1914-11-02 — Page 3

THE

WAR.

{THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

OMINOUS ACTIVITY OF

TURKEY.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd, 1914,

ĮTHROUGH REUTERS AGENCY.]

GREAT BRITAIN TO TAKE

NECESSARY

ACTION.”

RUSSIAN SHIPS BOMBARDED.

LONDON, October 30th.

3.49 p.m. Reuter is officially informed that Turkish warships entered, the open port of Odessa and bombarded Russian ships.

Reuter has also been informed that in consequence of the attack by

·Turkey on the Russian ports, the Russian Government has instructed the Russian Ambassador at Constantinople and the staff of the Embassy to

lezve.

The Russian Consuls have received similar instructions. ALLIES MAKE PEREMPTORY DEMANDS ON TURKEY.

8.15 p.m.

Reiter learns that the Allies have presented a Note to Turkey asking for an explanation of the attacks in the Black Sea and demanding the withdrawal of the Germans from Turkish ships and the dismantling of the Gochen and the Hresten, otherwise diplomatic relations with the Allies will conse

The reply has not yet been received, but it is earnestly hoped that it will be of such a character as to provent further extension of hostilities. 'ALLIES REQUIRE REMOVAL OF ALL GERMANS FROM TURKISH WARSHIPS.

11 p.m.

Router's Agency learns that the Allies are conferring on the Turkish crisis and are awaiting explanations.

The diplomatists are of opinion that the Germans in charge of the Turkish Flest may have themselves precipitated the crisis, even without the knowledge of the authorities at Constantinople.

'Anyhow, the immediate removal of the Germans from the warships will be required."

Great Britain and Russia are prepared for all-eventualities.

TURKISH CAVALRY AT THE BAY OF AKABA.

LONDON, October 31st. The Handelsblad (Amsterdaw) publishes a Berlin dispatch stating that strong Turkish cavalry detachments have arrived at the Bay of Akaba (north-eastern arm of the Red Sea, Arabia), and that Turkish Scouts have appeared l Sherm, at the extremity of the Sinai Peninsula.

NO DECLARATION OF WAR BY RUSSIA ON FRIDAY.

LONDON, October 31st. 1.05 p.m. A telegram from Petrograd says that up to yesterday evening there. had been no declaration of war by Russia on Turkey, nor had the Turkish Ambassador at Petrograd received his passports.

TURKISH WARSHIPS SINK TWO RUSSIAN TORPEDO BOATS.

8.40 p.m..

An Amsterdam telegram states that a Turkish official communiqué says that Russian torpedo-boats attempted to prevent Turkish warships The Tucks fired proceeding through the Bosphorous into the Black Sea. and sank two of the Russian torpeilo-boats. They saved and captured thirty Russian sailors." The Turks themselves suffered no loss. TURKEY'S EMPHATIC ASSURANCES TO GREAT BRITAIN. LONDON, November 1st.

12.50 2.m.

A message from Constantinople mays that on the 28th October, the Grand Vizier renewed to the British Ambassador his emphacie assurances that Turkey would not embark on war. Turkey, he said, was sending Balil Bey on a mission to Sofia, Bukharest, Vienna, and Berlin to explain the necessity for Turkey remaining neutral.

PRESS SAYS RUSSIA ACCEPTS THE CHALLENGE.

12.30.8.0.

A telegram from Petrograd states that the Russian Press says that

Her patience is exhausted. Russia accepts Turkey's challenge. Turkey draws the sword she will perish by the sword

IF

NO EQUIVOCAL POLICY FOR BULGARIA, The Russian Press further says that for Bulgaria no equivocal policy is admissable. She must declare herself friend or foe.

GREAT BRITAIN TO TAKE "NECESSARY ACTION.”

2,00 a.m.

The Official Press Bureau announces that in view of Turkeys interrupting of communication with the British Embassay at Constan- tinople, which is undoubtedly the prelude to further acts of aggression, Great Britain mast take the necessary action to protect British interests in that territory and also Egypt.

OTTOMAN GOVERNMENT DENY KNOWLEDGE OF WANSHIP RAIDS.

3.50 ..

A message from Washington states that advices received there say that the Turkish Minister of Finance informed the French Ambassador at. Constantinople that the raids of the Turkish warships took place without the knowledge of the Ottoman Government.

THE STRUGGLE IN FRANCE

AND BELGIUM.

