1917-03-06 — Page 7

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, MARCH 6TH, 1917.

GREAT EXPLOSION IN LONDON

TSAR'S MESSAGE TO

PEOPLE

HIS

MUNITIONS FACTORY

FIRE

As briefly sunounced by cable at the time, a great explosion occurred at a munitions Isctory in the East end of London on January 19th.

The damages very severe. Four large industrial works and several smaller one

small house were destroyed, and rows of small property were demolished, had

unofficially estimated two days. It WAS and that the number of the injured would

VICTORY THROUGH UNION. The Tear of Russia has addressed the following Recript to Prince - Golitzin, the Prime Minister

Having entrusted to you the responsible post of President of the Council of Ministers, I deem it opportung to point out to you the pressing problems the solution of which should be the main

GERMAN DESERTERS IN HOLLAND.

MELANCHOLY TALES.

INGRATITUDE AND THEFTAS

[FROM ** THE TIMES SPECIAL CORRESPOND ENT AT AMSTERDAM.]

The longer the war goes on the more frequently do cases of desertion from the

later that the death roli would reach 100 of the Government's attention German Army occur, and almost every

be not less than 400.

A WONDERFUL SKY FICTURE

More than once in the last two years and a half the people of London have heard the crash of high explosive and power of rending have seen its irresistible and smashing (says The Times) More

"Away on the western fringes of Greatly the case with our enemies. lyone who retning anything of the er London a dull, heavy report as from a

one

great gun in the distance and at every rattling of doors and windows, set every agog. Wonderment left no room in Only come the wind for fear or panic.. huge catastrophe could explain the pheno menon, and all that was pertain was its comoteness, concern

who happened to be nearer the hear of London both saw and heard

People Many of them were on their way home From work when their attention was ar rested glow in the eastern by a seconds the whole are of aly. the heavens was overspread by a brilliant tight, like many goldon sunsets in one Against the fiery glow the wonderful sky ine of the city formed a picturesque silhouette, with the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral as its central feature. Instine tively one stood still, awestruck and dazzled. After a few tense moments came the

report for which, balf-cosmiously, It came like a ones had been waiting. single clap of thunder; glass from some apper window tinkled on the pavement, thea the glow died out of the sky. Still for a while men paused discussing in hushed tones what they had seen and heard; and presently they went their

the Govern

I count upon it that the joint abours of the whole Government be concentrated on the realization on a large scale and the development of the measures frontly taken towards this end. The question provisioning the Armies and the civil population demands combined setion, not only by all the authorities at the front and in the rear, but also by all the different Departments united under the control of the Council of Ministers.

Another problem to which attach supreme importance is the further in provement of transport by railway and The Council of Ministers waterway, should in this connection work out decisive measures which will assure the full utilization of the means of transport, in order to be able, by the co-operation of all Departments, to furnish our troops in the firing line and behind it all that they require

A BELGIAN SLAVE RAID. EYE-WITNESS ACCOUNTS

WAN KEPITILESS METHODS,

[A trustworthy witness of some of the Blave ride which took place in a small town of an agricultural province of Bel- giuns gives the following description of what he saw on one occasion, More than 25,000, men have already been deported from this province, which also suffered very severely during the invasion, In several villages all the men who were apared during the horrors of the early days of the war have now been takeu away. N

In Xall the men were obliged to pre-

the present moment, when the tide of the Great War has turned, till the day secs deserters dropping into the thoughts of all Russians, without distinc editorial offices of the great Dutch ners tion of nationality or class, are directed towards the valiant and glorious de papers, especially of the anti-German fenders of our country who with keen ones, where they come to ask for assist sent themselves in the seminary, where expectation are awaiting

the decisive

ance. Sometimes they come singly they were examined by some German ¡encounter. with the enemy

In complete solidarity with our faith humble, destitute, seldom decently clad, officers. I had my watch in my hand,

