"
EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
·(Continued from page 1.)
THE AUSTRIAN FOOD CRISIS.
Amsterdam, June 90. Telegrams from Vienna and Berlin show that the Aus- trian food crisis is reaching a climax. Dr. Ludwig Paul. the Austrian Food Minister, interviewed on the subject of the reduction of the bread ration, said that only the most deplorable circumstances compelled such a drastic mesaure. Home and Ramanian supplies were exhausted, Bassarabia was inaccessible and requisitions from Hungary were up- fortunately resultless. He hoped further reductions would be avoidable and that the population would endure till the new harvest,
Meetings in Vienna of the City Council and Labour Council protested against the reduction most rigorously. The latter renewed their demand for a speedy general peace. The former demanded that the Government should negotiate afresh with Hungary and Germany, especially the latter. with a view to securing at least potatoes, and it telegraphod to the Hungarian Food Minister, the Bavariat Premier and also the German Government requesting old potatoes.
Premier Seidler told a Socialist deputation that every- thing imaginable was being done to avoid the reduction of the bread ration. Austria's stocks of beef were exhausted And she was dependent on imports from Ukraine and Bes sarabia but deliveries were interrupted. He hoped Germany would furnish consignments of food in accordance with the agreements of last May. Premier Seidler promised to ex- pedite the barvest most speedily
A semi-ocial Berlin agency appends to the report of Premier Seidler's statement a note that the supply of bread and grain from Gormany is out of the question.
A decree was issued in Vienna yesterday instituting Government control of the new harvest similar to that in Germany and Hungary. It is explained that this in acces sary because Austria is entering upon a new larrest year without any stocks whatsoever and aust obtain grain in the Speediest manner.
A telegram from Berlin says: The Calögue Gazette" saya: Dr. Ludwig Pau! has arrived in Berlin and conferred with the War Food Department and adds that it is declared authoritatively that Germany never promised to supply grain- to Austria from her own stocks. Germany herself has been compelled to reduce the bread ration. The promise to supply Ukraine grain is admitted, but Germany is not responsible for the difficulties thereanent.
the east,
GERMAN ATTACK ON RHEIMS FAILS.
London, June 2 Reuter's correspondent at French Headquarters, wiring on the 19th inat, says: The Germans made their long-expect- ed effort against Rheims last night. With a view to buckling the loop already drawn round two-thirds of the city and cour pleting its capture an attack was delivered on a frost f twelve to thirteen miles from Vrigny at the foot of the bills bounding the plain west of the town to Pompelle Fort on The Germans were already in the suburbs north- west and north. between St. Brice and Betheny. In addition to defeating the main attacks the French had the best of" the fighting in the outlying houses of the city, the Germans blundering in the dark against cleverly masked defences in the ruins. The Germans had been sniffing round the city for the past fortnight in the hope of capturing it without a frontal attack and probably decided to attack at night realising the reception awaiting them in the streets at day-time.
Paris, June 20.
The attack on Rheims was a heary and complete defest of the enemy who counted on surprising the French. A verit- able deluge of gas shells preceded the attack but the line cowhere gave way. The German losses were appalling.
"Liberte", comments on the affair and shows that the enemy will never be able to break through when French roserves are available. The strategy of Generalissimo Foch is beginning to bear fruit. The "Temps" however regarde the abortive attempt against Theiras as a big local operation and thinks it may be a wily move on the part of the enemy to precede his big operations by local actions on a more or less extended scale on another part of the line than that «» ehosen for the main operation.
THE CABINET OF HOME AFFAIRS.
London, June
In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law, explaining another Cabinet of Home Affairs, said it was simply intended ...to appoint a Committee to handle définite set questions, the ultimate authority remaining with the War Cabinet. Lord Curzon, amplifying the statement in the House of Lords, said the Committee would consist of members connected, with the principal Home departments meeting at least once week under the presidency of the Home Secretary. All domestic questions requiring the cooperation of more than one department would be referred to the Committee which would be empowered to decide on behalf of the Cabinet, but larger questions of policy would be referred at the Chair- man's discretion to the War Cabinet.
SE MEN'S UNION INDIGNANT.
London, June 20.
