1917-05-05 — Page 5

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THE WAR.

THE HONGKONG DATEY PRESS SATURDAY, MAY 5TH, 1917.

BITTER FIGHTING ON BRITISH FRONT.

HEAVY ENEMY LOSSES.

IMPERIAL WAR CONFERENCE.

MEMORABLE GATHERING.

WAR AND FOOD.

on an aviation camp at Sissonnes. - Un the following night the same

camp received 2,000 kilogrammes of explosives, Great conflagration were observed at the

Franco-Belgian Front.

LATEST CAREES.

【THROUGH REUTER'S AGENOR.]

FIERCE FIGHTING ON BRITISH

sheds.

FRONT.

One of our air squadrons also

FRENCH CA

Pay 3rd. communique state There. have been artillery activity and, patrol on- counters throughout the region of Chemin des Dames.

We repulsed enemy raids on the odd to the west of Mont Corntiles and on the heights east of Mont Hatwhere, we captured an isolated post which was still holding out, inaking prisoner of the garrison of nine officers, and 310 wen). in Avocourt wood, on the left bank of Detachments penetrated enciny reaches the Mouse.

There were patrol encounters right bank of the Mouse in the direction of Damloup and Bezonvaux,

There was intermittent cannonsde on some point of the front, notably in the sector of St. Mabiel.

GERMAN NEWS.

LONDON, May 3rd, A German official wireless message statis:-A new English attack on a wide front commenced after recent artillery firing on both banks of the Scarpe The enemy last eight seroplanes and one balloon. There has been great artillery firing between Vaux Aillon and Craonne, bombaleng the Aine Marrie caual, and on the

ENEMY SUFFER HEAVY LOSSES.arded Betheniville, Pontfavarger and heights to the north of Prospes

Chatelet-sur-Retourne. A herce fire and Naval Activities. several explosions occurred.

BARLIER CABLES.

THE NEW THRUST.

STRONG POSITIONS CAPTURED.

LONDON, May 3rd.

LONDON, May 4th. Fick Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re- ports-There has been fierce fighting ali day long westward of Queant, to the northward of Fresnoy i

"and" eastward of the village of Vimy. The enemy, again employing large reserves of men and guns, delivered repeated counterattacks A French official message states:-The practically along the whole battlefront artillery on both sides has been particu They suffered heavily from entr

ive to the north-west of Rheims ertillery and machine-gun re before the and Champagne. attack and during the assault. Our well-conducted local operation gained troops, despite obstinate resistance in the us ground to the west of Mont Cornillet. morning penetrated a sector of the in- The day was quiet everywhere else. denburg line westward of Queant, main- taining themselves there all day long against constant and powerful counter -attacks. Further progress was made in the neighbourhood of Cacrisy, astride the Arras-Cambrai road, and on the right bank of the Scarpe, where positiona which changed hunda frequently and were defended with great determination, are

now in our possession.

THOUSANDS OF GERMAN DEAD

TERRIBLE FIGHTING

LATEST CABLES. [THROUGH KHUTHEʼN AGENCY.)

SEAPLANE TORPEDOING.

PRACTISED SUCCESSFULLY BY BRITISH AIRMEN

LONDON, May 4th. Naval Air Services first practised success The Admiralty states that the Royal fully, in August, 1915, seaplane torpedo ing, when they sank several ships in the

Dardanelles.

BARLIER CABLES.

RECENT SINKINGS.

LONDON, May 3rd

As a reprisal for the enemy bombing SOME INTERESTING ADMISSIONS of Chalons and Epernay, five Frenca machines last night bombed Treves, caus- ing a violent conflagration.

HINDENBURG LINE DAMAGED.

LONDON, May 3rd.

Though the infantry is comparativo y inactive on the Western front, this does not mean any suspension of the task of

killing Germans On the contrary, the British artillery is thundering reuselessly day and night over the Douar plain, giving the enemy no rest.

