1915-12-27 — Page 5

Page

THE WAR.

BRITISH CASUALTIES.

WAR'S HEAVY TOLL.

RUSSIANS BOUT ENEMY.

LULL IN THE WEST.

RUSSIA AND PEACE RUMOURS.

NEW DEVELOPMENT IN BALKAN

SITUATION.

ITALIAN NAVAL

ACTIVITY.

FRANGO-BELGIAN FRONT (THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.} BRITISH ARTILLERY ACTIVE.

PARIS, December 28th. "To-day's communiqué says there is nothing of importance to report.

The British report artillery activity medi Ypres yesterday,

LONDON, December 25th. An official despatch from the British Headquarters in France on the 24th say artillery activity on both sides continued to-day, mainly about Ypres. LIVELY ARTILLERY DUELS.

PARIS, December 28th.

THE BALKANS

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, DECEMBER 27TH, 1915.

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] CONSTANTINE'S DILEMMA, GERMANY'S REBUFF TO GREECE.

Arming, December 2ård. Germany has replied unfavourably to a request from Grence to prevent the Bulgarians crossing the frontier. There are further reports of Bulgarian and German concentrations,

[ZEROBOH BEDIER'S AGRISOT.)

DIVERS' DISCOVERY * IN BALTIO,

· TORPEDOED GERMAN

SUBMARINE

LONDON, December 24th,

Divers searching a wreck off the Danish const in the BadTER

were surprised to discover the remains of a German sub- marins lying at the bottom. The rosed has evidently been torpedoed, THE NEAR EAST,

[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

DARDANELLES OPIERATONS

PARIS, December 25th.

A communiqué says there has been artil. lery fighting at the Dardanelles. GENERAL

[TARDUOH EKVIER'S AGENDE.)

RUSSIA AND THE WAR, STRONG SPEECH BY FOREIGN

MINISTER.

PETROGRAD, December 24th. M. Sazoneff in a strong speech to the Budget Committee of the Duma, said that the relations with Grease were now clear, and in consequence there had been the fortification of Balonika.

The cosupation of Hamadan and Kun had enabled them to "scotchi the German intrigues in Persis. Bussis should in future. Adon

a firm attitude towards Persia.

He emphatically denied the sunsalos pesce rumours, and said that Russia was determined to conduct the war to a victorious end,

The Committee pamed a resolution em phasising the necessity of devoting closer King Constantine is convalescent and attention to the Persian front in view of has resumed holding audiences, though the greater importance of the Asiatic he is mud affected by the difficulties of theatre, resulting from events in the the situation.

Balkans, and also urging on M. Sazo Meanwhile, the Allies' dis-embarkationsnoff that besides military operations the continue.

A communiqué state, that an artillery. duel has been most sctive in the Lombaert-

GREEK PUBLIC UNEASY. Lyde region, in Belgium and the Vosges.

ATHENS, December 24th, The enemy fruitlessly bombarded our The Greek public are most uneasy re positions, north of Hartmanns Wailer-garding the possibility of an extension of kopf. Our guns did much damage in Artois and in Champagne,

hostilities in Greek Macedonia, parti eularly regarding the composition of the invading forces,

The evening communiqué saya there has been a lively artillery duel in Belgium. The Greek military authorities, how where German infantry, concentrated in ever, consider that imminent invasion is communication trenches at Lombaertzyde improbable in view of the fact that the were dispersed. The French artillery Nish-Uskub railway je inadequate to was likewia active further south, deno-transport supplies. "lishing German works,

PUTILE ENEMY ATTACK

IN VOSGES.

PARIS, December 25th. The evening communiqué say, that the Germans, after a violent bombardment, launched an attack on the whole new French line between the summit of Hart- manns Weilerkopf and Wattwiller, bus were everywhere repulsed.

NOTHING NOTEWORTHY.

LONDON, December 28th.

