1916-05-27 — Page 5

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THE WAR.

GIGANTIC VERDUN

STRUGGLE.

DOMINATING OPERATION OF WAR.

EFFORT TO SETTLE IRISH PROBLEM.

DR. WILSON AND PEACE MEDIATION.

ITALIANS RETIRE TO PRINCIPAL LINE.

FRANCO-BELGIAN FRONT.

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

DESPERATE ATTACKS

AGAINST DOUAUMONT SMALL SUCCESS AFTER ENORMOUS LOSSES.

PARI, May 25th,

3 a.m

The evening caramunique says:-Infan-

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENOT.] SIGNIFICANCE OF BATTLE

VERDUN

IMPORTANT FRENCH NOTE

PARIS, May 25th. Perhaps the whole war hinges on the present phase of the Verdin battle. An important French Note this afternoon

try actions on the left of the Mouse constates frankly that it is now a general tinued east of Mort Homme. Our artil- Jery several times stopped the

battle between the two armies, and adds: enemy whee the latter were attempting to de-

It is possible that the present decisive bouch from the village of Cumieres. Aperiod was opened not by the enemy's sharp counter-attack in the afternoon initiative but by the will of our higher enabled us to re-capture the trenches on

command, for it was Wednesday's great the southern edge of the village.

attack which enabled us to retake Fort

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRINS SATURDAY, MAY 27TH, 1910.

THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTING ON

BRITISH FRONT

LONDON, May 25th

THE REAR EAST.

THROUGH BEUTER 5 AGENCY.]

[TEROUGH BLUTER'S AGENCY.)

HINT TO AMERICA

LONDON, May 26th.

[THROUGH RAUTER'S AGENCY'; }; GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND, GERMANY SEEKING PEACE, OPERATIONS IN EGYPT. EFFORT AT GREAT AND LASTING REPRISALS FOR PORT SAID RAID.

SETTLEMENT General Sir Douglas Haig, in a cab

LONDON, May 26th

MR LLOYD GEORGE AS MEDIATOR It is learned from an authoritative munique says:-The situation at Viny A commaniqué from Egypt states Ridge is unchanged

LONDON, May 25th.

sirce that Germany has intimated to Small British that in. retaliation for the air The House of Commons was crowded America that now is the opportune time parties pushed forward and engaged in attack on Port Said our neroplanes to hour Mr. Asquith's engerly-awaited for President Wilson to start praco hand-to-hand fighting There was a dropped forty bombs on advanced posts statement on Ireland, Lord Wimborne mediation, but President Wilson is not heavy reciprocal bombardment to-day at Rodalem, El Ramma, Birbayud (until recently Lord Lieutenant of Ire likely tu acquiesce. Batride the Souchez River.

Birsalmans and Birolmazar, and did land) was a spectator in the Peers' Gal- MINING ACTIVITY AT LOO9.much damage, including the destructionery.

of water tanks at Rodhsálem. This upset LONDON May 20th:

the enemy's whole plan, as he greatly General Sir Douglas Haig, in a cont mumque, says: There was considerable

valued the water-tanks at Rodhsalon mining activity in our lavoar in the Loos

since our patrols destroyed the drilling plant at Jifjafla. One machine, in re salient last night, To-day there was

turning had its tank holed with a ballet reciprocal artillery activity at many

but descended beyond our lines, repaired points:

the leak and returned safely

ITALIAN FRONT

(THROUGH REUSER'S AGENCY.] THE AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE.

WHOLE FRONT FIERCELY BOMBARDED

ROME, May 95th,

Supplementary reports show that it WAS a German column which suffered from our aeroplano attack at Elarish on the 18th inst. Details of the naval horn bardment at Elarish on the 18th inst. show that the accurate fire of the two monitors and a sloop was directed by

A communique say: Our whole front, seaplanes with much effect. The heavy on both banks of the Adige, and in the guns of the monitors fired 34 shells, two Laquoina valley was forcely bombarded (of which hit a hangar and aerodrome. Yesterday.

