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Copyright 1918, by the Proprietor
January 16. 1918,
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སྙ༽ ་
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16,
-1918.
January 16, 1917,
三拜疆 大十月一英港香
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EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
THE WESTERN FRONT.
7855 四月二十
REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.
YARMOUTH BOMBARDED.
Fire Lasts For Five Mlautes.
London, January 15. An official message states that Yarmouth was bombarded from the ses last night. Fire opened at 30 55 and lasted for five minutes.
Twenty shells fell in the town, Latest reports state that thres persons were killed and ten injured. The damage done is not serious,
THE RUSSO-GERMAN NEGOTIATIONS.
Delegates Wrangle Fruitlessly For Two Days.
London, January 15.
Benlar'a correspondent at Amsterdam says that the German version of the proceedings of the Committee appointed at Brent. fitorek, on January 1, to discuss territorial questions, shows that the Delegatee wrangled for two days without real: on the question of the status of the populations of occupied territories and their ersonation. The Germans contended that the peoples of occupied. territorise, through their plenipotentiary bodies, had already expre88- ed their desire of severance from Ruseis. The Rassians denied that these bodies were representative and proposed as a substitution for the two articles of the preliminary Treaty, osbled on December 30, four articles, of which the following is a summary :=
1.The right to territory and self-determination belongs to nations and not to occupied parts thereof.
2.-Austro-Germany to renounce olsime of annexation of the occupied Bassian territories and to undertake not to restrict their independence by the Breetlitovak or Military Conventions before the constitution of these regions on a basis of self-determination. Voting to determine the fate of the regions must be carried out after the foreign armisa have been withdrawn and fugitives and deportess have returned. The date of the withdrawal of the armies to be determined by a Special Commission.
3-After the signature of peace, these territories to be admini- stered by a temporary bady, composed of varions political parties, which shall organise a plebiscite.
-The final position of the territorias to be "decided by a referendum."
General Hoffmann protested against the victorious tone of the Russian proposale when a victorious German Army stood on their territory. He ridionled the Russian claims of self-determination, seeing that the Bolshevik Government was based on ruthless force. He reageerted that the cccupied peoples had unmistakably expressed a wish for separation from Russia and eaid that the Courland Diet, on September 31, requested German protection; the Lithuanian Diet, on December 11, proclaimed desire for severance; the Manicipality of Rigs and the Guilds of Baral Representatives, os December 27, claimed German protection; and, finally, in Decem ber last, representatives from Oasel, Dagoe and Moon. Islands repudiated their previous connection. Moreover, for technical and administrative reasons, the German High Command refused to evacuate Courland, Lithuania, Rigs and the islands in the Riga Galf.
Herr von Kaehlmann proposed an adjournment of the delibera tions in order that Germany might consult with her allies.
The sitting was accordingly adjourned to a date not fixed.
THE MAN-POWER QUESTION
Warning to Unpatriotic Workers,
London, January 15.
Press comments on Sir Azokland Geddes' speech are favourable. The Daily News epitomises the viswa on his warning to Labour by saying "We cannot be accused of look of sympathy to Labour mor excesive sympathy for this Government, but this doce not blind us as to the fact that we are engaged in the greatest struggle for human liberty we have ever been involved in. To talk of downing tools is to talk of betraying freedom and stabbing our song and brothers, fighting for freedom, in the back,”
· The Daily Mail Lobbyist understands that the Government is prepared to take severe measures against anyone interfering with the oaspat of musitions, aeroplanes sad ehips.
GERMAN POLITICAL SURPRISES EXPECTED.
London, January 15.
Arcording to Beuter's orrespondent at Amsterdam, a message from Berlin says that Count Hartling bas" postponed bis Reichstag speech. The Tageblatt says be is ilt, Political surprises within the next few days are probable..
ENQUIRY INTO WAR EXPENDITURE.
London, January 15.
It is understood that, at the instance of the Government, Mr. Boner Law has decided to appoint sa îndependent commistée of business men to enquire into the expenditure of the War Depart- ments. One of the first take of the Committee will be to enquire into the complaints of over-staffing and inefficiency.
EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
A STEAMER RAMMED
New York, January 15. The steamship Texas, with a cargo of nitrates for Euro pesa ports, has wirelessed that she has been rammed and is sinking. The crew of forty-three have taken to the boats. "
STANDARD SHIPS.
London, January 14
In the House of Commons, Bir E. L. Chiozza Money stated that up to December 31st, thirteen standard ships had been delivered and one had been sunk.
