1918-05-01 — Page 5

THE WAR.

ENCOURAGING REVIEW OF

SITUATION:

THE

"THE BATTLE IS NOT GOING AS THE ENEMY EXPECTED.

"THE QUEEN'S MOVING MESSAGE TO THE

ARMY AND NAVY.

HOLLAND CONCEDES GERMANY'S DEMANDS.

AMERICAN LABOUR RECOGNISES THE PERILS OF PREMATURE PEACE.

SIBERIAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES THE INTRODUCTION OF ALLIED TROOPS.

Franco-dielgian bront

LATEST CABLES.

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENOT. Į

BRITISH FRONT.

CEASELESS HOSTILE:

ARTILLERYING,

Los Dos, April 9th-

3.10 p.m.

Beuter's Correspondent nt British Headquarters telegraphing to-day, states -Last night there was an in- tense, almost ceasless, hostile artillery activity in the north. Great concentra tions of howitzers and field batteries maintained a hurricane of bombardments on wide sections of the Allied front, practically all the way from La Basice to south of Houthulst forest. The Ger minus also kept up a furious fire for nearly three hours on the frons from Viny to Lens.

This morning the bombardments were renewed on our line south of Voormezecle, and the French positions in the vicinity of L'Ocrs' were plastered with explosive shrapnel

Our troops around Ypres have several times signalled for artillery support. After dawn there was a tremendous bom- bardment, which points almost to u ́cer. thinty to a German attempt to advance

here.

Yesterday, enemy airmen were very active over Mont-Rouse, from which it seems certain that the Germans intend trying to push westward from Kemmel In the south things were fairly quiet throughout the night..

In the documents we recently captured 4he Germans counted upon developing a regular drive towards the coast, the lime-table of which has altogether gone to pieces. A certain Division was due to be at Montcats on April 20th and this Division, instead of going forward, snoyed backwards to rest and refit.

BARLIER CABLES.

ENEMY INFANTRY ATTACKS

DEVELOPING

LONDON, April 20th. 1.20 p.m.

Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Baig portsThe hostile attack reported in the neighbourhood of L'Ore yesterday was repulsed by our rifle and machine. gun fire.

Our patrols captured prisoners in the neighbourhood of Villers-Bretonneux.

The enemy heavily bombarded our positions in the Ypres sector.

Only two flights were possible yester- day, owing to fog.

We brought down one enemy machine

PUSSIBLE ABANDONMENT OF

YPRES.

Reuter's Correspondent says, whether the enemy attempts to carry the strongly- defended hills by a frontal attack or to reduce them by a converging movement,

will find the operation very costly, and there is abundance of evidence that the hardest struggle in in prospect. In this area the Germans are bringing up new divisions, while enormous gua-power his been accumulated by both sides, and the shelling of roads, towns, and hills in the rears is continuous, and Ypres is being drenched by gas-shells.

Writers in London discuss regretfully the possibility of the abandonment of Ypres, so long the northern buttress of the Allied line, which has been drenched with British blood as no other battle field, but they emphasise that it is for Generalissimo Foch to decide whether it will be too costly to hold, or so vital that every effort must be made to recover the positions whence the Germans are now threatening it, The conclusion drawn. from the course of events is that Ger many is far from achieving a quick decision, and must expect heavy and con- tinuous fighting all the Summer and Autumn

The Times, which has not been unduly optimistic, says there is a growing cons viction that the first swift German advances will not recur. This will be a very long battle, and it is not going quite as Hindenburg and Ludendorff planned and expected."

HEAVY FIGHTING IN PROGRESS.

LONDON, April 28th

10.05 p.m Reuter's Correspondent at British

evening, states-Heavy fighting is in Headquarters, telegraphing on Sunday

progress at L'Ocre.

Sharp Sighting occurred for the old crater positions between Givenchy and The enemy opened a heavy bombard-Festubert, resulting in the restoration of ment with high explosive and gas shells our line, as it originally stood. this morning along the whole front from Bubsequently the enemy again attacked Mettren to Vourmezeele, and infantry and again occupied an outer isolated attacks are now developing.

Hostile artillory were very active at night-time from the Scarpe to Lens and between Givenchy and Nieppe Forest-

We recaptured last night the post taken by the enemy of 26th 27th inst., capturing 60 prisoners and three machine-guns.

We also captured a number of prison- ers and four machine-guns in raide south. ward of Albert and in the neighbourhood of Neuville-Vitasse,

ENEMY BOMBARDS YPRES POSITIONS

post.