Most of the remainder burat on the tents and in the camp, scattering the enemy, who sought shelter in the palm groves on shore The sloop stood in and searched

bardment lasted for two hours, and

between Terragnolo and Astico.

There was the customary bombardmentoyed a strong fort and the town.

enemy wore demoralised and did attempt to reply.

An enemy column which was attempt- Liztuna to Marco, was stopped by our shor ing to advance in small parties from

BELGIUM'S CHILDREN.

A BENEFIT DAY THROUGHOUT. BRITISH EMPIRE.

WASHINGTON, May 26th. Callers at White House discussed the The Premier affirmed that the primary situation with President Wilson. They duty of the Government was to restore state that the President's attitude 10 order. He rejoiced in the overwhelming ward the peace proposals is neutral. He order and prevent the recurrence of dis evidence that the great bulk of the Triscan only intervene when the belligerents nation were not in sympathy with the re- bellion. Martial law continued as a pre- have reached a mutual understanding as caution, but be hoped that its disappear to terms of settlement.

The composition of the Irish Executive ance would be speedy and complete.

must be temporarily provisional. There were two main impressions from his visit to Ireland, namely: firstly, the break- down of the Irish Executive; secondly, the strength, depth, and universality of feeling in Ireland that now was an unique opportunity for a new departure. and for & settlement of the problem. Ho

LONDON, May 25th. The National Committee for Relief in and classes had shed their blood for the for Belgium throughunt the Empire, emphasised that Irishmen of all creeds Belgium is arranging a Children's Day

pect of internecine strife after the war the children of every school to organise Empire. It was inconceivable that pros The day fixed is July 10th, and they ask could be tolerated. It would mean a con- concorts, sports, and other entertain- manship but of patriotism. An agreement children who remain in Belgium under fession of bankruptey not only of statesments and devote the proceeds to the in Ireland was of paramount importance. indicates that 2,500,000 children up to between the different interests and partics Garainn tyranny. A careful analysis Mr. Lloyd George, at the unanimous re the age of 18 are still in Belgium, the his energy and power towards an to neutral Commission they are provid- quest of his colleagues, would devote majority of whom are destitute. Through comunication with the various parties enough to keep them alive. It is hoped agreement, and he had already been ined with a daily ration, which is just Mr. Asquith hoped and believed that his that the children of South Africa, India, anission of peace and reconciliation, and,

The bombardment on the right of the Donaumont, and this marked the begin artillery, An attack in the evening the palm groves with salvous. The bom everyone to abstain from immediate di 10th July in frustrating Germany's

ning of the great battle.”

Meuse was re-doubled in the region of Fort Douaumont, against which the The Crown Prince, wishing in view of enemy made particularly desperate and his defeat to repair the injury done to furious attacks, conducted by two his prestige, recalled all the available Bavarian Divisions, recently arrived on battalions and buried them into the This front, Attacks sucereded one au furnace, sacrificing Division after Divi- other throughout the day, and after sion. He thus succeeded in retaking the several fruitless attempts and euprmous ruins of Fort Douaumont, but his louses the enemy succeeded in

rr occupy achievement is a ing the ruins of the fort, of which we

mere episode in a hold the immediate approaches.

gigantic struggle which will undergo other fluctuations.

*

pur

A simultaneous attempt to outflank positions at Caillette Wood completely failed under artillery and infantry fire. There was nothing important, else where.

What has happened in the last two days at Fort Douanmont it is impossible

to the heroic dreds and the marvellous to describe No language can do justice

exploits of our soldiers, whose kessness is ENEMY EFFORT TO TURN incomparable. The slopes at Fort Dou

MORT HOMME. ASTOUNDING RUSHES OF MASSED INFANTRY

aumont are covered with German corpses, The fact that the German Içases are greater than ours is explained by the curtain of fire of the 75's, which are for more marderous than the Germans' pro- paratory bombardments. It is reported that fifty-seven trains full of wounded Germans have left for the interior of Germany,

FRENCH GAIN NEAR CUMIERES.

