1917-11-01 — Page 5

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THE WAR.

CONTINUED FRANCO-BRITISH

OFFENSIVE.

THE ITALIAN SITUATION.

GERMAN PRESS DISCUSSING PEACE.

Franco-Helgian bront.

THE HONGEUNG DAILY, PRESS, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18T, 1817.

position against the encoming Germans. The billowy clay ground was soon strewn with grey corpses, Rifle-fire completed the work of the machine-gunners and the counter-attack was beaten back with beavy punishment.

GERMANS CLAIM UDINE.

A German official wireless message. announces the capture of Udine.

ON VENETIAN SOIL.

A German official message says:We are pressing on towards Tagliamento

Austro Germans from the Carnic Alps have gained a foothold on Ventian soil olong the whole front.

Our attack to-day differed little from its predecessors as regards method. The barmge was very intense, and while the

AUSTRIAN REPORT. artillery was druming forth its flaming curtain, great guns further hack were An Austrian official wireless message doing fine counter-battery work against states-We wrested from the enemy known positions of enemy artillery. frontier positions south west of Tarvis, Hence the enemy's retaliations were not near Fontafel, in the Ploceken region,

and at Greatgal The Prussians advancing from Becovery severe, despite the high landas lere left many shoulder-deep in the mire, and the shrieks of the drowning men were heard above the din of battle. But their comrades did not dare to stop te rescue them, owing to the danger of LONDON, October 31st.being engulfed themselves. Ficid-Marshal Sir Douglas Haige CANADIANS HOLDING THEIR ports:-A successful operation, with lunited objectives, was carried out, this morning, between the Ypres-Roulera vail-

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(THROUGH BRUTER'S ÁGENOY.]

BRITISH FRONT.

A SUCCESSFUL OPERATION.

way and the Pocicapclie West Rousebeke

Road.

Important progress was made, despite the marshy ground, on the bulk of the -front, the heavy rain and gales making cumunication with the troops extremely

difficult.

The Canadians, on the right, despite a all their fierce opposition, gained objectives on the main ridge, and reached the outskirts of Passchendaeic-

The fighting was most severe on the spur to the westward of the village,

where five counter-attacks were beaten

off.

The captured machine guns were used with effect, in repulsing these attacks.

GAINS..

LONDON, October 30th Reuter's Correspondent at the British Headquarters states:--A gale at mid-day brought foods of rain, but, fortunately not before the troops had gained the majority of their objectives.

The Canadians are everywhere holding their gains. Crest Farm, the scene of previous stubborn Sighting, Vanity Farm and Vapour Farm are strongly held.

We are well advanced along the Meetcheele spur, dominating the north- western approach to Passchendaele.

There have been no more counter-

attacky since nine o'clock in the morn ing, when one was made from Mossel- markt. The counter-attack in this region, mentioned in an earlier message, was The guing was particularly bad on the even more severely punished than indi left of the attack, the flooded strains cated, our airmen reporting that the intercepting the low lying ground. None enemy supports were caught by our the-luss the Naval and London Terri-barrage, with disastrous results. torial Battalions captured a number of fortified farms and strong points after heavy fighting. The Gloucesters carried out successful raid last night to the southeast of Gavrelle. The Belgians were successful in a raid to the south of Dir. mude and captured nineteen prisoners. SUCCESSFUL RAIDS BY THE

FRENCH.

PARIB, October 31st." 'A communique reports: The artillery dael was fairly active on the Brayeen. Laoneis and Hurtebise sectors, and cn the left of the Mouse...

LATER.

Our indomitable airmen are keeping in contact with the infantry. The ground the is still desperately bad, but along t higher places, where the principal ght ing is developing, the surface is reason. ably good between the water-filled shell- holes

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FRENCH FRONT. LIVELY ARTILLERY DUEL

PARIS, October 30th.

· A communiqué atates :- A strong enemy group trying to reach our lines in the region of Cemy was repelled,

On the right bank of the Meuse, the artillery duel continued to be very lively on the Chautnes. Wood and Bezonvaux from.

We have taken new trench elements on

the Caurieres Ridge

Italian Pront.

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EVACUATION OF GORIZIA.

ZURICH, October 31st.

A telegram from the Austrian Hend- quarters to the Zurich Post graphically describes the Italian's success in destroy Hustile airmen have been fying lowing the vital communications and depots machine gunning our infantry in shell at Gorizia. When the Austrian patrols entered the town the whole surroundings holes, but without very much effect.

were-illuminated by the blazing bridges, magazines and stores. There was a long succession of explosions as one after another was blown-up. The great rail- way bridge, and also stret bridges were destroyed nad the whole area around the railway station was in flames.

