1917-10-25 — Page 5

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THE

THE WAR.

OFFENSIVE IN

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20TH, 1917.

FLANDERS.

THE GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND.

SPEECH BY MR. DUKE, K.O.

THE FRENCH CABINET CRISIS.

Franco-¿Helgian · Front,

FACCOUNT OF THE ANGLO FRENCH ATTACK

BAVARIANS SACRIFICED TO SAVE] Naval Activities.

PRUSSIANS.

The Gerinan Army is beginning to think, and talk in a nianner which must cause

concern to the Higher Command. The Bavarians are openly grumbling at being sacrificed to save the Prussians. A.Ger- mai. non-commissioned officer gives a good illustration of the extent of the disaffection. Ho states that a fortnight ago thirteen men of his Company deserted, saying they were going home.. One of thom actually reached his home, but the others were arrested, en route. The signi ficant thing is that they have all been sent back to their regiment, the fligher Command apparetly shrinking from atiqpting approved methods with them.

The Correspondent gives the following fnodent, which reflects loquently the LONDON). October 23rd, German wan-power problema: -Last Sun-{ Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, in day a German soldier wandered into our A MOST SATISFACTORY DAY "fort, states: --Highly successful minor lines on the Menin Road. He was only operations were carried out by this four feet high and half-witted, and the marting in the neighbourhood of Pol-only information he could give way that LONDON, October 23rd.

he had been drafted from a recruit deppt. five weeks earlier." Reuters Correspondent at Headquar-cappelle, and, in conjunction with the ters, telegraphing this evening, slites thatch, south of Houthulst Fores, bar yesterday's Lack, although misaller sale, was very like the former battles in the preselit Flander's offensive as rega ris zzeties and gonditions. Captured orders?

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talions of the Norfolk, Suffolk, · Essex and Berks Reginments, with the Northern

herland Fusiliers, attucked east of Poel- cappella on a mile and a half trust. They captured a number strongly forti! show that General: von Arnini attaches, find buildings with concreted redoubts on } great importance to the retention of the hill east of the village heiglas, Houthulst. Forest and has instructed that The rain made the ground slippery and it must be held at all costs, therfore the the task of assembly difficult. gains hereabouts to an extreme depth of a thousand yards is anest satisfactory,

Beyond Puelcapelle the third Naval Division is opposed to us, which, is ported to contain a considerable nuinborarried ither valuable, positivas beyond of men who participated in the recent feet inutiny.

On the whole the dny has proved to be most satisfactory and our positions along the dominant ridgy, running to the nurth wards from Gravenstafel has been much improved.

FRENCH SUCCESSES.

PARIS, October 23rd.

The whole of the objectives were never- theless captured after fierce fighting in which many Germans were killed. We

pressed on 'south-east of Pecicappelle and

the line of objectives,

The Gouvester, Cheshirey Lancashire Fusiliers, Manchesters and Royal Sco Badalions further north, in co-operation with the French, attacked on a two-mile front from the Yures Staden Railway to noth of Slangente

We capture after severe fighting, ther soutluero defences of Honthulst Forest and further series of fortified farms at strong points.

The new Battle of the Aisne has devia Iped very favourably.

The French have captured all of the casts forming the objectives and have progressed beyond. The troopy are now ownpying the counter-slopes.

The Allies are firmly established well besond the southern boundary of the forss.

FRENCH FRONT.

LIVELY ARTILLERY ACTIONS.

PARIS, October 23rd.

A communiqué states:-During the day, enemy artillery re-geted feebly in Bel-

Our troops consolidated on con gium. quered ground north of Veldhock. la an attack in the morning two field guns were captured.

The artillery struggle is violent in the pine de Chevrigny and Pantheon sector and the Cerny region,

-There are fairly lively artillery actions a Avocount Wood, north of Chaume WooL

GERMAN AERIAL LOSSES. Baween October 11th and 12th, nineteen enemy aeroplanes and three balloons were brought down, while twenty-eight aero- plates were seriously damaged..

A NEW FRENCH ATTACK,

Panas, October 23rd

·A cominuniqué states :-Alter un artí}- lery preparation for several days we attacked at 5.16 this morning powerful German organisations in the region if Allement and Mal Maison.

