1917-10-31 — Page 5

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THE WAR.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31st, 1917,

THE ITALIAN ARMY'S GREAT TRIAL, ALLIES WILL RENDER ALL ASSISTANCE.

DEMONSTRATIONS OF PATRIOTISM IN ITALY.

ATTEMPTED AIR RAID ON ENGLAND

AEROPLANES FAIL TO PENETRATE OUTER DEFENCES.

NATION'S THANKS TO THE FORCES.

Franco-Belotan bront.

LATEST CABLES.

ÏTHROUGH BEUTER'S AGENCY.]

BRITISH FRONT. SUCCESSFUL ANGLO-BELGIAN

RAIDS.

LONDON, October 30th.

Field Marshal Sir. Douglas Haig re- ports:-The Inniskillings, raiding north- enstward of Croisilles, captured a few prisoners.

The Belgians, successfully raiding, also

ward and southward, of Dixmude.

Our low-fying acroplanes on Sunday fired many rounds on enemy" troops in trenches and shell-holes, and dropped one hundred bombs on aerodromes and billets. They bombed at night-time the Goatrodo aerodrome, Courtrai station, and railway stations in the neighbour hood of Roulers.

LATEST CABLES.

FRENCH FRONT.

GERMAN REPORT.

LONDON, October 29th.

A wireless German official report states: We repulsed the French twice near Braye, with heavy losses,

ENEMY ATTACK DRIVEN, HACK.

PARIS, October 29th.

A cumin uniqué utates:-After violently bombarding the Bois-le-Chaume nad Bezonvaux front on the right of the

driven back by our fire. He did not

reach our lines, except at one point north of Caurieres Wood, where he ob tained a footing on a front of 500 metres, which our counter-attack mostly recover

ed

PARIA, October 30th.

Italian Front.

LATEST CABLES, [THKOUGH BRUZKA'A AGENOT.)

ITALIAN FRONT. PEACE WITH THE GERMAN BAYONET.

FRANCE WILL AFFORD

CO-OPERATION..

PIRIS, October 29th. President Foiticale presided over a Cabinet Council, which examined the

per mange andre military situation, and it was decided to afford Allied co-operation on the Italian Front REPORTS GROSSLY EXAGGERATED.

It is authoritatively stated that the

LONDON, October 30th.

reports recently arise from Italian front are grossly exaggerated. This was evidently an appeal to the So far as is known only

ly five German Italian soldiery, though it was accom-divisions are on the Isonzo front, of

NEW YORK, October 20th. A Correspondent of the Associated Press on the Italian Front telegraphed on the 27th inst. German masecs are ad- vancing carrying huge banners bearing the wordPede

bayonets beneath the banners.

ITALIANS LOSE 'CORMONS

LONDON, October, 2016. A wireless "Gurman official report states-The whole Italian Isonzo front has collapsed

The Third Army is hastily retreating along the Adriatic coast.

The Austro-Germans are Udine.

before

the

Generul.

THE

Mr Lloyd George next paid a great LATEST CABLES,

tribute to the Mercantile Marine. Bo {TEKUUGE BRUTER'S AGENCY.]

fore the war it a difficult to get men to join the Mercantile Marine on account NATION'S THANKS TO of the better conditions on land. Yet,

THE FORCES.

despite the strain, hardship, terror and SPEECH BE PRIME MINISTER,

peril which had multiplied since the war, there had not been found one man who LONDON, October 20th.. was afraid to return to the sea. (Cheory) In the House of Commons, the Prime He also warmly paid a tribute to tho to the Forces of the Crown in the follow-merely round the coast, but alsʊ in the Minister moved a resolution of thanks services of Babermen and trawlers, pot ing terma

"Mediterranean. That the thanks of the House of stances of heroism by trawlers against He cited striking in Commons be given to the Navy for its

submarines and declared that never

did

Over

panied by a roar of artillery and with which only three were definitely identic faithful work upon the sens during more sailors, whether of the Navy or the Ma

by the Italians as participating in the stress while guarding our shores and santile Marine, show greater grit, cour- than three years of ceaseless danger a and·· attack Possibly another German Divi-protecting from attacks by barbarous age, determination and humanity. sion arrived, but so far as is known it for, and the commerce upon which the

Turning to the Army, the Prime Minis Wh not engaged in the attack. Two victory of the Allies depends.

