1915-12-21 — Page 5

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THE WAR.

BRITISH LINES GASSED

YPRES.

NEAR

GERMAN ATTACK EASILY REPULSED.

ENEMY'S "SEARCH" OF NORTH SEA,

PREPOSTEROUS TALE FOR HOME CONSUMPTION.

ARTILLERY

DUEL

IN GALLIPOLI.

VISCOUNT FRENCH'S FAREWELL.

GENERAL.

THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

FIELD-MARSHAL FRENCH'S

FAREWELL.

GLORIOUS ENDING TO WAR, NOT FAR DISTANT,

(THRODOH. REUTER'S AGENCY.]

MADE IN GERMANY.

NAVAL CREATIONS FOR HOME CONSUMPTION.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESJ, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 218T 1915,

LONDON, December 20th. The German Admiralty announces Our fleet last week searched the North Sea for the enemy and then cruised to Skuge Rock, watching the shipping and examining fifty-two vessels. They seized

whole time the British Naval forces were one with contraband aboard. During the

nowhere visible.”

The statement is preposterous, and is obviously intended for German consump- tion to offset the losses in the Baltic.

家

GERMAN SCHEMES IN AMERICA.

LONDON, December 19th. Held Marshal Viscount Froneb, in farewell message to the Army in France, - Ways:--“In relinquishing the command -öf the British army in France, I wish To express to the Officers, non-commission ed officers and men with whom I have been wo closely associated for the last sixteen months, my heartfelt sorrow at parting before the campaign in which we have Been so long engaged together has been brought to a victorious conclusion. I have, however, the firmest conviction that there will be anch a glorious ending to YET ANOTHER PLOT DISCOVERED, their splendid and beroic efforts, and I look towards the final goal with intense interest, and in the most Confident hope. The success so far at tained has been due to that indomitable spirit and dogged tenacity which knows po defeat, and to the heroic courage, so abundantly displayed, of the rank and file of the splendid army which it will ever romain the pride and glory of my ife to have commanded for over sixteen months of incessant fighting.".

NEW YORK, December 18th. A bank clerk named Schleindl, who is secretary to Paul Koenig, bead of the German Secret Service in the United States (whose arrest has already been announced) has been arrested. He is charged with the larceny of documents handed by him to German Government re and cablegrams which it is alleged were

presentatives,

The detectives say that Schleind! has confessed that he obtained information of shipments of munitions from private records at the Bank where he was employ od. When arrested, a telegram was found tinued the Field Marshal, have ever in his pocket regarding the shipment of

ASSURED OF GLORIOUS PUTURE, The Regulars and the Territorials, the Old Army and the New Army," con

(THROUGH BRITER'S AGKRUT.]

SECOND" ANGONA" NOTE,

WHAT DEPENDS ON THE REPLY.

NEW YORK, December 19th. A forecast of the second decona Note reiterates that the American demands are

FIRES IN HONGKONG,

THREE PERSONS BURNED TO

DEATH.

Three Ares occurred in different parts of the Colony during the week-end.

Two Chinese women and a small boy based upon the admission of the Austrian porished in fire which broke out in Admiralty, and leaves no doubt that matsboda at Le Kong village on Saturday Austris will have to reply promptly, and Considerable damage was also done to that the rupture or the maintenance of re. property, lations will depend on the reply.

NAVAL ACTIVITIES.

[THROWON RIUIER'S AGENCY. J. NORWEGIAN STEAMER

SUNK.

LONDON, December 19th The Norwegian stoner Nice has been sunk. Eleven survivors and the pilot have been landed.

FRANCO-BELGIAN FRONT

[THROUGH REUTER'S AGEKOY.] BRITISH LINES GASSED

ANTI-GAS MEASURES MOST SUCCESSFUL

An eating house at 841 Kok took fire on Saturday, and stock 10 the value of about $250 was destroyed...

GERMAN SOLDIERS' LETTERS. THE SHIPPING CHAUS.

GREAT CHANGE IN TONE. .... STILL HIGHER FREIGHTS IN

PROSPECT.

