1917-08-22 — Page 5

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THE WAR.

ALLIES STRUGGLE

FLANDERS.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 29ND

1917.

Russian bront.

LATEST URBEMS,

IN

BATTLE OF VERDUN RENEWED.

FRENCH CAPTURE FOUR THOUSAND PRISONERS.

'FIERCE BATTLE RAGING ON ITALIAN FRONT

BRITISH BATTERIES PARTICIPATING.

Branco-belgian bront.

LATEST CABLES. (THROUGH" REUTER'S AUSZUY.}

BRITISH FRONT,

ENEMY MASSING FOR COUNTER-

ATTACK DISTERSED.

LONDON, August 20th. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re ports: -Our artillery dispersed the Bemy massing for a counter-attack Bouth-eastward of Epeby.

After a rociprocal violent bombard mant, our guns consed, and the enemy doubtless anticipated an infantry ad- vance. They continued their bombard ment, but änding nothing was happen ing they stopped. Our guns re-opened at a longer range with a more deliberate fire.

At dawn the Tanks advanced, the in fantry following. The concentrations spread out fanwise as they progressed, the object of the operation being to try and straighten out the kink in our line within which the Germans held several

Our patrols mado progress in the north strong positions. western outskirts of Lens.

Hostile raiders entered our lines east- ward of Armentieres. Two men are missing.

Well behind

Our

Large formations of enamy aircraft lines unsuccessfully endeavoured to hinder our bombing and photographie reconnaisance.

trains and Out machines wrecked Feorionely damaged aerodromes, dumps and stations and effectively co-operated with our artillery and secured many photographs.

We brought down three and drove down

four enemy machines. Six of our chines are missing.

EARLIER CABLES.

BRITISH MORE THAN HOLD THEIR OWN.

ma-

Lonnor, August 20th. Field Marshal Sir Dougins Haig' ro ports-After sharp fighting, we Cara- pletely pulsed a counter-attack at night gainst the positions we captured yester day morning to the south-east of Epely.

We successfully raided south of Lens and slightly advanced the line of the Ypres battle front, south-east of St. Janshoey.

THE TANKS DO GOOD WORK.

LONDON, August 20th. Router's Correspondent at the British Headquarters states that the appearance of the Tanka operating on ground which a few days ago was mainly under water is satisfactory testimony of the improve- ment in fighting conditions in Flanders. The German gunners are apparently com plately surprised at the spectacle of the ungainly objects travelling on ground which they might suppose would engulf them.

"Yesterday's German communiqué was intended to convey the idea that the Tank is a failure. The truth is that yester

WHERE ** VALIANT " GERMANS

WERE HIT!

When the enemy *HILW the yellowish objects crawling rapidly over the broken ground they began to fire wildly from places of concealment, but generally fled before the Tanks reached them, with the Tank gunners showering bullets upon that part of their bodies where valiant men least like to be smitten. The Infantry following the Tanks successively occupied the triangle of the Mont Duhibon and Cockeroft farms, which had given a lot of trouble.

The total depth of the advance planned was 300 yards, but the Germans far be yond bolted.

The whole affair WELB a complete vindication of the utility of the Tank in this species of warfare.

The French captures of guns now totals 25.

LATEST CABLES.

FRENCH BEGIN VERDUN BATTLE.

SPLENDID RESULTS 20HIEVED.

LONDON, August Sist. Reuter's Correspondant at French Headquarters reports-At dawa to-day the French began another battle on the historic field of Verdun,

For over a fortnight the batteries on both sides of the Meuse have been ham mering the German line on both sides of the river, from Avocourt Wood on the left bank to Bezouvaux on the right bank, fully sixteen miles, T

This morning the infantry leapt from their trenches in a splendid: rush, which within forty minutes carried them to the limits of the first line objective.

All the objectives of the day were carried by seven o'clock,

· (ZHROUGH KETINE'S AGENCY, RUSSIAN FRONT. ENEMY ATTACKING.

LONDON, August 21st. wireless Russian official report states: The enemy persistently attacked in the direction of Okna and Oncetchi and pressed back the Roumanians to the south-western outskirts of Oknu

The enemy's attacks in the region of Grazestchi resulted in the capture of Staklerie factory, where an engagement is proceeding.

