1916-01-28 — Page 5

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THE

WAR.

BRITAIN'S BLOCKADE.

IS IT A SUCCESS?

OUR NAVAL PREPAREDNESS.

GERMAN

POSSIBILITIES.

MORE FIGHTING IN EGYPT,

MUCH ACTIVITY IN WEST.

RUSSIAN BOOTY.

LABOUR AND WAR.

MAVAL ACTIVITIES.

{THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCE, J BRITAIN'S NAVAL

PREPAREDNESS.

AND GERMANY'S POSSIBILITIES.

LONDON, January 27th-

In the House of Commons, Mr. Balfour said that Germany, in the course of the war, would doubtless be able to initiate, and perhaps completo, Large warships of powerful armament. The Government had

FRANCO-BELGIAN FRONT.

198 HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2ra, 106,

THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

ENEMY WORKS BOMBARDED.

VIOLENT CANNONADING ON BOTH SIDES.

PARIS, January 27th.

1.25 a.

A communiqué states-Last night we effectively bombarded enemy trenches and communications in the region of Steens straste, where troop movements were in progress. The enemy in Artois to-day ex- ploded a number of mines north-east of Neuville and occupied the craters, but, were driven out, Cannenading on both sides has been most violent in Artois.

Our fire wrocked and compelled the enemy to evacuate a work near Roye.

A Zeppelin last night bombed villages near Epernay, causing insignificant dam

The Zeppelin, when returning, was

GENERAL

THEOCOH ARUTER'S AGENCY.] BRITAIN'S BLOCKADE OF GERMANY.

IS IT A SUCCESS 1

DISCUSSION IN THE COMMONS.

London, January 26th. In the House of Commous Mr. Shirley Bern raised a debate on the efficiency of the British blockade, saying that Germany, through neutrals, had secured large quan- tities of commodities for man brant and munitions. He suggested a striet blockade from Norway to the north of Scotland and across the Channel, and also the Straits of Gibraltar, sa stopping everything going to Germany, and thus bringing the war to more speedy close. This would be the samo as Lincoln's American blockade.

Sir Edward Grey said that the recent figures in some of the newspapers, alleging big leakage towards Germany through neutrals from America, was grotesque, ad misleading under investigation, because they ignored the fact that in some cases American supplies to neutrals replace the former supplies from Germany. Feandi- navia a d'Holland, were not importing more wheat than was normal. He emphasis. ed that blockade or no blockade there must be some leakage, but there had been less than was expected. He repudiated the suggestion that the Foreign Office was ham- pering the Navy. Such a suggestion must have a despiriting effect upon the navy and the Foreign Office. The task was burden- come and if the blockade was made more stringent it must be consistent with the

| THROUGH REUTER'S AGEROY THE COMPULSION BILL. BEFORE THE LORDS.

LONDON, January 27th,

In the House of Lords, in moving the second reading of the Compulsion Bill, Lord Landsdowne urged that a speedy victory was the greatest factor both in industry and finance.

"Lord Derby said that the unmarried men were coming in a larger proportions, but he urged the Government not to be so lavish with their exemptions.

Lord Haldane remarked that he sup- ported the Bill on the principle that com- pultor was inherent in the constitution,

(THROUGH BEUTER'S AGENCY.] THE IMPERIAL AIRCRAFT FLOTILLA

GIFTS FROM HONGKONG AND

SHANGHAI

LONDON, January 27th. The Colonial Office announces gifts of a further twelve machines for the Imperish Aircraft Flotilla, which has now ifty three machines. These include seventy horse-power biplanes from the Shanghai Race Club, Lady Ho Tung and Sir Robert Ho Tung, Hongkong, and a hundred horse- power biplane from the residents of Shanghai

WAR

ECONOMY, The Archbishop of Canterbury endorsed the views expressed by Lord Huldano.

LONDON, January 27th,

Lord Curzon, in winding up the debate,

The Hon, R. 8. Montagu estimates that said he failed to see why what was recog£60,000 zonally will be saved by the mised na constitutional law and Colonial closing of the museumą, example should be abhorrent to the spirit

AUSTRIAN LANDSTURMERS of liberty.

CALLED UP.

LABOUR AND WAR,

PLEDGED TO SUPPORT GOVERN- MENT

LONDON, January 26th,

The annual conference of the Labour Party, which is being held at Bristol, carried a resolution pledging to support the Government in the successful prosecu- tion of the war by 1,502,000 votes to

602,000,

THE "LUSITANIA" OUTRAGE.

Great applause greeted the result.

THE PEACE PILGRIMS. A HOLIDAY AT STOCKHOLM.

