1918-05-20 — Page 7

THE WAR.

The following Cables were received on Saturday night and served in our Early morning Extra yesterday.

Branco-Belgian Front.

(THROCON REUTER'S AGENCY]

BRITISH FRONT INCREASED HOSTILE ARTILLERY ACTIVITY,

LONDON, May 17th, 1.35 - Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig re. ports:We repulsed raiders in the neigh bourhood of Monmenneville, southward of Arras..

There was great reciprocal artillery. firing at night in the Pacaut Wool sector and northward of Hinges.

Hostile artillery firing also increased between Locon and Hinges and Nieppe Forest to Meteren, -

WARFARE IN THE AIR

LONDON, May 17th,

2.00 am. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, re porting on aviation, states:Our nero- planes and balloons carried out a great deal of work on Wednesday in co-opera- tion with the artillery and took a great many photographs of the enemy forward und back areas.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, MAY 20TH, 1918-

He says the operation was designed to develop into a great flank-turning move- ment. So certain was the High Com- mand of success that the Kaiser came to the Yser to witness the battle, having in the next his pocket, the Eicheniaus, highest German decoration to the Order Pour Le Merite, which was designed to bestow upon the General directing an attack, but when the Kaiser left the Yser the Eicheniaus still tinkled in his pocket,

Leave has been opened in the German Fourth Army to farmers and agricultural labourers. It is remarkable how popular the ery back to the soil has become

FRENCH FRONT, LIVELY ARTILLERY ACTIVITY.

PARIS, May 16th.

A communique states There was fairly lively artillery duel in the sector from Hailles to Castel.

There was great reciprocal artillery activity north of the Avre-

Two German aeroplanes were brought 12th and two more on May down on May 12 14 of our

dropped 7,000 -our-squadrons kilogrammes of projectiles on the railway station at Chatelet-sur-Retourn.

The enemy bombarded the region of Dunkirk

There was slight damage, but vietiņas.

EIGHTEEN ENEMY AEROPLANES FELLED.

no

was

were

Naval Activities.

{THROUGH REUTER'S AGENOY.] AUSTRIAN DREADNOUGHT

TORPEDOED.

LONDON, May 16th.. An Italian communique states that an Italian officer and three petty officers entered the port of Pola and torpedoed Dreadnought of the Firibus Onitia class. A

details

communique does not give any

DESTRUCTION OF BRITISH SUBMARINES.

LONDON, May 16th The Admiralty announces that seven British submarines, which remained in Russian waters, were destroyed by order between April 3rd and April 8th owing: to the German naval forces approaching Hango..

None fell into enemy hands. The guns in the vicinity of Hango bad already bech dismantled.

The Russians retreated after blowing: up their four American submarines.

The crews of the British submarines were removed to Petrograd.

GERMAN SOCIALISTS

ARRESTED,

AMSTERDAM, May 17th. Forenerte states that several Indepen dent Socialist, have been arrested during the last few weeks at Cologne.

THE COAL PRODUCTION.

APPEAL TO MAINTAIN OUTFUT,

Lornon, May 17th. The Executive of the liners Federa tion yesterday decided to call a special conference of delegates on June 5th to decide whether or not they should demand

increase of

Controller afterwards met the Executive and appealed to them to maintain the output of coal and thus relieve the enormous pressure at the ports. The Executive promised to reconsider the question during the Whitsuntide holidays

art

STRAINED SITUATION IN UKRAINE,

AMSTERDAM, May 17th.

AUSTRIA'S PEACE PROPOSALS

KAISER KARL'S LETTER.

LONDON, May 16th.

GERMAN DISCLAIMER-

AMSTERDAM, May 17th.

