1918-04-15 — Page 7

Franco-Gelgian Front,

ÍTHROLAN BETTER.A JONSOY }

BRITISH FRONT.

COUNTER-ATTACKS RECOVER

ports:-The

POSITIONS.

LONDON, April 11th..

11.30 a

Fick-Marshal Sir Douglas Hair

enemy pressed attacks atrongly all day long on the whole of the northern tle: front.

Fresh divisions are continually heavily

FRENCH FRONT.

TWO HEAVY ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED,

THE (FORSKORO DAILY PARSE, MONDAY, APRIL 15TH, 2009,

The report famishes appalling cvid, enco concerning the systematic semi- starvation of prisoners. A cac is quoted. where a party appealed to the sentry for permission to pick stinging nettles and dandelions to reduce the pangs of

THE CZERNIN LIE.”

AUSTRIAN EMPEROR'S DENIAL

aseaulting in the region of the Lawe THE BOMBARDMENT OF PARIS undelivered, notably in the case of that I recognised that France had a just

river, between Loisne and Lestrem.

PARIS, April 12th.

THE CONTROVERSY DEVELOPING.

LONDON, April 12th.. PABIS, April 12th. hunger. Dirly potato peelings were The controversy between the French A communiqué states: There is a picked up, and & starving Australian Premier, M. Clemenceau, and the Aus violent artillery, duct at certain points was shot for attempting to pick up a trian Emperor is developing into a most north of Montdidier and in

didier and the roadside for prisoners. They rarely

region piece of bread which women left by the important one. We repulsed last night and this morn received food parcels from their friends. ing two somewhat heavy attacks in the Owing to the Germans, unofficially ac The official Vienna statement, which Bector of Noyon.

knowledging the existence of prisoners was mentioned last night by enter's. There is an intermittent cannonade on hi occupied territory, their existence is Corpondent at Amsterdam, was a tele both banks of the Meuseofton unnotified. But if they are per gram which the Emperor Karl sent to the During March 28th enemy aeroplanes mitted to write they are compelled to Kaiser yesterday, in which he says, inter were brought down by anti-aircraft des date letters from false addresses. Several alia: I disavow most indignantly M. Gences.

thousand parcels are known to have been Clemenceau's false and untrue statement party of 77Newfoundlanders. Their claim to the re-acquisition of Alsace and miseries are intensiBed by the inadequacy Lorraine. At a moment when Austro of accommodation and the inadequate Hungarian guns are thundering jointly supply of dething. In one case men with German cannon on the Western were compelled to sleep in a roofless bajn Front it hardly needs proof that I am where the rain poured in, but were, com fighting for these provinces exactly as if pelled to resume work in their soaked it were a question of my own lands. In garments. Another instance is of 110 face of this eloquent proof of our full being accommodated in an unheated community of aims, I decin it superfluous room in mid-winter Ofteen by twenty to waste words on M. Clemenceau's false. feet on bar hoards without blankets, assertion. Nevertheless, I desire to take When utterly worn out the prisoners this opportunity of assuring you of the prison camps in a ragged and verminous condition, half-savage with hunger and number of deaths which the end treatment. The report shows the cause of ***German Government admitted plainly to at altbitions to when the prisons awful conditions to which the prisoners were subjected.

The long-range gun bombardment ves Our Fifty-First Division beat offterday hit a creche, killing four and cessant attacks, inflicting great lus, injuring 21. and recaptured positions by vigorous counter-attacks.

K

There is heavy fighting at Estaires and between Estaires and Steenwerck. In

attacked this sector the enemy atrength and pushed back our line to just north of these places.

The enemy determinedly attacked this morning north of Armentieres and made some progress in the neighbourhood of Ploegsteert Wood

Our Ninth Division completely repuls ed, with great loss, another heavy

great neighbourhood

attack in: Wytschacte and Hollebeke,

of

Fighting contienes along the whole front between La Bassee Canal and the Ypres Comines Canal.

