1917-06-21 — Page 3

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THE WAR.

BRITISH

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, JUNE 21st, 1917.

OPERATIONS.

AN INTERESTING DESPATCH.

DEALING WITH GREECE

AFFAIRS IN RUSSIA.

ANARCHISTS “ACTIVE,

NAVAL ACTIVITY.

ranco-Helgian Front

...... LATEST CA DLĖS.

[TIZOUGH" REUTER'S AGINOY.]

TYPHOON AT THE FRONT,

NIAGARA-LIKE DELUGES.

LONDON, June 19th. Reator's correspondent at headquarters ys there has been a series of most violent thunderstorms in the battle area.

Franco-Belgian Front:

BARLIER VABLES. (TEROUQU REUTER'S ADENOS.] BRITISH OPERATIONS IN FRANCE, LONG MESSAGE: FROM SIR

DOUGLAS HAIG, AN

LONDON, June 19th. --Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig has

he withdrew, and a succession of misty days prevented a rapid pursuit, Canse quently, it is greatly to the credit of all ranks that constant touch with the enemy wag maintainedt.

|

by two on the afternoon of March 28th ( General. heavy bridges, capable of taking all forms of traffic, bad replaced the lighter

pour out the wint

type.

Throughout the winter the transport problems were most serious, both in the battle area and behind the ines, on the rapid solution of which success or failure

Continuous and systematic advances drove out the enemy from snecessive positions until March 2nd, when we roached the Le Transfoy-Loupart line casarily largely depended. At the except at Irles, which formed at salient, close of last years campaign the steady Seven days were then devoted tar o

growth of our armies and the rapid amprov ing communications had bringing apexpansion of our material and resources guns, and on March 10th Irles was cap had already taxed the roads and rail tured. Our casualties were less than the ways to the utmost. The existing broad prisoners, who numbered 289. The way and narrow gauge railways were in was thus opened for attacking the Lesufficient, to deal with the increasing Transloy-Loupart line, which was shelled affe, an undue proportion of which so effectively on March 11th and 12th was thrown upon the roads. With winter that the enemy fell back to parallel lines, conditipos deteriorating, the difficulties whereupon Grivilliers and Loupart wood of maintenance and repair became almost were occupied and methodical operations overwhelming, and an increase of rail began for attacking the next line.

way facilities of every type, and on a Prior to this, where there we ndiay tions that the German withdrawak would further extend, it had been ascertained that he had been preparing now defen sive system, known as the Bindenburg Line, running, from Arras south cast warts to Queant, and thence west of Cambrai towards St. Quentin, various switches.

off this line also being constructed. The enemy's immediate

LATEST CABLES.

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGINOY.]

AFFAIRS IN RUSSIA.

ANARCHISTS ACTIVE.

PETROGUAD, Jaine 20th Fifty anarchists, with three machine guns, conveyed in cabs, established them- selves in buildings in a popalous ocntre of the town. Two companies of Guards. and Cossacks surrounded the buildings anarchists were taken to gaol and compelled them to surrended. The

A STRIKING APPEAL.

* Jassy, undated.. the Ninth Army, on the Roumanian A Committee composed of soldiers of

large scale, were, therefore, imperatively and urgently necessary rolling stock were required immediately, fraternising with the enemy. The appeal Great quantities of material and front, has issued an appeal against while subsequently our wants were con says: If the enemy desires our welfare siderably augmented by a large pro then he must liberate Roumania; then we

will help him to overthrow his Govern- which a durable peace will he possible. ment the enemy of all liberty--after

BRITISH ROYALTY.

GERMAN NAMES AND TITLES

CHANGED..

LONDON, June 19th.- The Press Burean announces that the King, drairing, owing to war conditions, that those Princes in his family, who are his subjects, but bear German names and titles should relinquish them and adopt British surnames, has therefore

ANNIE BESANT. LEAVE TO APPEAL GRANTED.

LONDON, June 19th. The Privy Council has granted Annie Besant leave to appeal against the orders of the Magistrate of Madras un May 16th, and the Governor-in-Council. [{The appellant was ordered to be banished

concerned in a seditious propaganda,] from India, it; heing alleged that who was

THE GREEK

K CABIN

ATHENS, Jun The Cabinet has einpowered Mi to discuss the reconstitution with 12 Venizelist adherent with a view to the inclusion of at least one Venizelist.

GERMAN INTRIGUE,

ACTION BY CENTRAL AMERICAN

INSTATES.