AND

VALLEY BELGIANS

THE TSER FLOOD GERMANS RETREAT UNDER HEAVY FIRE."

ALLIES MAKE PROGRESS AT MANY POINTS.

LONDON, October 30th. A Paris communiqué states that on the extreine Left floods caused by the Belgian Army in the lower valley of the river Yser have compelled the enemy's forces, which had passed that river, to withdraw.

The Germans were subjected to violent cannonades by the Belgian and French artillery during their retreat.

The enemy attempted violent counter-attacks on the British and French Army Corps advancing north-east and east of Ypres.. We, at the end of the day, nevertheless, had continued our advance in the direction which had been assigned and captured various points d'appui.

The British forces, which were attacked at several points north of La Bassco by superior forces, have energetically resumed the offensive and to a great extent have reconquered ground which they had yielded.

The British at several other points of their fighting line repulsed the enemy, who suffered important losses.

There has been no general action along the rest of the Front, though there have been partial movements by us and the enemy.

We have made progress nearly everywhere, especially between Arras, the Albert heights and the right bank of the Aisne, below Boissons, and from there to the Meuse and Verdun.

BRITISH STEADILY GAINING GROUND.

LONDON, October 31st.

1.36 .in.:

The Press Bureau states that severo fighting continues, with little intermission, along the Allies' line, the Germans stubbornly resisting and Nevertheless, the British are frequently making fierce counter-attacks, steadily gaining ground.

In the counter-attacking one Brigade delivered a brilliant bayonet charge which accounted for many Germans, whose losses throughout have been heavy.

LONDON, October 31st.

40.m.

The official statement issued in Paris at 11 p.m. says:— There is nothing now to report in the Nieuport Dixmude region, The enemy on our left wing made violent attacks on the British and on both banks of the La Basses Cabal without success.

There has been a recrudescence-of-activity around Rheims, the heights of the Meuse and South of Fresnes in Woorre

GERMAN GENERAL OFFENSIVE MOVEMENT.

LONDON, October 31st.

6.50 p.m. To-day's Paris communiqué says:- Yesterday the enemy attempted a general offensive movement along the whole front from Nieuport to Arras.

There were also violent attacks at other points on the battic front. There were alternating advances and retirements from Nieuport to the La Bassee Canal.

The onemy, who had occupied Ramsakpelle, southward Nieuport, were driven out by counter-attacks..

of

We Just a few points d'appui southward of Ypres, namely, Hollebeke and Zandvoorde, but we progressed easteward of Ypres in the direction of Passchendaele.

Between Arras and La Basses all the German attacks were repulsed. The enemy's losses ware heavy.

We progressed in the Chanlines district beyond Lihonɛ. We occupied Quesnoy, and also progressed in the Aisne district on the heights on the right bank of the river below Soissons, but retired towards Vailly

We advanced in the region of Sousin. There has been heavy fighting in the Argonne. We gained

urther ground in Woevre in the forest of Le Pretre

A Paris communiqué issued this progressing in the Centre, north of Souain, maintained our positions.

Losuos, November 1st. 3.50 a.m. evening states that we are Everywhere else we have

4.35 a.m.

It is reported that the Germans are withdrawing from Dixmude.. LORD LANSDOWNE'S SON KILLED IN ACTION.

LONDON, October 31st. 3.13 p.10. Lord Charles Nairne, sou of the Marquis of Lansdowne, was killed in action yesterday.

ITALIAN CABINET RESIONS.

LONDON, November 1st.. The Italian Cabinet has resigned in consequence of differences in connection with the military expenditure.

PRINCE LOUIS OF BATTENBERG'S SUCCESSOR.

LONDON, October 20th.

It is officially announced that Lord Fisher succeeda Prince Louis of Battenberg (resigned) as First Fea Lord.

Lord Fisher is really reaming an old position, for he was First Sea Lord from 1904 to 1910, his appointment following a long and extremely active naval career, It was Lord Fisher who caused no little commotion in Naval circles recently by his statements in regard to the utility of submarines in the next great naval battle; statements which are now being more or less supported by actual happenings.]

THE

SIEGE OF TSINGTAU.