FRENCH EX-PREMIER IMPRISONED.
Paris, January 16. Ex-Premier Caillaux has arrived and has been lodged in Baye prison. A sensation has been created it being stated that the authorities have found macriminating "documents bompelling the ex- remier's arrest forthwith, an
آور
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EARLIER TELEGRAMŞ. RAMS.
THE GOVERNMENT'S MAN-POWER DECISIONS.
London, January 14.
In the House of Commons, Sir Auckland Geddes, the Minister of National Service, in his statement on the question of man power, emphasised the all-importance of the Navy. "We have trodden some strange paths with little. profit since 1914. Let us return to the faith of our fore- fathers and recogcise that on the sea and by the sea wa lined. The Government, he said had examined the entire question of the strength and character and composition of the forces of ourselves, our allies and enemies in the light of the situa- - tion in Russia. The result of the inactivity in Russia was, that 950,000 additional German troops would be available for the Western Front and several Austro-Hungarian divi- sions for the Italian Front. Taking everything into con sideration the Russian defection might possibly mean 1,600,000 Austro-German troops available for elsewhere. Nevertheless the resources of the Allies were suficient to assure victory, Nothing but a paychological catastrophe in one or the other of the Allied countries.could save the Central Powers. The Government had very carefully con- sidered the question of casualties and had determined that carelessness as regarde human life should be stamped out, everywhere. He was not accusing any Admiral or General of recklessness, but simply laying down an essential general principle. Before asking the House to consider demands for more men he wished to show what the British League of Nations had done. In August 1014 the personnel of the Navy was 150,000 and that of the regular Army, including reserves, 430,000. The Territorials numbered 250,000. Now, the personnel of the Navy was 400,000, and the Army 4,000,000, The Air Service strength in 1914 was 2,000 and to-day it was 193,000, However, to the above figuras must, be added the killed, died, missing, prisoners and discharged Taking everything into consideration, the effort of the British nations under the heading "Provision of Men for the Armed Forces of the Crown" amounted to not far from 7,500,000 men, England had contributed 4,530,000, Scotland 620,000, Wales 290,000,, Ireland 170,000, and the Dominions and Colonies 900,000. The remaining million, composed of native fighters, labour corps, carriers, etc. represented the splendid contributions by India and the various African- and other dependencies. But even these figures failed to indicate our total effort; for they took no account of the manufacture of munitions, ships naval and mercantile, and aircraft, the increased production of food, iron ore and the supplies of all kinds which we furnished to the Allies.
If this effort was to be carried on and sacrifices, not rendered in vain our armies must be maintained throughout 1918. Their demands could be met from two sources, firstly from the reserves at home and abroad and secondly from the men remaining in civil life. Even after readjusting the home armies to enable the greatest proportion to be sent abroad it would still be necessary to raise 450,000 from the in civil life. This was absolutely the minimum requirement.
The speaker declared that the lowering of the military age, except as a last resort, was contrary to maturaļ instincts and economically unsound. The Government felt very
men
strongly that it would be contrary to national interests to raise the age limit whilst large numbers of fit youths were employed in civil life who could be released without seriously endangering essential work. The Government was satisfied that the reasons which led to the exclusion of Ireland from the Military Service Act had lost none of their cogency, The Cabinet had determined to make available militarily a very large number of the youths engaged insential industries, replacing them with women and ex-soldiers, This would leave in civil life a large reserve of men over forty-one which our enemies would not possess and which could be thrown into the scale if necessary. The pacifists were now attempting to stir up strife in the monition works. ". Youths engaged in vital industries were threatening to hold up the output of ships and aeroplanes in order to force the Government to exempt them This would mean sending the wounded and older men to the front. and limiting" or stopping soldiers' leave. If the threat was carried out the youths would meet a blast of hatred and contempt which would surprise them. The main object of the proposals was to secure equality of sacrifice as far as practicable. The. Bill he was now introducing provided for the abolition of the two months' exemption granted to men leaving certified occupations and the effect would be that such men would join the Army more rapidly and more numerously than bitherto. The Bill also empowered the withdrawal of certi ficates of exemption granted on occupational grounds. A large number of men were at present holding such certi ficates who were engaged in work of practically no national importance. After mentioning that over one million men held protection certificates which were at present cancellable the speaker proceeded to explain that only men fit for general service. would be taken from vital industries and the number required would be secured by a clean cat deter- mined on the age basis for each particular occupation. Ship- ping was a vital' problem. Every ton built or saved from submarinisra or economized by substituting home production for importe meant a ton available to bring the American forces into the field, Our enemies were staking everything. upon our failure to solve this problem, Our success in solving it meant certain victory. Aliens would not henceforth be. employed in certain restricted occupations of an unessential character without a permit. Uninterned enemy aliens, if fit, must work nationally or be interned. Arrangements were being made for the extension of employment of schoolboys of whom four thousand were successfully used last season with the Boy Scouts for harvesting and cleaning land Wo- men mannition workers, including admiralty workers,, num- bered nearly 815,000 at the end of last year compared with 227,000 in 1814. Still more women of all classes were neces- sary. He expressed thanks to the Military authorities, to the New Zealand, South Africa, and Newfoundland con- tingents who consented to grant farlough to skilled.agrical- tarists for work on the land. This timely help coming. at a critical period in the agricultural cycle had been greatly appreciated.
