1916-12-30 — Page 5

THE

HONGKONG TELEGRAPH

EXTRA

HONGKONG, SATURDAY DECEMBER 30, 196/-

TELEGRAMS.

(Beuter's Service to The “Telegraph.”].

THE AIR BOARD.

December 29, 7.25 p.m.

Lord Sydenham has resigned from the Air Board.

UNOPPOSED: RETURNS.

December 29, 7.25 p.m.

The following have been retamed unopposed as Coalition mem bera of Parliament :-Sir Willism Collins, for Derby; Mr. Christop her Johnston, for St. Andrew's and Edinburgh Universities.

THE SOMME BATTLE ·

The Britlab Use of Gas.

December 28, 3.20 p.m. General Sir Douglas Haig, in his despatch on the battle of the Somme, tells how the enemy ass of liquid fire and gas compelled us, in self-defence, to retaliate, and says the armies owe mach to distinguished chemists, pheyiologists and pheyicists" who, enabled ns to surpass the easmy in the use of means which have surprised the civilised world. Our experiences in this connection have proved that the German employment of sach methods was not the result of desperate sation, but was prepared.deliberately."

Sir Douglas adds that evidence from prisoners, and captured documents, and also our own observation, show that the enemy suffered heavily from our gas, while our means of protection from his were affcotivo.

Finally, Sir Douglas pays a tribute to the anfailing co-opera- tion of the French and to their splendid fighting qualities, asy7...” ing that the kindness and good feeling anivermally displayed toward as has won our gratitude, respect and admiration.

GERMAN CLAIMS I

Os the French Front.

December 29, 5,05 p.m.

A wireless German official message claims that the enemy has penetrated the French eccond and third lineant Esight 304 and on the southern slope of Morthomme, taking 222 prisoners and repul sing counter-attacka.

In Rumania.

Desember 20, 5.05 p.m.

A wireless German official messsge esye:-We stormed poni tions on the Transylvanian and Eatern front, We took fourteen hundred prisoners, three cannons, and eighteen machine guns. We have advanced as far as Dumitresti, twenty kilometres north-west of Rimnical Sarat; and have. captured positions between Rimnical and the Bosial river, taking on December 28, fourteen hundred prisoners and three gans.. We have captured Rachel, in the Dobrudja.

THE ALLIES DISCUSS.

Dec. 29, 7.25 p..

The Press Bureau states, during the past three days, tharshare been continuous conferences between the British Government and MM. Bibot, Thomas and other French representatives. There was full discussion and complete agreement,

FOR WAR PURPOSES,

December 20, 7.25 p.m.

The Press Bureau announces that the Minister of Munitions has sppointed a commities to consider the best means to secure adequats supplies of alcohol for war porposes.

It is essential that trade requirements for the munition, tran port and air services should be greatly increased.

CULTURE IN GERMAN EAST AFRICA.

December 29, 7.20 p.m.

The Rev.-Spanton, Principal of St. Andrew's College, Zanzibar who was bold s prisoner by the Germans in East Africa from the outbreak of the war till the capture of Tabors, has arrived in Eng« land.

In a Reuter interview, Mr. Spauton gives a most painful account of the sufferings of prieonore-these including men and women of superior rank and education. The Germans purened a deliberate policy of degrading them before the natives: made thaus clean native latrines, drag lorries sad act as labourers to native® workmen. A near relative of au lodian Maharajah was similarly treated. English women and men were herded together in iron shede, without the smallest sanitation, and with native sentrisa in- side throughout the night.

This bratal treatment was only relaxed when the Germans stT that deleat was imminent,

SUCCESSFUL BRITISH RAID.

December 30, 1.40 p.m.

Sir Douglas Buig reports:-We have made a successful raid east of Lesara, where the trenches were fcand to have been greatly damaged by oor artillery,

We repulsed an attempted raid, east of Armentieres. There has been intense reciprocal artillery firing south of the Anore.and in the neighbourhood of Berles.

