1917-01-06 — Page 5

THE WAR.

GERMANY

CLIMBING

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, JANUARI OTH, 1917.

DOWN.

SPECTRE OF ECONOMIC RUIN.

MRS.

General,

NEWS FROM ALL FRONTS.

CORNWALLIS WEST FURTHER CENSURED.

LATEST CABLES.. (THROUGH REUTER'S LONNOT.)

+

GERMANY CLIMBING DOWN.

SPECTRE OF ECONOMIC RUIN.

LONDON, January 4th. The impression is growing that Gor- many has so far climbed down that she has communicated to President Wilson, at least the outlines of peace terms which

Mean she originally Batly refusa.cð. while, the authorities at Washington maintain absolute secrecy, but Americans are convinged that important develop ments are progressing under the surface. The chastened mood of the Germans is attributed to the British blockade, which The is grinding slowly but surely. spectro of economic ruin, with the inevit ablo consequences of internal commotion, is evidently frightening the German leaders of all parties, although some con- binue their threats of frightfulness. The feeling of fear has been increased by the

shoringe of the harvest of potatoes, is but 'Germany's”, mainstay, which 20,000,000 tons, compared with $1,000,000 tons in 1915.

THE COMMON CAUSE.

MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S INSPIRING MESSAGE TO THE DOMINIONS.

LONDON, January 5th.

The Colonial Office has published a message from Mr. Lloyd George, on his assumption of the Premiership, to the Dominions' Premiers. This is as Follows:-

I sand you, on behalf of the people of the old country, a message to our brothers beyond the seas, that it is our unfaltering determination that the sacrifices we and you have made, and have still to make, shall not be in vain, and the fight which we are, waging together for humanity and civilisation shall be fought to a triumphant issue, We realise that we shall nced every man who can be put in the field, every

EARLIER CABLES.

THE "LADY IN THE CASE

MRE, CORNWALLIS WEST AND THE

MAJOR-GENERAL,

LONDON, January 4th.

The Balkana.

LATEST CABLES. (THROUGH KHUTER'S AGENCE.) PINCHING, GREECE. SUCCESS OF THE BLOCKADE...

LONDON, January th

The blockade is pinching Greece, and fights are a daily occurrence outside the bakeries. The stocks of grain and flour are barely sufficient to last until the middle of January. Mutinons Reservists are terrorising Athens, refusing to recognise any authority.

Even

Africa.

LATEST CABLES.

IN EAST AFRICA.

BRITISH PROGRESS.

Lonnon, January ath An East Africa official communique sistes:-Wo stormed on Monday strongly entrenched lines in the Mgsta Valley, southward of Ulagura Hills, inflicting. heavy casualties and capturing several

......

THE WAR'S EFFECT UPON LEAGUE TO ENFORCE PEAGE,

JAPAN.

VISCOUNT GREY'S MESSAGE. THE PREMIER AND THE PEACE PROPOSALS,

At a dinner given by the loading hankers of Tokyo in honour of the Ministers of State, the Prime Minister, Count Teranchi, dwelt at some length upon the effects which the war has had upon Japan. Referring to the peace proposals the Premier said:

Germany and hor allies havò kuddenly proposed peace, which has caused a tem porary panic in economic circles. The gims and howitzers. We pursued the present is by no means an opportune the enemy to within eleven miles north-westclude pesce, and they will not lay aside moment for the Entente Powers to con- Military Party, which originally of Kibambawe, towards the Ruaji arms and stop hostilities until they have encouraged "the Reservists, are now Valley. Meanwhile, a detached columns couperating with the allied powers in attained their object. Although Japan obliged to bow to the dictates of what is made a wide detour in a difficult, track the war, fortunately she has been not really an armed mob. The establishment less country, and established itself astride since the fall of the German stronghold at directly plunged into the vortex, and, of a Commune, like at Paris in 1871, is of the roads leading southward from the Tsingtao the country has been ausisting the allies in the supply of ordnance and possible.

Rubii Valley. Our forces further east other war materials established · themselves astride of the

THE DÓBRUDJA DEFENCE.

