THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH
EXTRA
HONGKONG, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1917.
BEUTER'S TELEGRAMS.
THE ENEMY'S peace SÜGGESTIONS."
Central Powers' Reply Considered a Cunning Move.
London, December 28. The unprecedented baato with which the peace negotiations are proceeding is regarded as being due to the political confusion in Rassis, the uncertainty of the Lenin-Trotsky adventure making it imperative to the Bolsheviks and the Central Powera considerably to advance the arrangements before the adress of a Russian Govern ments unwilling to terminate a separata pesos is possable, The enemy reply is considered a cunning more, meant for the consumption of the Allies, especially America, and, coming with the threats of a tremendons Western offensive, is, maybe, the forerunner of more formal proposals.
The Daily Telegraph considers that Germany has effepled a somar. malt by pronouncing for a status quo peace. This, however, does not admit of full reparation to Belgium and other looted territories, It rejects the fundamental principle concerning the right of subject nationalities to velf-determination, requires the Allies to thrust back the liberated people of Palestine and Hesopotamia under the Tark ish yoke, while Alsace remains German, unredeemed Italy remains Austrian and the whole fatal question of the oppressed nationalities of Central and South-Eastern Europe remains ungolved. Such a pesce will be a virtual victory, giving a new lease of life for militarism.
The Daily Chronicle says the Central Powers have not offered' security against the recurrence of war whenever the original dietur bers of peace consider they have a better prospect of victory.
The Daily Mail dezoribee the reply as the opening of Germany's barrage of talk. As regards the restoration of the Colonies, it says that the British Empire will be blown sky-high before that happens. No peace talk will begin to be real until Germany is beaten on the battlefield.
!
TELEGRAMS.
(Reuters Service to The “Teisgnph.")
THE SILVER: MARKET.
London, December 17. The silver market is steady.
OBITUARY,
Mr. P. S. Leigh-Bennett.
We bear with regret of the death in London, on the 23rd finstant, of Mr. P. 8. Leigh-Ben-
nett, of the Eastern staff of the - Bongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. The deceased was exiremely well-known in. Honge. kong, having been in the office here for some two years. He left the Colony in May last year, on being transferred to Calcatts. Is July laat he went Home on leave. He was suffering from consump.... tien at the time and daring the Toyage he had the misfortune to suffer considerable exposure through the torpedoing of the akip by which he was travelling. This no doubt aggravated his condition and probably led to his death.
8
The Times says Germany is using the Bolshevike as a live bait with which to tempt half-believers in pesos by agreement into a
Mr. Leigh-Bennett will be re- Berlin trap. In every instance where a demceratio concession is membered here sa a good cricket apparently made, it is immediately nullified by a oraftily-drawn and tennis player and qualifestion. The peace the Central Powers contemplate would member of the Volunteer Corps, leave them victore with Bulgaris and Turkey completely in their He was very popular with a large hande, and all the Balkan States would be controlled politicsily, circle of friends, who will hear economically and financially from Berlin. The journal recalls Pre- the news of his demise with the sident Wilson'á words respecting such an eventuality deepest regret.
CANTON NEWS,
Our Canton correspondent writer ander date of December 28 ne follows:-
and says if Germany can keep that, she has kept all that her dreams contemplated when war began. Snoha peace would permit Germany to atilise ber war profits for the preparation for the next war. These war profits are derived from systematic plunder of invaded territor- ies, war contributions amounting to scores of millions and slave- labour imposed on war prisoners and civiliana. The resources of her subordinate Allies are mortgaged to Germany, indefinitely and would give a mass of cheap Isbour enabling Germany to undersell her rivals. No wonder she is so anxious to preserve such advan Lung Chai-kwong's troops, ia tages and is even ready to deliver up the pawns they have stripped Trang Kong are increasing in bare. The Time adds that the best comment on tos present number daily. According to out disingenous pretence is found in the following passage of an article eestimate, the number is over in the Frankfurter Zeilung, of December 30, 1916" Once the 5,000, including rearaits enlisted negotiations, have began they can be used to divide the Allies and from neighbouring places. finally to dupe them into conceding essential German aɔnditions.” "The beadquarters of the Canton The Daily News saya the defects in the proposals are self-troops for attacking Takies will evident. Germany is endeavouring to mangearre the Allies into be established at Smatów. The the position of aggressive Imperialists and demands the uncon-eblistment of reoruite is still con- tional return of her Colonies to a role that has uniformly proved a tinuing.. bane to their inhabitants. The journal advocates an enunciation A mass military meeting was of our terms.
held at the Koon Yam Hill on the afternoon of the 27th inst. All the high military officers were' present but the questions dis cossed are not yet known.
The Manchester Guardian regarde Germany's peace proposals as an attempt to cat her losses, leaving her with full liberty to start again on her old game. It says:The proposals do not contain say sign of a new spirit, there is no repudiation of militariam or its evils proposals and they do not deal with the open sores of Alsace Lorraine and Turkey. In both cases the sovereignty of the Power that has done wrong is expressly reserved. We see no prospect of an enduring pesos on the basis of these proposals.
AMERICA GETTING READY.
The Latest Schemes of Preparation.
London, December 27. Heater's correspondent with the American Army in France states that several thousand American air mechanice trained in Engiand are ready to begin their duties when the American airmen reach the Front.
A wireless message received from the Kwong Hoi states that, Commander Sham Hung-yong, with the army sent to stisok Swatow, has arrived at Whampoa on board hie warship from Swatow. It is learned that the Canton - Tuchun will send him to lead his army against Lung Chai-kwong.. According to news to band, Tong Kai-jai, Taoban of Yannan, has Selegraphed to Lung Chai-kwong advising him not send troops to attack Kwangtong. It is reported that he has also sent a telegram to the Peking Government; oppos
A Washington message saya the Government has been asked to send to England thirteen hundred bricklayers and carpenters ing Long's appointment as the and also hundreds of labourers for construction work at extensive Inspecting Cmmimioner of training quarters which are now being established, after which Kwangtung and Kwangei. they will be transferred to France for other construction work.
RUSSIAN AFFAIRS,
Exclusive Power by Bolsheviks Impossible.
London, December 28,
The Times correspondent at Petrograd says the decision of the Maximalists to give the Revolutionary Socialiste an additional seven portfolios is due to the certainty that the latter will have an absolute majority in the Constituent Assembly, Exolusive power by the Bolsheviks is now absolutely impossible,...
Private-Banks Closed.
London, December 28, Beuter's correspondent at Petrograd says that Prince Leopold of Bavaria received a Ukrainian deputation at Brestlifovak,
The People's Commissioners have closed all private banks, bolh foreign and Russian. The Commissioners insisted on having the beys: Bailors and soldiers now cocopy the banks and warrants have been issued for further arresta of bank directors,
CRICKET.
The following will represent the residents of Kowloon sgainkt the residente of Hongkong on the latter's ground on Monday and Tuesday at 10a.m.P.B. Cohb (Captain), A. A. Oistton, FL Jaeland, L. E. 8. Hodge, F. Wheeler, R. Fastonji, Capt. E.H. Gras, Lifat, Marry, L. D. MENicoll, L Blackburn, A. de Soα-1.
The Late Mr. Horace Bain... The funeral of the late Mr.
Horace Bain will pass the Monament, to-morrow aimrnoon at 3 o'clock,