FIERCE BOMBARDMENT BY THE ARMY AND, NAVY. Mr. S. Imai, Consal-General for Japan, forwards the following news received yesterday from his. Government:-

The Naval official report of the 31st October is as follows:- Our blockading Fleet which has been bombarding Tsingtau forts. since the 25th October renewed fieres fring with the British cruiser on the 20th and 30th. On the 29th, the weather was calm, and from 9 a.m. till sunget our fleet concentrated a fierce fire upon the Iltis forts and the enemy's military position. There were numerous straight shots, and the effect was enormous. On this day the enemy, replied to our firing from the Kaiser-forts only; all the other forts maintained silence, daring not to fire On the 30th the weather was serene, and. even at our military position.

the fire of our fleet fell mostly upon Hsiao Chan Shan forts and Chan Bhan, thus either demolishing the defensive works of the enemy or clearing their hiding places, and demolishing the top of one of the Chan Shan forts.

The Army official report of the 31st October says 1------- "Our Bosicging Army began cannonading at daylight of the 31st October, terrifying the enemy. We are bombarding now fereely, and the martial spirit of our Army is excellent."

[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCE.]

INDIAN CONTINGENT AT TSINGTAU,

LONDON, October 31st. The Official Press Bureau announces that an Indian contingent has joined the Allies at Tsingtau.

THE RUSSIAN OPERATIONS.

FURTHER SUCCESSES AND SEVERE FIGHTING.

LONDON, October 31st.

4.55 a.m.

Persistent

Ar official statement published at Petrograd states:- Hard fighting continues. on the East Prussian front. attacks in the region of Baklarzhevo have been repulsed.

Beyond the Vistula the enemy's rear-guards have been pressed by the Russians.

On the front from Lodz to Zwichost (Poland) the Russians have captured parks of heavy guns and aeroplanes, besides other booty.

The Austriana were oncountered South of Tarlow on Thursday by the Russians who crossed the Vistula south of Josefow. under a Russian cross-fire suffered heavy losses and left a thousand prisoners.

The enemy.

The Austrians are most active in the Turka region of the

Carpathiaus.

11.15 p.m. A further communiqué issued in Petrograd says:-The enemy attacked our Centre in East Prussia in the region of Bakslargero, but were repulsed with tremendous losses. We have advanced in many districts. in East Prussia

We are firmly occupying Postynin, Lenezien, Ludz and Ostrovec (in Poland);

A battle is proceeding in Galicia.

THE LATEST EXPLOIT OF THE "EMDEN"

HOW THE RUSSIAN CRUISER AND FRENCH

DESTROYER WERE SUNK.

ENTERS PENANG HARBOUR IN DISGUISE EMDEN"

Accounts from official sources are now to hand regarding the sinking of the Russian cruiser Jemchug and the French destroyer Mousquet by the German cruiser Eniden in the harbour of Penang on Wednesday evening last.

The Russian account states that the Enules approached at dusk and was taken for an Allied warship. She proceeded at full speed towards the The Jemelag replied, but the Femehug and torpedoed her in the bow. Emden again torpedoed her and sank her. The Russian casualties are eighty-five drowned and 50 saved, of whom 112 are wounded.

The Emden approached disguised with a fourth fannel and other transformations. The Russian account also says that the Emden is reported to have been flying the Japanese flag.

The report from French sources, however, says she was flying the Russian flag. A report from Tokyo makes no mention of the ruse. According to the official report issused at Bordeaux, the Emden, after torpedoing the Jembug, was attacked by the French destroyer Mousquet, which the Emden sunk. The survivors were rescued by the Eniden, which then put to sea.

[The Jemchug was a third-class cruiser of 3,106 tons displacement, built in the Nevsky yard, St. Petersburg, in 1963-4. She was armed with eight 4.7-in., six 1.8-in., and five smaller quick-firers and machine guns, Her and she had three torpedo tubes.

The French dsetroyer Mousquet was built at Nantes in 1902. armament consisted of one 9-pr. and six 3-prs, and she had two torpedo- tubes. Her complement is given as 62.]

BRITISH CRUISER SUNK IN THE STRAITS OF

DOVER.

LONDON, November 1st. 3.40 am

The British cruiser Hermes has been sunk by a German submarine the Straits of Dover."

All the officers and crew were saved.

The cruiser was of small military significance.

The Hermes was returning from Daakirk.

[The Hermes was a vessel of 3,000 tons displacement and was Launched at Fairfield in 1898, being of the Highflyer class. Her armament was 11 Gin., 9 12pm, 1 3-pr., 2-m. She also had two torpedo tubes. Her speed was twenty knots.