JAPAN'S INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS,

A big meeting the League to Enfores Peace was held at New York recently, under the chairmanship" of Mr. Taft and other meetings of the same kind will, follow in various big American cities. It' is carefully emphasised that the object of the league is not to seek to end the present war, though Mr. Jacob Schiff, a prominent New York banker, urgod bu to form a league of nations after its

that the time to act is already herë,”

close to maintain ponos by their united economic and military power. There was some tittering at the mosting when n message was read from Count Bernstorf, the German Ambassador at Washington, at all times to enter the league for the intimating that Germany stood ready purpose of restraining the disturbare of peace.

A cable from Viscount. Grey fead as follows:

already made it clear that I bincerely

"I think public utterances, must, haver desire to see a league of nations formed and made effective to secure the future pence of the world after this war. is over.

I regard this as the beat, if not the only prospect of preserving treaties

warn in years to come:ete,

In its report on the case of 2nd Lieut. | RUSSIANS FORCED TO GIVE WAY tracks leading southward from Rufiji merce and industry of the Empire, and of saving the world from aggressivo

Patrick Barrett-mentioned in yester day's cablegrams the Military Court of Enquiry regrets that Mrs. Cornwallis West holds positions of some importance on various publio War Work Associations in Denbighshire. It expresses the opin on that the correspondence between Major-General Cowans and Mrs. West indicates that the part played by the former was not merely an indiscretion but a departure from official propriety, It says that Major-General Cowans dis closed official information to Mrs. West and implicated the War Office, which was then ignorant of Mrs. West's complaints, It mentions that Major-General Cowans told Mrs. Weet that he would fight for ber if he had the time.

It should be noted that there are two ladies bearing the name of Mrs, Cornwallis West. The natural assumption is that the lady to whom reference is made in the cable is the mother of Mrs. Winston Churchill,

The statement by the Military Court, how- ever, that Mrs. Weet holds position of some importance in the various publie war work Associations in Denbighshire throws doubt upon the point, as a Mrs. William Cornwallis West is the wife of the Lord Lieutenant of Denbighshire. In the circum. stances it is strange that Router's corres pondent does not malce the position clear.]

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

QUESTION OF INDIAN REPRESENTATION.

LONDON, January 3rd. The Indiaman has collected the opin ions of several distinguished Anglo Indians on the question of Indian repro- sentation at the Imperial Conference,

Sir John Hewett hopes that one of the advisers from India may be za Indian. with broad, statesmanlike and Imperial ideas.

Sir John Birdwood says he altogether supports the representation of India by

non-official Indian like the Maharaja. Sir Pratap Singh, as well as by an official European or Indian member,

the

Colonel Yate. M.P. hopes that one of

pound which rigid public economy can provide, and every effort which an

official representatives will be united people can put forth to help our specially selected as a personal repre- soldiers and sailors in their heavy task. sentative of the Indian soldiers who have The splendid contributions to the fought so well, and of the chiefs and common cause already made by the peoples, who, by contributions, have Dominions give us sure confidence that helped so well to maintain the Imperial their determination is no less high than pars, and however long the path to final victory we shall tread it alongside.” Replies echoing Mr. Lloyd George's sentiments have been published from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South

Africa and New Foundland

TRAIN COLLISION IN SCOTLAND,

MANY CASUALTIES.

#

cause.

SUSPENSION OF TREASURY BILLS.

LONDON, January 4th. The Bank of England announces that the issue of Treasury Bills is suspended. Franco-Belgian Front.

LATEST CABLES.

we

· (THROUGH' BRUTER'S AGENCY.] BRITISH RAID TRENCHES, LONDON, January 5th.

LONDON, January 4th. Eleven persons were killed and 43

Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re- injured as the result of

collision ports:-We successfully raided trenches between a train containing holiday-northeastward of Arras. Twice makers and a light engine, between entered positions in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh and Glasgow last evening.

Wytschsete and drove off a party endeavouring to approach us eastward of Armentieres VIOLENT ARTILLERY DUEL.

PARIS, January 5th.

-FLOODS IN AUSTRALIA.

IMMENSE DAMAGE: -

BRISBANK, January 5th. The 'latect reports show that the Goods are extending over the whole of the Interior of Queensland. Immense

A communiqué says:-There has bee a fairly violent artillery dual west of the Souias Sommepys Road, in the regions Ari

damage has been done.. Numerous of Donaumont and Tepper Hill. bridges have been destroyed, the railways enemy aeroplane drooped two hombs on are interrupted, and there are heavy Compiegne, a woman being injured lossen of livestock.

