1916-10-05 — Page 7

FRUITS OF THE SOMME

BATTLE.

TWO MONTHS FIGHTING REVIEWED,

OUR SPLENDID INFANTRY.

JOY THE TIMES SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,

THE HONGKONG DEITY PRESS, THURSDAY, OCTOBKÉ 57# 1916.7

WAR GRANTS TO AGED.

INCREASE IN PENSIONS IN CASES OF DISTRESS

The following official announcement, entitled Special War Allowances to Necessitous Old Age Peaisoners." was made last month

In order to assist cases of distress among old-age pensioners, the Govern ment has decided to make a grant to meet the cost of allowances, up to a maximum of an additional 2s. 6d. & week, to those

suffering special hardship from the high prices of food and other cecnomic condi ions arising from the war

REPRISALA ON WAR PRISONERS,

GENEVA RED CROSS PROTEST

DRITISH REPLY

WAR'S EFFECT ON TRADE. BRITISH IMPORTE HIGHER THAN

WIN 11,

In the Broad of Trade Returns for July the remarkable feature was the fact that, statement

The Foreign Offee inner the following in the concluding month of the second year of the war, the exports of British The International Red Cross Committee | products exceeded the exports of the July has addressed, to belligerent und neutral mediately preceding the war by nearly countries the following communication on the subject of reprisals on prisoners

is pointed of war

GENEVA, July 12th

We recognize that in general the belli

British Headquarters, Aug. 30th.. The Battle of the Somme has now been in progress für two months. The first

gerents have done what they could to great infantry attack was delivered on

make the lives of the prisoners bearable July 1st, but for some days before, that

and to avoid adding physical hardships the fierce artillery, bombardment had been It is proposed to use the old-age pen to their unhappy lot. The tours of in in progress, and this was a real, if pre-ion machinery A further announce spection by our delegates have revealed paratory, part of the battle itself. The inent will be made as soon as possible as great improvements both in the organiza- operations to date may be divided into to the exact method by which the grants tion of the camps and in the treatment three fairly clearly marked phases will be awarded." of the prisoners. But we have recently of the consideration which, in the Houseed, the application of which tends to be This announcement is the outine observed that a principle has been assert

in the annual statement, issued recently

same gratifying

of the trade of the United Kingdom in 1915 with foreign countries and British possessions. As the war did not seriously affect trading in 1014, and, as the present returns come down only to the end of 1915, the comparison is carried back to 3011; and it is highly antisfactorily to note that, war on such a gigantic sealo notwithstanding, British imports weró higher in 1913 than in 1011 and 1914.

The following Eguzes of imports speak to the pleaning and efficacy of British for themselves and are eloquent testimony

of Commons on August 1st, Mr. Asquith come daily more vigorous, the principle power said the Government were giving to cases of reprisals on prisoners of war,

In the attack of July 1st we shattered the main German front line, protected by all the elaborate defensive works which the enemy in a year and a half of of hardship among old-age pensioners Should a belligerent State have reason hard work had been able to put into it, which called for relief. He stated that to believe that its soldiers in the handi from above La Boisselle on the left to attention would be paid to suggestions of the enemy are not treated as they near Carony, cast of Mametz, on the made by Mr. Wing (Durham, Houghton should be, or that one of them has received right, where the French carried on the le Spring), who asked whether, in conse- unmerted punishment, it does not at victory. The villages of La Boisselle quence of certain concessions to old-age tempt to appeal to its adversary's feelings Fricourt, Mametz, and Montauban fell pensioners, the Government would coir of generosity, nor does it address itself into our hands, with all the latervening sider the means of immediately assisting to the neutral Powers with the request ground, which was one vast network of those who were sick, fechle, and helpless that they will impress on the enemy con- trenches and fortifications

