ST. PATRICK'S DAY, BANQUET AT SHANGHAI. Members of St Patrick's Society, Shanghai, and their guests to the number of 100, met at the annual dinner at the Palace Hotel on March 15th.
THE HONGKONG DAILY
THE WAR.
(Continued from Page 5.) franco--Belgian Front.
[TH200GH REUTER'S ADENOY]
PRESS, MONDAY, MARCH 25TH, 1918.
had boen Tatched in the very part of our line where it was expected More over the Headquarters three days ago advised that an attack would be launche ed immediately."I am justified in c ing that the attack has not surprised us, as those responsible for our forces have foreseen and throughout believed that if such an attack came we were able to gives us no cause whatever for additional anxiety (Cheers)
Towards the end of the repast the GREAT GERMAN OFFENSIVE meet it. Anything that has happened
OPENS. chairman, Mr. H. G. Simms, proposed the health of the King which was loyally THE SCENE OF THE OFFENSIVE.
He then gave the toast responded to..
LONDON, March 22nd: The battlefield at Cambrai is the open- ing sane of the great Gorman offensive, which the enemy has been endeavouring maak by subsidiary attacks at several points, namely in the Belgian sector, at Rheins, in Champagne and at Verdun, without deceiving Bir Douglas Haig, who was thoroughly prepared to nicet the main onslaught when it was launched yesterday against the British right bo then shivers Scarpe and Oiso, in
the neighbourhood of St Quentin.
BELGIAN REPORT.
LONDON, March 22nd. A Belgian communiqué says:-There was lively artillery yesterday.
A later Belgian communiqué says violent bombardment with poison gas- shells against our batteries along the whole front lasted throughout to-day.
GERMAN REPORTS.
A German wireless official message states: The Bavarian surprise attack south-west of Ornes overran the first
lines and advanced as far, as Brüleravin. We took 240 prisoners
to "The pious and immortal memory of St. Patrick, and paid a warm tribute to the services of the late Mr. Redmond, who, he said, was a wise leader and gave everything to Ireland. He proceeded:
This function of ours on St Patrick's Day has a deeper purpose than in pre- wat days. Then we met for our dolceta- tion and that of our friends, but in these sterner times oar purpose is to bring Trishmen in the Enst together in order to emphasize our unity. In cur small community in this far-off land Irishmen from the north, south, cast and west sit
Experta anticipate that the enemy's We petitrated a portion of the British round this table in pleasant harmony and get to know each other. In this con- tremendous rush will gain ground at der positions between Cambrat and La Fere. nexion it would be a good thing retain points, and that he will strike hard
ENEMY EMPLOYS TANKS. social mooting of Irishmen twice a at other sectors in order to pin down the That is what we want to see in British and French reserves and endeas
LONDON, March 21st. Ireland, and it would go a long way to our to find a weak spot in the line, but
Router's Correspondent at the Britialr remove the misunderstandings which are there is every confidence felt in the ability Headquarters reports: The heavy born- to a large extent, the outcome of events of the British troops to sanguinarily re-bardment opposite Fleurbaix early this which happened in bygone ages. palse the enemy. In view of the ecctain-morning was followed up by an enemy fondness for dwelling on past grievances by that the advance will be finally checked infantry, attack is one of our national faults.
year.
Probably tite‘object of the Germans, is
Austro-Hungarians co operated against to drive a wedge between the British and
rench and to advance on Paris by the the English and French in artillery valley of the Oise, simultaneously turn-firing in the broad sectors on the Western
Front ing the whole French left.
FRENCH FRONT.
GERMANS FUTILE ATTACK.
PARIS, March 21st-
General.
[THOUGH. REUTER'S AGEHOY.]
THE BRITISH SHIPPING
SITUATION.
MENT.
LONDON, March 21st.
Lord Robert Cecil confirmed that Dutch ships henceforth leaving Dutch parts. would not be brought into Allied service except by agreement. The Allies had undertaken that Holland would be sup- A communiqué says: Towards the end
plied with 50,000 tons of wheat or flour of the night there was intense and pro-
in a North American port as soon as longed bombardment in the sectors north
possible and a similar quantity in and south-enat of Rheims and also at SUMMARY OF ADMIRALTY STATE. various points in Champagne, where the
South American port. He hoped that. Gormans have made several abortive at- tempts. A
Holland would immediately send ships for The bombardment on the "right of the The Press Bureau announces that an it, The Allies were anxious to most Mouse became very violent last night, a Admiralty statement summarises as Holland in every way. There were appro strong attack following between Caurieros Wood and BezovLUX.
follows the shipping position the end ximately 450,000 tons of Dutch shipping drove back the enemy from some points
After violent hand-to-hand fighting we of last year:
in American ports and 250,000 in other whither, in the first rush, he had succeed- ed in penetrating. Wo took prisoners.