The results of the recent offensive inay

EARLINE CABLES,

inspired by the magnificent efforts of all. classes of His Majesty's subjects through- out the world, confident that the trials and sacrifices borne in common will draw still closer the bonds of Imperial unity and co-operation.

WAR CONTERENCE DELEGATES. RECEIVED BY KING AND QUEEN,

Tho Address is signed by Mr. Walter

LONDON, May 3rd. Long and all the members of the Con-Windsor Castle reception of the War Con- Houter's special correspondent at the

HIS MAJESTY'S REPLY.

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.

LONDON, May 3rd. The statement issued by the Colonial Scoretary regarding the work of the Imference: perial War Conferenco continues:---The

ferenco delegates by their Majesties, says Conference 'welcomed the increase in the

that it was a fitting conclusion to the number of Trade Commissioners and re-

most. momentous Conferenca in the his- LONDON, May 3rd. tory of the Empire, following upon the contends the Governments concerned to co-operato in assisting the service;

According to the Press Bureau, His members adopting the unprecedented especially for the promotion of inter-

Majesty the King, replying to the Address course of going to Windsor and there pre- Imperial trade. It records the view that from the meinbers of the Imperial War.senting an address of loyalty and devo- the 1907 Imperial Conference resolution Conference, says: Your deliberations tion to the King. In glorious Spring representation of India at all future Inclusion but will ensure that we shall be Mr Chamberlain, Sir R. L. Borden, ote. should be modified to permit of the full will have a lasting advantage not only weather a procession of motor cars left in bringing the war to a victorious con the Savoy Hotel, conveying Mr. Long, perial Conferences, and that the assent of the varions Governments should be prepared for the peace tasks of organisa. Arriving at the Castle, the delegates were obtained thereto, It prays that the King tion of the resources of the Empire with conducted to the white drawing room, will constitute by Royal Charter an Im a view to rendering it self-sustaining where, a few minutes later, the King,

and in strengthening its ties and knitting attired in morning dress, arrived perial War Graves Commission on the lincs proposed by the Prince of Wales to

all parts of the Dominions. His Majenty the Prime Minister The Conference re expresses satisfaction at the fact that cords its deepest appreciation of the Indian representatives had participated French Government's generosity in allot in the deliberations, and expresses the ting in perpetuity the land where our pinion that the consequent personal in men are buried, and urges that similar tercourse will create the growth of a spirit arrangements should be made in the peace of larger sympathy and understanding terms by all the Allied, enemy and neuen India and the Dominions, The tral Governments, an Gallipoli, Meanne Bathering, he anys, "has been a giant tamia, Africa and elsewhere,

stride on the road of progress and Im perial development, and has assured that this will be steadily developed. I deeply egret the unavoidable absence of the Dominion stands second to none in its Australian representatives, but that great determination to assist in the present conflict. I trust that all the Dominions Conference, and India will be represented at the next

The Conference is of the opinion the the readjustment of the constitutional relations of the component parts of the Empire is too important and intricate subject to deal with during the war and should be discussed by a special Imperial Conference immediately after the war. The Conference records that sugh adjust ment, while thoroughly preserving all the existing powers of self-government and

In the midst of the present terrible the completo control of domene affairs, struggle, the magnificent contributions in should be based on the fall recognition of men, munitions and money made by all the Dominions as autonomus nations of

parts of the Empire have been a sourus Fan Imperial Commonwealth, and that of the greatest pride to me. Vast armies India, as an important portion thereof, have been raised in the Dominions and should recognise her own right and that have taken or are taking the field side by foreign policy. Foreign Falous should to fight a common for in the cause of of the Dominions to an adequate voice in side with those of the United Kingdom provide an effective arrangement for conjustice and those free institutions which Linuous consultation on all important are the very keystone of the Empire. It matters of common Imperial interest and as fitting that I should here specially for, such concerted action founded on refer to the manificent gifts of money consultation as the several Governments made towards the expenses of the war by might determine,

the Government, the Princes and the peoples of India The Queen and myself visit to the Dominions, and look forward recall the happiest recollections of our in the day when some of our children will