There was no damage,

"Nearly everybody here supports the

The situation has favoured the com- Delta, where there were considerable ment and prosperity, especially accele which have attained a sudden / develop- enemy forces. The British forces east-rating a remarkable increase in her ex object of the league, but it is recognised ward of the Trings and Ubena line are international trade and general economic by the members generally that to move port trade. This favourable trend in driving a strong detachment towards activity will last till the termination of for peace before the end of the war Mahenge.

the war, but in order to secure a per- would be absolutely futile, and such manent guarantee of commercial and action would ineur the resentment, of the industrial prosperity, effort must be Allied nations, without whow support mado to consider measures for post the real aim of the league could nevez hollum arrangements and for the main [be accomplished.” tenance of the present favourable trend after the conclusion of the war For the fartherance of that purpose efforts must be made to solidify the basis of

Naval Activities.

LATEST CABLES. (THROUGH REUTER'S AUKNOT.]

LONDON, January 5th. With the capture of Macin, the defence of the Dobradja is virtually over. The Russians, having evacuated the rest of that territory, had to fall back on the Macin bridge-head in order to protect Braila on the flank. It has now whittled down, under pressure of reiterated attacks, until all that remains to the Russians is the Tarrow belt of land CALLOUS GERMAN METHODS, of productive industries and the smooth between the marshes, which carries the highway between the Danube and Braila, but the advance upon Braile has been so effectually retarded that it may safely be assumed that the contents of the great granaries have already been removed out of the enemy's reach.

BRITISH ARMOURED CARS.

ENEMY HEAVILY PUNISHED.

LONDON, January 5th.

A communiqué · speaks of British armoured cars, tearing along the Braila Viziru road, heavily punishing the enemy.

BRITISH MOVEMENTS. -

SUCCESSFUL VILLAGE BAID.

· Lospos, January 4th.

A British official report states:-We snccessfully raided the village of Keupri, inflicting casualties and taking prisoners. The Navy bombarded positions at Bemuitos and Lakoviķia.

EARLIER CABLĖS.

GERMAN CLAIMS.

THE DOBRUDJA CLEARED.

AMSTERDAM, January 4th. A wireless German official message says:-General von Mackensen has con; quered the sector north-west of Focsani He also repulsed a strong force of Russian cavalry to the west of the mouth

of the Buzaul.

The German-Bulgarians stormed and ↑ captured the stubbornly-defended villages. of Macin and Jujila and took prisoner thousand men. This clears the Dobradja, except for a narrow strip in the direction of Galate, where the Russian rearguards are holding their ground.

RUSSIAN SUCCESSES,

SOME CAPTURES.

PETROGRAD, January 4th.

A wireless Russian official message

DISREGARD FOR NON-COM- BATANTS.

COOKNEY. WIT.

national economics by the perfect union MR. PETT RIDGE'S ANECDOTES CY

THE LONDON STREETS. accommodation of funds, while exter- ually, efforts must also be made to enhance the credit of domestic manu- factures and to develop a permanant market for them in foreign lands, con- stantly watching the shifting trend of the world's commercial situation. long as the European war lasts there As will be-a frequent recurrence of peace talk, which, however, shall not be allowed to affect and disturb the markets.

PEACE AND PANIC.

Mr. Pett Ridge amused a large audience in connection with the Teachers' Guild at Brunswick-squaro on November 28th with a little ahead of Cockney anecdotes, The small child, ho said, often cures the

ladies were passing along a street, and vanity of grown-ups. If some well-dressed looking at their reflections in a shop window all their self-satisfaction would disappear because some little kind kid in a doorway would remark, "Well, that

(Laughter.) fairly puts the lid on it."

