1917-06-11 — Page 6

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THE WAR

(Continued from page 5.)

Franco-Belgian Front.

(TABOUGH REỰTER'S, AGENOT.)

THE NEW BRITISH

PUSH.

OVER BEVEN THOUSAND PRISONERS.

ROAD TO CALAIS DEFINITELY CLOSED TO THE ENEMY,

MANY PRISONERS.

LONDON, June 8the

Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re portsThe operations south of Ypres were continued methodically all day long and were completely successful. We stormed in the morning the Messines and Wytechaste Ridge, which for two and a half years has dominated our positions in the Ypres salient,

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, JUNE 11TH, 1917.

Great numbers of German dead were lying in the captured positions, which proved the severity of the enemy a loser a large proportion being Bavarians.

Our Jossen were light, The enemy in the night did not attempt to recover the lost positions.

Following General Plumer's great care

CALAIS BATE.

The Correspondent voices the general view that it is rather difficult a digest. the fact that yesterday's brilliant coup and eight has changed a condition which Las been permanent for two years

that wiped months, nevertheless the fact remans complete success it chielly ascribed to the out by the capture of Measines destruction caused by the mince, the the military situation in that areas now

aud the thoroughness of his preparations, the Ypres salient is now page and

Gen

THROUGH FUTUNʼN AGUMOT,]

BRITAIN'S WAR AIMS. A GERMAN CRITICISM.

AMSTERDAM, June 8th. The German Colonial Secretary, speak changed, Grave defensive dising before the Lipzig branch of the hitherto attending the

THE RUMANIANS.

LONDON, June 8th,

GENERAL PERSHING IN ENGLAND.

According to Reuter's Correspondent at STANDARD BEARER OF AMERICA. Paris, an interview with the Roumanian Premier has been published. He days that Roumania adheres to the aim of liberating the Roumanians in Hungary "formula is consistent with He considers that the Russian" no an

nexation

violence and accuracy of the bomba of this little bit of p-gai-Colonial Society, declared that the Gerauch liberation, and Roumania expects.

ment, the fine work of the Royal Fly ing Corps, and the incoruparable dash and courage of the Infantry The whole force acted in perfect combination, and the tanks carried out excellent work. Every means of offence at our disposal was used, thus every arm of the service had its share in the victory.

We captured a German post last night northwards of Havrincourt Wood and took a few prisoners. We repulsed a raiding party south-westward of Labassee,

LONDON, June 9th.

have been entirely neutralised. The man Government and people were deter- correspondent mentions that even lato mined to safeguard Germany's colonies

the DS present Spring the possibility of a German break through to Calai was future by insisting upon the return of

Buch & blo

the Colonies, seriously discussed. undertaken, would have come apoi the les salient, but the era of this pos sibility terminated yesterday.

THE PRELIMINARY PREPARI

TIONS.

Animadverting upon General Smuts' demand to prevent the training of black armies in future, he contended that the British peace-sims far from desiring to: unlift humanity, which was bleeding from countless wounds, or seeking to provide elbow-room for small nations, wanted a peace which was merely a con- tinuance of war with other means.

SOUTH AFRICAN LABOUR VIEW.

that the Allies will respect their engage. ments.

STOCKHOLM CONFERENCE.

BRITISH NOT TO PARTICIPATE LONDON, June 8th-

In the House of Commons Lord Robert Cecil said that passports for Petrograd would be issued to representatives of the views of the great majority of the work Commander Bellaire suggested that ing classes if asked for holders of passports should give a written undertaking not to participate in any conference at Stockholm or elecwhere.

Lord Robert Cecil said that every rea-

Mr. Ramsay Macdonald asked whether sonable and proper precaution would be

taken

LONDON, June 8th- General Pershing, the Commander la Chief of the American Expeditionary

London. Force, and his staff have arrived in

LONDON, June 9th General Pershing, accompanied by his entire Headquarters Staff numbering 184, has arrived:

Speaking at Liverpool, where he was ceremoniously received, Generai Pershing said the voyage of the liner Baltic wa uneventful. She had been escorted be American destroyers.

We are glad, he said, to be the standard bearers of America in the great war for civilisation and are expected to play a large part on the Western Front.

General Pershing was warmly greeted by Lord Derby, Viscount French and other distinguished people on arriving in London.

The new line southward of Ypres has

Describing the immense preliminary been organised and secured. German counter-attacks south eastward and north pains necessary nowadays, the cortes eastward of Oosttaverne and eastward of pondent recounts that, while the captare of Vimy Ridge was planned with the aid Messines were repulsed with lose by our

of a scale model and a detailed message,

JOHANNESBURG, June 8th." infantry or broken up by our artillery.