PARIS, May 25th. 12.40 p.m. It is estimated that the Germans need two Army Corps on Tuesday on the left of the Mouse only in the attempt to turn the whole Mort Homme position from the east. There were astounding rushes of massed infantry, characterised by ox Praordinary determination, but they ware unable to penetrate the curtain of shells or the screen of Maxims. It was the advent of the fre-fighters, who have recently been multiplied greatly, follow ng the liberal use of gas and shells, that enabled the Germans at the close of the Any to burn the French out of their posi tion in the first line west of Mort Homme, but a counter-attack ejected them within half an hour.

The

enemy assaulted repeatedly romont Quarries. throughout the night between Mort Homme and the Meuse, and finally got to grips with the French in the ruined village of Cumieres, which was carried after prolonged bayonet and fighting.

PARIS, May 25th.

5.30 p.m. Fighting is still heavy at Verdun. To day's communiqué, says there was an in tense artillery duel on the Hill 304, Deadman, and Cumieres front,

time in the thickets eastward of Cumieres. French bombers progressed in the night

A strong German nifack gained a foot- ing in one trench northward of Haud-

There

Was continuous mutual and very violent bombardment in the Douau- mont region.

|

Diterzo, was held by our troops, “ along Vallarsa, in the direction of Monte

basin of Posina and Astico was completed. The Italian evacuation of the upper

are strengthening their positions on the in a most orderly manner, and the troops.

protective line in the Arseiro basin We destroyed the guns we found impossible.

to remove.

The enemy yesterday began a strong pressure on our positiona cast of Valdassa..

if possible unity, would be successful and the Crown Colonies, who have al * Mr. Asquith solemnly appealed to ready done so much, will assist on the decussion of Trish affairs, likely to prevent systematic warfare on children.

a great and lasting settlement

Mr. John Redmond said the appeal im- posed a very severe test on the Irish Party, but he could not take the respon sibility of not responding. If the Govern ment's new step failed it would not be due to any unreasonableness on the part of the Nationalists. (Cheers.)

The

not

MESOPOTAMIA CAMPAIGN. TURKISH COMMUNICATIONS UNDER FIRE.

LODTON, May 25th, General Sir Percy Lake reports that the enemy is stiff holding his position | on the left bank of the Tigris in the vicinity of Banna-1-Yat. The British, Artillery, from the right bank, is main The retirement of the Italians in thetaining an effective firk against the Tur Bugana Valley ou the principal line of Elsh communications on the left bank, resistance began on the 22nd it., and GENERAL was still proceeding yesterday slowly and methodically

HEAVY ENEMY LOSSES ITALIAN LINE STRENGTHENED.

ROME, May 26th.

A semi-oficial communique states that after inflicting the must bloody losses on

the

onomy in a week's fighting, the Italians have withdrawn to their prin vipal line of defence, where they stedfast ly await the renewal of attacks. Only one shall section of the principal ling has been evacuated, owing to the excess

the precipitous nature of the ground sive proximity of enemy artillery and

behind, preventing successful resistamee. This line has been reformed on the

FIERCE ATTACKS REPULSED dominating heights in the rear.

ROME, May 26th

A communione says there were mostly rifle and artillery duels, but the enemy Bercely attacked at several points, and were repulsed. They were pursued, after the failure of an attack on the homb SERIES OF ENEMY ATTACKS, Buolo Pass, by the Italians who captured

East of the Meuse, since the French re-entered Fort Douaumont, they have been fighting ceaselessly, driving the Gergsns, who were hanging stubbornly

REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSS.

Paris, May 26th 1:40 am

The evening communiqué says:On the

to every wall and dugout, northwards, left of the Meuse the activity of the

enemy artillery increased in the day time against Hill 301.