Mr. Havelock Wilson, interviewed, expressed indigna- tion at Captain Tupper's treatment in Sweden. All branches of the Seamen's Union are passing resolutions calling upon the Government to prevent M Branting attending the Labour Conference in London. The Union also objected to the visit of Troelstra." According to the newspapers the authorities will not allow . Troelstra to land. An Amister- dan message says it is officially stated that M. Troelstra's wisit to England is postponed.
BOHEMIANS SURRENDER.
4. London. June 20
Correspondents on the Italian frons state that numbers of Bohemians who have surrendered have explained that" action by producing proclamations dropped by Italian air- men announcing that Italy has adopted the cause of the Czecho-Slovaks as a nation and is inviting them to rally to the national cause,
(POLISH CELEBRATIONS PROHIBITED.
Amsterdam, Jane .20.
In the Prussian Lower House the Minister of the In terior said that in consequence of the celebrations in hon- our of Koeriusko harting the susceptibilities of the German sig vorendod are prohibited in Poland in
war time.
THE NEW BULTARIAN MINISTRY,
Amsterdam, June 20.
The German papers are uneasy over the situation in Bulgaria and say the change of Ministry is regrettable ex pecial as M. Malinoff is Russophile. They declare the crisis is due to dissatisfaction with the Bukarest peace,
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 1918.
A HOME LETTER,
To Soldiers Oversoni
A
Ministry of Information and
MEN "BETWEEN 40 AND 50.
Only Saved Per Cent,
to be Called Up..
country that the Government had £xed the age too high in placing it at 51.
Mr. D. Mason supported the amendment, pointing out that the proposal had received the moment of Sir D. Msolsap, obairman of When the House of Commons the London Appeal Tribunal, and went into Committee on the of Mr. Argaith. He (Mr. Mason) Military Service Bill on April 11, thought it would be most auwire. Mr. Scanian moved an amend-souscript men of 51. It would ment to Clause one, which wires ot add materially to our military strength, while it would under- the military age to 50,
which our magnificent fighting SPREADING THE TRUTH. men are exposed in France, bat we go about full of confidence in the final issue. As the Bishop the Foreign Press. of London, preaching at St. Paul's
Lord Beaverbrook and other on Easter Banday, mid som a
man bare of the Ministry of In- "There is absolute conviction formation were entertained. at London, April 5th 1818.-in British hearts from one end of luncheon at the Criterion recently Eseter hea come and gene, and in the world to the other, that by the Foreign Press Association spite of railway restrictions, there defest is unthinkable. In the in London. was a general sxodus from Lon. face of the present peril, all ranks M. Couderier de Chassigne, in don to the res-coast on the part of have closed up and all pesty die proposing the health of the guess, those who were not actually putes are silenced."
referred to Lord Beaverbrook as jemployed in the manufacture of It is really rather a remarkable man of action. Their old friend,
thing how resilient we are as a Hr. Robert Donald, too, was Men who went to various senation. The harder we are bit man of sotion. The French peo- side resort tell me they were as the further back we bounce. We ple would never forget the part crowded as on any August Bank bave just been humped back he played in promoting the doing work of national importance, only about seven per cent., of the The Home Storetary pointed men affected would be available Holiday. But there was one big more than 25 miles on the French En'eute Cordiale. difference from the olden days front, and the general topic of Hr. Robert Donald said that out that the effect would be that for military service, and that 100. were there not a versation is so Do you the truth was a powerful moral all Irishmen would be liable to per cent, would have the sword of straw hat or bowler was to be think we can possibly manage to munition of war, and it was only conscription except those who Damocles hanging over their seen. Batcher blue or baki is hold them?" but "How soon do by making known the justice of happened to be temporarily re-beads, and nothing would be worse the popular colour in men's you think the Hans'll be licked?" their care that they could hope sident in England. spring suitings, for, as a matt It jen't swank or arrogance, but to bring the greatest criminals in dapper expressed it, in the way the spirit of the proverbial Eng-the world to the bar of human of men you mest almost nothing liebman coming to the earface justice.
munitions.
when you
les was !--
The amendment was to axempt mine the fabric of our trade, from the provisions of the clause which it was necessary to main- those Irishmen who were tempora. tain to finance the war,
Mr. Leif Jones pointed out that rily resident in Great Britain
"
was not
for the basine of the country.
