1916-12-05 — Page 5

THE

WAR.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6TH, 1916.

BRITISH GOVERNMENT CRISIS.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.

ACUTE SITUATION IN GREECE.

MANY ALLIED CASUALTIES.

NEWS FROM

General.

LATEST CABLES. ́{THROUGH REVIER'S AGENCY.) CRISIS IN BRITISH GOVERNMENT.

SMALL WAR COUNCIL PRACTICALLY SETTLED.

LONDON, December 4th.

There is a somewhat easier feeling to day in the political situation. From the conflicting statements in the newspapers the fact emerges that there have been no rosignations, though some have been threatened, while the establishment of a small War Council, variously estimated at from three to four members, and prob-

ALL FRONTS.

EARLIER CABLES.

THE BRITISH POLITICAL CRISIS.

IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS

IMMINENT

LONDON, December 3rd. The Times Lobby correspondent says that important political developments aro imminent. There wil be a trial of strength between Parliament and the Cabinet next week with debates on the Vote of Credit, the Man Power and National Feeding questions.

Some of the Peers have decided to press for a secret session of the House of Lords to discuss the whole war position. -

THE NEW WAR COUNCIL

LONDON, December 3rd,

The Daily Chronicle says that the

GERMAN COMPULSION BILL. The Balkans. CARRIED AFTER HEATED DEBATE.

AMSTERDAM, December 3rd...

The Reichstag has passed the third reading of the Compulsion Bill by 235 votes to 19, after a heated discussion, ä section of the Socialists denouncing the enslavement of workmen and the deporta

tions of Belgians,

HAPPY KAISER."

LATEST CABLES.

THE GREEK CRISIS. CONFLICTS BETWEEN GREEK AND

Russian Front.

EARLIKE CABLES.

ALLIED TROOPS.

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

LONDON, December 3rd.

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] FIGHTING IN ATHENS.

Reuter's correspondent at Athens, telo RUSSIA'S WAR PROGRAMME.

ALLIES HAVE MANY CASUALIES. | graphing on the afternoon of the 2nd

LONDON, December! 4th, The Times correspondent of Athens states that altogether, 3,000 Allics landed, and were marching to the town from three directions, when, at daylight on Friday, AMSTERDAM, December 3rd.

they found assigned points occupied by The Kaiser has telegraphed to the Chan- Greek troops who attacked the Allies, cellor his great delight at the adoption of when the latter retired. Fighting began civilian-service. A people flied with at 10.301 the morning and ended at two such a uniform determination to make in the afternoon, as the result of an The Allies withdrew during every sacrifice of blood, treasure and armistice. labour for a victorious defence of the the night, escorted by Greek cavalry, in

order to avoid further incidents. Fatherland, must maintain against

Besides twenty-soven killed the Allies everyone their place among the civilised had other casualties. The Italians, num- nations which they had gained by intel-hering 180, lost considerably, and 100

French were taken prisoners, ligence, industry and moral strength; and they could not be conquered.

THE BELGIANS.

DISCUSSION IN THE REICHSTAG.

AMSTERDAM, December 3rd.

inst., states that 000 Anglo-French marines have marched out of Zappaion with all equipment, under &strong Greek guard, en route to the Piraeus. The neighbouring streets were cleared to prevent a demonstration against the Entente.

A detachment of Italian marines, who yesterday took refuga in the Italian Archaeological School, was permitted to quietly depart, being given a Greek escort, on the intervention of the Italian

ALLIED TROOPS ATTACKED BY

Minister.

GREEKS.

LONDON, December 3rd. Telegrams from Athens leave the situn tion obscure. President indications aro that the Allied detachments ashore were

The disorders were renewed on Satur day, and continued nearly the whole day from balconies and hotels. The news papers state that the sailors were fred on. Everywhere in the town there were continual volleys. Arrests of Venezelists only landed as a measure of precaution, continued the day long.

and were ordered not to forcibly size GREEK GOVERNMENT MUST MAKE the promised material.

AMENDE

PARIS,, December 4th.

The Allied Governments are taking concerted measures to obtain reparation for the Greek attack on the 1st inst.

A telegram from Athens, dated the 2nd inst, stated that the Allied troops had withdrawn to Pireus.

The Greek Government offered Admiral Fournet six batteries, but the Allied Ministers, acting on instructions, replied that the matter was now two ricus, amends correspon ing to the gravity of the outrago,

DETERMINED SPEECH BY

PREMIER.

