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T.T. London 2. 4948.
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The Hongkong Telegraph
WEATHER FORECAST
FAIR.
Baromater 29 07.
December 18, 1916,
7541 日四十二月一十
(ESTABLISHED
1881)
Copyright 1916, by the Proprietor.
Temperature Humidite
6.m. 61
2 p.m. 74
#
.84
MONDAY,
DECEMBER
18.
1916.
TELEGRAMS.
(Reuter's Servios to The "Telegraph."]
1
THE FRENCH OFFENSIVE.
Futile Enemy Reconnaissance.
December 17, 3.50 p.m.. A French communique sayı:-The enemy in a minor reconnaissance in Champagne were scattered.
There have only been patrol sacounters on the right bank of the Mease.
An enemy attack on the trerches in the St. Mihiel sector failed.
"Victory is Certain."
December 17, 6.10 p.m. According to Reater's correspondent at Paris, General Nivelle, socompanied by General Petain, witnessed the victory orowning bis command of the Verdun Army. In a farewell moonsge to his claff in the evening, General Nivelle said:-" To-day's experience is conclusive. Our method has again been tested and has demonstrated our sacandency over the enemy. Victory is certain; I assure you thereof. Germany will learn it to her cost,"
Tardy German Admissions,
December 17, 8.30 p.m. A Berlin communigas saya:-Continuing to attack, the French, after a hard 5ght, took possession of Bazouvaux, and the wood to the west thereof.
GREECE AND THE ALLIES.
Greece Evacuation: Begins.
December 17, 8.40. According to Renter's correspondent at the Pirse, the Greek evacuation of Northern Greece bas already begun.
Allied officers are supervising the transport of troops and sterial.
THE BALKAN struggle.
Germans Anticipating Resistance.
Doember 17, 8:30 pm.
A Berlin communique saya:-General von Mackensen bas orassed the Baskal sector on a broad front and has captured -considerable rolling stock.
We pursed the enemy in the Dobradjs to the region of the wooded district northward, where some resistance is expected.
SEATS FOR NEW CABINET MINISTERS,
December 17, 925 p.m. Peerages have been conferred on the Right Hon. C.9, Start- Wortley, Uoiosist M.P. for Hallam, and Sir W.M.Aitken, Liberal M.P. for Ashton-under-Lyme. Their probsb's successors in the House of Commons will be Sir J.H Stanley. President of the Board of Trade, and Professor Fisher, President of the Board of Education. {to the event of telegrams arriving too late for insertion on this page they will be found on an Extra).
EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
COTTON FROM INDEL
December 14. 3.00 p.m. Professor Todd, of Nottingham University, in a paper before the Society of Arts on the cotton shortage, said that India was the only country from which there was any hope of obtaining an early increase of a millior bales yearly of new cotton: There was overy reason to believe that India sould maintain such an increase cumulatively till her presen D- erop was at least doubled.
THE PEACE OVERTURES,
Amsterdam, December 14.
The latest Gorman newspapers express surprise at the Allies' coldness towards peace, blaming Britain and adopt- ing a menacing tone.
Tokyo, December 14.
The proposals were received with surprise and caused panic on the Stock Exchange: Shipping shares tumbled and others followed. The Stock Exchange closed until 16th inst Influential men do not believe that the Allios will consider the proposals
New York, December 15.
Count Bernstorff, interviewed, indicated that Germany hoped that President Witaan would arrange a peace con- ference at the Hegus
He said the peace terms would remain in abeyance until the plenipotentiaries had assembled
London, Darember 15
The "Daily News" correspondent na Washington states that the American representatives in Europe have hou instructed confidantially, to report the real purpose of the German note and its reception by the Entente. If Mr. Lloyd George on Tuesday reaffirms M. Briand's sentiments, re sidont Wilson will decline to identify himself with the Ger man proposnia Thers is no intention of joining other nouirale in addressing the Entente,
Nw York, D:cember 15.
"The World" says that the great obstacle to peace is the deep conviction among belligerenta and neutrals aliko that Germany cannot be trusted.
Waebington, December 17..
The Austro-German and Turkish pease notes have been despatched to the Fatente capitals unaccompanied by any United States expression of opinion.