The Conference recognises the import policy and action with regard to naturali ance of securing uniformity of Empire onion and commends the proposals, spl In the House of Commons Sir Leomitted by the Home Office to the Overseas in their turn have the opportunity of Chiezza Money admitted that a abip on Governments. It recommends that acquiring a similar priceless experience taining fifteen hundred tons of foodstuffs be taken without delay for the establish by such visits, I rejoice at the prospect had been ordered to proceed to anothe ment in London of an Imperial Mineraf better means of communication which port, and had been sunk en route ther Resources Bureau, on which the whole well thore effectively link up the various to and that a similar incident In Empire should be represented, whose portions of the Empire, and I trust in happened six weeks previously, when duties should include advising as to how days to come to see an ever-increasing cargo of two thousand five hundred tous mineral resources may be developed and exchange of visits and personal inter was lost. The Shipping Controller was made available to eat the Empire's resource between the Mother Country and saving his serious attention to the mat quirements In view of the var experi the Dominions, for does not the sympathy

BRITISH TRANSPORT

TORPEDOED

MANY MEN DROWNED.

The King was accompanied by the Queen, Princess Mary and Princes Albert, Henry and George The Conferance members, all of whom were previously known to their Majestics, were presented by the Rt. Hon. Walter Long. In a clear, resonant voice. Bir R. L. Bordon read the Bddress, and the King was obviously much touched when he himself read the reply The whole party thereupon pro ceeded to lunch, which consisted of strict war rations and no intoxicants. On the King's right sat Mr. Walter Laing and sat opposite, with Mr. Austen Chamber- on his loft Sir Rulert Borden. The Queen lain on her right and Mr. Massey on her left.

After Junch the party adjurned to the drawing room hore the Royal Family unceremoniously and animatedly com versed with their guests. After a stay of two hours the delegates left the Castle.

Router's Correspondent accompanying the Delegates, is authorised to state that the King deeply appreciated, and was ty and devotion, and by the spirit which much touched by the expression of loyal- prompted the presentation of the address. Also that the Delegates were ognally im- pressed by the cordialty of their recep tion, and welcomed the King's reference to Future Roya) visits to the Dominions. unanimous in the opinion that it was a to London in this crisis in the world's fitting finale to an unforgettable mission history,

The members of the Conference were

On the return journey, General Smuts, Mr. Morris, Mr. Ward and Mr. Manney and others, visited Queen Mary's Hos vital at Roehampton and witnessed, tho work of fitting and training for their future life, maimond soldiers, including many from the Dominions. They were much impressed by the way in which armless and legless men, by months of arti-

ficial limba, performed most of the fune autres fondations upon which the Statstions of the able-bodied. They saw the can rest The value of the Empire lies armless tigging and the legless cycling, not in its greatness and strength alone, The maimed soldiers accorded three but in the several contributions that each hearty cheers to the members of the Con of its diverse parte, with varying circumference, who suitably acknowledged them, stances and conditions, makes to the

ence, the Conference draws attention to quemon brotherhood help to form the the importance of developing an adequate capacity of production of naval and mili- tary material, munitions and supplies in all the important parts of the Empire, including the countries bordering on the Pagifle and Indian Oceane, where such LONDON, May 3rd facilities do not at present exist. It general stock of knowledge and progress, FOOD SHORTAGE IN FUROPE. The Admiralty announces that the affirms the importance of clons co-opera thank you for coming here personally British transport Arcadian, carrying tion between India, the Dominions and to present the Address May God bless troops, was torpedoed in the Eastern the United Kingdom with this object and protect you all, and grant you a vessel sank in five minutes and 279 are system of double income taxation within your labours Res Mediterranean on April 15th. The The Conference urges that the present safe return home, on the conclusion of

presumed they

'drowned.

