The Hongkong Telegraph
(ESTABLISHED
Copyright
20.01.
Deomber 30, 1916, Humidity
7550 HAMPET
Temperature
·December 30,” 1915,
Humidity
SATURDAY, DECEMBER
30,
1916.
大拜连 骏十三月二十英语鲁
TELEGRAMS.
Temperature 6 am.
SINGLE COPY 10 CENTE.
336 PER ANNUM,
TELEGRAMS.
[Renter's Service 15 The "Telegraph.") -
THE BALKAN STRUCOLE.
TELEGRAMS.
(Boater's Service to the " Telegraph."]
THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME.
WHAT IT HAS ACCOMPLISHED. HISTORIC DESPATCH BY SIR DOUGLAS HAIG.
Dreember 29, 7.05 a.m. Jos dempatch cf about 16.000 words, dated December 23, General Sir Douglas Hsig deals "io bare cutline with important occurrsaons" concerning the British part of the battle of the Somme, one of the greatest, if not the greatest, etraggles which has ever taken place."
He begins bryxplaining why the offensive was so long delayed; namely, bec.use of the necessity of grest numbers of men and .munitions, and also because of the fact that a large proportion of the ofloors and men were far from being fally trained. For these resons the longer it was delayed the better, but it was evident from the German attack on Verdan and the Austrian offensive in the Trentino, that "the strain might become too great to be borne unless timely relief action was taken."
•
Sir Douglas mentions the storendous preparations, including the accumulation of vast stores of all kinds near the front, the constraction of new railways with different guages, gun emplaos- ments, tranch tramways, dugouts for ammunition, food and water, engineering material, and voorms of miles of deep communication ranches, Numerous well borings had also to be sunk, and 121 miles of water ma:na laid.
Bir Douglas Haig defines the three-fold object of the offensive, The first was the relief of Verdas; the second, to assist the Allies in ́other theatres of war, by stopping, the farther transfer of anomy troops from the west; and the third, to wear down the strength of the enemy.
TELEGRAMS.
(Beater's Service to Tbs “ Telegraph.”]_
THE PEACE OVERTURES.
The Tsar's Outspoken Message.
December 28,9.55 a.m. The Tear, in an Order to the Army and Navy, Bay"?—" The enemy's strength is apparently waning, while that of the Allies is continually growing. Germany feels that complete dejest and retribution are near. As when her war strength was superior she euddenly declared war, now, feeling her weskness, she suddenly offers peace, particularly desiring to begin negotiations before her military talent is.axhausted, and aimultaneously grating a falno impression of strength by her temporary supose in Burmanda, who is inexperienced in modern warfare. Bot the Allios now in their torn are able to negotiate peace at a time favourable to themselves. That time has not arrived. The enemy is not yet driven out of occupied territories. Russia's attainment of the tasks created by the war--the regaining of Constantinople and the Dardandelles, and the creation of a new Poland—is as yet not guaranteed. Who dares to think that be who began the war will have the power to conclude it when be choose? Peace will only be possible after the enemy is driven out of our borders and we are given real guarantees for a permanent peace.”
French Socialists Seaut Peace.
December 28, 2.45 p.m.
Bealer's correspondeut at Paris states that a Congress of French Socialists has passed a resolation scouting the Peace Note and emphasising that the Allies mast vigorously oɔalinus the effort for national defence.
A Scandinavian Note.
Germany Reallses the Truth.
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Battles Still la Progress.
December 29, 4.30 p.m.
A wireless Rossino oficial message states that the enemy. advance in the Oitas Valley.
Battles are proceeding for the domination of the heights to the The enemy pressed back the Rumenisas ons verať zorth and east of Segmenɔ.
We repulsed attacks to the north of Rimnik Serat, on the last south of the Kino River, to the west of Gɔrashs. bank, and on the Rionik Railway near Rimnik Serat, er far an Boicio, near Filiposhti station.
Rumania Army to be Re-organised.
December 29, 510 p.m.
A Jassy massage says that M. Bratianu, Bananian Minister for War, has issued a proclamation to the effect that the Rumanian again be at its full strength in a few months' time. It is still Army has only withdrawn in order to re-organise. Is will, he anys, receiving munitions and war material.
THE WESTERN FRONT.
A Strong German Attack.
D:cember 29, 4.15 p.m.
A French commanique etate :-After an intense bombardment, the Germans strongly attacked on a front of over three kilometres from west of Hill 304 to the east of Deadmara Hill.
The attack was broken by our fire, and only some fractions of the enemy penetrated a trench to the south of Deadman Bil.
Fire enemy aeroplanes were brought down on the 27th inst,
Fine Aerial Work.
LONDON'S FOO.
London, Bevelred, December 28, London experienced the thjak. est Fog for years last evening. All street traffic was stopped, and the traîn services was disorganised.
CARGO WAR RISKS.
New State Provision · for Goods
in Port Transit.