The Vontdeutsche denies that Germany was willing to surrender a considerabla part of Lorraine in the spring of 1917 if

Mr. Balfou, replying to questions in the House of Commons on the subject of this would decelerate the end of the war. the alleged pence proposals by Austrin,

PRESS.

said that there was a tendency to treat THE DUTIES OF THE ALLIED this subject as if it concerned Great Britain alone.. It was really a delicate question of international policy and could

LONDON, May 16th. not be discussed as if it were a domestic

atter. This was a private letter written Speaking at a Foreign Press Assosią=" the Emperor Karl to a relative and tion incheon in London, the Chairman conveyed by the Intter to the French paid tribute to Lord Curzon as one of Government under her for the French

Lord Curzon said that the peace for which we were fighting mist satisfy thred conditions; it must be just honourable

secrecy and without permission to con- the great men who hnd shaped the municate it to anyone in Great Britain destinies not only of. India hit of the

Mr. Lloyd cxcept

George and the Sovereign,

Empire. Mr. Balfour admitted that this was an inconvenient way to deal with a great transaction, but it was not the fault of the British Government. The American Government was no better informed re and ensure the security of the world for garding the lutter than he (Mr. Balfour) generations from the horrors of future but it was a complete delusion to suppose therefore that the Government had ever war. He hoped that neither the Allies shown any lack of confidence in the The Russian Admiral rejected a pre-trian sources indicate that the situation States. He had no secrets from President doctring tint an unjust prace was pre-,

Reporta from both Gerroan and Aus Governinent and President of the United nor neutrals would ever subscribe to m posal to block the harbour by sinking in Ukraine remains very strained. Wilson. (Cheers). It was ships in the entrance, but the destruc

impossible Great Britain and the United States ferable to a just war, as the former would tion of the British submarines had an excellent effect, inducing the crews of

carry on the great work on which they be the precursor of new and worse wars merchantmen to destroy their vessels censorship. The state of siege at Kieff were engaged without complete confidence.and be a victory, for crime and a justi-

Regarding Alsace-Lorraine, Mr. Bal

declared that the

fication for renewed crime in the future- It was useless to discuss details of peaco terms at present, as the voice of the guns drowned all else. The issue was becoming plainer every day. The duty of the Allied Press was to show our enemies that Governments, but the peoples of the whole not only the Allied Armies, Navies and civilized world were against them,

which otherwise would have fallen into the hands of the enemy.

CREWS SAFELY LANDED.

PARIS, May 18th. A communiqué states:-There. marked reciprocal artillery activity north and south of the Avre,

LONDON, May 16th. deroplanes Eighteen enemy

Reuter learns that all the British sub brought down on May 15th, and four marines in the Baltic were blown up be

fore the Germans could get them and captive balloons were set on fire.

the officers and crews were safely landled.

CARS LATER THE UBIQUITOUS BRITISH SUBMARINES

Bombing machines began their attacks at dawn and continued till dark, drop ping over 24 tons of hombs on targets,

A BELGIAN VICTORY. which included railway stations at Tournai, Courtrai, Chaufnes, and billets

LONDON, May 15th." in the neighbourhoods of Douni,

10.45 p.m. Bapaume, Menin and the Somme, also on

Renter's Correspondent at the French Zeebrugge and the. Bruges Canal Headquarters, telegraphing to day und Enemy aircraft were active early this describing the German attack on the morning, also in the evening, attacking Belgian Front on April 17th in the region mar bombers with particular insistence of Marojevaart, says that although the We brought down 25 Gerinan inachines, German

i was three to enc,

holding the sector de Belgian drove down twelve, and shot down one DES Froth the ground. Eleven British fented the enemy without calling for rein

forcements from any quarter. machines are missing.

In two hours the Germans had advanced 1,200 yards on the Ypris Dixmade road as far as Martjevaart Bridge, where they were held up by Belgian infantry. The front flank was cut off frons reserves by the artillery barrage and had no choice Lut death or capture. The Belgian victory was complete.

After dark our night-fliers continued, sand dropped over 14 tons of bombs on railway stations at Chaufnes, Lille, and Donai, billets at Peronne Bray, und Bapaume, and the docks at Bruges. One British machine did not return.

Early on Thursday our aeroplanes sel out to homb factories and railway stations at Saarbrucken. Crossing the lines they encountered ten scouts, when a running fight ensued along the whole way to our bjectives. When Saarbrucken was resch ed 25 hostile machines bad collected and attacked the British with the utmost vigour. Despite the attacks we dropped 24 heavy bombg on our objectives.

Several bursts were wen on the railway and a fire was started. Having attained thear objectives our aeroplanes concen strated their efforts on fighting the enemy's machines.

We brought down 'five. One British aeroplane was seen to have been shot down. All the others returned,

MORE ARTILLERY ACTIVITY.

