EXCHANGE
11, London Sa/134d.
On Demand Sa/156 1.
VAUZITA
The Hongkong Telegraph
May 11, 1918,
7940 日二月四
Temperature Humidity
REUTERS TELEGRAMS.
MAURICE AFFAIR DEBATED IN THE COMMONS.
80.
MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S CRUSHING REPLY TO MR. ASQUITH.
Motion for Appolatmaat of Select Committee Defested.
London, May 9. -- Mr. Asquith, continuing his speech in the House of Commons in the Mearice debate, enid some people thought that be w88 hungrily impatient to resume office, but he was content so let the House and country judge whether that was It be felt it bia daty to ensure the Government he hoped that he would have the courage to do so unequivocally, but when he pat down his motion be honestly thought that the Government would have socepted it.. Baferring to franerai Maurios's letter, Mr. Asquith and that General. Maurios must have known that he was committing a serions breach of the King's Regulations, jeopardising the whole of his career. Presumably, General Haurice would not have taken that conces except under a grays, senen of responsibility of his public duty. The Government had admitted that it was a cane for enquiry, Regarding the proposal of two Judges, experience showed that much an enquiry in such cireumatanosa would be unsatisfactory. Such
■ Tribunal would be impotent unless it bad statutory powers. He ~saggested m'non-party Committee of fire members of the House of Commons who could probably reach a decision, which would be respected by the House and the country, in, two or three days. What was the alternative ?
Mr. Stanton interjected -Get on with the war-(Lond cheers). Mr. Arquith replied that if we wanted to get on with the war the first thing was to remove the misconceptions and misunderstand. ings, which might be foundationless but which created doubt in everybody's mind. Any Government statement of facts would be as parte and made in the absence of thom who had. impuguɔd the ascuracy of the previous statements Mr. Asquith urged that it was in the honour and interest of the Government, the House of Commons, the Army, the nation, the Allies and the unhampered <prosecution of the war to establish a tribunal of exquiry which from is constitution and power, would be able to give a prompt, decisira. -and-antboritative judgment. He hoped regarding some of these mattere that there had been an honest misunderstanding, bat the clearer, the brae Ministero ked for proving the scourney of the impugnad statement, the more nogeni was the argument in favour of eu saquiry under conditions which nobody could sumpset of partiality or prejudios.--(Laughter in which Mr. Bonar Law joined.
Mr. Asquith, turning to Mr. Bouar Law, asked:-Did Mr. Bonar Law think that a Bslect Committee of the House of Comi was not an actuspected tribanal ?
Mr. Bonar Law replied that every member of the Laun “Commons was either friendly or unfriendly to the Government and
therefore prejudiced.
Mr. Asquith retorted:--I'am very sorry to bear the Leader of the Bouse suggest that he oxanoi get five Members of the House of Commons who are not so steeped in party prejudice that they osanct be trusted to judge on a pare issue of fact.' I leave it thers.-(Cheers).
The Premier's Reply..
Mr: Lloyd George, who was received, with lond cheers, ssid | # that, as far as he knew, the demand för s Select Committee to inė quire into statements of Ministers was absolutely unprecedented. Özilining the position, he said that a distinguished Cřeneral, who, for good or bad ressons, asssed to occupy an office he had held for two yours, had, after he had left office, eballenged the statements of two Ministers during the time that General was in office. Dering the time he held the ofio», General Maurice had never challenged those etatomonta={Cbnere)—although he had 8000s8. to official
information, and, the "Ministers themselves, General Maurios was in office for weeks after the Lloyd George epesch in tha House and attended's meeting of the Oabinet in the absence of the Chief of Staff the day after the speech, General Maurice nevar | called attention to that statement and never asked Mr. Lloyd Georga to erect it. General Maurice also attended a meeting of the Cabinet on the following day, but did not esil attention to the fact that the statements were inaccurate. He (the Premier) was in daily contact with General Maurice on the business of the war, and they ware coptatantly discussing this question of figurse, because Geo- Coral Maurice was an authority se Director of Military Operations.*** Cheers). Mr. Lloyd George saked whether it, was not General Meurice's business to come to him specially if he thought that it W86 60 important that he must break the King's Regulation and set an example of indiscipline to the whole Army.(Cheers). It was General Maurice's duty to go firstly to the Cabinet or Minister impugned and point out the mistake and ask him to correct it, but "never a syllable was said until the Premier saw the letter in the news- papers. I have been treated unfairly", declared Mr. Lloyd George amid loud cheers. General Maurice never made any representations to the Chief of Staff, although the question was so important that it was now proposed that a Select Committes must be established in order to inquire into it and it was so important as to justify Genaral Maories trampling on the King's Regulations and wetting an example of in 'iscipline to the whole Army. He (the Premier) proposed to give the whole sources of information on which he and Mr. Law had made their atatements and invite the House to judge to-day.(Cheers). He and Mr. Boast Law were both anxious to give an opportunity for the examination of theee statements by a perfectly impartial tribunal, because there was 6 maan of very confidential information. which any Committee would be entitled to demand. They were anxious to place these documents of the disposal of an impartial Committee because they knew that when that was done there would be absolutely no doubt in the minds of the tr banal regarding the --werscity of the statements muda.