DOL

rtaining any thought ester lain than once the worst horrors of war have tu conclusion of

place until Soal sind with a frightened and suspicious The examinations lastel on an average been brought to their doors and they have Terrier to bear, without flinching, pertory has been secured, I firmly believe that look. Often also they come in couples or oxsetly 10 seconds for each man. All the Lisps even with a touch of pride, their the Russian people, supporting the in threes or even more, dejected groups, share in war's dangers. But the steadiest burden of war with sell-denial, will showing signs of the merciless conflict Young ones had to go, without any dis which have chosped. It had skilled accomplish their norves were not proagon and vibrated soment any duri to the end, not froth to they in cont would workinen, whatever the age, he wied

The natural resources. of our

our country the many deserters now entertained by old men taken in this way, through the four adjoining counties

7 o'clock on Friday event are unending, and there is no danger of hospitable Holland and there are hud- The anxiety of the families cannot be shortly before 7

their becoming exhausted, as is apparent dreds, possibly thousands there is hard described. From the time when the call was recived everything has been done to All the greater is the significance at detestable arrogance which was so charte try to comfort, if possible, the deported tell to the face under the question teristic of these men in the days before in their exile. The women have worked

present of supplies, which, under ditions, is so important and so compli the war and which is undiminished in all night in order to prepare some clothes, the countless Germans sojourning in this they have spent their last reserve of cated,

country for various purposes, such as money to buy some linen, 'n pair of boots, Accordingly I call upon the ment, unified in your person, to devote business, legitimate or illegitimate, and a few provisions. During the long till o'clock in the o'clock in the morning its attention first and foremost to pro Nothing could exceed the melancholy procession of the men, lasting from 7 visioning my valiant Armies, and behind indifference of the German deserter. It afternoon, they have gathered in the mar the firing line to lessening those difficul- is not with pride that he relates that he ket place awaiting the sentence which will ties connected with supplies which are bus been three times wounded, has been take from them husband or son They inevitable in a world war

sent from West to East and from Eastery, moan, and protest, to South, that he has been struck by a In order to keep the women away from shrapnel splinter in a Galicing fortress the buildings where the examination takes and been decorated with the Iron Cross place and to conduct those to be deported He relates his experiences as things ex to the station, some Uhlans have been terior to himself, as an excuse for the especially called back from the front. fact that he has finally given up the The men of the Landsturm cannot be struggle. The German desertor becomes trusted for such cruel work. They lack bitter after he has relieved his over decision, and some of them, worn down wrought feelings in broken sentences by long absence from their homes, have sometimes even embellished with typi-grown soft-hearted and are ready to pity rally German expressions which have these people among whom they have lived. stuck in his memory from triumphant They seem to understand that, whatever Army Orders and trench literature He happens, their Germany, the Germany of ask if one has anything for brm to do their small homes is ruined. I even Ho is without resources and his ledow heard some of them encouraging the Bel- countrymen in foreign countries send glans in their resistance and advising him away with the scornful reproach them not to sign an engagement to work that he is a traitor and that they leathe for Germany the sight of him. He sums up his molan Though the great light which irradiot

choty listen to

I have done a year on the Yser, been od half London had gone, there came into view as one moved down the river a dull In pointing out these pressing problems sent thence to Galicia, and finally have red, reflection low it the sky. Le by this for your attention, I express the hope fought in Roumania, and all that time low, one camo at last near the place that the activity of the Council of Minis- I have been suffering from consumption of the dinastor. Behind the masts and tors under your Presidency will meet I have received the Iron Cross, Brat share of shine in dock stood a cluster of with the support of the Council of the and second class, and my wife and three revolver in hand, they face the women. blasing buildings, from which rose huge Empira and of the Duma, united

children can hardly make both ends forked tongues of flame and rolling unanimous Ead ardent desire to carry on columns of smoke and

Every few the

war to victorious finish, meet, while for myself my fingers, have Erou after all we have heard about Ger- minutes