STOCKHOLM, January 26th. The Working Committee of the Ford Ex- rights of neutrais. The last American Notopedition has arrived, and will remain would be answered after consultation with here until pence negotiations have been France and probably, also, the other Alles, officially begun. after which commor action would be pos- sible, The main question for neutrais to consider was. Do they admit the right of Great Britain to apply fully, under modern conditions, the condition, of the blockade principles applied by the American Govern mont in the Civil War If the answer was yes, as it was bound to be, let them make it easy for us to distinguish the destination of goods. If neutrals did not admit that right it would be a departure from their

ng evidence of German seventeen inch- anval, guns, but given time and labour thore would be no difficulty in making them. But Mr. Balfour said he was not sure that the existence of a seventeen inch gun was conjecture; it was very plausi ble. He emphasised the preparedness of the British navy. Every dockyard, public or private, in the United Kingdom and A the Mediterranean, was being used for age. now construction or repams. Hence, it shelled. Our heavy guns effectively bou-noutrality. The American Nate cantino mas imposible to add to the magnitude of Great Britain's preparations. The most they could do was to alter the type of ship, but nothing had justified the Govern ment in thinking that any serious error of judgment had boko made regarding the type which they were constracting. DOMINION LINER BEACHED.

LONDON, January 27th liner Norseman has been The Dominion beached. No lives were lost, THE NEAR E

-EAST,

[ROUGH REUTER'S AGENCE-] FIGHTING IN EGYPT. ARAB'S ENGAGED: BRITISH CASUALTIES.

CAIRO, January 28th. Four thousand five hundred western. Arabs were engaged on the 23rd, and driven back three miles, The British casualties were 20 killed and 271 wounded. The enemy lost 150 killed and 500 wound- ed.

TAKING OF AN ENEMY CAMP. LONDON, January 27th. A communiqué gives a further report of General Wallace's operations arainst the Benussi Camp on the 23rd. It con firms the Cairo despatch, and adds that our force, consisting of British, Domi- nion and Indian troops, advanced on the morning of the 23rd, in two columns The enomy advanced from their camp and at tompted to surround it. By ten in the morning the action was general, and by noon the enemy was driven back to his camp and then retired rapidly westward. The camp, which occupied about eights teats, with some stores, was burnt. The enemy, whose troops were well handled, had three guns, and three or four machine. auns. Our killed wero ten British and

eighteen Indians. AFFAIRS IN MESOPOTAMIA

LUNDON, January 27tb. The Press Bureau states that it appears from further communications that the recent fighting on the Tigris was twenty three miles eastward of Kut and not

aeven.

There is nothing further to report,

barded enemy works wess of Poats Mousson,

WAR IN THE AIR,

TWENTY-SEVEN ENEMY MACHINES ENCOUNTERED;

things which, i conceded, would result in contraband reaching the enemy, but ho did not take that to be the attitude of America or of the other neutrals, He con- eluded by scathingly contrasting Great Bri- tain's efforts to meet neutrals with those of LONDON, January 27th. Geruiany, and asked what neutrals would General Sir Douglas Haig reports that have said if we had acted as Germany did Lord Robert Cecil, winding up the twenty seven hostile acroplanes were on-

the vehe countered yesterday, and that three debate, contrasted its tone with captive balloons were attacked by two mence and hostility of some outside criti- hostile aeroplanes. Two of the balloons ciame. He said that the Foreign Office were forced down. All our machines re-

valued highly any suggestions for the im turned safely.

provement of a complex business, but rehe There was a heavy bombardment about ment, press attacks were not doing any good." Loos.

Lord Cecil emphasised the difficulties of a regular blockade. The Goverument were trying an unprecedented thin in blockad. ing Germany through noutrals, and they must proceed with great caution. On the

Enemy artillery was likewise active near Fromelles. We replied effectively.

FRENCH COUNTER-ATTACK

IN ARTOIS.

PABIS, January 28th A communiqué says that after sustained artillery fire in Artois we made a might attack that drove out the Germans from

one crater.

RUSSIAN FRONT.

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

CAUCASUS CAMPAIGN.

TURKS CLOSELY PRESSED.

PETROGRAD, January 28th, A communique says that the Russians continue to press the Truks at Erzerum closely and to take prisoners, while they were also successful in actions

Melegbort.

ENORMOUS CAUCASUS

BOOTY

whole, not much was reaching Germany.

The subsequent speeches generally indi- cated an agreement in the House that the Government were doing their best under all the circumstances, though some of the speakers still believed that more goods were finding their way to Germany than

should be the cast,

The matter was talked out, PRESS BUREAU ANNOUNCEMENT.