The prisoners testify to the terrible The enemy effect of our artillery fire, lines were frequently without rations for two or three consecutive days. To-day's prisoners will not be considerable owing to the frontal nature of the attacks, and although the resistance is stiff, the enemy has seldom stayed to risk capture. Alto- gether the day haaren satisfactory. We Lave substantially bitten into the shrink-

PRESS COMMENT ON THE SITUATION.

LONDON, October 31st.

The evening papers again emphasise

We inflicted heavy losses on the enemy ing piece of ridge left in enemy posses the soundness of General Smuts reassur- during a caid, to the north-west of Sion. There has never been a series of

ing perspective as regards the Italian situation. There is a growing belief that the misfortune may yet be turned to good secount. The capture of Udine has

Rheims, taking twenty prisoners.

We bombed the railway stations at Lichterfelde and Git in Belgium, and bombs were also dropped on Marzieres strategic fruits of which are continually momentarily created a nasty

the

Jes-Metz, Longerville-les-Metz and Thionville. A big fire broke out Maziere Station.

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BRITISH AGAIN ATTACK. LONDON, October 30th. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re. ports: At 5.40 this morning we attacked north of the Ypres-Roulers Railway. Good progress is reported

GERMAN VERSION.

LONDON, October 30th. A German wireless official, message states: The English strongly attacked

Passchendaele.

The village was lost, but a vigorous counter-attack drove out the enemy.

English attacks near Gheluvelt broke down with sanguinary losses.

PRUSSIANS ENGULFED IN MUD LONDON, October 30th. There is another period of consolida tion in Flanders

The weather has appreciably improved, enabling the Allies, to farmly establish themselves between the Yeer flats and Passchendaele.

Although the Allies have suffered from

operations more coordinated to secure definite end than the present progres- sive battles in Flanders, the important

being gathered in

DISASTROUS ENEMY COUNTER ATTACK.

LONDON, October 30th. Renter's Correspondent at the British Headquarters, telegraphing this after- Doon, says :-Our armies have again. struck the German masses in Flanders and sent them reeling back in places to a depth of nearly a thousand yards.

Luck was with us to-day in the matter

ENEMY BEING DELAYED. An Italian official message states; Tho withdrawal on new positions con- tigued yesterday.

The destruction of bridges over the Isonzo and successful action by our covering units detained the enemy's advance. Our cavalry is in contact with hostile vanguards..

Aerial Activities.

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(THROUGH RJUTAB'S AOBNOX,]

GOOD WORK BY BRITISH AVIATORS.

LONDON, October 31st. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig: re ports: Our aeroplanes, on Monday, fred Reveral thousand machine gun rounds on the enemy in the trenches and on roads,

One hundred bomba were dropped on billots at Roulers and elsewhere, Four enemy machines were brought down and

ons was driven down. Two of ours are missing.

Our machines, on Monday night, again attacked the railway station and Unes around Saarbrucken Bombs were seen to burst, with good effect. All our machines returned, though the weather conditions were exceptionally bad.

Twelve machines, this morning, went further afield and attacked a munitions and gas works at Pirmasens, twenty miles beyond Sabrucken Bombs were seen to burst on factories and gas works, with excellent results.

The weather was good and all machines returned General.

our

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(THROUGH BRUTER'S AGENOT.] RUSSIA MUST NOT REMAIN

©ISOLATED,

PETROGRAD, October 31st. During the course of a speech in the Preliminary Parliament, M. Terest chenko, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that it was imperative that Russia

NEW BRITISH VOTE OF CREDIT.

INCREASED DAILY WAR EXPENDITURE

LONDON, October 30th.

sponsibility for the balance. The National Debt at the outbreak of war was £645,000,000

Mr. Bonar Law contrusted the British and German financial positions, and Pointed out that the Reichstag had pass ed

Voter of Credit amounting. to £4,700,000,000, which did not include ad-

In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law, introducing a Vote of Credit for £400,000,000, said the Yote would supply the necessary funds until the first week vanons to Germany's Allies or items like in January. The average daily expendi-separation allowances, which, in our case, ture from the beginning of the financial came from the Vote of Credit. Our war year to September 29th had been expenditure was therefore £1,700,000 be- tow formany's. The latter's increased 0,648,000, being an increase of £1,287,000

taxation feil sliort by £55,000,000 of the

$6,000,000 over the Badge! Estimate. The increase interest on their debt. While

We could not bear the strain indefinitely, it would not he want of money which would pro- vent us from winning the war, because we could stand the strain longer than our enemies,

THE PARIS ECONOMIC CONFERENCE.