(Part of message missing.).
A Popular Vote. -
London, May 9.
The rejection of Mr. Asquith's motion was greeted with load end prolonged ahsere, Mr. Lloyd George was given an ovation.
THE PALESTINE CAMPAIGN,
London, May
A Tarkish communique claims that British attacks on the east of the Jordan on May 3 failed with heavy losses, British cavalry were beaten and dispersed.
(ESTABLISHED
Copyright 1918, by the Proprietor;
SATURDAY,
MAY
1918
REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.
THE HOME RULE BILL
London, May
In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar law sduopaced, that owing to the difonly of the question and the Government being 000mpied with other mattere, it would be impossible to: Introdzice" the Home Rale Bill prior to the sojournment, which would be from May 18 to May £8.
EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
THE WESTERN FRONT,
A'Short-lived German Success,
London, May 8-
Beuter's correspondent at British Headquarters reportar Throughout yesterday the enemy pushed his attack in the direction of the north-eastern slopes of Schponberg with great determination and at first made several successive stages of progress. Opening with infantry, the attack, launched at 9.30 under cover of an intensiva bombardment, vas directed against the right flank of our northern Keny and overlapping our junction with the French an hour "later, after throwing in several waves of assaulting, troops; the Germsas gained a footing in our front line for a DOS- siderable width. Enemy parties penetrated to Kleinriar
strast and Eabaret. The situation at this time, seems to have been rather difficult, Thenceforth, until early after- Boon, the Germans made a vigorous effort to get through Bidge Wood. About 1,30, the battle still raging" with un- abated biry, we still held the hamlet of Kleinvierstraat-bat--- had been pressed back south-west of the wood. The French were then holding the line along Wyverbeek and the Gise-- maans, dontinuing to throw in fresh troops, pressed us back towards the western edge of Ridge Wood and momentarily i occupied the greater part of this, We still had parties - Walding out in Kleinvierstraat. Later the French-belped to restore our complete possession of this place and before sunset the 'Germans had fought themselves to a standstil having suffered most heavily. But they had gained ground of some tactical importance, Ridge Wood being a distinct step towards the coveted "point d'appui' of Scherpenberg. Just before dunk we counter-attacked under cover of a terri Sa bombardment and the enemy was forced to yield the ground he had occupied at such cost. By night we restored the original Ene practically everywhere leaving only one or two little pockets of Germans to be mopped up. Further legată the-Australians around Morlanicourt further improved the line gained by their advances north of the Bome Cargl,
Sir Douglas Haig's Report. -
London, May 9. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports: Successful Anglo-French counter-attacks in the La Clytte and Voorte tools sector drove out the enemy from portions of our front- lize where he had won a footing, and re-established our original position. We took prisoner several of the enemy re-attacking northward of Ketmel on the morning of the 9th and pressed in the line slightly at one point where fighting contimen. Two German divisions participated in Wednes- day morning's attack and our artillery and infantry inflicted heavy casualties on both during the attack and 'counter- attack. We prisonered thirty in local fighting at Buckucy and made further progress between the Somme and Andre. We improved our new positions here taking prisoners. We repulsed raids on Lens and Merria The enemy's artillery developed expeiderable activity už Albert.
A French communique says there was lively reciprocal artillerying north and south of the Avre.
THE RUMANIAN PEACE.
Harsh Nature of German Treaty.
London, May: 9.
The newspapers refer to the Romanian peace treaty 24 justifying the worst that has been said about what Germany. will do if she has the power. It is pointed that the formid- abie. Romanian army has been led to lay down its arms by fair promises only to find that every promise concealed a soheme of spoliation. With wholesale loss of territory and great oil: assets Rumania's indemnity must be counted in. millions sterling.
The "Manchester Guardian" characterises the treaty es being sa berak as could be devised
How Bulgaris is Affected.
Amsterdam, May 9.