The prisoners now number 6,400, of at the time the attack upon Messines four whom 132 are officers. Over twenty guns Ridge was rehearsed upon 24 open sic Socialist and Igbour circles are actively

The aircraft vale model covering au aren have been collected.

representation at the Stockholm Confer ubly co-operated with the infantry and tennis courts which was a perfect replica opposed to Gorman militarism and favour W captured the villages of Messines artillery and alno successfully bombed and of the contours and features, including ence in order to voice working-class conversations at Stockholm with personin & spy case, and the public is astonish-

aerodromes balloons, such minutiae as an isolated bros stulpinion against landing back the Ger- machine gunned and Wytschaste and also the defence trains, billets, depots and troops, and For weeks before the barile all units

■ystoms of many strongly organized woods prevented enemy aircraft from participat engaged and practised the role assigned man colonies. Colonel Creswell, leader

twelve German machines and drove down hours of patient caicniction were devoted delegate and defended localities on a nine-mileg in the battle. They brought down to them as realistically as possible, Many of the Labour Party, is suggested as

artillery barrages. Some of the mines Mront, from the south of Ladowebrook to eight out of control. Fourteen of ours to the organising and synchronising f

are missing,

for yesterday's victory had been prepared for over a year. the north of Most Sorrel.

Later we again advanced, in accordance with our plan, and carried the village of Oosttaverns and also the enemy's rear- ward defences to the east of the village,

BATTLE OF MESSINES

wore

RUSSIAN SITUATION

PETROGRAD, June 9th.

Yesterday's battle was smaller than that LABOUR TROUBLE AT ARCHANGEL of the 9th April, being a definitely restricted push. The advance met with considerably less machine-gunning than was anticipated.

day. There has been infantry work on a small scale and the artillery has been very active. The Australians occupied another trench in which pocket of the enemy had succeeded in holding but.

The dockers at Archangel threaten to strike, demanding 10 roubles a day for

roubles for coal. The employers offer a minimum wage of 7 and 9 roubles. A delegate of the Ministry of Labouret

LONDON, June 8th.

d'uneters Reuler's-Correspondent at Headq on a five mile front. Our artillery broke states that the baitie of Messines, which The situation is not changed much to discharging general cargo and 145

was begun in the morning by the Second up an attempted counter-attack against Army under the command of General Sir Herbert Plumer, developed quite in the southern portion of the new positions.ordance with plans. The operation has

The eneiny's casualties are heavy. By heen brilliant success. half-past four in the afterno over ave thousand prisoners had been brought in, others not yet being counted. ⠀⠀ **

We have captured a number of guns and many trench mortars and machine guns, which have not been counted.

Lord Robert Cecil reiterated that the like M. Branting would be precluded. condition laid down by the War Cabinet was that there must not be any communi. cation with enemy subjects M. Branting was not only a very highly respected Swedish statesman but he was by no means hostile to the cause of the Allies, (Cheers.)

ITALIAN SOCIALISTS REFUSED PASSPORTS;

ROME, June 8th.

The Minister of the Interior announces

Prisoners to the number of 2,300 had considerable party of the enemy Bone to Archangél to try and adjus Socialists intending to participate in the

out matters

been collected to raid-day, but it is anti-east of Battle Wood, but we are heavily cipated that that number will be doubled when the rounding up is complete.

OUR CASUALTIES " EXCEP

TIONALLY LIGHT-

There has been great air activity and

LONDON, June 8tli many air fights. We dispersed five hostile formations, one of which consisted of over

Reuter's Correspondent at Headquarters thirty machines, with heavy casualtiessays that with the exception of the little Nine German aeroplanes were brought spot in Battle Wood, where the situation is momentarily obscure, ve attained the Mossines Ridge

bombarding the place, so the alternative appears to be surrender or extermination. The prisoners are likely to total well over seven thousand

REPLY TO KAISER'S BOASTS.

LONDON, June 8th,

FEASANTS CONGRESS.

The Peasants Congress passed a re- solution urging the army to submit to discipline and defend the country, fay ouring peace without humiliatingan: nexations or indemnity, and with the right to each ration to dispose for itself. SOLDIERS AND WORKERS DELEGATES CONGRESS:

NORWEGIAN SPIES.

PAID BY GERMANY:

CHRISTIANI, June 8th Remarkable revelations have been made

ed and disgusted at the fact that three ex-officers employed on the Bergen-New- castle Steamship Line buvo been paid, so much & month for giving the Germans information as to the movements of ships, lights and signals in British harbours details of British ships repairing and building, and the position of British mine-fields.

