1917-02-03 — Page 1

EXCHANGE :

Closing. Quotations:— T.T. Londen Is. 474d.

On Demand 24. 4.5-16d.

The Hongkong Telegraph

February 3, 1917,

7577 日二十月一

Temperature 6 a.m. 58 Humidity

2

52

TELEGRAMS.

‚ [Reater's Service to The "Telegraph.”]

GERMANY'S DESPERATE PLUNGE.

**British Admiralty on the Alert,

*

London, February 2.

(ESTABLISHED 1881)

"Copyright 1917, by the Proprietor.

FEBRUARY

3,

1917.

SATURDAY,

TELEGRAMS,

(Benter's Service to the "Telegraph.”]

11

GERMANY'S Desperate plunge.

Will America Break With Germany?

London, February 2. To-day's New York newspapers almost unanimously declare Bir Edward Carson, in a letter regretting that a cold did not permit of him attending the War Loan meeting at Hall, said he did that a break with Germany is only a matter of a few house. This not conceal the grave danger be felt at Germany's threat of sub is based on uncficial oonjectures and gleanings from Washington. marining, but stated that the Admiralty were tirelessly grappling There has been no official statement. with the problem day and night.

Dutch and Danish Restrictions.

London, February 2. According to Beuter's correspondent at Amsterdam, Datob shipping is forbidden to leave territorial waters.

A Copenhagen Company, which has been carrying agricultural products to Britain, has suspended sailings..

A Last Desperate Bluff ?

Decline of the Mark.

London, February 2. According to Reuter, the mark in New York has fallen to 661, the lowest on record,

A Real and Formidable Peril

London, February_2.

The British Press does not conceal the belief that the German threat implies a real and formidable peril, demanding all the endurance of the nation. It is of opinion that this frightfulness has long been anticipated by the Allies, and that it was considered at the recent Naval Conference in London. Confidence is expressed that preparation has been made to meet it. The greatest difficulty will be submarine minelayers.

London, February 2. According to Beuter's correspondent si New York, the evening papers generally consider it posible that the German Note is a last desperate bluff, and that Germany will Lreak out, finding that the American temper cannot be tried too far. But they are unanimou Germany is in a situation compared to that of Napoleon in 1812, in declaring that the Note demands the instant and alert attention when he rainly tried to achieve a decision by commerce-destroying. of the whole nation and the support of President Wilson, even in It is not doubled that the Ksísor's declaration of war on the whole the event of war.

civilised world will not succeed in maving the Hohenzollern

Mr. Roosevelt, in a statement, demands that President Wilson Dynasty. shall not instantly to prevent the murder of non-combatanta, and It is anticipated that the United Staten, like Britain in 1914, arges the seisure of the German interned ships on the perpetration|will prove that Germany has made another paychological miscsi- of the first atrocity.

culation.

Norwegian Precautions.

London, February 2. Benter's correspondent at Christiania aaya mails and goods traffic to Ergland has been suspended.

Denmark's Attitude,

London, February 2. Router'a correspondent at Copenhagen says that at a secret sitting of the Bikadag the Minister of Foreign Affairs announced that it was the Government's intention to endeavour to ensure a maintenance of trade with other countries.

All partion approved, and the sitting was clowed by the Speaker appealing to members to mess the now situation with dignity nad tranquility.

Swedish Opinion.

London, February 2. Boater's correspondent at Stockholm aaye the Press hesitatea to pronounos definitely su opinion on the new situ tion. It recognises it as norious, and recalls the German proclamation of February last year, and the feebleretalts which accrued therefrom.

Excitement in Spain.

London, February 2. According to Beater's correspondent at Madrid, rxcitement resulting from the German Note is most interes. There are coalianoas conferences between Ministers and the Military and Naval authorities. The Foreign Minister conferred with the American Ambassador from midnight until two in the morning.

The Premier announced that the situation was undeniably grave. He deprecated any discussion of the nature of Spain's reply to Germany, but thought it was unnecessary to close Parliament for the present. A number of Senators urged an îocześne in armaments,

Time for Neutrals to Act,

London, February 2. The Attorney General, Sir F. E. Smith, spasking at Cardiff, said that no belligerent in the word's history had ever dared such a bhallenge to a proud and powerful neatral. “We believe that wa Allies are strong snough to fight oat the quarrel for ourselves. We have been the custodian of the honour of centrals; now we aholl tell them to be the custodians of their own. We only sok that when the time for settlement comes, three who have sacrifoed shall decide."

Germany Boasting.

London, February 2. According to Renter's correspondent si Amsterdam, commenting on the German Note, the Ducsddorfer General Anzeiger saya the pray from unrestricted sabmarinism is problemstinal, owing to the few sailinge. Germany's welfare is most urgent, and the law of neutrals does not matter,

The Rheinisch Westfaelische expects that President Wilcon will wern Americans not to enter the war zones. The North Sea and the Mediterranean must be the grave of British greatness.

Spanish Sailings Prohibited.

London, February 2. According to Renter's correspondent at Madrid, the Minister of Marine has telegraphed to the Spanish port authorities.temporarily prohibiting sailings.

