1919-01-10 — Page 5

BRITISH SOLDIERS DEMAND DEMOBILISATION.

SENSIBLE ACTION BY THE WAR OFFICE.

FORMATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF GERMANY,

SERIOUS EVENTS IN BERLIN.

BRITISH OFFICIALS ILL-TREATED

IN RUSSIA.

LATEST CABLES.

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGINOX. BRITISH SOLDIERS DEMAND DEMOBILISATION. IRRITATION AT DELAYA.

Lospos, January 8th,

There has been trouble among the soldi we owing to the delay of demobilisation.

Following on protests by the troops at Dove and Folkestone, 200 members of the Army Service Corps at Isleworth seized to Whitebait. motor Jorries and drove panding the Penner not at bome, they sent & deputation to the Ministry of Labour which promised to hear their grievances immediately. and, having investigated, aid that any man who had his job awnit mg him would be demobilised within Lake

Hays

Several thousands of soldiers at Shore- hain marched to Brighton to protest at the demobilisation delays. They dis persed after the Mayor had promised to communicate their grievaners to the War

Office.

DEMANDS OF SHOREHAM MEN

LONDON, January 7th. The soldiers at Shoreham have decided to telegraph to the Premier demanding that all troops at Shorchum be sent home im mediately, pending demobilisation papers being sent to them,

Officials of the Demobilisation Depart ment have gone to France in order to deal with cases before the men are sent Homie on leave, largely meeting the men's objections to having to rejoin their units overeca before receiving their discharge.

DISQUIET IN THE ARMY SERVICE CORPS.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDY, JANUARY 101, 1019.

WHY GENERAL DEMOBILISATION CANNOT BE ORDERED.

LONDON, January 7th. Router understands that a general demobil- isation cannot be ordered until afterthe Peace Conference, as an efficient Artmy must be maintained in order to meet any contingency during the peace negotiations,

Ten thousand soldiers were discharged daily at Home last week, and the number dealt with in France has increased to over 20,000, daily, including Dominion troops.

EARLIER CABLES.

STERN REMINDER TO BRITISH

SOLDIERS.

LONDON, January 7th.

BIX

The War Office states:-

At 3.15

Lo-day live CI p.m. lorries filled with soldiers from Kempton Park drove past the War Offoc, left the lorries, assembled in the Way Office quad- rangle, and demanded to see a respon sible official.

Major-General Fielding addressed them as Commander of the London District, and absolutely declined to consider their de mands, which must be submitted to their He reminded them commanding officer,

that the war was still on, and although we had won the war, we might lose peace. He knew that this trouble had been fo neuted by a few agitators, and most of them would be ashamed if they knew the danger in which they were placing the

country.

The men quietly dispersod GRADUAL DEMOBILISATION OF THE ARMY.

LONDON, January 7th. The unrest minong men of the Arsuy Service

The Army Council announces that no Corps is largely due to the fact that the Core contains numbers of lung service infantrymenollicer or soldier will be permitted to transferred into the Corps on account of wounds and health, who claim that their de mobalisation is penalised by their transfer from fighting units, as the Army Service Corps will be the last to demaisilise.

The Army Service Corps ine wish to be placed on the saine footing as the fighting

units.

a aumb

The unrest has spread to of ventres including Aldershot, but does not warrant an alarmist view of the situation.

It was summed up today by u soldier chairman of a Bokfiers' meeting at Bromley, when he said "The demonstrations havo been started to ginger up the Government, as the present rate of demobilisation up- parently we will be subliering until 1925.”

It is certain that the protests will have beneficial results.

Newspapers of all shades of opinion pay a tribute to the sensible manner in which the situation was handled by the authorities.

An important conference, to be attended, by learling mombers of the Government ie being held on January 7th, when the wholo question will be reviewed.

AN ORDERLY DEPUTATION. A number of soldiers, including men on * gave from Salonika, matcher! in nn lorly fashion to the War Ofico tu-tly, and soul a depulution to the authorities, to ask an assouce regarding demobiliuntion.

One ma sail that they had been in Cirence fur thron years, and wished for an assurance that they would not be condemned to a similar period of alssence from Home.

FRACTIOUS AIR MECHANICS

LONDON, January 7th. Four bonddred melanien of nit marodrome at Fairing, Bax, which is being broken up have demanded to be sent home, as many of them haal jobs awalling thun.