With the approval of the Board of Trade the War Binks Advisory Commitine have agreed to sh following more robotpraksent alanse being enbetituted for the ** Institute”. Oral Clause No. 6, hitherto included in the Garatza ment policy
"It is agreed to extend the protection of this policy, jualad- {ing riske of sirozafs, "to whilst in craft during the ary course of transit wit limits of the port of discharge, the risk
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arriving for tranships
further voyage not hereby
to ease on their discharge transhipping craft or on deliver on the quay, as the cass muy ba.
Now the position is that no long as the goods insured under the Government War Risks (Cargo)
in water trángët Policy are
December 28, 15.05 p.m. A French communique states:Thirteen British naval seroplanes dropped a ton of bombe on blast furança at Drillingen.
French seroplanes heavily bombed railway stations at Mont between warehouse or depot
cover... them. medy and Pierrepont. to the east of Longuyon; factories at Taian. and ship, or vice-veres, an It they be landed daring wooh trea- bach and Hagondang.
Policy will cease to "dover: themejeng
it, than the War Rinks. (Cargo) whilst they are on the quay, and they will, if insured ander a Government Aircraft Policy, come ander the protection of that, policy, reverting to the protection of the War Binks (Cargo) Palioy on being again put into craft.
at Neunkirchen.
EAST AFRICAN SUCCESSES.
Italian Republicans' Manifesto. Then Bir Dragias describes the actual operations, Deosasarily
December 28, 2.45 p.m. covering a good deal of the ground of previons, but more brief, despatches. He emphasises three main phases of the battle. Th
Reu'e's correspondent at Rome states that the Republicans first was the "considerable confusion and disorganisation in the enemy's ranks," caused by the attacks beginning in July; the bars issued a manifesto urging & continuation of the war until second was the operations from July 14 to July 17, which gave as national aspirations are satisfied. the command of the southern creat of the main platean between Delville Wood and Bentio le Petit, with the subsequent prolonged
December 29, 135 p.m. struggle for the mastery, “wherein, though progress was slow and dificult, the confidence of the men in their ability to win was never
Reuter's correspondent si Copenhagen steles that Sweden, shaken. By Goober I they had established a fighting superiority which has left ite mark on the enemy." The third phase was that Norway and Danmark have sach sent a Note to the belligerente, expressing Scandinavia'e strongest adherenos to President Wilson's in which we pushed down to the lower part of the ridge and exten 1- ed our flicks from Morval to Thievpal.
Bir Douglas Haig claims that all three objectives of the battle proposals, and saying they consider they would be wanting in duty {wills and Joeuff in the Briera sifild ; and blast farasose at Rm-policy will
to their peoples and so amenity if they failed to support any action "Any one of these results by itself would, have contributing to end the ever-growing moral and material coffering Two dirigibles bombed factories at Hagondangy antironworks were achieved. justified the battle of the Somme, bat the attainment of all three and losses entailed by the war. amply compenesies for the sacrifices of ourselves and oar Allies in bringing as a long way towards final victory." He says that the fact that the strength of the enemy in November on the Western icont was greater than in July, despite the abandonment of the Verdan offensive, justifies the first two claims. Lisgarding the third cisim, he admits that any statement must depend to some degree on estimates. Nevertheless, there is sufficient evidence to show that, andoubtedly, the enemy's losses in men and material were considerably higher than those of the Allies, while morally our advantage was greater. Font-fifthe of the enemy divisions
the
Western front were thrown Bococcively into the battle of the Somme, some twice and some even thrice. Undoubtedly towards the end of the operations ths enemy's power of resistazos was very metiously diminished. These results, by troops the vast majority of which were raised and trained during the war, constitute a feat of which the history of our nation eɔntains no equal.
The amalgamation is announced of the foxtish firms of David General Sir Douglas Baig concludes by saying :-"The enemy's power is not yet broken, nor is it possible to estimals the period
The Visersine, in a letter to the Times, replies to statements Colville, steelmakers, and Archibald Russell, coatowners, employ- before the objecte for which the Allies are fighting will be attained, But the battla of the 8mm: bas placed beyond doubt the ability of by Sir Edward Ward and others in the English Presa, suggesting ing 14,000 men. the Allies to gain those objects. The German Army is the mainstay of the Central Powers and fall half of the Army, despite all the advantages of being on the defensive, supported by strongest fortifications, soffered defeat on the Somme. Neither the victors nor the vanquished will forget this, and though bad weather has given the enemy a respite, there will undoubtedly be many thousand in his ranks who will begin the new campaign with little confidence in their ability to resist our assault“.”
Features of the Despatch.
December 29, 1.35 p m. One of the features of Sir Douglas Haig's despatch is the marked sobriety of the language. No units, brigado, or divisioue are particularised, in order not to give information to the enemy: *Suffice it to say that the troops were comprised of men from every part of the United Kingdom and Empire."
Desember 29, 7.25 p.m. According to Reater's correspondent at Amsterdam, the Keeinische Zeitung ssye there are indications that the efforts towards peace will be unsuccessful, because the Entente will not accept the German conditions, namely no discussion of the responsibility for the war and no subjection of Germany.
WAR COMFORTS.
Reply to Critics of India.