LONDON, April 11th.

11.15 p.m. Despite the unfavourable weather yes- terday, our airmen bombed and machine- gunned enemy troops.

The mist compelled the airmen to fly at the average height of 20 feet, experi encing very heavy gunfire,

Enemy airmen were also active.

and drove We brought "down "seven" down one. Beven of our machines are missing

VARIOUS ACTIVITIES.

says Relative quict is en were sent from the lines to the German complete solidarity existing between you

LONDON, April 13th.

10.05 pm. Reuter's Correspondent at French Headquarters telegraphing yesterday,

The from Hangard to Noren carried out a small infantry attack on Grivesnes Chateau, locally their position to the park. Guns are active on both sides all along the front the whole front the Germans have done little trench digging.

Along

are

Enemy airmen are more active, but are showing little inclination to take the offensive, chiefly patrolling their own side of the front in powerful groups of a dozen or more machines with the object of preventing our flights. General.

THROUGH BEUTER'S AGENCT.]

UNPRECEDENTED

NATION'S

ANXIETY.

LONDON, April 12th. The nation is watching with on anxiety unprecedented in the war the progress of the critical battle in north cm France. The anxiety is mingled with admiration for the tenacity of the British troops, who are contesting every foot of ground with a stubbornness that has made the enemy pay dearly for his slow advance. As the struggle has sway We raided Luxensbourg station to dayed on the 30 mile front, observers here. and dropped over a ton of bombs and in Paris are divided in their Several bursts were observed.

opinions of the enemy intentions, onc All our machines returned, despite con- section regarding the new offensive as a eiderable gunfire

diversion meant to draw off British Te serves while preparing for a fresh at tack at Amiens. The other section believes that it is a definite and systema tic attempt to destroy the British Army and break through to Calais, while hold- ing the French in the south. The con

theory.

WITHDRAWAL FROM ARMENTIERES.

Lospos, April 11th.

2.10 p.m.

THE ALLIED GENERALISSIMO

LONDON, April 12th.

and me, your Empire and mine. No in- trigues and no attempts, no matter from

loyal comradeship of arms, and we shall whom they procced, will imperil our jointly enforce an honourable prace."

TEXT OF EMPEROR KARL'S LETTER.

A raris official message says that a Note was issued last night is a reply to "that the foregoing. The Note says Emperor Karl compels the French Gov In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar ernment to give prompt reply The Law replying to a question as to the Note reproduces the text of a long letter position of General Foch, said that the Versailles Council, which had eo far been communicated on March 31st, 1917, by Prince Sixte of Bourbon, brother-in-law working out the plans and details con-of Emperor Karl, to President Poin. cerned, was still going on General Foch who was Chairman of the Council, care, who, with the Prince's assent, for had necessarily taken on cther work warded it immediately to the French He was appointed with the full ap Premier. The following are the chief proval, not merely of the Governments, passage |-- but of the Generals concerned, to direct the strategy of both armies, exercising powers of a Generalissimo and directing the strategy of the present battle.

that

Mr. Bonar Law did not think there was a man inside or outside of the House who was not thankful for this.

REAT BRITAIN'S MAN- GREAT

POWER BILL. ANOTHER AMENDMENT

DEFEATED.

LONDON, April 19th- The House of Commons, sitting in Committee on the Man-Power Bill, con sidered an amendment substituting the age limit to 48 years instead of 50.

The amendment was defeated by 262 to

152.

The battle is continuing on, the whole sensus of opinion now favours the latter THE PROG front from La Bassco Canal to the Ypres Comince Canal.

Bevors fighting occurred in the neigh- bourhood of the Lawo, and Lys Cancis, from about Lestrem to Armentieres. We have withdrawn from Armentieres, which is full of gas.

The situation is a little changed. North of Armentiores heavy fighting continued up to a lato hour last night in the neighbourhoods of Ploegsteuert, Messines and Wyschaete.