ter said the Expeditionary Forces had out of the five above-mentioned divisions Also to the Army, womer, medical, increased from originally 100,000 to came from the Western Front, where and other auxiliary services for their 3,000,000. It was a great triumph of they had suffered heavily at the hands unfailing courage and endurances in de organisation, but it was only rendered of the British, and where they were re-fonding right through sufferings and possible by the heroism and self-suerifice. placed by two Divisions from Russin hardships unparalleled in the history of of the Old Army, the finest fighting The German strength on the Western war, and for their loyal readiness to controops in the world. (Cheers.) By the Front, therefore, is undiminished, indred tinue the work to which they had set end of November, 1914, France was saved it has been increased by two Divisions their hand until the liberty of the world and Europe, but there was hardly a

is secured.

man left. The Old Army bad gatherett the Prussian spears in its breast, and in perishing had saved Europe. (Cheers.) It Elled us with pri belong to a race producing suck men. pride that we should

Never had British courage been put

The Austro-Germans iso- Commons.

captured.

The number of prisoners in continually since September 1st. increasing.

The remainder of the German rein

Also to the gallant troops from the NATION'S MORALE STIFFENING,

forcements on the Italian Front were Dominions, from India, and the Crown transferred from Russia and Roumania. Colonies, who have travelled many thou LONDON, October 30th." The Italian newspapers testify to the

Regarding the Austrian reinforcements,sands of miles to share with their com only two Austrian Divisions are known rades of the British Isles, the sacrifices

from Catholics to Socialists. The 'de parture of hundreds of officers for the front occasioned unforgettable scenes, and wounded soldiers in hospitals are asking to return to duty.

ly endured.

to

nation's stiffening moale, party differ captured a number of prisoners north. Mouse, the enemy attacked, but wasences being forgotten. There are striking to have arrived on the Italian Front and triumphs of the battlefield and taken

demonstrations of patriotism on all sides, a month, but possibly two others their full share in the struggle for human such a test. Never had it so triumphant-

cently arrived, though they have not yet freedom,

Ho marvelled at the es been identified.

** To the Mercantile Marine for the duranos of our men who were confronted The total reinforcements, therefore, devotion to duty with which they have by the most highly trained army in the which are known to have arrived on the continued to carry vital supplies to the

world. Despite our scant opportunities Italian Frent amount to only seven Allics through seas infested with deadly for training, we time and again have de- Divisions, and the enemy's success is peril

feated veteran armies formidably entrench entirely due to the presence of three to five German Divisions, which attacked ledges with grateful admiration the this great army (Cheers) He referred And the House of Commons acknow-ed. We really owed a debt of gratitude to Plezzo on the Tolminin Front valeur and devotion of those who have to the endurance shown by the Salonika The exaggeration of the enemy's offered their lives in the service of their and Mesopotamia forces, the latter of Roumanians, who, despite the Russian their relations and friends in the sorrow strength is unfair to the Russians and country, and tenders its sympathy with whom restored British prestige in tho collapse, still retain Divisions on their front as there re In moving he Resolution, the Prime

As many enemy they have sustained,"

when the Russian offensive began last Minister said that, even bad be the leisure July. It also suggests that the Italians in these terrible times, especially in the were left to hear the brunt of a num anxiety of the last two or three days, he

GERMAN. REPORT.

LONDON, October 20th.

Á wireless German official reports states:Wo-repulsed the English north- ward of the Boesinghe-Staden railway,

GARLIER CABLES.

Losoos, October 29th. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re: ports:We raided the enemy trenches, last night, opposite Warneton.

A communiqué states-There was violent artillery firing on the right of the Meuse, and an intermittent can. nonade on the rest of the front.

EARLIER CABLES.

COSTLY CERMAN ATTACK..

PARIS, October 29th,

·A· communiqué says: There was fairly grent artillery activity in the region of Pinon, Chavignon, and near Epine and De. Chevrigny,

The Germans at mid-day strongly at tacked our positions north of Froidment

We repulsed reconnoitrers in the neigh Farm. hourhood of Beutel.

A Belgian patrol, yesterday, captured - post and 21 men, to the north of

Merckem

The Belgians, during the night, su cessfully carried.

out a raid, to the north taking 23 prisoners.

of Dixmude,

SUCCESSFUL FRANCO-BELGIAN

OPERATION,

LONDON, October 29th. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re

ports :--

The Franco-Belgians carried out suc- cessful operations northward of Merekem. The French captured Luighem village. The Allies now hold the whole of the

Merekem Peninsula.

There was reciprocal artillery fring on the battle front.

