1916-12-22 — Page 5

THE WAR.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22ND, 1910.

THE PREMIER'S GREAT SPEECH;

PRESS AND

OTHER OPINIONS.

ROUMANIANS RESUME RESISTANCE.

General.

GREEK NOTE TO THE

EARLIER CABLES. (THROUGH BEUTER'S AGENCY.]

THE

ALLIES.

TRIBUTE TO ME. ASQUITH,

ITALIAN FEELING.

FRENCH PREMIER'S TURN.

WAS

Roas, December 19th. He would conclude with a personal

Speaking in the Chamber, Baron note. Might be say in all sincerity that

Sommino said that the Government was it was one of the deepest regrets of his

not aware of any specific conditions in life that he should part from Mr. Asquith the enemy peace proposals, but the boast Some of his friends knew how be strove

fulness and insincerity of their preamble For years he had served had not; inspired confidence. He begged to avert ig under Mr. Asquith, and ho was proud the Chamber not to adopt a resolution to say no. He never had a kindlier and.

suggesting that Italy's attitude more indulgent chief. Any faults of affferent from that of the other Allies. toner were entirely his (the speaker's),

The speech was greeted with an ova- and he had no doubt he (the speaker)tion, and the Chamber resolved, by must have been difficult at times. They had differed as men of such different temalarnation, to placard it. peraments must necessarily differ, but: never had they had a personal quarrel, despite serious differences on policy, and it was with deep, genuine grief he felt it necessary to tender his resignation. But there were moments when personal and party considerations must sink, and THE IRSH QUESTION.

if he had paid scant heed to the call of Turning to the Irish qucation the Pro party during the war it was because be realised from the moment that Prussian mier said he wished, if possible, to remove cannon hurled death at a peaceable, in- the misunderstanding between Great Bri-offensive little country that a challenge had been sent to civilisation to decide an issue higher than party, deeper than party, wider than all parties-an issue upon the settlement of which would do- generations, when existing parties would have fallen, like dead leaves on the high- way.

PREMIER'Stain and Ireland which had, for centuries, been such a source of misery to the one and embarrassment and weakness to the

SPEECH.

PARIS, December 19th. Four interpellations and criticisms are tho awaiting the new Government in Senate tomorrow, when M. Briand will probably speak on the German peace proposale,

CONDITION OF EGYPT,

GREATLY IMPROVED.

FRENCH FRONT.

LIVELY ARTILLERY ACTIVITY.

CAIRO, December 19th,

LONDON, December 20th.. The second anniversary of the British A Paris cominique states:-There has Protectorate finds the situation in Egypt been lively reciprocal artillery activity on the right bank of the Meuse, parti- pared with last year. The machinery of cularly in the regions of Rozonvaux, Bois overywhere greatly improved, as com- Government is running smoothly, and the des Catrisres and Chambrettes, but no people are happy, contented and most infantry fighting.

Trade is flourishing, and there are prospects of another bumper surplus at the close of the financial year.

prosperous.

"COMBING", OUT. DE-BADGING THE UNSKILLED.

LONDON, December 20th, In the House of Commons, Mr. Worth- Evans announced that the ington Ministry of Munitions had ordered the semi-skilled BT (1 de badging of all

naked workmen, thus enabling the JAN AIR MINISTRY.men to be called up as soon as they could

be spared or replaced. INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE’N

LATEST CABLES.

REPORTS.

UNIVERSAL NATIONAL SERVICE, other. He would have regarded that aspend the fate of men in this world for scie of the late Government was to trans-

a great victory for the Allied forces, as something that would have given strength to the armies and to the Allies. He was

of better relations.

THE ISSUES.

EXCESS PROFITS.

LONDON, December 20th. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law stated that, up to December 18th, the Treasury had received £73,690,000 sterling in excess profits,

RAILWAY FARES AND SERVICE INCREASE AND RESTRICTION. LONDON, December 20th. In the House of Commons, Mr. Roberts sanouneed that, on January 1st, railway passenger fares would be increased fifty per cent, except in the case of workmen's tickets, and season tickets up to forty of the passenger train service.