SITUATION FAIRLY WELL IN HAND

LONDON, April 11th

9.35 p.m. Reuter's Correspondent at British Headquarters telegraphing this evening, states: The situation in Flanders is generally regarded to day as being fairly well in hand, but fighting continues on a beavy scale and is likely to continue What success the Germans have achieved has developed out of an advance in the rentre of the original front. The attack by misty weather. The terri- lors which the enemy has overrun was tory very sparsely populated by civilisna, and, as regards the character of the country, it is a burren gain. Moreover, the enemy communications have lengthened across long tracts of clay."

The weather improved in the morning, airmen effectively co-operating in large numbers.

At ten o'clock in the morning the

formidably attacked enewy

against Hollebeke, and fighting of great inten sity followed.

THE PROGRESS OF THE BILL The House of Commons adopted the Guillotine resolution regarding the Man-Power Bill, which will leave the House of Commons on Tuesday, and pass through all its stages in the House of Lords by Thursday

EFFECT OF AGE LIMIT

It is indeed obvious that the enemy, backed by unlimited artillery, is doing what is hitherto unprecedented in this war, namely, conducting two first-class offensives simultaneously, or at least, launching the second before

ro he has had time to draw away from the first. prospect is grim for the British, but the

LONDON, April 11th. accounts of the fighting continue to

In the House of Commons, Sir Auck- breathe confidence that the British, how ever prolonged the struggle, will not land Geddes intimated that only seven yield to the enemy in what is more per cent. of the men affected by the checoming a test of endurance. key-point of the battle are the ridges of Messines and. Passenbendacle, which the Germans are endeavouring both to outflank and carry by direct as- There has been no evidence sault, hitherto that the enemy has gained con- trol of a single bit of rising ground, a

Faising of the age limit would be requir ed this year. The remaining 93 per cent would remain in civil life. If three or four years were cut off the age limit the same number of men would be taken from a smaller hlock and be lese ut physically on average grounds.

Bir Auckland mentioned that engine Stories of correspondente do not coners were streaming to the colours firm the chemy official claim of the cap- Sir Charles Scely stated that the ture of Messines Ridge. This claim is young winers in the Nottingham area probably a euphemism for securing a had not selected service by ballot, but lodgement on the eastern slopes, as cor- were recruiting voluntarily. respondents are unanimous in declaring

that fierce British counter-attacks flung A PATRIOTIC SUGGESTION. back the enemy from the ridge with theme, invites Mr. Dillon to make a The Dublin Uniónist journal, the Irish bloodiest loses,

loces, while farther mouth, where the enemy was dangerously push-bargain with the Government, and sug ing in the direction of Bailleul, the gests that six weeks before conscription splendid resistance of the British con is in working order the Nationalists Eined the advance of the Germans to a showed undertake to raise soven divisions continually contracting front. Here voluntarily.

caemy corpses were heaped in the river NATIONALIST PROTEST. Lys as the British machine guns mower

The Nationalist candidate, Mr. Dooley, down the oncoming waves at point-blank at the request of his supporters, has Tauge Yet fresh waves advanced as though reserves were inexhaustible.

decided as a protest against conscription The Germans poured gas-shells into not to contest North King's County towns like Bethune crowded with civi against the Sinn Fein candidate. The lians, and many women and children polling for which had been fixed for April were passed into British hospitals. 28th

Mr. Dillon, the Nationalist leader, Though the Germans have hitherto shown

Massed waves of the enemy advanced over heavy ground Banking Roozebeck, making a great target for our riflemen and machine-guns. The execution is described as being terrible. Compara tively few of the enemy got to grips with the defender Eventually the attack was completely repulsed, the straggling retreat being followed by field-gans until the enemy disappeared in the mist.