Our aeroplates were basy all day on Saturday and they cooperated with our

Our fire drove back the waves of the attack with heavy losses,

Sixty prisoners remained in our hands, There is a fairly lively artillery duel in the region of the Champagne heights,

Aerial Aclivities.

LATEST CABLES. (THROUGH HEUTER'B 4GENCY.) AEROPLANE RAID ON

ENGLAND.

LONDON, October 30th. An official report

states:Hostile aeroplanes attempted to raid the South- East. Counties to-night.

Oar aeroplanice ascended.

THE GERMAN HABIT. The United States Secretary for War, in the "Weekly Regies," recalls that in May, 1016, the Austrious similarly assaulted in fine weather in superior Sighting vigour, than at present, and in the initial days acured successes and obtained a footing on the Italian plain only to be stopped and driven back.

A French military critic in the ebet, Fecalling Verdun, points

out that the

German habit is to strike at a difficulterically superior enemy. This is not the felt that he could not do justice to this regarding Generals French, Haig and

point, which followed. Montenegro seek

ing a weak strategical point, though it may be strong tactically. It is estimated that the Austro-German losses are 20,000. FULLEST POSSIBLE AID TO

ITALIANS

LONDON, Oetober 20th- Reuter's Agency announces that steps have already been taken for rendering the Italians the fullest possible assist

ance.

AMERICA TO HELP ITALY:

WASHINGTON, Oetober 30th, The United States has decided to assist Italy.

for the attack, und were confident of Case The Italians were fally prepared success without help from the Allie, They had a considerable numerical Fuperiority to the enemy on the whole front. The exaggeration also gives an entirely false impression of the enemy's power of transporting large forces from East to West in a short time.

COMMENT BY BRITISH PRESS.

East, and by the Forces in East Africa, of the great country to which ch they had Everywhere these men had proved worthy.

enlisted. Mr. Lloyd George quoted the opinion of one of the most brilliant ed and the great army in which

members of the Imperial General Staff

and gratitude of every subject of His their success had been largely sation, great theme. The deeds referred to in high authority said Splendid as the Maude Referring to General Haig, this tae Resolution had won the aouiration fighting qualities of our troops and been, Majesty, and he felt no words were General Haig's power of organisation, needed to com lend acceptance of the persistence and forethought." Refuting

TOUKY

to any body of Britons the German cantony that England is

World. Heferring to Minister said it was like a vital internal hith men and casualties were English. Prime fighting her battles through others, Mr. the Navy, the I

Lloyd George said that 75 per cent. in organ of our existence of which we were Scotland had dose its share; Treland hau no conscious until something went

wrong. The Navy was taken for granted.made a distinguished contribution; and The Navy was the anchor of the Affier Wales had just beaten, the record in LONDON, October 28th chase. 11 it lost its hold: the hopes of voluntary: recruiting. The gravity of Italy's position is recog. the Allies would be shattered: To under- Referring to the Dominions' part in dised by the British Press and threatens stand the great part of the Navy one had the war, Mr. Lloyd George mld, They to revive the uld controversy on the saboy to imagine wat would have hap have contributed between thein 700, Ject of the respective value of the Westpened if the wavy, hnd been dereated men. What does that mean. Five times ern and Eastern Fronts.

in a year ago. Our armies in France, the number of our Expeditionary Force The Times says that an extensive java esopotamia, salonika and Egypt would How well they fought, those citizen armies sion of Kaly would affect the whole Allied vanish for lack of support in men and the Canadians, how it saved France and languished, and wou finally the ready and resourceful courage af

mure

The chief effect of the news in America cause, and measures mustaterial France, deprived not merely the British Army at the second-battle of

has been to accelerate the military pre- parations,.........

BARLIER, CABLES.

ITALIAN TROOPS FULFILLING,28

THEIR DUTY.

LONDON, October 201i.** An Italian wireless official message states: -Our troops are fulfilling their The hostile midors did not succeed in duty and regularly checking the advance

on the plains. passing the outer defences.

GERMANS MAKING SUPREME. EFFORT.

Goos and lights were in action.

EARLIER CABLES,

BOMBING.