NEW PAYMASTER GENERAL.
December 15, 2,05 p.m.
Ble J. Compton Rickett has been appointed Paymaster General
TELEGRAMS.
[Renter's Service so the "Telegraph."}
ÓREECE ACCEPTS ALLIES' DEMANDS.
Paris, December 14. It is stated that in view of a certain danger the Allies have decided to act without delay at Athens.
Athens, December 15. There are indications that the Government viLexcept the Allies' ultimatum in principle.
Paris, December 15.
It is stated that the object of the Allies' demands is to prevent large numbers of Greek troops, concentrating in Thessaly.
Athens, December 18.
The Government has accepted the Allies' demands and says that orders have already been given regarding the movements of troops and war material and will be carried out se rapidly as possible: also the transfer of material northwards will immediately conso,
Regarding the events of let December, the Govern- ment submite ite proposal of arbitration and trusts that the Powers will reconsider their decision to continue the block- ade, which is straining relations and impressing public opinion.
In conclusion the note dwells on the desire of the Gov- ernment and the people for a resumption of the excellent traditional relations with the Entente, based on reciprocal confidence.
LORD RONALDSHAY'S APPOINTMENT.
13. swmber 14, 9.45 p.m:
In the House di Commons, in reply to Mr. Ginnell, Mr. Chamberlain stated that as a traveller, Indian Public Ser vices Commissioner, student of Indian affairs and member of the House of Commons the Earl of Ronaldshay had shown himself to be possessed of quite exceptional qualifications for the post to which he had been appointed. The Imperial Government was much gratified that he was able to accept the post and was completely confident that he would increase therein the high reputation he had already made in other spheres.
+
THE SILVER MARKET,
December 14, 9.45 p.m.
Messrs, Montagu's report attributes the strength of the market to a fall of 215 lakhs in the holding of the Indian Treasury and the greater use of silver currency at the approach of the Chinese New Year preventing sales from Chins and making possible Chinese purchases in America. There is no likelihood of supplies from China after the New Year and there is a possibility of decreases in the world's production, owing to difficulties in the Mexicno mines.
PRINCE ALBERT'S COMING-OF-AGE.
December 15, 2.40 p.m. Prince Albert has been made a Knight Companion of the Garter on the occasion of his twenty-first 'birthday.
THE CASE OF CAPT. BLAIKIE.
December 15, 240 p.m. Many representations are being made to the Government urging it to prevent Captain Blaikie sharing the fate of Captain Fryett.
Sir Edward Carson telegraphed to the Navy League stating that he was in entire sympathy with their views. The question must be faced with earnestness and determina- tion.
DRAFTS ON INDIA,
December 15, 240 p.m.
The Times" states that in view of recent great demanis for drafts on India and in consequence of heary importa and restricted exports, the restriction, of unles of drafte will be felt very severely.
It is feared the buyers will offer fancy prices and it is therefore hoped that the Council of India will allot a stipu lated amount of drafts among the tenderers in proportion to their requirements.
JAPAN AND QUR NEW GOVERNMENT.
December 15, 7.15 p.m.
Replying to Mr. Lloyd George's message notifying the new Cabinet, the Premier of Japan telegraphed that he is confident that the new Government will prosecute the War with constant determination to secure a complete and Insting victory. He rejoices that Mr. Lloyd George shares this feeling.
THE BALKAN STRUGGLE.
December 18,5 25 p.m.
A Russian communique reports minor operations on the wastern and Carpathian fronts.
The enemies' advance in the Oituz Valley was repulsed, Russian warships bombarded Port Balchek with a view to the destruction of the Bulgarian flour mills.
December 16, 5.25 p.ra.
A Serbian communique states that withouf-militges necessity the Bulgarians are bombarding. Monastir, killing civiliann
December 16, 765 p.m. The Admiralty announces that Naval aeroplanes on Fri- day effectively bombod Razlovci, pastward of Letip, in Serbia.
D cember 19, 7.20 p.m. An official mossage from Salonika alates-An isolated Bulgarian attack on our new positions on the Bleuma wae repulsed.
The Royal Navy shailed hostile entrenchments cantward of Nochori.
