1918-07-31 — Page 5

Page

THE

WAR.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JULY S18r, 1918

ALLIED PRESSURE RENDERS ENEMY'S POSITION INTOLERABLE;

GERMAN RETREAT BIGGER THAN ANTICIPATED.

GERMAN ECONOMIC--COUNCIL

INAUGURATED.

Franco-Belgian Bront.

LATENT CABLES, [THROUGH REUTER'S, AGENCY.)

BRITISH FRONT.

AUSTRALIANS CAPTURE

TRENCHES.

LONDON, July 20th.

12.05 p.m. Field-Mambal Sir Douglas Haig re- ports: ----The Australians in the Morlan-

NET RESULT OF GERMAN

RETREAT.

LONDON, July 20th

6.20 n.m.

The net result of the German retreat so far has been the Allied advance of or 8 miles on a front of 20 miles, the capture of a score of villages and several important forests, The most valuable result strategically is the restoration of fie Allies! great Paris--Chateau Thierry Chalons railway, whereby the Cham.

EARLIER CABLES.

ENEMY WITHDRAWING QUICKLY.

FRENCH ENTER FERE-EN TARDENOIS.

PARIS, July

the

LONDON, July 28th.

.9.30 p.m.

A communiqué states:-North of the Reuter's Correspondent at French Mame we continued to advance in the Headquarters, tal-graphing at 2.30 this region of the Oureq. afternoon, stats:-This morning we

Notwithstanding the resistance of the reached a line of the Ource along itsey, who attempted to prevent our passage of the river, we succeeded in whole course. Yesterday morning its

throwing back advanced elements to the headwaters were deep in the German

right bank, lines. The encuy is making an obstinate Stand on the Hunks, chiefly on the left| of our advance, where he is endeavouring hold the north bank of the Ouren

We entered Fere-en-Tardenois North-east of the, Forest Riz we renched Champvoisy,

Our troops on

the night captured

In Champagne two ends attempts, preceded by a bombardment, in the re gion south of hill (?) were repulsed.

against our pressure from the south, while Authenay, Onlizy, and Violajoe, und his lank is arened by General Mangin'brought our time appreciably nearer the ariny along the

Soissons Chateau Rheims-Dormans road, Thierry road north of the Onrey, Under a triple pressure from the west, South | and cast the Germans are withdrawing in the south facing, the centre of their fine as quickly as is compatible with safety, and is holding desperately to nis flanks in order to give the centre, dime to escape.

Court sector captured two lines of trenches Pagne front is best revictualled and GERMAN SITUATION EXTREMELY..

which is the winst important factor in future developments Action may now slow down, and even become stabilised for a time between Soissons and Rheins, where the Germans, apparently, are con The Canadians twice sucessfully raidcentrating in great force, but the fact

on a two miles front astride the Bray. Corbie road capturing 100 prisoners and a number of machine-guns.

The enemy's casualties were heavy. but ours were light,

ed in the wighbourhood of Cavrelle

PRISONERS AND GUNS CAPTURED.

LONDON, July 20th. 10.25 p..

DIFFICULT.

[TimorGH HAVAS AGENCY.

COLLAPSE OF ENEMY RESIST ANCE.

PARIS, July 28th.

•

A Hava Ageney Anessage states:- The Germans, are in full reprent in the Soissons Rheims salient on a 2-mile front and are being closely pursued by the Allied troops.

Under the blows delivered with renewed power by Generissime Foch, their resist

The enemy has concentrated numerous heavy guns north of the Oure in order to hold back the pressure on two sides at the angle of their line. Practically all the German communications north of the Oureq are wider the fire of General Fancs north of the Marne his collapsed. Mangin's guns.

The northern bank of the river has thus been completely cleared to a depth of about ten miles. -

remains that the enemy is badly beaten. He not merely do not hold a single inch of the ground he gained on July 15th, Unquestionably the situation of

the but within a fortnight has been forced to Germans holding the west-facing flank Sir Douglas Haig states: In a success. abandon nearly half the advantages gain-orth of the Ousej is extremely difficult. ful minor qeration on the night of Julyed by the offensive on May 27th.