PETROGRAD, December 3rd. At the re-opening of the Duma, the Premier, M. Trepoff, made a speech in in which he said that Russia would never lay down arms until a complete victory had been attained, whatever difficulties. or temporary checks were encountered. The power of the enemy was shaken, but immense efforts were required to definite- ly break his resistance.

He regretted the food transport diffi culties in many localities, but said the Government would take measures to firm- ly establish order behind the armies. He recognised the necessity for vast rail- way construction, an increase in the pro- duction of metals and fuel, the erection of munitions factories, and the develop

A Bill ment of technical education. would be introduced for compulsory elementary education._____

Meanwhile, Grook troops, of the lat inst, assumed the aggressive and attacked the detachments with rifles and machine guns, a number being killed and wound- ed. Thereupon, French, British - and

M. Trepoff announced that an Anglo- Italian bluejackets and French troops landed. Collisions then occurred at Franco-Russian agreement was concluded several points.

}

....

Greek troops fire on the British and in 1916, to which Italy had adhered, Italians, while two cannon shots were which definitely established the right fired from an adjacent hill at Zappeion, where Admiral Fourret and the British of Russia to the Straits and Constan- jackets wore.

ably including Sir Edward Carson, is rumours of a drastic reconstruction of the troops at the front, and asserted that and the Greek Government must make † and French Ministers, with French blye-tinople. He stated that this declaration

regarded as settled.

The crux of the position in the question of Mr. Asquith retaining the Premier abip,

There was much conferring between Ministers yesterday.

The Times and Daily Mail assert that this resulted in a deadlock, as Mr. Lloyd George is determined to fight for a War

Council consisting of Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Bonar Law Sir Edward Carson and a Labour Member, while Mr. Asquith insisted on the retention of Mr. Balfour Anetoad of Sir Edward Carson, and also ubjected to conferring on the Council unrestricted power. Both journals add that a meeting of Unionist Ministers yesterday morning supported Mr. Lloyd George. The meeting was not attended by Mr. Balfour, or Lord Lansdowne The latter is ill in bed,

GOVERNMENT TO BE RECONSTRUCTED.

LONDON, December 4th.

In the Reichstag, the Socialiste, Herr Hause and Herr Dittmann, summoned the Government to restore the freedom of the workmen, especially the Belgians, whose deportation was contrary to the Hague Convention, and in definance of General von Bissing's promise,

Dr. von Helfferich deplored the discus ion which would have a bad effect on the forcing of the Belgians to work was the Cabinet are unfounded, but remarks in accordance with International Law. that the new War Council will probably It was intolerable that an idle and turbuGREEK AND FRENCH CASUALTIES. lent population should remain in the consist of Mr. Asquith, Mr. Lloyd war zone.

ATRENS, December ath The Commander of the First" Groek George, Mr. Bonar Law, and Mr. Bal

Army Corps announces that the casualties four, with Admiral Jellicoe and General

in the recent disturbance were:Greeks, 29 killed and 54 wounded French. Sir William Robertson. If, as is likely, Bir Edward Carson joins the Cabinet as

marines; 47 killed and D7 wounded, a Minister without portfolio, he will become a member of the War Council. It is unlikely that Lord Fisher will join the War Council, because he recently declined to go to the Admiralty in an advisory capacity.

CAUSE OF THE CRISIS

LONDON, December 4th. The Weekly Dispatch says that the cause of the crisis was Mr. Lloyd George's proposal to form a small War Council, including Sir Edward Carson, but ex cluding Mr. Asquith and Mr. Balfour.

The Observer says that ocrtain Minis-

ters, principally Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Bonar Law, are resolved not to con tinue in office under the present terms.

It was ramoured last evening that both had resigned The Observer advocates that an Admiral be appointed First Lord, replacing Mr. Balfour.

The Sunday Times, says that Bir Ed- ward Carson is quite willing to join a Cabinet headed by Mr. Lloyd George..

STATEMENT EXPECTED.

AT

CONCERNED AMERICA

BELGIAN DEPORTATIONS.

WASHINGTON, December 3rd. Mr. Gerard, U.§. Ambassador, returns He is in- to Berlin on December 3th. structed to emphasise the deep concern of the United States at the Belgian deportations.

BRITAIN'S BUDGET

PROSPECTS.