Around Pleegsters Wood and Estaires there has been continual fighting. resulte are at present not known. The enemy brought up more reserves and we also have thrown in reinforcements compelled General Foch to weaken his forces by shifting the reserves, They

THE

NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENTAC

St. John's (Newfoundland),

April 19th,

My Dear Sixto-At the end of the third year of war, which has brought so much mourning and pain into the world, none can dispute the military advantages won by my troops, especially in the Beikana France on her bide has showni magnificent power of resistance and elas. We unreservedly admire the bravery of her army and the spirit of sucrifice of the whole French people. It is parti cularly agreeable to me that, though mo mentarily opponents, no real divergence of views or aspirations separates my Empire from France. I am justified in boping that my lively sympathies for Franco, joined by those of the prevalent monarchy, will forever prevent a return to a state of wor, for which no respon sibility can be assigned to this end, and to show the reality of these sentiments I beg you to convey secretly and unofficially to President Poincare that I shall support by every means, using all my personal influence with my Allies, France's just claims regarding Alsace Lorraine. Fur therelgium should be entirely re established in ber sovereignty, keeping the whole of her African possessions, without prejudice as compensation for her ss. Serbin shall be re-established in hor Sovereignty. We are ready to assure her equitable ned natural access to the Adriatic, besides extensive economic con- dessons, but Austria-Hungary will de mand assurances, guaranteed by the Entente Towers, that Sorbia will suppress any political society tending towards the disintegration of Austria-Hungary. Events in Russia compel me to reserve my ideas concerning her until a legal and defini tive Government is established there, I ask you to ascertain the opinion, Arstly, of France and England, with v low to preparing the ground of the Entente for the opening of officin! negotiations. Hop- ing we thus will be whle, on both sides to

•* soon terminate the sufferings of so many ** millions, f'beg you to believe mo, with very

lively fraternal affection, Kani.

PREMIER IN DISFAVOUR

AMSTERDAM, April 12th.

A message from Vienna states that a monster Czech demonstration against Count Czernin is being organised at Prague

The Premier has had an audience with

the Emperor in connection with the matter,

HURRIED RETURN TO VIENNA.

LATER. Count Czernin has hurriedly returned to Vienna from Bukharest.

GERMANY'S FAITHFUL ALLY.

THE SOCIETY OF ST. GEORGE,

HONGKONG.

THE

WITNESS

FOR

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THEATRE

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APRIL 23rd, at 8 pm.

AUCTION

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TUESDAY, APRIL

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Members of the Society are requested to attend.

PROCEEDS FOR WAR CHARITIES.

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Hon. Secretary.

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THE SIBERIAN SITUATION.

THE VLADIVOSTOCK DISORDER.

no sign of a fresh effort on the Somme telegraped advising the abandonment of and Amiens battlefront the mass of their the contest. forces is still between Arras and Noyon. Hence, if the British in the north arrest the enslaught, a fresh stroke will un- doubtedly be tried against the Amiens

The Legislative Council will meet on salient, where the enemy has the bulk of his reserves which cannot easily be ex April 2ard to consider measures to

The German papers, commenting on maintain the strength of the Newfound Alsace Lorraine proves beyond doubt the warships at Vladivostock bad landed

the land Regiment.

battle, claim that the new offensive has

Au Order-in-Council has been issued forbidding the departure from the

North-west of Armentieres and in the adjure their readers to have patience Lolony of all cligible unmarried men,

direction of Ploegsteert large bodies of because the strategy of the supreme com German infantry are reported by air-mand is still unrevealed men to be massing. Artillery was heavily concentrated there.

The evacuation of Armentieres was carried out very successfully, the enemy not atempting to press our retirement. The whole place is a vast cesspit of mustard gas and the soldiers have bad a welcome release from it

GERMAN REPORT.

LONDON, April 11th. 11.30 p. A German wireless official message states: Between Armentieres and Festu bert we stormed Bois Grenier and Neuve Chapelle. We crossed the Lys at Bac St Maur and captured Hollebeke. Yester day we stormed the Messints height and pushed forward as far as Ploogstat Wood. We reached the Ploegsteert and Armentieres road

We reached Lav and the region north cast of Bethune

The prisoners captured now number over 10,000, including a Portuguese Gen

eral.