#motor

ambulanc

swung by. It is furthermore the duty of all per become absolutely stiff. What have my there seems scarcely believable, and if I song called upon to serve the State to act fellow-countrymen in Holland done had not seen it with my own eyes I should and towards the Legislative Institutions, away when, after these two years of ing

An old woman 75 years of age was pushing and extent of the calamity Its awful- the economic life

able to glean some news of the nature In Its coming activity in organizing describable suffering: 1 davokeittisten to this, for instance.

the country, the help!"

through the crowd in order to see if her now cannot even yet be fully told; it will Government will find invaluable support THE DESERTERS UNION

sou, her husband, or her grandson were mot be known until the roll call is takes in the Zemstvos, which, by their work

German desorters willingly allow them among those taken away. A Landsturmer of the dead, the maimed and the living in time of peace and war, have proved selves to be interviewed for a small pay belonging to the garrison, who knew her, For hours after the explosion the rescue that they piously maintain the shining ment, and so their complaint appears in took her gently by the shoulder in order and care of the injured was the only task traditions of my Grandfather of im- the newspapers and there are those who to keep her back. As the old woman to which all who were able bant their perishable memory; the Tear Alexander have asked in the Fress whether per went on wailing and tried to free herself energies, Mangled and torn victims, 11,

sonal initiative could not take steps to a Uhlan came near her, a big young fel boys and girls, Bg well as grown men

women, were given first-aid at the great expanse of the devastation. Ace that these men were assisted through low, and deliberately, with all his dressing, tacitution. They strength, the old woman's harried

to larger hospitals her of smaller workshops and storehouses ever, not waited for the realization of face. All the surrounding women burst and protesting, but several have lately out crying No one stopped to count them. :as they care and went, but the sad stream by restroyed, either by concussion of such plan, but

tion entablished a union at Alkmaar which Ublans joined their comrade and begat That alone would be a grave loss. But they have christoned "Deserters Union to beat the crowd with the butts of their flored steadily all through the evening he most appalling effects of the explosion The Free Workers," in remembrance of rides. The boom of the guns of Verdun How many more were killed outright can not be stated definitely.

wore felt in half a dozen streets of neat a not altogether alluring pest. The could be heard during the whole scene. A SURVIVOR'S STORY.

working-class dwelling-houses opposite union hopes as far as possible to render When the Germans heard of the Kaiser's The explosion had its centre in a chemi- the chemical factory, On them the con- assistance to the members. When the peace offer they lit large fires in the And cal factory. Its cause is unknown. Many cumion spent itself with devastating vid report of the establishment of the union village to celebrate the occasion people, perhaps hastily, ascribe it to the lence Scores of houses were utterly penetrates to the frontiers many Laid- the Belgians! These are the words of a

mother, talking of her son who is fighting. deliberate action of an enemy in their taxed, Roofs and walls were blown away, sturmers Will most probably gladly on the Yser: If he is not to come back midst; but there 18 no evidence of any floors collapsed, and homes in which their cross the border who have hitherto feared kind to support this suggestion, and it owners had obviously takes pride the the suspicion which the German frontier to me victorious, I should prefer that he

should never come back'M N is discredited by high police authorities, furnishing of them, as laid bare by the guards entertain for each other. They

So far as can be discovered and it is disaster, all points to this became in an exceptionally difficult to reconstruct instant hideous piles of shapeless wreck will overcome this apprehension and slip disaster in which the destruction both of age. Among the ruins men, women, and off to attractive Helland, where the property and of life is so complete the children were buried, soms dead, some Desertors Union will look after their are broke out in an upper floor of thas with bodies battered and broken, and interests. part of the factory which is devoted to some less gravely hurt. high explosive. The interval between the As though exulting in its relentless in

ways.

FOLLOWING THE GLOW.

carrying away the injured.