A strong local counter-attack in the We have made considerable progress vicinity of the railway checked yr ad-along the entire front of attack and taken The advance is three kilometres deep vasce astride the railway linie, bat the many prisoners. on front of eight kilometres,

Fort Malmaison was captured early in ily aftack and also the villages of alle. maut, Les Valls and Chavigmon with Chavignon Ravine and Laon Plain now lying before the french..

Three thousand prisoners and nineteen gans were captured.

The fighting continues

GERMAN REPORT:

LONDON, October 23rd.

official report Geronn A wireless statesThe bitter fighting continues on the northern slopes of Cheinin de Dames and als astride the Laon road,

The French have advanced a fur as Chavignon.

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BRITISH FRONT.

AERIAL WARFARE.

LONDON, October 23rd. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, in a comunique on aviation work, says: There is fine weather and an improvement io visibility.

On Sunday there was much artillery

chservation work,

Four tons of bombs were dropped on arrodromes near Courtrai and Roalors and on a big gun position near Douai:

Three tong were dropped during the night on Roulers and Lichtervelde railway sations, where fires were started, and also at the above-mentioned aerodromes,

A pilot reaching the aerodrome at the enemy's night bombing machines were Javing dropped bombs amongst then.

There has heavy air fighting, chiefly well over the enemy's line.

enteny was unable to prevent progress in other places. We took two hundred prí soners and the enemy casualtics are heavy. EFFECT OF ENEMY COCNTER- ATTACK.

LONDON, October 23rd. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re ports: The enemy attacked during the _night one of our new positions in the southern portion of Houthulst Wood and fofeed is back a short distance.

We maintained our consolidated gains on the remainder of the front.

There was rain during the night and the weather is stormy and unsettled.

BRITISH WARSHIPS BOMBARD OSTEND.

LONDOS, October 23rd. An Admiralty announcement.' mys:- Our ships bombarded naval works at Ostend on Sunday.

Photographs show that the results were satisfactory.

CONSOLIDATING GAINS.

GERMAN ADMISSIONS,

LONDON, October 2ird- A German wireless oficial message states: The Anglo-French penetrated deeply into our defences on the southern edge of Houthulst Wood.

Counter-attacks repulsed the enemy, whose whole gains are only three hundred. metres deep and twelve hundred wide. The enemy's assaults at Poslepelle astride the Gbeluvelt failed. · The enemy's.

artillery firing between the Ailotte and Brave increased to a continuon, drumfire

This morning the French attacked at daybreak. We took one hundred prisoners south-west of Beaument.

The Balkans.

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BALKANS FRONT.

FRENCH ARTILLERY DESTROY POSITIONS.

PARIS, October rd,

LONDON, October 23rd. Beuter's Correspondent at Headquarters states:-The weather is again wat and dreary. The battleground is shrouded in a dense mist. Nevertheless, consolidation of our new gains progressed well yester day, and, with the exception of the forti- fed post fringing the Houthulst Forest, which the Germans re-occupied after a vigorous counter-attack last night, clearing up the ground in the vicinity of are pretty well established in the captured positions.

artillery is continuing a destructive bon

An Eastern communiqué states:-Our

bardment of enemy positions in the region

of 'Doiran and Vardar and north of Monastir. The course of operations is

our new positions north-west of Pogradec. The Germans fought determinedly, We have taken prisoner fifty Austrians. especially in the little dip through which

the Staden Railway runs, and the ground | Aerial Activities. hereabouts is strewn with their dead. Their front defences seemed held stronger than in the earlier battles hereabouts and the machine gun barrage was intense. The effects of the latter were luckily minimised owing to the very thick weather.

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(THROUGH RECTER'S 10ENCY.]

BELGIAN COAST RAIDED.

LONDON, October 23rd.. The Admiralty announces that naval aiferaft on Sunday night dropped several Army have been fighting throughout these ented redoubts cast of Poelexppelle bombs on Melle railway sidings, near

Thirteen hostile machines were brought down, three were driven down, and eight of ours are missing, including a night bomber.

