1918-06-17 — Page 6

THE WAR.

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

Branco-Belgian Front,

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] BRITISH FRONT- RAIDS AND PATROL ENCOUNTERS

LONDON, June 14th.

2.05 p.m.

Field Marshat Sir Douglas Haig ro ports We carried out successful rains last night in the neighbourhoods of

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, JUNE 17TH, 1919,

THE BATTLE OF THE FORESTS.

Thus the chemy's whole front was thrown into a state of confusion on the third day, and on the following day he merely attempted local attacks, but with out result. If to day passes without fresh offorts we may concludo for the present that the enemy has had enough, and that the army which stopped the first rush in March enn claim the honour of bringing the third onslaught to a standstill.:

The object of the enemy in this battle

French experts, who loudly praise Generalissimo Foch's handling of troops, point out that he is, though in a much lesser degree, now enjoying an advantage previously possessed by the Gormans, namely, the ability to quickly move troops to different points, as the French in the present battle occupy the interior of a semi-circle

ENEMY COMMUNICATIONS THREATENED.

General,

(TEROUGH REUTER'S, ADENOT.] UNUSUAL TRAFFIC FROM PARIS.

JEWS URGED TO JOIN ALLIES.

ATHENS, June 14th. The Jewish newspapers at Salonika publish a communique from the Grand

the front and fight for the Allies. Rabbi urging the Jews in Greece to go to

SHANGHAI TANK WEEK.

PARIS, June 14th. Le Temps says the spectacle of carriages and omnibuses, crowding to the stations full of luggage must not be regarded as indicating a general exodus in conse quence of the German offensive, though undoubtedly many people are taking to

SHANGHAI, June 14th, During the British Tank Week at their usual holiday resorts valuables, heirlooms, title deeds, etc Such precau-equivalent to nearly £71 per capite, the Shanghai Britons subscribed £429,605, tions are quite natural in the present Allies £14,500, and Noutrals, £5,200.

During a sabsequent Chinese Tank

which is a most gratifying testimonial to the Chinese good feeling towards Great Britain.

LONDON, June 13th. French experts point out that the French left wing thraatens the enemy com- was the possession of the forests barring munications in the centre more immedi-

ately than the German left wing threatens circumstances. Compiegne, while the Germans lost thirty

the approaches to Paris on the north

This battle of the forests will be re

HOLLAND'S FOOD SHORTAGE.

UNITED STATES MEASURES DELAYED

WASHINGTON, June 4th. The Dutch steamers Stelia and Just which some time ago were authorised to load cereals for Holland, have completed their cargoes and are ready to sail, but the owners, for some reason, have instructed. thom not to anil. This action unfor- tunately delays the American Govern ment's measures for the relief of Hol owing to which the land's immediate urgent food shortage, American Govern- ment undertook to assemble bread and cereals at convenient ports of embarka

Neuville-Vitasse and Givenchy-La Bass membered as another victory for the Divisions in obtaining a maximum ad- BRITISH TRADE AFTER THE Week the Chinese subscribed £110,100, tion so that the shipments could be made

Patrol encounters were to our advan tage south-westward of -- Guvrelle and.

north-westward of Merville.

A strong attack early to-day on our new post south westward of Merris was, completely repulsed.

French command and the indomitable

French, infantry.

AMERICAN REPORT.

LONDON, June 14th.

10.00a.m.

An American communiqui, imued yog sterday, slates:We captured the last There was active hostile artillery fringerman position at RadenjeWood vester. in the Villas-Bretonnens sector and in day afternoon, and 30′ prisoners.

the Scarpe Valley,

AERIAL OPERATIONS.

Loston, June 18th-

11.65 p.m.

Our squadrons" on the French front destroyed" 15-enemy, neroplanes, Some

One British machine is missing.

Heavy enemy attacks on Thursday ca a one-and-half milog front on the line. "ins." Bollenu Bouresches, precoded by an i tense artillery fire, completely broke down, leaving our positions intact. The enemy's losses were severe.