GERMANS ADOPT SOMME RETREAT SYSTEM.

24th in the Morlincouri sector we took Yo prisoner and 36 machine-guns.

We gained all our objectives and bent off # cómiterattacks, inflicting losses,

FRENCH FRONT.

ALLIED PROGRESS ACCENTUATED.

LONDON, July 9th

7.20 8.10. Reuter's Carréspondent "at" American Headquarters, telegraphing yesterday afternoon, sutes: Thanks to the dense dds the whole enemy has been able to delay advancing parties and to hold up thousands with nests of machine-guts. Hence the enemy's losses' are infinitesimal compared with the time gained. He has saved most of his guns, although obliged to destroy his aminunition.

WILL THE ENEMY CONTINUE TO

RETIRE?

LONDON, July 9th. Reuter's Correspondent at French Headquarters, telegraphing yesterday, states--The

The question now is, will the enemy settle down to resistance on the plateau south of the Vesle, or continue his retire ment to the heights between the Veste and the Aisne. The answer will dependin upon the extent of his losses and the number of his reserves, and there are indications that so far his. Insses have not been excessive It is regarded at bust as certain that the salient will be flattened to a straight line from Soissons to Rheins, which will alone shorten the Allied line by 30 miles and lessen the demands for the Allied reserves..

The French papers are discussing the| causes for the retreat. Some attribute it to the fall of Ougby-le-Chateau, and others state that the brilliant. British at tack on Marfaux and Chaumuzy, is re-

The abandonment of the Marne, how-sponsible, because it increased the threat ever, which the enemy" held as long as Fon Fisnes, which is the key to the whole possible in order to keep the important salient. railway from Epernay Chatenu Thierry under observation will consider. ably accentuate our progress. Indeed, the prots has itready quickened.

to

Already it is certain that the enemy will not stand on the Oure. No doubt, when we reich bis prepared positions, we, will find the enemy in great strength.

What the decans have chiefly suffered is an immense setback to their plans, and possibly they will not be able to recover Before the end of the campaigning season,

ENEMY LINE RENDERED INTOLERABLE.

LONDON, July 20th.

7.30 a..

enemy is falling back

The bulge made on July 27th has been recubed by half

To cover the retreat of the forces in his coutre, the enemy continues to cling with desperate determination to the vital flank positions, south of Soissons and sith-west of Rheims, but both sides are

·LATENT CABLES.

• (THROUGH REUTER'S AGENOT.)

Qn the chess-bond system adopted hard-pressed, while in the centre the the, Somme pétreat in March Allied cavalry, supported by infantry, 1017. The smooth working of this are hot on the heels' of the Germans.. operation is greatly hampered by General the daring, of ou infantry and light tanks, also by our sirmen. It is claimed that the light tanks are doing at least as THE POLICY OF IMPERIAL much for the French advance as German infantry cannon are doing for the enemy. The battle northwards of the Ourcq at present is stationary

PREFERENCE

NOT FATAL TO THE LEAGUE OF

NATIONS.

LONDON, July 29th.

In the House of Commons, "replying 16.

EARLIER CABLES. TURKESTAN PROCLAIMED A

REPUBLIC.

AMSTERDAM, July 28th.

FORGED PASSPORTS CASE. DEFENDANTS PLEAD THAT THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS. At the Mixed Couri, Shanghai, on July The National Congress of Turkestan 25th before Mr. Grant Jones, British, has proclaimed the Government of Assessor and Magistrate. Kuan, Otto Turkestan, also the Trans-Caspian Khiva Selke, formerly editor of the War, and and Bokhara, a republic allied to Russia. Waber Rohr were charged in connexion with the attempte, alleged to have been The Excentive comprises eleven Mohom, medans, and a Republican Commissary

made by them, to reach Germany by mengs of forged passports. is attached to the Emir of Bokhary as ndviser.

GERMANY'S' ECONOMİC

n

COUNCIL.