The naval air-quadrons attached to the

We carried, despite strong resistance, a network of fortified buildings with con-

operations and accounted for a large Below this, to the southern flanks of share of the machines brought down. attack, progress does not appear to have The Australian squadron, who have upben en fast, due to the desperate resis to the present been training, have com tance of the enemy, who fears the threat menced active work and have already to the high ground about Passchendaele, proved themselves worthy of the high Anglo-French gunners are now searching opinion formed of them on their arrival. Houthonist Forest

Ghent. Our bombers yesterday afternoon attempted to raid St. Den's Wistrem aerodrome, but owing to cloudy they dropped on Zeebrugge mole, hitting two small vessels. The bombs burst close to the seaplane base. All our machines

returned.

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(THROUGH RISTEN'S LORNOY.J

OPERATIONS IN RIGA GULF GERMAN NAVAL LOSSES.

LONDON, October 23rd: - A Russian Naval commeriyad states:-- Enemy submarines were discovered in the Gulf of Finland.

In the recent operations in the Baltic Isles, the enemy, through mines, sub- marine attacks and gunfire, had two Dreadnoughts, one cruiser, twelve torpedo boats a transpors and numerous mine. sweepers pat out of action, though their ultimate fute is unknown.

- ሱ

We established definitely the loss of six- enemy torpedo destroyers,

We lost the baitfishiji Slave and a large

value of our other ships is unimpaired. destroyer named the Grom. The fighting

UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO

2

LAND

LONDON, October 23rd. 4 Russian wireless official message states -Our detachments in severni sectors of the Riga region occupied first line trenches which the enemy abandoned, Enemy destroyera shelled the coast six miles north of Werder.

The enemy attempted to land eight miles north of Weider but did not succeed,

NO LAND OPERATIONS.

PETROGRAD, October 23rd.

GERMAN REPORT.

LONDON, Oetobar 23rd.

NATIONAL ECONOMY

CAMPAIGN.

Lonnos, October 234l.

Referring to the Air Service, Mr. Bonar Law said that for

many months it had priority over every other F

SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER-

of supply, British airmen, on, the Wegl LONDON, October 22nd.

Front dropped eight thousand The first part of the Premier's speech bombs ichind the Gerorari lines in Sep at the Albert Hall, on Tuesday, when tember, while the Germans dropped- a launching a great autumn campaign for thousand behind our lines. Our airmen national economy, was published in yes in Flanders damaged the enemy for there terday's issue.

in that month than ke danged us în spite of all his raids. We could not pre- Continuing. Mr. Lloyd George, said:-vent air raids, but it was our business to A confiet of this kind must be ended make them as costly as possibile. Ger now. (Cheers.). That is why it is

any had carried out a detestable kind · tial for the future of the hum of arial warfare, We would avoid· it, that the decision, shall be reached now in if we could, at the energy was deter this struggle, that brate forre shall be mined thereon. So be it. Our enemies dethroned for every so that our children would find that what they gave us would be returned to them in full meinture press- may not be condemned to the terrors ed down and running over. General Smuts which even the vividest imagination dare said the true battlefront of this war was not portray that is why we are putting not on the sea or the land, or in the air,

but

in the souls of the nations. Á great issue in this conflict now. all our strength into gulting the right moral victory would be gained which would men much for the future develop- ment of the country.

The real enemy is the war-spirit fostored in Prussia with its ideal of a world in which force and brutality would reign

· supreme as against the ideal of a world | peopled by fren democracies united în au honourable, league of peace." That war spirit is enshrined in Potsdam, and there will not be any peace in the world or liberty till that shrine is shattered and its priesthood dispersed and discredited for ever. (Cheers,} This year I had hoped that we might have broken that terrible power, We had been looking forward to a great.converging movement which would have accomplished that par

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GOVERNMENT'S POLICY IN

IRELAND.

ACTIVITIES OF THE SINN FEINERS.

LONDON, October 3rd. la the House of Commons, Mr. H. E. Duke, K.C., Secretary for Ireland, re- plied to the motion of Mr. John Redmond, That this House deplores the policy which has been pursued and is being pur- sued by the Irish Executive and Mitary Authorities at a time when the highest mand the creation of an atmosphere interests of Ireland and the Empire, de-

Mr. Duke defended his Irish policy and Temphasised that the Sinn Feiners, who had endeavoured to stir up revolt, had been treated with unprecedented magna- nimity.