LONDON, October 30th. In the House of Commons, replying to Mr. Norton Griffiths and Mr. Peto, Mr. Bonar Law said he was having a state ment prepared showing the measures which the Allies of Great Britain were taking to carry out the Paris Economic Conference resolutions. Much had been done and was being done in the matter,

PEACE

Was wade under the following

upi heads:Army and Navy, £190,000; Mis cellaneous Services, £308,000; and ad- vances to Allies and Dominions, £341,000.

Mr. Bomar Law expressed the British and Allies' deep appreciation of the assistance of the United States in financ ing purchases in America. Until the United States entered the war the method of brancing purchases there, and the question of excharge, proved almost in- soluble problems. America's assistance was all the more generous, in view of the fact that they were incurring expendi- ture at a much heavier rate than the Allies. Dealing with the excess over the GREAT BRITAIN AND Budget estimate of expenditure which was recoverable, he said the first item

LONDON, October 30th. was an increase of loans to the Allies and In the House of Commons, replying to Dominions of £61,580,000, making a total Mr. Norton Griffiths, Lord Robert Cecil increase for the half-year of £222,500,000 said the Government would not receive Secondly, there was £24,000,000 which any peace prowl without immediately which represented advances

communicating it to the Allies.. Dominions which were not connected with

| WOMEN WRECK PACIFIST

MEETING.

to the

loans, but arose from the fact that the expenses of the Dominion Armies were berne in the first instance by the British Government and refunded by the Domin.

PROPOSALS.

LONDON, October 30th.

Conhet, in Durham. After free fights Women wrecked a pacifist meeting at

the speakers had to be conducted to a place of safety...

GERMAN DREAMS OF

COLONIAL ARMY,

LONDON, October 30th. The Cologne Gazette publishes a leading article on the subject of the German

roos which is especially * troops, Colonial

interesting as showing the views of the influential people, whom this newspaper,

ions in due course, Thirdly, there was £3,500,000 paid by the War Office for com modities on behalf of the Allice, which would be gradually paid off. Fourthly, there were raw materials, such as hides, timber, foodstuffs and ships, totalling £74,500,000. This was also recoverable in due course British agents throughout the world held £15,000,000. There was thus a total of £178,000,000, which, de represents, in regard to the creation of a great African Army. The journal ducted from £222,300,000, left a total real: admits that the German African Colonies increase in the Budget Estimate for the were organised militarily for the half-year of £43,500,000.

ригрево of carrying on ewar of conquest against the African Colonies Mr. Bouar Law proceeded to give

of other European Fowers.

With re reasons why it has been decided not to ference to a French statement that there introduce a Supplementary Budget were 40,000 perfectly equipped nativo order to raise more money by taxation. There was reason to expect that the estimated revenue from taxation would have exceeded the nosition of the second half of the year from the point of view

troops in addition to strong European reinforcements, the paper says there were only 15,000 native troops with 3,000 Europeans. The article continues to say: It is a great pity that the Ger- tonn Colonial Army was not five times 18 large, for in that case the Allier would not have been able to bring such the European theatres of war. The ence of this war shows that the East African native, if suficiently trained

this has been reacted upon ping, but should not remain isolated. A separate of deadweight expenditure, which would I vast numbers of Colonial troops to

making

peace would be an historical blunder, and an authoritative statement that the cap world bring a curse on the perpetrators ture has not surprised the Italian mili and would soon be followed by another war: The Central Powers had not been tary authorities, as the evacuation was effected some days ago. Reuter has con- victorious and were now following the firmed the political nature of the enemy's line of the least resistance, devastating objectives of hoping to create of Italy and striking, where, owing to our mis- another Russia, disaffecting the troops takes or weakness, cany success was to be

and obtaining similar fraternising sterili: by on the front, with a view to forcing a separate peace For wecks Austrian air

obtained.