Our alingt en the night of June 12th

foll in flames and otlages broke in the air. effectively borbed the stations at Dom

mary nud Baroncourt, north-westward of Metz All, nur machines returned.

POWERFUL GERMAN COUNTER-

On the British front we destroyed five Gerinan. machines and drove down two

uncontrollable. Two British machines are missing,

We dropped 22 tons of bonibs in the. day-time on various targets, including junction, leg railways at Courtiai, Armentières and Clauines, a dump at

on unetes at Bapaume, and dineks at Bruges

Minny heavy bombs were dropped on Aletablon railway station and sidings during two successful raids yesterday

afternoon.

A squadron to-day attacked Treves, station, and another squadron dropped a ton of bombs on factories and station at Dillingen-

Direct hita were observed on two

furnaces at Dillingen.

Simultaneously factories and the station nt Hagendangen were subjected to attack. Enemy aircraft attacked oar bombers Ono«ierman teroplane was destroyed and were driven down One British

ranchine is missing

SUCCESSFUL OPERATION.

LONDON, June 13th.

10.50 p.m. Field Marshal, Sir Douglas Haig re ports A successful operation in the neighbourhood of Merrin yielded 18-pr sonera, six machine guns and a trench morter.

FRENCH FRONT.

ENEMY DRIVEN BACK

LONDON, June 11th."

er: 1.30 p.m.✨ Reuters Correspondent at French Headquarters, telegraphing last evening states: --The only enemy move to-day was an unsuccessful attack at- Courcelles.

The enemy seems to have accepted de feat along the rest of the front between Montdidier and the Oise.

The German advance during the past five days of the battle has been along and enst of Matz Valley. They were not only stopped west of the valley, but in some enses were driven back beyond their original departure line. Their progress elsewhere is due to the topographical con ditions favouring the enemy,

FRENCH RECAPTURE ENEMY

GAINS

LONDOS, June 14th.

ATTACK.

PARIS, June 14th.

A communlyné states: The Germans powerfully counter-attacked, between Courcelles and north of Mers, but were caught by our fire and compelled to retire to their starting point, with heavy lossy and without approaching our positions,

The material captured in our attacks on June 11th includes 10 guns, of which four were benvy gens, and numerous machine-guns

rance of eight kilometres. The experts admit that there will probably be more hours of anxiety. They point out that the driving in of the enemy's centre has always been a favourite tactic -- of General von Hindenburg, hence the re. gion of the "Aisne must be carefully watched

FRENCH CONSOLIDATING

POSITIONS?

Panis, June 13th. A communiqué, states:-The o

e enemy did not renew the attack between Montdidier and the region of Antheuil, and we con- solidated our positions. On our right, counter-attack enabled us to throw back the enemy. On the right bank of the Ricard and Melicy. We took a hun Matz, we reoccupied the heights of Croix dred prisoners and some machine-gutis

Fighting continued violently between the Aisne and the forest of Villera Cottereta. The Germans progressed as fur us the ravine east of Laversine, and, after a desperate struggle, gained a foot ing in Courres and St. Pierre Aigle, The ceny violently attacked the front of Bortresches and Belleau Wood.

American troops shattered the attack inflicting heavy losses on the enemy and entirely maintained their gains.

The day was quiet between the Oise and battlefield. the Aisne

Thụ chemy south of the Aisne continued hig drive between the Aisne and the Forest Villers-Cattorets but was repulsed at

· FRENCH POSITIONS RESTORED / The enemy gained a footing in the village, Laversine, h

All

his attempts to debouɑn · from Coeuvres and advanes west of Vertchenille Farm completely failed

The enemy did not renew his attacks

in the afternoon.

The Germans momentarily penetrated our lines north of Corey, but were ejected, and we restored our positions entirely. There was lively artillery firing in the region of Cure and in the direction of Champlat and La Pontelle

There was quiet elsewhere.