The Commander gave the men a day's leavo to enaiste them to fonch their papers, showing that they hail work togo to, after which tiny will be allowed to return home, possiding domobiliation.

provved to England on leave from France except on the distinct understanding that be returns to his unit on the expiration of his leave, and will not be demobilised during his period of leave.

Experience has shown the necessity for

BARLIER QABLES. RUSSIA MAY NOT BE REPRESENTED.

PARIS, January 7th.

À Havne messago Bayɛ:--

MENAC TO`SHIPPING.

ENTIRE NEFIELD ADRIFT IN

TH NORTH SEA,

TOROLм, January 6th.

It is report that an catire minefield The question arises what part Russia appears to adrift towards the South is to take at the Peace Congress. No Coast of Swe. Twenty mines exploded arrangement is possible between the off the west Denmark. Entente and the Bulsheviks.

The other sporadic Russian little Gov- ernments are not yet entitled to quali fication. In all probability Russia will not participate in the Congress.

LATEST CABLES.

DEATH OF EX-PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. PROFOUND SORROW THROUGHOUT AMERICA

NEW YORK, January 7th.

Ex-President Roosevelt died from the lodgment of a clot of blood on his lung. He died when asleep, and nobody was He was apparently in good present. health and in excellent spirits 45 hours earlier.

The profound sorrow throughout the United States is expressed equally by The political friends and antagonista. suddeness of the event shucked Washing ton, where the Supreme Court and the Congress adjourned in his respect.

and

The fags over the White House and other public buildings, ako on all war. ships and Army posts at Home [abroad, were flown at half mast The burial will be private, Family's request.

现亮

the

EARLIER CABLES.

FRENCH TRIBUTES.

PARIS, January 7th,

A Havaa message says:-~-~ The French Press express its koen regret at the death of Cul. Theodore' Roosevelt, whose unbended popularity made him a most picturesque American figure in France.

They have not forgotten, in Paris, his address at Sorbonne years ago, when he made a noble exposition of the duties

of a citizen.

M. Pichun sen, & delegram to Madam Roosevelt mentioning that France was grateful for the way he had upheld the worst cause of the Allies during the crisis, Buch P never-to-be forgoten

manner.

LATEST CABLES. UNIT 3D STATES OF GERMANY THE NEW BAVARIAN REPUBLIC.

AMSTERDAM, January 7th.

The Bavarian Government has issued a

Fishermen uri that the North Sea is filled wit an enormous number of amal mines, hitherto unknown con. struction, wh are adrift. SERIOUS VENTS IN BERLIN. CENTRAL RLIN IN SPARTACUS

HANDS.

ENDAGEN, January 6th. The situation Berlin on Sunday was very critical housands of workers and unemployed both sexes came in from the suburbs assembled at Tiergarten. died placards reading Strikers Down with Government" and held counter-destration with striking * down with the bek placards Spartacus Paz"

Most of the tops are closed owing to great nervous prevailing.

f

Later, the ubere of the Spartacus Party occupiche telegraph offices and Central Berlid

LATER.

BRITISH TRADE.

COMPARATIVE IMPORTS AND

EXPORTS

5

"At this point, and in this connes tion," says Sir Douglas Haig, "I should' like to pay may personal tribute to the foresight and determination of the French Marshal, in whose hunds the co-ordina

of action of the Allied Armies was pinced, "

LONDON, January 7th. The importa during 1918 were £1,318,338tion 591, compared with £1,084,164,878 în Ipr Theoxporte were £498,473,005, as compared

K

with £687,079,748.

SINN FEINER IMPRISONED

FOR A TREASONABLE SPEÈCH.

LONDON, January 7th. Mr. Sears, Sinn Fein Member of the House of Commons, has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment, for delivering an in Bammatory speech, inviting his audience to shoot the authorities when the occasion arose INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS CHARACTERISTIC RESOLUTIONS.

DELHI, January, 7th

The National Congress motion, in favour of fall Provincial autonomy, and against spe cial electorates for Europeans, was carried with acclamation.

The Congress passed formal resolatings of

loyalty.

NEW YEAR HONOURS.

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

LONDON, January 7th. Handire la of names of men arud wonon on

whom the Order of the British Empire has

The last tram from Berlin, de

been bestowed for services rendered connection with the war, are published in spatched on evening of January 5th, announces thafentral Berlin is occupi-thirty two page Gazette. ed. Since there has been complete silence, and i evident that serious events are go un. RESIGNATIOF THE TRIUMVIRATE,

STERDAM, January, 7th.