LONDON, December 2nd. Mr. McKenna, in a written reply to

a question in the House of Commons, said he anticipates that the Budget. estimate of expenditure will be inmaterially increased, but, nevertheless, be does not contemplate any fresh taxation at the present.

AMERICAN POLITICS.

PRESIDENT · WILSON'S MESSAGE,

WASHINGTON, December 3rd. LONDON, December 3rd.

The publication of the following mes To-night's papers state that the Gov. ernment crisis is unabated. It is ap-sage was strictly forbidden, until released parent that Mr. Lloyd George's resigna- telegraphically. It is officially announced that Mrtion lias not yet been accepted. Asquith, with a view to the most effect ve prosecution of the war, has decided to advise the King to consent to a recon struction of the Government,

BLEEDING BELGIUM.

DECLARATION BY ALLIED GOVERNMENTS.

Mr. Asquith consulted Mr. Lloyd George in the afternoon and evening, and also Mr. Bonar Law, the Earl of Crewe and the Hon. Mr. E. 8. Montagu.

It is expected that the Premier will make a statement in the House of Com

mons borrow.

AUSTRALIA'S DETER-

MINATION,

LONDON, December 3rd. Daring the no-confidence debate, Mr Hughes said the Government intended to concentrate on the continuance of Aus tralia's war efforts toth in men and material, despite the Referendum result. A perament recruiting organisation under a Director, would be established, supplementing voluntary efforts.

WAR PRISONERS IN GERMANY.

LONDON, December 4th. The British, French, Russias and Italian Governments have issued a de claration stating that by deliberately

In the House of Representatives, Mr. creating unemployment in Belgium as Cook promised that the Opposition would the Government in an excuse for the deportations, and recordially support

prosecuting and financing the war to the commencing the wholesale removal of end. foodstuffs from Belgium, and other simi- lar measures, taken contrary to pledges, in order to relieve their own desperate situation, the Germans are tearing up every guarantee on which the work of the neutral relief commission was based. The Governments therefore appeal to the civilised world on behalf of helpless civi. liang to see that this great work of inter- national benevolence is not destroyed by such treachery and violence.

HOSPITALS IN INDIA.

OFFICERS' SATISFACTION.

LONDON, December 4th. Following upon the statement in the House of Commons on the 27th ult. "re- garding hospital

Mr. administration Chamberlain received spontaneous letters from two officers, unknown to him për: sonally, and who were lately patients at Colaba, testifying that there was no cause for complaint. On the contrary, the staff did their utmost for the comfort of the patients.

AMSTERDAM, December 3rd. An official message from Berlin states that there were 1,653,794 war prisoners in Germany on July 1st. The deaths among prisoners during the war, had been' 29,207, including 6,032 from tuberculosis, 4,201 from spotted fever, and 6,270 from wounds. The cases of tuberculosis are decreasing,

HONOUR FOR

HEROES.

ZEPPELIN

LONDON, Desember 3rd. The Distinguished Service Order has been awarded Sub.-Lieut. Edward Pull- ing, and the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Egbert Cadbury and Bub.- Lieut. Gerrard Fane, of the Naval Air Bervice, in recognition of their work in

or

GERMAN CLAIMS.

LONDON, December 3rd. A Berlin official messugo records an

Afterwards machine guns opened fire, was made in accord with the Allies, who many casualties being inflicted. Zappeion were absolutely united thereon. After did not reply, but the Fleet fired a fow shots to silence the Greek cannon What obtaining sovereign possession of a frea then happened is not stated.

A despatch announcing the withdrawal of the Allies to the Piraeus, dateil Satar day afternoon, is the last received, WORTH OF KING CONSTANTINE'S WORD.

passage to the Mediterranean, Russia would grant freedom of navigation to Roumania. He emphasised that Russia, besides reconquering the territories occas pied by the enemy, must wrest Prussian and Austrian Poland from her enemies

and reconstitute a free Poland inse- parably united to Russia.

ATHERS, December 3rd." The King spontaneously offered in advance from Kampolung to Pilate, the October to surrender to the Allies the crossing of the Urgesul river, and the bulk of Greece's war material and guns capture of 3,860 prisoners and fifteen Ba a compensation for those delivered toning his speech for three-quarters of an the Bulgarians and the Germans, reply ing an indemnity therefor. His Majesty stipulated that Grecce should maintain her neutrality and agreed that Greek volunteers should be free to fight Grocce's enemy.

guns..