OPERATIONS IN THE AIR. Our bombing squadrons yesterday dropped 16 tons of projectiles in the battle-zone and 25 tons at night on June 13th-13th on cantonments, convoys, march- ing troops and the enemy rear." They bombed also the villages Ricquebourg, Ressons-sur-Matz, Orvilles Sorel, and the regions of Boye and Nuignicourt,

"Several fires were observed.

Sixteen enemy aeroplanes were folled or disabled

Thirteen enemy machines were felled by gunfire during the first week of June. ENEMY HELD ON WHOLE OF NEW FRONT,

LONDON June 14th. 27.15 am.

The Germans yesterday continued to push westwards near Soissons, where they are trying to envelop Villers-Cotttrets forest and squeeze out the French who. remains north of the Aisne Their effort had little result. They were held on the 1,60 m Noyon, while between the Aisne and whole new front between Montdidier and Reuter's Correspondent at French Villers Cotterets forest they have only Headquarter telegraphing yesterday progressed about two miles in two days, afternoon, stated:-Along the Matz the though they succeeded in effecting a lodge- counter-attack pushed back the enemy, ment at three points north of the forest, whereby we recaptured the whole of the Such lodgements, however, are of little enemy's yesterday's gains.

value.

This morning our infantry cleared out the last enemy remnants from Melicourt,

on the south bank of the Matz

This battle, in which the fighting has reverted to the primitive stage, tronches are practically nonexistent, the com- Between the Aisne and Villers-Cotterets batants using natural cover, creeping forest the enemy, attacking on a front of behind bushes and in cornfields, even four miles, crossed the Dommiers platonu, camouflaging their helmets with grass

and obtained a footing on the west side leaves, of the raving - soparating it from the

GERMAN REPORT.

LONDON, June 13th.

10.55 p.m.

WAR.

FAR-REACHING RECOMMENDA-

TIONS.

LONDON, June 14th." Further important reports by the Board of Trade Departmental Committes. cover innumerable aspects with regard to safeguarding British trade after the war.

without delay

Besides the cargoes of the Stella and Java, 15,000 tons moro have been await ing transport to Holland at American ports for ten days and as much more las IMPORTANT CONFERENCE IN since been arranged to he wendy whenever

stenmiere arrive to load it,

JAPAN

The War Trade Board to-day authorises the Dutch steamer Ceylon, under contrace LONDON, June 14th.

to return from the Dutch Indies to the The Times Correspondent at Tokio, United States, to make a trip from dava Far-reaching recommendations are those telegraphing on June 7th, stated to Saigon and return with a cargo of Council of Field-Marshals was held to rice to Java before fulfilling her engage- in connection with the iron and steel day. It was attended by Prince Fushimi, ment This concession is made at the Prince Yamagata Count Oku, Count request of the Netherlands Charge do trades. It is suggested that iron and Torauchi and Count Kuwamaru also Affaires de Beaufort, owing to the short- steel manufacturers form national export the Minister of War and Chief of Staff.

age

of fondstoffs in Java. selling and marketing organisations; that It is understood that a Conference of sidered the interest of another Dutch

The War Trade Board Also anti-dumping legislation on the Canadian-Marshals and Admirals of the Colony and has agreed to facilitate the plan be introduced; that the Fleet will meet on June 10th. economic policy of Great Britain and the toms duties be imposed on all impotes Dominions be co-ordinated; and that Cus iron and steel and the manufactures thereof

The Asakt says-To-day's Conference abolition of the brigade system, and the considered the adoption of the Corps ayatem similar to the Germans, the increase of the army to 25 Corps, con sisting of two divisions cach of three regiments. Alterations are also contem- plated in the Navy.

Other recommendations are that foreign traders should only be allowed in Great Britain under licence, and that | bunkering facilities should be withheld

within the Empire from shipping lines FRENCH NATIONAL DEFENCE giving unfair freight preferences against British goode

Empire mining concessions be granted to It is further recommended thấp no Allen individuals or to companies with

out Government sanction.