Even the terrible trials that had be fallen us; even the present misfortunes

TUB

experi

use of these resources of man-power and such natives as have hitherto

probably not be quite as favourable as the first half. This was mainly due to and led by Europeans, makes an efficient soldier, while the South-West Africa. the fixing of the price of the loaf at pine makes an even better one. In order to ponce and a very large increase in prevent har Colonies from being over- soldiers' and sailors' pay, which together the future, Germany must make would add between £40,000,000 and £50,000,000 to the next six months' expen diture-£39,000,000 out of £43,500,000 The incrise in expenditure accounted by the War Office was mainly due to the rise in price.of commodities, also the provi

been subject to Germany must come under her rule, while all foreign Colonies. which made war against the German Colonies must become German property. Germany must have strong Caloniat Army in order to strengthen her position and at the same time to weaken that, of her enemies.

of weather. The morning broke keen ander have been dropping quantities of of our ally Italy, were merely episodes in sion for a larger number men abroad FORMENTING REBELLION IN

dry, being just the weather that the Canadians would have chosen for going over. Apparently so successful have they

gone over that before the sun was two hours high they had gained a great part of their objectives:

The fighting is on a more limited front than that of last Friday. It has been chiefly towards the outskirts of Passchen- dacle and in the region of Poelcapelle,

Reports received at the time of tele graphing indicate that our men fought their way well along several important tributary spurs of the great ridge system, which is gradually being won from, a desperately resisting ensiny.

Shortly after making the first stage,

of

literature in the Italian lines, depicting Italy as under the thumb of Britain and exorting a rebellion,

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ITALIAN ARMIES" UNDER CONTROL.

LONDON, October 30th. News from Italy shows that the Allies prompt assurances of practical help have had the best effect, and General Cadorna has now got the armies under full con tro after the inevitable confusione sulting from the first shock of the Austro- German daset.

The Italians are falling back to the Tagliament line, wost of Udine, and, pre fighting desperate rearguard actions,

Meanwhile the Austro-German atfack |

the mud during the past weeks, the plight our advance, the Germans launched a big seems to have lost its first impetus. of the Germans has been infinitely counterattack from the direction of

worse.

Prisoners say that the troops were unable to advance to meet the British attacks because the semi-liquid mud thrown up by the barrages, blinded the wading men, clogging rifles and machine- guns,

Woolmarkt It Bo, chanced that the Canadians had just carried the strong fortified redoubts in the centre of which the enemy attack was directed. The place was liberally furnished with machine guns which were promptly swung into

Now that the enemy has come into the open a pitched battle on an unprecedent- ed scale is possible.

the general struggle. GERMAN PRESS DISCUSSING PEACE.

LONDON, October 21st,

A semi-official report states that the German Fress is discussing pesce more than ever before, but the declaraticos are insincere and Germany is chiefly con- cerned in the perils of the economic situa, tion, especially the blockade

MAIL BOAT FOUNDERS,

PARIS, October 31st. The mailboat Mascara, running between Marseille and Tunis, foundered with all

board me

THE SILVER MARKET.

London, October 30th. Silver is quoted at 46. There is a scarcity of offers and the market is firm

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ITALY'S NEW PREMIER.

ROK, October 30th.

than was previously anticipated, also the increased personnel for the aviation pro gramme, also the number of troops in Mesopotamia, and finally the forward movement in Flanders, necessitating an increased expenditure on railway bridges,

etsTM

Mr. Bonar Law instanced that the gap between what was our railway line of

communication and the extent of our advanos had to be fille dlargely by meter transport, and the increased pay therefor during the past six months amounted to £5,000,000. The National Debt at the end of the francial six months on September 29th, totalled five billions,

INDIA FROM AMERICA.

CHICAGO, October 30th. Three Germans have been sentenced to two years' imprisonment and fined £2,000 whilst a Hindu, named Laloupta, has been senetnced to eighteen months' and fined £40 for fomenting rebellion in India.

from America,

THE LAST AIR RAID.

LONDON, October 30th.. It is officially announced that theres were no casualties or damage caused by last night's air raid.

AUSTRIA'S FINANCIAL,

CONDITION/

ZURICH, October 30th. Speaking in the Belcagrath the Official Reporter gloomily described Austria's Snancial situation. He said that. Eng- land alone among the belligerents was able to pay the interest on War Loans and, moreover,

to furnish considerable

but there was deductible therefroms for current war necessities** Ger- £1,100,000,000 advanced to the Allies and

man finances were in an unfavourable condition. The increases revenue from new taxes totalled a £160,000,000 to the Dominions. They hard marks while the War Lean interesta were also entitled to deduct the gift of amounted to three milliards. He antic

pated that Austris would long rui £100,000,000 by the Government of India, after the war fram a very low rate through point because the Italians had Interior, has accepted the Premiership, had been treated ng revenue. The Indian that olmine was chosen as a brook signor Orlando the ex-Minister of the but something like 234,000,000 thereof exchange. LONDON: October. 99th

Silver is quoted at 43d, - per " ounce. only two brigades on that front, with and Baron Sonnino retains the Ministry

Government, however, had taken the re-offers

The market is firm, and there are for Foreign Affairs. small reserves.

German secounts of the operations say