LONDON, May 16th."

12.20 p.m. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, re ports: We raided in the neighbourhood of Gurelle and took a few prisoners.

There was reciprocal artillery firing in the Somme and Ancro valleys, to the cast of Arra, and on the northern battlefront. Mutual artillery is particularly great to the north of the Lys.

AERIAL OPERATIONS.

We brought down eight aeroplanes on. Tuesday and drove down another. Two of ours are missing.

Bombing was continued actively at night,

the

The enemy lost three thousand men, besides eight hundred prisoners and 150 renew the experiment. machine guns. They are not likely to

BELGIAN HOSPITAL BOMBED.

LONDON, May 16th.

LONDON, May 17th, The Morning lust's Correspondent at

Petrograd, in a message dated May 7th, states there were never rugs than pine British submarines in the Baltic. There were still seven when the end came. Despite the great amount of close fight ing done by the submarines in the course of the used incessant work the Ger mang captured or destroyed none. There is not a German barbour in the Baltic that our submarines have not entered and charted, creeping under minefields and through the shallowest channels, One submarine destroyed nine enemy trans ports in a single day. It was the British submarines that preserved Fetrograd last summer. "

GERMAN VERSION.

AMSTERDAM, May 16th.

A message from Berlin states that

The Kieff Fress ountinues to agitata against the Central Powers, despite the has not been raised.

Herr Erzberger, speaking in the Reich stag on May 8th, revealed the risks that German soldiers promenading Kieff undergo. The peasantry specially are discontented and anti-German, and their exasperation is increasing.

MEATLESS DAY ABOLISHED,

LONDON, May 17th..

T Press Bureau announces-Lord Rhqunda abolishes meatles, days in eating places from today.

GERMAN SEAPLANES ATTACK

DUTCH VESSELS."

four

for to

restoration

of the Alsace-Jortning of 1814 or of 1720 had never been an Allied war ait Mr. Runciman must have been referring to conversations between the Czar and he French representative, M. Douerque, in connection with that matter early in 1917. which were unknown to the British Gov ernment until much later. They had 1 international bearing and they did not pledge the British Government, which had never in the least encouraged any such netion, nor did he think that that demand was ever any fixed part of the foreign policy of any French Government for any length of time.

Me. Outhwaite, interrupting, said that Mr. Runciman's question referred to the statement in the Press that President Poineare made that demand.The B

Mr. Balfour replied These pour

Buch demand."

GERMANY COUNTS UPON INDEMNITIES.

LONDON, May 16th expect a war indemnity. Speaking in The German people are still led to the Beichstag, the Saxon War Minister said Germany counts

THE HAGUE, May 17th.. The Vieure Courant points out that during the last three weeks. German sentrere were not interfered with by any Conan eus upon, indemnities, planes attacked three innocent Dutch vessels outside the danger zone, and

by indemnitie, cun German requirements be met. demands that the Government emphati enlly protest to Berlin

VAR TO THE DEATH."

12,30a.m. three British submarines off Graharangue to Enforce Peace, at which 4,000 these cynical methods. He (Mr. Balfouri

A Belginn communiqu saysAn enemy aviator dropped four bombs upon a hospital at Songstadt.

The artillery action has assumed n lively character, especially in the region of Pilken.

AMERICAN REPORTS.

LONDON, May 16th. 6.00 a.TE.

Lighthouse were blown up on learning of the approach of the German fleet.

Generat.

[THEQUGE REUTER'S AGENCY.]

CLASS JUSTICE IN GERMANY. An Anteriean communiqué says:-There is a marked increase in reciprocal artil-

Heteroros, May 16th ery firing north of Toul end in Lorraine, There were angry scenes in the Reich. Two American airmen felled three Gerstag when the Independent Bocialists man bachines on Wednesday.

charged the Supreme Court with exercis LONDON, May 17th ing class justice and strengthening the 2.20 p.m. military dictatorship. Claring instances An American communiqué, statés :--- were gated, including the allegation that a petition for the reprieve ion sailor was withheld, until the death

Patrolling continues active in Lorraine, with an increase of artillery firing.

THE IMMINENT GERMAN

OFFENSIVE.

