EXCHANGE) Closing Quotations ---
T.T, London 34/378d.
On Demand Sg./4d.
The Hongkong Telegraph
WEATHER FORECAST
FAIR. Barometer 23.61.
(ESTABLISHED
1881)
Copyright 1918, by the Proprietor,
Tamparátura Ó BAI
Temperature
77 2.p.m.
July 27, 1918,
Humidity
8005
日十二月大
SATURDAY,
JULY 27,
1918.
July 27, 1917,
六洋楼 七十月七英港香
Humidity
74% pa 93
EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
SINGLE COPY 10 CENTS, $36 PER ANNUM
MORE KAISERISMS,
THE BATTLES IN FRANCE..
REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.
VIGOROUS GERMAN COUNTER-ATTACKS.
REFUSAL TO ACCEPT DEFEAT.
Attempt to Make a Stand on the Marne.
London; July 25. Benter's correspondent at the French Headquarters, telegraphing at two o'clock in the afternoon of July 25, 89s that the Germans have strengthened their line by counter-attacking determinedly along the whole front from the Tardenois salient on the Ourcq to Vrigry thus attacking towards the west, south and east. They have apparent ly decided to refuse to socept defest and are making a farther stand for the salient and a footing north of the Marne.
The Germans. south of the Oarcq are attacking in a south- easterly direction against Bois-de-la Tournello and the line Bannardes-le-Charmel, Farther south, attack and counter-attack are alternating in rapid succession and the fighting is most violent.
The enemy on the eastern limb of the ralient attacked the new British salient enclosing the woods west of Vrigny in strong force. We are vigorously counter-attacking..
Americans Still Pressing Enemy.
Lordon, July 25:
An American communique states:-We continue to prees the saemy between the Oareq and the Marne. We have taken the
outhern half of Fera Forest.
יד
The French Progress.
I
London, July 26. Reater's correspondent at French Headquarters writing at midnight on July 24, states:-The French are now within three miles of Fere-en-Tardenois, a meeting point of eight roada and the centre of the German communiostions in this region. The town has been heavily shelled all day and bombed by air squadrons.
Anglo-French Airmen Busy.
London, July 26.
A French communique state:-French and British pilots on the the 24th instant felled Dine Gaiman seroplanes and set afire threa captive balloonE. Despite bad weather, bombers made numeroas raide near the battlefield. Station depots at Ami Fontaine, statione and tricks at Boches, Courlandon, Fiemes and Guignicourt were copiously bombed. Altogether thirty tons of projectiles were em- ployed. Fires and explosions were observed at Courlandon and Fismes,
More German Imagination.
London, Jaly 25.
A German official wireless megasge states We repulsed attacks between Bacquoy and Hebaterne, weet of Albert and in the vicinity of Mailly. We threw back violent attacks south of the Ourcq and south-west of Rheims."
GERMAN SUBMARINISM.
The Greatest Gamble in History.
London, July 28.
Mr. Lloyd George, proposing the health of the Allied Food Controllere, at a dinner in their boaour, said that Germany'e depend- ance en the snoess of eqbmarinism was the greatest gamble in history. She pitted her whole destiny upon a gimble sad it bad failed.
PARCELS FOR PRISONERS.
The Need Never Greater"
London, July 28.
The Duke of Connaught and Lord Lansdowne, on behalf of the Bed Cross and St. John Ambulance organisations, have written a Letter to the Press suggesting that the cffartories at the religioas services commemorating the anniversary of the war on August 4 should be devoted to the care of Britieb prisoners. They point cat that the need for food parcele was never more urgent.
IRISH RECRUITING,
Preparing for the Voluntary Scheme.
London, Jaly 26.
The Daily News' correspondent at Dablin says that the War Office and other Departments have approred of a reoraiting scheme for Ireland, which it is hoped to operate on Angnet 1.
It is believed that the Government has completed the registra tion machinery for eventual conscription if necessary.
Lord French is seeking Treasory support for industrial development, including the building of railways to coalfields and "the construction of harbours,
THE SINKING OF THE JUSTITIA,
London, Jaly 26.
An Admiralty announcement states:-As a result of the first explosion, fifteen of the Justitia's engine-room staff are missing, The submarins sánk by the Britiah destroyer Marne was endeavour- ing to get into position to attack the Justitia.
THE NEW AUSTRIAN PREMIER.
London, July 25. Router's correspondent at Amsterdam says that Baron Hassarik Ton Heinlein, the ex-Minister for Education, has been appointed Premier of Austrie.
