10
EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
THE BRITISH ARMY ESTIMATES.
Landon, March 3 The House of Commons this week tackles the heavy war expenditure and begins with the Army Estimates today. It is believed that the Budget will total £1,300,000,063.
In the House of Commons Mr. Winston Churchill, in" troducing army estimates for £287,000,000, emphasised the dificulties of framing the estimates this year, "because We were hali every factor was untertain and fluctuating.
way between peace and war. We were unable to fix the rate of demobilisation and we did not yet know what at- rangements affecting armaments would be embodied in the Peace Treaty, nor how many men we must keep in the Mid- die East and the Rhine, or for how long., We did not know whether the Germans would accept our conditions or refuse them and throw the responsibility for the future upon us and simply degenerate into ruin. He emphasised that wast areas in Europe and in the East were in a state of anarchy and the Allies, on whom rested the responsibility of enabling the world to get to work again. were themselves very seriously exhausted. To all these dificulties must be added the enormous effort of winding up the war. The present estimates represented the maximum and he hoped it would be possible to revise them in a downard direction. He men- tioned that the Allies were still discussing the exact amount of contributions from Germany towards the upkeep of the arrains of the Rhine.
course.
Dealing with demobilisation he maintained that a plan whereby three out of four men were being released and the fearth man was being paid double to finish the job was..less objectionable and entailed fewer hardships than any other All the evidence showed that the plan had been well received, owing to its fairness. It had been followed Ho by a recovery of discipline and moral in the army. toped in a few months we would possess strong compact armies, which would enable it to guard our interests and the safety of the country and secure the fruit- we won in war. Already nearly 1,800,00 officers and men had been demo- bilised and the progress was continuing at a rate në over 23:00 daily. In addition about 100,900 Canadians and Aas- tralians had been sent home and it had been arranged that evéry Dominion soldier who came over should have a chance of one visit to the Mother Country before returning to his "own Dominion. (Cheers). There were about half a million men in theatres such as India and North Africa from which it was impossible physically to release the men, although they did not belonged to a class retained in the army,
In Mesopotamia. Palestine, Caucasus and Turkey the process of release was impeded by difficulties of transporta- tion, but the number affected was not very large and was constantly diminishing. He proposed that all men eligible for release, but unavoidably trained to the colours after May I should receive increased pay until their discharge. A genuine effort would be made to give larger a proportion of leave to the armies of oecapation. Men who had not seen their lies for years would ge: leave or be brought home for good.
Referring to the rapid formation of the voluntary army, for home and oversess daties be said that 'enlistmen: at the rate of a thousand daily had been well maintained. There were already 45,000 trained men, besides 5,000 new young recruits. The task of building up this force was con- siderable because the units for reconstitution included 314 artillery unita, 150 Royal Engineer units and 158 infantry battalions. The men would proceed as they formed units to the relief of oversea garrisons. He sketched the plans of the relieving the Rhine Army in case the armies of occupa- tion had to be maintained during the whole or part of 1520." He then raised problems regarding the size, and compositi tion of the permanent post war army, its strategic distri bution as covered by new forms of warfare and the political and geographical considerations, especially what part the army of India will play in the general system of Imperial defence, also how the relationship should be strengthened between the navy, army and air services. He pointed out the neces sity to develop a new type of officer who would make all classes of war their province and be drawn from every part of the Empire.
GERMAN AFFAIRS.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY'S DEMAND.
Basle, March 2. The WeimarNational Assembly a unanimously passed a motion by thirty-seven women members demanding the im- mediate raising of the economic blockade and repatriation of prisoners of war.
ATTEMPT TO DISAFFECT BRITISH TROOPS.
Cologne, Feb. 27.
The Spartacists are attempting to disaffect the British army. A handbill was distributed in the streets yesterday which begins "British Soldiers, why are you not demobilis- ed!" It declares that Prussian militarism is dead. The Bri- tish are kept from their homes merely to bolster up property and junkeidom against the honest worker.
REVOLUTIONARY SYMPTOMS.
Berlin, March 2
Revolutionary developments in Berlin are proceeding with great rapidity. There has been a great Labour more meat in the last few days towards the extremists. Herr Haase expects a general strike in Berlin to begin on March 3. A meeting of the Workmens' Councils Executive decided to resummon the National Congress Workmen's Councils for
March 18.
The Independent Party is considering co-operation with the Spartacists. The former anticipate the early fall of the Government. Meanwhile the Goverment is endeavouring to arrange a compromise between the Majority Socialists and Independenta with view to presenting a common front against the Spartacists.
THE SITUATION OBSCURE.