THE MESOPOTAMIAN ADVANCE,
December 16, 7 20 p.m.
An official communique from Mesopotamia, reporta :-Our forces advancing northwards on both banks of the Ifai Eliver -batablished an outpost within three' quartors of a mile of
the Tigris, southwards of Kut
.
December 18, 1915. Humidity
Temperature 6 aim. : 64 2 p.m. 69
27
19
一拜雞 张八十月二十英港香
TELEGRAMS.
[Renter's Service in The “ Telegraph."]
THE NEW FRENCH OFFENSIVE.
December 18, 1.45 p.m.
The Paris newspapers state that General Nivelle organ- ised and General Potain directed, while General Tangin 22 led yesterday's, attack at Verdun, which was the result of operations wherein half a dozen divisions participated.
The French regained the loftiest hills in the district, which the Germans had used as observation posts.
So far the French have captured 75 guns and destroyed
December 16, 4.35 p.m.
แ
many.
A French communique reports --The four French diri- sions which yesterday attackod between the Meuse and tho Woevre defeated five German divisions, of which all the regiments were in action. Prisoners were taken from every
000.
V
The enemy did not counter-attack during the night.
December 17, 12,30 a.m. General Sir Douglas. Esig reports:—A small eneiny bombing party last evening northwards of Hill 60 in the Ypros salient was caught by our barrago.
We bombarded tronches northward of Hulluch and cast- ward of Neuve Chapello.
December 17, 1.00 a.m.
A Paris communique reports :-Following up our success
on the right of the Meuse, we progreseed in Caurieres woud and captured the village of Bezon aux
A violent German attack at Pepper Hill at the clos
of yesterday was decisively repulsed
We maintained the whole of our new front. Prisoners are flowing in. So far they exceed 9,000, in- cluding 250 officers. The material is still uncounted; but 61 guns bave been captured or destroyed.
Doember 17, 4.40 a.m.
Reuter', correspondent at Verdun on 18th inst, witzessed - the battle. He says:—It was a clear winter morning. The battle. ficki had been soaked for many weeks with rain," The ground had been soaked for many weeks with rain.. The ground was was most exhausting, for infantry. In front of me was a long whale-backed line. Pepper Hill, a height of 235 metres, was on the right of it, and-the flat battered erest of Dousu- mont, whereon huge German shells were bursting, was be- tween Pepper Hill and Froide Terre ridge, of which Donau- mont is the highest point. Outstanding was the ridge of Louvemont, which none expected to be captured to-day. The attack on Pepper Hill was carried out with chronometric precision, characteristic of the new French battle tactics.
The French infantry rushed on in absolute confidence, advancing on the very edge of their artillery barrage as they crossed the German trenches. One saw clearly, as at a training demonstration, the roze unbroken line, the milky smoke-bursts marking the grenade barrage with which the infantrymen smother the enemy resistance before they leap on them at close quarters. Moving bands of fire and lying, steel moved steadily up the great shoulder of the hill, an- checkable by the Boches. Where one line of smoke was -blocked another crept up on the left or right and soon the whole line was again progressing. In an hour the German barrage retreated to the far side of the crest and in less than two hours the whole position was captured. By midnight. twelve hundred prisoners and a number of guns were Laken here.
Already other lines of smoke lied boen launched from Douaumont, which was continuously smoking like a volcano under the German ahell bursts-and from Froide Torre, climbing up the face of Louvemont'. A similar swoop on the right seized the Bezonvaux work.
It was a glorious day, the aviatore dying low over the advanting lines, returning with exact information as to the progress of the attack, and pursuing and firing with machine gung upon the fleeing Boches from a height of 600 feet. The German air service was apparently paralyzed. The corres- pondent was four hours in the field and did not see a single aeroplane.
The victory was strategically important, depriving the oncay of most valuable observation posla,
December 17,750 s.m.
An eye-witness at Verdun saya that the ground wou on 24th October wae so broken that it had to be transformed into a workshop to construct the necessary 20 miles of ronda for the next offensive. The artillery was brought close to the lines with the task of regulating the fighting.