Paxis, June 20th. A telegram from San Salvador states that in consequence of German intrigues in Central America, the Salvador and Costa Rica Governments have taken pro- ventive measures in regard to Germans, before announcing the rupture of diplo matic relations,

AUSTRIAN CABINET RESIGNS.

AMSTERDAM, June 20th, The Austrinn, Cabinet has decided retiga.

VOTES FOR WOMEN,

LONDON, June 20th. The House of Commons have adopted by 385 votes to 55.

be Marquesses; and Prince Alexander of the general principle of womens suffrage Teck to be an Earl,

gramme of new construction in the area obtaining the amount of railway material of the enemy's withdrawal. The task of required, and the carrying out of the concern appeared to be to escape from work of construction at the rate our the salient between Arras and Le plans rendered necessary, besides pro- Transloy, which had become increasing of roads, was one of the very greatest viding labour and material for the repair difficult to help. It was also evident,

that the enemy contemplated difficulties and its successful accom eventually the evacuation of the greater plishment reflects the highest credit on splicit batween Arrás and the Aisne the Transportation Service, of whose Valley.

sufficiency and energy I cannot speak too The despatch then deals in detailed highly. I desire to acknowledge in the manner with the operations between fullest manner, the debt owed to all who April 19th, in which the Allies gained assisted to meet the difficulties of the possession of Chaulnes, Варядати

situation, especially Sir Eric Geddes, Peronne and numerous villages from Director-General of Transportation, to which the enemy had retreated whose great ability and organising power conferred the following Peerages. The By April 10ta, the advance had reached and energy the results achieved were Duke of Teck, Prince Louis of Battenberg of maintaining the communications com acknowledge the valuable assistance of a stage at which the increasing difficulty Primarily duc He also was glad to and Prince Alexander of Battenberg, to (pelled a slackning in the pace of the the Chemin de-fer Du Nord and also anck of bridges, which the enemy had the successful solution of this problem purauit. To the south of Peronne, the wished to place an record the fact that destroyed, presented a formidable obs would have been impossible but for the tacle, while to the north of Peronne patriotism of the railway companies at wide belt of devastated ground, over home and in Canada, who had not which the Somme battle had been fought, hesitated to give up the locomotives and passage of guns and transport up tracks in order to offered even greater difficulties to the rolling stock required, and even to tear were advancing, therefore, the despatch the necessary rails, provide us with of communication were destroyed against operation and complete mutual under says, "over country in which all means

The despatch concludes:-Loyal co capable of launching a vigorous offensive, throughout the Somme battle hung "been an enemy whose Army was still intact and standing between our Allies and ourselves should a favourable opportunity occur continued and strengthened by the events cavalry occupied vantage points along cumstances attending the enemy's with Strong detachments of his infantry and of the winter, particularly by the cir the line of our advance, keeping the drawal. During the latter period under enemy informed of our progress and review, a very considerable tract of screening his own movements. His guns country was won back to France by the had already withdrawn to previously combined efforts of the Allied troops prepared

positions and were available ofThis result is regarded with lively antis any moment to cover and support a faction by all ranks of the British army counter-stroke, while the conditions of

in France. At the same time we wish tu the country across which we were moving express feelings of deep sympathy The bulk of the enemy's forers were by the sight of the destruction war made the progress of our artillery slow and profound regret, provoked among known to be holding a formidable defente hats wrought in a once fair and pro-sidering the question of pensioning the

sperous countryside....

issued a despatch covering the operation from November 18th to the cominencement of the present offensive. This affords connected story and is a valuable 1s torical record elucidating much that was hitherto checure, revealing the strategie plans behind the apparently isolated attacks and raids which continued

:.:

Recompanied by typhoons which rooted ay trees and bowled over wagons as it they were mere playthings. Despite these Niagara-like deluges, to-day is hotter than over. It is wonderful that during the entire storm our airmen operated serenely in the gold and blue above the thundering canopy which was emptying its straumg to the earth, Indeed, it was throughout the winter, and showing all actually one of their most successfulla fitting in with a comprehensive and Bays. There was much general activity systematic scheme in order to prepare a un the Western front, especially in the favourable situation for the Spring Messines area, where we continue, to steadily eat our way into the enemy's positions in the direction of Warneton.