A Vienna telegram states that in exchange for territorial acquisitions in Dobrudja Bulgaria will recognise and con solidate all her floating debts in Germany for army supplies. The Bobrzaje will be asked to vote one-and a half milliards. of marks therefor and a 4 per cent loan will be issued.
A. Germano-Bulgar Company will exploit Constanza-harbour and also the Constanza-Cernavoda Line.
GERMANS IRRITATED AT AUSTRIAN, INACTIVITY,
London, May 9. There is evidently a good deal of irritation in Germany at the continued inactivity of the Austrians. General von Liebert, writing in the "Taegliche Bandschau" complaios that General Foch is not only able to recall the Anglo-French divisions from Italy, but Italy is sending her own unita to France.
SUBMARINE INVADER ARRESTED.-
London, May 9
In the House of Commons, replying to Mr. Bonald McNeill, Mr. Macpherson confirmed that a man landed from s German submarine recently on the west coast of Ireland and was arrested He is now in the Tower and will be courtmartialled.
BRITISH MINE-SWEEPER SUNK,
London, May
The Admiralty reports that a British minesweeper was mined and sank on 1st May Three-pificera and fwenty-thres men, including the mercantile crew, were killed.
May 11, 1917,
十月五英港香
EAKLIER TELEGRAMS,
THE MAURICE AFFAIR.
Expectations on the Debate,
London Magāt. The Lobby was quieter yesterday in the moose crisis has diminished in view of the general expectation the Goreznment will ascure probably a three Egurar pine for bo-day. The Irish Nationalista decidet, baj right no participate in the debate. · It is now stated that Mr. A is not making a bid for office bat it is assumed he calen) that the debate will further weaken the Government. The papers continue to comment somewhat bitterly on the situa tion but none can suggest an alternative ministry. The only proposal in this "direction to-day is a letter from Sir West Ridgeway that the Speaker should be the new Premier. Ministerial organs hope that if Mr. Lloyd George's aHAWAK as they expect is complete and crushing then an and will be put once and for all to the campaign of intrigue and rsa- corous attack
The Debate Opens. **
· Later, There was great interest in the debats arising from ~Major-General Manrico's letter. The House was crowded
everywhere. Mr. Asquith, moving for the appointment of * Select Committee to inquire into Major-General Maurice's allegations said a good deal of misconception seemed to prevail regarding what was really a very simple matter Neither in intention nor in fact was his motion a vote of censure upon the Government (Cheers and laughter and a cry of "The Irish are not here"). Since he sat on the front Opposition "bench for eighteen months he had never" voted against the Government on any question and he had done all he could not only in the House but outside, without withholding what he considered legitimate criticism, - to- Basist the Government in the prosecution of the war and particularly in the defnition and propagation of the great. purposes of the war and the peace for which the Alles are contending."
SPAIN'S INDIFFERENCE TO WAR.
Malta,
About
A Dutch gentleman who has arrived after in Spain describes the country as wholly tal ball-fights. Even the poorest has enough mon and bet on bull-ghts. The people don't carO the war. At least two-thirds are avowedly but nothing will induce them to fight on either in Baren lona, however, is pro-Entente.
German
Madrid, May &
An Ammesty Bill releasing the strike leaders has been
MAILS LOST.
London, May.B. The Post Office announces the loss at sea through enemy action of parcels posted from Singapore between February 16 and March 2, from Penang between February 18 and March 5, and Malay States between February 16 and Mamk 4Only a few letters were lost, dated March 1 to March 3 from Singapore, and March 4 to March 6 from Penang, which senders specially marked.
SUBMARINISM DECREASING.
Noi Torki N tốc
It is officially announced that trans-Atlantic waz PİRİSDİ renos rates on American steamers have been reduced, frosi tires to two per cent, owing to decretsed risk of sub- mariníam
PETEOGRAD BECOMING
DESERT.
A
WEATHER FORECAST
·Temperature 6 num.
Humidity
FAIR
73 60 97:
SINGLE OOFY 10 CENTS
M PER ANNUM,
remain go wandering about the strante, vaguely, hornleanly ank ing for an explanation of a life that bas grown mesningiem.
Somehow, the city still lives from band to month with scurious, Forely barssed ingenuity. This
the refiigerators were femptied and the contents allatis & among the population as a part ing giffed that for à You" daye sch family had extra sllowaNOSS of jur and dried vegetables and fed on frasen goose. And supply trains still come inirregularly and in driblets, but still they come.
The irama bave no etoran fuel, but from time to time they bay rematta Erovn fictorian that are closing down, and a struggle along with inter ruptions. Half the cabmen bare gone home to their villages, ofte selling their horses for meat before they go, "for horse-ment is now a recognised arifole of diet, eren in many families that were loace well-to do. And the harnes
that remain are dying. Day after day one sees them fall in the street, gathering round: thema dolefal crowd of idle onlookers. They die and their bodies lie in the snow aubaried for many days.
