1917-06-28 — Page 5

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THE WAR.

MESOPOTAMIA

BLUNDERS.

APPORTIONING THE BLAME.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 1917.

BRITISH ACTIVITY IN THE WEST. ENEMY WASTAGE.

GERMANY AND NORWAY.

THE POSITION OF NEUTRALS.

Franco-Belgian bront

LATEST CABLES,

ĮTHROUGH RAUTAR'S AGENCY.]

BRITISH GAINS.

SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS

ENEMY WASTAGE.

ENEMY'S NEW METHODS.

LONDON, June 26th. Reuter's Correspondent at Headquar

BRILLIANT FRENCH ATTACK | General.

ALL OBJECTIVES BEACHED.

PARIS, June

th

LATEST CABLES. (THROUGH ZAOTUR'S AGENCY.] MESOPOTAMIA BLUNDERS. APPORTIONING THE BLAME COMMISSION'S REPORT.

WAR PRISONERS. THE ANGLO GERMAN CONFERENCE

REPRISALS

STATEMENT BY LORD DERBY

A communiqué anys:-After a short

LONDON, June 27th. LONDON, June 27th In the House of Lords, Lord Router learns that the Anglo-German Derby, dealing wil tuo question artillery preparation we lost evening

war priecuers conferenos at The Hague of reprisals, emphasise that our brilliantly attacked a strongly fortified.

has been decided upon with a view to aircraft were daily bombing the enemy's Avoiding the delays, mseparable from correa, and declared, on the authority of creat north-west of Hurtebive and reached

respondence through intermediatics, and the head of our aircraft in France, that all our objectives in a few moments,

LONDON, June 26th. the consequent hardships to prisoners he would be well within the mark if he The report of the Mesopotamin Com whom it is desired to beneft, said that for every bomb the Germans We captured the German first line and mission, constituting another historic war The following questions will be discuss cropped behind our lines, we dropped n document, was issued tonight as a Blüced at the conference Ung hundred behind the German lines. That our are smashed up enemy counter Book of 188 pages. It deals comprchcn The resumption and extension of the bombing was done with a military object. attacks delivered on, the two extremities, sively with the operations from the time repatriation of combatant civilian societe itself with the suggestion, that He thought the whole country would soners under existing agreements. The transfer of combataat prisoners to neutral should not try to initate German countries in addition to Switzerland.

brutality The internment of civilian prisoners in reprisals must have a definite military neutral countries. The more expeditious objective, such as the blowing up of

Lord Derby emphasised and satisfactory delivery of prisoners bridge, and munition works, and the pareola Punishment of prisoners, Re- military authorities must be allowed to prisals on prisoners Delays and failures use aeroplanes in whatever way they in reporting the capture of prisoners. thought it to bring the war to a success

ful

We captured the position under cover of a violent bombardment. The enemy, whom the swiftness of the attack sur prised sustained serious losses.

of origin, through the various stages of the advance to Bngdod, the incidental happenings, and examines at length ques tions which have given rise to public ori- ticism, the main report embodying find ings, conclusions and recommendations, and is signed by all the Commissionera We captured over 300 prisoners, includ except Commander Wedgwood, M., who ing ten officers,

presented a dissentient report.

ACTIVITY ON BELGIAN FRONT

London, June 26th Interest is increasingly being directed to the Allied front in Belgium. Both Belgian and German communiqués speak of most violent artillery firing there, tere, amplifying his statement cabled while & French semi-official message says yesterday, gives some important figures that Anglo-French Belgian artillery Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re-showing the enormous nambers which seriously damaged German defences from -ports:--We gained all our objectives in Germany has been forced to concentrate the son towards the Somme,

last night's operation north-westward of on the Western Front, also the terrible Fontaine-kz-Croisilles. Our lossen were punishment they received at the hands of

Naval Activities.

selight

LONDON, Jupe 27th.

We drove off two strong counter-attacks and extended our gaine south westward of Lens. We captured positions astride the Bouchez River on a two mile from and to a depth of 1,000 yards. We pecs med the village of La Coulotte. We also

the British and French, as evidenced by the heavy wastage. He says that when the offensive opened, the Germans bad 117 Divisions in France, of which forty- two were reserves, consisting entirely of fresh troops This reserve by the end of April had dwindled to twelve, since when

EARLIER UABLES.