After lively artillery firing the enemy attacked at 1.30 this morning in the re- gion of Momeny, in Lorraina. Our fire spulsed him with serious losses. The attack was without result
VIOLENT ARTILLERY ACTIVITY.
PARIS, March 22nd.
A communiquée saysDuring the day resiprocal artillery activity has been very violent between Miette and the Aisne in the region of the Rheims Heights, in Champagne, and at Ville-sur-Tourbe
Three successive attacks in the Hurlus sector broke down under our fire, or were thrown back by counter-attacks.
GERMAN COLUMNS DISPERSED.
A communique states:Raiding st tempts to the east of Buippe-were com- pletely
defeated Our artillery caught and dispersed
vancing south of Mouthoïse.
The losses of the British were 7,079,000 ports. tons; foreign, "1,750,000
The gains in new construction - vore,
British 3,081,000 tons; foreign, 3,500,000.
Enemy tonnage captured by the British, 780,000 tons; captured by foreign Navies, 1,800,000,
The total gains of the British wore 13,800,000; and foreign gains, 383,000 tons.
LONDON PRESS OPINION.
LONDON, March 21st.
GERMANY'S INTENTIONS.
AMSTERDAM, March 22nd.
In the Reichstag, von Dem Busscha, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, delivered a confidential atatement of the Government's intentions regarding the Dutch shipping question,
GERMANY'S. WAR COSTS.
AMSTERDAM, March 21st.
The Times says that Sir Eric Goddes' statement had a mixed reception in the House of Commons and will make a mixed
In the Reichstag the Beerstary of impression outside. The summary tale of Finance stated that Germany's monthly British losses is no reassuring. The war casts were now £187,500,000. greatest hiatus of the statement is fir Eric Geddes silence on the conditions of the shipyards.
The Daily Newe says that public anxiety. will not be alleviated by the figures which
the situation is to be redeemed the one
always better to look ahead than to look after the preliminary gains, experts in Rumours mention the enemy employ some German 'colirns, which were addid little to enlighten the position. If
ondan and the German action in putting ment of tanks, temy everything to the a that the ntication: The weather improved during the morn unless on the ing. It has been and tolerably clear. wise course and that course is very clear, in Germany is more serious than 19 BRITISH TROOPS IN READINESS, ly bombarded our first lines.
supposed and that her rulers are driven to a desperate venture
back. There is no hope for the past, but back is great hope for the future, great hope for Ireland's future if the steers a ly marked on the Allied chart Another for our meeting here to-night is purpose to show our practical sympathy for the
in this terrible WAT who are wounded in This Society is
and we want to Each bed costs £64 a year, and I am quite confident that we can raise this money without further words from me.
Irish military honing three beds in i continge doing so.
HEAVY BOMBARDMENT ON WHOLE
FRONT
EVERYWHERE
Tolegraphing, at ten o'clock in the morning, the Correspondent say that that the heavy enemy bombardment, men- tioned by Sir Douglas Haig, is, extend-1 LONDON, March 21st.
ing practically along the whole British Field Marshal. Bir Douglas Hhig re nort: The enemy opened a heavy bom-front south of the Scarpe This was hardment at dawn along the whole of the followed by gas-abells around Fleurbaix front in the neighbourhood of Vendeuil,
The air is thunderous and our guns south of St. Onentin, to the river Scarne, are replying strenuously
We raided in the neighbourhood of St Quentin and brought back prisoners and three machine guns,
A collection was mach noong the mein
for the pro- bers of the Society vision of expenses towards the cost of maintaining the beds in various hospitals in Ireland. This resulted in obtaining no less than £260, which, the chairman said, would cochle the Society to provide one additional bed at a cost of £64.
The chairman said that telegrams had hood of Armenticres.
ben se
teer
to the
societies in
We also took prisoners to the south-east of Messines and to the south of Houthuist Forget.
No infantry movement bas yet been re- ported.
The weather is most hazy and aerial observation le almost impossible,
Out troops are standing in readiness everywhere for anything that may
We repulsed raid in the neighbour-happen.
ATTAOR..
A Homes ENEMY'S POWERFUL INFANTRY:
Hankow from the British
A
had been
in
LONDON, March 22nd.