There has been intermittent artillery activity elsewhere,

NOTHING IMPORTANT.

LONDON, December 20th: A French communiqué states that there is nothing important to report on the Western front.

THE MEUSE FIGHTING. GERMANS LOSE AN ARMY CORPS.

PARIS, December 19th. According to a semi-official message, the Germans have lost an Army Corps in the Meuse fighting The Balkans.

LATEST CABLES.

-[THROVUH KIUTER'S AGENCY.]

GERMAN

REPORT.

ROUMANIANS RESUME

RESISTANCE.

LONDON, December 21st. A German evening communiqué says: The enemy in the most northern part of Dobrudja, retiring up till now, has resistance. Strong hostile resunied

and do nothing to strengthen our credit He had felt the whole time that we were faith-the channel úlong which peace, resulting from agitation. It refers to the miles. There would also be a restriction attacks at the Cerna Loop were repulsed,

abroad.

EARLIER CABLES,

GREEK CRISIS.

GREEK NOTE TO THE ALLIES.

LONDON, December 21st. It is understood that one of the last Air form the Air Board into an Ministry, ranking with the Boards of Trade, of Agriculture, and of Education. LONDON, December 21st.

The Ministry will consist of a President It was necessary we should make swift

These were the issues he wanted to keep appointed by His Majesty and Members and offective answer to Germany's latest

convinced now that it was a misunder-

The final report of the Committee of mood. As months go by (proceeded the standing, partly racial and partly re-in front of the nation, so that we should appointed by Order in Council. speaker) the cost of the war increases.ligious. It was to the interest of both to not falter nor faint in our resolvea. Investigation of the Royal Flying Corps have it removed, but there seemed to (Cheers.) There is a time in every pro- generally vindicates the conduct and Our purchases in neutral countries have have been some evil chance that frustrat-longed and fierce war when in the passion Administration of the corps, pays B become more difficult to finance, yet there ed every effort made for the achievement and cage of the conflict men forget the tribute to the recent wonderful improve high purpose wherewith they entered it. ment in efficiency, due to the unremitting He had tried once, but did not succeed: This is a struggle for international right, labour of the directorate of Military are thousands of men occupied in indus- tries which consume our wealth at Home but the fault was not entirely on one side. international honour, international good Aeronautics, and not to spasmodic effort moving in an atmosphere of nervous honour and goodwill must flow amongst criticism of a certain machine as ill But we have no power to suspicion and distrust porvative of every men. The embankments laboriously built founded, and points out that it was

thing and everybody. He was drenched transfer them from employment where with suspicion of Irishmen by English-up by generations of mon against bar-employed in the destruction of three they are wasting their strength and our men, and Englishmen by Irishmen, and, harisms have been broken, and had not Zeppeline in England. It further says own to employments where they could worse and most fatal of all, suspicion of the might of Britain passed into the that the Admiralty's purchase of Ameri Irishmen by Irishmen. It was a quag breach Europe would have been inundated can machines and engines at the outbreak ence, which was wisely not repeated.. The Committee's chief recommendation is increase it. We have not even the ormire of distrust which clogged the with a flood of savagery and unbridled of the war was a discouraging experi of fairplay amongst nations, the growth separate equipment from Executive com- ganisation necessary for utilising them footsteps of progress that was the real lust of power. (Cheers.) The plain sense

eneniy of Ireland.