STRONG ENEMY COUNTER-

ATTACKS BROKEN,

PARIS, June 19th. communique says:-There has been"

advance,

Owing to the Som battle, the enemy in the region of the Ancre Valley had been forced into a pronounced, salient between the Ancre and Scarpe Valleys. Therefore a further short advance would give command of the Beaumont Hamel

violent artillery duel between Monpur, nad, secordingly, an attack was should his counter-stroke mine aim bn]

Cornillet and Mont Blond. Our fire] broke a strong counter-attack on the positions we wan yesterday in this region. The enemy sustained serious Bosses and left many prisonera.

BRITISH RAID,

LONDON, June 19th-

Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re portsWe raided last night to the south-eastward of Leverguier, neay. the

Bapaume Cambrai rond,

EARLIER CABLES,

DIFFICULT POSITION OF GERMAN ARMY.

Sre.

man

delivered against the defences overlooking the villages of Pys and Grandcourt on November 18th. The object was to ad vane within assaulting distance of the Le Transloy-Loupart line: Five thou sund yards of valuable positions were acquired, but the weather then held up the operations until January, when the whole apur was captured, and we nd vanced & thousand yards up Braucourt Valley, with exceedingly light casualties. Owing to the close and skilful co-opera- tion between the infantry and the artillery, and fine aboraft work, the possession of the high ground opened up an extensive artillery held, and further successses on February 3rd and 4th gave

system upon which he could fall back

ward they left the contrary, our troops moved for

a!! there defences

prepared further

behind, and caution was obvious. Meanwhile, despite such circumstances the necessity for the enormous dificulties which the con dition of the ground and the ingenuity of the enemy placed in our way, the bridges, ronds and railways was carried. work of preparing and constructing on with most commendable rapidity.

The Balkans.

LATEST CABLES. IMROUGE REUIRK'S AGENCY.")

THE BRITISH IN GREECE.

THE AMERICAN MISSION.

NO STATEMENT TO BE MADE,

LONDON, June 1915. In the House of Commons, Mr. Balfour,

the ground that it was not customary who had a great ovation, declined to make a statement on his mission to America on

also be could not add anything to the published accounts. He re-expressed his welcome and great hospitality to the warmest thanks for America's cordial British Mission. (Cheers.) He stated that the United States had not adhered to the Pact of London regarding a separate peace

AIR RAID VICTIMS.

LONDON, June 10th. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar. Jaw stated that the Government was con

dependants of victims of air-raids.

ANOTHER ALLY.

LONDON, June 19th. Haiti has severed diplomatic relations with Germany

DYE-MAKING,

GOVERNMENT TO DEVELOP INDUSTRY.

ENEMY CLAIMS,

The despatch proceeds to describe how

LONDON, June 29th, the enemy resistance increased as we

According to enemy communiqués, the neared the Hindenburg Line, emphasising British, after burning villages, abandon- counter-attacks, particularly in attempts healthy Struma the great costliness of many of his ed the advanced positions in the un Speaking of the outstanding features of five months of Aghting from November says that despite the unusul severity of 18th, Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig the weather, the winter campaign was most trying and rest urduous conditions conducted to a successful issue under

to recover Beaumetzles Cambra; Kiupri and Prosenut, on the main the United Kingdom, the President of

LATEST CABLES.

**The activity on our battle-front has been maintained without a break from the conclusion of last year's offensive to the commencement of the present opera tions. The successful accomplishment of this part of our general plan has already enabled as to realise

instaliment of fruits from the Somme

no inconsiderable

EARLIER CABLES.

U. S. EXPORTS.

GOVERNMENT CONTROL.

to control exports, first dealing with coal

WASHINGTON, June 19th. The Government has elaborated plans and secondly with wheat.

refuses to furnish Great Britain with It is believed that no coal will be a low- ed to be exported to any neutral which ore, while the control of coal will be used to regulate shipments of food from noix- trala to Germany.

It is stated that the Government is refusing to permit cargoes to leave Ameri can ports for neutral countries which re tair ships in harbour,

WAR AND HORSE-RACING.

MINIMUM PROGRAMME.

LONDON, June 19th. A depritation of the Jockey Club will to-morrow submit to the Premier pro- posals for the minimum racing necessary to preserve horso-breeding.

The Time states that a compromise is probable, permitting eight further days racing at Newmarket during the current

year,

BRITISH TREASURY BILLS,

LONDON, June 19th. Bills have been resumed. To-day's rates The daily sales of British Treasury

for three months and six months ate at ly tenders of the Bills have been discon- four-and-a-half per cent discount. Week-

tinued.