London, March 2
The latest news from Germany is somewhat scrappy.. The situation therefore is at present rather obscure Bo far there is no confirmation of the report from Holland that Elorr Scheidemann has resigned. On the other hand it appears that the report of the attack on the "Vorwaarts," building in Berlin is untras, while messages from Berlin vís Copenhagen state that Government troops entered the hall, which was quiet. There have been serious food dis- turbances at Thorn where a mob tried to storm the military Bol Boldiers intervened with machine-guns and hand grenades and a number of persons were wounded before vider, was restored. The Soviet Congress at Munich sp pointed i ministry with Herr Begits ad Premier.
FRINTERS ON STRIKE.
Berlin, March 2
The printers in three big newspaper printing works
struck.
TROUBLE AT EISENACH.
Basle, March 27 crowd of soldiers and civilians attempted a nocturnal. on the barracks and Post Office at Eisenach. Govern- troops repulsed the raiders and arrested the ringlead- The workers at Eisenach have declared u, general strike.
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.
MONDAY, MARCH 10,
1919.
EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
PEACE PROSPECTS.
EARLY EXPECTATIONS,
Paris, March 2. Mr. Balfour interviewed by Reuter, replying to the criticism that the Conference had accomp' bod nothing, amphasised the complexity and difficulty of the preliminary work in the greatest task over undertaken by mankind. It was the policy of the Conference to press for the fastest possible preliminary peace with Germany. He hoped before the end of March we would be in sight of such preliminary poące, which would be a great stride towards universal peace. Üne of the most important questions was the share the United States was going to take in the world's future. An immense responsibility at present rested on the American public. Only half America's war task would be accomplished if she did not take a share in the even greater labours of peace. He opined that what was going on in America DOW WAI BA important for the success of the Conference as what was going on in Paris and the new world should play at least as great a part in future international organisations as the old historic countries of Europe and the Middle East. The foundations had been wall dog in Paris in the laat soren weeks and before another saten weeks passed something great would actually be accomplished and we would be able to see the complete solution of the great task.
AMERICA AND THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.
Washington, March 3.
The criticism against the draft constitution of the League of Nations culminated in an all night sitting of the Senate whereat a number of Republicans attempted to hold up the seven billion dollar Loan Bill to finance the Government's present requirements. The Bill finally passed. Permission was given the Irish leaders to present their demands to President Wilson at New York on March 4
FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS.
נו
Paris, March 2 It has been provisionally arranged for President Wilson, to land at Brest about the 13th and proceed direct to Paris. The Great Powers will then consider the preliminary Peace Treaty till about the ad. It is anticipated that such pro- gress will be made as to enable the assembling of the Peace Congress with the Germans present between the 1st and 10th April and the Treaty will be presented at this Confer
emce.
It will include the military, naval, Ênancial and economie terms to be imposed.
The Reparation Committee's report will be considered at an early dete by the Supreme Council The Committee has arrived at the conclusion that enemy countries should be required to pay an aggregate amount of £24,000,000,000. sterling, paying a portion now and the balance to be spread over a period of twenty-five to thirty-five years. The French delegation opices that the Enemy Powers should immedi. ately pay one thousand million sterling partly in merchan- dise, material and tonnage, partly in foreign securities and partly in gold. The estimate of the timber which Germany should supply to the allies as reparation is approximately eighty millions sterling,
THE NAVAL AND MILITARY TERMS.
Paris, March 2 The Military terms of peace
the were presented to Council of Ten by Marshal Foch yesterday. They provide for disarmament of Germany down to twenty divisions, each of ten thousand men, including fifteen of infantry and five cavalry; also severe restrictions on the manufacture of all classes of war material and limitation of military and com- mercial use of aeroplanes to a minimum. Marshal Foch's naval terms now before the Council provide not only for complete suppression of Germany's inbmarice equipment but termination of all submarine warfare. The proposal for the destruction of the large German warships "is ap- prosed in a report by British-American experts, but the French still make reservations against it
THE NAVAL LOSSES OF THE WAR.
Paris, March 2
It is authoritatively stated that the following are the war naval losses of belligerents, including vessels lost ao cidentally as well as by enemy action.
Britain, Battleships,"13; battle-cruisers, 3; cruisers, 25; monitors, &; destroyers, 64; torpedoers 10; submarines, 50; small craft, 97. Total, 550,000 tona.
France-Battleships, 4; cruisers, 5; destroyers, 14; torpedoers, 8; submarizes, 14; small craft, 2. Total, 110,000
tons
Italy.--Battleships, 3; cruisers, 2; monitor, 1; déstroy- ers, 10; torpedoers, 6; submarines, 8. Total, 76,000 tons.
Japan-Battleship, 1; cruisers, 4; destroyers, 3; tor. pedcer, 1. Total, 50,000 tons.