LONDON, January 27th. The Press Bureau, in a statement deal- ing with the blockade, says that the recent Morning Post figures are incorrect, and really apply to France, Italy and other countries besides neutrals. The statement says that the imports to Holland and Scandinavia, from all sources, Was 1,101,766 tong of wheat and four to 1915, compared with 1,108,000 in 1813; 1,780,000 tons of maize compared with 1,194,000: and 310,451 tons of cotton compared with PETROGRAD, January 26th, The Russian booty in the Caucasus is 73,708. With reference to boots, the state continually increasing, and includes enorments says that the increase is largely due to the requirements of Italy and Russia, mous stocks of food, herds, and livestock.

while the ineresse in bacon sent to Holland GERMAN AERIAL ACTIVITY.

is entirely on behalf of the Belgian Belief Commission. The Morning Post did not mention the bacon sent to France and Italy, both of which had largely in- creased

PETROGRAD, January 26th.

A communiqué reports activity by Ger- man aeroplanes in the the Biga and Drinsk regions,

AMERICA REJECTS GERMANY'S PROPOSAL.

WASHINGTON, January 26th. Mr. Lansing, with the approval of Pre sident Wilson, has rejected Germany's latest proposal for a settlement of the Lusitania affair, but negotiations are con- the proposal is partially eatis-

tinuing as factory.

IN EAST AFRICA, BRITISH TROOPS ADVANCING,

LONDON, January 27th. General Smith Dorrien reports that on the 24th. our troops advanced from Mbuyuni, fifteen miles east of Taveta, and drove of a small enemy force bold- ing Serengali camp, four miles westward of Mbuyuni. The British occupied the camp.

COTTON GROWING. ENORMOUS POSSIBILITIES OF

INDIA

LONDON, January 27th,

AMSTERDAN, January 26th. The Austrian Landsturmers, of and 48 years of age, have been called to the coloură.

COAL FOR GREECE.

ANGLO GREEK ACCORD.

ATHENS, January 28th. Anglo-Greek accord has been reached regarding the supply of coal for Greek

Great industris) enterprises, Great Britain authorising the export of sufficient coal for industrial needs and also to the Ad- miralty for the needs of the Fleet.

GERMANY'S FOOD PRICES. AMSTERDAM, January 29th." The German Government has permitted potato growers to increase the maximum price from two and three-quarters to four marks per lb.

MISSIONS IN INDIA.

CHINESE TELEGRAMS,

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

REBELS AND BANDITS.

PEKING, January, 27th. A report has been received here that 6,000 Kwangsi troops defeated the rebels at Lo Ping, in Yunnar.

Moglian bandits at Moukutung and Shahsien were dispersed by the Govern ment troops, the bandit General, Chin Fu, being killed along with 200 others.

SPECIAL BUDGET.

The special budget for railways, tele graphs, posts and navigation amounts to 144,340,309. The receipts cover expendi ture:

WAR NEWs.

INDUSTRIAL RESOURCES

After the annual meeting at which tho Union of German Iran and Steel Indus- trialists declared that Germany had suf ficient supplies of munitions and material for years to come, a telegram was sent to the Imperial Chancellor expressing great confidence about the military situa tion and advocating "the necessary exter- sions of the German frontiers.".

The Chancellor replied With joy and satisfaction I subscribe to the words in which the Union gives evidence once more of the wonderful adaptability and organiz ing strength of our industries, which havo wrecked our enemies' hope of an economic conquest of Germany,

HOW GERMANS CAN BECOME BRITONS.

The Duke of Somerset writes to the Morning Post-I see that Lord Read- ing decides that Germans can be English. men if they are formed into a Company. The Court of Appeal decides that interred Germans have the full rights of British If British Common Law, subjects.

most patriotic, is capable which is of being twisted" sa as to favour our deadly enemies, the Germans, by Lord Reading, Bir F. E. Smith and the Court of Appeal, is it not time that a short Act should be brought in which will make it impossible in future! It might be made. retrospective to the date of the declaration of war with Germany.”

A MILLION PEOPLE PERISH

LONDON, January 27th. Dr. Robert Horton, in a letter to the Times, appeals for funds to prevent the withdrawal of the London Missionary So- FURTHER REPORT FROM LOED BRYCE ON TH ciety from Mirzapur.

AMERICA'S SILVER.

LONDON, Janary 27th. Advices from New York state that the purchases of silver for the United States mints in 1915 totalled 10,000,000 ounces.

QUEEN WILHELMINA INDISPOSED.

THE HAGUE, January 27th, Queen Wilhelmina is suffering from mumps, and is obliged to abandon her visit to the flooded districts.

THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL.

LONDON, January 27th, The Postmaster-General, the Right Hon. J. A. Pease, has been returned us upposed for the Rotherham division of the West Riding district,

OBITUARY.

LONDON, January 27th, The death is announced of Mr. Andrew Horner, K.O., M.P. The deceased had represented South Tyrone in the Unionist interests since 1910.