Dutch Protection for Shipping.

London, February 2, Renter's correspondent at the Hague says that at a Conference between the Government and shipowners, the powibility wis dis- onmed of continning pentral shipping, especially to the Daioh Indios.

The Morning Port suggests that high German prisoners should be placed on hospital ships as hostagem.

The Daily Chronicle urges the Allien to agree on penalties that they will exact after the war, specifying the persons they will penalise collectively and notifying Germany thereof now.

MORE SINKINGS.

London, February 1. The sinking of the following steamara is suncanosi:--Modíva (Norwegian), Pantatono (Spanish), and Daíny (Danish).

wwww.

THE COMING WESTERN OFFENSIVE,

Enemy Reinforcements from Russian Fronts.

London, Februsy 1. Reuter'a correspondent at Petrograd states that, except in the Riga section, where three Divisions of German reinforcement have arrived, the enemy is transferring considerable German troops from the Russian fronts to the Western front; in view of the impending clash there.

A French Communique.

London, February 2. A French communique saya:—Ãa enemy 'attack south of Leintrey, in Lorraine, failed.

There is lively artillery fire in the sectors of Pocrament, on the right bank of the Meuse, and Moral, in the Vosges.

A German seroplane bombed Dankirk, but there were no casualties and very insignificant damage.

Strong English Attacks.

London, February 2. A German wireless official metsage says:--Batween Armentieraz and Arrae, numerous strong English advances failed.

There is lively recounoitring activity south-west of Miraumont, and north-east of Lesars.

The English pecetrated our position on the Guedecourt- Beaulencourt road.

Our counter attack recaptured the lost ground, and we took some prisoners.

SHIPPING LOSSES.

Some Ulluminating Figures.

London, February 2, According to a Paris message, the Bureau Veritas publishes statistics of the losses of merchant shipping in the war. Germany, [ik maya, has lost 409, or 24 per cent. of her total ionnage. The Allies, on the other hand, have lost 1,648, of which 1,520 were abmarined, the latter including 1,110 British, or 11 per cent, of the British Rect before the war.

The losses of the Allies have been practically made good by beilding and captures,

construation of 676,995 ions, while 900,000 tone are in the course Germany's loan is 1.200,000 tons which is counter-balanced by

of building.

THE GERMAN COLONIES.

London, February, 1. The newspapers generally welcome Mr. Walter Long's announcement in regard to the Garman Colonies.

The Daily Chronicle suggests that it might be ceefully supple. mented by a similar announcement regarding Mesopolamis,

NATIONAL SERVICE FOR WOMEN.

London, February 1.

A Woman's Department of the National Service Directory has The Government promised to support thir, and also to protect the vessels now a flout. In the meantime, the Government suggested been established. The wife of Mr. Teanant, former Saoretery for that ships should not mil unless the Government were onnaulted | Scotland, has been appointed Diciotor, and Miss Violet, Markhams

has been made Assistant Director.

Temperature

February 3, 19 6, Humidity

大拜禮·號三月二英港香

TELEGRAMS.

-[Beuter's Service to The "Telegraph.”]

LANCASHIRE OPERATIVES' WAGES,

A Court of Arbitration has awarded the Lanesabire cardroom

London, February 1. workers a ten per cent, advance in wager, su from the 11th inst., stipulating that this shall be regarded as war wages, due to and dependent on a continuance of the present abnormal conditions.

Either side may apply for revision of the award after August, and subsequent variations shall be for half-yearly periods only.

་

Ito the event of telegrams arriving too late for Insertion on this page they will be found on an Extra).

EARLIER TELEGRAMS.

GERMANY'S NEW THREAT.

Various Opinions.

Amsterdam, February 2. The passage

in Dr. Bethmann-Hollweg' peroration:-The Admiralty and Fleet are firmly convinced that Great Bri- tain will be brought to peace by force of arms as the result of the experience of submarine warfare,"—is taken as a text by the German Press, the commenta unanimously aingling out Great Britain as the enemy and promising unheard of terrors which will "mortally hit the Island poopla."

The semi-official Austrian "Fremdenblatt" hopes that the peace for which the world is longing will be brought nearer by the employment of the strongest means against *the tyrant of the seas."

Allies not to be Intimidated.

Paris, February 2.

The papers, while recognising that the task of the Allied fleets is daily becoming harder refuse to be intimidat- ed by the threat of further atrocities at the very moment when the enemy's fóres is failing.

Secret Reichstag Debate,

Amsterdam, Februsty 2. The Reichstag is debating Dr. Bethmann-Hollweg's speech in secret session.

America Indignant,

Washington, February 2.

High indignation is being felt at the German Note, and the opinion is freely expressed that the severance of diplo- matic relations is inevitable.

Inter.

Indications to the Government's course will not ba announced until certain steps are taken through the Navy Department and Treasury as to the safeguarding of Ameri- can ports and other interests.