At about eight o'clock this morning after an intense bombardment with gas- shells and high explosives on our forward positions and back areas, the enemy faunched a powerful infantry attack on a front of over 50 miles between the Oise river near La. Fere and the Sonɛce river near Croiselles,
Hostile artillery firing is taking place on a wide frent to the north of the La Basses Canal and in the Ypres sector.
ALLIES PREPARED FOR
......... ONSLAUGHT_______
ENEMY LAUNCHES BIG INFANTRY ATTACK.
Telegraphing in the afternoon the Correspondent says that following the heavy bombardment which the Germans commenced against the whole of our front south of the Scarpe, the eliciary launched an infantry attack on a big scale. Under the cover of a smoke, karrago, his infantry came over in dense waves on a front extending from the north of Lagnicourt to Gauche Wood. At 10.50 thero was hand-to-hand fighting in our front line at various points. The early morning mists had somewhat lifted and our airmen were able to ascend:
Details from the battle line so far are scrappy and confused, but it seema-core taid that the Germans have assumed the duel is terrific, particularly in the region
Naval Activities;
THE LICHNOWSKY MEMORANDUM
AMSTERDAM, March 22nd. The following concludes the discussion
On the right bank of the Mouse and at thousand men from the Army, thom ship. some points in Wouvre the enemy intense-builders demanded in October must in the Reichstag:
return to the shipyards.
The Daily Exprera says that Sir Eric Geddes statement is not pleasant, and is not improved by the plain demonstration (THROUGH BLUTCH'S ADEBOY.]
that shipbuilding lacked a strong guiding expert hand. Lord Pitric should be made the autocrat of the shipyards... FIGHT IN NORTH SEA.
The Daily Mail says that the facts are PAB18 March 22nd.serious enough, but, if faced in the right An official message states: A division spirit, noed not cause dismay. We have of French and British destroyers fought been more successful in destroying sub a detachment of German torpedo boats marines but have lost ground badly in
in the North Sea between four and five replacing lost ships. Lord Pirrie's o'clock in the morning, sinking two. appointment is a welcome change.
Shortly afterwards, the same division fought a action with five large de stroyers, which hat
previously bombarded Dunkirk
Une German destroyer was sunk and two others were probably lost. We cap tured some prisoners.
It appears that the flotillas were ordered to bombard Dunkirk, Lapanne and Breyduns.
ENEMY WARSHIPS SUNK
LONDON, March 21st The Admiralty announces that two! British and three French destroyers of Dunkirk, between four and five o'clock in the morning, engaged German destro yers which had previously bombarded the town for ten minutes.
Two enemy destroyers and two torpedo bonts.
believed to be sunk. The survivors of the
two torpedo boats were picked up.
are
No Allied vessels were sunk. A British destroyer was damaged, but
British
total
Dr. Stumin, the Foreign Under Spere- tary, said, the Kaiser, in agreement with the Chancellor, appointed Prince Lichnowsky to the Ambassadorship in Londen, and Prince Lichnowsky had been zealous in his duties while in Londony though his strong optimism with refer- and did not agree with the views of tho ence to the German relations with Eng- German Foreign Ofic. When Prince Lichnowsky's hopes of an understanding between Germany and England were destroyed by the war, Prince Lichnowsky returned to Germany greatly excited, auct oven then did not restrain his criticism of the German polley. This excitment in- creased owing to the German Press attacks against him, and this must be taken into consideration when judging the Memoran-
dum,
The Daily Telegraph says the statistics are not calculated to dissipate national anxiety. The position is worse even the wa had feared, since last year's depreda- tions equalled a net reduction of 40 per cent. of the tonnage.
The Daily Chronicle says the tonnage Making a large deduction for Allied ship-ness of the German White Book, Dr. 33,000,000 is misleading. Replying to criticisms on the meagre- ping diverted to military and naval pur- Stumn said it had to be compiled quickly poses and for neutral shipping not avail en as to present to the Reichstag a clear able, the real net tonnage available is picture of the question as to the guilt probably less than half of 38,000,000. for the outbreak of war. He agreed that UNEMPLOYED ENEMY SHIPS IN the Blue Books of other States were more:
voluminous, but the German White Book contained no falsification,
FAR EAST.