Some newspapers protest against the light sentences imposed, namely, a fave months' imprisonment.

AMERICA AND CHINA. A DENIAL

WASHINGTON, June 8th. Mr. Lansing has stated that the report published in the Chinese Press that the United States is supporting and financ ing the Revolution in China is absolutely false The Daited States has taken nó action of any sort towards the Revolu tion. America's great and constant in terest in Chinn is the prevalence of good order and domestic tranquillity.

that no passports will be given to Italicu conference at Stockholm, which is con sidered « manure of the Central Powers helped by the Russian extremists,

IRISH ULSTER JOINS

CONVENTION, POLITICS MUST TAKE A BACK NARROW ESCAPE OF QUEEN

WILHELMINA.

PLACE

LONDON, June 9th.

The Ulster Unionist Council has decid ed to accept the invitation to the Irish: Convention.

down and at least nine others driven hole of our objectives along the crest of scene is on the historic" ground" un An All-Russia Congress of Councils of The resolution said the Council had escape, a train to which the Royal saloons

down uncontrollable. missing.

was one of the most important

enerity

Our casualties are exceptionally light.. The weather is all in our favour.

attend.

DENOUNCES SEPARATE

PEACE

been influenced by the representations of the Government that an Irish agree tion of the war resided Sir Edward Carson, who presided srid that politics must take a back place speaking at a lancheon of the delegates, in the life and death struggle for the

near

The Queen, helped by an Englishmaz, Her Majesty subsequently travelled to assisted in bandaging the wounded. The Hague, in a goods truck.

MR WINSTON CHURCHILLS

NEW POST.

The Kaiser's boasts of the arrest of the

ROYAL TRAIN DERAILED. Anglo-French offensive are decisively

AMSTERDAM, June 6th answered by the opening of the battle of

Queen Wilhelmina has had a narrow Messines, with a stroke even morg audaces than that which captured Ving Ridge and broke the landenburg Line. Six of ours are

which the German rush to the sea wa Soldiers being arranged to be held at

were attached being derailed

An aerial observe reports that the

kent upright. enemy appears to be massing reserves in stopped #1t.r-- The Mions and Maybe Petrograd. Fifteen hundred delegates

Houten Twenty-six persons were in--- batties. The Germans Bave been talking ere expected only, but only delegates rément would rifaterially help the prosecutured, The saloons were derailed, but LONDON, June 8th.

the vicinity of Magnetan, Konmiz end of stroke it Brussel and Antwerp Prestaing no fewer than 25,000 members

Comings Road, but our artillery of Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig the TI pres

nel exaggerating Field Marshal Bir Douglas will give decisive vote. All members ports:- The position captured yesterday has the spots well picketed with shrapnel Haig's purpose with the obvious intention the Government will be invited to

The Anzies fought magnificently, the

of proclaiming the result a defeat, but New Zealanders carrying the ruins of the success already gamed locally is very strongholds on the West front, dominat-Messines in most dashing manner important, depriving the encay not only ing the Ypres salient and giving the The Ulster regiants are fighting in the of high ground in a land of plains, but BUSINESS MEN'S CONFERENCE most friendly rivalry alongside the the strategie consequences inay be onomy complete observation. The Cor Southern Irishmen They have done a momentons, as the Germans must hold the ground betonpres if they wish to retain mans had neglected no precaution to grand work Many batteries galloped

into action m good old-time fashion

the Belgian Coast and Lille. Hence most fierce attacks are to be expected. render the position impregnable. These conditions enabled the enemy to overlook all the preparations for the attack, and

CULMINATION OF A YEAR'S the enemy moved up reinforcements to

ARDUOUS TOIL. meet us in battle Therefore, it har become the gauge of the Germans ability

come the an

Correspondents have described the new to stop our advance under the most favourable conditions, they possessing British advance as the climax of months of most laborious preparation. Hund every advantage of ground and prepara-reds of gunners have toiled for almost z tion and knowing that in attack was year at intricate time taldes, gangs of impending. The German forward de-expert miners have lived for n similar fences consisted of un elaborate and intri cate system of well-wired trenches at strong points forming a defensive belt over a mile in depth. Numerous farms and woods were thoroughly prepared The defence included large numbers of machine guns, and the Germans brought an increased number of guns of all calibres to bear not only on the front but on the Annks of the attack, at

GERMAN

ADMISSION.

LONDON June ath!!