LONDON, May 4th.

bo summed up by stating that a consider Beater's correspondent at headquarelle part of the Hindenburg Line is in tors, writing in the afternoon of the 3rd, British possession and that another says that fighting of terrible intensity section is endangered. The British have ing has raged throughout the day at the main captured the Hindenburg Line between points of attack. The Butthing in many Arras and Croisilles, they hold nine thou places has been of a ding-dong order. sand yards of the old German positions There were most conspicuous gains on to the north of the Scarpe, and by an the flanks. Concealed machine-gun fire attack on the Arras-Leus front they have

re the Empire be taken in hand immediate y after the war, and that the law.

s

LONDON, -May 3rd.

As further evidence of the food shet- age in Europe, Norway is preparing to introduco rationing, while Sweden has SOUTH AMERICA AND THE prohibited the export of various food- stuffs, including pork, shell-fish, fruits, vegetables and other provisions,

WAR.

DETAINED,

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 3rd

SUBMARINISM.

be amended regarding the presen satisfactory position. In view of the LORD CURZON'S VIEWS...

experience, the Conference records that GERMAN EX-MINISTER TO BRAZIL the safety of the Empire and the neces LONDON, May 3rd:

sary development of its component par Lord Curzon, addressing the Primrosetion and concerted action with regard,

require prompt and attentive considera

think that submarinism would diminish our shipping as to affect the ultimate issue of the war. The Cabines calculation had allowed for a wastage of

caping greater tha

than had hither occurred

CHILE AND GERMANY.

LONDON May 3rd

The Foreign Minister, Senhor Mueller, It is reported from Berlin that the

impeded progress in the centre, namely turned the Hindenburg Line betongue at Caxton Hall, said he did not frativ, to the production of adequate food has resigned,

up the Scarpe Valley, Describing the Arras and Quennt, thus creating a situa attack he says that

hat before daylight we tion full of strategical possibilities. pushed well forward northward. The

Meanwhile, the brosch fected on the Canadians took Fresnoy. Ouipy was too German front in the Moronvillers region strong for a frontal capture, the wood in Champagne seriously menaces the for in fruut being infested with machine-guns midable positions at Berry and Nogent posted in trees of varying heights, and L'Abbesse, overlooking Rhems uncus wire in gullies which was ungeta HEAVY FIGHTING ON THE table by a barrage.

BRITISH FRO

· Lowong alay etd

Several new Gorman divisions wore identified. The enemy counter-attacky Field Marshal Sir Douglaa Haig re was most formidable opposite the et ports: -Heavy fighting is taking place ground. They___ re-took ground at on the whole front from the Hindenburg Gavrelle, but most of the counter attacks Line southwards of Seace River to the were broken up by artillery.

Acheville Vimy road 'It is no

We are progressins have already exaggeration to say that the German dead captured a number of strong positions. number thousands.

THE GREAT THRUST.

a

supply and arrangements for transports tien when and whore required, under any conditions reasonably to be anticipated secondly, the control of the natural to

in Russia was still not without anxiety eary national purpose, whether in

sources within the Empire, especially Lord Curzon stated that the situation those of an essential character for a Referring to the increasing strain cn er war and thirdly, the economical Germany, he said much might come to utilisation of such natural r pass in the near future, though at prethrough manufacturing processes, carried Bent it was not to be foreseen.

on within the Empire. It comments the various Governments concernel to con SINKING

OF THE "GENA" eider the enactment of legislation in that TORPEDOED BY SEAPLANE direction

LONDON, May 3rd Gene is the first occasion on which a ship The sinking of the British steamer has been torpedoed by a seaplane. There is much cariosity as to how the torpcils was fired. An unpificial account Aldeburgh indicates that the seapla was on the surface of the water - It appears that the Gena, a vessel of 2,784(tons,

tons, was attacked by two seap ancs -one on each aide. She fired at and Telegraphing later the correspondent