A German counter-attack on the Fort on Tuesday night was directed from three sides simultaneously. An apparently unending stream of shells was followed after a furious bombardment, delivered The Germans on the right of the Mense by rushes from the west, east and north.

a series of attacks at five o'clock in the

a hill south-east of the Fass, RUBBIAN FRONT

THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] MINOR OPERATIONS.

PETROGRAD, May 25th,

A communiqué reports minor opera tions on all the fronts A Turkish offen

The communique, reporting the junction sive was repulsed in the Mosul region,

of the British and Russian forces in

The efforts were unavailing, except in the afternoon between Heudromont Wood Mesopotamia, says the Cossacks arrived east, where the enemy gained a portion and Thiaumont Farm. All were repulsed at the British Headquarters on the 22nd.

NAVAL ACTIVITIES

of the advanced trenches.

The situation generally may be summed up that the Germans on the left of the

Meuse, despite their tremendous sacrifice.

with heavy loss, except at one point, where fractions of the enemy captured part of a trench.

of men and expenditure of shell, are the Douaumont región. still far from the main. defences of

The violent artillery duel continued in

main:

A French pilot in a fight in the air

Verdun, while on the right bank of the felled a Fokker north of Vanx. — Mense, though they reached the defences on the 28th February, their pro in the Etain district two enemy machines In a fight between two air squadrons Sress has been backwards.

were badly hit and compelled to land.

FIKROTON FLUTER'S AGENCY.] MORE VESSELS BUNK.

LONDON, May 25th. The following vessels have been sunk Levanzo (Italian)- Tatros (Greek Bailor)

Orealla (Italian steamer); The Teresa (Lfaline) was damaged.

(THROUGH REUTER B AGENCY.] RECRUITING IN INDIA. THE TIMES" AND COLONEL CHURCHILL'S SUGGESTION.

LONDON, May 28th. The Times, commenting on Colony Churchill'a speech in the House of Com mous on the 23rd, points out that recrail ing in India had been surjirisingly good The journal emphasises the difficulty of officering, the new units, and says there would probably be little difficulty in rais ing the rank and file to a dozen new Divisions, but asks, would it be worth

TRADING AFTER THE WAR. LPORTANCE OF PREFERENTIAL

TREATMENT.

LONDON, May 26th In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonur

representations had been officially made Law said that the question of the Govern ment's-trade-policy after the war was being carefully considered, though no to him from the Dominions He added that the Imperial Government wER giving attention to the subject of pre and the Allies, the importance of which ferential trading with the Dominions the Government appreciated.

SIR ROGER CASEMENT.

A TRUE BILL

LONDON, May 26th. The Grand Jury have returned a true bill against Sir Roger Casement and bis. soldier accomplice, Bailey.

NEW PARLIAMENTARY REGISTER.

LORDON, May 25th. The Local Government Board are pre Register to include a provision to record Darings Bill for the new Parliamentary the votes of soldiers and sailors on active

service.

MPIRE-DAY CELEBRATION

RUSSIANS JOIN BRITISH. IN MOSCOW

from Peir

Impe

Mr. O'Brien concurred somewhat grudg. ingly, and Sir Edward Carson readily responded.

EVENTS IN IRELAND. MAY BEAR GOOD BRUIT.

LONDON, May 25th, Mr. John Redmond, speaking at a launcheon to the Premier of Queensland in the House of Commons, hoped that the result of events in Ireland would not only be good, but unexpectedly good, though he was unable to speak with any con- Adence

THE IRISH COMMISSION, EVIDENCE OF CHIEF OF CONSTABULARY.

LONDON, May 25th. Giving evidence before the Irish Com usion now sitting in Dublin, Colonel

Neville Chamberlain, K.C.B., C.V.O. (Inspector-General of the uyal Irish Constabulary) declared that had reported on the seriousness of the Sinn Feinism, and made recommenda tions, but they had not been adopted. ROYAL ASSENT TO

COMPULSION BILL.

Compulsion Bill, which consequently

LONDON, May 25th. The Royal Assent has been given to the comes into fores on the 24th June.