Poss. The temporary collapse of Rus-favourable to a successful result of the sian, military power has,, I will not say deliberations of the Irish Convention."

hopes; but time is on our side. disappointed but has postponed

General Dukhonín, the new Chief of Staff, in an interview, said he was of opinion that the Germans had landed at Werder in order to prevent an attack on

The Prime Minister, sent to say that the islands. He did not expect serioustwo factors contributed to that fel.

painely, the advent of America and the Dealing with the Irish. Volunteers, he land operations before the spring.

increasing failure of submarinismo. Our described them as a rebel force which. monthly shipping losses were now not had been steadily organising throughout much over a third of our losses in April | Ireland for months. He quoted the speech Just

The losses of German submarines of the Sian Fein leader Delavera, the for the whole of last year. Arranguinets arms and shall use theal when the time

were more tha

twice as ma

many, as new member for East Clare, We have. had been made whereby British shipping comes. turned out in 1918 would be four les successful than last time.

Be ready and you will be more If anybody' as much as the total for 1918.

offers is a helping hand from France, from America or from Germany we shall The speaker here

great tribute to Paid

take it." Sir Edward Carson, to whose insight and persistency he attributed the fact that specess against submarinism yas beyond our expectations.

A German official message states: The booty from Oesel, Moon and Dago Islands amounts to a hundred günɛ.

We have captured 20,000 prisoners.

Italian

Front.

in 1017

America was doing the same. s.)

Cour EARLIER CABLES. (THROUGH BUT&R'S AGENCY,]

ITALIAN FRONT. AUSTRO-GERMAN ATTACKS DRIVEN BACK,

it

of

Lo

Chain hud pecuniary resources" characteristic of a

hand which was held cat at the time of. Mr. Duke, ontinuing, said the belping

the Irish rebellion was Germany's. The The Premier emphasised the fact that were necessary because the Government deportations from Ireland in Febritary Germany's enemies produced the work's knew the helping hand was being held food supplies and raw material, so that even if the German military machine out again Thare were still men who succeeded--which would not-this persevered in the avowed determination federation of free peoples of many rares to bring our the population of Ireland and

phimes could,

withholding their in such numbers and under such circum- LONDON, October 23rd.

products and refusing to grip the Pras stances as to make the Government of An Italian official message states:We sing hand in any market of the world, Ireland impossible. They were determin

reduce Germany to

ed to create terrorism in the country I state impotence drove back yesterday, with severe loss,and desolation and they would do in order

nchieve their object. of How This was being, done, regardless strong Austro-German attacks on Mount this if necessary.

ever, the Allies must

their public interest in Ireland, with the Piana in Cadore. We reconquered this resources to last through till morning a portion of the entrenchment recovered and America was ready

The Prince Minister proceeded Save which the enemy temporarily occupied, food, save clothing, luxuries and labour.

The Armies must have in men. We trust General.

increase production in overy direction: above all let y cultivate endurance, and steadfastness. Waiting moans winaing. (Cheers.) Beware of the people trying to sow dissension and distrust by doup tini. The enemy on most battle-fronts effect on the Convention. On the other has organised with deadly care and in hand, men in various parts of Ireland genuity, an offensive behind the lines. were threatened now and in the future

what

ne by the rebel movement.. am talking about. Franes discovered it

it in

Look

Mr. Duke said there was the greatest Boloista in all shapes and formna

alarm It is

that, now, when it was hoped thes the latest and most formidable weapuestion of the Government of Ireland, Convention would devise a solution of the of the German Army. Let as have endur-

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(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.)

A BYE ELECTION.

COALITIONIST RETURNED.

LONDON, October 4th. The East Islingtong bye-election result

ed as follow-

Mr. Smulwood (Coalitionist) ...... 2,700 Mr. Baker (Favouring Air Reprisals)1,832 Mr. Barnard (Representing the New

National Party)nita

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FRENCH CABINET CRISIS,

RESIGNATION TENDERED.

PARIS, October 23rd. M. Painleve has tendered the Cabine's

resignation.

President Poincare has declined to accept it in view of the Chamber's vote of confidence on October 19th.

He has beggel: M. Poincare to withdraw the resignation.

