1916-12-19 — Page 5

THE WAR.

BRITAIN'S PEACE

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, DECEMBER

TERMS.

SACRED OBLIGATIONS TO ALLIES.

SİGNIFICANCE OF VERDUN.

General.

THE FOOD PROBLEM.

LATEST CABLES.

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENOT.] BRITAIN'S PEACE, TERMS. OUR SACRED OBLIGATIONS TO

ALLIES. LONDON, December 18th.. Mr. Artbur Henderson in the, course

of a speech, said that the pease-loving British would welcome peace, but they

ed

remembered that the offer emanted from a Power which had infamously proposed, in 1914, that we should betray France and acquiesce in the violation of Belgium- Therefore, the proposals must be scrutinis- in the light of our sacred obligations to the Allics, and must be tested by the principles for which we were fighting. Indemnities for the past would be in- sufficient without guarantees for the future, and the latter would be insuffi- cient without ample reparation heing made to Belgium, Serbia and Foland. If the proposals were merely a pretence

BARLIER CABLES.

TWO NEW PEERS.

RENEWED ENEMY VITALITY“ WHAT FACES THE ALLIES.

[BY PERCIVAL PHILIFFS, SPECIAL CORRESPOND- ENT OF THE DALLY EXPRESS"]

If the optimists who preach of Ger mony's imminent collapse could look down on the scarred Inces of Picardy from an aeroplane, they would have abundent reason to moderate their pro phecies.

KISMET.”

The Theatre Royal, Hongkong, was crowded again last night when the local A.D.C. gave the third performance of Kismet." All those taking part main- taled the excellent standard of acting sat up in previous productions, and thus the large audience was thoroughly enter taired and impressed. Mr. Hay was to good as ever in his brilliant study of Haig, and he was ably supported by Mrs.

191

GHEORGHE LUPU.

A ROUMANIAN PRASANT HERO OF THE WAR.

REPRISALS WIN. FRENCH WAY WITH PRISONERS.

A grim record of Gorman ozcelty to official report prepared by M. Louis Renault for the French Government, on Stories of bravery and devotion are so the treatment of prisoners in Franco frequently to be picked up in these days and Germany, which will shortly be that they have almost lost their value, published in this country under the title Here is one, however, which not only of Le Régime des Prisoners do brings to light courage and self-sacrifice Guerne. It is of special value (says the far above the cotamon, but also illustrates

a HAMILTON TYFE, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT | French prisoners is contained in the

OF THE DAILY MAIL IN ROUMANIA]

The country behind the battle front Evans, Mr. Findlay Smith, Mrs. Milner the character of the Roumanian peasant Daily Mail), as it shows how in instance is a Undismay reprisals by the French

od by the failures and bitter defeats of the past four months, the Germans Jabour calmly and methodically in strengthening their grip on France, and they are making a supreme effort of preparation which gives little indication of diminished determination.

The recent call to arms of the German

There will be a matinee on Wednesday.

EUROPE AFTER THE WAR.

which still exist in this Army between

officers and their men.

There is a captain in hospital here in Bucharest, wounded in the Dobrudja upon that fatal bill which cost the Roumanians as much and more than Although it is Spion Kop coat us. against custom, his orderly is allowed to wait upon him. This man, a tall, lithe fellow, with good features and deep-sot, dark eyes, and a frank, simple child-like expression, has been given come job in master His name is Gheorghe Lupu In English it would be George Wall. And this is the story, tuld by the captain, of how George saved his life.

When we got the order to advance to be allowed to march with the company. He part

SIR HARRY JOHNSTON'S MAP. Bir Harry Johnston, the well-known traveller and African administrator, let the Fabian Society, including George Bernard Shaw, into his plan for Europe after the war, He had, as a matter of fact, drawn is map of Europe, and he dis most interesting features of the map are the complete disappearance of Austria and Turkey, Austria is divided between Germany (which gets Vienna), Hungary

Bortomis).

brutalitics practised on the French by the Government secured a mitigation of the

German bully.