In the Revue de Paris, M. Pierre Bou- troux gives an interesting study of the Orders in Council has been negative So far the effect on freights of the new opinions of the German soldiers on the rather than positive. They have caused war, as gathered from their own letters the volume of chartering to dimmich. A considerable number of such letters to load grain from America to ports of Owners besitate to charter their vesselə have already been published in the Press, the Allied countries, since it seems pro but this collection is more coordinated, bable, but is not yet certain, that the and contains new material. In the lotters words "foreign ports

in the new Licen- quoted we still and plenty of the furious Thay picture hoones being refused for Sing Order include Allied parts." and senseless batred of the German for everything not made, like himself, in the such trade and then, when their resecta Fatherland, but mingled with the bragare approaching North America, the ging and the boasting come frequent ad. Requisitioning Committes coming on the An outbreak of fire occurred in a

missions that the French are intelligent scene and commandoering" the ships furniture store in Lun Fat Street, Wanand brave, and that General French's for a voyage to this country with grain. troops fight with unexampled courage,"

They were disposed to regard an outward chai, early yesterday. The Fire Brigade

As for the Russians, Hanoverian voyage from this country with coule as were unable to prevent the flames spread-the lies that the German Press had oirou Said is w about 498, per ton, or seven writes to a friend expressing rage at all rather safer. The rate for coals to Port ing to the two, adjoining houses, and all lated about the Russian army: If over times the rate before the war, so that, three were practically destroyed. Two talk rubbish such as that the Russian to bring the vessels home in hallas, the you meet any of the paper-spoilers who even though there may be an intention women were injured by fire and falling army is a horde of scamps, without arms round voyage should show excellent re rubbish and were conveyed to hospital. that he will not soon forget! This

and dressed in rags, gag him in a way multe.

It is important to remember that the The cause of the outbreak has not been Hanoverian even saw some Russian pri-effect of all the Government's shipping ascertained, nor ORTI the damage "be soners so well equipped that the Germans measures, ao fox as they have had any

condescended to estimated,

"boots with effect, has been to raise the freights for #xchauge them!

al vessels not immediately involved, The system of requisitioning ships for Government service has been the most powerful influence of all. The greater the number that way be requisitioned by the now committee the better the prospects. for those that are left untouched.

*BEGINNING OF THE END,"

FOLLY OF PREMATURE HOPES OF VICTORY.

LONDON, December 20th, An officia) "announcement-states that the enemy on Sunday morning gassed the M. Joseph Reinich, who, under the British lines north east of Ypres, this signature of Polybe," has proved him- being accompanied by a heavy bombard self one of the most acute writers on the ment. Except at a few places, where they war, discusses in the Figaro the "begin were repulsed before reaching our lines,ning of the end." our fire prevented the Germans leaving their trenches. Our anti-gas measures were also most effective, and the line is overywhere intact.

east of Ypres, and west and south of Hostile artillery were unusually active

Messines. The enemy exploded two mines

tieres, and attempted to occupy in front of our trenches, osat of Armen the craters, but were driven off.

· METZ: BOMBARDED,

AMSTERDAM, December 18th, According to a German communiqué, hostile airmen bombarded Metz on Saturday night, damaging property. BOMBARDMENT OF GERMAN WORKS,

FABIS, December 19th.

A communiqué states that the bombard ment of German works and encampments in the Apremont sector, south-east of St. Mihiel, continued into the night and yielded excellent results.

bombed the Sablons station at Metz.

A squadron of French aeroplanes

ARTILLERY ACTIVITY.

PARIE, December 20th.

THE NEAR EAST.

A communiqué confirms the British announcement regarding the fighting in Belgium, The French artillery were like wise active in Artois, between the Somme shown these magnificent qualities in an

two million rifles for the Allies. equal degree, At this sad moment of

and the Oise, and in Champagne, destroy Schleindl admitted that he was a Gering trenches and scattering working - parting, my heart goes out to those who

man Reservist,

parties. bave received life-long injury. I think with sorrow of that" great and glorious host of beloved comrades who have made the greatest sacrifice, that of laying down their lives for their country. In saying good-bye to the British Army ià France, I ask them once again to accept this ex- pression of deepest gratitude and heart- želi devotion, and my earnest good wishes for a glorious future, which I feel assured."

YOUNG: RECRUITS.

MAGNIFICENT RESPONSE TO

THE CALL

is

Koenig and Lyndecker have been r leased on bail of £10,000 and £6,000 res- pectively. QUARREL ON "PEACE SHIP." THE PILGRIMS' PROGRESS.