LATEST CARLER,

LATER

Ribot Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Cabinet crisis has been settled, all the Ministers remaining in office except who has been replaced by M. Barthou. A MILLION STERLING

**OUR DAY,”

FOR

tinic.

out for

rebel organisation, both prior to the rebellion and to-day. The Irish admini. Biration was not more prodigal of ex- is viselne vous object he pursued.

mischievous

Mary he had represented to him that the Government should run every reasonable risk rather than do anything which would. cause & controversy which might have an

ance, concentration and unity. This is it might be made actually impossibile. not the time to talk of parties: there is Some desired passivity in the face of the but one party-the nation. (Henr, hear.) most illegal and most The enemy are attempting to divide the disturbance was maintained, the Couven

others

unierons action, believed that

freedom froni nation and set one Ally against another. In

America Italy and Russia they are fent of the Contention was the declared tion must thereby be defeated. The de

trying to sow distrust of England, while here they are trying to sow distrust among object of the agitators and the trouble in

Ireland during recent weeks ourselves and to rattle as. Keep stendy,

arose be Keep steady, and we will win. Germany Use the Convention was doing well

the her Allies by telling

The encouraging her

design of

Sinn Féin leaders them, Wait a little longer and those required the failure of the Convention and people will break ep among themselves. They were at present manourring with am glad to say the Allies at present the object of creating a situation wherein are working with the greatest harmony.

the Convention would appear hopeless. There is no shadow of disunion. We are on the eve of one of the most important military and political inter-Ally confer ences ever held. Some of the most pro minent statesmen and most distinguished soldiers of the Allies will be there, and it will be the first time we shall have the

Russian democracy. The decisions taken inestimable advantage of the presence of representatives of America and the Lew will affect the whole course of the war and may determine the ultimate issue. What ever they are we undecisions port enforce those decisions with all

strength and power. "The Premier concluded-Our burdens, however great, are light as feathers con Pared with those of our soldiers. think, at this moment there are tens of Mr. Asquith emphasised the importanca lying days, in bloodstained quagestion in Ireland. He thought he was not thousands of them lying, and have been of saying and doing nothing at present t

prejudice the prospects of the reconcilia- not with bomb dropping here and an-

Just

The Government would de its best to suppress such criminal acts. No criticism should prevent any Government of a civilised country using any means to pre vent citizens being led to deeds violence. and criminal misconduct. It would be a Government's duty to see that those se

stitntion in Ireland was being made and leading them should not persevere in that course. While they hoped that a new con while the mass of Irishmen were satisfied that they could keep the controversy within bounds, there would be no arrosta but nothing would be more helpful to the cation upon a policy of arrests, but there -propagandü of recession than the embar

would be no needless arrests

LONDON, October 23rd, Our Day

totals reached a million sterling, irrespective of street collections Canada. Toronto has forwarded £180,000 The largest sums are arrin

AMERICA'S GREAT CONTRIBUTION.

other a mile off and then vanishing inte over sanguine in hoping that within a very LONDON, October 23rd. Mr. Lloyd George has sent a letter of death raining down upon them, search ta present to the House of Commons & night, but with a daily und nightly coluge few months the Government would be ably expressing the most profound oppring for their poor trench shelters. They scheme for the Government of Ireland tion of the American Red Cross for its contribation of a million dollars of the are waiting for the hours when they can acquicsced in by a large majority of tha

advance British Red Cress. He says that the

another mile on the road to Irish people.

If we do all we can we shail and Victory. is characteristic of the generous friendly heart of the American people not be able to require their heroism.

(Cheers.) If we

we do and will further strengthen the real

we shall dishonour their sacrifice. (Loud Anglo-American understanding created by the former's whole hearted entry into chor

Br. Bonaz Law, following Mr. Lloyd George, stated that national war bonds the war for Liberty.

had been issued instead of a great loan, which necessarily dislocated financial ar raugements

The advantage of the new the Government contemplated seizing system was that it was not spasmodic but million bales of German cotton stored steady and persistent. Deposits at the here, this creating the impression that The banks were now practically at the same much cotton might be available.. figure as when the last war loan was rumour is discredited by trade intereste

They wanted the people to land Later, prices reacted. money direct to the State instead of

(Continued oni l'age 6.) depositing it in the banks.

AMERICA ONLY FIGHTING GERMANY.

LONDON, October 23rd.

In the House of Commons, Lord Robert Cecil stated that the United States was not at war with Austria, Turkey or Bul-issued. Faria and had not ruptured relations with Bulgaria

all we

than

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AND

U.S. GOVERNMENT:

COTTON.

NEW YORK, October 23rd. Cotton broke sharply on a rumour thit