1917-03-15 — Page 1

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The Hongkong Telegraph

B

March 15. 1917, Temperature $ $ 59

7611 日二十月统

Humidity

TELEGRAMS.

[Beater's Service to the Telegraph."]

THE GREAT GERMAN RETREAT.

IS IT DEVELOPING INTO A DEBACLE ?

•

62

"THE BĖGINNING of very oREAT EVENTS”

London, March 14. Corrowpondents at Headquarters state that the British gans made the forlifed Loupart wood untenable. When the patrols advenood, after a sustained bombardment, on March 12, they found the wood empty. Passing through, they entered the fortress of Grevillers, where there was slight opposition from field howitÜ MTA, Bombing patrols followed up..

The Germans are retiring from the Bapaume ridge mont speedily, and the British are warming on their heels day and night, "pressing them back to the railway.

The troops are enthusiastic at entering practically undamaged conny. From Grevillers they could see the still unbroken roofs * and chimneys of half a dozen villages west and north of Bapaume, surrounded by green fields and undamaged roads, The next drive should take the British there.

The glimpse of the panorams han stirred the troops' imagination, sad never sincs 1914 have the iáfantry watched "so interestedly the work of the guaners.

Correspondents agree that important movements are impending, in which the enemy is likely to bi damaged severely.

The Daly Topic in France.

Later. Benter's correspondent at Paris says the great German retroat before the British is the only topic discussed.

The sir in full of secsational reports that the retreat in turning into a debsele, under the unremitting activity of the pareners, who are superior both in material and in initiative.

It is at present impossible to say how far these reports are true, but undeabtedly the British continue advancing to the north- east and cast of Gommecourt.

We are probably witnessing the beginning of very great events, involving more than the fall of Bapaume.

Obstinate Struggle on French Front,

London, March 14.

(ESTABLISHED

1881)

Copyright 1917, by the Proprietor.

THURSDAY,. MARCH 15, 1917.

TELEGRAMS.

(From Our Own Correspondɛnt).

CHINA'S BREAK With GERMANY.

German Minister Handed His Passports.

Shanghai, March 15, 9 43 h.ra. The German Minister was handed his passports last evening, with a dignified Note to the effect that China bad’carring out her threat because Chiasse lives had been lost einde, an a commit of sub- mariniem.

alec be given their passports.

The despatch connludes that the German Consular officials will

The Severance.

[Beater's Service to The " Telegraph.")

London, March 14. Chios has severed relations with Germsay, and has taken possession of German merchentrisa at Shaughsi.

[A telegram from our Shanghai correspondent, which wa published yesterday, contained the abars information...w E. H.K.T.]

FURTHER ADVANCE IN MESOPOTAMIA.

Recovery of British Guns Lost at Kut.

London, March 14.

A Mesopotamia official mwinge syn:-We hava advanced in detachments thirty miles up the stream from Bigdad. Steps have been taken to prevent the Roding of the city during the coming ti of the river.

The small arms factory at Bigded is in good repair. The railway shops contain auinjured and servicable machinery and five locomotives and rolling stock,

Our guns lost at Kat in 1918 his been recovered at Bigdad.

THE IMPERIAL WAR COUNCIL.

Lord Milner on Its Significance,

London, March 14. Lord Milner, presiding at the British Empire' Producers lancheon to Sir Edward P. Morris, Premier of Newfoundland, said that the development of the Empira's remorses belanged to was to regard the Empire as an economic whole. The significance to-day's new and constructive era, the guiding principal of which of the War Council was not fully appreciated. It was an Exabalita, Council of the whole Empire, and was capable of deciding questions

A Franch official memage anys:-Between Batie de Mesnil and Maison de Champagne, the Germans delivered two violent counter-attacks against works which we bad captared to the isit of the sector. The enemy was unable to reseb our positions anywhere, affecting every part. The time was coming when the direction of and sustained heavy losses.

Throughout the night an obstinate grenade struggle continued between Hill 185 and Maison de Champagne, where we captured more trenches.

Between the Mease and Apremont, our troops penetrated the German trenches at four points, reaching the second line and capturing prisoners.

The German Version.

London, March 14,

A Berlin communique asys :-In the Ancre region, the English afisoked without artillery preparation between Achist Petit and Grevillers, also during the night after a heavy fire on both sides of Bacqany. They were heavily repulsed. We made prisoner of fifty,

|tative of, or responsible to, all the Dominions. Tas present Cabinet Imperial affairs would be in the hands of a Government represen- was morally reponsible for the Empire in the conduct of the war, counsel at the Conference. hence they were anxious to have the Dominions representativos

AMERICA AGAIN PROVOKED.