LONDON, June 10th. In order to promote the further deve Valley, including lopment of the dye making industry in Doiran-Seres railway, which was doubt the Beard of Trade has decided to estab less destroyed at these points, also lish a special temporary department to importance, standing at the entrance to agement, organisation and regulation of Bayaklid Juma, which of some strategic deal with matters relating to the encour the Rupel Pass, The British, however, that industry under the direction of Sir and some country beyond, still hold the cast bank of the Struma, Evan Jones, Bt, who will be styled Com DUTCH EDITOR'S SENTENCE.

THE MALARIAL SEASON, AFFECTING BRITISH TROOPS.

LONDON, June 19th.

A British message from Salonika says that owing to the advent of the malarial season, our troops eastward of the Struma have been somewhat withdrawn

positions westward of the river cam Our patrols cleared out the enemy from six villages on the East bank. Our hill pletely dominate the evacuated ground. in the occupation of Thessaly and British detachments are participating Piraeus.

FRENCH ACTIVITY IMPORTANT POINTS OCCUPIED.

PARIS, June 10th

missioner of Dyes.

COTTON IN NEW WORK SENSATIONAL RISE.

NEW YORK, June 10th.

cords. The price has advanced to 101

The cotton market has smashed all points on a sensational advance in Liver pool, and private reports regarding the low crops. Values closed near the top.

A GERMAN PACIFIST: POSITION OF ROBERT CRIMM..

AMSTUDA, Jung 10th... The High Court at the Hague bas quashed the sentence of three months' im- prisonment passed on Herr Schroeder, the editor of the Telegraaf, on a charge of endangering Holland's neutrality. The case will be re-tried by another Court

CHINESE TELEGRAMS.

THROUGH REDTER'S AGENCY.]

BARLIER CABLES.

THE CHINESE CRISIS, A PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT

BERNE, June 19th. A semi-official message regarding M. Hoffmann's telegram, mentioned on the 18th, states that Grimm telegraphed to

LONDON, June 17th* M. Hofmann through the dwus legation Chang Fan having refused to come to Reuter, Peking correspondent says that at Petrograd saying that a need for peace Peking, the Tuchuns are calling a Tien- was generally felt, and asking for a state tsia Convention in order to set up a M. Hoffmann's reply was an uninspired Provisional Government, with a Dictator terest of encouraging an early peace, and act of quarter. It was sent in the in-acting as President and Premier. consequently in the interest of Switzer- land herself."

LONDON, June 19th. The difficult position of the German Army, which the British bave pushed an important section of the Germen second line, north of the Ancre, making back from the plateau of Messines, is

the evacuation of Grandcourt inevitable. keenly discussed in Paris, where there is

The next task was to drive the enemy speculation as to what the enemy is to

from the Beaucourt Valley, which was do. It is pointed out that the Germans began on February 2nd, when we enp to their full achievement. The courage battle, and had gone far to open te road are hampered in their movements by the tured 1,500 yards of trenches lying at the and endurance of our troops had carried Ypres Canal and the Lys River, and southern foot of Serre Hill. This made particularly trying fighting in which they them triumphantly through periods of their rear can only be supplied and rein the village of Serre a pronounced enemy were subjected to the maximum of per forced by bridges which are nader British salient, and further progress in the Ancre sons hardship and physical strain. I

cannot speak too highly of the

onalities Valley would have made it untenable. of all ranks, the ability with which the It is believed that the Germans will Therefore the larger operation was begun General Gough, and further south, by troops in the Ancre were handled by be forced to retire to another line of with a view to acquiring the northern General Rawlinson was in all respects defence, and are already preparing there extremity of Miraumont and obessation adeny was driven by on continted An segment of the war aims

admirable. The retreat to which the An Eastern communique says: Our for. In a recent engagement, the Ger of the Upper Ancre Valley. Simultane

success reintroduced conditions rearguards were intended to form a ously a smaller attack, designed to cap cavalry was given an opportunity to and occupy important spots, The mating to open fighting, in which in the region of Monastir. We have the reached the southern limit of Thessely screen, which was penetrated when the ture the sunken road north of the Ancre, perform its special duties. memy rearguard was driven in between which controlled the western approach drawal enabled him to choose his own