The enemy unsuccessfully offensived westward of the Focsani Jud railway and compelled the Honmanians to retire castward of the railway.

We occupied several of the villages in the region, southward of Pelmir belumer, in the Caucasus.

FARLIER CABLES. THE RUSSO-RUMANIAN FRONT

SITUATION GENERALLY

SATISFACTORY.

LONDON August 20th. The reports which are coming in aremanian fronts is generally satisfactory. The situation on the Russian and Rou- satisfactory.

The Germans are not at present making serious progress in Poldolia and Bessara bia, while the magnificent resistance of the Russo-Roumaniana is holding the enemy in Moldavia.

A number of prisoners were captured by all the Divisions engaged.

There is every reason to hope that the

relatively small casualties. splendid results Were achieved with

The Austro-Germans have not yet reach. ed Okna and have not progressed much down the Trotus Valley.

A severe struggle is progressing farther south in the neighbourhood of the Sereth

GERMAN CLAIMS. .

Balkans.

BARLINE CABLES. [PHRODER REUTER'S LENNOR.)

BULGARIANS BOMBARD

MONASTIR,

- Losnow, August 20th. A Serbian official message says:-The Bulgarians violently bombarded Monastir, A great many buildings were destroy ed. There are nuuterous civilian victims. Many wonten and children were rehder ed homeless.. General.

LATEST CABLES. [THEOUGH RKUTIE'S ADENOY.) SITUATION IN SPAIN,

MADBI, August 21st. The Cabinet has decided to disband the troops called up during the recent did turbances.

The Cabinet also approved a credit of 70,000,000 pesetas for the reorganisation of the Army and the provision of uero planes and anti-aircraft guns.

STOCKHOLM CONFERENCE

MINEER FEDERATION REVERSES DECISION.

LONDON, August 20th.

A privata meeting of the British Miners Federation has reversed its pre vious decision in favour of the Stock- bolt Couference by ssing a resolution by 376 votes to 345 against the sending of delegates."

This decision may affect the Labour

Party's decision, which the adjourned

Conference re-considers to-morFOW; SEAMEN'S ATTITUDE APPROVED.

Delegates from three hundred Trada Unions met in London to support the decision of the Seamen's and Firemen'a Union" not to carry peace delegolas to Stockholm.

It was announced thao a circular bad been sent to all branches of Trade Unions ported the semen's attitude. in the country, asking whether they sup- Replies had been received from 301 branches who supported the senteng attitude, and from 321 against, while sixteen were neutral.

INDIAN REFORMS.

HAY IN GERMANY. Mangaka sana, ZURICH, August 21st.

The German Government has doubled

LONDON, August 19th- the price of hay in order to much as possible for the Army. This is Imperial and Indian Governments were In the House of Commons, the Hon. reserve as E, -S Montagu announced that tho expected to lead to further slaughtering in complete accord regarding the associat of cattle owing to want of fodder, thus ing, to an increasing degree, of Indians

using a further shortage of milk,

with every branch of the ludian adminis- There are indications that the grain-tration and the gradual development of producing provinces in Austria will self-governing institutions, with a view to the progressive realisation of responsible decline to export their crops to other

government for India as an integral part

the Empire.

Ju was desirable that there should be a free and informal dia- cussion as soon as possible between the Montagu was, therefore, procceding to Imperial and Indian authorities.

Mr.

India in the winter to discuss the question in connection therewith.

KING'S COMMISSIONS FOR

INDIANS

parts.

EARLIER CABLES.

A HURRICANE OF ARTILLERY.

French artillery fire in the small hours

LONDON, August 20th. A German official message states:--TheA GREEK PLOT REVEALED of the morning, before the Infantry left their trenches, reached and remained of the Oituz Valley, drove back the stub. Austro-Germany; by assaults on both sides

at hurricane pitch. The night was dark bornly resisting Roumaniane in the direc and moonless, but the flashes of hund-prisoners and thirty guns. Heavy fight tion of Trotus Valley. We captured 1,500 reds of guns of all calibres shelling the ing is proceeding at Marasesti, which is Gorman trenches lit up the road so that

on the western bank of the Séretb, and outlines of things a dozen yards away

we have taken 2,200 prisoner.j Naval Activities. were plainly recognisable.