·BARLIER CADLES,

THE MARCH ON BUKHAREST.

ROUMANIAN ARMY STILL INTACT.

The King did not observe the engage ment, and was gradually overwhelmed by LONDON, December 2nd. hostility. Excited by the intrigues of General Brusiloff is employing fresh the Germans and the Gounarista, ho troops and countless guns in defying the declared his powerlcasness to maintain season of spow, with the evident intention order, and the Government refused to of penetrating into Hungary and getting ratify the King'a written engagement, at the rear of General von Falkenhayn.. But the region, is most difficult for the FRENCH DEMAND PUNISHMENT operation of masses of troops. It is com posed wholly of rugged mountains, dense- ly wooded and thinly populated, and lacking in communications.

OF GREEKS.

PARIS, December 3rd.. The Greek Minister has resigned in The fact that a Berlin communiqué consequence of the events at Athena, at Dications that General von Mackensen is which the newspapers are most indignant, commanding in Roumania is regarded as They demand a speedy and unforgettable showing that Falkenhays has been traza punishment of the Greek Government for ferred elsewhere.

The enemy is now threatening Buk.the treacherous murders of French sailors

and sailors. ⠀nen ai harest also on the south-east, having sized the village of Gestinari, nineteen EMBARGO ON GREEK SHIPS. miles distant.

OCCUPYING ROUMANIA,

President Wilson's message to Congress will probably be delivered on December 8th, and will be the shortest on record. It deals exclusively with domestic affairs, mainly the regulation of railway Inbour on a basis of an eight-hour day, and advocates an amendment in the law The Roumanian Army is still intact authorising that labour disputes be fully with heavy guns and munitions, and publicly investigated before a strike lock-out carl be lawful, The country cannot remain exposed to pro found industrial disturbances for lack of additional means of arbitration and con- ciliation, which Congress could easily supply. A proposal whereby the work ing of the country's railways should not be stopped or interrupted by the con certed act of organised bodies of men, until a public investigation had been instituted for the purpose of explaining the whole question to national opinion, involves no new principle.

The President also recommends a law giving greater freedom of combination to those engaged in promoting foreign com- merce, than the present laws against monopóly pepuit. This opportunity may pass then is any delay in action.

AMERICA AND ALLIED TREASURY BILLS.

NEW YOR, December 3nd. It is announced that Messrs. Morgan bave withdrawn the proposed, sale of Anglo-French Treasury Bills.

DUTCH MINISTER RESIGNS.

THE HAOGE, Döcember 3rd. The Finance Minister has resigned fol Inwing the First Chamber's rejection of the Inheritance Tax-

SHACKLETON IN NEW

ZEALAND.

WELLINGTON (N.Z.) Dee, 4th.

Sir Ernest Shackleton has arrived here,

the desruction of the Zeppelin on Tues- but he declines to state his plans day on the Norfolk coast.

GERMANY AND WAR

PREPARATIOŃ.

AN ADMISSION.

LONDON, December 2nd. Reuter's correspondent at Amsterdam quotes the Berliner Post as saying that Baron Zedlitz declares that the Chan cellor, in 1911, requested the Ministry of the Interior to begin en economic pre paration for war.

OBITUARY.

SIR F. PAOLO TOSTI.

LONDON, December 2nd. Router's correspondent at Rome re ports the death of the famous song- writer, Bir F. Paolo Tosti, K.0.7.0."

The deceased, who was born at Abruzzi in 1847, was educated at the Conservatur Naples, and came to England in 1878. He was honoured with the K.C.V.0. decoration in 1908,]

PARIS, December 3rd. The Allies have decided to place au embargo on all Greck ships lying in the Allies ports. Greece is, therefore, in a state of blockade.

AMSTER AH, December 3rd. General von Tschepe Weidenbach, the ex Commander of the Eighth Rhenish Franco-Belgian Front.. Corps, has been appointed Governor of the occupied part of Roamania,

Other Central Powers are represented in the Administration,

RUSSIAN AND RUMANIAN SUCCESSES.

PETROGRAD, December 3rd.

A Russian official announcement says: In Transylvania, ve successfully at tacked in the valleys of the ltivers Trotas and Sulty, and occupied by assault Sultor. We took eight hundred pri

Sonera.