A telegram ft Berlin states that owing to the Sparted comp it is reported that Herr Ebort, H Scheiden and Herr Lanaberg, the Yority Socialist triumvirute, have resigned.

It is stated the causes of the out- break were Uomissal of the Berlin Police President Gone von Eichhorn, who, it is alleged, hal behandling Russian money for the awing pactacists, and the break- ing off of relaps with Russia by Herr

The recipients' activities show a very grea variety of forms of occupation.

Bir Douglas Baig proceeds to describe. the steps taken during the period of active defence to repair the effects of the enemy breaches in our defensive sygtein.

a

He shows how, in consequence of the Deny fire commanding important rail- way junctions, the Allies undertook comprehensive programme of railway con- struction in order to render traffic bo tween the north and south independent of Amiens. This involved the laying of 200 miles of broad gauge track between April and July.

The new defensive works involved the digging of 5,000 miles of trench. Means time, the fighting troops severely harassed! the enemy in the Lye sector, delaying of the German offensive there. and ultimately proventing, the renewal

But the outstanding feature of the events described in the despatch is Sir Douglas Haig's own account of the great series of British victories, won between August 8th and November 11th.

At Amiens and Bapaume, in breaking the Prevurt-Queant and the Hinden burg systems, before Le Cateau and on the Belle, in Flanders and pn the Sambre, the enemy was again and again brought to battle, and defeated.

He finally was defeated in the grant battles of November 1st and 4th, and was utterly without reserves. At the date of the Armistice he was falling back with- out, roberent

and confit in widespread disorder Sir Douglas Haig, in further reference to the situation when hostilities ceased, states that, by the end of October, the

in

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British Armies were in a position to pre--

vent the enemy withdrawal to shorter

Only a few names well known Overseas are included in the present lists. Among these is Viscountess Buxton, wife of the Governor General of South Africa, who appears in the highest class, namely, tire Dame Grand Cross.

The Knight Commanderships include Mary Bouth and W. J. Haines of the salvation Army and George Robey, the well known music hall singer.

The Officers of the Order include Mr. Willian Hibberdins, Traffic Manager of the Eastern Telegraph Company.

RUSSIA'S FLIGHT. PETROGRAD'S HORRIBLE STATE

HELSINGFORS, Jan. 7th. The Members of the Danish Logation, who have arrived from Petrograd, state that General von born ignores his deposi-British civil and military officials who are tion, and coutis in office.

Ebert.

RECONSTICTION AT HOME GOVERNANT COMMITTEE'S

RECOMENDATIONS

LONDON, January 7th. The Govering Canumittes, under the Chairmanship opel Haldus, appointed in 1917, has issuga report, recommending far-reaching refs.

As regards thunction and procedure of the Cabinet, tlaminitres declare that the main function the final determination of the policy to bubmitted to Parliament The supreme com shall be with the Nations! Executive, is aclan with the policy pre-

Parlient Beribel by

For

this order to ensure the maintenance of statement that Bavaria is a Republic, and sions, the Comes recommend a

the Army, of ocupation. All officers and

a member of the United States of Ger- men now on leave from France will be many.

There will be a single Chamber demobilised if they are pivotal men and and Parliament elected by equal suffrage are assured of civil employment, and with proportional representation. All belong to industrial groups opened for citizens over 20 have a vote. demobilisation if they can be spared

from the Army,

The same privilege will be accorded to all ranks on leave from other Expedi tionary forces if similarly qualified.

Men serving in Home units cannot be demobilised during leave.

LATEST CABLES.

THE COMING PEACE CONFERENCE.

ALLIED CONVERSATIONS BEGIN NEXT MONDAY.

PARIS, January 7th.

The opening proceedings of the Peace Conference will begin on January 18th, when the beads of the Governments and the Foreign Ministers of the Associated Powers will exchange views.

As soon as an agreement has been reached regarding the organisation, coin- position, and procedure of the Conference the Brat sitting will be hold, probably about January 18th.

PRESIDENT WILSON IN

EUROPE. WARM RECEPTION AT TURIN. Tvis, January 6th. The official and popular reception to President Wilson, on his arrival, was of a similar triumphal and warm character to elsewhere in Italy, Features were the assembling of 400 Piedmontese Mayora who greeted the President at the Town Hall and made the presentation of an album containing over 1,000 resolutions of Piedmontese Comrauns] Councils, conferring on the distinguished visitor the freedom of their respective towns.