German prisoners at the outset were lavishly fed by the French, but when de- tailed reports of the miserable conditions in the German prison camps arrived the German Government was officially informed that, if in a fortnight it did ot comply with the French demand " for better treatment, France would alter

As the German Government did no thing, the allowance of meat to Gormaa prisoners tas reduced from 12 onnors to and then to 41 ounces. The bread ration was gradually lowered from 24 of treatment, typical menus from the German camps were secured, so that the

British armies-for the continuous, un-tributed copies among his audience. The the hospital so that he may be near his her methods.

peoplo is a sweeping measure which is already having an effect in the field There was never greater need for the LONDON, December 17th.

united efforts of the nation behind the The Right Hon. O. B. Stuart-Wortley stinted supply of men and munitions to K.C., M. P. (C.), and Sir William Max-pe with this final desperate stand of a nation as bay, and to bring it to defeat. well Aitken, M.P., (U.), have been It is still

beavy task that confronts us, helped to make it easier. The enemy smarts under his wounds, but they have goaded him to fresh exertions. Before

raised to the Peerage, Their probable despite the glorious victories that have an West Slavia (a new State including I told him to stay behind, but he begged ounces to 10 ounces. To ensure identity

successora in the Commons will be the

new Ministers, Sir

Alfred Stanley (President of the Board of Trade), and Professor H. A. L. Fisher (President of the Board of Education).

Franco-Belgian Front.

LATEST OABLES.

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]:

VERDUN SIGNIFICANCE OF

VICTORY.

WAR RESTORED TO ITS TRUE. PERSPECTIVE,

Lospos, December 18th.

A significant feature of the Verdan fighting was the apparent absence of German Reserves, and accounts that the dispirited Germans are beaten

he goes down in the dust he will fight. as he has never fought before, and with the face, he is working no ho has never that inovitable prospect starting him in worked before, setting a new stage for the last act of Armageddon.

DECISIVE PHASE,

Poland becomes a nation once again, with Danzig as its port

This drives & wedge hour on the Baltic Prussia, to which Sir Harry suggests the Hohenzollerns should be banished.

Russia takes European Turkey and the northern half of Asia Minor, thus con- trolling the Black Sea and hath shores of the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus. Italy takes the southern half under her wing, and also looks after Albania Italy naturally gets Tyrol, the Trenting, and Trieste, but the Dalmatian shore of the Adriatic is given to Southern Slavin, a glorified Serbia which will also have an outlet on the Aegean at Bulgaria's ex- pense,

4.Oh,

I was

** Not

salt or pepper, in the morning. Watery soup in the evening of tapiocs or

pasto cooked in water, Starchy potatoes, masses of germs and

black patches.

Herrings which would be excellent if

they were not so salt. Fragments of sausage and blood pudding/

of dubious freshness.

Cheese in its last stage of existence.

The bread ration in many camps is

to secure un arnistico, we must set our before they start. They fought only with have been stimulated to some extent by Syria goes to France, and Mesopotamia were left there in a little salient all of only 8 ounces and is largely made of

faces steel-like and confront all hardships and dangers in order to secure a righteous

ITALY AND PEACE.

ALLIES MUST ACT IN UNISON.

LONDON, December 18th.

Communications with Italy have been interrupted by snowstoms. Belated mes- nages from Roos show that the Italian pross repudiate the idea of peace nego tiations at present. Bignor Sonneno, speaking in the Chamber on Wednesday, said he had received the German peace Note, which was most vague. Therefore, ho deprecated any discussion, as it was must important that the Allies should act in unison....

MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S

PROPOSALS.

LONDON, December 18th. Reynolds' Newspaper states that in the event of anything like a concerted effort to oppose the drastic proposals which Mr. Lloyd George, the Premier, will submit to Parliament, the inner circle of the Premier's supporters make no secret of the possibility of an clection.

BRITAIN'S FOOD PROBLEM.

LONDON, December 18th.

artillery, and that trenches were carried manner.

cores from the same pint of the

German prisoners in France might have on our property for generations. captain, he said, 'I promised madame Ithe same fond. As the result of these I am responsiblo vigorous measures there was some slight would not leave you. for your safety to madame. So he came improvement in the feeding of the French with us, and we were soon in touch with in Germany,

Tragic accounta are given of the the enemy.