THE PARIS ECONOMIC RESOLUTIONS.
London, July 25.
In the Hoars of Commóna, Mr. Bonar Law stated that the Gar. ernment still adhered to the policy of the Paris economic resolutions. The Imperial War Conference and War Osbinet were still discussing that policy.
..THE WAR PRISONERS AGREEMENT.
London, July 25, In the House of Commons, Sir George Cave stated that the Anglo-German War Prisoners Agreement provided for the exchange of all combatants who have bren prisoner for eighteen months and also the return of additional British combatante in order to com- pensate for the exchange of German orvilians interned in Britain for a much smaller number of British interned in Germany. The ex- change sled included the interned men in Holland and. Bwiterland,
REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.
SIBERIAN INTERVENTION.
Japan to Assist the Czecho-Slovaks.
London, July 26. It is officially confirmed that Japso has decided to accept the American proposal to assist the Czecho-Slovake in Siberia;
The Kaiser's Promise.
London, July 26.
A message from Barbin eays that Colonel Semen‹ff has been compelled to fall back from Maneburia station. Hia laft flack is now inside the Chinese border. Documents on Austro German war pri- soners show that the Kaiser ordered them to fight in Siberis and promises subsequent reward.
EARLIER TELEGRAMS...
THE LATE EX-TSAR,
#
London, July 25. HM the King has ordered the Court to go into mouming for four weeks for the Ex-Tsar.
Their Majesties, Queen Alexandra, the Duke of Com naught, Grand Duke George of Russia attended a memorial service to the ex-Tear at the Russian Church London,
THE BATTLES IN FRANCE.
General Foch Closing the Pincers.
London, July 25.
The latest communique shows that General Foch methodically continues closing the pincers which nave been gripping the Germans between the Aisne and Marne since the 18th. The capturé of Armentieres increases the envelop meat of Oaleny-le-Chateau and the capture of Brecy brings the Allies to only five miles from the important.centre of reads at Fere-en-Tardenois, whence, according to Renter's cor-
respondent at Paris on the 25th, the Germans are hastily removing materials accumulated since the beginning of June. The Allies are thus relaxing the German nold on the Chateau Thierry-Soissons road and gradually linking up the front formed by Oulchy le-Chateau, Fere-en-Tardenois and Mo_tague- de-Rheims where they promise eventually to establish a strong line, The eastern side of the triangle of the British advance north of the Ardre river is most important as threatening the German left with odvelopment, while, the Franco- Americans are' advancing from the Marne to menace the German centre. The British success at Vrigny threatens Fismes another important centre, hence the desperation whereby the Germans are striving to prevent the Allied advance in this direction. Their defence of Soissons is also beginning to be more formidable as the Allies continus tó advance, for Soissons is a vital pivot of the German position. It is estimated that there are four hundred thousand Ger- roans fighting within a triangle whose sides the Allies are squeezing. Their very numbers, apart from their obstinate resistance in a rugged country constitute an obstacle to clos- ing the pincers at the narrow Rheims-Soissons opening, but the relentless Allied pressure is gradually emptying the triangle of the enemy masses.
Reuter's correspondent at American Headquarters states that it is now disclosed that the Americans brilliantly parti- cipated in General Gouraud's repulse of the Crown Prince cast of Rheins. Aunit was marching westward to rein- force their comrades on the Marne when it was recalled.
Enemy's Position Untenab'e.'
London. July 26, Reuter's correspondent at the French Headquarters, writing on July 24 at midnight says: The enemy's position in the salient south of the Aisne has become untenable. On the western side he is fighting a retreating battle, depending on machine-guns in advantageous positions to hold up our advance, while he gets away material. There is very little enemy artillery left on this front. Fere-en-Tardenois is about in the centre of the salient and an advance of a few, kilo- metres, such as we made to-day, would enable us to sweep back with our long-range artillery the whole remaining area to east front, whereon the Germans are engaged with the British and French between Vrigby and the Marne. The large haul of prisoners made in a few hours is signi- ficant of the feeble quality of the troops with which the enemy is obliged to hold the sectors where he does not expect attack. Hall his shock divisions have been shot to pieces between Soissons and Main-de-Massiges and divisions holding quiet sectors, which bave been systematically drained of their best men for storm units, are no match for the French infantry,
1
The American Advance.