In the Danube-Argis valley tlu fighting is assuming the character" of a great battle. The Roumanians, outflanked by cavalry from the south, are retiring south-eastward. The Bonmanians south of Bukharest, with the assistance of the Russians, are successfully developing operations

LATEST CABLES. [THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] BRITISH RAID AT YPRES. MANY CASUALTIES.

LONDON, December 4th. General Sir Douglas Haig reports: Our Ypres raid last night caused many casualties, Hostile artillery have been active at Les Boeufs. There has been reciprocal trenchmoltar work at Neuville St. Vaast, Hohenzollern, Ypres and Armentieres.

CONSIDERABLE ARTILLERY

ACTIVITY.

M. Trepoff was prevented from begin- hour by a hostile demonstration on the part of Socialists and Labourites. A dozen demonstrators were eventually ex- pelled.

Italian Front.

BARLIER CABLES. {TUROUGH ARUTEE'S AGENCY.]

AN ADVANCE.

Rowe, December 3rd. An official message says-We straight- ened out our line in the Carso region on a kilometre front, and a tranced thres hundred metres.

Naval Activities.

EARLIER CABLES. [THROUGH MEUTER'S AGENCY.)

SUBMARINE PIRACY:

MORE VESSELS SUNK,

LONDON, Desember 3rd. Among the latest sinkings reported are the steamere Burcombe (British), and Skjocduff (Norwegian), and the ling ship Bruinas (French). The Ligh steamer Istrar is also believed to be sk Reuter's correspondent at Copenhagen says that a Gerinan submarine has Lor- pedoed the Swedish steamer Douglas and towed the crew in boats to the cast of Jutland, where Danish fishermen picked them up.

LONDON, December 3rd. Further sinkings reported are:-The steamers Egholm (Danish), and jeal Norwegian), two British schooners, a Bussian schoonor and a French sailing ship.

DUTCH LINER SUNK.

The 8.5 Kediri, a Rotterdam-Lloyd PARIS, December 4t5.liner, homeward bound from the Dutch An oficial communiqué states:-Te East Indies, has been sunk. The estimated A nubmer of prisoners and at least has been considerable artillery activity loss is £600,000 and a fall on the Dutch insurance market is expected. German twenty-six. gans have been captured.. south of the Somme, in the region of B

insurance offices operating there partici loyen Sa-terre, and on the right of the RUMANIANS TAKE PRISONERS Meuse, in the Vaux and Donaumont pate in the loss.

sectors. Luefe has been a mining duel in Argɔanè

LONDON, December 3rd. A Roumanian official messago says:-- In the course of various attacks in Moldavia and North Wallachia, we took prisoner 180 men.

On the Western front, we retired to wards Titu and defeated and drove back southwards a division of Turks

The main body of Germans and Bol gars is in the region of Glavacioc and, Neagloy.

IN

MACEDONIA.

A French commumqud says that bad weather is hampering operations in Macedonia

BRITISH ACTIVITY,

EARLIER CABLES, BRITISH RAID ENEMY TRENCHES,

LONDON, December and f General Bir Douglas Haig reports:-- We raided trenches southward of Fau qissart and eastward of Ypres.

ARTILLERY AND AERIAL ACTIVITY.

The

Near East.

BARLIER CABLES.

[THROUGH ZEUTER'S AGENCY.]

EGYPTIAN OPERATIONS.

LONDON, Desember 3rd, The Garelle publishes a despatch from General Murray reporting on the opera tions in Egypt from June 1st to Sep tember 30th. It deals chiefly with the decisive defeat of 18,000 Turco-Germans in the Katia district early in August, PARIS, December 3rd.

in connection with which General Murray A communiqué says:-There is an in-

pays a tribute to the invainable work of tense artillery duel at Burieux, but it the Imperial Camel Corps, under Lieut. is quiet elsewhere.

Colonel CL Smith, V. C. He also pays Seven of our seroplanes at night heavitributes to the services of the Bikanir

bombed factories at Thionville, sed bangary and esatorments at Eton

The Germans again fred some heavy abells in the direction of Nancy.

LONDON, December 3rd." A British message

from Saloniks states: Our patrols encoessfully raidedly Neohori. N

Our seroplanes seriously damaged a camp near Berea,

Camel Corps, the Bich Pioneers for patrolling and reconnaîtring, and also mentions a number of officers in the In dianArroy