If that could be slain he believed it of an international conscience, the pro-mand ng Volunteers. These are powers we must

would accomplish an act of reconciliation tection of the weak against the strong that would make Ireland greater and by the stronger, the consciousness that FRENCH GOVERNMENT BILL task and great efforts of the Allies, the protection of the Allies on the take, and this is organisation which we must complete. (Cheers.) He pointed Britain greater and would make the justice has a more powerful backing in United Kingdom and Empire greater the world than greed, the knowledge that (Cheers.) any outrage upon fair dealing between in this connection to the difficulty re-

than they ever were before. garding agricultute for want of skilled Speaking for himself and his colleagues, nations, great or small, will meet with men, despite the fact that he believed he said they would strive to produce that better feeling which was essential to the there were hundreds of thousands of solution of the Irish problem, (Cheers) people who, if they could be utilised to let to help the Government, not the best advantage, could produce great to solve a political question, but to help la to do something that would be a real quantities of food in this country.

contribution to the winning of the war. this gunncotion schemes of very great magnitude had been formulated and in course of being put into They would involve great operation. local organisation throughout the coun- try, and be thought Mr. Asquita would is very satisfied with them when he saw

wore

them.

and faiths

Grent idene of nation fairplay and justice The appealed to the Dominions just as in-

to Great Britain. AS sistently Dominions recognised throughout that the the guarrel was not merely European,

prompt and merited chastisement-these constitute the causeway along which humanity was progressing slowly to higher things. The triumph of Prussia would sweep it all away and leave man kind to struggle helpless in the moraas. That is way, since this war begén, I have known but one political aim--for that I have fought with a single eye and that is, the rescue of mankind from the moet overwhelming catastrophe that has ever (Loud and get menneed the well-being

LONDON, December 20th. Mr. Lloyd George's speech has put a was first marked by the Verdun victory. seal on the revival of confidence which The members of the House of Commons listened throughout with rapt attention and growing exhilaration. The

mos

REJECTED.

PARIS, December 21st The Council of National Economice has rejected, by 24 votes 10.12, the Bill intro- duced by the Government seeking to authorise the Government to take, by decree, measures necessary for national defence, especially regarding agriculture, industrial output, recruiting labour, and the sale and distribution of commodities, as depriving Parliament of constitutional powers.

BOUMANIAN MINISTERIAL

CRISIS. CABINET WITHDRAW RESIGNA

TIONS.

JASSY, December Ast. The Ministerial crisis is ended, the Cabinet withdrawing their resignations. General Bratiano has returned to the Army Headquarters. ROUMANIAN FOOD BOOTY.

AMSTERDAM, December 21st. General Batooki, visiting Vienna and

do this it was proposed to appoint im- fight was not a selfish one; that striking feature of the proceedings was Budapest to negotiate distribution of the

LONDON, December 20th. Reuter learns that a Greek Government Note to the Allies, yesterday, protested against the landing of Venizelists under

FRENCH PREMIER. ANSWERS HIS CRITICS.

PARIS, December 20th. In the French Senate, M. Briand spoke in reply to the interpellation of 3, Berenger, accusing the Government of lack of foresight and military diplomacy. M. Briand dwelt on the terrible emphasising that Britain's military

It says the Greek tribution was far exceeding the original various islands, of which it demanded

He said that Dr. Von Bothman Hollweg's last speech showed Government has hitherto carried out its that Germany was at bay. The demand Promises most satisfactorily.

It was not merely a sign of for peace was the last bluff she would attempt.

arrangement.

con

weakness, bilt a stratagem. The Allies reply would be worthy of their brave soldiers.

On the motion of M. Clemenceau, the Senate went into secret session,

GERMAN LINER ESCAPES. AND GOES AGROUND.

COPENHAGEN, December 10th.. The German liner Prinz Frisdrich Wilhelm, which has been sheltering at Vardoe in the Arctic since 1914, has escaped and steamed in-shore, escorted by a Zeppelin and two submarines, to the Kattegat. She missed her bearings in a snowstorm and grounded at Samsoe. The ship and cargo are valued at a million sterling.

GERMAN-OWNED BARQUE'S

ESCAPE.

VALPARAISO, December 19th. The German-owned harqas Tinte has fitted out in suspicious circumstances.