LONDON, October 29th,

be taken should The Sunday

arine..

of our support but of the material Ypres! How on the heights of Vimy Assistanco kuich the British Navy en-

says that the time has come to abandon the idea that the western

Front is the only one that abled us still to get from abroad, would they swept the foe from the position counts. Italy must not share the fate of have been unable propaoly to defend where he had defied the greatest armies Serbia and Roumania,

horselt against the overwneming, hordes of the Allies for two or three years t The Werkly Dexpatch asks whethra of the foe Italy, deprived of coal, Then the men of the southern sea, of narrow military conception prevented womuniach and 1000, would have falien Australia and New Zealand—the dash the Allies from timorously countering a ready przy to her tierce and vindictive and tenacity which enabled them first to the thrust.

enemies, warden she had not done yet, a to cling to them for months, and to The Cherrer is confident that the and would not do

capture the precipitous rocks of Anzac (Cheers.)

Russia Italians, like the French at Verdun, will would indeed have been defenceless, and capture Fozieres and Bullecourt. Then and that their Western Allies will help pritian Navy, overwhelming disaster from South Africa. How they cleared make the greatest fight in their history, he unhesitatingly said that, but for the the men who came in smaller contingents to the utmost

would have to the Allied cause. The Manchester Guaretian-

arion says that (Cheers.) Frusta. Would have been the the nobla sacrifices, of, the men of New- Delville Wood with their daring! Then Italy is in peril of a great disaster, insolens mistress of Europe, and, through foundland-D could not give a catalogue Even the most fanatical supporter of the Europe, at the world (Cheers.) Never of all these achievements without detain- Western school cannot argue that a yard the whole artairs on the world had the ing the House beyond the limit. Then gained in the West, is worth a mile in British Navy been a more potent and ladia. How. bravely, how loyally they the East.

more beneficent influence in the affairs supported the British arms! The memory

FRENCH PRESS OPINION.

PARIS, October 28th.

fof

inen...

despite bite the hidden roes, and of the powerful aid which they readily

War

artillery. They fired several thousand NAVAL AIRCRAFT'S HEAVY

LONDON, October 29th. News from the Italian front is still rounds at ground targets from heights:

meagre, but it is evident that the Ger- mans are making a supreme effort to ranging from one hundred to one thou-

repent their Rountaian, caction.

piracy, it had preserved and feet. They dropped 29 heavy bombs.

With the advance to Cividale the

the bag way of the seas for Great Bri: oorde in our hour of trouble will not be tain and her Allies. Austro-Germans

The newspapers are confident that Italy the Navy häd: transported: 13,000, to the affairs of India come up for examina

forgotten after the war is over, and when (Uneers) Since, Suo very edge will finally surmount her great trial, reached the on Roulers Station, six on Abeele aero- The Admiralty announces that our of the Venetian Plain, gravely threaten They also firm that the Italia men, 8,000,000 horses, 23,000,000 tons of tion and action. Our Colonies through- drome, 181 lighter bombs on billeta bast Naval aircraft, on Saturday, dropped ing the great strategis centre of Udine, ance is strengthening hourly, and that explosives and supplies, 50,000,000 tons out the world, how they have helped 1 the of which would mean the out-Germany will eventually be hemmed in wards of lens and 124 on other target. Dy tons of bombs close to sheds, the Banking on the Cars and the collapse without attaining her political military and the needs of the allies Uut of these greater and effective unity. It was re- or cand and oil fuel for the deer, armies Never has the British Empire shown a

MORE BRITISH BOMBINGS.

railway line at Engel, and St. Denis- the whole defence line to the sea. The objectives in Italy.

15,000,000 men only 2,500 were lost-garded as a dream by many. Now it is enemy bis. Advante provide da obstacle ITALIAN ARMY'S TRIAL Our squadrons during

(carers) of whom only 2,700 had been a fact, and a powervul fact fashioning the

Westrem aerodrome. night

lost through the action of the enemy, the history of the world and the destiny dropped four tons of bombs on seven They dropped two more tons on Corte-success, which some correspondents think <rent forces to follow. up his initial

ROME, October 29th.

That was apar from the prodigious of men. best The Gornale D'Italia, commenting totalling 130,000,000 is transported by ly

quantity of food and other material The resolution was carried unanimous aerodromes and three important railway matek and Lichtervelde railway june- is doubtful.

The Austro-Germans did not have is called to undergo a trial which will triumph for the Navy (Cheers.) George, declared that the unbounded upon the retirement, says that the Army British ships inly indeed had been a Mr. Asquith, following Mr. Jloyd stations. Several burst near the hangers tious. Ono machine did not return.

all the things their way. and railway tracks, one setting fire to We obtained direct hits on Varssenaere the river and bridgeheat Banta Lug the war. The Central Powers hope to that it was too early to summarise The out the Empire had assured victory to

occurred when the day- Fine Bghting decisively influence the whole couran

crossing

Mr. Lloyd George proceeded to say sacrinces of men and women through- smash the Entrate through Italy.

a train. Enemy acroplanes repeatedly aerodrome, on Sunday, and bombed the attacked, but our machines never failed to reach the objective. We brought down eleven enemy machines and drove down seven. Nine of ours are missing.