AUSTRALIAN CORPS THANKED.

“LONDON, April 28th.

announces-A

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS WEDNESDAY, MAY IT, 1918.

REPORT DISTINCTLY

HEARTENING,

LONDON, April 29th:

6.55 nm.

The week-end reports from the front are distinerly heartening, showing that the Germans were provented from exploit ing their Kemmel success, thanks to the atout British and French resistanes.

On the whole, indeed, the enemy w somewhat pushed back, losing heavier even than he did at the storming of Mount Kemmel.?

The French at L'Oere and the British at Vormezcale, two local points of the fighting, fought with the most furious tenacity. Though neither place can be called vital to any line of defence, ret the resistance hampered the progress of an enveloping movement, which the enemy now seeme to be directing against the next chain of heights. Little doubt is entertained that the enemy, having failed to roll up the British Army from Givenchy to Arras, has decided to strike northwards for the coast with his whole weight.

THE KAISER PRESENT,

AMSTERDAM, April 20th. The Kaiser watched the battle for Kemmel Hill on April 25th

LATEST CABLES.

FRENCH FRONT

AMERICANS IN LINEF

LONDON, April 20th. 4.55 p.u

Headquarters states that an American Reuter's Correapondent at American

forco entered the line along the French battlefront under the French Command,

THE AIR FORCE ESTIMATES CEYLON'S NEW GOVERNOR THE QUEEN'S MESSAGE TO

THE AMATEUR STRATEGISTS.

LONDON, April foth. LONDON, April 29th.

Brigadier General Sir William Henry Manning, K.C.M.G., the House of Commons in the

Governor of debate

on the Air Force Estimates Lord Jamnica has been appointed Governor Hugh Cecil strongly appealed to Government to reinstate Sir David G.C.M.G, K.C.B.__deceased.

the of Ceylon, vice Sir John Anderson, Henderson and Sir Hugh Trenchard. It Bir Leslie Probyn, K.Q.M.G., Gover was stated that Sir Hugh Trenchard was nor of Barbados, succeeds Sir W. H. unwilling to

reecive advice

Manning ns Governor of Jamaica: amateur strategists in the Cabinet. Lt. Col. Charles Richard Backey C- Mr. Lloyd George replied that the sug-Brien, CM.G., Governor of the Sep- gestion that any member of the War chelles, succeeds Sir Leslie Probyn Cabinet had given Sir Hugh Trenchard Governor of Barbados. such advice was entirely groundless and Thost offensive.

from

The Premier added that the Cabinet had asked General Smuts-whose Luet, sagacity and knowledge of the war no- body could doubt to investigate whether Sir Hugh Trenchard's resignation should be accepted. General Smuts had con- cluded that Sir Hugh Trenchard's speci al qualities were not being used to the best advantage in his position in the Air Staff Sir Hugh Trenchard had render- ed incalculable services to the Air Force but Sir William Weir had not doubted that General Sykes was better adapted for staff work than Sir Hugh Trenchard. The Premier had every hope that Sir Hugh Trenchard's services would be r tained in a position of considerable power in the Air Force (Cheers) Tho Premicy paid a high tribute to the work of Lord Rothermere as chief of the Air Force, which had emerged triumph;

(Cheers); artly from

unprecedented test.

nonsense to say that Sir Hugh Tren- Mr. Asquith declared that it was

RUSSIAN AFFAIRS GERMANY'S NEW THREAT TO RUSSIA.

WASHINGTON, April 29th. The State Department learns that Germany is sending to fussin a big com- mission to present her demands regard. ing the exchange of prisoners. Failing compliance with these demands, Ger many threatens to occupy Petrograd.

EARLIER CABLES.

BAILORS OPPOSE. AUSTRO-GER- MANS AT SEBASTOPOL,

AMSTERDAM, April 20th.

It is reported from Sebastopol that Labourites in the Crimea favoured the surrender of the town, harbour and flect

Sebastopol without resistance, but the sailors have decided to oppose the Aus-

-tro Germans,

THE RESTORATION RUMOURS, LONDON, April 29th, The long silence from Petrograd is broken by the receipt of Router's latest message, dated April 23rd, which does in whom all ranks have supreme confidchard bad no organising power. It was of the restoration of the Monarchy in not confirm the runours from Stockholm very regrettable that no member of the the person of the Tsarevitch, which War Cabinet had communicated with Russian circles in Sweden anticipated as Sir Hugh Trenchard during the forta probable Gorman move, night in which Sir Hugh Trenchard's resignation was pending.

ence.