THE IRISH TROUBLE.

conciusion. He did not want to see the war waged with the aid of gloves, We must hit back but the military authorities should be left to decide where and when we should hit back t

The Government had given the military use of their aircraft in order best to authorities an absolutely free hand in the thing possible was being done at pre- secure for us military success Evory-

LONDON, June 26th. The Daily Mail correspondent at Dublin says it is believed that the fur has reached a climax and will now sub moil over the release of the Sinn Feiners side taggen S

Mr. Devalera, a released prisoner, who try against aircraft. is the Sing Fein candidate for East closest possible co-operation between the keep peace during the contest. He will tion of the warning of air-raids, Lord. Clare, has offered to enlist volunteers to Army and Navy. Reterring to the ques probably become the Sinn Fein leader. Derby stated that a conference of nával,

GREEK SITUATION.

The Commissioners and that the expedi but the division of responsibility between tion was a justifiable military enterprise, the India Office and the Indian Govern ment in connection therewith was un workable. The scope of the expedition's objective was never sufficiently defined in. advance. The report criticises the Com- mander-in-Chiefs, or their representatives for their failures periodically to visit Mesopotamia. The advance to Bagdad in October, 1915, was an offensive move calculations. It was attempted with tired went based on political and military mis and insuficient forces, and the inade quate preparation resulted in the Kut disaster. The veightiest share of the responsibility for the untoward advance lies with Sir John Nixon, whose coufident INTERESTING DEVELOPMENTS optimism was the main cause of the occision.

SALONIKA June 28th, Others responsible in order of sequence

Out of 250 Communes in Thessaly, Secretary to the India Office General Sir the south of Lamia, where the railway were Viceroy Hardinge, Commander-in-336 have adhered to M. Venizelos Chief Beauchamp-Duff, the Military French troops have occupied Bralo, to E. Barrow, Mr. Austin Chamberlain, and rond intersects the high road to Isex, on the War Commitice of the Cabinet. The the Gulf of Corinth Commission point out that the last two Negotiations at Keratsina hetween are responsible as political heads who delegates of the Athens and Venizelos cannot secure complete immunity through Governments have virtually concluded, adopting expert subordinates wrong ad- and the transfer of the Provisional Gov- vice. The general armanent and equip. ernment to Athens is only a question of

great expansion and improvements during missariat was badly organised during the

needs, and the whole system of the com- WHY M. ZAIMIS RESIGNED. the past year to the Fleet.

period of the Indian Government re A telegram from Athens says that M.

LONDON, June 28th. sponsibility. Though there was no Zaimis resigned because he refused to general breakdown at Simla, the authori- convoke the Venizelist Chamber of 1915. ties bestowed meagre attention and ALLIED TROOPS ENTER ATHENS. wants during 1914-15. illiberal treatment to the expedition's

LATEST CABLES. TESOUGE RAUTAR'S AGENCY.)

KING VISITS GRAND FLEET. EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENTS.

LONDON, June 27th The King has just concluded his second war visit to the Grand Fleet, accompanied

brought down two and drove down three. it has been built up anew, and now con by Prince Albert, and commented on the ment were quite insufficient to meet the day or so!

enemy Revólanes,

ITAL.

One of "burgas

sists of forty, equally divides between the Crown Prince and Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria. But twenty-eight thereof are

Divisions which have been engaged either on the British or French battle front They have suffered heavily and have been re-formed.

The King embarked on a light cruiser, escorted by destroyers, at a certain port, reaching the feet during a terrific thun dor storm. He died on the flagship and

the flagship. He witnessed wirelessing mudo a two hours tour of every part of

and practice with large and small guns, and remarked on the new white canvas

HEAVY GERMAN LOSSE SOME INTERESTING FIGURES.