A German official mange states-The encoy broke into our foremost position zame the Wytschacte salient

A Guctuating battle contimtes violently,

FRENCH FRONT

LONDON, June 8th

period in foul and narrow shafts beneath

A French cominusqus statesThe the German dug-outs, an army of railway men have laid a most complex network of

Chemin des Dames, notably to the south- lines, while the infantzy were well re artillery struggles Isirly violent at hearsed by numerous practice advances far from the actual scene. Our airmen of Filain were especially brilliant during the pre- liminary bombardment, destroying twenty-four enemy planes and driving Naval Activities. down twenty three in this area during the first siz days of June, only losing teg

LONDON, June 8th.

Numerous communication trenches with switch lines radiating in all directions

Reuter's Correspondent at Headquarters ware amply provided, with strongly con says there had been a comparative lull in structed conurete dug outs and machine the battle of Messines during the night.. gun emplacements designed to protect the Since his futile counter-attack yesterday. garrison from the effects of our bombard in which our artillery played haves with mont The Germans had amitted no pre-his infantry us it advanced in the open, caution providable by incessant labour for the enemy made to further attempt to years and guided by the experience of retake any of the important positions. their

defeats on the Somme, at Arras and had lost. The prisoners now number con- nt Vimy Ridge Our troops, despite siderably over six thousand and it is difficulties and disadvantages, carried out certain that many guns and trench mor the first assault and subsequent attacks tars have fallen into our hands, which almost inexact accordance with the there has not yet been time to collect and

Nineteen doep arranged time-table mines were exploded simultaneously at count. Therefore it seems reasonable to tion, after the terrible hammering they support received, to carry out a big attack against

portions of," the front and

[THRULOH BECHER Z AGENCY, Í

FRENCH SHIPPING

LONDON, June 8th According to Reuter's correspondent at Paris, in the debate on submarinism in the Chamber, the Minister of Maring said that during the war eigifteen hundred voyages had been made Irons France to Algeria. Unly one steamer had been ounk, the Medjerda, because the Captain chose his own route

The number of erbmarines munk had improved Allied surveillances,

or short the brave hearts of the men of Ulster would never quake. They were Empire. Whether the struggle was long

determined, with their fellow citizens of the Empire, at all costs and sacrifices to see the matter to a victorious conclusion. After speethes by the Belgian Minister After referring to the splendid work of and the representative of the French the Ulstermen at the front, Sir Edward Embassy & Conference representing all said he was very proud of the part that Russian commercial, industrial and finan-all Irishmen who had gone to the front cis concerns unanimously decided to had played, whether they were northern send to the Allies a declaration ente-

era ur southerners they had brought gorically rejecting any possibility of a great credit and glory fo their country Boparate peace and exprusing confidence. in the coming decisive victory of the Allies.

PETROGRAD CONFERENCE.

PASSPORTS FOR BRITISH LABOURITES.

LONDON, June 8th. In the House of Commons, Lord Robert. Cecil stated that the War Cabinet, after very careful consideration, had decided that it was desirable to issue passports to Mr. Hamsay Macdonald and Mr. Jowett to go to Petrograd if they were applied for, because the Russian Govern ment had strongly and repeatedly ex- pressed the desire that representatives of the minority, as well as the majority, of working-clas opinion should be allowed to visit Petrograd, and they had expressly aentioned the Independent Labour Party as one of the bodies which they desired to have that opportunity

CONSCRIPTION IN CANADA.

OTTAWA, June 8th

Sir Robert Borden has announced that the Conscription Bill will be introduced on Monday.

NO COALITION GOVERNMENT.

OTTAWA, June 8th Owing to Sir Wilfrid Laurier's opposi- tion to conscription, the negotiations for Coalition Government have broken down.

AMERICAN FOOD EXPORTS,

STEADY GAINS,

WASSINGTON, Jane 8th,

Steady gling in American food exports, which diminished at the beginning of ruthless submariniso, are officially on- bounced.

The Way Cabinet were advised by those qualified to express an opinion, in- oluding Sir George Buchanan, and Mr. Arthur Henderson, that a refuss would The shipments for April totalled among out Russian Alles and cause great in March, and 807,000,000 in February discouragement to those in Russin who

in the morning, these wrecking large question whether the Huns are in a post appreciably increased lately, owing to lead to very serious misconception 98,000,000, as compared with $84,000,000 trenches, including extensive, dug-out and useanwhile we have been very busy week ending June 3rd the vessela urtiv were most anxious to carry on the struggle The value of breadstuffs exported in

mining systems, Inmediately upon the mine explosions our guns opened and infantry attacks carried the whole from line system within a few minutes.

CAPTURE OF MESSINES.