LONDON, March 20th. In the House of Commons, Commander. Bellaire, complained that the large enemy steamers Brauenfels and Frantz Ferdin and in the Far East had been used as stationary hulls for thirty months, although in perfect condition
Dr. Stumm concluded by announcing Book was now being prepared. that a new edition of the German White
COMMENT BY YORWAERTS"
Irish Horac. In Eng. an attack was being prepared. The offensive on a big scale. The artillery reaches are slight, and there 40 information in connection with the to teach, Germans to again think more
Tokio,
Kiukiang and
Sir Henry May of Hongkong, and Dr. Gordon O'Neill from Tientsin.
Major T. E. Trueman proposed the toast to Irishmen at the Front." He said: Ireland is represented by a regi: ment of Food Guards, eight regiments of the line, with which are linked several battalions of the Special Reserve or old militia, and many Service Battalions
Kitchener's Army,"
"There raised for are two regiments of Dragoous and one each of Hussars and Lancers. The Volun Territorial system has not been Ger or oxiended to Ireland still, the country in represented in the Auxiliary Forces by
It was known fer some time past that two yeomanry
South Irish regiments the Horse And North land there are two Irish Territorial enemy pressed with the greatest vigour and determination all day long.. He Battalicas, the London Irish Bids) (15th broke through our outpost positions and
of the Regiment) and the Liverpool Irish (8th Battalion of the penetrated the battle positions at certain parts. The enemy attacked in masses and King's Liverpool regiment), In addi tion
to these there are thousands of his losses were exceptionally heavy.
Severo fighting continues along the Irishmen in the Artillery Engineers, whole front. Large numbers of reinforce RA.M.C., A.S.C and the Royal Navy.
When we realize the number of Irishments are observed advancing behind the men, who had volunteered and wore Bory-
enemy's lined,
Baveral divisions, which were specially ing at the end of the first year of the trained for this great attack, were identi- war, compared with the latent figures fed, including the Guards, available, we are forced to the unpleasant conviction that our countrymen of mili, tary age have not come forward as they ought to support their own gallant regiments in the field. There is nothing to be gained by our following the ostrich trick of hiding our beads in the sands of excuses the fact remains that our countrymen have not filled the gaps in the Trish regiments as they should have done. It is "a. notable characteristic of the Irish soldier, that once having on listed, no matter what his political or regious opinions may have been before, he sinks them for the time at any rate and is well satisfied to have a real enemy on whom he can let go the full force his natural talent for breaking heads. He's a devil to fight, and it's a grand thing to go into a scrap that is already No serious attack has yet developed made, without the trouble of working this morning, but henry fighting must
ongun.
∙LOSSES.
Maps captured, depicting the enemy's intentions, show that he has not attained his objectives on any part of the front.
EXCEEDINGLY HEAVY ENEMY
LATER. Fighting continued late last night on the whole front from the river Oise to the river Sense to hold the eremy in his battle positions.
Our troops continue
During yesterday's attacks the enemy's massed, infantry offered remarkablo tar gets to our rifles, machine-guns and artillery, of which we took full advantage
All reports testify to the enemy's exocedingly heavy lossen.
still be expected,
AVIATION WORK
During the year 1917. (he continued), the pro
greatest battles of the war have been
The weather yesterday hindered flying dought, and where the Irish regiments have been mentioned, it is particularly Our night-diers dropped three hundred pleasing to note how often it is recorded. borahs on an aerodrome south-west of that the mer from the south have fought Tournai and a dump north-west of St. be the side of the Ulstermen, which ren- Quentin. firm what I have just said of the unify ine influence of the Army.
What shall wo' of the Commander in-Chief of the Grand Fleet, Admiral Beatty There is no limelight effect in the work of the great silent navy,
judge the cause by the fent, and our hearts go out in gratitude to the man who leads and those who serve under him, for all that has been accom¬lished and will yet be done.
They
All our machines returned ENEMY'S EXCEEDINGLY HEAVY LOSSES.
LATER. Field-Marshal Haig, in a further mee age, says: Fighting continued Tita last night along the whole front, from the river Oise to the river Sensoed
Our troops continue to hold the enemy in their battle positional
During yesterday's attacks the enemy's massed Infantry offered remarkable tar gets to rifles, machine guns and artillery
of the ridges about St. Quentin, which appear to be a main German objective.
are no French casualties, AA
Mr. Hayes Fisher replied that he had matter. Inquiries would be made to the Raj, as possibly the vessels were under the control of the Director of Indian
OSTEND BOMBARDED.
Marine LONDON, March 22nd The Admiralty announces that British monitors muccessfully bombarded Ostend this afternoon-
A Naval Air Equadron destroyed five encany aircraft.