LONDON, June - 27th. Reuter's correspondent at the French headquarters says that is known that between 90 and 100 enemy Divisiong bave It is characteristic of the enemy's new been withdrawn from battle since the

method of economising his heat troops that he refuses to allow the few remaining fresh Divisions to be reduced. Exhausted bead gear of the guns crews, giving them Divisions which can no longer be kept a monk-like appearance,

which i

is a protec in the battle line change places with tion from the guns backflash; also the Divisions which have been holding some gas masks and the improved organisation Le Gavins estimates that al Germount sector, but the reserve of fresh and treatment of the wounded. Divisions oppose the British front of troops is never meddled with, ad seem- 140 kilometres, and 102 face the Frenchingly remains at a total of twelve Divhions, eight being behind the front of the Crown Prince and four behind the front of Prince Rupprecht.

beginning of the Anglo-French April offensive. A safe calculation is that they suffered a quarter of a million casualties, Cha hundred and fifty-five German Divisions are now in France compared with 147 in April,

on 570 kilometres. Thus the Germans are twice as strong against the British GERMANS DESTROYING LENS

LONDON, June 26th

The supply of reinforcements was 15 sufficient in connection with the advance

ciently realised from the first the par to Bagdad and the Kut relief operations. The Indian military authorities insuff amount importance of river and railway transport in Mesopotamia. Their re

Atuens, June 26th. owing to an unimportant anti-Venizelist Allied troops have entered Athens movement on the 33rd inst

COTTON CRISIS. IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO BE DECIDED.

The Manchester correspondent of the

LONDON, June 27th. Warning Post writes that the importance

sent to secure the defence of the count

There was the

military and evil authorities held that: day unanimously agreed that the giving of a warning might do more harm thàn good idea of Ce for an

He added. The idea of an eye for an massacring of women and children was eye and a tooth for a tooth in the absolutely repulsive to the British nation. POSITION OF NEUTRALS,

DAILY BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT

LONDON, June 27th. The position of neutrals, which i becoming daily more difficult, is momen tarily the chief topic.

Spain was the brat indication in London The introduction of martial law in that the situation was so serious, a fact which shews to rigorousness of the Spanish censorship, which is now ex- tended to Spanish newspapers. There is, official Spanish reasons for the suspen 4sposition to regard us incomplete the sion of the Constitution. While many other local factors doubtless contribute to the crisis, undoubtedly the three out standings ones are, tirs, the semi- rebellion among army officers against alleged Court tavouritism, matters of promotion, etc., second, the political said to favour a Republic; and, third, movement of the Left Parties, which is the extreme Socialist movement,

ponsibility was grave. Sir John Nixon is advances, with insuficient transport as responsible for recommending the and equipment. The transport shortage at the beginning of 1916 rendered the Kut of the cotton conference fixed for the especially at Barcelona and Bilbao, medical provision the Commissioners de Lancashire cotton trade has reached a anarchism, relief operations fatal. Denling with the 27th inst cannot be exaggerated. The which have long been hot-beds of clare that this was insuficient from the crisis only comparable with the great It is impossible, however, to say beginning and ultimately resulted in a cotton famine in the American Civil which of these movements is the most lamentable breakdown after the battles of War. How best and equitably to distri formidable. Also, how far the army is 1015-16, and the most lamentable and bitte the small available supply of cotton infected with Socialist and Republican severe suffering

in England at a reasonable price, and to principles now, and the extent of pro- The Commissioners find that Surgeon

hep the mills running so as to alleviate derinanism among the officers, but the General Hathaway showed unfitness for a far as possible the threatened wide belief continues that the trouble is wholly his office. Viceroy Hardinge was general shipped, are questions of primary im

spread distress until new supplies can bo internal, ly responsible by virtue of his position: portance demanding för undivided at severe censure mist he passed upon the Four hundred thousand bales will not The Commissioners proceed that more fention of employers and operatives only failed to closely superintend the new crop is available, for the average Commander-in-Chief in India, who not keep the machinery running until the adequacy of the medical prevision, but consumption of a mill is from 150 to which were true until the Viceroy's superior authority 200 bales weekly forced him, declined to notice rumours

EARLIER CABLES. THREE TO TEN. EXCITING AERIAL CONTEST.

LONDON, June 20th. Hitherto, despite their losses,

The Admiralty announces that three the Germans have been able to even increase

aeroplanes, while patrolling on Monday, engaged ten enemy machines in the the number of Divisions in France. They brought fourteen Divisions from the ixteen minutes. They brought down one vicinity of Boulers and fought them for Russian Front, replacing them by eleven of the enemy machines in flamex, and it exhausted Divisions which had beenis believed that two others were driven badly handled on the French Front down in an uncontrollable condition campaign, recognise their anxieties in Besides these, five entirely new Divisions, Clouds interrupted the view. Our established our line well beyond in the two of which were Landwehr, here, achines returned safely.