Although inhabitants handed over a considerable it was deliberate, the enemy's with quantity of armg and munitions. __ The British to Miraumont, was made. During the ground for resistance and employ every Naval Activities. Hollebeke and Warneton. have since successfully attacked in the night of February 17th, assaults were device to inflict losses upon us, yet our Casualties, which were exceedingly delivered, and, despite the heavy ground, moderate throughout the neighbourhood of Kleinzillebeke, which

operations on thick mist and an alert enemy who kept during the period of the retreat. The the Ancre, became exceptionally light is the pivot of the new German retreat

up a barrage fire, the troops massulted prospect of a resumption of open fighting behind the Lys, showing that the British with great gallantry. We succeeded and can be regarded with great confidence have detected the move

completely gained the desired observa bridges and railways has made unpre The systematic destruction of roads, Aerial Activities.

tions, also command of the enemy cedented demands upon the Royal En artillery positions in the Upper Ancre gineers, who were already heavily bardened by the work entailed in the Valley and bis defences of Pys and preparation for the Spring offen great Miraumont,

Our subsequent Bombard dificulties is the best testimony to the steady progress in face of great ments,

anticipated, forced the energy and thoroughness with which these evacuation of Pys and Miraumont on demands were met. The bridging of the February 24th. On the following day, Somme at Brie is an example of the nature of the obstacles with which we were confronted, and the rapidity of their removal. In this instance six gspa had to be bridged across the canal and river, some of which were of considerable width, over a swift-flowing stream. The work commenced in the morning of the March 18th. By ten the same night the infantry foot-bridges were completed,

LATEST CABLES. {THROUGH REUTER'S AGEXOL.] RAIDS ON RIGA,

PETROGRAD, June 20th."

as

Five German hydroplanes flew over a positions from north of Geodesourt to the base on the Riga front and dropped west of Berre were captured forty-one bombs an sheds, ships and

The weather favoured the enemy retite batteries unsuccessfully. Ons salior was ment A thaw broke up the roads, sides wounded The raiders were driven off of the trenches collapsed and by the coast batteries, which, on several acquired ground became worse than u successive days brilliantly repulsed aquagmire. Un the contrary, the roads by five on the morning of March 20th, number of fruitless airship attacks. bebind the enemy improved the further sport and cavalry was completed, and a medium type of bridge for horse-tran-

LATEST CABLES. [THHOUSE REUTER'S AGENOT.} FRENCH MINE-SWEEPER

MINED.

PARIS, June 19th Bay of Biscay and sank. A boiler ex A mine sweeper struck a mine in the plosion killed seven. A steamer engaged submarine in the Mediterranean off the Spanish const, but the latter submerged.

FARLIER GADLES.

NAVAL CASUALTIES.

LONDON, June 19th. The following naval casualties are announced

Missing-Flight Sub-Licat. Langley FW. Smith, RN

Wounded Engineer Sub.-Lieut. Hugh Kerkland, R.N.R. ----

Previously reported missing, now un- Lieut. Oliver B. Ellis, EN officially reported killed.-Flight Sub.-

In connection with the above it tran spires that Grimm is a most prominent Socialist member of the Swiss National Council, and it is stated that his sympu thies are pro-German

SOUTHERN OPPOSITION.

LONDON, June 17th According to Reuter's correspondent at New York, the Chinese National League, which is politically represented by six Southern Provinces, has received a cable. boden Fforeshadowing, an extensive opposition M. Hofmann bas resigned his member against the Government by the Souther ship of the Federal Council. The latter Provinces. have informed the National Council that it was ignorant of M. Hoffmann's action. in Petrograd,

PURCHASE OF A GERMAN BANK.

LATEST CABLES. PRESIDENT AND THE TUCHUNS

PERING, June 19th.

The President has sent a message to LONDON, June 19th.

the Provinces explaining that he is obliged to dissolve, Parliament in order It is announced that Barclay's Bank to preserve a Republican Government, has purchased the Deutsch Bank in the lives and property of the inhabitants London for $200,000 of the capital, and the unity of the

LONDON, June 20th. Besides the sale of the Deutsch bank resigned at present civil war would North and South. He feared that if he premises, the premises of the Disconto result, and foreigners would be obliged Sea Insurance for £38,000, and the sequently, the destruction of the nation Gosolloshaft have been bought by Lloyds to interfere for self-protection. Conn Dreadnor Bank by the London, City and Midland Bank for £12,000,

KING CONSTANTINE

roxo, June 19th: King Constantine, with his suite 20. has arrived here:

would fellow. When normal tames had been restored he will resign.HON

The massage shows that the President is completely terrorised by the Tuchun's threat

Despite an earlier refusal of the of invitation, Chang Hsun has arrived in

Peking