ALLIES AND DUTCH SHIPPING
PORTS.
British seaplanes reconnoitring in the VESSELS SEIZED IN AMERICAN Heligoland Right machine-gunned mine sweepers. All the acroplanes returned
BOMBARDMENT OF BELGIAN COAST.
BRITISH FRONT-LINE. PENETRATED. Telegraphing in the evening. the Correspondent days that by the em ployment of great masses of men and great weight of artillery the enemy appears to have penetrated our front line at certain spots, between the Scarpe and Vendeuil, but counter measures have not yet been taken and the position is in a liquid state. The enemy's purpose seems to have been to launch converging attacks upon the flanks of the
LONDON, March 22nd Flexquieres salient with a view to cutting -- A Belgian communiqué says; -During it off. The plan has been regarded as the naval engagement fast night off Dun- probable since the similar attempt at kirk, enemy vessels bombarded our coast
towards Lapanne. Cambrai in November
LONDON, March 22nd WAR CORRESPONDENTS' REPORTS. Mr. Percival Phillips, writing from France, anys: The German Army to the south of the Scarpe seems to have delivered the first blow, principally in the triangle of the Arras, Cambrai and Bapaume- Cambrai roads, while the Army south of Cambrai is striking against our trench systems in the region west of the Scheldt anal. Las enemy doubtless hopes that the junction of both armies will cut off a considerable slice of the British front and recover all this Hindenburg trenches lost four months ago
The Near East.
(THEOTOH ERUTER'A AGENCY.]
OPERATIONS IN PALESTINE. NEW POSITIONS OCCUPIED
LONDON, March 21st
WASHINGTON, March 21st. The seizure of Dutch ships came into forco last night.
WASHINGTON, March 22nd. ports have been seized, the captains in each Thirty-eight Dutch vessels in American
case merely making a formal protest.
HOLLAND'S EMBARRASSMENT.
LONDON, March 21st. All comment on the taking over of
Decuso
Dutch shipping emphasises that, apart from the fact that Holland will not lose by it, the Allies by their action, have relieved the Dutch Government from making what would have been a most An official message from Palestine difficult decision. The Dutch Government states: We consolidated and improved is probably very thankful as regards this, our positions and occupied El Musallabes because Germany cannot now and the high ground to the east, and Holland of acquiescing. three miles to the north of the Wadi Ouje, BRITISH BLOCKADE MINISTER'S and also e
STATEMENT, Mr. Philip Gibbs, writing from France, Bearballut.aving corps dropped 470 says:-At the moment there are only
LONDON, March 21st, scraps of news, anconfirmed ramours and bonis on El Kutrant station and on In the House of Commons, Lord Robert vaguo tidings of men hard-pressed but trains. Direct hits were obtained. Cecil, in a statement regarding Dutch holding out against repeated onslaughts.
nipping, said that the Allies deeply Hours must voass before it is clear how
regretted that any Government should much the enemy has gained, or failed to
have appeared to assist the objects af gain by the first blow Our troops are
Gorman submarinism by not making the lighting not merely for their own lives,
fullest use of its shipping. The Allies had but for the fate of England and all they
endeavouring for reoaths
The Australian
Africa.
and
[TKROFON REUTER'S AGENCY.]
деду
owe to the race. Today battle is not EAST AFRICA OPERATIONS bearing for months past, by
a bluff, but apparently the real thing in all its brutal forca. The one thing cer tain is the supreme valour of our men whatever may happen, d
Mr. Hamilton Fyfe, wiring from France, says that the Germans assembled
o'clock in the morning and at seven
FRESH COLUMN OCCUPIES NAMPULA
area pod dok
110 miles inland.
every country to use its shipping to the fullest
The Vorwaert states that Prince Lichnowsky's brilliant testimony regard- ing the policy of the English may help calmly and more open-mindedly about England.
RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.-
CAUCASUS AND TURKEY.
PETROGRAD, March 22nd. The pourparlers between the Caucasian Diet and the Ottoman High Command re- garding a separate peace have been broken off, as the Turkish demands were not acceptable.
GERMAN REPORT.
LONDON, March 21st. An oficial German wireless message states:Wo have captured Chersson in Ukraine.
ALLIED OFFICERS REQUESTED TO LEAVE.
AMSTERDAM, March 22nd. Tho Minister of Interior in. Ukraino has requested the British, French and Belgian officers at Kieff to leave Ukraine. AERIAL POST.
An official aerial post between Vienna and Kieff has been inaugurated." LOWER DANUBE-FREE OF MINES.