LONDON, May 3rd/

damaged

one, but the other, which was says that gunping was most intensive Headquarters, writing under to day's sink her. The wrecked seaplane was Reuter's correspondent at the British practically on the water, managed to

around Roeux, which was most strongly

date, states:The new British thrust towed to land and the pilot and observer was made just before dawn. It is not made prisoner. One was wounded, wit defended. There was fierce fighting at permissible to discuss the scheme of taken to hospital. The Gena's crew of Bullecourt, on the outer edge of which tives were several, important points, the

attack. Suffice it to any that its objectwenty-seven has been landed. we are established. A heavy Counter- capture of which would improve our line, Russian Front.

and, incidentally, such operations as through may suit the strategicides by involving

attack has driven us back Chelisy, which was captured earlier.

FRENCH ATRMEN ACTIVE.

to

SEVERAL SUCCESSFUL BOMBARD controw into the de-

MENTS.

EARLIER CABLES [THROUGH-BIUTER'S AGENCY-1

RUSSIANS OCCUPY AN ISLAND.

LONDON, May 3rd

The Government has ordered the de Chilean Minister has announced a rup tention of the ex-German Minister, Herrture of relations between Chili and Ger- Pauli, owing to information having been many, and has requested his passports. reocived that the Brazilian Minister in Germany has been detained. GERMANY TO SALUTE ARGENTINE

FLAG

Gormany has apologised for the sink

BUENOS AIRES, May 3rd ing of the Protegido, and has offered compensation. She has also promi that a German squadron shall salute ta Argontine flag at the first opportunity

ALLIED CARGOES

ARRANGEMENTS FOR INSURANCE.

WASHINGTON, May 3rd.

A Government Bill has been introduced

- COTTON AND YARN MARKET,

Messra Polishwalla & Kotwall, cotton

report dated May 4th, state :-- End yarn brokers, of Hongkong, in their

The despondent conditions that per- meated our last report, issued on 20th

ult, have becorno further accentuated during the fortnight under review and We have to record a series of stagnant markets.

The stumbling-block has again been the acute difficulty experienced by importers. in covering exchange against sales. Most of the banks refuse to sell Rupees to any

in Congress under which the Un tett extont, and the few that operate do so states will reinsure the cargoes of Allium very sparingly and irregularly. In the ships, while the Allies will reinsare the circumstances, it has been impossible for argues of American ships. An apore holders to think seriously of business; priation of £5,000,000 sterling will by and, pending a satisfactory improvement. asked for, including the insurance of the in the financial situation in Bombay, of crews of American merchantmen. translations are bound to be within a ENEMY DESERTIONS.

narrow groove,

The Conference, after expressing the view that the time has arrived when all

especially in making the Empire inde- possible encouragement should be given to the development of Imperial resources,

lendent of other countries in respect to 1121 industries, favours, firstly, the prin food supplies, raw materials and essen ciple that each part of the Empire, having due regard to the interests of the Allie shall give specially favourable treatment and facilities to the produce manalo tures of other parts of the Empire, and ing emigrants from the United Kingdom secondly, arrangements whereby intend

may be induced to settle in countries

The business during the period harely ander the British flag. The Conference, having examined the memorandum on the

LONDON, MEY 3rd.

totals 1,500 bales, made up of egiall Speaking at Caxton Hell, Lord Curzon parcela; rates, however have been steady position of Indians in the self-governing drew attention to the fact that there to firm, and in many instances show an Dominions, presented by the Indian re was no military front on which the advance of 82 to 16, presentatives, accepts the principle of enemy was not at present retreating including 13,000, bales bargained for,*

uno Stocks are estimated at 21,000 hales, · reciprocity of treatment, and recommends We were daily learning

of incrensing the memorandum to the favourable con- enemy desertions, surrenders and the ARRIVALS The mail str. Nagoya ant sideration of the Governments concerned breaking down of disclipine extra, str: Indo More from, Bombay har

The Overseas members of the Conference Spealing of compulsory ration sg, brought in altogether 3,000 bales for conclude by appreciatively acknowledg Lord Curzon said that this was néces Hongkong and 10.000 bales för Shanghai- ing the services of Mr. Walter Long in sury, but that there was not the slight Shipments from Hongkong to Shanghai connection with the Conference, the cour cause for Janic or real alarm.

and coast ports amount to about 1,000 testes of the Government, and the gener

bales. C

United Kingdom. ous hospitality of the people of the

GERMANY FROM WITHIN.