CHRISTIANIA, December 19th. Mr. Ford's "Peace Pilgrime" have arrived. There was no official or other ception, merely Pressmen going aboard. Mr. Ford said the British were most gracious at Kirkwall, but none of the party was allowed to land there. Mr. Ford had the impression in Kirkwall that the British wished for peace, and he LONDON, December 20th. thought this was the case with the other The calling up of recruits is generally belligerents' peoples. He said the basis welcomed in all quarters. There is no of peace must be a status quo ante bellum, indication of the numbers available at Mr. Ford denied that there had been present, but it is pointed out that while any disagreement on board, but said that Great Britain is now calling up the four some of the members would leave the youngest classes, Austria is already expedition at Christiania because they calling up men of 48 years of age. The were sick. American journalists on board admirable spirit in which the first recruits confirmed the story of a quarrel, which responded to the call sugurs well for the, was duo, they said, to some members re- response of future levies,

fusing to sign a protest against President. Wilson's policy.

LORD DERBY ON RECRUITING,

PROBABLE END. OF THE WAR,

LONDON, December 19th. Lord Derby, speaking on Sunday after- noon at a meeting in Londen, said he was

convinced that the statement of the results

of recruiting would show that the country was absolutely right, and that probably the end of the war would come sooner

than many expected.

[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

ARTILLERY

DIEL AT

DARDANELLES,

PARIB, December 20th.

A communiqué states that there has been a lively artillery duel at the Dardanelles.

FAR EASTERN MEN AND

The exact date of the beginning of the end, he declaree, will be the day when the Germans shall have been driven completely then, M. Reinach repeats his belief, as out of France and Belgium, and not until he has constantly asserted it in the Figaro,

of the final victory of the Allies. even in the deya after the defeats of Mons and Charleroi, in the absolute certainty

expertainty in

Ho

samo time of a mathematical nature

Aly certainty is of a mora) and at the moral because it is impossible that the Europe which represents right should be beaten mathematical because we and our Allies have the strength to win; our num hers and our material strength have grown, and will not cease to grow, while the German strength and reserves are decreasing. I am also convinced that the determination which broke Napoleon's enterprises and those of Charles V. will break the Germans, but I have always said The redoubtable German beast of war is that the war will be long and difficult.

not easily mastered.

!

32

In general the Kaiser's troops appear still to believe in victory, though they are annoyed that it should be so long in com ing. They describe with almost comical horror the mud in which they wallow, the abominable fro of the French artil. lery, and all the minor miseries of the EFFECT OF EXCESS PROFITS TAX.: campaign. In reply to some correspon-

Even the excess profits tax of the last dent who reported that there was not Budget has served to harden frights, much enthusiast in Berlin, one of them There is now noticeable a tendency to writes: Here, too, there is no sign of excuse rising freights on the ground that enthusiasm. We all do our duty in

the State "will take half of the surplus silence when we do it. The tales of the profits, but an example will show that, when we do not ugh ontright) at the cargo steamship owner's share is always newspapers make us smile (on the days while the State's share is increasing, the contrast they present with the reality." on a higher scale.

The most striking feature of the letters |

Before the new tax was introduced collected by M. Bouttoux is the anger time cargo ateamer charter rate per dead- of the men at the front when they speak weight per month was 17s, as compared of what is going on in Germany. We with about 4s. before the war. On a frivolity shown by the population at creased working costs, the excom profe are indignant, says onc, at the rough basis, without calculating in- home, which goes to the kinomas and may therefore be taken at las, of which music halle whilst we are shedding our the State takes 6. 6d. The amount re- blood out bere." Another writes that lie ceived by the owner is 64. 8d. and 45, has just read the regulations restricting making 10s. 6d. per ton per month For the sale of bread, which show that they a steamer of 8,000 tons deadweight, a elsewhere than at the front." God takes £4,000 per month, or £48,000 per ansum, are beginning at last to feel the war rate of only 10s, would give a return of His measures all the same to chastise whereas such a vessel a few years ago the Gorman people. Thanks be to Him may well have cost, less to build, trenches in the north of France, says: for that." A third, dating from the "We are very angry here with a certain class of folk at home-bulwarks of cafes because they have not their roll in the and tramway politicans who complain mornings, who consider that the opera- tions are conducted too slowly, and who even loudly clamour for the right dance and amuse themselves. I should do not deserve that we should fight for like to see that sort of hero here. They

them "

GERMANY,

to

proved upon.