The amendment was negatived. He thought that the age would be Mr. G. Thorne moved an afficiently high if it were fixed amendment providing that there at 45.
Mr. J. H. Thomas ssid the last but Convalescents and Eaves when things are going badly. Lord Barabam, who responded should be an appointed day for cents, the Effers being mostly When the Minister of Monitions for the Press of the British men liable for servies under the ounce of strength in this war would not be military, but it sprightly young subalterns or appealed to Munition workers to Empire, quoted Junius, that all Ast.
Sir. A. Geddes unid
would be the moral of the people cute young cadets. And most of forego their Esster holidays, he freedom in the long run was to be them wore a touch of blue, the was flooded with telegrame from found in the freedom of the Press contemplated that all the men at home, and the Government chevron of active service on their all parts of the country, cordially if the result of this war were to be who were liable for military ser- were destroying that by their They were making aleaves. How Somewhere on Ses responding to his appeal. We've the curtailment of its freedom, all vige should be called up at once. proposal. managed to be so fall is a pro- taken of our coats again as we other gains would be se dross in They would be called up over as people pacifists, and, even from prolonged a period as possible, the military point of view, they blem, for not a single cheap took them off after Mons: There's the balance. excursion was ras nor a single feeling abroad that whatever Lord Beaverbrock welcomed and the Government thought it were weakening it rather than The military extrs train. The motto of the we do we mustn't let down those the assistance which the foreign better got to have an appointed strengthening it, State-controlled railway compan- amazing boys of ours who are Prees could give his department, day. No man would be obliged age limit in France was 48, in performing each splendid deeds This was a war, in which the to go before a tribunal before he Italy it was 45, and both thees on both sides of the Somme. efforts which the Press could had been graded by a medical countries were dependent com
pletely
the upon
financial Keep away from Every-
where;
Two months ago a party of make wars almost as important board. By not baring an ap-
stability of this ceantry. - Fewer trains, dearer fare; German editora formed a depata as those of the Army. In the were pointed day (they would avoid a
Sir T. Whitaker declared thai- Yet nothing could prevent those tion to the Almost-Higbest, Field-of Napoleon's day, the armies and dislocation of basicees and the
the swamping of tribunale, eansing the proposal threatened the who had the leisure from raahing Marebal by, with or from Birden peoples acknowledged away for a breath of ses air. A burg. and pointed out to him that authority of the governing classes; enormous delay on the part of paralysis and rain of endless many of the London termini, all by May there would be no food now, the whole of the peoples, men in finding out what their business in this country.
Sir A. Geddes mid that a good left in Germany. "That's all were fighting, and uolsea they position was, bookings had catsed half an
convinced of
The present arrangement was many months ago this question hour before the trains started and right, my hearties." said von E. could be
in reply," because by April we necessity of waging the war it more considerate. Liability for was considered by his departmesi, hundreds bad been refused
service would begin directly the There were other ways of getting Act received the Royal Assent, men. They could ruthlessly seits tickets, but there were often fully ball be in Paris". And the most come to an end. -
bat no men affected by it need men of the present military sge 300 hundred people left behind, editors went their way, presum olamouring vaicly at the barriere ably stiffed, though from the to be admitted to the platform. heve known he was selling them victory of the Merse. In view received notios to go up for small number who were mili very date he selected they might whose brilliant totics led to the take any action for exemption of whom there were a large pum. before tribunal until he had ber not in the Army, but only a Many of those who caught the trains bad tried for previous pap. Well, it is past April at the vital part played by reserves
medical examination. It was tarily ft. It was no good im trains and waited several hours to-day and the German slaughter and the urgent necessity, in such proposed to give notice by pro- sgining that they could get all
from the Frarab capital.
the
of
to find only standing room in the berda are w'ill many a long miles conflict as the present one, it clamation, saying that man of 44] the men they wanted out of the
guard's van. In one compart- grown-ups and a baby. One had ment you could see seventee
Once again the contemptible" instant decisions, the Commander
of the Reserve was the natural were to be called ap. That would men of the present military age
and ast cripple their war effort. Hall" to the Prussian hordes, ordinate the sction of the Allied individual notification as to the this would be the last battle. To British mercenaries" have cried man to be appointed to co-be published in the Press.