An official announcement from Head- quarters states that there has been normal artillery activity to-day, but nothing noteworthy.

· LULL IN THE WEST.

PARIS, December 24th.

A connumqué says there is nothing to report.

RUSSIAN FRONT.

{TUROUGH REUTER'S AGENÖT,Į

SHARP FIGHTING.

THE ENEMY SURPRISED.

PETROGRAD, December 26th Some sharp fighting is mentioned in a communiqué, the Russians repulsing so enemy attempt to capture advanced tronches near Buczuck. The Russians in theBarontches district surprised and

eaptured an enemy work, which they held against desperate counter-attacks. AUSTRO-ITALIANFRONT,

[FARODGE REUTER'S AGENCY:) INTENSE ARTILLERY WORK.

ROME, December 26th.

Government should take direct measures.

to consolidate Russian influenos 27 Pergin

FIGHTING IN PERSIA,

RUSSIANS ROUT REBELS.

{THROUGH ERUZERʼN KORNOK:)·

12,000 BRITISH KILLED.

{THROUGH BEUTER'S AGENCY.}.

FORD'S FORLORN MISSION.

SCHEME RECOGNISED; TO BE HOPELESS.

BERGEN, December 24th. Mr. Henry Ford, organiser of the Fored

ARMED MERCHANT CRUISERS.

REDUCED HIRING RATES.

The Secretary of the Admiralty makes the following announcement--

Arrangements have been made between the Admiralty and the owners of the vessels engaged as armed inerchan: crui ers for a reduction in the rates bird

WAR'S HEAVY TOLL.

Buke Lospon, December 24th. Mr. Asquith announced that the total Dritish casualties up to December 8th-in France were 371,517, of which number there had been killed 4,829 officers, Penge Mission, has sailed for America. He which have, up-to the present, bean paid, 77,473 men. Tlord were missing 1,609 gavo a cheque for 1,000,000 kroner to officers, and 52,885 men.

In the other finanoo the expedition, which will in the theatres, exempt the Dardanelles, the future ho under a Committee of five. It casualties had been 24,019 of which 871 is believed that Mr. Ford has recognised officers and 10,853 men were killed. The that the scheme at the present juncture in grand total in all theatres wee-Killed, hopeless when official doors are closed. 119,92); wounded, 339,759; and missing,

** DILUTION" OF LABOUR. 09,546,

A NECESSITY OF WAR,

LONDON, December 28th, Mr. Lloyd George addressed & meeting of 3,000 Trade Union officials and fore men of works at Glasgow yesterday on the imperative need for the dilution of skilled and unskilled labour.

UNITY OF... EMPIRE.

CANADIAN AND AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP,

NEW YORK, December 24th, The Canadian Premier, Sir Robert Barden, speaking at a meeting of the Pilgrima Boceity, said that he was con vinced that the war would accomplish an even closer unity of Empire. The Mother country and the Dominions had never be- fore been so completely united in idesis, inspiration and efforts. He said: "I visited many hospitals where men from all parts of the Empire were brought fato close contact, and each were learning botter to realise the idea of Empire, All were determined to do their duty to the end."" - Mr. H, Choate, the ex-American Am bissador in London, emphasised the Canadian-Americen friendship, and the need of America preparing for war. He added. “There is no telling how soon we may be involved in this war, and it (9. our duty to render whatever aid we can to our neighbour when the time does comu if ever."