POSITION OF THE TEXTILE-

TRADES.

BONDS.

the Minister of Finance stated that the

PARIS, June 14th: In the Senate, during the Budget Debate month of May, 1917, had hitherto Feld the record for sales of National Defence Bonds, namely Fes 1,231,000,000 This was exceeded last May, when the total

These figures are the most eloquent view of the trials of France which Paris is at present enduring.

ITALY'S CREDIT-

states:Strong French counter-attacks xental Committee, under the Chairmanscribed Fcs 926,000,000 compared with A wireless Gennan official report An exhaustive report by the Depast-Was Reg. 1,032,000,000. Paris alone sub south westward of Noyon broke down, ship of Siz John Henry Birchenough, Fes. 805,000,000 in May last year with very heavy losses.

Y |K.C.M.G has been issued, dealing with Over 60 armoured cars are lying on the the post-war position of the textile trades, in which it is recommented that, in view Our prisoners are now 15,000.

of the serious shortage of wool the We have captured 150 gans, The cneniv Government should convene an early con- captured some of dat guns.

ference of the representatives of Austra drove back the enemy beyond Outry and active control of the distribution of We attacked southward of the Aisne,lia, New Zealand, and South Africa in to formulate a scheme for the Domtnters, and cleared out the wool grown within their territories from the region of Savieres, capturing Special efforts should be made to secure

ALLIED ARMIES DECISIVE CSNEVENGE

PA, June 13th

On the occasion of the anniversary of the arrival of the first American troops in France President Poincaré telegraph Allies are at present passing through the ed President Wilson as follows: The hardest hours of the war, but the rapid formation of the new American units and the incessant increase in maritime trans port is unfailingly conducting us to wards the day when the equilibrium will be re-established and the balance will swing in our favour. The Allied armies will take a decisive revenge on the enemy and by a common victory lay the founda Lion of peace cart sponding with your solently laid down principles."

The Balkans.

[IHBODOH REUTER'S AGENCY.].

FRENCH SUCCESSES IN ⠀

MACEDONIA.

LONDON, June 14th A French Eastern comuniqué states: Operations on Mounts Kamia and Lepia have been successful.

We advanced on the summit of Coratop to the source of the Skumbi, also on Mount Kukri, and penetrated into Lina prenter, and p

On the left we hold Gopes. a front of eight kilometres.

Our advance is 15 kilometres deep on We captured 11 villages, considerable booty, and over 300 prisoners.

Naval Activities.

THROUGH BLUTER'S AGENCY.]

SUBMARINISM GREATLY

LESSENED.

an extended growth of cotton within the Empire, also tax, and the extention of

Rose, June 14th."

In the Chamber, the Finance Minister declared that Italy's internal credit was better than before Detober, 1918

DISPUTES.

WHITLEY COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

the system of commerciil attachés to all THE SETTLEMENT OF LABOUR the Einbussies abroad dan St

It is also recommended that for at

year after the war the import and Icast export of toxtiles, including raw textile materials, between the Empire and chesty licence and Austria-Hungary for States should be prohibited except under

period after the war, anti-dumping legislation upon the lines adopted by the United States, and preferential trade within the fmpire.

a special duty on imports from

IMPERIAL WAIE CABINET.

SECOND SITTING.

LONDON, June 13th The second sitting of the Imperial War Cabinet was held to-day,

LONDON, June 14th.

shipatent of a cargos of flour from the Argentine to Dutch Guiana. This is in

States to Dutch Guiana and Caracas, addition to shipments of flour which have already been authorised from the United

BRITAIN'S FOOD SUPPLY SITUATION REASSURING,

LONDON, June lath

On the eve of the completion of Lord Rhondda's first year as Food Controller. Mr. J. N. Clynes, the Assistant Food

said that although in the future a short- Controller, in a statement inade to Preas representatives at the House of Commons, age of certain articles which must bo transported long distances might occur, the country would never again have to undergo a period of trial and suffering. none of the helligerent countries were the like that of last autumn and winter

In civil populations so composed and assured

regards the food situation as in Great Britain We had done very much better in half a year than Germany, with all her boasted organizing ability, had done in two years.