December 28, 2.45 p.m.
that nothing had been done in India to supply comforts to the troops in Mesopotamis, and that it had been left to volantary
sociations in Eagland to take up the matter.
The Vioereine recapitulates the work of the Indian Comforta Fand, the Red Crowe Fund and other organisations in Ladis, and conoludes by paying a tribats to the industry and devotion of the women of India in volantery work for the troops.
THE OREEK SITUATION.
Royalista Still Creating Trouble.
December 28, 2:45 p.m. Telograme from Venizeliat quarters at Balonica state that The only names mentioned are those of General Sir II. Raw- Royalists are ectively and systematically extirpating pro-Eatente linson and General H. Gough, commanding the Fourth and Fifth feeling. Prominent people at Volo have submitted to indignition, while pro-Venizelists" at, the last election have been arrested and Armies,
General Sir E. Allenby, who carried out the subsidiary attack their premises looted. on Gommecourt on July 1, states that preparations for the battle were carried out under General Rawlinson's orders, sad that General Gough was placed in charge of that portion of the front after Jaly 1, in order to suable General Rawlinson to concentrate on the main Battle area.
Other Features.
Dormber 20, 3.20 p.m. General Sir Douglas Heig, in his deapstoh, refers to the dreadful weather during October and November, which turned the trenches into deep mud channels and prevented our men's taking
·· full advantage of the favourable situation created by their advanois, at a time when there was good ground for hoping that they would schiere yet more important anOCDOTES,
Support for the National Army.
December 28, 2.45 p.m. Greeks in Egypt are enthusiatically supporting the National Defence Army.
The Provisional Government at Balonion in forming Isboar battalions,
A Greck Request.
December 29, 7.25 p.m.
The Greek Government has presented a Note to the Entanta
CANADA AND CONSCRIPTION.
Sir Doug lan pays a tribute to the splended co-operation, through requesting the raining of the blockade. out the battle, of the Artillery and Flying Corps, and pɔints out that air-mastery entaile a constant and liberal supply of machines. Be apuake of the great part played by msebine-guns, phief from a defensive point of view; and also of the sofalness of the “task”. He affirme:We maintain our inanelling supariacity, thus silaganding our tranabes. The skill, enterprise and courage of the our tunneliers in romarkal “Thanks to them', the enemy kne pë mówbies -obtais
December 28, 2,45 p.m. According to Beuter'« correspondent at Oltawa, Sir, Robert has declared that he would adopt capscription if neosmary.
December 28, 2.45 p.m. - Beater's correspondent at Lourenco Marques states that the The Germans have retired to the left hink of the Rams Portaguses have occupied posts at Matchemba and Naagadi. River, where the Portuguese hold a factory.
A SCOTTISH AMALGAMATION.
Deosmber 29, 4.10 x.m.
ACCELERATing shipbuILDING.
Desember 29, 410 a.m. - The Shipping Controller has appointed an Advisory Commities composed of shipping experta to consider the acceleration of new merchant shipbuilding and the general administration of the new merchant shipbailding programme, which will be undertaken by
the Controller.
in the event of telegrams arriving too late for Insertion on this page they will be found on an Extra),
EARLIER TELEGRAMS,
THE ALLIED OFFENSIVE.
The British on the Somme,
Droomber 28, 1.45 s.m.
A French war correspondent indicates that the taking over by the British of the new portion of the Somme front was com- pleted at Christmas.
Tommy's "Off Season" !
December 29, 2,25 s,m. Although no operations on a big scale on the British front are at pressot being carried out, the Germans are never given a moment's pasos.
The correspondant of "La Liberte" on the British front relates that nevers day elapses without a raid on the German lines, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy and keeping the Germans continually on tentar-hooks, never knowing whare the next blow will fall. The result of this harassing bas exceeded all ex- pectations. Besides the raids, the British artillery fire becominx- over heavier. The big guns are unceasingly showering shells behind the enemy front, particularly on the lines of com- munication, seriously hampering kom, supply, sorricos. And this is what the Tommies call the off-
گم ہو ہے۔
J
The clanse set out abors is held to apply to current as well as to fatare foaaraaos, and no endorES- ment will be required on' oarti- ficates of insurance.
In MemoriamTE,
2
A granita column in manory
of the late Mr. A. G. Vanderbilt, who went down with the Lasi- tania, is to be erected on Holm- wood Common, near Dorking, by the London Cosching Club. The spot chosen it close to the main : road from London to Brighton long which Mr. Vanderbilt used to drive bię pɔach, the Vanture, The plap has been sub- mitted to the Dorking Rural Dis trict Council for approval. It is intended to prept similar memos. rials at other spots on sus ronts.. Lord Lsconfield is interesting himself in the scheme, and the arrangements are in the bands of Mr. Alan Lapton.
DONT FORGET.
TO-DAY. Victoria Theatre-2.15 pm. Bijou Theatre 0.15 p.m. (7 New Hongkong Cisemsing -9.15 p.m.
TO-MORROW.
Victoria Tosatre-9.15 p.m. Bijou Toosta@......ỹ.1b på New Hongkong.
Saturday, January 6, City Hall-FIPAT