The flashes played like summer light- ning all around the horizon.

The roar of guns of various descrip- tions in every key at varying distances increased. After the maximum violence it dropped for a few minutes before the at- tack was launched, then it kapt again to tornado strength for the barrage which preceded the infantry down the slopes fronting Pepper Hill and Louvemont. Seven minutes later a shower of golden rockets over the Bache. lines indicated that the German Battalion Commanders

i

The aerial activity between battles has badly needed a barrage to check the never been greater.

FRENCH FRONT.

FOUR THOUSAND PRISONERS.

PARIS, August 21st. North of Verdun we carried enemy defences on both sides of the Meuse on a front of eighteen kilometres to a depth at some points of over two kilometres.

French Infantry. Apparently the signal was too inte, as the French assaulting force dashed from their departure tren- ches at such speed and precision that they reached the enemy's first line before his barrage was opened.

ENEMY'S "MUSTARD GAS." Telegraphing from Verdun this after- On the left bank wo particularly hold Hill, the Correspondent shows what a noon, prior to the capture of Deadman Avocourt Wood, both summits of Dead-terrible task is set the French Infantry. man Hill and Corbeaux and Cumieres

Woods.

On the right bank we carried Tallon

Hill, Champelaville, Hill, 344, Moront Farm, and Hill 240 to north of Louve-

mont.

"The northern half of Deadman Hill was strongly held by the enemy, while

and on Cumieres Ridge. Carrying the we were established on the southern slopes

enemy's first line to the river on the On the right we consideraby advanced in which lies the Fosse Wood. Beyond right bank, before us stretches the valley

in Bois des Fosse and Bois le Chaume.

that rises another long whaleback, the The total number of unwounded pri-highest points of which ran from 1,000 soners exceeds 4,000.

to 1,200 feet between the villages Samog neux and Ornes. All this is ground

losses.

BRILLIANT AERIAL AID.

LATEST CABLES (THROUGH BRUTER'S AGENCY:) 'ITALIAN SEAPLAND SINKS

A SUBMARINE.

ROME, August 31st. An ItalianTM seaplane dropped bombs on board a submarine in mid-Adriatic and sank her,

Aerial Activities.

ABLIER CABLES.

[TEROCON REUTER'S AGENCY,]

BELGIAN COAST AGAIN RAIDED.

LONDON, August 20th. An Admiralty announcement says the air service on Saturday night dropped many tons of bombs on Saint Pierre Station, Ghent, Thourout Station, an They also raided Saclleghem Aerodrome ammonition dump and Bruges Dock.

yesterday morning, hitting directly a steel shed.

The Royal Flying Corps assisted, Our returning machines beat off hostile aircraft, shooting down one.

All our machines returned.

Italian Front

EARLIER CABLEN

(THROUGH REUTEE'S AGENCY.]

THE ISONZO BATTLE.

BIG HAUL OF PRISONERS.

LONDON, August 20th. An Italian official wireless message states --To the north of Anhovo, we over- came the enemy's resistance and threw numerous pontoons across the Isonzo.

We crossed to the t bank and crossed the enemy's first line between Plava and the sea, despite a desperate resistance.

Two hundred and eight aeroplanee participated and bombed and machine gunned the enemy'n reserveste

"

vigorously proceeding.

Infantry actions and artillery firing is,

considerable booty has been captured, in The enemy's losses are most serious, and cluding guns and machine guns.

Already 73500 prisoners have

been

FIERCE FIGHT FOR TRIESTE,

The Germans violently counter-attack which the Germans have been strengthen day's attack proved the great value ofed at Avocourt Wood, Deadman Hill, and ing by every moans for the last eighteen the Tanks against the present system of

Hill 344, but our fire everywhere months. The enemy is known to have lisconnected defences.

nullified their efforts and inflicted heavy strongly reinforced his army in front counted.

