1915-12-31 — Page 5

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THE WAR.

COMPULSION.

DEALING WITH SINGLE MEN.

CABINET'S DILEMMA.

DESPATCH FROM SIR DOUGLAS

HAIG.

BATTLE IN VOSGES CONTINUES.

SITUATION AT SALONIKA.

WORK OF THE NAVY,

LIFE “IN BRUSSELS.

FRANCO-BELGIAN FRONT (THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] DESPATCH FROM SIR DOUGLAS HAIG, SUCCESSFUL NIGHT ENTERPRISE.

LONDON, December 30th,

THE BALKANS.

{THROUGH REUTER'S AGENOT.)

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRABS, YRIDAY, DECEMBER 81st 1915,

THE ALLIES AT SALONIKA

DESCRIPTION OF THE LINES.

LONDON, December 29th,

THROUGH REITER'S SUNNOY.)

MONTENEGRIN POSITIONS

BOMBARDED.

AUSTRIANS EXPEND 2000 SHELLS.

LONDON, December 30th.

A Montenegrin communique states that the Austrian forts and fleet bombarded the Montenegrin positions near Mount Lov

They pounded the Montenegrins for fifteen hours with 2,000 shells, simultane ously munching determined infantry attacks, all of which were repulsed. The

GENERAL

TELOVOR BRUTER'S AGENCY.) SINGLE MEN AND COM- PULSION.

[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCE.] PROSPERITY OF BRITISH

TRADES,

WAGES HIGHER: UNEMPLOYMENT

LESS.

LONDON, December 30th. Trade Union returns show an abṣund- in all the principal. ing prosperity trades. The average of wape, is also higher and unemployment is less than any time in industrial history. It is estimated that the weekly increase in

(THROUGH SKUTER'S AGENCE.)

LIFE IN BRUSSELS,

MORE RIGOROUS THAN EVER.

AMSTERDAM, December 30th. Sixty-six Britons, mostly women and children, have arrived at Bosendael on their way to England. They report that Life in Brussels is more rizerous than even Foreigners are obliged to report weekly, otherwise they will be punished by imprisonment or deportation to Ger-

to three months imprisonment for alleged disrespect to the Kaiser.

BRITISH CABINET'S DILEMMA. LONDON, December 29th, "The Wişmişiler Gazette says the num ber of single men who have not attestod is much greater then was anticipated, Amounting to 650,000, very few of whom aro 'n Government “starrel,” or indis ponsable industries, The decision of the Government to apply compulsion imme. Wages is one and a quarter millions my. An Englishwoman was sentenced Montenogrins had two killed and two diately will not lead to the break up of the Government or to a General Election. Possibly one or two Ministers may resign, but it is more likely that Mr. Asquith will convince all his colleagues of the necessity for the step. A small minority in the House of Commons will fight the proposal,

wounded

The Austrians lost 2,000 in the great fight at Lepenniz on the Sard inst The Tar has congratulated the troops,

NAVAL ACTIVITIE 8.

as uselessly, as the Opposition will not extend to 200 Liberals and n considerable section of the Labourities whom some quariery claim as against compulsion.

OPPOSING ELEMENTS.

sterling.

AMERICA AND THE" ANCONA” OUTRAGE,

SEVERANCE OF RELATIONS ?

THE GERMAN WAY,

PETROGRAD, December 30th. Fugitives from Courland speak of the German's cruel and heartless administra

WASHINGTON, December 9th It is stated that in reply to the Ancona note there will be a severance of relation. tions.

All the males have been com- mandeered for military work without

[The wording of the cablegram leaves the per-ment, and the people are being robbed meaning somewhag obscure. En,]

of everything they possess.

THE OPTIMISTIC FRENCH. WANT WAR WITH WHOLE ENERGY.

PABIB December 29th.

French optimism as to the outcome of

INDIAN AFFAIRS.

THE NATIONAL CONGRESS.

LONDON, December 29th," The evening papers comment sympathe

the war was voiced by General Gallieni intically on the Indian National Congress.

The Pall Mall Gazette says Mr. Sinha's presidency indicates that the Congress is reaching the status of a responsible, practical-minded body. His address will commend itself to every real friend of the Empire.

{FIROUGH HAUTER'S AGENCY.]

WORK OF THE NAVY

WHAT IT MEANS IN THE WAR.