United States. Cruiser, 1; destroyers, 9; submarine, 1. Total, 17,000 tons.
Total for all the Allier 803,000 tons. The enemy losses are sa follow- Germany,-Battleship, 1; battle-cruiser, 1; cruisers, 24; destroyers, 72; torpedoers, 51; submarines, 215. Total, 350,000 tons:
Austro-Hungary.-Battleships, 3; cruisers, 2; monitors, 3; destroyers, 5; torpedoers, 4; submarines, & Total, 85,000
Total for the Central Fowers, 415,000 tons.
tons
ENEMY PROPERTY IN AMERICA.
Washington, March 3.
The custodian of alien property recommends the con- tinuance of the liquidation of enemy owned property which is valued at $700,000,000, in order to prevent renewed Ger- man attempts to secure commercial predominanTS.
MADRID NOW QUIET.
Madrid, March 9.
The city is quiet. The machine-guns have been withi drawn from the streets" and the camiysi is proceeding normally.
BRITISH WARSHIP BREAKS DOWN.
Kingston, March 3. EMS. Shearwater arrived in tow of an American tug after a breakdown'at sen.
THE SILVER MARKET,
London, Mardi
The nlver market is mond”,
EARLIER TELEGRAMS.
LABOUR UNREST.
RAILWAYMEN DISSATISFIED.
London, March
The Conference of delegates of the Railway Clerks Association, dissatisfied with the Railway Executive Com mittee's interpretation of the agreement of March 4th, with regard to recognition, resolved to demand a satisfactory settlement by March 11th. It was stated that the Associa- tion had been advised that "recognition of the agreement” would be confued to the Railway Executive Committee and in dividual companies did not intend being bound thereby.
A strong plea for industrial peace was made by Mr. Thomas M.P., secretary of the Railwaymen's Union. Speak- ing at Watford this afternoon, after emphasising the gravity of the industrial position, Mr. Thomas declared that in- dustrial pesce should be the goal, not by sacrificing principles, forgetting responsibilities and prostituting power, bat by tree and fall recognition that the State was greater than any section thereof. If the courage, and self-sacrifice that carried us through the war are our guiding principles in the next four weeks the dark cloud now overshadowing as will clear and we shall begin to build upon the mains of the four years nation worthy of the people who have done so much for it.
AGITATORS DENOUNCED,
London, March 3 Mr. Appleton, Secretary of the Federation of Trades Unions. speaking at Wimbledon, denounced the Labour agitators who were making people believe the Government could continue borrowing for ever at the war rate. He was convinced the people's commonsense would sare them from that illusion.
THE BOLSHEVIK SITUATION.
London, March 1.
The latest telegrams bearing on the Russian Bolshevik situation show that although the movement is progressing in some areas the Bolsheviks elsewhere are safering mili- tary defeats and encountering other irremediable difficulties under existing conditions.
Beuter's correspondent at Stockholm "says it is reliably reported that the Lion army mentioned on Fat 20 under General Krasnoff occupied Sarato and Volsk.
stated that the
From Korno. it is
Lithuanians
are closely pursuing the Bolsheviks, whose request for an immediate suspension of hostilities, was refused. The Lithuanians are nearing Vilna
From Petrograd a message comes at the Bolshevist Commissary of Ways and Communications speaking in the Soviet Economic Council dwelt alarmingly on the railway situation. The Government only possessed 43,000 service- able locomotives. He foreshadowed the likelihood of the interior of Russia being absolutely deprived of means of communication by the middle of April,
On the contrary it appears that Bolshevistic doctrines are making headway in South Poland especially in West Galicia where Soviets have been constituted at Cracow and other towns. Soviet troops are approaching Lubha.
The Bolshevists hold two-thirds of Ukraine. General Petlura, the Ukainian commander is negotiating with the French at Odesso for help against the Bolshevists.
The Inter-allied Commission has handed General Petr Jurn the terms of the armistice, leaving Lemberg and the oiields in the bands of the Poles.
AMERICA AND THE JEWS.
Washington, March 2 President Wilson told a delegation of the American Jewish Congress that he was persuaded the allied nations, with the fullest American concurrence, were agreed that the foundation of the Jewish commonwealth should be laid in Palestine.
A NEW MILITARY UNIT.