THE PETROLEUM B'LL
London, January-14. - In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonae Law announced that the Fetoleum Bill, providing royalties for owners of land where oil is found, has been dropped because the necessary action could not be taken without special legislation.
Fine Work by British Aviators.
* London, January 15. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports that the enemy raided a post south-eastward of Armentieres. A few of oure are missing, Hostile artillery are active in the Saint Julien area and south-eastward of Hargicourt. Our aeroplanes car- ried out bombing and machine gunning incessantly on Sunday, They dropped four hundred bombs on a large am- munition dump near Roulers and on billets, hutments and a rail junction Machine guns attacked a party of the enemy engaged in extinguishing a large fire, causing casualties. The men scattered and the fire was left to burn out. Eight hostile machines were brought down and three driven down. Three of ours are missing. There was better weather to-day.
Snow Postpones German Offensive.
London, January 15. Reuter's correspondent at British. Headquarters' says that heavy snow has again fallen and postponed indefinitely the much advertised German ofensive, The Germans are using a lighter type of flame-thrower, not requiring several operations. Enemy search-lights and fireworks are constant- ly seeking to locate our tanks. Drafts from Germany's 1918 class are now appearing opposite the British. We recently captured two improved field howitzers of a maximum range. of eleven thousand yards. We also captured a document which records an instance where only nine out of twenty- four field howitzers survived our bombardment.
Lively Artillery Flrs..
London, January 15.
A French communique says: There has been lively artill erying in Champagne on the right of the Meuse, especially north of Louvemont, where our batteries caught enemy as- semblages.
BRITISH AIR RAID ON GERMANY,
London, January 15. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports as follows:-- Our squadrons made a most successful raid in Germany at
· daylight against the railway station and manition factories at Karlsruhe and in the Rhine Valley. They dropped one and a quarter tons of bombs with excellent results. Burats were observed in buildings, and on sidings at the main railway junction in the centre of the town and in the railway work-` shops and the smaller, junction at Karlsruhe, Photographs confirm a large fire in factories alongside the railway. Anti- aircraft fire was very heavy and several hostile machines unsuccessfully attacked our formation. All of our machines reached their objectives and returned safely.
BOLSHEVIKS OPPOSED,
Petrograd, January 15. The Social Revolutionaries of the Constituent Assembly have issued a manifesto bitterly denouncing the Bolsheviks as bringing the country to the verge of new and overwhelm- ing war and declaring that the restoration of peace is of paramount importance but only the Constituent Assembly is able to achieve it. The Army should be reformed on a voluntary basis and the nationalisation of land achieved without compensation. They favour also mines and private railways and State control of industry with the widest par- ticipation of the working-classes therein.
DON'T FORGET.
TQ-DAY..
Victoris Theatre-9.15 p.nt. Bijon Theatre9.15 p.m. New Hongkong Cinematogen, 9.15 p.m.
11
TO-MORROW. Victoris Theatredaļő pomo Bijou Theatre-9.15 pm, New Hongkong Cinemato
-0.15 p...
Saturday, January 19, "Court Cards" at Thestre Royal-9.15 p.m.
detailed difficulties better than the theorists. They know that. for the twenty years before the war, isat as Germany was going ahead of Britain in exports to Continental markets that could. he resched from Germany by rail, Britain was, going ahead of Germany "very much faster in exports to all markets that could only be reach by ee; and. if this permanent factor wera - - not
handicap enough, militarism mest neede destroy German work in the great (overseas markets, sink the neutral shipping which sloné" could sid the sadly diminished mercantile set of Germany to bring the German industries those. TAW - materials without which they can hardly even get a start made, and so antagonise ly its brutalities the sesmen of the whole world that a comprehensive" boycott of German asilors and German shipping become increasingly probable. We do not imagine that the big capitalists are much lin love with militariem at the moment; and some of them, we know, realise the fearful pro» {blems abead."