U.S. Steamer Sunk Without Warning.

London, March 14.

March 15. 19:6,

WEATHER-FORECAST -

FAIR

Barometer: 30 21.

Temperature' 6 8.m. Humidity

57 2 p.m. El 83

71

WAD METAŻ★## SINGLE COPY 10 CENTS.

TELEGRAMS.

{Renter's Service 17 The "Toiograph."]

THE WESTERN OFFENSIVE,

London, March 14. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig says that owing to our bombardment the enemy abandoned the main defences along the forward ridge to the west of Bapaume ap a 31 mile front. We drove back the rearguards in this area for a depth of a mile and occupied Grevillers and Loopart Wood We also progremed to the east and north-east of Gommecourt... on a frontage of a mile.

A raiding party reached our trenches to the south-west of Neuve Chapelle, and a few British are missing.

Hostile raids elsewhere were replied.

Good News Coming.

London, March 14. Our guns and the steady pressure of our troops have compelled the Germans in France to resume their backward movement

The enemy has been pushed back under cover of the vory, bazy weather of the last twenty-four hours along a front between 4,000 and 5,000 yards in extent, and to a depth which Bouter's correspondent at Hoadquarters says is so far impossible to estimate,

Our troops advanced right through a series of strong positions which the enemy had prepared in Loupart Wood and we seized the village of Grevillers. Great activity pre- vails whers the Germans have been forced back.

"There should be important news available by to- morrow," concludes the despatch.

Etf.ctive French Artillery Fire,

London, March 14.

A French communiqus zaporis :-In the Champagne there was reciprocal ärtillery activity in the sectors of Mai- sona de Chamgagne and Main de Massigen

185.

The Germans with bombs unsuccessfully attacked Hill

On the left of the Meuse there was reciprocal artillery. activity.

We apparently were notably effective in the region of Avocourt and Hill 304, and on the right bank north-west of Bezonraux.

A SE MEZNIE. SAMA, J. Balan

London, Mar-16

A wireless German official message claims that 250 pris- oners have been taken at Narajowka.

THE LLOYD GEORGE CONSPIRACY,

Prisoners' Statements in the

Police Court.

130 ER ANNUM,

DON'T FORGET.

TO-DAY. Badman Opera Co.—Parforia- ance of Theodore and Co, ". the_Theatre Royal.

Victoria Theatre-9.15 pas: Bijou Theatre 9.15° p.m. New Hongkong Cinematogrs -9.15 p.m.

TO-MORROW. Victoris Theatre--9.15 p.us. Bijou Theatre---9.16 pm. New Hongkong Cinemato graph.-9.15 p.m.

Bandman Opera Oo.-Parfor manos of "Theodors and Co," at the Taustre Royal.

prison for it, and now be hag gone out of the way you think you will punish him through ms, and you can do it.

Jefendant Betty Wheeldon said she had nothing to say against being remanded.

Defendant Winnis Mason said: "I-think it is'an infamous DON- exction against my family and /my_busband.”

Defendant Alfred Mason mið: "I have nothing further to my.” The Mayor than, formally re- manded defendant in custody until Saturday..

Alice Wheeldon remarked: “I hope we are not going back to that icy cold place where we were last night, My feet hava not been warm since I went there. The disgraosful state of the plaon sad its cɔldnone are a dirgraon tù civilisation."

Mrs. Mason said: “We bad to sleep in a place not fit for animals to sleep in."

Mr. Pourcu said he was told that everything possible was dowa for defendants comfort at the Look was TH8 Mayor replied, thes defendants would be convayed

to Birmingham gaol until Satur day.

Defendaule waved farewelle to

Wheeldon, to whom he read the ] friends in court. warrant. She replied, "I havS The Wheeldon Family.

| nothing to say about it,” Wirness Derby, January 31.-The took her to the police station and Wheeldons are a family who then proceeded to Likeston, whers have made themselves notorious The prisonera in the Loyd he saw Betty Wheeldon. She was in Derby by their violent hostility George conspiracy trial were employed there as a school teacher towards military servion:

A charged as Derby on January 31. She admitted she was the defen-

William Maraball Mr. Pesos sa 1000 as the de dent referred to in the warrant, Wheeldoɑ, who was a tencher fendants bad been publicly and said, "I know the people you ander the Derby Education charged, informed the Court that mean, b 1 I know nothing abou: Committee, was discharged fromm the proceedings were instituion this murder charge."