LONDON, December 29th. Mr. Balfour, speaking at an exhibition

It is stated that the Cabinet's decision of Nary and Army films in London, pointed out that a portion of the Grandin favour of immediate compulsion of the Fleet represented was actually engaged unmarried men who have not attested was in the war. Without it the Allies and opposed by Mr. McKenna and Mr. Run nations now bazded against the tyranny man, who believo the Government plan of the Central Powers would be deprived will projudice Trade and Finance. Their the Senate on the occasion of the passage of a Bill authorising the calling out of the of their communication with each other resignation is possible.

who or the outer world. The task hilberto IMMEDIATE ACTION NECESSARY. 17 recruits. "France," he said,

-peace to-day thrown on the fleet had been triumphantly The Westminster Gazetic says Mr. eighteen months ago wanted

energy. Anyone accomplished. The Grand Fleet was the Asquith's rademption of his pledge was wente War with its whole

who utters the word 'Peace' is regarded as foundation upon which everything else dubitat the only question Was rested. Our economic stability, not less that of giving a further chance to Lord a bad citizen. The great straggle will than our military operations, depended Derby's scheme. Mr. Lloyd George only end when France with her Allies are forms are not expected as reward for on the Grand Fleet. Although milent tenuously opposed further delay. His in a position to say I stop. Having loyalty. was performing, not merely for the Allies bellet that it was necessary to take im- obtained when I wanted, I resume pesos- but for the whole world, the most immediate action largely contributed to the time labours,*** portant part in the drama we were now Cabinet's decision, which was unhesitat playing for the freedom of the world.

ingly supported by the great majority of SINKING OF THE VILLE the Ministers. All questions arising out of the decision have been thoroughly ex- plored by the Government, and the claims on behalf of munitions, exports and finance have not been forgotten,

Bir Douglas Haig in as official report states that the enemy unsuccessfully at- tacked one of our aerodrones on the 28th. Of four machines only, two reached their objective, and there was no damage. One of our machines was shot down. A successful enterprise was carried out at The enemy's night near Armentieres. trenches were entered and bombed with good effect, and numerous auzities were inflicted. Our casualties were very slight After ten minutes the party withdrew Our artillery was again effective to-day against trenches and billots at many places between Manetz and Menchy. The enemy exploded two small mines near Givenchy, doing no damage to the troops or the trenches. The day has been quiet south of the La Basses canal. There has been a heavy reciprocal bombardment of the trenches where the Turks intended Yuen Kaisha will henceforth go za the about Ypres.

Fleuter' Correspondent at Headquarters at Salonika says the British lines remind

DE LA CIOTAT.”

him of the Turkish lines at Chabolja, FAR EASTERN MEN MISSING.

But here," he writes, "the valley is

LONDON, December 19th. considerably broader and the hills higher

The Messageries Maritimes Co. un- than thean of the Thracian battle ground.nounce that the Ville de la Ciotat's miss- The Allies lines roughly extend in a wide ing passengers include fourteen British semi-circle from the River Vardar to the Volunteers from Colombo, unromed, a Mr. Gulf of Phanos, of which half is natumlly defended

by

Lakes Langaza and Beshi, The whole is surrounded by a brood valley offering, no cover, and a girdle of guards the approaches to Saloniks. On these are placed guns which command the length and breadth of the valley. On the slopes towards the North are the remains

BATTLE IN VOSGES CONTINUES.

MORE FRENCH GAINS

kills

PRESS VIEWS ON THE SITUATION.

Times and the Daily Mail also de clare that a definite decision was reached

Moons from Singapore and Mt. Bout yesterday's Cabinet that Mr. Asquith's

thard from Shanghai,

BEQUE TO SINKING OF **Y SARA MARU.”.

LONDON, December 30th. Owing to the loss of the Fastka Maru, the steam belonging to the Nippon

SUBMARINE PIRACY,

LONDON, December 29th,

to make their last stand in the first Cape, Balkan War. Some of their barbed wire ontanglements are still intact and have been utilised by us. Our trenches are like

The British reamer Mornady has been those in Flanders and France deep and

sunk. The master and second mate were The region is full of historicol

saved, Soldier, have developed the col-

narrow.

PARIS, December 30th. A communiqué reports. There has been artillery activity on both sides, in Bel- interest gium and in Artois. The French north lectors' spirit, occasionally unearthing THE NEAR EAST,

coins, statuettes, vases ad pottery. I was impressed with the whole-hearted confid ence of the men in their ability to hold the lines; indeed they are most enger that the enemy should attempt to advance."

SPEECH BY M. VENEZELOS.