AMSTERDAM July 28 The Cologne Giarette reports that German Economic Council, has been augurated. Representatives of the terior, Foreign, Finance, Railways, dud War Ministries, War Pond Board, Press, Bureau and other departments at tended. The President of the Nations!. Bank. Herr Schacst, who presided, dwelt

upon the world-wid) economic importance of Great Britain's adoption of Imperial preferences

Under Secretary of Finance Schiffer said the Council would endeavour

to establish close economie-relations between The Central Powers

Mr. R. E. Nowman, Police Legal Adviser, appeared for the prosecution. and Dr. Fischer interpreted for the defen- dant

Mr. Grant Janes nunend the deci sion of the Court overruling the abjection to the jurisdiction of the Court, raised by ile defendants

-Rohr, speaking in his defence,

protested against this decision and said he would try and obtain a decision from a higher not possible for him to go into the facts court on the matter. It was consequently of the ease and he limited himself to tion. He was not prepared to give replying to the allegations of the prosci da. He pleaded not guilty” to charge

evi-

Defendant submitted that the prosecu passport or used it in Shangin. This the tiva did not prove he had accepted the

Prosecution, could not do. He denied having attempted to do so. The fact that. having used the passport in Shanghai or he was arrested in Haviin on a different charge from that proceeded on in Court. was one which should tell in his favour.

Defendant further pointed out that the passport was issued by, the Bolshevik ernment was not recognized by the Chi- Government of Vladivostock. This Go

nese Governmight and, therefore, the pass in the legal sense. It could not, therefore, port in question could not be a document to forged or illegally unul. The rise of worthless, in the case as he was not re- the Russian Consul-Genern was also

Dr. Waiter Schotte, who is president of the new Council, declared the problem which must be solved was the economie linking up of Central Europe with the gnised by the Bolshevik government jest of the world, concerning which a they fact that he had been prosecuted in Defendant then proceeded to criticize tarif union with Austria Hungary subjeds in England were not prosecuted this connexion, and submitted that engmy caune of world-wide importaper. The for travelling ander forged passports. next task would be the economic cultiva

The criminal law was not intended for tines of war and especially in China tion of the Near East and Far East where it was never foremen that foreign against British and American competi. Defendant then went on to instance the ers would reue under its stipulations. tion.

The Council should also enforce Shanghai. Disguised; as a sick man be case of the escape of a German from economic pouse in Europe and re-establish and America. He tried to get home from

was able to leave Shanghai for Japa supplies of raw material. from overseas. New York on an Italian steamer with a he was identified as a German by the Swiss passport. On arriving at viibraltur British authorities in spite of his Swiss

--

Passpor

The Assessor--Were there any altçın- tions to the passport

Dr. Fischert was a Swiss passport.. island. He has since saped,

He was simply sent to a camp in Eng-

The preliminary Committee comprises the leading business experts in Germany THE SILVER MARKET,

Losos, July 28th. The Government demand for silver still large and the market in steady.

THROUGH HAVAS AGENCY.). FRANCE AND JAPAN. CONGRATULATIONS TO FRENCH.

TROOPS..

PARIS, July 28th.

A Havas Agency message states that the Japanese Embassy yesterday convey

General Mangin's army is faced by the strongest enemy positions, which are pro terted by a powerin flank fire from the Mr. Lee Smith. Mr. Honar Law said heed to M. Pichon, Minister of Foreign

north bank of the Aistic..

Que of the British divisions with Gen-

He newer was prosecuted by the English authorities The defendant Rohr, continuing bi detence. said he had been getuated in what he did by the noblest of all motives --love for his country and, leaving aside all questions of being friends or enemies, he argued that every honest thinking man would consider his action as a good one and such acts did not form the basis of prosentions in Europe during the war They case of von Papen had nothing to du every proper Englishman would have with false passports. He had done what done in the same position: he had tried to serve his country as a soldier..