The men would also receive There was no guarantee. that to stand for most of the journey, though ontnumbered st most Armies on the Western Front".
first on one foot, then on the other, and then on somebody points by three to one and at Sir Douglas Haig remains in day on which medical examins-take fall the men of the present olac's. Holiday-making is a
some by six and even ten to one. supreme command of the British tion would take place; they had military age was only one of the At the present moment the milias General Petain of the French surplas number of young men hundred ways of losing the war. etrennous business in these times.tary sathorities seem all agreed Armice, and both cordially/12 Grade 3, who held no exempHe implored the Committee to I assure you.
The one thing that was really in stating that the enemy is held. approve of the appointmest of tions, and who were liable, so consider what they were really pre-war was the weather. Spring In the immortal phrase osined at General Foch. The action of that would get rid of any present dealing with. They were dealing that did not end with the pasBAKS has burst on us enddenly without the time of the Verdan onslaught General Pershing in placing his anxiety in the minds of men with a most complicated problem,
forces adreservedly at the dislikely to be in Grade 3, our noticing it, and you will" they will not pasa".
Bir H. Nield expressed the view of the Bill, which had got to be Before medical science was posal of the Supreme Command remember even after "all theref wensons abroad what a delightful modernized the fashionable oare finally cements the solidarity of that the calling up of men under administered, watched over, and the Ministry of National Service prayed over, to keep it from go- thing is an English spring. The for most ailments was "blood-the Entente: Farther reason for would be more satisfactory than ing wrong. He had given the
The Crown Prinos confidence. letting".
most-careful consideration to all very word will bring to Four and his caspeakable Father seem mind an alloring picture of
King George has never done it was under the War Office.
Sir C. Heary considered that it the factors involved. primroses and little timid violets, to believe in the same process for anything more popular since he
He might be right or wrong, wide eyed narcissus and blazing cuting the ills of German demo came to the throne than his would be better if the men were daffodils, white woolly clouds racy. The Germen people are unconventional visit last week medically examined as soon as but he had had some of the beet at this problem, and be scented racing before the wind scross hungry, diseased and diesontent to his troops in France. It was possible so that they would know braive st his commend working blue skies, sharp showers of rain, the blood-latting" remedy. Al devoid of ceremony. On Wed-
ed, ec their masters have applied an improvised affair, entirely what their grade was to be.
Kr. Anderson thought there the Committee that it was his daisies peeping through the grass, the song of the starling, ready they have spilt the blood nesday morning he expressed the was need for great clearness as to sincere and sheaiute belief that it courting couples, lamb, wint of 300,400,000 men. Perhape desire to see and talk to some of what was going to happen. was wieer to go now up to 50 they have demped their ardoar the men who had been performing to the House in regard to pre
Various pledges had been given then it would be to stop at 5
There was no "diference in eance encambers and new pots for strikes and revolution for the each marvellone deeds of defence, ions Military Service Acts, which business ralae orientific value. toes. All these things are with time being, but to the relatives and on Thursday morning he had not been observed. He had uzlese it be a ght deterioration: us this year and a friend told me of these casualties it oss hardly left London. There was no stage ro faith in vague promises. Men between 40 and 50. There were he had never before teen so many seem an idest oure. But the management and no formality, 20 liable to service should know in me who were as fit at 50 as say Pekinese spanjele as he saw oralers of Germany know that parades or inspections or blowing black and white what their rightsman for the sort of work for which Easter Monday at Somewhere-on- Sea. They are being worn th's only by pacrifices can they stave of trampets. He spent only a
these older men were wanted in Essson to match the hair, but of the day when they themselves quarter of an hour at G.B.Q.and and position were,
After further discussion, Bir A. the Force: The Government only will be dragged from their, ped for the rest of his tour he was Geddes undertook that the pro- propceed to take a small percent- whether they dye the switch to estals and exposed to the venge dropping in on units unawares, cedure should be embodied in age of the men between thees sge match the dog or the dog 10, match the switch I cannot esy. ance of the docile masses they as they were on their way to and an! Order in Council. It was periods. It would be 7 per cent,
With the spring has come, of have for so long victimized. course, the spring, post and the One good result that has come The King has never represented intended first to proceed with the remaining in civil life.