AFFAIRS IN RUSSIA.

RUSSIA ACCEPTS GERMAN PROMISE!

LONDON, June 13th Awire Russian ofetal mossago saya that, in compliance with Geranny demands, all Russian warships at Novo Rossisk have been ordered to be trans

further report in which it disapproves was fundamental condition for the ferred to Sebastopol, Germany promising not to use them before a general peace. The Whitley Committee has presented and then to return them to Russia. This of any system of compulsory arbitration cessation of hostile action on the Ukraini of labour disputes, and also disapproves an front and also for all farther Russo- of any scheme of conciliation which will German negotiations and agreements. compulsorily suspend strikes and lock. outs,

PRUSSIAN ELECTORAL

The report recommends a standing Arbitration Council, to which disputes could be voluntarily referred.:

THE SILVER MARKET.

LONDON, June 14th. The silver, market is steady.

REFORM.

LONDON, June 13tb. Yesterday's suffrage vote in the Prus- sian Diet signifies the triumph of Con servatism and the death-blow to the pro mised democratisation of the Prussian Parliament. The Socialist Deputies. derided the Government's talk of dissolu- merely Hindenburg's puppet..

A feature of this year's Conferences as that the Dominions Ministers have teen furnished with rooms in the offices of the War Cabinet, Whitehall Gardens.

A Parliamentary supper will be given AUSTRALIA AND THE WAR. tion, saying that the Government was

the Dominions representatives in the Royal Gallery of the House of Lords, on June 21st, by the United Kingdom branch of the Empire Parliamentary Association. SECOND CABINET MAY BE ADOPTED.

LONDON, June 14th." The Daily Telegraph states there is reason to believe that, with the view of relieving the War Cabinet of the over whelming pressure of work, it has been decided to establish a second, or domestic, Cabinet to deal with purely home affairs, Sir George Cave may be appointed Giaison Minister to co-ordinate the action of the two Cabinets, both of which he will be a member.

The War Cabinet

will thus become a Teal Imperial Cabinet, forming the nucleus of any scheme of federation that may be eventually adopted.

INDIA'S SHARE IN EMPIRE'S DEFENCE.

LONDON, June 13th. PARIS, June 14th The Mararajah Patiala, who is repre

NEW INDUSTRIES FOR RETURNED AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS.

MELBOURNE, June 13th,

CRITICISM OF GERMAN WAR OFFICE.

INTOLERABLE

The Federal Repatriation Department's WAR CORRESPONDENTS REPORTS expert committees are inquiring into the question of starting new industries for returned soldiers, including the construc tion of cement bous and the manufae- ture of telephone instruments.

THE WHEAT CROP.

The Acting Premier, Mr. Watt, has in formed the State Minister of Agriculture that the Commonwealth will be unable to undertake to guarantee the 1019-1920 wheat crop, but guarantees 4/4 per bushol

crop.

on the 1918-1919.

IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT PUR CHASES WOOL

LONDON, June 13th.

A telegram from Melbourne states that

sum of

AMSTERDAM, June 13th.

In the Reichstag much criticism was levelled at the War Office. The practice was denounced of affording subscribers to the War Loan favoured treatment with regard to military leave.

War correspondents reports were ridi culed, and it was asserted that the soldiers at the front have written that correspondents' nonsense is intended for home comsumption and is becoming intolerable.

EXCHANGE OF WAR- PRISONERS.