Arguing his point as to the absence of submitted that an act could not be -Japanese Government for the valour dis-imanal if the ultimate object was nat vicious. The act for which they were played in the victorious battle now being charged was prompted by pure motives, fought by the French troops.

and their wil, as far as the final object. was concerned, was pure and unselfish JAPANESE INTERVENTION IN and for this reason he submitted they had committed no crime recognized as such by criminal law. Taking all these facts into consideration he felt sure the poliar legal adviser would withdraw the charge. LF he did not do so he appealed to the Court to protect his **buman rights and not declare as a crime an act which never was a crime and never could be su.. Selke intimated that his defence was exactly the same as that of Rohr.

did not, in the least, admit that a policy Affairs, the hearty congratulations of the mato files in what he had done, defendant

of Imperial Preference was fatal to the League of Nations.

erat Mangin engaged in' a local operation whereby much ground was gained,

Replying to further questions, Mr. despite the most obstinate resistance.

Bonar Law said there would lie m oppor GERMAN RETREAT CONTINUED.tunity of carrying out the policy during

war-time, but the Imperial Council had. put itself into line with the 'Dominions" Governments by accepting the principle. (Chicers.)

. Later. Reuter's "Correspondent at French

Headquarters, telegraphing al nine o'clock this morning, states: The Ger. man retreat from the Marne continued during the night.

ENEMY WITHDRAWAL & REAL

· ALLIED VICTORY..

LesDox, July 20th. 3.55 p.. The energy has definitely abandoned the line on the Ouray, and there is little doubt he will retreat behind the Vesle, which will give him a pretty straight line between Soissons and Rheims. This very good line, probably well entrenched, bas good, communications with the rear, and has also three railway lines behind the

An American ofeial report states:- front. The villages between Soissons and We continue pursuit of the enemy north Bazoches are on fire, apparently indicat-ward of the Marne, despite determined ing that the Germans are about to retreat rearguard actions.

further.

The German

withdrawal from the Reuter's Correspondent at American salient is a real Allied victory, but is in. Hondquarters, telegraphing at nine

nowise a rout. So far only 100 prisoners

f

o'clock last evening, stated: The Ger-and-four guns have been captured.

mans, desperately resisted on the Ville neuve Plateau, which was swept by gun- fre after the French drove off the defen-

ders.

Eventually our batteries turned

NORTH OF THE MARNE

UNCHANGED.

PARIS, July 29th.

A communiqué states:-North of the Marse there was no change at night-time. We captared 100 prisoners here vester- day.

FEW ENEMY PRISONERS TAKEN.

PARIS, July 29th.

AMERICANS IN PURSUIT OF ENEMY.

LONDON, July 29th.

1.50 2.10.

We crossed the Unreg and captured Seringes, Nesles, Sergy and Ronchères. GERMAN RETREAT BIGGER THAN ANTICIPATED.

LONDON, July 28th.

11.50 p.m. This crening's news from France in dicates that the Gemnu retreat, which in no way can be described as a Yout, will be, however, bigger than even at first anticipated,

The French gained everything for an average distance of four miles on a front of 20 piles between the Oureg and the Ardre.

Fere-en-Tardenois is now a position in the German outpost line.

the balance of gun-power, and with the

platean won we had

an ideal gun platform which made the enemy's Oured Hine intolerable. The French and Ameri seane were then able to advance on the open slopes at a rate hitherto impossible through the woods. Mounted troops are proving most useful, but the armoured ears and light tanks are ideal weapons for clearing out the nests both on the ground, in the trees, and on

order to enable the main body to get gunning platforms. The trees served the enemy away. Thus the enemy, loasos are relative- admirably in the forest country. The ly higher in killed than in prisonere, American miksinen made sport of bring-especially in engineering machinery. The On the other hand, the booty is large, ing then down, and, as an officer remark Germans were able to remove their light artillery, but had w abandon their heavy ed, it was like capercailzie shooting. guns, also most of their ammunition

Kun

A semi-official report states --The num ber of prisoners captured in the retreut only advance very cautiously in the is not very high, because the Allies cru

Allied cavalry patrols are pressing for- variegated country which is favourable ward on Chambrecy, despite the enemy's for defence by machine-gun nests, while the Germans left only weak detachments long-range artillery firing and machine with orders to hold on to the last in.

The enemy is strongly reacting, but

where the Allies captured 1,500 prisoners. unsuccessfully, against Mont Sansnom,

The Americans, assisted by the French tonks, are doing well in the A-dre Valley

Mr. Outhwaite Has the Government a mandate to commit the country?