PARIS, January 7th. President and Mrs. Wilson have returned.

POLAND.

THE NEW GOVERNMENT OVER- THROWN.

LONDON, January 7th.

The Times correspondent at Ww states that the civilian militia havo over- thrown the Government and arrested the members of the Cabinet, who were subse- quently reported to have cheaped.

The object is to instal a Coalition, which M. Paderewski favourя.

the lue prmance of these func- soll Cabinct, prefer ten, meeting frequently, supplied in most convenient form with all inform enabling it to arrive at

expeditious dec

Cabinet and consult, personally, all Ministers whoserk is likely to be affected by its decisions.

The Cabinet ld have a systematic met hod of securingat its decisions are effec- tually carried it by the Departments concerned.

As

the Civil Employment of women in

rvice Committee report that in the absence of substantial recourse to women, the Servhas hitherto deprived the public of a store of knowledge, ex- perience and freons, some of which would, for particular puses, have been far more valuable and rant than those of the ablest mon Civil vants

and

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Otherrecommations include theestabli shment of a Rarch Ministry to under- take research , to furnish & propor definité basis for

cy; tribution of business princip' o between the vară Departinentn.

The Committedonne water-tight divi sions of businesstwoen Departments, and recommends the nation of Parliamentary Committees to the work of particular departments, the formation, in the Treasury, of a scata branch to specialise in establishmont k kond study all questions σε

Atually

and ruitment, and routine busines

generall The Cominit recommends the re- distribution of tolation of Lord-Chancellor,

causing in divisit work boswoon bin and the Hop Secret thus relieving the Chan- eller the pent extreme pressure of

work.

BRITISH ABOUR PARTY. ME W. AMSON ELECTED QUIRMAN.

It is believed that representatives of all

General Pilsudski, Dictator and Presi States which broke off relations with the Central Empires will be present, nod will dent, who escaped arrest, is conferring |

Paderewski, na regards the settle deflanely the number of delegates with M. situation. of onelt State at the Conference.

fis nfidently asserted that France, Menawhile, there is mystery surround- ing the whereabouts of the escaped thein- Great Britain, the United States, Italy, and Japan will have ve delegates ouch. bers of the Cabinet France will be represented by M. Cle- meneru anul M. Pichon. The others have GENERAL VON LUDENDORFF appoint vies-hm. not yet been designinta.

Mardial Foch, by unanimous wish of

the Allies, will be invited to express his views on the military problema. Probably Belgium, Berbin,

STAYING IN SWEDEN

STOCKuota, January 7th. Greece, The Bagru Suyheter authoritatively louran is, untk lortugal, will have three that Comoral run landendorit is ataying in delegates ench, while the States which the south of Swarfen. He has adopted this only broke off relations with the enemy Bellious title of the Finnish Legation Coun will have only two.

cillor Ernst Lindstrom,

LONDON, Janaury 7th. The arliament Labour Party has un- animously elected. W. Adamon Chair for the lesion. J. R. Clynes has lon

THE OFFICE OPPOSITION

ONION, January 7th, A jest mietin of the orequtive of tho Labourry and a Labour members of the House Commentari a resolution, with one diontions, favour of the Labour Party in the Blouse Conitions becoming the offeini oppositio

kept in prison in Moscow, are being tyranically treated.

The real Distator of Petrograd is a woman, 23 years of age, named Jacobieva, chief of The Anti-Counter-Revolutionary Committee Her cruelty surpasses all existing legends.

Many die of starvation in the streets daily. The population has sunk to 800,000.

Three quarters of all the shops are closed. Tramways have been suspended. There is no coal. Licetric light may be next for two hours daily. The Red Guards in the Petro- grat District number 50,000.

THE BRITISH NAVY. WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL WARSHIP

BEING BUILT,

lines, and the British were able to force us - an immediate conclusion,

Bir Dougins Haig discloses that the WAS to have principal British attack

[21 pince

November 1st, after) taken Valenciennes had been captured

In fighting on, and subsequent to that dute, we broke the enemy's resistance beyond the possibility of recovery. The enemy, thereafter, were neither casable

battle. of accepting nor refusing.

The Allies strategic plan was realized with a completeness rarely seen in war. and, when the Armistice was signed, the definitely destroyed. The continuance of enemy's defensive powers had already been hostilities could only have meant disaster to the German Armies, and the armed invasion of Germany.