London, March -3. Endorsing the widely held opinion regarding the forma tion of a regiment of Dominions Guards the "Daily Gra- phic" says: "Would it not be appropriate to signalise the high fighting qualities of our overseas soldiers by creating a regiment of. Dominions Guards! A Brigade of Guards would have certain privileges which would ensure for that innovation the universal approval and appreciation of over- seas people and such regiment would round off in the happi- est manner the establishment of household troops, giving them a unit thoroughly typical of the Empire as a whole. It may be hazarded that if the King were to issue the Royal Warrant sufficient men to form the first Dominions Guards would be at once forthcoming from the war-tried soldiers of Canada, Anzae and South Africa They have earned such distinction as thoroughly as any regiment in the British Army. In their homelands they could perform at official residences of representatives of the King, those doties which the Guards discharge in connection with the Royal Palaces here. But at stated periods companies should be selected for short periods of service in the Mother-land
THE FUTURE OF TURKEY.
Paris, March 2.
As regards the work of the Territoris] Commissions of the Peace Conference the Comission on Greek affairs yes- terday lengthily debsted the new situation created in Asia Minor. The general plan adopted for the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire is the total elimination of that Em- pire, the internationalisation of Constantinople and the Straits, creation of a Turkish State in the centre of Asia Minor and liberation of all nationalities from the Porta. As regards Asia Minor the Commission in principle decided that the coast strip between Avalí and Cos, including Fyra and Ephesus, shall be sasigned to Grease as full owner or international mandatory.
IMPOSING MILITARY DISPLAY:
London, March 1, There was an imposing military pageant at Hyde Park this afternoon when the King on horseback, and the Queen in a carriage, zifended by Prince Arthur of Con- naught, Generals. Robertson, Macdonald and Birdwood, and the Maharaja of Bikanty, reviewed fourteen battalions: of young soldiers prior to their departure, for the Ebne,⠀ Huge crowds assembled in bright sunshine,
OVER THE TOP...
NEW STYLE
There is always a fiy in the ointment. In the soothing, healing, departments! atmosphere of our offics Janes is certainly the fly.
*At present we are all wonder- ing just what is going to happen to us next. The armistice came with disconcerting suddennèss, but there is a possibility of the Ministry of Reconstruction want- ing us to stay on after all. There is even a probability of a per- manent at the
"I wish you'd stop reading so loud!" said Brown in an irrita- ted voice.
And I wish you'd stop poking the fire," returned Jones coldly. Remember it's a Government poker. Pokers, as you'd know if you read the advertisements, are & public danger and ought to be locked up
So ought you," retorted Brown with veдom.
"For four solid years have you sat around this office fanning yourselves and poking the fire and drinking tea," continued Jones doggedly. "From time to time I've read you bits out of the newspapers and you've said nothing. Now when I come to | something you don't like you would turn and rend me. I'll defy you and read it again : 'All permanent Government appoint ments made during the next two years will be given to ex-soldiers
"Except technical appoint. ments, pointed out Robinson. "After all, everyone of us in this office is technical."
"Smith was technical, so was McPhee, so wore a dozen others more in our line whom we all know by name and hundreds whom we don't. But did that keep them back from the trenches în 1914?**
That was their look out," said Brown and then appeared sorry he'd said it.
"We were told not to enlist." pointed out Robinson virtuously.
"Yes," said Jones in a bitter voice. "But by the time the Gov- ernment had woke up and issued that order the flower of our pro- fession were already in France.
Whila! And they're there still we've been sitting here drinking - tea they've been going over the top."
Jones seemed to have momen*" tarily forgotten the presence of any of us. There they are now, with their wooden legs, and their composition arms, and their glass eyes, and their gas-rotted lungs, end their shell-shocked nerves, wandering about outaide, wonder- ing belike what their future is to be, and wondering maybe a deal more than hoping. "Come here!”: he shouted, suddenly turning on. Robinson for all the world like an
angry bull. "Come here and
look at that!"
He pulled aside the heavy cur tain with savage roughness. It was a terrible night. Bain slash- ed across the window-pane like cuts from a sword. Through the gloom figures showed dimly mov- ing across the street below. Under, the lamps the pavement glittered.
"Every man's land, no man's land," said Jones in a solemn whisper. "And here we are all of us entrenched in this comfortable office, hoping to goodness we shall never again have to go out there But if we stay there's no room for them.. That's why I'm leaving at end of the week!"
"You're leaving 1 we choruS- ed, surprised.
"I am," said Jones. I'm off on Saturday next to look for an- other job: Anyone like to join me and make way for a wounded soldier? Any others going ov the top ?"
He's a man with a nasty tongue is Jones, We shall be well rid of him in our office.-By Peter Blundell.
NATURE'S QUEER WAYS.
Bir Napier Shaw, of the Mete- orological Office, at the Institution of Water Engineers said that some process difficult to tain, Nature sometimes conta to keep a cloudy sky without a drop of rain Mr. Carle Boltars, joint dire the British Rainfall Organis said that the abundance fall in the British Isles to the water needs of tion had led to compars attention being paid to until recent years. now saw the numb gathering groun
di
as time went samgly requirements
of populat
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