In the Concord (New Hampshire) Legislature Mr. Taft said that a dangerous crisis had arisen in German-American re- lations. He emphasised the necessity for hastening mili- tary and naval preparedness,

It is believed that a communication has been sent or is about to be sent to Germany warning against unrestricted Eubmarining and threatening the severance of diplomatic relations if Germany persists in breaking ber pledge to the United States.

New York Port Unsealed.

New York, February 2.

The Port has been "unsealed."

GEL MAN VESSEL SUNK,

Charleston, South Carolina, February 2.

The German freighter "Liebenicels which had becu tied up since the outbreak of the war, has sunk.

The Captain declined the assistance of tuge. It is be- lieved that the vessel was sculled.

GERMAN LIES.

London, February 2. The Admiralty state that a German wireless message alleges that the "Britannic" carried 2,500 British soldiers who were not invalide, The allegation is based on the sworn testimony of Albert Messaay, the Austrian singer, who was interned at Malta at the outbreak of war and who returned to England in November aboard the "Britannic" because he was in invalid, after which ho was repatriated,

The German Press messages are filled with similar falsehooria with a view to manufacturing pretexts for the latest methods of warfare. It is announced that it cannot be too emphatically re-stated that never since the beginning of the war have any but invalids and hospital staff embarked in any British hospital ships.

BRITISH PUSIT ON,

Londos, February 2. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports:-We improved our position north of Beaumont Hamé! and carried out a successful raid south-east of Nouville 5, Vaast, Wo repulsed · attemple to approach our line south-east of Armentieres | and oast of Ypres. Two other attacks in the neighbourhood of Wytschsets by strong parties, dressed in white, were beaten back with heavy casualtion. The enemy's Artillery was more active to the south of Ypres.

The British took prisoner 1,228 Germanı, including 27 ́ officers in January.

Among the regiments which specially distinguished thomsalves was the Becond Battalion of the ard New Zen- land Bille Brigade,

A French communique says:—There is nothing to report scoopt á lívoly artillery duel at Hartmannweillerkopë vand east of Meteoral.

WEATHER FORECAST

FAIR.

Barometer 30.11.2

58 2 p.m. 68

87

E

SINGLE COPY 10 CENTS.

$36 PER ANNUM,

DUTCH REFUSE FOOD FOR BRUSSELS.

Starvation Behind the Enemy Liber.

Amsterdam, Dea. 16.-Under

obtainable in Holland, a certain influence of the good things Prusian officer whose duty is to bay foodstana hare for the city of openly and loudly about condi Brussels, has been talking too tions in Brussels and the feelings among the German oconpants,

By oations luck I was able to hear this typical, - overbearing emissary discourse at large on military and other matters. As dinner presseded he threw ca tion to the winds and said many things which, if they should meet the eyes of 'his superiors, will probably prevent his return here as Christmas, when he hopes to enjoy another spell of freedom, peace and plenty.

He declared the conditions re garding food at Llls, Roubaix, Tarcoing and adjacent villages were indeed shocking, and ter rible, The population were slways on the verge of starvation. Should such conditions continus, the result must be the speedy physical collapes of vast numbers of people.

In Brussels, he said, the hotele | frequented exalusively by German officer warn abla

to obtain supplies of fst, at 51.

■ kilogramme, wherese the popu |lation must pay "five times" thin en for the same quantity when [any is available. Bat," added this typical Prumino, “so long we we are well fed the others can perish miserably (is peupla pout.. crever).”

Be spoke of Brassela sa mo earthly paradise for Garman. cfficers. It has all the charms of Paris in miniature, However, he admitted there was a general im- pression that their stay at Brussels Rould not continue much longer. He confirmed the news I have already sent that people are not allowed ont alter 8.30 at night, bas mid this order would prob. ably be relaxed at Christmas, The reasons for the order bu would not viste.

When he was in ■ £t condition he was skilfully led to talk about deportations. With remnants of caution be attributed these to the fact that there were thousands of idle bands and hungry moutha in Belgium. If they must be fad, then it was better they should also be forced to work.

This unsatisfactory reply was soon put aside, for the officer went on to declare that the Ger- mans had found huge stores of small arms and ammonition in under-ground oaves at Etterbeek, s enbarb. Fearing the people would use these, and that other ntoren were still undiscovered, the Germans decided to remove the male inhabitants.

Digging on an extensive sole in a search for more hidden arman in going on daily, and whare armM are discovered the inhabitants will be deported.

The officer was retorcing to the Brussels disappointed at failure to obtain permission for the export of large quantities of fondstuffs from Holland.-Daily Chronicle.

DON'T FORGET.

TO-DAY. Victoria Theatre 9.15 p.m. Bijon Theatre-0.15 p.m. New Hongkong Cinematogrm |---9.15 p.m.

· TO-MORRÓW, Victoria Theatre-9.15 p.m. Bijon Theatre-9.10 p.m. New Hongkong · Öinemaio- graph -0.15 pm.

Monday, February 5, Piano Recital at Government' Boase; 9.15 p.mi,fol

Saturday, February 10. Kowloon Land and Building” Co.-Shareholdera imposing;

Shareholdern z