HONGKONG WEDDING,

COURSE-SUTHERLAND.. The marriage was solemnised at St.

In en eddress to the Society of Arts, Mr. Button, Chairman of the Cotton Grower's Association emphasisied the enormous possibilities of India and the value of the assistance rendered to the Raj by the Association by reporting on the new types of cotton, Dealing with the steps taken by the Association to meet the crisis at the outbreak of war, Mr. Hutton paid a tribute to the patriotism of the banks in providing credits of half a mil- lion sterling to enable the Association ta five the various crops, The Council's John's Cathedral yesterday of Mr. Arthur view was that the industry had received Course, traffic manager of the Hongkong sethack and would require careful Tramway Company, and Mys, Sutherland, nursing to enable it to resume its ad- who has just returned from Home, The Vans. Cotton and seed produced under bride was one of the passengers on the the Association's auspices was now worth fated Fastka Maru. Mr. Course has over a million sterling annually, and the resided in the Colony for about twelve years, and has readered valuable service work was only beginning. There were

to various War Funds by posting up large districts in Africs stl untouched,

original and successful appeals on the and in Mesopotamia there were possibi

| fram-cars, lities of growing sufficient cotton to keep half the spindles in the world fully em- ployed.

UNNECESSARY IMPORTS.

LONDON, January 27th. In the House of Commons, Mr. Runci- man said that measures whereby unneces- sary importa can be excluded were being considered and a statement would be made as soon as possible.

ARMY PROMOTION,

LONDON, January 27th, Brevet Colonel A. W. Forbes has been gazetted Embarkation Commandant with the temporary rank of Brigadier General.

The ceremony was per formed by the Chaplain of the Cathedral (Rov. V H, Copley Meyley, The honeymoon is being spent at Canton. The European staff of the Tramway Cem- pany presented a handsome clock, and the Chinese traffic staff gave a silver tea service, with Chiness porcelain and silver cups, and also a toilet case.

· AGÓNY ·OF ARMENIA.

Lord Bryce has drafted another report on the subject of the Armenian atrocities. It constitutes a further exposure of the hor- rible deeds of pillage, marder and outrage. perpetrated by the Turks, and the details given are quite as terrible as those con- tained in his lordship's first report

These details come, Lord Bryce points. out in a covering letter, via the United States, from sources on which the fullest reliance may be placed, one of the inform ante being a Turkish official who tried to alleviate the cruelties but was not per mitted to do so. A competent authority has made a careful estimate, and this shows, taking the total numbers of Armenians in Turkey at about two millions, that nearly

million have perished

́EVIDENCE IN WAR TIME.

WITNESSES WHO ARE ON MILITARY SERVICE,

IGARE, ON MILIT

The text has been issued of the Bill ins troduced by the Home Secretary to amend the laws of evidence regarding the position of witnesses affected by the war The Bild provides that depositions of witnesses who Bre engaged on naval or military service | shall be accepted as evidence in like man

ner to the depositions of persons who arė dead. Where a person is tried, either by court-martial or by a civil court, for any offence against any regulations made under

the Defence of the Realm Act. and the

charge has previously been investigated, and

summary of evidence taken by the proper military authority, the signed statement of such witnesses shall be accepted with- out further proof, and any statement of the accused may be given in evidence against him without further proof. Power is given. to the officer conducting such investiga tions to administer oaths for the purpose, and a certificate signed by a secretary

asistant secretary of the Admirsity or Army Council that a person is unable to at- fond shall be conclure fact so certified.

b

CHARGING LIONESS.

& WAR ADVENTURE IN EAST AFRICA.

with lions is told by a signaller in the A graphic little story of an encounter East African Mounted Rides, whose letter

quoted in the Times:

is

One of our men on the bait patrel had nasty experience a little while ago. The patrol is called a bait because it consists of a small number of men sent round the camp before dawn to see if the enemy are going to attack MIN B

Well, this patrol ran into two lions and lioness with cube, and she charged the last man. Luckily his mule froze stiff with terror, and the lioness stopped. The man jumped off and stood ready to fire, but the patrol had the strictest orders Pod to fire at any game all patrols have so he could only do so as a last extremity,

The lioness circled round him, and The Government Mint at Tientsin has charged three times, but pulled up 'short' received orders from the Government to every time because nothing mored. Sho cast eight million silver coils of one took to shaking her head and crouching, dollar denomination for the new Empire, but finally drew off, and followed the On the obverse side of the coin will be patrol till broad daylight. Of course, it the head of the Ta Huang encircled is quite unusual for a lion or lioness to by eight characters, meaning the first charge like that without provocation, but year of the reign of Hung Helen of the that is so consolation when you are the Chinese Empire. The reverse will be exception, and that man had "some engraved with figures of the dragon. nervo,