At first we drove them back, and wo | miseries of the prison camps, where, as

of a The Germans ask nothing better than

went with a rush up to the t

even a well-known pro-German has re- to be let alone during the winter months.

biggish plateau where there was never ported, they all are hungry. They want to reorganize and rebuild, not

sign of a Bulgar. So on wo went, until the least of our moral tortures," a Aight. They know that spring will bring

all of sudden there was a tremendous French witness deposes," is to bear the the beginning of the most stupendous

later of shrapnel all round us. burst of rille fire and then a few moments shriek of unsatisfied hunger which at attack yet mads, and they realize the

trying to spot where this fire came from almost every moment in the thy tips in vital importance of conserving strength

our The diet be describes thus: and utilizing every resource in preparing

Bulgaria is pared down, and Roumanin when I felt a blow in my right thigh as for this final, decisive phues of the war. expands into Transylvania, becoming if a horse had kicked me, I tried to get Soup like billstickers paste, with no

up from where I had fallen, but I could In this the German people and the army nearly twice her present size. appear to be united. The declarations of

Belgium will be given a better strategic scarcely move. I looked about for my prisoners suggest that ready response will eastern frontier at the expense of Gerbugler and signaller but couldn't s00 be made to the recent summons mollizmany, and the Grand Duchy of Luxem them. The only man alive and near me was Lupu. He was lying stretched out prosecution of the struggle with renewed matter so much, because certain parts are ing overy person in the Empire for the burg will be under Belgian protection.

About Alsace and Lorraine it does not followed me closely all the time.

by me, only a yard or so away. Ho had

vigour. agree

His first idea was to carry me, but German-speaking and racial affinity as soon as he raised himself up at all For the moment enemy formations should always facing us show renewed vitality. ey Armenia, becomes a Russian protectorate, target, and the firo grew hotter.

define boundaries.

he gave the riflemen and the gunners

We assurances that the Allies' offensive has fails under British governance. failed because the result, geographically, is less than the German General Staff feared.

Certain divisions, returned to the line this week for the third time since

The appent was heard recently in a the battle of the Somme began, have

ested suiciently to begin their fresh King's Bench Divisional Court of Ralph orden in the hand with pronounced ae-Richard Towler, post-office sorter, single, tivity. Gaps made in their ranks by against a conviction by a Highgate British shells have been stopped with new magistrate for being a deserter." soldiers of good physique and tenacity. The character of these reinforced troops reflects the energy of the German staff, who are now working against time to try to bring the army back to ita ell

They are mending the fabric, fitting in new parts of the machine, keying it up, adding improve ments

and scrapping obsolete mechanism. Their's must be the credit for the present wholesale marshalling of men, women and children to feed it with fresh material. More large guns have been concentrated here-routing bombard- monts testify to their presence and still of munitions has been increased and more guns are being made. The supply

accelerated.

wildly, and the in

A very easy

Snow fell heavily on the battlefield on Saturday, the ground was bog-like, and it was impossible to dig trenches.

The heroism displayed in retaining the ground won was more conspicuous than the capture thereof, as the evacuation of the wounded and the bringing up supplies was most difficult.

of

The English papers acclaim the victory as proving that at a moment of national crisis Franco's soldiers had proved her best Ambassadora in restoring the war to its true perspective.

They also point out that the German indecisive success in Roumania bas in nowise relieved the threat from the East and West, and conclude by stating that the Allied nations may contemplate the future with quiet minds.

A

level of endurance.

a

VOLUNTEER LOST TO THE ARMY,

It was stated that Mr. Towler went as

our own. The enemy would not come up the hill because they did not know what force we might have on the other side, but they peppered it steadily. chanche looked pretty poor.