Our aviators played a brilliant part, of Verdun, and it is certain that the Cur. I low altitudes, thus contributing to the re- machine-gunning enemy gatherings from

mans mean to make a hard fight. The pulse of the counter attacks.

attack fulfils & highly useful purpose, forcing the enemy to withdraw his troops and guns from other points and accept simultaneously three serious engagement, namely, Flanders, the Aisne, and Verdun The enemy is firing enormous numbers

is a

That our casualties are so very small and our success so considerable, in face of the concentrated machine-gun fire which is encountered, conclusive tribute to the effectiveness of this weapon.

LATEST CABLES,

TANKS SURPRISE ENEMY.

LATER.

臭

Our pilots brought down 11 machines, and our special guns brought down two machines.

EARLIER CABLES.

MANY PRISONERS COMING IN.

PARIS, August 20th.

A communiqué states:-There is a fairly of asphyxiating shells filled with a new lively artillery struggle north of Bix-poison gas, nicknamed 'Mustard Oas," at British schoote. Our troops attacked this morn-

ing on both banks of the Meuse with attacking the lungs, eyes and macous

membranes with deadly effect."

Reuter's Correspondent Headquarters, telegraphing this after-magnificent dash. noon, describes the latest feats of the Tanks in the British attack in the region of St. Julien yesterday.

The uncouth monsters began to move in the darkness; the noise of the guns -drowned their sorting as they took up

prearranged positions. thei

The enemy probably calculated upon the ground being in too bad a condition for them to assist in the attack.

Verdun is developing to our advantage Early reports show this new battle at on a front of eighteen kilometres from Avocourt Wood to the north of Bexon- VAUX.

Many prisoners are coming in

praise.

The bravery of our men is beyond BIG BATTLE ON VERDUN FRONT.

LONDOS, August 20th.

A German official wireless message. Verdan, the French occupied, without states: In the opening battle before fighting, Talou Ridge, east of the Meuse. Fighting is in full swing ou a fourteen and half miles' front

GERMAN REPORT.

Loxpor, August 21st,

A wireless German official report states: The battle of Verdun is going in our favour.

The enemy penetrated our defensive zone at Avocourt Wood and Morthomme.

We repulsed attacks on the east bank of the Meuse.

LONDON, August 20th. develop into a fierce fight for Trieste. The Italian offensive seems likely to General Cadorna is employing the now a terrific artillery fire on the front while familiar tactics of the Allies, pouring in bonbing from the air the troops and com-

unications in the rear.

Italian reports so far do not mention actual infantry attacks.

GREAT STRUGGLE ON ITALIAN '.

FRONT,

COPENHAGEN, August 20th.

An Austríon evening communiqué says the great Isonzo battle continues with undiminished force.

LATEST GABLES.

BRITISH BATTERIES CON- TRIBUTING.

ATHENS, August 20th firming the existence of a secret agree A White Book has been published con

ment between the last Government of the shows that M. Skonloudis tried to hood- old régime and the Central Powers. It

wink the Allies regarding the affair of the Rupel Pass, where the whole Greek garrison surrendered, giving the Central Powers important advantages.

It is now clear that this surner was pre-arranged.

A most interesting document is one of the telegrams exchanged between King Constantine and the Kaiser after the British declaration of war, in which the Kaiser suggested that Greece should sap port the Central rowers.

King Constantine replied professing sympathies with Germany, but was of the opinion that mobilisation of the Greek Army was useless, as the Anglo-French Fleet, which rules the Mediterranean, could wipe out Greece

GERMAN INTENTIONS IN

BELGIUM

Loapon, August 20th. Mr. Gerard, continuing his revelations, in the Telegraph, gives the German iden of peace, and says that he never could get anybody to state definite terms.

When asked whether Germany was will. ing to withdraw from Belgium, the Chancellor always said, "Yes, but with guarantees,??

of

LONDON, Augusi. 21st, Colonel Repington, writing in the Times, says that, as a matter of policy, and gratitude, grants the King's Com- mission to Indians must coale

Colout Repington favours & careful system of nomination of members of for cadetships, and suggests the establisz ruling families, instead of examination ment of an Indian Sandhurst, for which the staffs of Quetta and Wellington could be utilised.