ENEMY TREATMENT OF PRISONERS.

GERMAN BRUTALITY AND DECEPTION.

An official statement declares that M. Clemenceau's assertion as regards the

LONDON, April 11th Emperor's Alsace-Lorraine letter is a

In the House of Commons, Lord pure invention. The fact that Astro Robert Cecil stated that owing to Hungarian troops are fighting on the murders of Japanese at Vladivostock by Western Front and are in possession of bands of robbers, British and Japanese Emperor's faithfulness as an ally.

AMERICA AND THE WAR.

COASTAL LINES TAKEN OVER

parties to protect the British Consulate and Japanche subjecte The Government had no reason to think that the American Government disapproved of the action, which was of purely local significance,

RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

WARRINGTON, April 19th); President Wilson has issued a Pro THE BALTIC FLEET ARRIVES AT alamation directing the taking over of all

KRONSTADT coastwise shipping lines, by noon un April 13th, by the Railroad Administra tions, for operation during the period of the ward

BRITISH MUNITIONS.

LONDON, April 12th. Mr. F. G. Kellaway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions, outlined, at Bedford, the progress of the production of munitions. The inorcase in the first two months of 1918 as compared with last year was as follows:-Light guns, 30 per cent.; medium guns, 57 per LONDON, April 12th. cent beavy guns, 36 per cent, machine The report of the Committee, presided guns, 96 per cent. aeroplanes, 223 Per The Proclamation says that they will over by Mr. Justice Younger, on enemy cent., and aero engines, 245 per cent. treatment of British war prisoners on The average weekly production of be devoted mainly to the transportation the Western Front, constitutes another aeroplanes in 1918 equalled the average of troops and war materials. tragic record of German brutality, production for two months of 1915. systematically compelled to engage in Simultaneously men were being steadily work forbidden by the laws of war, close released for the army. Over 100,000 ben behind the firing line, thereby deliberate were released during 1917. The army ly exposed to enemy and Allied gunfire was as well equipped to-day as when the These inhuman conditions continued German offensive began. All the gun VISIT TO PRESIDENT POINCARE. after the Anglo-German agreement of last lost had been replaced. We were year, whereby no prisoners of war should actually stronger in machine guns than be employed in any way within 30 at the beginning of the battle, Aerially, kilometres of the firing line. An in-we were as strong, if not stronger. The stance is quoted where one Allied shell lost tanks were being replaced by a killed seven and wounded four prisonera superior model whilst the ammunition of war from Belgium.

had been more than made good.

THE SIAMESE MILITARY MISSION.

PARIS, April 12th.

The Siamese Minister prescated the members of the Siamese Military Mission to President Poincare, who congratulated them upon their work

PETROGRAD, April 12th

koni

HONGKONG TIDE TABLE

From 15th to 21st April, 1918.

HIGH-WATER

H'kong

丘

Time,

Height

5446

Low Wax

H'kong

Meen

Holg

4.59 133

Tues 16

Wed. 17 8 49 40 m 6:56:39 918 18 Thara 18 Nointer. high nor

10 34 19 FLO No inter high or low water

410 56

11:35 a 28

0268 8 0.16

The First Squadron of the Russian Satur, 20 m 718146 11 21 4.2 Baltic Fleet, composed of battleships and

cristors, has arrived at Kronstadt from Sun 21 m2 7 97 |< 0 m 0 21 7 Helsingfors.

The Second Squadron, comprising torpedo boats and submarines, is report ed off Kronstadt.

ON HALE

The Third Squadron of transporte, armed merchantmen and obsolete BATE OF BIOHANGE AT BOMBAT torpedo boste left Helsingfors last night For Demand Drsta on London on the day

of or preeding, the departure of tha English: Matisso Table of the Yearly Approzimate Ayorage"

200

The total number of vessels departed is

THE SILVER MARKET.

LONDON, April 12th. The ailver market is quiet

PRICE

A

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