London. July 25. Beater's correspondent at the American Headquarters, writing at 4 p.m. on July 24 sends a graphic despatch of the American advance on Jaulgonzie. He says: "The enemy opposition was chiefly excheloned, the infantry being most admirably concealed in thick woods, entailing the greatest American precautions against ambush. In the dense under- growth machine-guns were at a discount and it virtually became a fight with the rifle, wherein the Americans excelled. Neither side was able to obtain much help from artillery and the Germans did not attempt even to put up a barrage, but in the higher and more open ground retired "behind 'machine-gun nests. Captured orders showed that the Ger- mans allotted fifteen machine-guns to each decimated com- pany. The Americans occupied Jaulgonne and pursued the " enemy as far as Foret-de-Fere. Meanwhile the Franco-Amer. ican advance progressed from Oulchy-Chateau Thierry road when it was opposed by great masses of Germans. Indeed, the presence of masses of men, material and stores on this sector suggests that the Germans had been preparing for a great advance to Paris, Hitherto nine divisions of Prince Rupprecht's reserves have been thrown in at this point, supplemented by another division from the Rheims Dormana front. Prisoners state that the 38 centimetros guns with which our back areas were shelled were run on spurs from the light railways from Foret-de-Fere, but doubtless these heavisa bave now beaten a retreat. Prisoners also state that in order to keep up their spirits a communique was widely circulated through their ranks stating that the Rheims advance was a mere side issue to distract attention from Prince Bupprecht's attack on the northern front, which had begun three days before and was overywhere driving the English into the sea with enormous loasca The German rank and file, however, was beginning to be sorpti cal of such reports.
2
".
British and French Reports,
Landon, July 25, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports: Early in the night the enemy entered one of our posta southward of region. Villers Bretonneux, but an immediate counterattack-ejected him. We repulsed a raiding party northward of Bott We slightly advanced our line at night southward of Bossignol Wood in the Hebatorne Sector, taking a few prisoners and six machine-guns.
A Freach commonique states: We prisonered thirty in s raid south of Montdidiér. On the north bank of the Marne the enemy at night powerfully counter-attacked in the region of Dormans and pccupied a small wood fifteen hundred metres north of Treloup and the village of Chassins, both of which our counter-offensive speedily recovered. There is violent artillerying south of the Ourcq and in the region west. of Rheima.
Third of German Army Bagaged.
London, July 25. Hitherto 64 German divisions have been engaged in the Mame battle, representing nearly one-third of the available German samy. All groups of the, German armies from Flanders to Alsace-Lorraine have been drawn upon, but Prince Rupprecht has still plenty of reserve divi- sions. The enemy, however, seems to have reached what might be called the downward curve of his manpower. His units are much below strength and this applies also to. Prince Rupprecht's army and possibly explains why Prince 'Rupprecht does not seem inclined for an offensive. The German battalions are likely to remain at this low level until September unless the boys who have not yet been greatly used are previously utilised:
THE BRITISH ATTACK ON ZEPPELIN SHEDS,
London, July 25. HM the King inspecting the Grand Fleet inspected the mystery ship which was employed as an aeroplane carrier in the attack on the Zeppelin sheds at Tondern. She reached a point off the German coast in the early morning and des patched a number of aeroplanes, of whica one on reaching its destination flew at a height of only fifty feet Tondern was fast asleep. The aeroplane flew the whole length of the main street where the occupant of a farm cart waved a friendly greeting not suspecting that visitor was hostile. The raid was a complete surprise for not a single gun was fired until the aeroplane dropped bombs exploding a muni- tion dump. It then released the remaining bombs, on the " Zeppelin sheds Flames a thousand feet high indicated to the pilot that his object had been achieved. He then depart ed, leaving other airmen to complete the programme. The £rst pilot returned unscathed ospite the heavy barrage after taree hours in the air. The second pilot bombed a. second shed despite anti-aircraft fire and also returned unscathed
D
WHITE STAR LINER SUNK.
Twenty-Hour Fight with Submarine.
London, July 94.
The 22,000 tons White Star liner Justitia was cunk off the north Irish coast on the morning" of July 20 after an extraordinary twenty-four hour fight with a submarine. The first torpedo wrecked the engine-room and stopped the ship: Subsequently ten torpedoes were fired whereof only two were effective. Four. were exploded by gun-fire from the ship. No passengers were lost, but ten of the crew are dead, while 400 survivors have been landed.
German Jubilation.