Mr. Bonar Law: No; but the Govern- ment has always a mandate to commit itself.

MUNITION WORKERS STRIKE

ENDED.

LONDON, July 20th. The strike of munition workers (cabled July 20th) has ended. The trouble was

due to the Ministry of Munitions forbid. ding a few firms to engage more skilled labour with a view of enabling other firms, which were understaffed, to secure additional skilled labour.

:

EXPLOSION AT PLAUEN.

ZURICH, July 29th.

As the result of an explosion at a munition works at Plauen 292 were killed. ICELAND A SOVEREIGN STATE-

STOCKHOLM, July 20th. Denmark has acknowledged Iceland as a sovereign state under a common king THE JONAS CONSPIRACY

TRIAL.

VERDICT OF MISDEMEANOR.

LONDON, July 29th. The Jonas

Jonas case, cabled on June 12th, ended in a verdict of guilty of mis-

£2,000 and the scound defendant, Vernon, demeanor" Sir Joseph Jonus was fired £1,000. Defendants were ordered to pay the costs jointly..

SIBERIA.

The French Press commerits Favourably upon Japan's decision to accept the Programmie of Washington,^

In reply, Mr. Newman submitted that the comtaision of the offence started with commissioning Strauss to procure the passports. With regard to the prosecu "intervention, the Russian Consul had called in

The Press say that Japan's decision is of the highest importance, as it achieves the failure of the German intrigues in the East. But it is not right to call the future Siberian campaign tion," as in fact since September, 1914, the Japanese have intervened in the war Japan was first, in co-operation with the British in the capture of Kianehau, then contintious in naval action in the Pacific, and, lustly, it is to be remembered that the security of the Mediterranean was mostly, secured by the Japanese destroyers.

RHEIMS LIE NAILED. WOLFF AUTHORITY" WHO DIED EIGHT YEARS AGO!

BY I PATRICK DEVITTE DAILY EXPRESS " CORIZESPONDENT AT GÈNEVA.]

the palice and alleged that a forgery had been committed with regard to certain documents in which he was interested and from that time the police took the matter up. This forgery was a material altera- tion of the passports and whether the authority which granted the passports with the case. If an unauthorized altera was in dispute or not had nothing to do tin was made in the documents it was something which resulted in cartain act forgery and the defendant alleged that by his agent, and therefore his own acts, which in turn resulted in the imprison- ment of two far less guilty persons, with septences of four months' imprisonment each, were acts which had no main fidei.. It was an impossible praposition and if this sort of thing were permitted, where ho asked were they going to put a stop. - Rohr had argued that because he was not allowed to go home he was entitled to buy. a passport and forge it. This act in bis own mind and possibly in, other people's, and the desire to get home, might be very excellent. No one was questioning that, but they were questioning the means adopted.

The statement published recently by the notorious Wolff Agency in Berlin with the cbject of justifying Germany in the destruction of Rheims cathedral is now proved to be merely another flagrant German: Be

Wolff declared that a French artillery The Assessor:-The defendant. is plead officer, Edouard de Bondelli, formerlying the old maxin that "all is fair în employed in the Crédit Lyonnais Bank, love and war." stated when taken prisoner by the Mr Newman continning said it seeme Germans that the tower of the cathedral to him that if the defendants' plea wen was employed constantly as an observa accepted the result would be simply tion post, and that he himself had some- chaotic. It would mean that though these times acted as observar. there.

persons were living in an enemy coun As the result of a searching investiga try, the Court would, by such a decision, tion which has been made by the Swiss give sanction for the defendants to take. rond question that Edouard de Rondelli them bow they liked to get home. What newspapers, it has been established be anybody's passports, forge them and we died here early in 1919. A would be the use of the passport system

at the age of eighteen, while the younger How would reasonable and sensible men just joined the French Army on arriving many as elsewhere it this were allowed He loft two sons, the elder of whom has which prevailed quite as much in Ger

lished that no member of the Bondelli make such a finding son is still at school. It is also estab- come to that Court and ask the Court to family has evi- -erved, at the front.

The Court reserve it, decision.