ANXIOUS TIMES AHEAD,

LONDON, May 17th: The imminent German offensive anxiously awaited.

sentence had been carried out.

Herr Cohn paid a warm tribute to six or seven Belgian Justices who are imprisoned at Gros Strelitz

ANGLO-GERMAN WAR A NECESSITY.

HONGKONG AMONG GERMANY'S

DESIRES, SMA

ORIGIN OF BRITISH EMPIRE ORDER:

THE BRAVE. MERCANTILE

MARINE.

LONDON, May Loth.

Proceeding, Mr. Balfour said that it was impossible to know what actuated Emporer Karl, Count Ciernin and the Kaiser in these various transactions, but CLAN MACKAY" SUNK, he was inclined to think that it was part of E pence offensive by which he (Alr. Balfour) meant peace proposals by PHILADELPHIA, Mar 17th.

LONDON, May 16th. War to the Death was the kernote not desiring peace but desiring to a leegram from Gibralta, states that

divide its opponents. of a speech by Mr. Taft at the opening M. Chanenceau, in publishing Emperor's a collision on May 11th The new wors He thought that the last Mackay was sunk ne the result of of a Win the War Convention of the Karl's letter, had dealt effectively with saved, prominent Americans were present.

believed that the efforts of the Central Mr. Taft pleaded for a fighting « Powers had never been directed towards of 5,000,000 and eloquently outlined the peace, but to divide the Allies. There was situation which would arise if Germany no evidence now or at any time that the was not defeated or if the blood-stained German governing classes contemplated Christian provinces of Turkey were not the possibility of what we should regard liberated.

as f reasonable peace, namely, a peace to secure, the freedom "of

In the House of Commons, Sir Albert the world. He reminded the House that a Committee of Stanley stated that 12,000 men of the the French Chamber had already co-mercantile marine had lost their lives cluded that the above letter had not pro in the war, but none had ever refused to. Losnox, May 17th.vided an adequate or tisfactory basis sail when a vessel was ready. (Checus.) In the House of Commons, replying to for peace, there had been Hannounced that the King had approv...

any Mr. Hamar Greenwood, Mr. Walter Long possibility that that letter really contained that a badge should be worn by oficers explained that the Colonial Office was

ed the seeds of an honourable peace, was and men of the mercantile marine consulted on the question of the if not evident, that the Cominizice of the who had complete a further voyagʊ evention of the Order of the British Em French Chamber would have expressed after being aboard a Vessel which Premier had thrown away that oppor or mine. The badge would be in the pire which arose out of considerations Pret the French Government of the had been sunk or damaged by a torpedo not connected with the Dominions or Colonies, it when it was decided to unity The House of Commons might form of torpedo and would be worn well be content with that verdict. No on the cuff of the left sleeve Bar, would make use of this Order for the recognition body, continued Mr. Balfour, can be more be added for subsequent,torpedoings. of notable civilian war service in Great desirous than the British Government of Britain he claimed that service of no less bringing the war to au honourable ter- merit was being rendered in the Dominmination, and if any method whereby that ions, and the Premier allowed him to can be accomplished, can be shown us, of communicate with the latter and leave course it will be accepted. But we are it to the discretion of the various Pre-fighting as one among many Allies against miers to make such recommendations for the Central Powers, who never had, and the honours as they thought it, or now less than ever

the least irten- none at all.

tion of meeting the

the

DESDON, MAY 17th BESSARABIA TO BE JOINED

which the whole wishes on

RELEASE OF COMBATANT PRISONERS.

LONDON, May 17th.

The Press. Bureau, in order to correct ů misapprehension, has officially stated that the Government has for a consider- great aims were only obtainable able period advocated the release of t TO ROUMANIA,

absolute loyalty between the Allies combatant prisoners of war for interz- (Checrs) Mr. Balfour emphasised that LONDON, May 16th discussion of the action of foreign statesment in a neutral country but not for Anissage from Bukharest says that men and the motives of a foreign Parlia repatriation. It has been only possible. the Premier, M. Marghileman, states ment and duties of foreign Armies would to apply the policy to officers and non- that Bessarabia in its entirety, except be absolutely fatal, to any alliance commissioned officers because Germany it more difficult to carry out the task vates, With regard to the repatriation frontier, will be joined to Roumania.

which could be accomplished it all the of It combatants, the Government had great – Allies remained unanimous, but always acted in consultation with the FUTURE OF JEWRY IN

watch would be Jost irretreviably if any Allies. PALESTINE.

breach was allowed to creep in between them (Cheers.)