These figures are now being much im

The time charter rate has risen to about 235., so that on the same basis the excess proât is 18s. The State's

the owner's return is as, ed. and 45., share is 99, 6d. per ton per month, and making 13s. 6d. per ton per month or at the rate of £68,000 per annum. There ment will now be much encouraged by is every indication that the upward move.

blem. In the absence of the relief to State tinkering with the shipping pro the situation which could be given by expert management, the merchants have

person who is really saddled with the cost the consumer has to pay as .com.. placently as he may.-The Times,

If I were asked to fix the probable date of the end I would not reply three years, or two years, or four years, I would WONDERFUL ESCAPE FROM to pass on all the extra charges, and the

traveller How long will it take me to give the reply of Diogenes when asked by reach Athens? I don't know, replied went on his way in angry haste, and Dio- the philosopher, whoreupon the traveller.

genes shouted after him, If you are going to walk at that pace you will be at Athens in an hour.!!!

FRENCH BOLDIER'S

DETERMINATION,

Ho was first interned at Friedrichsfeld. The camp there, he says, is surrounded by & strong barrier of electrically charged

wires,

Courouble managed to procure civilian

To prevent them escaping, Courouble and his companions were handcuffed and subsequently imprisoned At Bechum. Thers they spent two months is gaci. For fourteen days they had to stay in a pitch dark coll receiving only 850 grammce of black bread and water. They were then imprisoned for a month in the fortress of Wesel.

SHIPBUILDING AND THE

WAR,

A striking tale of adventure was related Tell me the quantity of shells, muni- to the Flushing correspondent of the According to the annual report of tions, and guns of every calibre that the Amsterdam Telegraaf by a French soldier, Lloyd's Register of Shipping, despite the British, Russian French, and Italian war Raoul Courouble, who was taken prisoner Iosses incurred by the Mercantile Marine workshops are making; tell me how many near Maubouge, and who recently succeed through the war, the tonnage of vessels recruite you are turning into soldiers-anded in escaping from Germany, GA it takes some months to make a soldier, a

close of the year ended June 30th, 1015, classed in Lloyd's Register Book at the. raal soldier, out of the most sporting man;

was 300,000 tons in excese of that at the tell me also to what extent the General

corresponding date in 1914. The report the extraordinary changes the war has Staffs of our different, armies Kave realised

shows that of 10,542 vessels of a total brought about; then I might give you the clothes by gradually collecting each separ an aggregate tonnage of 13,200, 948 tons are tonnage of 24,174,877 tons, 5,809 vessels of approximate date, but then only, In ate artice. On November 27th the plans British, leaving 4,643 ships, of an aggre- Great Britain each man who ealists for escape were to be carried out: Courou-gate tourage of 10,074,929 song for the rest shortens the duration of the war in the ble, with some companions, crawled out of the work. Merchant shipbuilding in same way, every shell made on this side of through the barrier and all but one were the United Kingdom has necessarily fallen the Channel shortens the war, all inter- safely on the other side when the last pri- off owing to the great demands upon the ruption of work prolongs it, This is ns soner touched the wire and loudly called razources of the country for the production clear as that two and two make four.

01. This was a signal for a general of war vessels, Construction has been i The position in regard to trench war alarm. Guards shoutca, orders were greatly delayed, and in some cases entirely is not less important, and it also is capable given, dogs barked, and the garrison was stopped-not only in the United Kingdom, of mathematical calculation. I have seen in a general uproar Soldiers seized him but in alf the belligerent countries. This many French and many British trenches; and treated him extremely roughly. has naturally given an impetus to the I have seen German trenches which wa

industry elsewhere, particularly in the captured at Vermelles, Ablain, Carency

United States, in Japan, in Scandinavien and elsewhere. Even in ruins they seemed

countries, and in Holland. The increase is impregnable. These fantastic mazes of

most marked in America, where there are trench and gap, these fortifications which

at present under construction and on sheltered machine-guns, these villages and

order, for classification with Lloyd's Regis woods transformed into fortresses, were

ter the largest amount of tonnage upon once Germen; we are there now. How

record for that country. did we get there! It was first of all the work of the artilery, but no matter how destroyed the line may be it still resists. This is the moment for infantry which Mr. J. Wright, formerly in the employ still alone can give victors Bat here war of the Shanghai Gas Company, is now has been transformed. The old classid Kent Regiment, and is acting as drilled, and now assaults are made mone Corporal in G" Company, Royal West method of infantry attack has disappear instructor at the Chatham Training Depotoned under crushing bursts of fire, which Mr Christopher Tod, of Messrs. Jarge over the successive wave of men burl and Mrs. H. Tal, of Shanghai, having tactics of artillery and infantry that we ame, Matheson & Co., Ltd., son of Mring themselves forward. It is to these new ben recommended for a commission left owe our victories. Honkow on the 16th instant