This American sector is receiving more than normal shelling.

at

Sir Edward Carson asked: What position did Sir Hugh Trenchard have

ENEMY ATTACKS STOPPED.

PARIE, April 20th.” A communique states The Germans at night-time attempted several attacks at Hangard Wood, but our fire stoppede Premier said that Sir Willian Weig had asked the House not to press for definition of the position at pre

all the attempts.

There was great reciprocal artillery firing from Villers-Bretonneux to the

sent.

These messages from Petrograd describe fierce fighting in Finland between the White and Red Guards and several train loads of dead and wounded Red Guards have arrived in Petrograd from Frogterioki, a popular Petrograd resort, while Viborg is out off from Petrograd. Russian troops have been ordered to resist

Luce and between Lassigny and Noyon THE GERMAN CONTEMPT FOR any attempt by troops from Finland to

lines in, the region of Corbeny, towards Our detachments penetrated the enemy

Courty, on the right of the Meuse, and in Upper Alsace and brought back pri

soners,

in front of Fosses Wood and Caurieres There was very lively artillery bring

Wood

MARLIER CABLES,

FURIOUS BOMBARDMENTS.

Paris, April 20th

were

A communiqué. states:-There furious bombardments at Villers-Breton neux, on the Luce and west of Noyon Naval Activities.

EARLIER CABLES. [THROUGH BENTER'S 'AGENCY.]

THE "GUILDFORD CASTLE" INQUIRY.

LONDON, April 20th. The Admiralty reports The official

Guildford Castle, mentioned on March inquiry shows conclusively that the

14th, was struck by a torpedo. The first torpedo missed, but the second hit, but, happily, did not explode.

PERSIANS.

EXAMPLES OF TEUTONIC

REFINEMENT.

cross the Russian frontier.

The Commissioners have ordered the disarmament of troops in the Govern

URGED.

THE FORCES. PRIDE IMMEASURABLE, HOPE

UNBOUNDED, TRUST ABSOLUTE.

LONDON, April 20111.

following message to the Navy, Amy, H.M. the Queen has addressed the

and Air Force,:~~

*** I send this message to tell every man-how-much we women of the British Empire at home watet and pray for you during the long hours of these days of stress and endurance.

Que pride in you is immeasurable; our hope unbounded; absolute.

Four trust.

You are fighting for the cause of righteousness and freedom, to defend the children and wonten of our land from the sorrows that have overtakeu other countries; fighting for our very existence as a people at home and across the seas

**You are offering your all; you hold back nothing," and day by day you show love we great that no mam của have greater.

We, on our part, send forth with full hearts and unfaltering will the 'lives we hold dearest.. We, top, are striving in every way possible towards victory. I know. I am expressing what

is felt by thousands of wives and mothers when I say that we are deter- mined to help one another in keeping your homes ready against your glad home-coming

"In God's name we bless you, and by His help we Loo, will do our best." PRUSSIAN MILITARISM THE

BAR TO PEACE NO PEACE CONFERENCE UNTIL ITS REMOVAL.

LONDON, April 28th. The American Delegation now visiting the United Kingdom were entertained

to luncheon at the Whitehall Palace, where they were enabled to meet the British, Allies and Dominions' Pressmen, among whom Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa were repre

sented;

Mr. James Wilson, of the American Federation of Labour, replying to the toast Our American Guests," said We recognise the fundamental truth that no democracy can exist if the Imperial The Siberian Provisional Government German Government triumphs. Thờ has issued a Proclamation in North Allies must win the war if posterity is Manchuria which urges the establishment to be guaranteed political and industrial of solid relations with the Allies, and freedom. Peace now would be the fulfil recognises the necessity of the introduc- ment of the Prussian dream of military tion of foreign troops in far cast Siberia, pending the establishment of a fixed Government in Russia.

Reuter's Agency learns that a numberments of Kursk, and in the Crimea. of documents, lately discovered in Persia.

SOLID RELATIONS. WITH ALLIES

in the United States, who described their demonstrate that, like the German agents

American hosts as idiotic Yankees," the German Emissaries in Perain had the utmost contempt for the Persian swine and the country in which they were intriguing.

Most of these documents are letters written by Wustrow, the German vice- Consul at Shiraz, to Wassinuss, German, ex-vice-Consul with a roving commis sion to stir up trouble against the Bri- tish along the Persian Gulf.