Twelve tone of bombs were dropped on

Major-General Maurice, in the Daily Menin, Chaulnes and Perrone, and also Chronicle, says that two-thirds of the

Professor Sherrington, of Oxford, on the station and billets at Bapaume, on whole German force in the West are conversations he had with the theologian Bends the Times a memorandum of con- billets south of the Bomme and on the centrated between Ypres and the Oise, or docks at Bruges. All the machines one fifth of the whole Western Front, August, 1907. The Times points out that Professor Troeltsch at Heidelberg" in returned.

We successfully raided on Wednesday it includes the roads to Paris and to

but this is a vitally important sector, for this shows not the smallest chance of such the railway station and sidings at Thion the Channel ports. Within a strip of 50 by Prince Lichnowsky's Memorandum, for a slight rectification of the northern Nothing should be said which would make has hitherto refused to extend it to pri

Germans as Troeltsch being affected ville and dropped twenty-four heavy bombs. Bursts were observed on the sheds miles, which the Allies bald between Troeltsch said that war between Germany and tracks. Furnaces were hit at Carl-Nieuport and Amiens, the main roads shutte and a factory alongside the railway run parallel to the Front, which is most and England was a necessity, because was hit four times. All the machines untatisfactory, because an enemy success England had so much it was abso returned, despite heavy anti-aircraft fire, anywhere would threaten the whole com.lutely necessary for Germany to posses munications, but though the Allied posi in order to fulfil her role as a World- FRENCH RECAPTURE HILL 44.

tion is more cramped than in March State Troeltsch, when asked what posses LONDON, May 15th..

23rd, we, under a unified command, in- sions Gezinany desired, replied Parts 8.50 p.m.

flicted on the enemy very beavy losses, and colonies in many parts of the world. Reuter's Correspondent at the British while the American troops have been Australia South Africa, Hongkong and explaining the aims of the Zionist Com- gathered from Mr. Balfour's statement

India Headquarters, telegraphing this evening. pouring in and an Italian contingent has says:The French have retaken Hill 44 arrived. Generalissimo Foch has been the little eminence south of Diekebusche husbanding his reserves, and he certain- Lake commanding good observation overly now has his reserves where he wante the flat country north of the Mont Cats them, and we are stronger thereby. chain of hills. T

Anxious times are abend, because the The French counter attack developed enemy will probably gain ground where into a prolonged and desperate struggle, the ground is most precious, but provid- the fighting continuing in this regioned we can replace our losses there is no throughout the morning.NA ANDA

reason why we should act check the The Germans several times previously enemy's next blow. tried to take the hill before they ancceeded

in pressing back the French by weight of Aerial Activities.

numbers on May 13th.

A

The weather on the whole battlefield has become blue and sunny and the sky is adrone with our airmen."

ENEMY BOMBING RAIDS.

LONDON, May 16th. 1036 p., Heuter's Correspondent at the British Headquarters, telegraphing to-day, Bags: Most of the fighting Muring the past. twenty-four hours has be aerial,

Last night, taking advantage of the clear, moonlit atmosphere, the Germans carried out a series of bombing raids against the back areas of the Allied zones. Our aeroplanes were ceaselessly busy over territory where the Germans were thickest and where their communications are most vulnerable.

officer,

lately

[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] THE PARIS RAIDS.

PARIS, May 16th.

It is officially stated that the air raid alarm was sounded at ten o'clock this morning

The guns opened fire and defending aeroplanes ascended. AS AN

No enemy machines reached Paris, but bombs were dropped on the suburbs.

The All Clear was rounded at mid- night.

SEAPLANES BOMB FOLA.

A German non-commissioned

LONDON, May 18th captured, throw light on the disappoint. An Italian communique states Sen ment the Germans sustained in their un plane, bombed Pola and brought down Goccessful attack on the Belgian front on two enemy machines. They returned un May 17th

harmed.