LONDON, June 13th. In the House of Commons, the Right

A semi-official report states that subsenting the Princes of India at the the Imperial Government has purchased marinigm has lessened greatly in the Imperial War Cabinet, interviewed by the whole of Australia's wool clay for the western and central English Channel Reuter, said, apeaking on behalf of the since the blockading of Zeebrugge and ruling Princes, what India, had done was period of the war and a year after. The Ostend. The number of submarines only a foretaste of what she will do

first two clipe will involve a in operating has also appreciably diminish to-day was more sure than ever of the ensure the financial stability Hon. Evelyn Cecil asked As exchange

defence of the common Empire. India

£100,000,000 This is the largest wool ded owing to the acvere losses during 19- Montigny and Monte Fontaine plateaux achieved has nowhere been uniform, and

Such advance as the Germans have cent months.

greatest justice and humanity of the and ensures of Allied cause, and was proud to take her Australia Although markedly inferior in num- only effected at the heaviest loss. The

full sharo in the great work of removing bers the French are resisting gallantly. latter, indeed, continues a vital factor in BOARDING STEAMER SUNK from the world its greatest menace. Ger FRANCE AND THE BRITISH and the enemy progress is slow and

the strategic situation, together with the The enemy has so far engaged five divi- fact that the Americans weight is begin.

ning to tell.! sions on this battlefield, of whom two were fresh. At present the attack is culties of the enemy in reinforcing his

Correspondents dwell upon the diff apparently only a large diversion with: the object of drawing our, reserves from frontline and filling up gaps in divisions the main battlefield west of the Oise, with men partially recovered from

LONDON, June 13th. The Admiralty announces that so armed, boarding steamer was torpedoed and sunk on June 5thi mercantile crew, are missing.

man propaganda had been active in India, but India would have none of it was no country in the Empire British rule was more valued and

in

COLONIES.

PARIS, June 13th.

prisoners are liable to fight again, will the Government refrain from concluding, any agreement with Germany on the basis that starved British prisoners in Germany are a mat-for-man equivalent. for the better-fed Germania in Britain, especially as such an arrangement would not only be unfair, but would encourage soners in Germany 1

Seven persons, including four of the essential for India, and it was absolutely Commenting on the War Cabinet further cruelties to future British pri

wounds with poor troops withdrawn GERMAN

had been very satisfactory, and it would meetings, Felair says: Everyone in still be more satisfactory, and all require-France appreciates the heroism sad

Would

ling devotion with which the British Colonies, ments: where since Tuesday the enemy had con- from Russia, and miners and workmen

be fully met. Begarding TORPEDO SINKS sistently the worst of the fighting. On hurriedly mobilised. But a serious fea

any menace towards India, owing to the including Africa, Canada and Australia, DUTCH LUGGER, June 11th the enemy sought by a general turs is the fact that the Bavarian Crown

Russian debacle, India will be quite have contributed in every shape and form ready to do

to pre necessary

their material and moral assistance to attack in great force to transform the Prince still retains the bulk of the reserves

YMTIDEN, June 13th vent the Introducin

of German influence, Mother Country, in the Allies struggle terribly costly successes of the first two intact, which he can use wherever he likes, The Dutch lugger Helena was torpedoed political or commercial, and maintain the against the Germanic power. The French days' fighting into a decisive victory, either in Flanders or east of Rheims and sank without warning by but the intention was foiled by a French There are thus still incalculable hazards in submarine. Me pas mal gerinan: integrity of our borders. We can also people, accordingly, will unanimously rely concerning this on the promise of approve such new measures Be may be counter-attack which broke up his pre- the battle, in which the Germans are fight- Three men were killed in a boat by His Majesty the Amir, who has already adopted with a view to giving further parations, restoring to us au important ing against time. The Allies are suffer shell spilators after they had left she afforded such convincing proofs of loyalty force to the importance of this agust- series of positions.

ing from a lack of manevring room. lugger.

to his word

ance."

Mr. Hope replied that the British Delegates at The Hague were fully aliye to these considerat ons

RACING PROHIBITED.

LONDON, June 13th. The Government has decided, in view of the strain on the railways, not to allow

ing during the winter.