GREAT SUCCESS OF FRENCH LOAN,

PARIS, December 26th. M. Ribot, Minister of Finance, in the Chamber of Deputies, said that the results of the last Loan were splendid. The sub- scriptions amounted to £690,000,000, in- ading £24,000,000 from London. The

feature of the Loon was the vast number of small subscribers. He emphasised that France was entering the market when the enemy was already showing signs of weari

PETROGRAD, December 26th. Details of the defeat of the gendarme rebels at Rabatberim, twenty-five mike south weat of Teheran, show that theness, Russians, learning of the arrival at Rabatkorim of a band of 1,000 horsemen,

POPE AND PEACE,

ander the well-known Emir Khishmet,

ROME, December 24th: Cardina! Vennutelli, who headed sent a detachment on Tuesday night in They consider it likewise unsafe be-order to surprise and destroy them, group of Cardinals conveying Christmas cause the Austro-Germans are not suff-The Russians found two battalions of greetings to His Holiness the Pope said siently strong to hold it against a hostile gendarmes, 500 horasmen, and 200 Bakh that His Holiness, who is the Vicar of Serbian population.

tiari holding a fortified mountain faste the King of Ponce, was most fitting ness. They were received with a violent to assist in restoring peace, right, and fire, but after artillery preparation the Justice. The Pope, in reply, regretted whole force attacked and routed the that the war had spoiled the traditional rebels, 118 of whom were sabred in the rejoicings, and hoped that, with the assistance of the Almighty, and the prayers of the faithful, peace would soon reignty

GENERAL CASTELNAU.

SATISFIED,

RUSSIANS ROUT ENEMY

*Salonika, December 28th. General Castelnau has concluded his pursuit. inspection of the Allied positions. He had frequent interviews with the Anglo- French commanders, to whom he express- ed satisfaction, General Castlenau has now gone to Athens, where he calls upon the King,

THE GREEK FRONTIER.

PARIS, December 25th. A communiqué says the enemy has not yet attempted to cross the Greek frontier,

NAVAL ACTIVITIES.

· [THEODON REUTER'S AGENCY.]

DEFENCE OF VARNA.

REPORT OF RUSSIAN LANDING · UNTRUE.

LONDON, December 24th

NEAR TEHERAN.

PETROGRAD, December 24th, The Russians engaged 1,200. Persian rebels and gendarmes near Teheran, and achieved an overwhelming success. They killed 140 fad captured 70 rebels. The Russians only lost one office, and ■ Cossack killed and four Cossacks wounded.

**AUSTRALIA-

THERE."

WILL BE

ANTI-CONSCRIPTION MEETING BROKEN UP.

MELBOURNE, December 24th,

A crowd broke up an anti-conscriptios meeting at Richmond. The proceedings were most lively, the audience singing "Australia will be there.""

The Commonwealth Government appeals to the Churches to observs the 2nd Janu-

"It is anounced that two German Fab marines have been sent by rail to Rusary as a day of special prayer for Divine chuk and thence to Varna for the defence guidance for Great Britain and her Allies. of the Bulgarian coast

TRADING WITH THE ENEMY

LAW.

Later nowa. makes it clear that the rumours of the Russian landing at Varas are-baseless,

AUSTRIAN SUBMARINE AND

· PROVISION - SHIP SUNE, ▲ communiqué states that there have

BOME, December 24th. been intense artillery duels on the Tyrol, Trentino and Carria fronts. The Aus

An Italian destroyer has rammed and trians hurled masses of rock on one punk an enemy subutaring in the Adria village from the heights, but they did ties also a large Austrian ship laden no damage,

with arms, doubtless for the Albanians,

London, December 25th,

A Bradford stuff merchant has been fined £250 for attempting to trade with German firm at Bangkok through ab agent in Switserland,

THER" ZUKUNFT22:

LONDON, December 15th. The further publication

Berlin Zukunft is forbidden.

EXPORTATION TO SWITZER LAND.

LONDON, December 25th.

The London Gazette contains a long list of articles the exportation of which to Switwrland is prohibited except through the Bocicte de Surveillance Economique, an organisation similar to the Dutch Overseas Trust,

INDIAN AMBULANCE

CONTINGENT. JOHANNESBURG, December 24th, The Imperial Government has asked for a second Company of Indian ambulance en for service overseas. Recruits are now being enrolled. Tae frat contingent of Indians left Durban for Europe on the 17th inst

AUSTRALIAN WHEAT FOR ALLIED GOVERNMENTS.