The Hon. E. House of Commons, announced that nine S. Montagu, in the Indian Officers, who had served in the war, would be granted commissioned canz in the Indian Army.

THE ALLIES AND THE POPE

LONDON, August 20th.. In the House of Commons, Lord Robert Cecil announced that the Allies would confer before replying to the Pope's Pence Note.

CANADIAN FACTORY EX-

PLOSION.

HEAVY CASUALTIES.

MONTREAL, August 20th..

Finally, in January, 1917, Mr. Gerard at Rigaud, in Quebec, destroying forty A terrific factory explosion occurred pressed for a specific statement and asked houses. whether the Germans were willing to Gragou and the countryside is covered in The neighbouring village of withdraw from Belgium,

The Chancellor anawared:-"We must dense smoke have the forts of Liege and Namur and

LATER. Reuters Correspondent at Montreal other forts and garrisons throughout states that three hundred people are Belgium. We must have possession of railroads and ports, and the Belgians reported missing as a result of the Rigaud must not be allowed to retain an Army

explosion. in Belgium and have commercial control of the country. Germany would not allow Belgium to be an outpost of Eng land,t

Mr. Gerard bluntly replied, "I do not suppose that the English wish it to become an outpost."

The German Chancellor added that Germany must have indemnities from all countries, and all her ships and Colonies must be restored.

THE RAILWAY TROUBLE.

GOVERNMENT'S POSITION

EXPLAINED.

LONDON, August 20th.

BIG FIRE IN NORWAY.

CHISTIANIA, August 20th. On the 18th instant burned down, destroying an adjoining factory was electric works, 4 hotel and two shops.

The damage is estimated at £50,000. | TERRIBLE FIRE AT SALONIKA

LONDON, August 18th. A disastrous fire occurred at Salonika on August 18th.

The city inside the walls is half destroyed,d?

Eighty thousand people have been ren- dered homeless, whilst the loss of life is unknown

under control.

By the evening of the 10th the fire was

In connection with the engine drivers expressed that the men, despite several threat to strike, the hope is every where admitted grievances, will not upset the country's transport for an assertion of the principle of an eight-hours day, for CHINESE TELEGRAMS. that is what the dispute amounts to. The men do not desire the principle to operate during war time:

that it will not permanently control the The Government's position, however, is railways, und bence it cannot make a deteriorating the value of shareholders' promise which would have the effect of property without the consent of the share

holders.

POST-WAR TREATMENT

ENEMY SHIPPING

LONDON, August 20th.

[BE COURTESY OF THE CHUNG NGOI SAN PO."

SHANGHAI, August 21st. La Chun arrived at Nanking yesterday. Chen Kwang-yuan will leave Peking. on the 25th inst. for Kiangsi

The Consortium Banks met at Peking and decided to pay 10,000,000 dollars to OF

China from the Japanese Bank

The agreement relating to the Chili- Changchun railway lean bas been signed; the sum is 6,500,000 dollars.

The National Defence Conference open- Mr Norton Griffiths, Lord Robert Cecil Premier) and the Vice-Minister

In the House of Commons, replying toed on 15th inst. Tuan Chi-jui (the said that neutral shipping persistently Foreign Affairs, Communications, War engaged in assisting our enemies would be treated after the war the same as

and Navy all participated. enemy shipping,

Neutral vessels lying up in ports would be considered as assisting our enemies.

MERCHANT SEAMEN ROLL OF HONOUR.

UDINK, August 21st The terrible uninterrupted drum-fire and Carso fronts, to which British continues along the 65 miles of the Isonzo,

Logoon, August 20th. In the House of Commons, in reply to batteries are valiantly contributing. Mr. Peto, Sir Albert Stanley said 6.627 The present offensive is developing on merchant officers and men, excluding a front 15 miles longer than that of last those on the Admiralty Pay List, had May.

been killed during the war

THROUGH REUTER'S AGENOT.) KING GEORGE'S CONGRATULA-

TIONS.

of

LONDON, August 19th.. The Press Bureau says that His Majesty the King has sent a message-to Chinese President congratulating China's decision to associate the countries combined zgaku sive policy of the Centres