The weather further delayed the attack, but it cleared after a night of rain and snow. The guns silenced the enemy artillery an hour before the attack and destroyed the villagea of Vachersville and Louiemont and the works at Harḍau- mont and Bezonvaux The laster were found almost empty. Seven deserters appeared in our lines" on the eve of the attack the remnant of a German company,
Unprecedented rapidity and enthusiasm characterised the infantry. Obstacles like ravines wore cleared in the swiftent manner. All the objectiver were attained by the hour fixed.
The Germans until the last were upoerlain of the point of attack. They certainly expooled it op the left of the Meuse, whither they chiefly directed their barrage fire.
NEW DUTCH LOAN,
The Bague, December 15. The First Chamber unanimously passed a Bill authoris ing the issue of a 4% State loan of 125,000,000 florina, BOILERMAKERS to resume work,
December 16, 706 v.m.
It is officially stated that in response to Mr, Hodge' telegram the Liverpool boiler-makers to-day decided to re», zume work on Monday:
UNREST IN PORTUGAL.
Lisbon, December 18.
The Government promptly stamped out a small rising at four places in the provinces, without firing a shot,
The ringleaders, Machado, and Santos, were arrested. Lisbon was not disturbed.
IRISH RAILWAY Strike averted.
Dember 17, 440 a.m. Throstened strikes on the Irish, railways wore averiad
by the announcement by Mr. Redmond that the Gopor-- ment had decided to take prer the Irish - railways in s manner similar to the steps taken regarding British zuilways.
(Comanned on pror #2
SINGLE COPY 10 CENTE.. 43 PER ANNUM.
TELEGRAMS.
(Reuter's Servios to The "Telegraph"♪
· EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
SLINGSBY LEGITIMACY CASE,
London Received, December 17, The Lorde have refused the sppeal in the Slingsby legitimacy
cade.
ON THE WEST RIVER.
Movements of Troops.
Oar West River osrresponden writes (December 16.)--
During the last month large numbers of troops have teen moved from the Samshui Fatahan district to Koochow, near Holbow, and two reason have been assigned by the Chinese merchants. The first is that the Government hay. ing no money to pay them with, is moving them to Koochow in The order to prevent trouble. second reason, and one that I think the real one, is that Gen. eral Lak is still dubious as to the intentions of Lang Chai-kwong" (who is now at King Chow) and has sent the troops to watch him.
The Wachow Bar. Conditions at the Second Bar ́ are going from bad to worms. A few days ago, owing to the spring tiden, a daily tidal rise of 9 inches took place, and several of the.. lighter draught ships were able to reach Wachow. The water was 2 feet 4 inches abova soro, bat since then the water has fallen to 1 foot at Wackow, with the maximum depth on the bar of 5 feet; rad, at the present time, the only vessels able to reach
Wuchow are the two etern-wheelers (Nanning and Ssinam), and even they are ex- periencing some difficulty in crossing. The Chinese-award vessels are beginning to feel the position very keenly, owing to the exorbitant towage fees; and pressure is being brought to bear on the masters of the ships to make every effort to arow the bar efforts which invariably and in failure and a corresponding increase in expenses due to extra coal consumption and the low of ropes and wires in trying to get off when they are stuck.
Their attempe to get or8: create quite a diversion amongst the other ships. The news that auch and each ship is going to try and get over quickly spreads, and everyone turns out to watch; esch move is watched with in- terest, but the inevitable result soon comes to pass: the vessci'a bead is seen to ewing slowly. oross the channel, and there |she stops whilst the onlocker
simply howl with delight. The villagers with their usual keenness after the dollar, have erected small matabeds on the beach, where they sell their different. oom- modities. Everything in looking very parched and dry from the want of rain and the farmers are I becoming alarmed at the drought.
DON'T FORGET.
TO-DAY.
Theatre Boyal.--Third - par- formance of "Kismet" by A.D.C. Victoria Theatre--9.15 p.m. Bijon Theatre 9.15 p.n. New Hongkong Cinematograph ➡9.15 p.m.
TO-MORROW. Violoris Theatre-9.15 p.m. Bijoa Theatre 9.10 p.m. New Hongkong Oftemaio- graph.-9.15 pm.
Wednesday, December 20, **Kismat,”” ~ Madnes formanos,
B: Tusođay, December 26,
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