Most of the big theatres are deserted and it is the easiest thing in the world now "to pettickets. for the occa crowded opera.
In the night ons haare shots, unintelligible fasiliados. A tow nights ago there was a rattis of Iride in my neighbourhood, and in the morning passers-by found the bodies of six younst men, students se I afterwards discover ed, shot heaven knows why.
All goods sledges and motor oure and lärries have bouz' 29= quisitioned for the wvsenstion, and their movemente fer. Last week have constituted almost the sole traffic of this ones grast Industrial centre. And in the ettled gloom there is no pleas left for Toitement, for panic, fur adden fishes 'of fear of anger. People talk and speculate, but they know that their Warda ara vin, and they speak-warily and and indiferently of loss and pain and death.
There is little tewe from the. outside world Of the fate of re- lations and friends no word comen, or ramoura filter through that have no worth or mening... know little of wist Rassis in thinking and doing.ind
In Finland there is an indster- minste barrier of civil war. Your Kieff, the Ukrainians, abandoned. There has been a great exodus, for the moment by the Germans, The Government is migrating to are hard pressed by the Bolshevik Moscow, and bee let fall hinte troops. General Alereizil's foros. !! that Moscow is to be proclaimed |secins to have retfented to some
the capital. The Council of the where near the neighbourhood of People's Commissaries - willhare Tearings, and in various parts of ite seat in the Kremlin; Lenin the~| Counsel territory Occk The Daly Chronicle special will sit in the seat of the pre deti cbments are arring on correspondent, Dr. Harold Wilderssors of Peter the Great, and guerilla warfare, From the east.
the Neva will be deserted.
come vague rumours"that" argi |lisma, writes as follows:-
Japanese intervention regarded___ here, as portante
Population Flocking from a Dead City,
The Ministries have nearly Petrograd, March 10 -- For the last few months a muffled bell completed their evacuation. Tons has been tolling in the whirlwind, of goods have been dispatch south left, and the low aghamen who Most of the British colony have and in the knalt one heard to and east, and to-night or 30-mor still remain sat one another when echo of the grim prophecy of the Government who still remain will
row night those members of the and where they are going. The Old Believere to. Peter the Greats leave for Moscow.
* Petersburg will be a desert,”
Embassy is now cocupied by the Consulate, and if there is one word.
Perhaps this is a mere fancy and the population, seized by weary, it pampar
Power is leaving Petrograd, of which the Consalate is atferly perhaps after the catastrophe and
the deluge Petersburg will shine agne alarm, has been flocking is becoming a Loneri. forth again in pride and glory out of the city. Day after day a but to day there is an inexpres on the Neveky for permits to leave Paris, March 27-Intervention queue of many thousands waited
France Desired Japan's Aid, sible sadnese in this once imperial the city. Day after day over-by Japan in the European war Growded trains moved off south was solicited by France at the The strests are very quiet now and east, soldiers in the forefront end of August, 1914, according they have never been so quiet and dismissed workmen, and all to an account by M. Bernard, the since the beginning of the war that miscellaneous me of historian, published to-day in the and in the evenings the stillnese humanity that is afraid of etary Easelsior. Theophile Dalesses of the dimly-light thoroughfares ation, afraid of unemployment, took charge of the Foreign Offse is fraught with foreboding, afraid of the invader and of on August 28. His first step was The turbulent emotions of the unknown calamities, Many thou to draft a note to the Emperor of year of revolution are exhausted, ands who could not go by the Japan, in his own hen1. M. the fever is slackening, the pulse trains weat cff on foot through Bernard ways the note was com- of life is very low. And the the snow, and many who had saamosted to the British Ambis- depression, the foreboding, are ready money to spare hired endor. The reply was that Jipso's inarticulate. They cannct be sledges and went driving off on policy was entirely. Oriental, and summed up 23 the dread of any 6 pilgrimage into the depths of that her army, was not prepared deficite calamity as the fear of Rassis, 465t zo dur
for action outside that sphere, if. Bernard denies, on the
of M Delasana: humee
the Germans, as fears of unre Yet there was no-r strained anarchy as Tary are the ward signs of paula?Thera gloomier because they are in. # strange kwali whont articulate, because they come of and patient reaguation a sense of emptiness, of the abbe in the presents, of animál
inexorable Ista. And those who as the price of
thority
report
nad - which has been enrrent for a long
gh time that Japan den Alla, cemon of Indo China,