CARGO FOR INDIA. SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN

FREIGHTS.

LONDON, December 24th.

The Times learns that liner freights from the United Kingdom to all Indian ports is to be raised substantially early in the new year.

GERMANY APOLOGISES TO SWEDEN,

STOCKHOLM, December 24th. Germany has apologised for the seizure of the Swedish steamus Argo in Swedish

waters,

AN ITALIAN LOAN,

ROME, December 24th. The Italian Government has announced a National 8 per cent, loan, redenable in 25 years at 97),

HONGKONG-BORNEO MAILS, "SATISFACTORY PROMISES" BY THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL

OF HONGKONG.

At a meeting of the Committee of the North Borneo Chamber of Commerce on November 7th, the Hon. Mr. W. G.

factory reply" Darby presiding, the following satis

was read from the Postmaster-General of Hongkong to the representation made on the subject of the Hongkong-Borneo maile:

The owners of vessels of the higher speeds have, with one or two axecutious agreed to a 30 per cent, reduction in the rates fixed by the sub-committee of the in October, 1914, and the owners of the Admiralty Transport Arbitration Board other vessels have agreed to a 20 por cat. reduction in the rates provided for by the agreement of February 24th, 1916, The reductions will apply as from Octo bor 1st, 1816, in cases where vessels have then been on charter for a year or more, and from the date of completion of one year's service in other case

Arrangements have also been made for engaged in Australian waters.

reduction in the rates of hire of vessels Under an agreement of March 16th, 1915, owners allowance of 39, to 39 d. por gross ton of such vessels were entitled to an extra per month na compared with vessels engaged in home waters. All the owners concerned, however, have now... agreed that this allowance should not be pay- able after September 30th, 1015, or after three months from engagemens whicheve is later.

**Shipowner, were approached by the Admiralty respecting n reduction in terms of hire in consequence of the continued em Floyment of the vessels by the Govern ment. It was maintained that the pro- longed employment justified a reconsidera tion of terms agreed upon, mainly with the requirements of the immediate future in sight, Rather curiously, though, while these rates are reduced, freights for cargo steamers in the open market have been. steadily advancing during the past fow months,..

The higher rates for vessels requisition- ed in Australian waters were granted ow- fing to the fact that many vessels had mado unprofitable, or loss profitable, voyages to Australian ports in order to earn high homeward freights. After a lapse of a certain time, however, this reason for pre- ferential treatment, ceased to exist,

THE BALKAN SITUATION.

RUSSIA'S CO-OPERATION,

are

A correspondent in Salonika, répré- senting the majority of the Landry Papers, likens the position of she Allied broops

holding the crest beyond the Greek frontier to peas in a bottle neck, there being a single railway leading from Greece into Berbia

The advancing army will be dependent ca horse and mule transport narrow gorges, which cannot be widened. Evidently to reach the Vienna-Constantinople Railway in sufficient strength to drive back the enemy in the worst season of the year is a slow business. The correspondent, however, appears confident of the truth of the reports that the Russians aro about to operate from the North. Ho opines that the operations with Russia "I have the hotuome to acshowledge would be a complete strategical justifica- with thanks the receipt of your letter tion of our acceptance of all dificulties dated the 14th October. The question of geographical, olimatic and political. forwarding mails from this Colony to which with our Balkan expedition is British North Borneo had already been confronted. These reports the subject of a letter which I addressed strengthened by statements from different on the 27th of September to the Banda sources that the Teuton troops in Serbin are being deflected castward to deal with a Post Office, following a general com- plaint made on the subject by a local the Russian advance, and others are pro Company. The questions on which Iceeding to Roumaniae northern front. asked advice in that letter were (a) the time taken by letter forwarded direct On the other hand there are nines on and vio Singapore respectively; (b) how the Danube of which Roumanie warned far there is a regular service between the foreign representatives, and said Singapore and Borneo. Both of these questions having been answered in ad they would be placed where they would vance by your letter, I am now in a equally impede the Bulgarian and Rus- position to make arrangements which use of the river. should ensure the most expeditious des patch of mails to British North Borato.