A Field Post-card has been received these victories. This war is not the war We must look to the consequences of fem Mr. T Rowley-Evans of the Publfare of Jena, Austerlitz, and Waterloo, nor 5th, which reads as follows: I have Sebastopol, and Paris; consequently if Works Department, Shanghai, dated No is it the simple elege warfare of Troy, breu admitted into hospital wounded and anyone has imagined of the news of the to the base." am going on well. I am being sent down victories in Artois and Champagne that the cavalry action consisted in a frenzied pursuit, as at Jens and at Frisland, he has been dreaming. The Germans are dug in on their second line of trenches, and from these they will have to be dislodged which forced them to leave their first line. It may be that they have a third line; if so, when they are driven from that then the victory which is still only tactical will become strategic. Victory in modern war is much slower than formerly; still, there will come a day, when we shall have fought the Germans from tronch to trench hack

THE WAR.

A KULTUR THREAT.

The party arrived at Christiania and MASSACRE OF PRISONERS IN THE EVENT OF by the same artillery and infantry tactics proceeded quietly to the hotels,

FIGHTING IN PERSIA.

PETIGORAD, December 20th.

A communiqué states that an enemy de tachment was severely punished at Lake Mendziel. Big enemy forces were repulsed at Kuchkek, between Teheran and

Hamadan.

FAMINE.

Dr. Heinz, a Liberal member of the Reichstag, has published a book contain ing the statement that if the Allies con- tinue the war, hoping by hunger to roo the German armies of the fruits of victory, no German doubts that the Staff will em- pulsion of millions of the inhabitants of ploy ultimately such measures as the ex coupled territories, and the slaughter of bundreds of thousands of prisoners of war who are consuming German stocks of food

Among vessels built or building during Later they were transported to the pri- the past twelve months under the special son camp known to the prisoners as Senne mrvey, of Lloyd's are two steamers of the lager. Their hair was cut short on one Monitor type, in which the side plating is side and half of their moustaches were worked in corrugated form. The prin- shaved for the purpose of emphasing their ciple of corrugation has also been applied

dangerous" character.

under texts to secure additional strengh to work in a wood, and with a couple of covers, The tonnage classed during the When spring came, Courouble was sent for water tight bulkheads and steel hatch. friends he again tried to escape. They year includes 20 vessels, of 171,681 tons, during the night get away. They succeed tudinal framing. Up to date there have hid themselves under a pile of wood and built upon the Isherword system of longi- ed in reaching the frontier near Bentheim, been built, or are in course of construction, to be crossed when the fugitives were sud- these vesses, totaling 1,875,000 tons grow. and only a small piece of ground remained to the Society's classification, over 300 of denly confronted by a patre and arrested: The number of vessels intended to carry His captors took him and his companions is 22 veszély of 120 324 tons. Development Courouble pretended to be a Dutchman, petroleum in balk classed during the year

Beanelager recognised the in custody and the commandant of the has also taken place in geared turbines

fugitives, and in British-built Diesel engines. Courouble had again to undergo a series of severe puniments, after which he was once more sent back to the Sennelager.

Summer thus passed, and Courable made another plan for flight. With 125 marks in their possession and some maps of the country, he and some friends dug a tunnel under the electric wire barricade. The tunnel which they dug during one dark night opened them a way to the artillery park There, after outwitting the sen tries, they once, more reached the open fields...

For thirteen days and nights they hid to their frontiers; on that day, and not in the woods, suffering henger and always ning of the end. Do not let us talk yet renched Poppe, in Dutch territory, and until then, we shall have reached the beginin fear of being caught At last they of the end of the war, but let us increase freedom This was on October 9th. In our patience and our tenacity in working three weeks, Courable said, he will join for victory.""

his old regiment.

As a result of the war and the we of frozen meat for the armies in the field the demend for vessels fitted with refrigerat ing machineryt has been abnormal, and every effort has been made to complete the vessels under contruction for this pecial trade. whilst some vessels originally con- structed for carrying fruit are having their refrigerating appliances modified to enable them to carry meat, which requires a greater degree of refrigeration. The re port states that the use of frozen meat by the French and Italian armies will natural'y remove, or at least diminish the prejudice against gach food which existed that after the war there will be such as in those countries, and it may be assumed expansion in this branch of trade ta will materially affect both the production of moat and it oversen carriage, t