Our

"I had lost so much blood that I had very little strength left. I did not lose consciousness, but I was in that state of completo lethargy, that coma neither painful nor unpleasant which is caused by loss of blood and which has helped so

.·

Derby volunteer in August last year to enlist. He was passed by the medicaly poor fellows to pass away quietly officer as fit. When asked to take the oath unresistingly, instead of suffering and struggling in vain. How long I stayed of attestation be refused, saying he was like that I don't know, but the first thing an atheist, but offered to affirm. The re-I remember is hearing Lupu's voice say to me, Captain, we can't stay here. me. I can't stir. Try to save yourself." No, no,' he protested. I promised not to leave you. I must stay with you. What would madame say if I broke my word?

Potato; the mong ration is 9 ounces three times a week,

To add to the wretchedness of the prisoners the Germans forbade French (sociétics and associations to send clothing to them. The French Government imme diately took mprisals and introduced identical regulations. In May last tho Germans gave way and allowed societies to despatch clothing and bread. Tho German Government stopped the letters of prisoners, lost parcels, and made illegal deductions from postal orders sent to prisoners. The French Govern ment replied with measures of re-

rents in the cruiting officer would not accept this and it right,' I said, you must leave Ciprocity," which, as it states,

GERMAN SURPRISES,

set him away. In May-last he was called up as a conscript.

The court allowed the appeal, with costs against the military, and ordered that the conviction be quashed.

The Lord Chief Justice said Towler had been rejected within the meaning of the Act. The military had bungled the case.

tine which has been breached so effec

Lancourt..

PREPARATION.

KEPING HIS PROMISE,

VETY

speedily produced their effect." In less than a month the Gerinan Government became honest.

Grievous atrocities have been practised on the prisoners. Frenchmen were mixed with Russia who were infected with "The Bulgarians kept on watering' typhus, and the German commandant of the hill. Presently Lupu spoke again, the camp at Cassel met protests with the * Come, captain,' he said, you must make ferocious remurk, “I make war in my an effort. If the Balgars find us here own way." they will cut off our hands and bulge Cases of murder are recounted. Thus oat our eyes. God knows what tortures at Altengrabow a chasseur.was killed by. they will put us to, Pull yourself the bayonet because on the day of the together, captain. We'll crow along Kaiser's visit he did not leave tho together. I shan't leave you. Don't be latrines quickly enough. At Ohrdruf a afraid of that.

soldier was bayoneted and killod for not If he hadn't been so insistent in nis having understood an order patient way I should never have moved,

The lot of those who are compelled to I felt that it was too much of an effort.

south of Bapaume. and less adequate group of trenches Since that last eyiction from invaded territory he was utilized them in building a strong post Acroplanes, of bota nguting ano scout-tion with the usual colonies of dug-outs jug types, are being manufactured in shallow at first, but growing deeper and large numbers, in the endeavour to re-safer as time goes on-plentiful com cover tho supremacy of the air, and tho

munications and machine-gun emplace- personnel of the aviation corps has been ments, and well-made fire trenches. EARLIER CABLES,

enlarged. You already know how the on-

Three deep rows of wire have sprung I didn't care what happened to me. I do forced labour is, perhaps, hardest. GERMAN ADMISSION.

hanced value of the machine-gun, has

up in front; uther entanglements and been emphasized by General von Armin pitfalls multiply in the night. Uncom-only wanted to be left alone. I managed The Red Cross representatives saw in the AMSTERDAM, December 17th.

to get up enough energy at last to start Erhardt Munition Works a notice to this. and his colleagues. German scientists arable as yet with the massive, fortress moving, but it was a fearful struggle. In effect: "All means, even force, will be and engineers are labouring on new war liks works of the original German triple a few moments I had begun to relapse employed to compel prisoners to labour Berlin caïumuniqué lates-Con-

machinery-it is quite possible that the

into inactivity.

in the works. All appeals DY tinuing the attack, the French, after British tank will have its counter:vely, the position in which the Germans

The Lupu changed his tactics. He prisoners are useless." The Red Cross hard fighting, possessed Rozonvaux wood.part in the new armaments of the enemy now shelter between these two high roads,

sow that he must try a new tone. He representatives found that at one factory tit has already appeared in Koumania-- before Lo Trausloy, Ligny-Thilloy, Le

an order was posted, stating that tho THE VERDUN VICTORY. | EG. H.D.P.)-and even this may not be Burque, and Warlencourt, is a stout bul. spoko for the first time with a shade of

impatience.

