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The Hongkong Telegraph
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Copyright 1918, by
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January 12, 1918,
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January 12, 1917, Humidity
Temperature 6 .. 54
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SATURDAY,
JANUARY 12,
1918.
大拜禮號二十月一英港香
REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.
EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
7852 A+ A++
REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.
RUSSIAN PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.
M. Trotzky on Democracy's Determination.
London, January 10. The Time correspondent at Petrograd states that M. Trotsky and his colleagues. on returning from Breetlitovsk, were joined by a delegation of the Ukrainian Rads which bas finally come to terms with the Bolsheviks..
M. Trotsky, at the resumption of pourparlers, reaffirmed that the Russian Demoorscy will fight to the bittar-end rather than be enslaved by Imperialists. It would not be war in the trenches but an uprising of the people with barricades. He insisted on the transfer of the negotiations to Stockholm.
Failure of Negotiations Feared,
London, January 11.
M. Lenin, addressing a secret conference at Petrograd on the subject of demobilisation, expressed fear of the failure of the peace negotiations, and said it was therefore necessary to delay disbanding the Army and to consider measures for the defence of Petrograd.
ญ
Enemy Delegates' Speeches.
London, January 11. According to Reuter's correspondent at Amsterdam, at the plenary sitting st Brestlitorsk on the 10th inst., Herr von Kuslhmann reviewed the whole course of the negotiations. He said that since the interruption minch had happened calculated to create doubt as to the sincere intention of Russia to arrive at the conclusion of a speedy peace with the Quadruple Alliance.
Count Osernin said it was no longer a question of negotiation for a general psace but for a separate peace with Rasis. The transfer of the negotiations to neutral territory would give the Eatents the desired opportunity to interfere.
Count Csernin continued:-If the Russians are animated by the same intentions as the representatives of the Quadruple Alliance, a result will be attained antisfactory to all. If not, things will take their necessary course, but the responsibility for the war will then fall exolusively on the Russian Delegation.
Talaat Pasha and M. Popoff agreed. General Hoffmann stated :—' I have before me a number of wireless messages and an appeal signed by representatives of the Russian Government and Army Command Party containing abuse of the German Army institutiona and the German Army Command Party, revolutionary in character, to our troops. These messages have undoubtedly transgressed the spirit of the armistics concluded by both Armies. In the name of the Chief of the Army Command Í protest most strongly against the form and contents of these messages and appeals.”
Other Central Power delegates supported the protest, on M. Trotsky's proposal, and the sitting was interrupted..
A Declaration Lapses,
London, January 11.
According to Reuter's correspondent at Petrograd, Harr von Kuelhmann, in the course of his speech at Brestlitovek, said in view of the fact that the Allied Governments had not replied regarding peace conversations, the Quadruple Alliance's declaration cabled on December 27 lapses.
[The declaration referred to stated that the Central Powers' delegates solemnly declared they were willing immediately to siga a peace on the principle of no anterstions and no indemnities if guarantees were forthcoming that all Russia's Allies would adopti the principle of no annexations and no indemnities regarding Ger- many and her Allies.] "
GERMAN POLITICS.
The Situation StM Strained.
London, January 11.
The German political situation is still strained. Voriserte declares that shat an overwhelming majority of the people would back Count Hartling and Berr von Kuelhmann" sgainst the Militarists if the Government desires to conclude a lasting pease. It says that a possibly decisive struggle against reactionary plane ia imminent. It is significant that a meeting of the National Liberal members of the Reichstag ananimously declared in favour of Harr von Kuelhmann resigning if he osnnot co-operate with the Supreme Command.
THE ITALIAN PRONT.
Good Work by British Airmen.
London, January 11
A British Italian message states:-Our aeroplanes attacked sayan hostile machines, crashing down two and driving down two others. Our losess were vil. It is freezing hard.
Enemy Evacuate Trenches,
London, January 11.
An Italian offcial message atates-To the west of Cavezno Cherins, trench mortare forced the enemy to evacuate some trenches. We used oar machine guns against the retreating enemy, causing heavy losses. We brought down three enemy aeroplanes.
THE EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGN.
London, January 11.
An East African öfficial message states that a small and exhausted German force, short of food and ammunition, moved up Lujonda Valley in Portuguese territory, ospturing small posts and saber quently dispersed into raiding parties between Lake Nysass and Port Amelia. British mounted forces followed up in Lajenda Valley and other columns in co-operation with the Portuguese landed | : at Port Amelia.