TRIBUTE TO THE DOMINIONS. After paying a high tribute to the enormous and incalculable services of the Navy, not merely to the Empire, but to the whole of the Allied cause, saying prolonged cheers.) that the war could not have lasted the time it had but for its services, Mr.PRESS AND OTHER OPINIONS. "The matter was considered by the Lloyd George came to the question of the Ministers had repeatedly

UNANIMOUS SUPPORT IN THE war committee of the late Government, Dominions.

COMMONS. who unanimously decided that the time acknowledged the splendid assistance of had come for the adoption of the printhe Dominions given of their own free ciple of universul national service. The will to the old country in its champion- present Government and War Cabinet ship of the cous of humanity. had unanimously adopted this conclusion, He believed that the plans which have been made would secure to every worker all be had a right to ask for. In order to mediately a Director of National Barvice civil side of universal National Service. The civil and military side of the directory would be entirely separate There would be a military and a civil director responsible to the Director of

The reason was that the Government National Service. The military director would be responsible for recruiting for felt that the time had come when the but as regarded Dominions ought to be more formally. military service, sivilian service it was proposed that the consulted as to the progress and course directed by the schedule of industries to be taken to secure victory and the directory of National Service should of the war, and as to the steps that ought and of services according to their essen-trectheds of garnering in those fruits. tind character during the war Certain We propose, therefore, at an early industries regarded as indispensable, and the departments' concerned, would in- dent upon the Director of National Sarvice for the labour which was re- quired for those services. Other services would be ratiored in such matters as Material. and Power. Labour, Rar Labour that was set free from non-

to be in charge of both the military and that there were great world issues involved to complete unanimity of all leaders food booty captured from the Roccaped from Calbuco, where she

essential and rationed industries would be available to set free potential soldiers, who were at present exempted from military service, and to increase the available supply of labour for essential

services.

wherewith their children were as much concerned as ours. The new Government Whe were as full of gratitude as the old for the super-valour which our kinsmen had shown in so many stricken fields, but was not why he introduced the subject.

The con-

manians, in an interview said it was big enough to please the most pessimistic, "THE GERMAN PEACE

MANŒUVRE.".

FRENCH PREMIER'S OPINION.

PARIB, December soth.

in and out of the Government concern ing the nation's attitude sensus of the people does not merely accept but acclaims the refusal of the German overtures towards peaop, and cheerfully faces the dangers and pri vations ahead, knowing the enemy Eas There is much satisfaction at the done his worst as regards frightfulness. absence of recriminations between M. The and it is expested that Mr. Lloyd would form the Contenotes haply Lloyd George and Mr. Asquith. And is inform Central Powers that it George's speech will strengthen the post was impossible to take the peace request date, to summon an Imperial Conference tion of M. Briand towards the critics seriously to place the whole position before the of the French Ministry

IN CANADA. Dominions, to take counsel with them a

to what farther action they and we should take together in order to achieve an early and a complete triumph for the ideals they and we have a superbly fought for," (Loud cheers.) BRITAIN'S RELATIONS WITH HE

ALLIES.

REGINA, December 20th. Sir Robert Borden has sent a message to Mr. Lloyd George, to the effect that Canada will spare no sacrifice to make triumphant the great cause for which the Allies are contending.

In the Senate, M. Briand said nobody had been deceived by the German peace

GERMAN AND BRITISH PRISONERS.

QUESTIONS IN THE COMMONS. LONDON, December 21st.

VUZLA

HOLLAND'S ATTITUDE. ON ARMED MERCHANTMEN.

LONDON, December 19th. In the House of Commons, Lord Robert Cooil said that the Netherlands is the only neutral nation which refuses admit defensively armed ships into its

to

the restoration

MACEDONIA.

RAIN AND FOG.

LONDON, December 20th. A French communiqué states, that rain and fog are interfering with operations in Macedonia.

RUSSIAN REPORT.

INTENSE FIGHTING.

LONDON, December 20th. A Bussian coamuniqué states:-We ro- pulsed enemy attacks to the south-west. of Brody, and also in the region of Perlita, on the left bank of the Danube. There is intense fighting on our right Bank in the Dobrudja.