UKRAINE AGREEMENT WITH CENTRAL POWERS.

AMSTERDAM, April 29th. An economic agreement between the Central Powers and Ukraine was signed on April 3rd, and a State Grain Bureau was formed to deal with the supplies of grain.

AMERICA AND THE WAR. WEEKLY WAR REVIEW.

autocracy, because they have the very heart of Continental Europe within their grasp, and resources which would ensure the further conquest of the other nations of the world.

Ho and his colleagues,

the authorized speakers for the American Labour Movement, declared most empha tically that they do not agree with peace conference with

ith the enemies of crva- lisation, irrespective of what cloak these enemies wear, until Prussian militarism is withdrawn within their own boundar ries, and then not until the Germans have satisfactorily proved that they recognised the right of civilised nations,

the latter's standard. to determine for themselves what shall be

TIN

In one letter Wustrow writes: Blags think of jellyfish when I look at these people. In another," What good to us is the silly jabber with which the leaders of a nation who are below even the usual Persian level stuff us up? This seum can only be tamed by force" In

WASHINGTON, April 29th. a third letter he said, "How nice it would be to recoup our losses from the Review says:While admitting that the The War Department's Weekly War English property here, but Persians did situation is less satisfactory, owing to the The Admiralty quotes the German wire the work and I must avoid creating an loss of Kemmel, the outcome of the less official report of April 24th, which, impression that we wish to ultilize their present operations in the West depends in the course of challenging the British patriotic fervour (1) for our own ends," upon man-power. The enemy's attempt An Order by the Minister of Munitions

sure of shipping losses, says these Another extract reveals the game of the

to paralyse the independent will-power | Prohibits dealings, except under licence,

within ignore hospital ships and other ship German officials: You offered me not of the British Command has failed, the in all descriptions of tin situate

unity of command of the Allies having and without the United Kingdom, and ping space which are particularly ex- 1,000, but 2,000 tumana--3,000 for agita-

extended operations on tion purposes and the other for “a cer- fold,

a broader prohibits its uso without a licence in posed to and attacked by U-boats"

presenting

fell and manufacture.

LATEST CABENUS. (THROUGH HALTER'N, AGENCY:}

RESTRICTIONS.

LONDON, April 20th

The Press Bureau message through the Commander of the Fourth Army asks General Birdwood to NEW WAR OFFICE APPOINT and complains that after we doctored the destruction of the Allied forces in

A letter from Dr. Niedsemayer calls To defeat the enemy's intention to FIGHTING IN THE CAUCASUS- the Persians incredibly gross swine, achieve a decision by ending the war by

inform all ranks of the Australian Corps that the Field Marshal is fully aware of the gallant conduct and magnificent achievement of the Australians, He wishes to thank them, The splendid LONDON, April 25th. service of the First Australian Division

10.5 pm Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re

in the north has not escaped his porte-A hostile attack is developing notice, and the Field Marshal desires to this afternoon in the neighbourhood of L'Ucre, otherwise there were only local include them in this expression of ap

· engagements.

preciation.

∙MENT.

TURKISH DEPORT,

Lospos, April 28th

A Turkish official report, issued un

the field before additional British and more than 6,000 Persian swine a French levies and American reinforce doctor I have been kept uine months ments can take up their positions, it April 27th stated We occupied Kars enmeshed by this scum of a people" THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. DATE OF MEETING NOT FIXED.

LONDON, April 29th,

is the imperative duty of the United The Press Bureau announces that is

States to put fresh trained men in the count Milner has appointed Mr. Ian Mac

field immediately, besides calling" up a very large quots to fill the gaps. The Pherson, MP, as Vice-President of the Army Council and Acting Deputy War in the House of Commons, Mr. W force the retirement of the British from conception of the enemy command is that LONDON April 20th. by an enveloping movement he will Secretary Mr. MacPherson will thus be for the Colonies stated that the date for and Amiens and wips out the Xpres 4.8. Hewins, Under Secretary Arras and afterwards capture Arras able to render Viscount Milner much the holding of the Imperial Conference salient. needed assistance in dealing with the questions for discussion was a matter for in various engagements and have acquit had not yet been settled. The list of

units have been in action American administrative business of the War Office, the onference to decide.

fed themselves well in Flanders.

and captured 80 guns and a large quantity of war material.

THE SILVER MARKET.

Losnow, Apill 29th. The silver market is quiet.

LATER Silver is quoted 491d., and the market. is steady

(Continued on Page 6.).