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THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH
EXTRA.
HONGKONG, THURSDAY JANUARY 2, 1919.
REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.
FIGHTING IN RUSSIA.
RUSSIANS PRESSED BACK
London, December 31.
A Russian wireless massage states~-~~~- In the Petchors and Mezen regions we continued to advance, capturing several villages, after fierce fighting. In the Reval region the enemy landed 500 men and 4 guns. In the direction of Riga we captured 20 guns.
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On the southern front strong enemy forces pressed us back to Greaevsk,
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WIDESPREAD OPERATIONS.
London, December 1.
A Russian wireless message describes widespread operations in which the Ukrainian Soviet Army is engaged in the neighbourhood's of Kharkoff, Ekatersnoslav and Minsk. This shows that the com- plete German evacuation of Vilna is expected on January 5.
Chaos and anarchy reign at Brestlitovsk, where the fortress has been dismantled..
WILHELM IN DELIRIUM TREMENS.
HOST DISPLEASED WITH GUEST.
Amsterdam, December 30.
The Nieuws Van Dag states that Count Bentinet would not be displeased if the Kaiser departed.
It is considered probable that the ex-Kaiser will leave for another estate and live on it. He is suffering from nervousness, making conversation difficult.
NEW GERMAN GABINET APPOINTMENTS.
Copenhagen, December 30.
The new German Cabinet has appointed Herr Scheidemann Controller of Foreign Affairs, Herr, Noske, of Military Affairs; and Herr Wissel, of Social Affairs.
PARTY PAPER VIENS ON. ELECTION RESULTS.
VERDICT NOT GENUINE.
"London, December 30. The Manchester Guardian says the Election illustrates one of the dangers inherent in a Democratic Government, namely, the ability of the Party in power by seizing a moment of popular excitement and i confusion to secure a verdict, which is not genuine. It alleges that the Premier exploited a strong popular feeling regarding the punish- ment of Germany. However, the paper believes that Mr. Lloyd George is better, and will do greater things than his speeches have presaged as regards the Irish problem. It expresses the opinion that only some supreme act of statesmanship will solve it. The paper incidentally mentions that reports frorn all parts of the country show that women voted in larger proportions than men...
AN EARLY REACTION PREDICTED.
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London, December 30. The Westminster Gazette, after saying that the old British system is in ruins, remarks that the Coalition did hot obtain votes more than a third of the Electorate. Nevertheless, it secured “a 5 to 2 majority. The paper expects an early reaction and says that Liberalism must face the fact that the working class vote moves steadily towards the Labour Party and must endeavour to fad its place in a united democratic and progressive movement and thus prevent class schism which will follow if the middle classes huddle together in a centre party and the working class stream" into the Labour movement, isolated from the non-labouring part of the com- munity,
"THE FREEDOM OF THE SEAS."
M. CLEMENCEAU RECALLS CONVERSATION WITH L. GEORGE.
Paris, December 30,
In the Chamber M. Clemenceau incidentally alluded to the question of the Freedom of the Seas, mentioning a conversation that he had with President Wilson on the matter. President Wilson said: "I will try to convince you, but perhaps you will convince më. M. Clemenceau replied to President Wilson's question by repeating a conversation with Mr. Lloyd George, who had asked if M. Cle- menceau thought if possible to re-commence the war without the British Fleet. M. Clemenceau replied "No." Mr. Lloyd George added: "Will you place me in a position to re-commence it?" M. Clemenceau replied. "Yes." M. Clemenceau added "President Wilson approved of my reply and we left satisfied."
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THE ALLIES AND RUSSIA.
FRENCH "FOREIGN MINISTER SPEAKS OUT.
London, December 30.
gone to
In the Chamber, M. Pichon said:"We have Archangel and Siberia and cleared the Trans-Siberian Railway in order to preserve for ourselves the potential means of intervening the moment intervention may be necessary, in a country, where our nationals may be in danger (Loud applause). We have landed troops at Odessa and Batum only until the Rumanian- Armies shall be reconstituted. The Allies, aim at preserving a healthy portion of Russia against Bolshevism, but the strictest orders have been given the military chiefs that the efforts necessary to crush Bolshevism must be made by Russian forces. There is not a single man arriving from Russia, not even the most out-of-the-way Socialist, who has not warned me against the Bolshevik Government and urged me to isolate this scourge against. peace, allowing the Russians to continue to exist in a state of civil war. With the present hateful and abominable Government there will not be any peace of justice. We should be constantly threatened
with a resumption of hostilities.”