Presently one came to a smal

u

No such meekness can be feared from the Uhlans, I have seen them at work, and they proved to be the worthy com- panions of those whose mission it was at the beginning of the war to spread terror among the Flemish and Walloon peasa

They are in line before the sem

There

the human cattle are sorted,

man atrocities the scene which occurred

not far from the burning buildipital with good will, uprightness, and dignity Made war profits. And they zond me certainly have my doubts.

away

PERHEROIC DEEDS."

1

GROSSING THE FRONTIER

small band of Germans who entered Larber's shop at Maastricht about Christe pias gave quite the contrary impression. They came four together to be shaved, and the tale they told about their poverty the good barber was touched and resolved and distress was go heartrending thab to treat them right royally for once, H. set a large kettle of coffee in front of them and gave them food to cat to their hearts content. The quantity of bread, sausage, and ham, which the four caused to disappear in the twinkling of an eye

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UNHAPPY THIN FOLKS.

The frontier correspondents of the the alarm and the explosion was discriminating strength the explosion giving of less than ten minutes. Immediately fac- crushed to the earth the houses and to reinte of tite experiences of German Dutch newspapers hare piquant examples ing the works, was

a fire station, built that was in them. It killed infants in about three years ago, From this station their beds, it struck down men and deserters. Thus one man left Isenbruck the call was given to other stations in the women and lads and girls as they sat and on New Year's Eve while six jealous district, and from one of them we learn talked in the rooins below. Even in the colleagues fred six shots after has

explosion was seven

street there was DO BUTO Hzfety Marvelous to say, not one of them hit after the call During shat short interval Soune who went out when the fire was seen him. When he found himself on Dutch some of the workers in the factory were or word of it was heard were hurled to territory and had felt himself all right, he able

the to make their escape

of injured by jogged masses of iron, to the frontier guard who had approach them even persuaded the bonevolent ground. Some were smitter and turned round and called contemptuously is said to have been incredible. Two of Two heroic acts stand out prominently fragments of maconry, and balks of timed within a short distance, You're barber to give them lodging for the

One of the readers of a popular health in the story of that tertible seven minutes. her which came hurtling through the air pretty fellows, to fire six shots at a man night. On Christmas Day the guests journal wrote to the editor, king why One is the splendid self-sacrifice of the Others, both indoors and outside, came without hurting him. No Prussian wished their benefactor a happy Christ as was peevish, blue and discontented Bretten from the local station. They scailless through the hailing, tumbl soldier does that I am ashamed of you, mas and could not find words enough and his answer will interest all thin knew what terrific destructive energy was ing tempest of death; and come are won therefore good-bye!"

to express their thanks for the hospitality people. cha locked up in the flaming building, but dering, reverently, by what miracle they

A desertar of 23 years of age coming they had enjoyed. "-

"My dear reader," he said, "when they did their duty fearlessly. They had ware

kept safe just time to run out the hose and direct It was here, in these rows of wrecked from Elton arrived at Zovopaar on Dutch

About midday, when the family were you write that you are thin and do not territory in uniform and armed with his stream of water on the flames before the homes, that the rescue parties found scope sword. He had lived for 20 years at preparing to assemble at the table, the weigh what you should, you have given awful blast shattered their engine, killed for their first efforts. Across the way Arnhem, in the Dutch province of Gelder. four again exhibited a desire to parti- me the real cause of your unhappy feel- o of the men, and severely injured tho the ruins of the industrial buildings, 103 Hand and had been four times rejected tipate in the midday meal The barber, inge. If you only had a reserve of fat

d[S[ Bv K

17

two rest. The splendid annals of the Fire some who needed succour how many, no Brigade contain no fine?

iner story of devotion one knows and some, burnt and dis for the Germany in the face of deather story of devot