Lower Danabo is free of mines as far as A Vienna telegram states that the Sulina, consequently the water route to Ukraine is navigable.
BRITISH PRISONERS IN TURKEY.
LONDON, March 21st. An official message from East Africa an enormous number of guns for the states:-We have made contact with a preliminary bombardment, but this was strong enemy force in the Medoboma should not enter the danger zone. The internment in a neutral country of British not of long duration. It began at five coastal and disembarking at Mor- 'clock some German units had alrendy ambique has occupied Nampula, which is left the trenches, and attacked with heavy and ligh: monahine-guns The engagment became general between nine and ten o'clock on a front of twenty-five miles.
The right of the German attuck aimed at Croiselles, Bullecourt and Lagnicourt, while the left wing pushed in the direc tion of Roussoy and Hargicourt. Every where the enemy suffered severely. Fight-
Aerial Activities.
CHIVALRY TOWARDS MEN.
of which we took full advantage. fisa Maude Royden, speaking on All reports testify to the enemy's Chivalry in Problems of Sex" at the exceedingly heavy losses. Teachers Christian Union Conference,!. hit serious attack has yet developed said that the common attitude towards this morning, but heavy fighting must
still be expected marriage accounted for girls holding. themselves so appallingly cheap.
STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT.
LONDON, March 21st. snatched at what they could get, becauSO
In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar they thought it the only thing worth
THROUGH REGTER'S AGEBOY.) having. They must be made to feel that Law announced that the German attack they had a human, as well as a sex, value, extended over fifty miles from the Scarpe
AIR, RAID STATISTICS. There should be chivalry on the part to the Oise. It was the largest scale
LONDON, March 20th of men, not only towards the good woman, offensive of the war. Information at but to the bad. The belief that every prevent showed that on part of the front ing in the afternoon developed inte
The Press Bureau says that, excluding woman who had sinned was fair game our outpost troops, where the line was hard local struggles for points of vantage the raide on Germany, British and Aus- on the Western Front There was also a great lack of chivalry drawn to the battle zone, according to ruined farmhouses and canal locks, but during
the part of women and girls towards pre-arranged instructions. The informa at present it in useless to attempt to give the daylint and 3,559 during the night men It was largely due to ignorance, tion indicated that nothing beyond this details. One think is clear, and that is The enemy has dropped twenty-eight but elementary decency ought to teach had occurred. There was nothing in the that the enemy for the first time in to daring the daytime over the area occupied them that they could not expect to take nature of a surprise. What had occurred years has begun an attempt to break by the British and 1,768 during the night alt from a man and give nothing.
need not cause any alarm. The attack through
wes hideous and destructive to morality. vers lightly held, have had to be with like the brickfield, near Croiselles and tralian dropped 5,200 bombs in
time.
LONDON, March 22nd- Beferring to the abortive, negotiations
In the House of Commons, replying to with Holland, cabled on March 14th, Lord Robert Cecil said that one, of the Sir B. A. Cooper, Mr. Hunt said it had Dutch conditions then was that ships been impracticable to arrange for the Allies, however, recognised that even if an war prisoners, owing to lack of accom agreement including that condition were modation is an available neutral cour accepted, Germany could have rendered it try and the difficulties of transporting a nugatory by extending the danger gone, large number of Turks from Egypt, India
l and Burmah to neutral territory. After mentioning the Allies liberal con- ditions, cabled on March 14th, and out In reply to Mr. Peto, Mr. Hunt said lined in President Wilson's Proclamation, the agreement for the reciprocal repatria.... Lord Robert Cecil said another Dutch tion of British and Turkish prisoners was. condition was that the ships should not on grounds of health and not length of carry war material. As almost everything captivity. It had been signed and was at present was war material, this condi- awaiting ratification by Turkey. tion was also unacceptable. Therefore, the
Replying to Mr. Gershom Stewart, Mr. Allies felt that their only course was to Iunt said a lot of recent information exercise the unquestionable right of from those repatriated, respecting the requisitioning, the use of Dutch ships Turkish internment camps, showed that under the Right of Angary,
the conditions were not more unfavourable
He emphasised that Britain was most than was expected. There was a slight anxious to act most carefully and in the tendency to better treatment of prisoners least obnoxious way. The repatriation of in Turkey, but ber difficulties were grow Dutch crews, who would be treated with ing owing to the increasing scarcity and the utmost courtesy and consideration, dearness of provisions and the recla had been provided for.
tion of the Turkish paper currency.
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