THE WESTERN FRONT.
London, January 11. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports hostile artillery fire to the east of Vimy Ridge
H.A.L. OFFICIALS SENTENCED.
London, January 11. Beuter's correspondent at New York staten that Karl Buns and three other Hamburg-American Line officials have been wont- enoed from 12 to 18 months' imprisonment for supplying German Cruisers early in the war.
BRITISH HEROES,
How Two Brave Men Diesh.
2
London, January 11, The Gazette announces the award of sighteen Victoria Crosses, the recipients including seven Canadians, a New Zsalaader sad an Indian. The following are amongst the most striking stories :--
Second Lieut. (Temporary Lieut.-Colonel) Philip Bris Best, D.S.O., of the Leicestere.When, daring a heavy bostle attack of the right of his Command and Battalion, his right was forced back and the situation was critical owing to the confusion caused by the attack and the intense artillery fire, Bant collected a reserve pistoon of men from other companies and various revimental details,, organised them and led them to a osuuter attack, which was success- ful, Beat's coolness and magnificent example resulted in securing an essentially important portion of the line. He was killed while leading a charge, calling" Come on, the Tigers !"
Private James Robertson, of the Canadians.-When his platoon was held up by ancut wire and machine gun fire, caming many casualties, Robertson dashed to an opening and rushed the machine- gun. After a desperate struggle, he killed four of the crew and then turned the gun on the remainder, who, overcome by the fezoe
He then led his new of his assault, ran towards their own lines. platoon to the final objective, where he selected an excellent position and got the gun into action, firing on the retreating enemy, who was now quite demoralised. Later, when two of our snipers were badly wounded before our trench, he went out and carried one of them in under moet severe fire. He was killed as he returned with the second.
EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
MR. BALFOUR ON GERMANY'S IDEA OF HONOUR.
London, January 11:
Mr. Balfour, speaking at a meeting on war aims in Edinburgh, unreservedly eulogised President Wilson's de- claration. The United States, he said, had but recently taken their rightful place in political community with the western nations and for the first time in their history had entered fully into the struggle against barbarism. Despite repeated neutral and Entente invitations the Central Powers had systematically not declared their war aims, although their recent half-hearted hope for the avoidance of future "wars gave evidence of some improvement in their moral tone. Referring to Belgium, he said if the Germans-left to-morrow they would leave a derelict starving population and would consider it contrary to their honour to repair or better their wrongs.
Mr. Balfour said the Germans had a wholly alien sense of honour. Before all the world they had actually announced that German dignity would be outraged if they were asked to give reparation. By their refusal to consider our terms the whole world had learned for what Germany was warring, Mr. Balfour showed how intimately our war aims concerned the hearths and homes of Britain and the Dominions. When power like. Germany, with her methods, ambitions and morality, was running amok and shattering the fabrication of civilization to its foundations, the present sacrifices called for were nothing compared with the evils that would befall our children and grandchildren if the war ended in & Ger- maan peace.
AMERICA'S GREAT WAR PREPARATIONS.
Washington, January 11. The Secretary of War, Mr. Baker, has announced that there are now nearly one and a half millions of American troops" in the feld or training at home and aboard. No such army in the history of the world had ever been raised, equipped and trained so quickly. The aviation section on the 1st January last consisted of 3,900 officers and 82,150 men com- pared with 65 officers and 1,120 men on 1st April last year! Independent lines of communication and supply wers being constructed and great plans were being formulated for the production of new instruments of war.
It is announced that the Government, is planning for the despatch of an additional ninety million bushels of wheat to relieve the Allied food shortage. The American people will be asked to economise in order to make up the deficiency' and legislation is being drafted to make wheatless days com- pulsory and prescribing war bread The question whether the situation will affect the inter-Allied agreement for the transportation of American troops is left largely to the Allies.
CANADA'S DETERMINATION.
Ottawa, December 10.
The Duke of Devonshire has cabled to Mr. Walter Long as follows:My Ministers read with much gratification the report of the speech wherein Mr. Lloyd George recently defined in clear and unmistakeable language the war aims of Great Britain and ber Allies in the great conflict "now pending. They are in cordial agreement with the principles enunciated by the Prime Minister as being those best cal- culated to restore and maintain the blessings of security of peace and reaffirm the determination to continue their whole hearted support of the cause of liberty and democracy until the purposes for which the Empire is fighting shall have been accomplished."