A City constable was accosted by a gon tleman, who complained of the conduct of a small boy. "I was coming along with my violin case about two minutes ago," said the gentleman, when that boy the time. I put my violin care down, this came up, touched his hat, and asked mo

sures to encourage and develop the took out my watch, and said, 'My lad, to make efforts for the proper regulation boy said,At three o'clock go and got latter, while the bankers are called upon it wants ten minutes to three,' and the

of money circulation and accord facili- your hair cut." "Well, sir,” replied the ties for the supply of funds, always constable, you are all right. You've bearing in mind to provide against con- got a good eight minutes to spare." tingenoice,

(Laughter.) The conductor of an omni- Westminster Abbey "I do,' said one bus one day called out, -" Who wants passenger. "Well," replied the conduc

LONDON, January 4th. The Admiralty announces that besides the cases of the Rappa Hennock and Westminster, & farther instance of the callous disregard of lives of non-com-

If panic results on account of such batants is revealed in a German wireless pouce talk it will injure the growth of the industrial spirit of the nation and message of November 9th which reported kill the development of sound business the torpedoing of the North Wales.enterprise. Temporary enterprises must be properly regulated, but the growth Nothing since has been heard, beyond a of sound business undertakings must be piece of varnished wood marked North respost the government will take mear

encouraged and nurtured.

Wales which was found at Sennen Cove. Bodies stranded on the Cornish Coast are presumed to be those of the crew who took to the boats when gales were prevalent and were drowned.

SINKINGS.

LONDON, January 5th. The steamers Bay Craig (British), and Britannic Ellik (Norwegian) have been sunk.

EARLIER CABLES.

MADE IN GERMANY,

PARIS, January 4th. The French Admiralty denies absolutely the German wireless message claiming the torpedoing of the French battleship Ferite,

BRITISH TRANSPORT

SUBMARINED.

HEAVY CASUALTIES FEARED.

LONDON, January 4th.

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BANKERS TO ASSIST.

In

The bankers are called upon to supply fands without hesitation for sound bus ness enterprises, those likely to contri bate to the growth of national economic tor, you will have to come down for it.

I can't very well bring it up to yer.” interests increase the welfare of the contribute to the commercial and indus-One stormy and blastering night the country, by which they themselves will (Laughter.)" trial development of the state.

conductor of an omnibus near the Marble FINANCE MINISTER'S REVIEW.

Arch said to his driver, " I wish I was in Mr. Shoda, who was also present 'Eaven." "For my part," said the at the dinner, made his first driver, "I would rather be in a nise speech as Finance Minister. After dwell | warm pub." "Yes," retorted the con- ing on the contents of the next fiscal ductor, "you always want the bout of year's budget estimate recently published everything."

by the government, the Minister spoke to the following effect:

(Laughter.)

Mr. Pett Ridge told the story of an indignant old gentleman who complained The effect of the war on the financial to a sentry who had gone for " his and economic interests of the country little dog with a bayonet." Well," said been brought about in the international of my leg." "But why didn't you push is varied. An especially good effect has the sentry," he took a bit out of the calf trade of the country and in the condi' him off with the butt end of your rifle 7" tion of the sperie held by the government. asked the old gentleman. The export trade maintains an increasing he bite me with his tail?" retorted the "Why didn't tendency since the outbreak of the war, the amount for this your being expected to result in a heavy excess of experts, amounting to about 350,000,000 yen...

THE INCREASE, IN SPECIE

Bentry,

In a London hospital the patients were talking about surgeons, and one relate t how a surgeon had left a pair of forceps Owing to a sudden increase of specie inside another patient, when the surgeon other than trade secourts, together with put his head inside the door of the ward, the increased revenue from freight, in- and said, "Has anybody seen saything of surance and other receipts, the amount my silk hat!

of specie held in the domestic market has shown an astounding ingresso.

The

latest figuro reaches upward of

(Laughter.)