KARL'S VISIT TO KAISER

CURTAILED,-

Zorice, May 16th Polish circles in Berlin athrm that the Emperor Kari curtailed his visit to Ger man Headquarters, owing to Kaiser Wilhelm's rejection of the Austrian colu. tion of the Polish question.

CENTRAL-POWERS'

MENT.

LONDON May 10th.

Mr Asquith expressed satisfaction that HIS MAJESTY AND AMERICAN Speaking at an official dinner at the the Government would not close the door.

LABOURITES. Governite of Jerusalem Dr. Weizmann, upon any lionourable peace offer. Be

mission, said that Jewry was returning that the report in the Press regarding

LONDON, May 16th. to Palestine to again create a great President Poincare's demand for Alsac

The Lorraine of 1814, cabled on May 14th was

Their: Majesties the King and Quee moral and intellectual centre. Zionists desired to create conditions without foundation as far as Mr. Balfour Bave a reception at Buckingham Palaes under which the development of the know. He was also glad to hear that such to the American Labour Delegation, Jewish people would not be a detriment demand was never countenanced by His Majesty, welcoming the Delcga- to any of the great communities already Great Britain and had not been the tion, hoped that the delegates opportuni established in Palestine. All fears ex- eettled policy of the French Government ties of judging Britain's war effort pressed openly or secretly by the Arabs While there ought to be no contraction would enable them to assure the people that they would be ousted from their there ought to be no extension of the of the United States that we were doing and nean to continue doing our utmost. present position were unfounded. The Allied war aims. (Cheers,) Jews did not intend to take the supreme

LATER The King trusted that the lady dele- political power of Palestine in their GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER gatce would be able to give & satisfac- AGREE hands after the war Jews and Arabs

BONA TIDE PEACE OFFER..

tory report of the manner in which "alike had carefully watched the fates of

British women had come forward to re- Albania and Russia. Modern scif

In the course of further debate Lord place the men and how efficiently they AMSTERDAM, May 17th

government needed a long and hard ap Robert Cecil, referring to the Reuter had carried on. prenticeship under trained and trust interview, cabled on May 3rd declared His Majesty added. It has always The Vossuche Zeitung's Correspondent worthy teachers The Zionists desired that not one syllable he uttered then could at Vienna bas reported that agreements the supreme pohtical authority of Pales be construed by any fair-minded man to been my dream, which the war has ful- filled, that the Anglo-American nationis similar to those of Germany and Austine to be vested in one of the civilised mean that any German peace offer must should work together in close and har tria-Hungary will be concluded between democratic Powers to be selected by the be rejected. He emphasised that the monious relations towards ideals of pre the Central Powers and Bulgaria zad League of Nations. This Power should Government was as desirous of Turkey. Definite decisions have been hold Palestine in trust until self any member of the House of Commons reached regarding Austria's armed assist.

government was practicable, Jewry and would consider any peace offer, pro ance on the Western Front,

would choose that Power and would an-vided it came from a reputable trust nounce its opinion thereon after the war worthy source. A Zionist, did not believe that the inter Referring to Russia, Lord Robert Cecil nationalisation of Palestine or any form of multiple politics; control could be tolerated. The Armenian massacres in the Caucasus and the recent Jewish massacre in Turkestan showed that the Arab, Jew and Armenian must stand united in order to resist the forces of darkness and oppression which were threatening to overwhelm the civilised world:

--- IRISH QUESTIONS.

LONDON, May 17th The Daily Chronicle states that the Government is considering the expediency of launching a scheme of voluntary re- cruiting in Ireland on the lines of the Lord Derby scheme. In the meantime, the drafting of the Home Rule Bill is pro gressing

•peace as

BCs and civilisation common to both peoples. He hoped that after the war they should stand together.

Mr. McCormick, one of the delegates, assured the King that the Delegation was impressed by the magnitude of Britam's emphasised that Great Britai was efforts. Be said America would not be anxious to do all she could to assist the behind in her contribution to the com- Russian people. Great Britain desired to mon cause see Russia a great and powerful non Ger. man, if not an Allied, country.

Supporting the idea of a league of Nations, Lord Robert Cecil emphasised that such could be successfully established only on the basis of just and durable territorial arrangements.

— THE SILVER MARKET.

LONDON, May 15th. The silver market is steady.