BRITISH RAID IN FRANCE.
London, January 10. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports: The London and Rifle Regimente successfully raided three points in the trenches south-eastward of Ypres, inflicting many casualties and prisonering a few. Hostile artillery is active in the Ballecourt, Lens and Ypres neighbourhoods. Our aeroplanes on Wednesday bombed enemy's billets and butments and machine-gunned troops in the trenches from a low altitude, We brought down four and drove down two. Three of ours are missing two of which collided over the enemy's lines!"
A wireless German oficial message states: The enemy's aircraft losses for December were nine-balloons "and" "119. aeroplanes of which 47 fell in our lines. We lost 82. aeroplanes and two balloons.
THE MESOPOTAMIAN CAMPAION.
London, January 10.
A despatch by the late General Mande dated October 15, Appears in the "Gazette." It deals with the operation in April ending with the driving back of two szamy army carpe into Jabal, Haarin and Tekrit. He explains that it was the abnormal heat and dust storms that frustrated the capture of Bamadia in July. He describes the final capture of Bamadie on September 20 and says the health of the troops during the summer was uniformly satisfactory. Cholers, enteric and scurvy were either non-existent or negligible.
NEW ZEALAND'S FINANCES.
Wellington, January 10, The Finance Minister has announced that "the revenus. for the past nine months has shown an increase of £170,000 Large payments are being made in the final quartar, which will put the revenue total in a strong bealthy position.
AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.
Melbourne, January 10. The new Hughes Cabinet has been sworn in. There are practically no changes. Mr. F. G. Tudor has given notice of a no-confidence motion.
VOTES FOR WOMEN.
London, January 10.
In the House of Lords the Electoral Reform Bill with the principle of women's suffrage was adepted by 154 to 69.
KAISER'S SISTER'S WAR INTRIGUES.
Serving Germany at Athens
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481
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TELEGRAMS.
(Banter's-Service to The "Telegraph.")
THE SILVER MARKET.
London, Jazury:20 The silver market in steady.
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NAVAL PROMOTIONS.
B
Bear-Admiral E F.Brnes who has just been procoated ta fag rank, is well known east of Saɛs, having served commission on the East Indian Station, China Siation and Australian Station. He joined the Royal Navy in 1880- and became a post esptain in 1908. In addition to service on the above-mentioned in a sub- ordinate capacity, he was fing captain of the Powerful, when the was flagship of the Australia. Equadron, 1910-13.
DON'T FORGET.
TO-DAY.
Victoria Theatre-9,15 p.m. -Bijou Thestre
New Hongkong Cinematograph
-9.15 p.m.
TO-MORROW."
Victoris Theatre-9.15 p.m.
مطبع قبل الاسBigon Theatre
New Hongkong Cinemato |graph.—9.45 patie
Captain G. H. Barrett, who hsa- just been appointed a naval Aide- de-Camp to the King, is tenth on the list of post ospuins at the moment. He was torpedo Beatum: unt of the battleship Centurion, Ohins Squadron, during the... Borer troubles in China, 1980; (mentioned in despatches), and so.
commander he was mentioned by General Gaselee in connection. with the transport work in the On June 12, 1918, Queen closing phases of the naval Sphie telegraphed to Mr. End military operation In Theotokis, Greek Minister at China. He wee in the Battle of Berlin, to translate the following Jatland, and was mentioned in mee-nge into German and forward | despatches for his services in that it to the Kaiser: In despair. hard-fought action. Athens, November 3-Forty. Hope that your counsel will once nine deciphered dispatobea ex-more help as to improve the situation. Embrace you tea- changed through the medium of. Hr. Theotokis, Groek Minister in derly. Berlin, between the ex-King and M. Zalesztinis telegraphed to Queen and the Kaiser have been the Greek Minister at Berne, on published textually by the Press January 13, 1917:-- Bureau.