to whom the concessions brought no help.cerned the considerations of humanity The front which wo broke through was Replying a month earlier to a deputa and justice. It has immediate recourse something more than 10,000 yards Fortion from the Parliamentary Committee to the law of retaliation and acts in ex the whole distance the German line ran of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. cess of ts grievances. It hopes that the along a valley-the valley of the Ancre Asquith stated that an increase of Od and of one of its small tributaries and on the old-age persions of us, a week behind that line the ground sloped slow that once given it would not casily be would cost over £5,000,000 a year, and ly, with many undulations, upwards to withdrawn. The labour demand for an the north and north east to a fairly well increase of old-age pensiona by at least defined ridge and plateau some 6000 50 per cent, to meet the higher cost of yards on the average beyond. Our first living has been made on several occasions attach gave us all the flat land of the since the beginning of this year, and was valley and carried us up the beginning first raised by the Executive of the of the slope, the depth of the gain being Miners Federation in January on the average about 2,000 yards. The In a letter on the subject published in impetus of that attack was continued in The Times of August 21st Mr H. Kings loral lighting, and very desperate fightfey Wood stated that during the first 18 ng, all along the front, in which in the months of war 1,749 pensions forfeited course of the following 12 days we forced their pensions because they were obliged our way over successive lines of very to seek Poor Law relief, an increase of strongly held positions and added to our Former gains ground of, roughly, an average of about 1,000 yards in depth.

severity of the reprisals wil compel the adversary to yield; and if the adversary they are countered by still more rigorous on the contrary proceeds to further steps

measurek.

JOIL

∙1014

£680,357,527 096,835,113

increased values, but even then a growth

1015

AAA 851,893,350

of over 170 millions, as compared with Allowance must, of course, be made for

1911, and with a world-war raging, is something, which Germany would like to show in place of her ruined over-seas trade

Exports in the periods under compari son show a decline, but shortage of labour and other war factors account for that. The totals of exports to foreign countries and British possessions were as follow

1011 1914 1015

£556,878,432 628,105,523 483,130,829

It should be explained that these the development of the practise of reKingdom to foreign countries and And then occurs what we see today,gures include exports from the United Psals into a barbarous competition, of Bratash possessions, as well as of foreign which the motive is vengeance and of and Colonial merchandise to foreign which the incidence is borne by those who countries and British possessions. are both innocent and powerless until their cry of suffering touches their Gov- ernment and compels then to recupe the measures taken against the prisoners in their hands. These reprisals ore ali the more unjust and cruel in that they formation

16 per cent on the pre-war average are often provoked by inaccurate in

A LAST AND DESPERATE ATTEMPTI

The Statut devotes an article to the question, Why does Gormany think it worth while to maintain as much as 121,283,000 in gold while the outlook appears to be growing more and more unfavourable to her? It is incredible

The International Red Cross Committee In the course of these 12 days we took individual action it had been hoped to cannot remain indifferent before that the village of Contalmaison, the whole of make; and sometimes a part of an ad spectacle, before the repudiation of the ler on the rigat of our front), and the the time impossible for another part of founded War is in itself scourge Manelz, and Bernafay Woods (the latvance has been held up, rendering it for principle on which the Red Cross is (the Statist continues) that she expects village of Orilier la Boisselle, on the exthe line to retain the fruit of all that it enough, without increasing by inhuman treme left, where, however, the enemy had won, But not only have the Germans practices and by useless severity the evils stil clung to one strong, fortified post nowhere throw: us back, they have been it brings in its train. Again, after the tion. This brought us to a front within nowhere able to prevent us from coming termination of hostilities, if the nations

Esma distance of the main German second-ling, which was only less formidon. The intensity of the fighting has been hope to attain a lasting peace, will not shown by the number of prisoners who reconciliation be much more difficult we have taken. Few days have passed after hatred bas been fomented not 30 without the capture of a respectable num much by open and straight-forward war ber. Ou one day they amounted to near-fare as by the suffering inflicted in cold ly 1,000 On several other days we have blood on unhappy defenceless prisoneral taken from 400 to 600 .........