the It would be wise to face the spring epidemic of colds. When cat of the German cffensive in the a more unanimous astion than medical examination of you get the two in conjunction appointment of General Foch to when he went scross to tell the youngest men brought under the facte as they were, and to re- anify the command of the Allied men. themselves how prond Bill. He could not tell what cognise that it would be best to there are some funny resuita, a.... for instance, this recitation that I foros, The enemy has always Brtain is of them. Years ago he would be the exset number of give the widest range to the beard from a schoolgirl, who her hia simies and the armies of his who sees for himself", and he he was arranging to hare some the present comb out was going seared heavily from the fact that earard the title of The King medical examinations daily, hat choice. He understood that, while mother tells me won her form Allies have operated under the wis living up to bis Dame./where about 35,000. After the on and men were streaming to prize for alocation :---
control of a single High Com Perhaps the
medical examination the men the colours, production in the most thrilling Cobe, berry beideda, let mand. In a crisis like the pre moment of his journey was when would know what their grade was. country was rising."
Oruel and untrue sistements. at Big
Bent, when British, French, he was leaving the men of the If they were in Grade 3 they The reerdal joys halby Belgianr, Portuguese, Americans immortal 51st Division. "Are would be told that they would were being made to the elect
sprig,"
end, for practical purposes, we downhearted?" inquired not be called up then, and that young fit members of the Whed Datare seebe so Italiaza also from a single defen-the King. For the reply they need not bother. If they the Oivil Service were being ze
blithe ad gay,
eive front, the advantages of of the man I will quite the words were graded 1 or 2, they tained in Government offices. Fligig her widtry garb single Command are too obvious of a war correspondent. Such would be told that they would That was not so. The Civil.
being constantly to reed insisting on. Indeed it an uproar broke loose" be wrote, be given seven days' calling up Service was All idto bad the flowers asema etrange that such a step" that the cattle peacefully gras asking for powers to do much enormous numbers of men for the notice. The Government were combed out, and it had given was never taken before, but it ing half a mile away stopped
BWAY
are sprigig
from the battle line.
Ad id the trees the birds has been supposed that friction manching and raised their heads more drastically, thoroughly, and Army. It was still giving men
are sigig.
would be caused, that in the to see where the noise came soientifically what was done under steadily to the forces, and no body Frolickig labkids, see, are event of a reverse a British from."-
the "combout. If young men of men were more suxious to go
cobig, Berk all aroud; the bees
ars hubbig. Bo let your jocad
iceno
generalissimo would be blamed The King spoke for the whole came in in large numbers, it and take their place in the Army. by the French, a French generel Empire when he wrote to Bir would be possible to deal more Sir E. Carson appealed to issimo by the British. Perhaps Douglas expressing the grati. gently with the older men He members not to go against the voices this might have been earlier tude due to you and your Army thought the earliest possible date well-weighed scheme which had in the war, bas to-day both for the skilful and unswerving for calling op would be, approxi- been submitted by the Govern nations have learnt to respect manner in which this formidable mately, 21 days after the paseing ment at this crisis of the war. each other, for the deeds they attack has been, and continues to of the Act.
Id ode resondig, log
stiahoo!
draws.
The Committee divided, and the amendment was negativede The figures were :-*** Sir J. Spear moved to reduce Against the amendment..... 262 the age limit from 51 to 48. He For 162. declared that there wa strong feeling throughout the
110
I believe it must be the tang of bave accomplished, and there be, dealt with" His Majesty's The amendment was with apring in the air that makes is no longer any fear of cheery, mau-te-man-letter con- everybody so optimistic in spite such sentiments. The Allied rats favourably with the bom of the critical days that we are Army of Reserve, by general bastic and blasphemons ontharsis passing through. Nobody seems consent was placed under the of the War Lord of the Hans,
"OLD CROCK“. disposed to belittle the danger to command of Foob, the general
* very
Majority againat