FRENCH TROOPS LAND AT ODESSA.
In the Chamber Clemences stated that the French had landed at Odessa without fighting.
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-FUNERALS OF VICTIMS OF BERLIN, FIGHTING.
REUTER'S TEL4us.
RUSSIAN CAPTURES NEAR- VLADYOSTOCK.
VERY LARGE BOOTY TAKEN
Paris, December 28.
A message from Vladivostock says the Russian troops when they captured Peru took 18,000 prisoners. 60 guns, 4,000 wagons and numerous machine-guns, rides and munitions.
ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN GERMANS AND ESTHONIANS.
Stockholm, December 28.
An Esthonian communique dated the 26th states: The Eathonian troops are retreating. The enemy has large forces on a wide front. German troops are retreating from Dorpat and are advancing to Riga along the coast and plundering, thus causing encounters between the German and Esthonian troops.
BRITISH DESTROYER AND CRUISER AT RIGA.
Amsterdam, December 28.
A message from Berlin says a British cruiser and destroyer the Provisional Lett Government. have been at Riga since the 17th. Admiral Sinclair is in touch with
FRENCH WAR LOAN,
Paris, December 30.
The Minister of Finance in the Chamber of Deputies gave the result of the French War Loan of £1,200,000,000 nominal capital as £860,000,000 effective capital. Horas."
A POLISH REPUBLIC.
PADEREWSKI AS PRESIDENT,
Copenhagen, December 29.
A message from Berlin says the Poles are about to proclaim a Republic under the Presidency of the pianist, Paderewski who was triumphantly welcomed on reaching Posen from Dantzig.
BOLSHEVIKS ADVANCING TOWARDS PRUSSIA.
AN ARMY OF SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND.
Copenhagen, December 29.
advancing towards Mitau. Prisoners state that the Army numbers A message from Riga says the Bolsheviks are victoriously. 600,000 and that the final aim is to advance through Mitau and Tauroggen into Prussia.
THE NEW FRENCH LOAN.
Paris, December 29. The Finance Minister, M. Klotz, has announced that the new. Loan exceeded 30 milliards of francs, of which 21 were already paid.
ITALY'S WAR CASUALITES.
THE OFFICIAL FIGURES.
Paris, December 31.
It is officially announced that the Italian losses on all fronts
are fe
Dead, 460,000, including 16,362 officers. Wounded, 947,000, including 38,347 officers.
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The number totally or partially disabled is estimated at over half a million,
PRESIDENT WILSON."
WHAT THE FRENCH FREMIER THINKS OF HIM.
Paris, December 30.
In the Chamber, when the vote was taken and the sitting had lasted for twenty-four hours, M. Clemenceau,said President Wilson simplicity of his language and the noble candour of his mind. I was a man of extremely open mind who inspired respect by the should not be telling the truth if I said I am in agreement with him on all points. I have things to think about which do not touch him as they do'a man who for four years has seen the Germans in his own country,
AMERICAN NAVAL PROGRAMME.
A 'WISE MOVE ADVOCATED.
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Washington, December 31. Naval Committee and urged, the approval of the three years
Mr. Daniels appeared before the House of Representatives.
naval programme with a proviso that whenever a general inter" national agreement is reached for the reduction of armaments, President, Wilson be authorised to order a discontinuance of American construction;
MORS AND BAILORS DEMONSTRATE,
Copenhagen, Dee, 30,
There were huge demonstrations by Independents, members of the Spartagus group and sailors at Berlin on Bunday on the occasion of the funeral of the victims of the recent fighting. Rain fell end there were no disorders,
OBITUARY
London, December 28.
The death is announced of Mr. O, A. Bamfylde, member Sarawak Advisory Council in Buzlind