We, therefore, true to the duty which

able than the first,

DECAY IN GERMAN MORAL.

session of the gold. Has she, then, some victorious enemy to leave for in pos plea to use the gold when she is growing absolutely desperate? Is there some last card to be played which is reserved until actual desperation arises And if there is, What can it be ! We do not doubt that the German Government are capable of making some desperate attempt before they actually throw up the sponge

BREAKING THE RECOND LINE Gising the enemy no time to rest, wit hardly 94 hour in many of our newly won positions, we made our second grand attack on July 14th and shattered the

the status of the international Committee 48 600D AS A HOLIDAY. secorat line on a front of about 5,000

imposes on us, inplore the belligerents to The main object of a holiday is to gain yards as completely as we had done the This fact is barnificant. I have warned abandon the practice of reprisaks on pienewed energy for another year's work, Arst a fortnight earlier. This attack readers before against building on it toons of war and to renounce the prih so that one may return with sound nerves gave us immediately the village of large assumptions as to the general deciple which inspires it. Do not endeavand a clear brain, fall of rigour ad Baretin-le-Grand and Bazentin le Petit, moralization of the German Army What our we say to exercise pressure on your ready for business again. Unfortunately with the woods which bear their respec in certain, however, that the mural of these of the chastisement you inflict that object is not always attained tive names, as well as the greater part the troops immediately opposed to us has those of their people who are at your It all depends on the state of your of the village of Longueval and the lower become badly shaken. The pitilessness of mercy Is not that a reversion to methods blood. If your blood has become in edge of Delville Wood. In the centre of our artillery has much to do with this, have given to the Red Cross the positionably too brief for you to obtain proper of harbarisin, unworthy of nations which poverished or impure the holiday is prob- the attack our patrols reached High and the enemy's unseen, casualties from it occupies in their armies bonest. Everybody should start a holi- Wood, on the very furthest summit of gunfire must have been extremely heavy. You are greatly concerned for the day in reasonable health, though very few the ridge, but no attempt was made at Undoubtedly, also, the German soldiers wounded, on whom you lavish eares no people can claim to be free from the dregs that stage to hold it. On the right we nerves have been shaken by the obvious matter, under what flag they have fought, of some serious ailment, which has drasa cleared and captured Trônes Wood. dominion of our airmen in the air. Let In that respect all testimony is unaniod, the blood of its natural strength,

Another period of fierce local fighting tors and diaries found on prisoners have followed, in which we were making good borne empaatie testimony to the dismous Why, then, should prisoners beThat is why they feel fagged out, brain our success and establishing ourselves on couragement which they have experienced You complain that your people suffer un treated an entirely different manner a line above the two Barentins to the top from seeing our seroplanes always over- of Longueval and thence down to the east bend and Dever, or rarely, one of their justly in their captivity; why then, not ern edge of Trones Wood. A subsidiary own. But more than these things has uppeal to your opponent's sense of jus and very successful attack on July 16th been the splendid behaviour of our in your appeal, to accord to his people a like too? Why not offer, should be respond to 17th on the left of the main attack of fantry, two days before gave us another 1,300 There are certain kinds of wild and arour? And, if you have dificulty in yards or so of the German second line, dangerous animals which rarely or noverching him, why not send him that jaded men and women. If you cannot and brought us to a point duc cast of the charge home. Every big-game huntersage through a ventral? Those are village of Pozières. On the extreme left knows that, with however mach ferocity the ideals which should, as it seems to we completed the reduction of Ovillers they start, if he can only stand his ground in the place of the present practice ta-Boisselle, and then, by a series of direct the odds are fifty to one that their heart of reprisals, stimulate your rivalry the drives, made ourselves masters of Poi-wil fail them in the last few yards and rivalry of justice and of humanity zores, an operation which was completed they will swerve before they arrive. There tude, would help to extinguish the fires which, leaving behind memories of grati by July 26th,

are others, seemingly less formidable The liac on which we now found our which never swerve, but get home to the Accordingly we do not hesitate to move selves was in general close to, but still bitter last, always. It that knowledge below, the crest of the ridge at nearly which puts the shooter's nerve to the the belligerents to adopt in the treatment all points. Almost along its while extent, Supreme test, the certainty that if he of prisoners of war the methods indiested above. In prisoners "Inter urmus nuritas," the nations would render war less cruel and would give a new impetus to civilization.

weary and incapable of much exertion.