Router's Correspondent at Headquar tors, telegraphing tonight, reports Fighting continued throughout the day in the neighbourhood of Lons, where the

Germaas continue to yield ground under British and Canadian pressure. We carried the village of Laconlotte and

direction of Lievin

peared on this front: Of the whole 155 German Divisions now in France, 112 have been engaged either on the British or French front of attack, and twenty three of these have reappeared after being once withdrawn on account of their losses.

UNREST IN SPAIN.

to the Indian Government for inefficiency in the management of the Mesopotamian

The Commission, in apportioning blame

ma-elare that notwithstanding a period of

other quarters. The Commissioners de

reverses, the success of the campaign as a whole was remarkable. They assert that in many parts of the world in which the Allies have been engaged, no more substantial results and solid victories have been achieved than in Mesopotamia. In conclusion the report seriously cen sures the Indian Government for the lack of knowledge and foresight shown in the inadequacy of preparations and the lack of readiness to recognise the supply deficiencies,

The Germans carried out much destruc tive and obstructive work there. They

MADRID, June 9th are fast reducing Lens to a vast mass

It is officially stated that the suspen of rubble,Severtheless, there are no de-

sion of the Constitutional guarantees is finite indications of the enemy's imme

more necessary than at any time since diate intention to abandon the town, not.

1873, owing to notorious persons provok withstanding their uncomfortable and

ing disorders and a section of the Press Of the forty-three Divisions which have attacking the foundation of social order, Costly tenure.

He is believed to have not yet participated in the battles of attempting to destroy military disci-

ELECTORAL REFORM established now defensive positions in the either Artois or Champagne, eighteen are pline, and representing that Spain is votes to 71, an amendment to the Electoral

LONDON, June 27th ruined streets, and there are perfect neste Landwehr, and are considered by the ripe for a revolution. A consorship is Reforor Bilt disfranchising conscientious The House of Commons rejected, by 141 of machine guns everywherə,

Germans themselves es unfit for heavy being established, fighting. The remaining twenty-five con- The Near East. sist of twelve fresh Divisions in reserve

and thirteen fresh Divisions holding quiet

Meanwhile, we are steadily extending aurorabs claws formation around the environs of this mining centre further south. Our operation this morning be yond the Hindenburg line, near Fontaine sectors. It is known that between ninety lez-Croisilles, is reported to have been end one hundred enemy divisions have completely successful, and considerably been withdrawn from the battle fronte improved our position over a frent of since the beginning of the offensive. about 1,000 yards, We took a good batch of prisoners and machine guns. Thus,

we are continuing the policy of ceaselessly worrying the Huns, striking him here and there so that he never knows where the next blow will fall.

The rate of wastage of the enemy.

Divisions under pressure of the great Anglo-French attacks is shown by the following figurea, Divisions opposing the British at the opening of the April often- sive were relieved after six days' fighting, while those opposing the French on the French on the heights of the Aisne were withdrawn efter four days hard fighting,

BARLIER CABLES, (THROUGH KRUTIK'S AGENCY.] FIGHTING IN PALESTINE:

COMING OFFENSIVE

LONDON, June 8th

objectors, after Bir George Cave declared that its adoption would wreek the measure.

GERMAN INTRIGUE.

CHRISTIANA, June 27th. The newspapers state that Baron von Ranteniels possessed a German courier passport. His luggage was sealed with lead bearing the Gorman Foreign Office starup, and was addressed to the German Legation, whose couriers have been abus, The Daily Mail states that Baroning the immunity from luggage inspection bonounced that Italian troops are to Bonnino, speaking in the Italian Cham: Attempted & disavowal of the courier or since February. The Legation has not

participate in a new and vigorous Bri- Lish offensive in Palestine. Italian Front

the contents of the luggage, but refused to send a representative when the police opened the trunks

MADAME STEINHEIL MARRIES BRITISH NOBLEMAN

LONDON, June 7th Lord Abinger to-day marries Madame Deserigone, who, as badame Beinhail, was the central figure in a sensational | trial in Paris in 1908,