THE KING'S MESSAGE.

LONDON, May 25th, HM the King has issued the follow. ing message to his people; →→

Mr. Arthur Henderson, Minister of Education, sanctions the proposal in the English and Welsh Schools, and the High Commissioners and Agents General bave been asked to obtain the co-operation of their respective Governments. In view of the shortage of time, the National Committee bones that all education and school authorities in the countries named will forthwith make arrangements so that the tribute of the British children throughout the Empire shall be worthy of the children of Belgium who, despite oppression and the threat of starvation, remain loyal to King Albert.

ITALY'S DECLARATION OF

WAR

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS. ROME, May 25th. The anniversary of the declaration of war was celebrated with fervent enthu Biasm in Italy. The shops were closed and everywhere there were patriotic pro- versions and a lavish display of the Flags of the Allies,

KING'S ORDER TO NAVY AND ARMY.

BOM, May 26th. the Army and Navy, on the anniversary His Majesty the King, in an Order to of the declaration of war, says: ----

You have been victorious in a kun- dred battles, with the ideal of Italy in your heart, but more efforts and sacrifices are needed The country supports you in your arduous task with warm affection and with admirable confidence and calm.

ITALIAN STATESMEN TO VISIT LONDON.

ROME, May 25th

It is stated that M. Balandra and Baron Sonnino will go to London shortly to return Kr. Asquith's visit.

To enable the country to organise more effectively her military resources HOME TURF ARRANGEMENTS.

in the present great struggle for the cause of civilisation 1 have, acting on the advice of my Ministers, deemed it necessary to enrol every able-bodied man between the ages of 18 and 41.

RACE-GOERS CONSUMPTION OF

PETROL

LONDON, May 26th. The Times says that Mr. Runciman has:

I desire to take this opportunity of expressing to my people my recog nition and appreciation of the splen-definitely, decided not to change the red did patriotism they have displayed in raising by voluntary enlistment since the commencement of the war no less than 5,041,000 men. The effort is far surpassing that of any other nation in

similar circumstances recorded in his tory, and will be a lasting source of pride to the future generations.

am confident that the magnificent spirit which has hitherto been sustained by my people through the trials of this terrible war will inspire them to en- dure the additional sacrifice now im posed upon them, and will, with God's help, lead us and our Allies to a vic- tory which will achieve the liberation of Europe.??

THE BENSATIONAL SILVER DROP

STATISTICAL POSITION VERY

STRONG

LONDONA May 25th Hussians joined the Britons in an the sensational fall in the price of silver Messrs Montagu's report sttributes Fenthusiastic celeb

rg Day to the coincidence of the absence of com- an came petition and the sudden cagerness of the Indian bazzars to sell nut only small boldings in London but also considerable amounts for delivers weel Shead. The

rently bear operations The raport says that the statistical posi-

ion of silver is very strong

The United States anthorities estimate production of the United States in 1915 at

DUDOS, A compared ounces in 1914.

ing arrangements for the present season. The consumption of petrol by race- goers, owing to the abolition of railway facilities, engaging the attention of the authorities, the attention of th

The Board of Trade concludes that the supplies will not last the summer at the present rate of consumption, and drastic restrictions on pleasure motoring are pre- pared

POLITICAL DEADLOCK IN

CHINA.

UNABLE TO AGREE ON YUAN'S BUCOREBOR

LONDON, May 5th. The Times correspondent at Peking says that the political deadlock in China continues. The real difficulty in appar fently the absence of agreement upon the Buccessor to the Presidency The so called responsible Cabinet, formed a month ago, has already broken ap Brigandage is increasing and trade is inach restricted. The financial position terests are not menaced, however, and the in daily becoming worse Foreign in- administration has not collapsed

INDEPENDENCH OF SZECHUAN,

SHANGHAI, MAY 2541. The Independence of the Province of Brechuan was vihmally proclaimed on the 991 TIKE.