad. December 18. Resterly
correspondent. Gorsharing thái the plebisaite on the question of the sale of the Danish Wewafadies (to · the Unites Stater) resulted in |283,694 in fayene and 157,598
agniður.
HOLIDAYS.
The List for Next Year.
It is notified that the following Public and General Holidays will be oberrved as "Government Holidaya in 1917 :-
Publie Holiday, Empire Day, Thursday, 24th May.
General Holidays, Monday, 1st January. Tuesday, 23rd January. Good Friday, 6th April, Faturday, 7th April. Easter Monday, 9th April: Whit Monday, 28th May, Monday, 6 b Angust. Monday, 8 h October. Monday, 12th November, Christmas Day, Tossday, 25th December.
Wednesday, 26th December. The data on which the King's- Birthday is to be kept will be published intar:
HARBOUR NOTIFICATION.
The following additional noties is pablished with referanos to the public traffic regulations for thể port of Hongkong as amended in the Government Notification No. 622 of December, 1, 1916, and which are being brought into force at Official Day-light on January, 1 1917 :---
Steam launches wishing to go to Tein Wan for shelter may, an obtaining permission from the Senior Naval Oficer, proosed there North of Stonecutiers and East Counz Hue (0.X.0. informing B0.80) bat on ralarning to harbour they are to paka West of Chang Hae sad conform to the Traffic Regulations.
The harbour boundaries arËS West.-A line drawn North-West by North from the Eastern sad of Eastern Dyeing Company'a Factory building to the Boush- East extreme of Little Grena Island, thenes a line South 75 degrees West to South-Western extreme of Green Lelaud to meet a line North 27 degrees Eaut from Western extreme of Green Lland to Western extreme of Stonsultera and thence to Torpedo Pier st Lai-abi-kok, (North" 11 degrees Sant).
All hearings are magnetic.
DON'T FORGET.
TO-DAY Theatre Raval.-Second per- formance of "Kismet" by A.D.G. Victoria Theatre-9.15 p.m. Bijou Thestre 9.15 p.m. New Hongkong Cinematograph -9.16 p.m.
TO-MORROW.
· Victoria Theatre---0.15 p.m. Bijou Theatre-9.16 w m. New Hongkong Cinemato graph.-9.15 pm.
Tonday, December 26, Hoogkong Winte“ Bisley.”