Tho Admiralty announces that the transport vessel Ivernia was torpedoed by a submarine in bad weather in the 210,000,000 yen, against 250,000,000 yen exports and thereby injure the normal before the outbreak of the war, and growth of trade of the country. The Mediterranean on Monday..

assuming that the increase is maintained stoppage of the importation of certain at the same rate,

revenue of about kinds of goods through the war and the Four military officers and 143 men are 500,000,000 yen is expected for the coming sudden increase of demand for those missing.

year. Our financial position, which has goods required in the manufactare of for many years past been in an adverse orduance and other var supplies may The ship's casualties are not yet known, condition owing to the continued excess account for the recent high prices to

of imports and heavy outflow of specie, some extent, but a more important res says:--We attacked the heights on the but it is hoped, that the only officers lacks the capacity to digest and use son lies in the inflation of convertible Romanian front to the south of Mount missing are the surgeon and the chief to full advantage auch enormous funds, notes and the increase of the purchasing and if left uncontrolled, the accumula capacity of the lower classes consequent tion of funds will naturally result in a upon the continued prosperity of mann- Potook, where we captured six hundred

elack money market, the flation of con- facturing industries. prisoners, three cannon and sixteen

vertible notes, a sudden rise in prices, fall of money. rates, growth of business machine-guas,

speculation, and the revival of bubble nterprises, which will certainly cause a great economic panie in the long

After an artillery duel, we attacked the Botock heights and broke throgh a stub- born resistance,

We repulsed six persistent attacks in the Tatroch valley.

We surprised and annihilated

& Bul- garian field post in the Dobrudja,

Attacks at Matebin pressed back our detachments, which commenced to with draw in the direction of Ersila, Italian Fronti

EARLIER CADLES. (THROUGH REUTEK'S AGEVOT] ENEMY DEFENCES

DESTROYED..

Roms, January 4th, An official message says:--Reciprocal artillery fighting in the Carso region has resulted in the destruction of enemy defences to the south of Castagna vizza.

engineer.

LATZH.

The Admiralty, in a later report, gives details of the sinking of the Izerniu and states that the men missing number 120

and the seamen missing, 33.

[The Ivernia was owned by the Cunard Company. She was built in 1900, her gross tonnage was 14,276 and her dimensions: Length, 682 feet; breadth 60 feet; depth, 37 foot. Her speed was 16 knota.]

IMPERIAL NAVY.

run.

nob

TO ENCOPHAGE THRIFT. In this connection the Government is taking proper measures to meet the situation. To cite an instance, the issue of low-priced hypother debentures ia in- tended for encouraging the habit of FOSTERING HEALTHY ENTERPRISE.

thrift and saving among the lower class The government will pay especial at people. The Government desires to take tention to this, and endeavour to pro-measures for checking the growth of moto sound and healthy development of luxurious habits within limite financial matters. The Government has affecting the growth of sound and useful recently taken up the issue of the new business undertakings and for maintain British Exchequer bonds in the Japan ing the present prosperity of national ese market, which was partly intended commerce and industry, for which the for the purpose of regulating the mone- Government is desirous to have the tary situation and to help the growth assistance and cooperation of bankers. It admits of no of export trade, and partly for the and business men. purpose of aiding and keeping pace with doubt that the present will be followed British Government's measures for the by a severe economic ver among the It also admits of no regulation of the exchange between Eng world powers. land and America. The result of the doubt that the powers are preparing to departure is believed to have contributed meet this coming international economic very materially to the moral and finan-war, which will present itself soon after cial aid of Japan's ally,

the restoration of pester

Sir Joseph Ward, Finance Minister of New Zealand, dealt with some after-war Imperial problems in an address which he delivered at Gresham College Hall recently, under the auspices of the In- zurance Institute of London Referring to the Navy, he said that its efforts had been unparalleled in the history of the

THE BISE IN COMMODITIKE.-- world. Up to the present the overseas The prices of commodities have recent countries had not paid their properly remarkably, advanced, the soaring share for the upkeep of the Navy, and tendency being especially remarkable in after the war the Empire would have to the retail prices of necessitice, which consider the question of the full develop show a disparity of about 25 per conf, ment of a great Navy. The Empire must as compared with the prices ruling be consider whether the distaut countries fore the war. This tendency will fur- should support Incl navies, or whether ther increase with the progress of the there should be one great Imperial Navy, war, and will bring about a decline of distributed wherever it was required. : (Continued at foot of nest column)

MURE PLACE PROPOSALS EXPECTES, In order to face this and lest ve should not lose ground in commercial competition, we must strive to solidify the basis of our national industries and strengthen the financial and economio power of the nation. As regards the German peace proposal the financial circles are recommended not to take it too seriously, as such proposals will be repeated from time to time fereafter so long as the way continues - Japan Maik.