AN ADDRESS TO THE KING. ́

Lownon, May 3rd

ference, have presented an Address to His

The members of the Imperial War Con-

very heavy enemy losses. Anyhow, we naturalminating

want the most complete mastery of all

from which our artillery can devestate the fresh troops

ops which the General Com Fence

As baual, the infantry assault was pre- A Russion official wireless message PARIE, May 4th. ceded by a tornado of fire from weapons states:We repulsed an attack on A communiqué says: There has been of all calibres between the 15-inch height ten miles south west of Oche, an

howitzer and Stokes trench mortar. The defeated Turkish attempts to advanceØRN somewhat lively artillerying on the Auns creeping barrage worked with chrono southwest of Guminica.ne front. The enemy violently bombarded meterlike precision as the order to Go"We occupied an island on the Diala

snapped forth simultaneously down miles Rivor to the north of Khanykin. Rheims There was intermittent artil. of trenches, and crouching igures soared- Russian hydroplane squadrons destrui and formed regular waves behind the tively bombed Mahmudia, on the Danube cnemy crawling wall. of "palpitaling crimson aeroplanes were brought down and of machine-guns and the car stabbing

thunder Then came the deadly rattle Ger eral fifteen others were seen to fail, damaged bursting bombs as the infantry reached One of our air squadrons bombarded confusion as the men got to grips in the the enemy parapots, followed by - wild the station and factories at Thionville trenches. The results of the attack are NEW GREEK GOVERNMENT

not at present, known On the morning of the let our neroplanes I hear that the Germans counter-at

ATTENS, May 4th tacked near Favrello and Loos, and were M Zaimis has formed a new Govern

lerying in Champagne, Four

dropped 320 kilogrammes of projectiles repulsed

ments

LATEST CABLES, [THROUGH REUTERS AGENCE]

AMERICA'S ENTRY,

AMSTERDAM, May 3rd The Reichstag has re-opened. The President. referring to the entry of the United States into the war, said

Majesty the King at Windsor. After ex-President Wilson's profession of friend pressing their loyalty to the Tarone and

dom with their hearts blood,

SHANGHAI, though labouring under tha same disabilities, has a better account to render, ⠀⠀ Prices are comparatively better and the fortnightly, sales, are advised as 7,000 hales

able stocks on the market, and what little JAPANESE YARNS There are no avail- parcels arrive are being snapped up by the dealers at advancing rates, which show an appreciation of $5/10 over those of the last fortnight Quotations are sa follow Nagaiaki No: 208 at $1943 Horses No 16 at $177 3 Horses No 30% at $188, Yellow Joss No. 20s at 8188, * $105 Blue Fish No 20s at $195 Setsu No 108 at 8150, Betru. No, 208 ab

to the person of the King, the Address ship for the German people will not im says it has been the members privilege press the latter, who will fight for Kaiser to share deliberations with view to securing the victorious conclusion of the

SOCIALISTS ARRESTED. conflict Further, they had considered

ZURICH, May 3rd steps to secure that the fruita of victory shall not be lost by unpreparedness after have been arrested in Germany during It is reported that many Bocialiste the was thus preventing an unscrupulous the last few days for RAW Corron No sales are recorded enemy from repenting his outrages on The Socialist organ Volkerecht peneither in Bengal or Chirse. Quotations= the liberties of civilisation, The Address fishes extracts from seditious German Rengal at 27 to 982; and Chingse at concludes:-- We are returning home manifestoes urging a general strike. $31 to $36 per pical