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fur giling people is The Blood and its Shanghaien

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are pt at the right; the summit of them sees the enemy will get him, love in giving effect on ted Cross

rdge was open ground, while the next series of villages lay well down on the Farther side. Nor was there along the Ene any such formidable line of defence to attack as had been furnished hy the first and second main enemy lines.

WORKING UP TO THE RIDGE

LIST OF GERMAN GRIMES.

The German knows now that the British. soldier never swerves. If he is not stop. ped he gets home unvaryingly. It may well be that before this battle the Ger- mans may still have cherished some illu sions about the quality of the British sol- The Secretary of State for Foreign that she had spent a blameless life do- dier, for they had been told often Affairs returned the following reply voted to the alleviation of suffering, and enough that the new Armies would not through his Majesty's Representative at the war had even nursed wounded be like the old. They can have no illu Berne, copies of it being also communi German soldiers, should have been suf- tions now. The enemy must kill the Bricated to the Governments of the Allied cient to secure a uiligation of her gen- fish soldier as he comesor he must face and neutrals Powers through his tenta, the criminal desertion by the Ger- his bayonet, And the Gorraan does not Majesty's Representativesman authorities of the camps for pri- love the bayonets been a

Hello! Did you think over that business about the Bonds? Yes, it's pretty certain now that an UNREMITTING PRESSURE on all fronts will lead straight on to Victory, and you can help in some mea- sure by lending money to the Government.

The least you can do is to convert all avail- able cash into EXCHE- QUER BONDS. The HONGKONG BANK will buy them.

What do you say Only 5 per cent.? Well, I don't think any of us should mind whether it's 5 per cent. or 6 per cent. so long as we get through with the War.

What's that? Oh, you're writing a chit to

the Bank now. Alright! I'll ring off Good-bye, old man.

Grand Prize of Honour Panama-Pacific International Exposition SAN FRANCISCO, 1915

ASAHI-BEER

SOLD EVERYWHERE

CHINA MAIL S.S. CO., LTD.

FREIOBT AND PASSENGERS

CHINA

WILL BAIL FROM HONGKONG POR

SAN

FRANCISCO.

_VIA SHANGHAI, NAGASAKI AED HONOLULU,

NOV. 11-JAN. 18, 1917.

AN UNSURPASSED HIGH-CLASS PASSENGER SERVION AT Intermediate RATER

OH BITTER, Freight and Passenger Aguas

Prince's Buildings, Los House Street.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

The third phase of the battle, then, which has occupied over a month, has seen us steadily eating our way up the final slope and over the bare, shell-swept summit of the ridge. If less spectacular

The International Red Cross Committesoners of war at Wittenborg and Gar- than the other periods, it has certainly The enemy has been throwing in and have addressed to belligerent and neutral dekegen at a time when the unfortunate not been less auccessful, and, perhaps, taking out h'a troops with extraordinary nations a letter, dated July 12th, 1810, ceptives interned there were stricken with has been the most creditable to our arms, rapidity so that there is hardly a divi- in which the Committee plead the cause disease, itself-aggravated, if not initi It has seen no grand attack on the whole son in the German Army now which does of prisoners of war and deprecate theated, by callous disregard on the part of front, though a series of disconnected not know something of what our attack adoption by belligerents of the policy of those in charge of the ordinary hygienic

· pushes on August 19th ecvered practically means. The knowledge may very well reprisals.