* THE CLIMAX OF GERMAŃ SAVAGERY,"

December 29, 11.80 p.m.

An Admiralty commanique narrates an outrage in which German savagery over the torpedning of merchantmen appears to have [Bachs] ita climax, It describes the British steamer Westminster, proceeding to Port Said, se being twins - struck without warning by a submarine, when one hundred and eighty miles from land. Four persons were killed. The Westminster sank within four minutes, and the submarine proceeded to shell the officers and crew 'while they were ewosping from the ship in bosts. The master and obief ongiuser ware killed oatright and their boat was rank. Five other cooupantai are presumed to have been drowned...

The communique scathingly denounces the sot of the sub- marine's orow as an order carried out in cold blood.

(The a.s. Westminster's registered tonnage was 4,342. She was built in 1996 by Moners Bwan and Hunter, Newasstle, and was the property of the Westminster Shipping Os. Latd.)'

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THE BONGKONG TELEGRAPH. SATURDAY DEG: 38: 1618.

fond from Olsch.

CHURCH SERVICES.

KT-1st Bunday aftneChristmaa 31st

lof Sir Sam Hürbes tar of Militia, by Sir Robert Bor- dan, is the political sensation of The hour throughout" Canada. While the resignation of Sir Sam #Hughes had been expected by those in intimate touch with poli -“tioal matters eiros his return from England, ao one looked for his blant diemieial as announced by the Premier. Sir Robert Borden's sanouncement states: -

The Prime Minister has re quested and has received the resignation of the Minister of Militia and Defence.” ·

It proceeds to set forth that the step was in part the outcome of the establishment of a Ministry of Overseas Foroos, and in part

dae to the assumption by Sir Sam | Hughes of powers whiob, in the judgment of the Prime Minister, could be exercised only by the Gov-| ernment as a whole. This refers evidently to Sir Sam's appointment to the Militia Council and other "appointments during his recent visit to England, all of which were cancelled by the Govern- ment on his return to Canada, while bis Toronto speech, last Thursday, in which he criticised the British Army management, and declared that he had finally succeeded in securing Canadian control over the Canadian troops overseas was zegarded as unwel. come and indisoreet, and pro: Fably hastened the demand for his resignation, which was sent by Sir Robert Borden on Satur. day.

Ever since Sir Sam Bagbes entered the Government be had been a storm centre, stoked not only by the Opposition bat by members of the Government and others in the Conservative party. His methods were 000- stantly the object of criticism, while rum urs of his withdrawal from the Cabinet had been fre- quently in circulation. This opposition to Sir Cam Hughes became much more intense since his return from Eng- land. The rejection of the arran- gements made by him regarding the overseas troops, hospitals, etc. followed by the appointment of Sir George Perley as Minister of Overseas Forces in London, with the appointment of a Parliamen- tary Secretary of Militia Ottawa, left Bir Sam Hughes practically shorn of all authority, and his resignation was daily expected. The real surprise is that he waited until the Prime Minister had actually demanded his resignation, which is a most unusual course. The Montreal Gazette, the Government organ, this morning esya:

"The announcement was not unexpected. For a long time his enemies have been more than neaully severe in their condemns tion of his conduct. These enemies were found in the Con pervative as well as the Liberal camp; indeed, the harshest con demnation to which he has been lately subjected has been made by some who are considered sup- porters of the Government. There will be rejoicing over Sir Sam Hughes' fall. The country will be fortunate if his successor can continue with equal vigour and effect the gravely important work he started.".