London, July 25 The German press is jubilant over the torpedoing of the Justitia which they declare was the former German liner Vaterland. "The fact is the Justitia was launched in 1915, "being built for the Holland-America line which christened her the Statendam. From three to eight submarines are mentioned as participating in the attack. Accompanying destroyers dropped many depth charges while patrol boats stood by and a naval tug took in tow seven torpedoes fred between three in the afternoon and eight in the morning. The Justitia was then well en route to port damaged by the first torpedo which alone hit her. Finally a submarine emerged at tea in the morning and fired two torpedoes.. Both of which struck, one forward and the other after." The Justitia sank at one in the afternoon.
THE GERMAN BANK IN BRAZIL.
Rio de Janeiro, July 25.
The Government has restricted the operations of the German Bank in Brazil to the liquidation of current business.
It is believed this foreshadows closing.
IMPERIAL - PREFERENCE,
London, July 25.
The "Daily Chronicle" understande that the Govern- ment's Imperial Preference scheme includes the abrogation of the most favoured nation clauses.
A GALLANT BRIGADIER.
London, July 25. Three new Victoria Cross recipients are announced in the "Gas-, ette." The most conspicious in Brigadier General St. George Grogap of the Worcester Regiment. Ha throughout three days of intense fighting commanded infantry remnants of a division and various attached troops and displayed magni- ficient leadership. He materially stayed the onward thrust "of the enemy masses. Throughout the most critical third day be spent his time under artillery, trench-mortar, rifle and machine gun fire, în riding up and down the front line, encouraging and reorganising his troops, and leading back. those who were beginning to retire. He had his horse shot under him, but never heless continued on foot to encourage bis men until another was brought, It was & wonderful example and inspired not only his oan men, but adjacent "Allfed troops
RUSSIAN GENERAL COMMANDS ALLIED FORCE.
London, July 25.
A telegram from Berlin via Amsterdam states that Gon-" eral Gourko commands the Allied troops in the Murman region
14
Hopes from Prussian Militarisms.
Amsterdam, Janell,—Praseisn militariami will bring vistory to (Germany, mys.Emperor William fin reply to a telegram of con
gratulatione from Chandellar von Hertling, on the thirtieth s80- niversary of the Emperor's accession. The Emperor, declares that he leads "the mask espable people on earth" and expresse the hope that the German people will have strength to bear their sufferings sad privations. The telegram reads gu
"I express cordial thanks and kind good wishes to your excell- ency and the state Migistry On which thirty years ago Lescended the throne. When I celebrated my twenty-five-year jubilee sa rular I was able, with special gratitude, to point out that I had been able to do my work as A prince of peace..
"Since then the world picture has changed. For nearly four years, forced to it by our enemies, we have been engaged in the bardest straggle thistory records. God, the Lord, has cuat a besvy barden upon my shoulders, but I Barry it in the conspicueneme of our good right, with confidence in our ship, our sword, and our etrength, and in the realization that I have the good fortune to stand at the head of the most capable people on earth. Jaat as our arme under strong leadership have proved themselves invin- cible, so, slag, will the home land, exerting all its strength, bear with strong will the soffringe and privations which just now are keenly felt.
"Thos, I bave spent this day 'midst my armies, and it mored me to the depths of my heart, yet filled with most profound gratitude to God's mercy.
"I know that Prussian mili- tarism. eo mach abused by our enemies, wbich my forefathers and I in a spirit of dutifulness, loyalty, order, and obedienos, have nartared, has given Ger many's sword and the German national strength to triumph, and that victory will bring a pesce which will guarantee the German life.
"It will then be my sacred that of the aistas, daty, as well with all our power to see to the hesling of the wounds caused by the war and to secure a happy fatura for the nation. In moet faithful recognition of the work hithero "performed, I rely on your approved strength and the help of the state ministry. God bless our land and people.”.
Pictured as Good Samaritan..
Emperor William is pictured by Carl Rosner, the correspondent of the Zokal Anaeiger,!who is st- tached to the Emperor'e enite, aB*. soting as a good Samaritan toward two British soldiers on May 28, While descending s moand he stopped alongside two uncon- scious British soldiers, and called s medical attendaní to give brandy to the men," to stay and bandage their wounds, and to arrange for their transfer to the hospital. After supper the En peror's thoughts, it is asid turned to the British lads, and. Rosner represents the monarch as say ing:
"When the enemy is beaten we must care for him” with all the .. "power and means given to us. A besten enemy is no longer an enemy to us. If those over yonder think and sat otherwise, that is their affisir, We Germäne will" preserve our conception of Ohrie tian duty toward the ill and wounded. While waging war, wo will also trast those wounded in battle that when this terrible [businem is over and men again extend their hands to one another, we may be able to, regall with a alsar conscience, and without re☺ motae every day and every not of}