Pasadenas precautions which are essential in a all of the front and made gains equi- have shaken them.. Pounded and batter-His Majesty's Government⠀⠀ have crowded concentration camp; the confisca- valent to any which could have been ed as they have been day after day, no throughout the period of hostilities dis tioncamp the confiscation by the Ger yielded by such en attack.MALAMA matter what they did, our men still com countenanced that policy on account of man Government of about 20 per cent of Conspicuous, Bido, has been the succesing on and coming again, trench by its indiscriminating and unjust opera the remittances sent to British prisoners sion of stunning blows, each with its hur trench, and yard by yard, but never stop- tion.am aangetres of war (combatant and tvilian) interned ricane bombardment of unexampled in pingit may well be that the Germans A succession of outrages has, however, in Germany and the execution of the tensity during the 10 days which have have not the heart to fight as they fought teen perpetrated by the orders, or with captain of the steamship Brussels after carried us from a little zhove Ovillers to two months ago. “

the cognisance and approval, of the Gerhe had been sentenced to death for hav man Government, of which the cumulative ing committed an act of self-defence will affect has been to strain the temper and recognized by the laws of war on sea. And we have won the ridge.

patience of the British people to the The International Committee appeal to

THE ENGLISH: MAZE We know from many captured Orders of breaking point, and to create a situation the bell gerent Powers not to attempt to the Day and other documents how much of the utmost gravity, and be obtain redress for their grievances by

The str Sardinia left Shanghai for this importance the enemy attached to the It is unnecessary to attempt an exhaug resort to reprisals, but to request the port on the and instant, at I p.m. with ground which we have conquered. He tive enumeration of these outrages, but neutral Powers to impress on the enemy the homeward English mails, and is due has proclaimed that on the holding of it, strong them may to mentioned the sink concerned the considerations of humanity here on the 6th instant, morning the very existence of the Empire was ing contravention of the law of and justice, ku at stake, He has put forth his uttermost nations and the usages of war and in His Majesty's Government readily re- strength to hold it-all the might of all defiance of the most elementary principles spend to that appeal, being confident his great military machine. And he has of humanity, of the vessels Lusitania and that the mentral Powers and the Interna the 28th instant, a 11 a.m.

siled

users whereby hundreds of defenceless tional Commi tee will recognise that the It is two months work of which the civilians, many of them women and chilemand for reprimals grows in volume átmy has every right to be proud, and ren, were sent to their deaths, to the un- and urgency with the recurrence of

MERCHANT STEAMKU, of which the Empire will be proud as concealed satisfaction of the German abuses, and that the sarest means of The str. Benalder from Swansea and long as history lives. And I repeat, Press and people; the brutal execution avoiding reprisals is to promote the London left Bingapore for this port o never was the Army more ready and more of Nurse Carell, whose seg and the fact abandonment of the policy which inspires the 20th September, and may be expected fit to fight than it is to day

(Continued at foot of nezi Column)... them

to arrive here to-morroW.INSE

some 700 yards below Thiepval Very VIEW FROM THE RIDGE. force fighting in the Delville Wood, re- gion culminated in the triumphant action which cleared the wood and pushed our live woll out to the north of it on August 4th Equally brilliant has been the hard, senseless hammering by which we have forced our way from Pozières to Mouquet Farm and over the high ground at and beyond the point 'known as the Windmill on the Bapuame road,

The essential feature of this month of tense and almost body to body struggle, however, has been the fact that we have not failed on, I believe any single day to make some ground. Nowhere have we been thrown back. We have not in every case made all the ground which in an (Continued at foot of nest Column.)

·CANADIAN MAKE,

The str. Empress of Japan left Kobe on

LATEST STEAMER MOVEMENT. The str. Monteagle arrived at Van- couver on the 1st instant, at 7 p.m.

MARTIN'S