Of course' some Germans still believe in the good German sword as a trade wespon; and the wildest plans have been formulat ed. Submarines are to foron favourable commercial treation from enemies and neutrálaj sn iadamnity in raw materials in to be paid before negotiations begins the enemy is to be "forced" to- receive German exports but forbidden to export to Germany; Germany is to receive, bat not give most-favoured-nation traKI- are lo be better made this time.
ment;imports by ses are ovary, where to But we do not imagine that many higher duties than imports by be burdened ·"with" The New Industrial Ollgarchy, of the big industrialists want e
GERMAN AIMS,
Second War. They have learned land, so as to checkmate the The industrial magnates of that it is easier to invoke the aid hated English. The fatility of Germany are making their pre- of militarism than to get quit of such talk has been exposed in parations for eaving their own it again. There is an old story of Germany itself. The more mo ekins in the coming creab, Before a man who discovered the formala derate pin their hopes to a pesce the war they were going to effect for raising the devil; but the without economic enmity; an the economic conquest of the devil came to him in the shape of Ausgleich or give and take. world, and, as regarde large elicer a huge wolf, who could do nothing of boycotting. When the time business peace with prohibition of the world, they were not far but slay. The wolf rid him of
from achieving their aim. Baron his enemies; but when the man pprcaches, this section will von Kaehlmann, the new German no longer required the creature's proceed to organise sympathy Foreign Minister, aid in August, services, he resliced that be among pacifists and so forth; the 1014: "If we had bad ten more peglected to discover the formals line to be taken is that all men years of peace, we should have for laying him again and the
are brothers, so that raw boep masters of the world without wolf, who enjoyed displaying his materials must be pooled and having to shed one drop of blood"; enlitary accomplishment, first kill Bil countries supplied in and many people believe that ad the man's friends and then the Germany's need being the greate
proportion to their needs- another generation, at 8B5 min himself. Something of the est, her people must receive thi rate, would have seen this resul ort seems to be barpening in lion's share, otherwise you starve achieved. Bat the industris) Germany. Hindenburg indeed has the innocent German a secon leaders would not, or perhepe not exactly rid the isdastrisliste could not, wait; they joined of their enemier; but he has damme over. But the Ausgleich is hands with the military party raged the industrialists themselves horribly stubborn; few in Ger
still far away, and the British are... take a short cut to the goal, and pretty considerably,, and they has landed them, and Germany cannot lay him.
many really share Profemor within a morses. A sheep has been complaining that bis Nations dreaded Paris resolutions will not. They are Jastrow's easy confidence that the known to get ons of a bog by Service law deprives them of be put into praction after all, climbing on the back of a com labour; and Vorwaertson August And even if the good German panion in misfortape and sending 25th rather gleefully, rubbed inward should force the Allied ita fellow to the bottom in it the point, "The National stroggies; and the big industrial Savice Law" it paid in a thorn form of boycott, it does not
Governments to renounce any." ists are now proposing to get out, in the fish of the capitalists, and quite appear how any Govern if they can, on the shoulders they see in its carrying out a of the German people, sending serious danger to German in Trade Unions for that matter, to ment is to foros individuals, or them deeper into their quagmire, dustry" Mach more serious, have anything to do with Go
There are of course several however, is Hindenburg's a mans or their belongings if they different views in Garmacy sa to restricted submarine war. Both not wish to. These things what will happen after the war. before and during the war some are not hidden from the German One very infidential school looks of the leaders of forward to doing the whole thing have been saquiring an in doubtedly hopes for the beat,
industry capitalist and while he an sgain but doing it better; to sereat in shipping and business pocos and the resum fresh attempt at economic world they understand how terribly the ion of the old methods of conquest by an intensification of submarine war-ad ja~to their
all the old methods, combined troubles. They may agree with sonomic world-corque i with preparations, which Herr theoretical writers that cas, dret quietly bedging all the time, and Esthense and many others have desirability for Germany after the preparing second-bes plan for kindly sketched for us, for a war, a greatly to increase her is own salvation at the er penen second war, preparations whichlovazsean izade, but they see the
of his country. (To be continuső