Our troops immediately pressed on up the wastern slopes of the Messines Wyts chaete ridge, within three hours storming the entire creat line from the south north-

consolidating our gains, getting up guns, and making every preparation to ensure retention of the fruits of victory. The pioners have dug in the most praise worthy manner

ENEMY TRENCHES BLOTTED OUT

In the heat of a June sun the New

was

A Paris message states that during the

Py April, wes $38,000,000, which ing at French parts numbered 1.005, for freedom with the fullest energy $16,000,000 more on the exports for

February while the sailings totalled The If the passports were issued, they would sinkings were three vessels of over 100 he issued for Petrograd and were not March, and 818,000,000 more than in tons and two under 1,000 Cone Three intended to enable the holders to siteau The food exports for April were only vessels were unsuccessfully attacked. or participate in any International Con

Aerial Activities.

(THROCOH REUTER S-AGENOT.)

wards. Shortly afterwards the whole of Zealand sappers, stripped to the waist. Messines was captured. We also com and nearly black with crime, yesterday. GERMAN AEROPLANES SHOT

of Wytechnete village thevelled a communication trench through pleted the capture

:bard fighting. Our: before middey after.

the up-churned ground on which almost of the attack troops in the second stage

of pushed down the eastern slopes of the every trace of the German trenches and

strong posts had been smashed out

DOWN.

LONDON, June 8th.

ference at Stockholm and still lese to communicate, directly or indirectly, with enemy subjecte at Stockholm or elsewhere TE was only on this express understand ing that the passports would be issued.

GENERAL ALEXIEFF

$70,000,000 ($7,000,000) as than for January, which was the country's record months

CONTRACTOR FOR THE

ALLIES.

ridge and advanced against a nowexistence and set The Admiralty announces that naval possess the energy and enthusiasm and the needs of the respective Allies and

line in the rear of the defences fighting occurred in a further series of The more I hear about the battle the fortified woods and strong points. We clearer it becomes that it was successful captured the village of Oosttaverne in the in the fullest and completest sense of the afternoon, ring just westward of the word. Everything seems to have worked centre line. Practically the whole of this precisely as designed, and the victory in trench system was in our hands by night no less a tribute to the wonderful fall and we had gained the whole of the fency of the staff work which preceded day's objective.

it than to the gallantry of the troops.

U Períborad, June 8th. It is announced that General Alexiell has been placed on half-pay because the Government does not consider him to seroplanes, on Wednesday attacked, and confidence necessary at the present june drove down two memy machines, which turə. were rendered uncntrollable; three miles worth-east of Dixmade,

A uaval pilot shut down another also north-east of Dixonda rendered uncontrollable, five miles to the

The protest of Mr. Henderson, M. Thoms and M. Vandervelde has now

attend a meeting to disones the protest been published by the Workmen's and Soldiers Delegates, who invited them to

NEW YORE, June 8th. It is announced that the inter Allied Commission from Europe will determine

Zork which will submit them to the communicate them to the Missions in New United States. The latter will be the contractor for the Allies, and will com pletely control the prices and deliverien, There will be no further privato con

tracts

LONDON, June 8th. Mr Winston Churchil has accepted the Chairmanship of the Air Board)...

Mr. George Roberts succeeds Me Barnes at the Ministry of Pensions, MR. BONAR LAWS BEREAVE- MENT

LONDON, June 9th. Mr. Bonar Law was absent from the House of Commons yesterday, owing to his having received now of the death of his son in Palestine.

SERIOUS FLOODS IN AUSTRALIA

MELBOURNE, June 8th. There have been serious floods in Victoria, Townships have been inundated. Much damage has been done to property, Nine people have been drowned.

SAN SALVADOR DESTROYED BY EARTHQUAKE.

SAN JUAN-DEL-Sur June 9th. San Salvador, the capital of Salvador, with a population of sixty thousand, has been totally destroyed. There are no

details, but undoubtedly an earthquake or volcanic eruption has occurred

A message from Tegucigalpas adds that. six other Salvador towns have been de stroved.

SILVER MARKET,

LONDON, June 7th, Messrs Montagu's report states that

last week, the shortness of supplies. there is no change in the conditions stace rendering, the market sensitive to any

enquiry.

SLUMP IN THE GERMAN MARK.

LONDON, June Eth. Silver is 283d per oz. The demand, chiefly Continental, is steady,

Neutral Values of the Reichsmart are slumping daily Amsterdam quotes 344 normally the quotation is 59) guilders for 100 marks.

OBITUARY.

MR W. F CUTTON, BP.

LE

LONDON, June th The death is annouiced of M. WE alist) for Dublin County 82 Cotton, member of Parliament (Nation