guards had instructions to use their the last word in German skul and in-

wart shielding Hapaume, which naturally Corno, captain,' he said, you know weapons in case the prisoners refused to GENERAL NIVELLE'S FAREWELL.genuity. The superiority of the British becomes stronger as the tenanry of the what you always used to be telling us work in another case a prisoner was

artillery and aircraft in the battle of invader continues. Behind it is another in the regiment. When things are dif It is expected that Lord Davenport,

PARIS, December 17th. the Somme has been admitted with frank strong position, covering Loupart Wood, enlt, you used to say, clench you fists and sentenced to be tied to a post for two Food Controller. will shortly enforce a

General Nivelle, accompanied by ness, and it must not be taught that hevillers, the Bapaume suburb known grit your teeth. This is the time for it. hours a day for ten days. In another u

the enemy will resigfedly accept this meatless day, probably Thursday, (in. General Petain, witnessed the victory handicap and not aruggle to overcomes

as tho Faubough de Péronne, and Grit your teeth now. Clench your fists. Prisoner who refused to work was com pelled to walk without rest for twelve Then we shall get along."

Somehow or other Lupu's instinct hours and beaten with rifle-butts when cluding private houses), sugar tickets, crowning his command of the Yerdunt.

army. In a farewell speech to his Staff Therefore any stagnation enforced by

Go back further still and you will told him to speak just the words, the only he stopped. The payment for this work a day, the last and the compulsory use of maize, oais, in the evening, General Nivelle said.rted in England. Do not conjure up engineers who are sowing machine- of road rat

winter warfare gust not be misinter

in the entire countryside in the hands words, I daro say, which were capable was from 241 to 8d.

It seemed as if he had amount only in rare and exceptional - or barley in addition to wheat, in bread-

Today's experience is conclusive. Our plenszut pictures of the armies ut von guns with a liberal kand, and trans- manged to transfuse some of his healthy, cases. making.

method has again been tested, and has in the mud, waiting to be broken to

altz and von Bülow lying forlornly forming virgin pastares and hamlets and vigorous blood into my veins, that were so nearly dry. I felt now as if I could ITALY'S FINANCES. demonstrated our ascendancy over the bits when the British, please. Germany Patenes of woodland into foundations for get away, and I wanted to try. It was

new battlefields Village cemeteries in is not sitting with hands folded, help regions where shells have never fallen rolling over and over, dragging myself peasants are like that. "Big children," enemy. Victory is certain. I assure you

a tedious business, crawling, wriggling, to such good purpose. The Roumanian aro how marked out as miniature re thereof, and Germany will learn it to her lessly watching her colossal military or-

along

I thought it would never end. people say. but children with a remark ganization crumbling away under the

doubts; there is not a thoroughfare of We carered like that three kilometres able turn for talking. In a hospital a This guns. She is exerting herself to

(more than a mile and a half). We went day or two ago, after a famous Bou the last ounce of her strength and the military importance that has not received attention. Miniature tram lines and

through brushwood, over stones, through manian poetess had given the men, a little last drop of her blood to prevent such a light railways aro spreading, for the stiff, prickly weeds. Our clothes were in lecture about the war generally and bad catastrophe. Even now she doce not requicker transmission of troops, and dire rags. We were covered with dirt. But played the guitar to them, ap got a young gard defeat in the field as inevitable. The confusion in the German lines which at last we came to a little ravine where soldier and made an eloquent ten-minute dream of world-conquest has been dis-

we seemed to be out of range, for we no I spanch of thanks. I asked a Roumaniai was caused by the lack adequate com- longer had rifle, and. shrapnel bullets acquaintance who was thore if this waa not unusual. Oh, no," he said, "they have now put the entire nation under munications; supplies of ammunition zipping and rattling round us.