It is impossible at present to give more

than the harest choours of the second

PETER

DAWSON'S

Army, until at ast, however, had been rather taken aback by this would give a quieting and reassuring Agured, who were beyond suffering. To about six months ago, he was approved their hearty appetite on the previous influence to the vital forces, and To Whisky is the whisky with save those who might still be alive but for service. He passed all this time at occasion. Moreover, he said that he and would then be happy, contented and helpless over there was an almost impos the garrison at Wesel, and a fortnight his wife had to pay a family visit at optimistic growing popularity, because its Valkenburg immediately after dinner Then, too you realize that the pro elegant flavour is solely due to grand set of self-denial which brightens sible task for the fire blazed furiously nga his wife went to visit bin with the The Germans asked with great interest per distribution of fat on the body and this ghastly accident. Andrea Angel, the fed from stores of chemicals and oil. The intention of returning borrewards in whether they were going there by train limbe makes all the difference between original fineness developed, by age, chief chemist at the factory lecturer fremen, the policemen, and volunteers did the evening, The husband brought his

Obtainable from all Wine in chemistry at Brasenose College, Ox what they could, but it was all too little wife on the return journey to the German The barber unsuspiciously relied on the beauty and

Merchants.

ford, and a man in the price of the life But among the ruined houses there were frontier station of Elten, where he bought affirmative When the family returned plump and yon envy

German desorters do not only come

a liberal allowance.

of one of nature's wise premations In another part of the works when one of search, and under the glare they toiled ther he would have to go after passing upside down, although there was not a to enable us to bear some of the trials e the women employed there rushed in with tirelessly at their heartrending work of the great reroxomination which bad of trace of housebreaking Apparently the life, you should do all in your power to the news that the explosives building was morey on fire: "He promptly left his

ran Doors, hand barrows shutter cured on the previous day. The wife doors and cupboards had been opened get fat. I know nothing so valuable to to the building, told the workpeople to thing that would orve the purpose a rather, surprised on briving at Zevenaar with sko eton-keys. Investigation stored make people Int 2024, preparations of

away as well as a quantity of silver England then, with an utter disregard for his own ed were extricated and taken to improvis beside her on the platform money cigars, soap, and all kinds of From the standpoint of health, fat go away as quickly as they could, and used as stretchers. One by one the suddenly to find her husband standing that a savings bank book had been teker Eargol, prepared by The Gargol Co. of safety, assisted the firemen in their efforts ed dressing stations, where arees, doc to quell the flames until he and they were tors, and policemen bound tip their over the German Frontier, but also ver clothing The barber accidentally saw is essential, as it has great value as a overwhelmed.

wounds, put their broken limbs in splints the Belgian, and they exercise all their two of the German deserters sitting in a reserve force, and saves the other tissues Humma and gave unsparingly sich urgent sites intelligenes in order to avoid ello, recufs on the same day, pointed then our from destruction. So, by all mesin bry

to the police, and on their being search to get fatur Fortunately, the explosion occurred at tion as was in their power. Then, in wire or to dodge the electric current,

A E. WATSON & Co., LTD., an hour when few people were at work, vehicles of every kind, they were sent on, for the wire is charged at very uncertained it was found that they had upon them

VICTORER DIEPENBSEY and, as already stated, some who were the less seriously injured to the homes of times which are quite unknown to the some of the cigars, together with other f the stolen property. The police have working had time to seek safety, friends and the others to the hospitals men.

THE PHARMACY, Thanks to this, the kes of life in the They hore their fate stoically. There was THE BARBER AND HIS GUESTS detained five other men under suspicion ll of them......... German desorters, Of

QUELS DISPENSARY word and warehouse, involved in the ex- httle monning or lamentation, either

There is little trace of remorse at

1TH EDWARD DISIANBABY.ta plosing and the fire which followed was among the homeless or among the injured

desertion of their Higboet War Lordre sach an exhibition of gratitude

I not invariable and perhaps the Desert much less than was at Brat feared, and The shock had stunned them all, and their to be observed among them. Inde), & ors Union will dottribute to raise the To, also, than would be imagined from benumbed selises could not realize

Continued at foot of next column) fullness of their misfortune.

(Continued at foot of nest colums) moral of the German desorter

WRECKED WORKS AND HOMES,

the

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