ATHENS, December 29th. On the occasion of the name day of M. Venerelos thousands of citizens of all

of the Aisne destroyed machine gun. shelters and dispersed enemy working parties. They likewise blew up two mines and a German post in Argonne "The battle continues in the Vosges There has been a lively cannonade. be. Lween the Focht and the Thar. It was very violent in the region of Hartmanns Weiterkopf, where the French, despite violent counter-attacks, remained masters

classes, representative of various Corpora of a series of German works between

tions, and Diplomatists called yo offer their Rehfelsen and Hirzstein, in addition to

congratulations to the ex-Premier. the treaches already carried, The French

Replying to an address presented by have captured 300 prisoners since yes. terday. The total of prisoners captured trade representatives, M. Venerelos dwelt since the beginnin- of the operation is on the Bulgarian danger and the import 1,688. German prisoners report that their ance of the Allies remaining at Salonika. Josues are considerable,

COMPARITIVELY QUIET,

PARIS, December 29th. A communique states. The night_has been quiet except in the Chaulnes sector where there was fighting by grenades, and in Champagne where we bombarded the enemy's defences west of Navarin Farm

ITALIAN FRONT.

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.)

ITALIANS PROGRESSING,

PABIS, December 29th. is reported from Saloniks that de- tachments of the Italian Army which landed at Velona are apprcaching the frontier of Epirus.

SALONIKA IMPREGNABLE.

A SIGNIFICANT STATEMENT.

ATHENS December 29th.

The following significant statement appeara—in ■— pro-German-paper :—” “An Austro-German attack on Saloniks would be useless, brosuse, owing to the fortifica tion, the Allies oan neither be crushed nor taken prisoners. The only result of i successful-Augiro-German-attuck would be

the transference of the Anglo-French forces to another front, reinforcing the armies the Austro-Germans already face."

{THROUGH REDTEE'S AGENDY;}

EGYPTIAN CAMPAIGN.

TRIPOLITANS DEFEATED.

CAIRO, December 20th. A strong column of all aring of the Western Frontier Force marched out to Mirsamatru on Christmas morning, and drove back a Tripolitan force which had encamped in the valley eight miles to the westward. Our casualties were sligh In a reconnaissance the Force had pre viously encountered the enemy on the 18th and 18th of December, with the result that the enemy sustained 300 casualties,

LATER

The operations on the 25th it, were completely successful.

A Tripolitan force of 3,000 strong- was driven back near Mirsamatru, leaving 200 dead. The gunfire from the ships provided effective support

QUIET IN MESOPOTAMIA

LONDON, December 29th,

and bombardment have ceased entirely. General Townshend reports the attack

since the 15th.

RUBBIAN FRONT

{THROEGE BEUTER'S JOENCY ] GERMANS WORSTED

PETROGRAD, December 30th. There have been minor encounters ou the different fronts in which the Germans

This presumably inspired argument is equivalent to no avowal of non postumus, were worsted.

pledge should be redeemed immediately. And that the principle of compulsion" should be accepted.

The Daily News ways the Cabinet identi- fed itself strongly with Mr. Asquith's pledge to the married men, and adds; «The situation is delicate, but it is hoped that a crisis may be averted."'

The newspapers generally agree that the Cabinez in not unanimous, but it is stated that the minority may accept the decision In order

to preserve unity

In this connection the position of Mr.

་ ་ས .

M. Gervais, the Reporter on the Bill, said the Army Committee had examined' the question of effectives and come to the

conclusion that there was no ground for anxiety, Franco had plenty of men to last to the end.

MORE GERMAN PLOTS IN AMERICA,

SOME SENSATIONAL

DISCLOSURES.

New YORK, December 29th, A senaational development in connection with the German plots is the arrest of Frank Buchanan and H. Fowler, respec-

The Globe says nothing finer is imagin able than Mr. Sinha's statement that re-

OBITUARY.

LONDON, December 28th.

The death is anounced of the Rt. Hon. Sir Arthur Wilson, KCIE, formerly Legal Adviser and Solicitor to the India

Office.

The death is: Uso announced from Wel-

lington of Mr. Andrew Ross, owner of the

Cocos Islands,

CHINESE AND DYNAMITE.

ALL IN THE SWIM."