Meanwhile, Switzerland is

still convulsed by the Hoffmanu altair and the reorganising of the control of B garding Norway, she is the object, of the Foreign Affairs Department, t

rest of Scandinavia, Germany is, ap- Germit pressure, similarly with the parently, suffering through the continued observance by neutrals of agreements with the Allies in the matter of exports NORWAY AND GERMANY,

to Germany. Hence the renewed pres sure by Germany with a view to inspiring POSSIBILITY OF A RUPTURE. neutrals with a sense of fear. Sub marinism having failed to intimidate, LONDON, June 28th, the is now resorting to terrorism by possibility of German-Norvegins of the latter to spare since America The French newspapers speek of the means of bombs, probably having plenty rupture.

joined the Allies. However, the revela They mention & report that Admiral tion that the Kaiser's couriers carry these von Hintze, the new Minister to Norway, in their valises shows to what lengte te which has yet not consented to the campaign is being carried. appointment, is only going to Chris to deliver certain demands. Apparently these are connected with the opening of a German official mail, where by a German plob against Norway, was defeated.

CHANGE OF ROYAL TITLES

LONDON, June 26th The Times states that Prince Louis of

Alexander of Teck the Earl of Athlone, Battenberg becomes the Marquis of Milford Haven, Prince George of Batten- berg the Earl of Medina and Prince

FAR EASTERN MAILS.

LONDON, Juse 26th. An official announcement states that letter mails for India, Mesopotamia, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, Malays and beyond, despatched from London on May 31st, and parcel mails dispatched on May 23rd, have been lost at sea.

Lord

CONTROL OF FOOD. GREATER RESTRICTIONS

on

The United States scotched aumilar conspiracy when they dismissed Lieuts Von Papen and Boy-ed and ultimately Dr. Dumba. It is interesting, in this connection, that the explosives discovered at Christiania show a great variety, fire-bombs, ordinary internal machines including round and rectangular boruba, and bombs looking like pieces of cos) for steamers, and calculated to explode in railway engines or steamers, and four-

intended to set things un fire. Other finds tain penis with electric batteries attached to some acid and a piece of some exple give substance. These pena are evidently comprised rolls of twist tobacco, bundles of cigarettes, all containing pulverised carborundum which ruins all machinery. This discovery, and the report that Ger many intends to demand something like an apology for opening the German official mail whereby the discovery wan made, has created strong resentment in Norway. Meanwhile, French newspaper are again calling attention to the im mense German propaganda in neatral countries. Germany is spending over two million france monthly in Spain alone, and altogether sixteen millions sterling yearly.

DURATION OF THE WAR

THE VIEW OF LLOYDS.

LONDON June 27th The Press Bureau announces that stricter and more complete com Rhondda has decided trol of food-stuffs, enforcing the maximum prices and limiting profits in every stage of production and distribu

LONDON, June 20th, tion. A Costings Department would be Lloyd's are underwriters for one hand- established in connection with the Food, red guiness if the war is in progress ste Ministry to ascertain the cost of product the end of 1817 demanding eighty tion and handling, The Ministry would guineas and proportionately downward then fir prices based on actual costs with to thirty guiness for the end of 1918 the addition of the normal pre-war proft,

VOTES FOR FIGHTERS. THE METRIC SYSTEM.

Pania, June 20th.

EARLIER CABLES.

EARLIER CABLES SUCCESSFUL NIGHT VENTURE

{THROUGH INỰTERİN AGENOT. }]

LONDON, June 20th.

HEAVY FIGHTING. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig

Lonnow, June 20th reports: We carried out succesful ending April ath The Germans engag The enemy is desperately Stamping

Italian official message anya:-- ration to the north wes of od in the battle of Messines were with-re-take the positions recently lost FREEDOM OF GLASGOW TO A general nesembly of French Chaim length a proposal to give the cute to Fontaine-les-Croisilles, ouring prison. drawn after two days. The average stay losses. Attacks and counton atmaks 220 PANGA Ortigara, and is suffering very heavy ors, sad repalsed & Taid to the west of of a German Division on active fronts in proceeding. La Basson

We advanced in the Carro, south of Versic

night

about fifteen daya

PREMIER

LONDON, June 8th. The House of Commons has discussed ab bers of Commerce has expressed the hope soldiers and sailors of 19 years who have that Britain, Japan and Russia will fought. LONDON, June 24th. The freedom of Glasgow will be coprometa & closer economic rapprochement Cove promised that It should

adopt the metric system in order to The matter dropped after Bir George farred on Mr. Lloyd Georige on Friday with Franes:

sidered at the first election after the war.

0