In the course of eloquent passages be bays:

In three months the epic fighting of the Betish Armies in France brought to r sudden as dramatic end the great wearing-out battle of the past four years.*** The confidence in our troops throughout the years of strain never wavered.

The annals

of war hold record of no more wonderful recovery than that which. three months after tremendous blows had keep showered upon them on the Somme and the Lys, saw the undefeated British Armies advancing from victory to victory. and finally furting the erstwhile trium- phant oney to acknowledge an uncon- ditional defcat.'

In the decisive contests of the period covered, Bir Douglas Haig says that the British attacked the strongest and most vital parts of the enemy's front, cut him lateral communications, and fought his best Divisions to standstill.

On different battle fronts 187,000 prison- ers were captured, and 2,560 guns, 29,000 machine-guns, 3,000 trench mortars were taken.

These results were achieved by 59 Bri- tish Divisions, which engaged and do fented 93 separate German Divisions in three months.

Although no oficial statement has yet been maie, it is understood that the British war-

In spite of the accepted military ship Hood, now nearing completion, will be doctrine that in good defensive positions, the largest fighting vessel in the world.

ay given force can hold up a consider- She will be 694 feet long, and will carry 8

ably greater attacking force-and this fifteen inch guns, her hull being fitted with our

our defence proved in March and April an outer cushion against which torpedoes yet, when the tide of battle turned, and and mines will explode harmlessly.

the British attacked, completely destroy- She is expected to attain a speed of ating the German resistance, the British least 40 miles per hour. The food will cost

were numerically inferior to the defented £3,250,000. It is stated that three other Gerroan forces, battle cruisers of the same type are being

Bir Douglas

Haig pass a tribute to the built.

must, magnificent spirit" of the nien. Referring to

to the infantry he says:-

་་

In spite of the enormous development

THE ALLIES AND RUSSIA. BRITISH FORCE TO BE DECREASED. | of warfare. the place which the infantry-

LONDON, January 7th.

of mechanical invention in every phase

wen always held, as the main substance and foundation of an Army, is as secure Router learns that the British force into-day as in any period of history. The Russia at present is under 20,000, rationed infantryman remains the backbone of strongti. There is not the slightest intention defence and the spearhead of attack. of increasing it.

On the contrary, it is hoped that the force will be materially decreased shortly, and those remaining will be replaced as soon possible by mun of the new Volunteer Army.

At no time has the reputation of the British infantryman been higher, or his achievement more worthy of bis renown. No praise can be too high for the valour they have shown. No gratitude too deep for the work they have accomplished."

Bir Douglas Haig also

to the unsurpassable work of the artillery and Cavniry Concerning the latter, he says that recent fighting showed that it was DESPATCH COVERING THE LAST still a necessary arm of modern war,

DAY OF FIGHTING.

EARLIER GABLES,

A. WAR EPIC.

LONDON, January 7th. A twenty-six page Gazette has won issued. containing Bir Douglas Haig's despatch dated December 21st, covering the period since the termination of the

Lys. great defensive battles on the Summe and

He states that last April, the Gorman attacks, though unsuccessful, had atretch- ed the Allien resources to the uttermost, and the possibility of an immediate renewal of an enemy offensive was viewed with grave anxiety.

He also pays a tribute to, other arms, including the Gins Services, which dis- charged between March and November 2,200 tons of gas and carried out 301 separate operations: also the Forestry Corne, which in the year onded October 1st cut 2,500,000 tons of timber for the British and French Arguies

He concludes with a reference to the harmonious relations with the Allies. which were undimmed by any hint of discord or conflict in interests and idenlu

Sir Douglas Haig says he will later submit a final despatch dealing with the advance to the Rhine and the occupation

On the contrary, the enemy had un of the Cologne bridgehead. doubtedly suffered severely, but possessed nuficient superiority and lores to retain the initiative, which, however, he could not afford to delny applying, gwing 10A the increasing growth of the American) Army.

FLOODS IN FRANCE, DANGEROUS PIMSE REACHED.

Pakia, January, h The British military policy was toʻmain. A RV's nicerago skys:-- tain an nelivo defence until the exquili. The Boine nentinues to rise. Theo Haidari- tning baths which have been frog Simmo brium of strength was reached

The complete success of the Allied coin-immamorial moored near Point Neuf, ter-attack Hair Soissone on July 18th sank yesterday. The food entara a dan- marked the turning point of the am-gerous p pain, and, after that, the initiative lay with the Allion.

(Onntinued on Page G.)