The hearing of the charge against two- Chinese of scaling dynmite from the New Western filter beds, Pokfulum, was resul

tively a member and an ex-member of Con-ed in Mr. Hazond's Court yesterday. The two defendants gave evidence stating gress, both of Illinois; Francis Monnet,

that the dynamite with which they were a former Attorney-General, of Ohio; found in possession way to be used in fil- Jacob Taylor, President of the Labouring holes in connection with the work. National Peace Crunc'l, and three others,

They are to be indicted before a Grand

Dectective Sergeant Clark said all the witnesses were hostile; they were all "in- the swim," The contractor for the work

Henderson is interesting. As the repre- Jury with conspiring to foment strikes in a case of dynamite a month, or 100 sentative of Labour, he regarded himself. munition works,

ak committed against Conscription. Apy- It is believed the arrests are the result how he will certainly consult hia political associates. It is remerked that the Labour Party never bound Mr. Henderson on the question.

The Daily Chronicle says in regard to the men who have not attested that some members of the Cabinet desired further voluntary effort to bring in these, but Lord Derby was strongly averse, so also was Mr. Asquith. The Chronicle adds: The total figure comprises many engaged in essential industries, and in numerous rates the son is the bread winzer.''

LABOUR AND THE POSITION,

LONDON, December 30th. A meeting of Labour leaders has been hurriedly summoned for to-morrow to con- sider the recruiting position.

of Straube, Secretary of the Peace Coun- cil, who tried to prevent the shipment of munitions to the Allies, turning States

evidence.

FORD'S "ARK." PITIFUL ANTI CLIMAX.

LONDON, December 30th.

aticks.

His worship-Then the only way you an obviate this is for the head man to see how many holes there are to be "exploded. In binding each defendant over in the sum of $100, the Magistrate said that according to their statements both defen- dant said they were presented with a stick of dynamite by the contractor. They, could not therefore be charged with Larceny but with receiving, on which charge he proposed binding them over.

A pitiful anti-climax to Fords' peace

This sort of thieving will go on for ever and a day" added the Magistrate crusade is an announcement by the For- eign Office that 4,000 lbs of rubber con unless there is an absolutely reliable signed to a well-known enemy, forward-foreman to count the holes and dole cut ing agent in Sweden have been seized an equal number of sticks." aboard the Oscar 11.

BUSSIAN MISSION TO JAPAN,

BUSSIANS IN PERSIA.

There was a special meeting of the joint

PETROGRAD, December 29th. Labour Recruiting Committee to-day. I'

The Grand Duke George Michaelovitch- isunderstood that severe members de manded the calling of a national confer bas left for Tokyo to convey the greetings ence of Trade Unions before the House of the Tsar to the Emperor of Japan on of Commong meets, being of the opinion the occasion of his Coronation. that it was not necessary to have a Cabinet's decision to declare that sixty per cent, of the unattested were unfit, and that twenty percent. were "starred" THE KING AND RECRUITING.

LONDON, December 30th. The King, in a letter to Lord Derby, hopes that now the appeal for recruite is over everyone entitled to wear an armlet will do go, berge

RUMOURS DENIED. The Wertminster Gazette, in a later odi tion states that it is improbable that Mr. Henderson will resign, and that the fumours that other Ministers will resign may be missed. Mr. Balfour is certain- ly no longer opposed to compulsion.

THEBAN, December 29th. The Russians have occupied Kashan and

are marching to Ispahan.

NEW BISHOP OF DOVER.

LONDON, December 29th. Canon Bilborough, Rural Dean of Liver pool, has been appointed Bishop of Dover, in supccasion to Dr. Walsh, who has resigned.

[HAYAN BREVIOR}]

FRENCH STOCK.

French Stock now stands at 63,75.

BLOOD MONEY,

GERMANY AND AMERICAN VICTIMS IN THE ALUSITANIA.?!

Through Count Bernstorff, Germany has offered an indemnity to the United States of America for the 125-American citizens whose lives were lost in the. Lusitania at the rate of £1,000 a head. In other words, Count Bernatorff's proposal is that the Administration shall agree to regard the Inwitania controversy as settled upon payment by Germany of a sum of £125,000 sterling This offer has. been rejected because Germany refused to disavow the perpetrators of the Lurtiania atrocity,

The agents of the German Government in this country are now endeavouring to bribe the relatives of the murdered Ameri can citizens to sign a statement declaring that the British Government, because it

aboard the Lusitania, 18 responsible for permitted munitions of war to be carried the loss of the vessel. “You can nomo your own indemnity and it shall be paid the at once by the German Government bereaved ones are informed. So far these agents have been invariably shown to the der after proffering their bribe. The