"Please send the fall ing This exchange of secret oor.message on to our Minister at respondence dates from Decem Berlin and ask him to let ne know
whether
Falkenhausen ber, 1915. The Arst telegrame relate to the conclusion of a forty received two messages from us. million france loan, with which B.S.P. Perlep Germany, was providing Greece| "The King was very well at the instance of the ex-King. pleased with your dispatches 202 Other dispatches are concerned and 203, and tells me that you with the pourparlera between the bave always had a clear view of Athens Court and Berlin, in view the sitastion. As to leave, be of an attack on the part of the agrees is principle with the idea, but is afraid above all that the Germans against Sarrail'e army.
The suggestion in this case came from King Constantine. Apparently, however, Hinder you is to stay there for the barg put his veto on the gohems present.-(8.)
"For General voff Falkenhou-- (of which, by the way,
Mr. Skoulondie, then Greek Fremier, 80. Zimmermann was personal.
your telegram. The No. 1 wire. was fally sware), because their in favour of an offensive, but leas telegraph station was taken not in agreement with down because it was feared that great German Field-Marshal did was not wish to throw away his troops Hindenburg as to the moment for its dismantling might be demand
Il Hindenburg's reply ed by the Allier: k has been uselessly
Most of the dispatches emanate had been more favourable and ex: removed, and if necessary it will from the ex-Qaces, whose role in plicit the Orown Council would be re-created elsewhere. We amil the formation of bands in the have decided in favour of an always be able to communicats neutral sons arouses the keenest attack.
with jou sa hitherto "I am in despair. It is too indignation.
We are confidentially informed. All the documents throw setupid. Mistakes have been made. that an attack will be made on
As to the Entente control, the Macedonian front AB GOOD IN -- larid light on the sctivities of the
the Rumanian campaign is coR®. deposed Sovereigns, who were there is nothing definite settled trying to bring about the com.ret. But I don't believe that it oluded. (Signed). Sophis. plete subjention of Greece to will extend to this telegraph sor-For General von Falkenhau
vice-Signed) Sophie." Germany.
ren :--The Allies are believed' sa Mr. Zilocostaa telegraphed to have no seroplanes, in conseque Ia, the Daily Chronicle recently were given some of the messages, the Greek Minister at Berne, eros of sccidente. They are en- in which Queen Sophie sought to Janasry 2, 1917- bring about a German offensive against General Sarrail's army Minister at Barlin. Despatches instead of against Humanis, and from their Majesties to the Em promising aid against the Allied paror.
"We send you our warmest Bank. Up to last moment the royal platters at Athens were led to wishes for the New Year, and Minister in Berne, January 10, expect their wishes would be hope that God may give you 1917: "I beg you to re-transmit complied with. Later Messages freeb victories and peace. the following telegram to the. The situation here is very Greek Minister in Berlin. For his On December 2, 1916, Mr.derious. We have only suficient
Majesty the Emperor from fortaight.The · Zilocostar, the Greek Furnign bread for
Queen Sophin- Minister, telegraphed to the Eatente's Note is impertinent. "I thank you for your telegram;
Berne: They want to starve us to death; but we are without so ficient food. Greek Minister following They want, by continuing the for the duration of such an un-
are given below:-
Planes send the
at
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difficulties of the journey will pot permit of your return. "My advice
sation.
"Please re-transmit to the
་་་་
message to the Minister in Berlin blockade, to
enforos their
deavouring to jucrease – thm - strength of the Macedonisa army to 800,000 meu, and are forward.
ing reinforcemente in all kaste. |(Signed) Sophia."
Mr. Ziloeostas to the Gmak
dertaking, and the abortage of ammunition and many other
for General von Falkenhausen: demands.
Owing to the continuance of "We dongratulate you on the things cotapel as, unfortunately, the blockade there is only bread magnificent victories in Ramasis to abstain from such chamava for a few days longer, and other and send you our love.Tinoction, foodsteffa are also growing scarce. and Sophis, The idés of war against the Entents is now out of the quee Zalocostan telegraphed to the for your very welcome words. May Minister in Berno: the infamous pigs receive the tion. Negotiations are proceed. Greek ing on the Note, I consider the "Please retransmit the following punishment they deserve, I eme game lost. If the attack is not code dispatch to the Minister in brass you heartily. Your axled.
and unbsppy sister, who hopes made immediately it will be too Berline
"I had the honour to receive for better times,—dop Late (Signed) Bophis,
**You aso realise my position. On Janasry 19, 1917, Mr. How I suffer, Thank you warmly