"The matter is somerlint complicated by the fact that the as. Hin Sang and Mau Sang leave Hongkong at irregular intervals, and long notice of their de parture cannot always be supplied by

THE BELGRADE-NISH RAILWAY, their Agents here. For example usual Constantinople, tells the corres A. Greek, who has arrived at Salonika the months of July September the ing dates of theas ships were oth and pondent first-quoted that the Belgrade- 13th July, 13th and 18th August, 18th Nish Railway is restorable in five weeks. and 22nd September. But discretion will While the Bulgare are pleased at the always be used in the matter, and I trust occupation of Macedonia, considerable uneasines, exists. The Gorman help is. there will be no further cause for com. plaint. I ahall be grateful if any future much below expectations, and the priodo cases of delay may be reported to this of victory exceeded the 10,000 casualties office, accompanied by the covers com- originally estimated. plained of, with a view to aroiding any irregularities

MINES ON THE DANUBE.

that the Roumanian Government has The Time, Balkan sorrespondent states opened all stations on the Hungarian frontier. It is expected that the stocks of cereals there accumulated will be cleared out within a week.

ROUMANIA'S...POSITION,

The Times Balkan correspondent wires from Bucharest that the date of the it auguration of the Russian offensivo doubtful. Somy time may elapse before all the troops destined for the Southern front reach the Danube. The visit of the Tear to the Danubian ports and the ure decided attitude of the Entente towards Greece, has impressed the Roumanian

your letter under reference you state that the shortest times for a letter to some via Singapore is 14 days, I shall be glad if this can be verified, as we only allow 18 days from here to Bingapore, The question-might be important if ag. a steamer for Singapore were leaving here say on a Sunday, ie in time to cutanocy with the Saturday steamer there, and a direct steamer were advertised to public leave about 7 daya lator."

The Secretary (Mr.

J. Nimmo War drop) was instructed to write and thank the Postmaster-General, Hongkong, for his courteous letter, and satisfactory promises, and to give him the informa

or called for in the last paragraph of his letter.

"PEACE HOARD” OF COPPER.

AMERICAN PRODUCERS, LOOK AHEAD,"

According to a leading authority on the American Metlal Market "the cop- MEZBUENE December 23rd.

per producera and refinery of the United The Hon. Thomas Hugher (Federal | There is a scarcity of change in Ger- States are furnishing a unique spectacle Premier) announced that 900,000 tons of upper pfennig pieces, which were to the business world, and incidentally difficult to obtain in ordinary time, are paying a compliment to Germany - me wheat had been sold to the British and now largely circulated. Shopkeepers of dustries, by keeping up the price of the French Governments,

ject to accepting whole bags of small cop metal to the point where they arg per eoins, but they are forced to take them enabled to stack up great stores of it up to the value of £1. Stamps are also ready for the day when the war is over being accepted as equivalent to coin, but and Germany once more can seek in the this leads to trouble as the postage stamp American market the copper she uses

quantificem geta dirty and loney its sticking properties such

times" as it passes from hand to hand. Young

Germany is the largest customer the people in tramways are paying conductors

United

States bas for copper. In the with pfennigs of which there are ten to

peony, The public awaiting with im 58,000 long tons, which was practicaly peace your" (1913) she took patience the new iron coins: some here half the total output end more than the already been ismed, but collectors have combined consumption of France and snapped them ali up..

Great Britain, of American copper

AUSTRALIA'S--HIGH COMMISSIONER.

MELBOURNE, December 24th. The new Australian High Commissioner in London (Mr. A. Fisher), was given nu enthusiastic soud-off -on leaving for Loadon,

lash

BELOTMQUE