Naval Activities,

LATEST. CABLES.

[THROUGH RESTER'S AGENCY.]

SUBMARINE

PIRACY.

ANOTHER BRITISH CAPTAIN MADE PRISONER

CORUNNA, December 21st, A submarine escorted a Danish steamer

ports, but it did not impugn the legality tying the German war flag to Finisterre,

FAMOUS

FRENCH AVIATOR

KILLED.

carrying 49 of the crows of other ships. The Captain of the British steamer, Blairhall has been made prisoner.

The submarine subsequently pursued two other steamers, and gun-firing was heard.

LONDON, December 19th. Capt. Beauchamp, the French aerial officer who bombed Ess and Munich, & has been killed in an air fight.

In the House of Commons, Mr. Hope Franco-chelgian Front. on behalf of the Foreign Office, replying to Mr. Hunt, said that the Captain of the Blucher and an officer belonging to Lis had been removed from Donnington Hall to Switzerland.

With regard to the exchanges of unfit British prisoners from Germany, the responsibility of the selection of the men to be exchanged rested with the Anglo Swiss and Teuto-Swiss Medical Com- missions.

GERMANY'S HOPES.

December 20th. The Prime Minister then dealt with Altirs with her Britain's relations

Reuter's correspondent at New York and said we had already achieved says high German hopes of peace are unity of aim. but when he came evidenced by the Hamburg-American and This labour would be invited to enrol to the question of unity of action North German Lloyd circulars offering on resumption of our regular at once and would be registered as war ho still thought there was a goyd freights Workers on lines analogous to the exist deal left to be desired. He need only service, after peass

AMERICAN OPINION. ing Munitions and Volunteers, with refer to the incident of Itoumania and for himself similar provisions as to rates of pay and each man could spell out

Be had no what he meaat. The enemy had two separation allowances doubt that when it was realised how supreme advantages: They could act on essential to the life of the nation it was internal lines, and there was one great that the service of every man should be dominant Power that practically direct put to the best use we should secure ade-ed the enemy's forces. quate supply of these Volunteers, Government were taking immediate steps to secure by this means the men they want. The classification of the industries and the invitation to enrol as Volunteers ed. No one could say that we had made Allies have all civilisation at their back that, in reply to his protest against the

We had neither The of these advantages, therefore we must

achieve the same end by other means,

The advantages the Allies possessed were advantages which time had improv

NEW YORK, December 30th. The morning papers agree that Mr. Lloyd George has adroitly drawn the Central Powers into a position whe they must show their hands; otherwise the world will be convinced that the peace proposals were an attempt at political trickery.

The New York Times says that the

EARLIER CABLES.

GERMAN PUBLICATIONS.

BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE.

THE HAGUE, December 19th. The Foreign Minister has announced when they demand the ending of Prusseizure of German publications destined to India and elsewhere abroad, Great sian militarism as a primary and essen tial condition of peace,

Britain has declared her readiness to come to an understanding enabling Uni- versities and public bodies to obtain German scientific and technical publica-

the best of that time; there had been would begin as; son as may be. If it tardiness of decision and action. Some was found impossible to get the numbers one had said about Necker that he was

The New York Sun says that there can required-and be hoped it would be liko a clock that was, always too slow. possible they should not hesitate to There was a little of that in the Great be no further doubt that the Allies are grasp peace for come to Parliament and ask Parliament Alliance clock. It had stopped at Belast in the mood to

i

peace' sake, and that the sooner their to release them from pledges given in giu, Serbia Mentenegro and Roumanis. other circumstances, and to obtain the Before they could take full advantage steadfastness is understood in Berlin. necessary power for rendering our plans of the Allies enormous resources there the brighter will be the prospect of

peace. means of arriving at Fully effective. The nation was fighting must be some for its life, and was entitled to the best quicker and readier decisions and carry- ing them out. (Hear, hear.) He believ services of all its sons. (Cheers.)

The Government has been fortunate ined that could be done. inducing the Lord Mayor of Birmingham,

FRENCH SOCIALISTS'

PATRIOTISM.