can all talk. It seems to come natural We took a rest here, then Lupu hoist- There arms-till cherish the belief that their

to them." penses, while he was confident that they have been only patrol encounters on the empire can be brought intact out of could not be brought up rapidly...in sume

cases not at all; and the general exten-ed me up on to his back. He carried me

They have the pretty old-world man- would cordially be given the support of right of the Meuse. An enemy attack the furnace by a compromise peace accom

plished by Geruau rifles. Their faithsion of these light railways in districts antil we came to a village, where we the British Treasury to overcome their

beating off the attack of some peasants. patriarchal age, when society was neatly on the trenches in the St. Mihiel sector hangs on the refreshed and reinforced et unaffected by our advance is proof found some other wounded of our side ners, too, which we associate with the difficulties regarding

legions which will go into battle a few that the German higher command is We joined in, and all of us got away arranged in grades, each grade recognis war payments failed.

months hence they pray it may not be trying to avoid being again caught insafely. When we turned up at the place ing what was due to the other and behay-

similar predicament.

When the laundress The Balkans.

sooner. To that end they are being.

washing" the kisses Gangs of woodcutters are at work where the rest of the regiment was the ing as such."

colonel thought we were ghosts.

brings home my They my hand after I have paid her. equipped and strengthwurd in invaded stripping the timber in many places, cut bad given us up for lost.

The territory, which is now being covered ting it into pattern lengths for under- sent here and Lupu with me, and he servants have special forms of

salutation with many new intricate and formidable ground sheltora. Dug-outs of all sizes delivered me up to madame? as he had for use when addressing their betters,

In the country the feudal system still positions of defence.

are thus furnished complete, oven to the promised." Every week soos the further extension flooring and staircases for rapidly

flourishes in many districts. The owners and improvement of these lines behind furnishing the caves now being excavated Even to Roumanians who know their of the soil are not far from being the the battlefield. Look at the prospect in

I need scarcely say that all this is pass- A Berlin communiqué states.-General front of only one arrow sector of the by other labour battalions A host of peasantry well that story appeals with owners of the peasantry as well.

workmen elderly reservists, prisoners, so much force that one of the principal Maskensen has crossed the Buzkul sector to straight roads which form the point on the roads, improving the old ones sud honour, and Gheorghe is being made a

present British line-that between the and impressed civilians work constantly newspapers bere gives it the place of ing and soon will be no more. There is no need to regret it. At heart these Their on a broad front, and captured a con- of a triangle at Bapaume, roughly a driving new ones.

peasants will remain the same. popular bere of the war. There is some siderable quantity of rolling stock. We length of seven miles. Driven out of the Every person who imagines that Ger quality in it which distinguishes it from fluent tongues will not become speechless

villages south of it-Flers, Gueudocourt, parsued the enemy in the Dobrudja to Eucours Abbey-the enemy found him

many is already besten, and that Britain other stories of the kind. One can vividly any more than those of the Italiana. may therefore slacken her efforts, will do understand the nature of the good, simple Tlaxe will still be Gheorghe Lupus to [The Re-election Bill dispenses with the the region of a wooded district north-self back on a less perfectly organized well to ponder on these few significant fellow who ared his captain's exhortation light an the dark records of bloodshed with gleams of radiant devotion and necesity for the reelection of Ministers.], ward where resistanon is expected.

(Oontinued at foot of next Volumn.)

(Continued at foot of next Column.)

disregard of fear.

LOOKING TO BRITAIN.

ROME, December 18th.

The Finance Minister, referring to the Budget, announced that last year thero was a deficit of 188,000,000 lire. He fore-

cost."

ENEMY ACTIVITY CURBED,

Paris, December 17th. A communiqué states.-The enemy

pagne, but this was scattered.

saw no great difficulties in providing, in made a minor reconnaissance in Cham- fpelled, but her leaders-the leaders who followed the first British attacks last July

the forthcoming period, for internal ex-

abroad.

PEACE IN PORTUGAL.

MADRID, December 18th. Order is completely restored in Portu gal, from which place trains are arriving normally.

RE-ELECTION BILL

LONDON, December 15th. The House of Commons has passed the Re-election Bill.

EARLIER CABLES. (THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] GERMAN COMMUNIQUE.

AMSTEPDAN, December 17th.

Facts.

GOOD TALKERS.

Then I was