BEWILDERED BY FRENCH

AUDACITY..

The

Stalhille Brugge station, near Bruges

We shot down one machine. GERMAN TOWNS ATTACKED

AMSTERDAM, Octo ir 28th.

A Berlin telegram atates that several enemy air squadrons on the night of the

LONDON, October 28th. Reuter's Correspondent at Headquar tere reports-Yesterday's French success was a brilliant affair of consummate 24th instant attacked the industrial dis- tactical skill and irresistible clan. Germans were bewildered by the audacity tricts of Alsace Lorraine, Luxemburg, of the affair,

late in the autumn.

actual in

and Santa Maria, attacked the Italian positions at Globokak. A furious hand-to-hand struggle ended in

a victory

for the Bersaglieri, the commander of whom was four times wounded

O

ITALY'S POSITION RECEIVING.

ALLIES ATTENTIONZE DES

A wireless

*

effect of the blockade, which would have

the Allies.

German official report It was due to the enemy's knowledge of Pole DAC the

GERMANS CAPTURE ONE HUN been complete if we had not left the Mr. Bedmond emphasised that Mr

DRED THOUSAND ITALIANS

gates of the Baikan's unlocked. The Grand Lloyd Georger and Mr. Asquith had ex- Fleet had not bad many opportunities, pressed the absolutely unanimous senti LONDON, October 28th. Italian aeroplane reconnaissances re

but that was not its fault. (Cheers)ments of the port that the roads and the country in etates The Second and Third Italian its efficacy and a recognition of its merita. Labourites, associated himself with the the rear are full of troops.

on behalf Armies are retreating westward. We (Cheers.) Since Jutland the Germans motion German aeroplanes are most active, are pursuing rapidly between the moun had never challenged the Grand Fleet. Moving the same Resolution in the

bing villages on the front at half-tains and the saĞL hourly intervals..

Our captures now total 100,000 prison-hed

That was the best, proof that the Germans House of Lords, Lord Curion stated that ers and 700 guns.

1 not trusted the veracity of their Canade had sont 50,000, Australia own claims to victory at Jutland 200,000, New Zealand 120,000, and South, A REVISED COMMUNIQUE (Laughter) The work and peril of the Africa 60,000 men, India's contribution The Times says there is Tensor Lo

amalier craft of the Fleet was never end in some respects had been more remark LONDON, October 20th.. believe that the exitical situation, ou the The Press Bureau states that the their hardships and dangers were barely larger number of theatres of wAT

ed They numbered by the thousand, and able, for she provided troops for a much Italian front has received and is receiv following should be substituted for the The attack was preceded. by thirty-two The casualties reported are:-Five ing the prompt, and sympathetic consid-first paragraph in the Italian commun realised. Yet the fruits of their action Dealing with the Navy Lord Curzon hours of artillery preperation Later killed and four injured each in Luxem

eration of Franco-British Gosenque which appeared in our yesterday's were enjoyed by the population of the stated that at present there was only one the Belgians co-operated and crossed the

though in the nature of things ne

British Isles There was not an open, all German merchantman converted we positive announcement can be made Following a violent

a violent atteck and feeble se, bay, guif or estuary used fix com- into an armed user which had not been machine-guns, and established carrying burg and Alsace Lorraine, and we billed to

already knows that he may rely upon Army permitted Austro-German forces to the British Navy, and the dangerousness three months she not been beard of, sho the promptest and fullest support which pierce war left ing les in the power of the Allies to give.

of their task was proclaimed by the casual was the solitary speck on the boundless This reflects the views of all the can grap which referred to the cowardice of casualties of the army, yet through all the bottom of the sea th

paraties, which proportionately equal the occan, and for sught he knew she was at which declare that the Allies will had the Sound Army in surrendering without the command of the sea was maintained.

fall together

fight ng Bo. HDP.]

(Continued on Page 6.).

not

would try to negotiate the French

foods in flat-bottomed

beyond the inundations

Hooded

and Bear

ished a new line and six injured in Saarbrucken.

The result of the operation has been to make a deep little salient close arctind the western half of the Houthulst

The damage was insignificant.

Four seropes were Bout down or forced to deacend

The above is substituted for the

(Cheers:)