Sir Sam bae issued a statement) confirming his resignation and) sxpressing appreciation of the perfect harmony with which he

Desember, 1916. Holy Cownw munion... (7.50am.). Matina- (11 am) Responses: Farial. Venite: Mno arren. Psalms: Woodward. Crotch, Woodward (30th). Te Deum: Lawes, Cooke, Hopkins. Jibilare: Goodson. Hymns: 58, 329. God cave the King Evensong (5.45 p.m.) Responses: Festal. Psalms: Chants of 30th and 3 at. Magnificat: Trent (7th mornTM ing) Nunc Dimittis: Barnby Nowell. Like silver lampe. (Magnificat). Carols: The first

Good King Wenceslas. Hymns. 59, 288. N.B.-Psalm 147, verses 1 7. 12, 18, in unison. Psalm 148, verses 1; 7, 8. 12, în unison. Psalm 149, verses 1, 5; G.P., in unison. Psalm 150, verses 1, 2, 6, in unison. Caroli. 1. verses 1. F, Humeny.. 3, 4, Unison, Carol: 2, verses 15, Harmony, 4, Unison. Carol: 3, verses 1, 5, Harmony. Union Church; Kennedy Road- "Sunday Service, December 31,

Morning 11, Hymns: 477, 526, 476, 295. Evening: 6, Hymns: 294. 481, 97, 1L Preschar: Rev. J. Kirk Maconachie. Lecture Hall at 11.15 p.m. Watch-Night Service in the

St. Peter's Church, West Point.-- 8am. Poly Communion. 11 a.m. Morning Prayer and Sermon. 11.15 p.m. Watch Night service, followed by celebration of Holy Commun~ ion.

The Gospel HaH.-(No. 10 and

12 Fedders Street): Weekly Services: Sunday. Breaking of Bread, 11 a.m. Gospel Meet- ing, 8pm. Tuesday, Exposition of Scripture .8 p.za. Thursday, Bible Class, 8 pm. Friday, Bible Class for Ladies, 5 31 p.m: Saturday, Prayer Meeting; 8 p.m.

Wesleyan Methodist Church,

Wanchai, Sunday Morning Service 10.15 am. Sunday Soldiers' and "Sailors"

Evening Service 6.15 p..

Home Arsenal Street-Sunday Even- ing, Gospel Services & p.m.

St. Joseph's Church, Garden

Road.-Mass and Sermon at 10 am, followed by the Bene- diction of the Blessed Sacra- mont

Roman Catholic Cathedral, Glez- ealy.-Low Masses at 6, 7, and 9.30 am. High Mass at 8 5.30 p.m.-Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

First Church of Christ Scientist. ̈

--MacDonnell Road. Sundays, 11,15a.m.Wednesdays, 5.30 p.m.

WEATHER REPORT.

On the 20th at 1120-No returns from

Japan. Pressure has decreased slightly in all other districts except over 8.W. and to the south of latitude 16 N., where China where it has increased sligbuy. it is nearly stationary.

Fresh monsoon is indicated along the cast coast of Chine and over the north

part of the China Sea.*

ending at 10 am. to-day, 0.00 inch. Total since January lat, 79.86 inches, against an average of 83.12 inches.

Hongkong Rainfall for the 24 hours

FORECAST FOR THE 24 HOURS ENDING AT NOON TO-MORROW,

Distriot,

Forecast.

1

N. winds,

1 Hongkong to Gap Rock frosh;

had been able to work with the 2 Formosa Channel................ Way Offs and the manner in

bo

fine.

N."winda,

> strong.

tween H.E. and Lamocks} as No. L

4 South coast of China de-? The same

(waen E.K. and Rainan... as No. L

T. F. CLAXTON, Director,

Hongkong Observatory, Dec. 30, 1916,

い

METEOROLOGICAL.

which British statesmen were 3 South coast of China be-7 The same always ready to advance the best interests of Canade. He declared be would continue his military work, especially the campaign in aid of recruiting, and added: "I part from my colleagues with more or less, regret, bat in fatare, if they ригвие

will proper lines, I ready to give them or anyone else cordial, support. In a further statement Bir Sam Enghee took isane with the Premier ap to, the osues of his diamisss), drolering it to be due to a letter he had written to the Premier soousing Sir R. Barden of having made unwarranted eriticism of the Minister of Militia.

Barometer Temperatura Humidity Wind Direction

There is every indiostion that the dismissal of Bir Sam Hughes vkla

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