PARIS. December 19th. There must be more consultation--more A Congress of Socialists has resolved. Mr. Neville Chamberlain, to accept the real consultation-between men who mat- by ten thousand against four hundred, There that no peace proposals with the enemy position of Director-General under this ter in the direction of affairs.

can be entertained until concrete terms scheme, and he would immediately pro- must be less of the feeling that each coun ceed to organise this great new system try has only got its own front to look have been offered,

after. The policy of a common front of enrolment for industrial purposes, must be a reality. (Cheers) The enemy

GERMAN PRESS PESSIMISTIC. and he (the Premier) hoped that, before realised this policy, and he believed we

AMSTERDAM, December 19th. Parlament resumed its duties in another mast secure it more and more, instead of The German Press is pessimistic on the few weeks, he would be able to report that having overwhelming guns on the one prospect of peace even by next spring they had secured a sufficiently large in side sad bare breasts-gallant breasts- The Kodnische Zeitung asye:"Out dustrial army in order to mobilise the on the other. That was essential for the with submarines; then no American will whole labour strength of the country for, Allies, and for the curtailment of the be able to prevent us from foreing peace

period before victory arrived.

on the enemy." war purposes. (Choers.)

xious.

AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR.

HIS SAFE CONDUCT.

LONDON, December 19th According to Beuter, safe nonduct has been given to Count Tarnowski, the Austrian Ambassador, at the request of the United States, which has accepted all responsibility.

T

INDIA COUNCIL DRAFTS.

LONDON, December 19th. The Times says it is understood that Indian bankers and others are in negotia tion with the India Office with a view. to a relaxation of the restrictions on the sale of India Council drafts.

LATEST CABLES. (THROUGH BRUTRE'S AGENCY.]

BRITISH FRONT. SUCCESSFUL BAIDA.

CLAIM

GERMAN

TORPEDOED A STEAMER.

LONDON, December 21st.

A German official message claims that) they torpedoed the steamer Suffren, men tioned on the 8th inst., fifty miles north west of Lisbon, on the 26th November.

FALSE GERMAN REPORT.

CONTRADICTION BY THE BRITISH ADMIRALTY.

LONDON, December 21st. General Sir Dougins Haig, in a come muniqué says:-We raided the enemy's lines in the vicinity of Gommecourt and did considerable damage. Also to the

LONDON, December 21st. north of Arran, where a number of A wireless report of an interview with prisoners were captured. The leader of Herr Zimmerman stated that the German A German patrol, to the north of Neuve steamer Kolya was sunk, that seven Chapolle was killed and his men made perished, and that English submarines steered round the vessel without attempt prisoners.

ing a rescue.

FRENCH FRONT. ARTILLERY DUELS.

PARIS, December 21st. A communiqué states that south of the Samme the enemy engaged in a bombard ment of our positions, particularly the Balloy-en-Santerre, Bermy. Pressoire, and Ablaincourt sectors. We vigorously There has been intermittent replied artillery fire elsewhere,

EARLIER CABLES.

BRITISH FRONT.

A BUSY NIGHT.

LONDON, December 20th,

The British Admiralty has declared that the tradition of the British Navy is sufficient refutation of the statement, British submarines sunk no German ship of the name of Kolga.

Africa,

EARLIER CABLES, [TEROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGN.

ALLIED SUCCESSES.

LONDON, December 20th.

An official message stater that General Smuts repulsed strong counter-attacks at Kibats on the 15th inst. and finally. General Sir Douglas Haig reports:-ejected a few Germans from our advanced The enemy's artillery was particularly positions, securing an important ridge active last night in the neighbourhood of 3,500 yards to the north-east of Kibata.

Our aeroplanes had considerable bomb

ancoesses, To-day we carried out a successful bom-ing

inflicting appreciable Eaucourt l'Abbaye.

Fauquissart.

Elsewhere the situation is unchanged. bardment of the lines to the cast of casualties