bis employment because of his

9001

WH

The American samar Algonquin, of 1,800 tons, from New York to London, Aging the Ameriona £ g, and carrying foodstuffs, by the Director of Pablio Prose- She told witnow, also, that her position as a no-conscriptionist,

outions, on whoss behalf he apname was Harriet Ann Wheeldon, and it has been sunk by sbeli-źre by s Garman enbuarios.

be to whons The Champagne battles continus south of Bipont, with varytoB | twenty abelis without warning. The Commander réfased fő tow Whistion, their clerk, which was Wheeldon corrected Inspector mities refused to give him a

The submarine opened fire at a range of three miles, fringeard the charge read by Mr Holly

razred. The magistrate had but that the was also known as Mrs. Wheeldon referred in the The defendant Betty dock. The Education Clone- | the lifebonta towards land. The crew was sayod.

French thrusts near Sli. Mihiel failed.

AUSTRIAN POLITICS.

Pending Cabinet Crisis.

Londen, March 14.

AMERICAN RAILWAYMEN.

12

Loyal Assurances to President Willson,

London, March 3. Beuter's correspondent at Washington states that the Federated impending in Vienna. It is stated that Count Martinio will be the nation is involved in war, while negotiations wit 1 she employers Batagr's correspondent at Barns say that a Cabinet crisis in hours' day, but here now written President Wilson sting that if Railway Unions have been chrastening a huge strike, for sin eight sacosded by Count Chernia, whom Count Tieza spoconds. Count continue, they will co-operate with the Government to the fallest, Jalias Andrassy will succeed Count Tins, and will form

· Hungarian Coalition Cabinet.

AUSTRIA AND GERMANY.

A Military Conferenes,

London, March 14. According to Beuter's correspondent at Berne, a Berlin **moningo says General von Hindenburg and General Ladenbo:ff ars conferring with the Austrian Generals Hetzendorf and von Árs at the German Boudquarters regarding the impending operations on the Italian and Western fronte,

GERMAN SEAPLANES, RUSSIAN DESTROYERS,

London, March 14.

A German official message states:-German seaplanes, on

·March 3, bombed two Russian destroyers which approached Constants and forced them to retura.

Two hits were clearly observed on one destroyer fore and aft.

THE NEW VOTE OF CREDIT.

London, March 14,

It is understood that the supplementary Vote of Uredit to be annonnoed by Mr. Bonas Law will total #50,000,000.

COUNT BERNSTORFF AT home.

London, March 14.

Count von Barnstorff, former German Ambassador to the United

has arrived in Berlin,

IN THE BALKANS.

Londos. Marob 14.

A Berlin communique says:—We captured 268 Bagani and several machine guns on the Narsj wks front.

French thrusts between Ocbris and Preeps Lake and strong enemy attacks north of Monastir failed.

"[In the event of telegrams arriving too fato far inmortion on

this page they will be found on ao Eitrá), 1.

EARLIER TELEGRAMS.

BAGDAD SEQUELS,

London, Marek 13.

An official message from Mesopotamia, saya si Wa mala- tained close touch with the enemy south of Bagdad: fa che orming of March 10. At night the enemy evacuated an entir, trench line, advancing in close contact.

A general advance on both banka · followed-and-ww occupied the railway station at dawn and than the sity. Tho cavalry advanced in pursuit and alter m slight sedintono occupied Kabdimain, making prisoners of 100,-

The gunboata then took up the pursuit. Sinée Fehensi 23 the Turks have been déstroying and removing everyik of valus from Bagdad, but our booty neverthaléer le giona able.

"

The onbaty abandoned 500 wounded and between 200 and 200 dead.

صور

We made prisoners of 200 on the left. "Mardi 10.

!

that the defendants conspired Higham's evidence, and denied character, and the supposed in- together to commit the crims of that the said she was Betty jastice of this decision was murder in regard to the Prime Wheeldon, but answered “Yes” sabj-et of discussion at a reosat Minister and Mr. Henderson, an- to bis question.: The other defen-meeting of the town council, other member of the Government. dania did not ask the inspector where certain Sosialist members

What he proposed to do to-day sny questions, -

ware among his sympathisara: - Detective-inspector McCorman, He was charged" befors the was a very small matter. He

Saturday when the oase would inspector Everest, of the Metro of some conscientions ohiotors arrest, and then ask the Benob police, said that on Taseday with obstructing the police on proposed to offer oridance of of the Southampton Borough Darby magistrates last monumer to remand the defendanta zati be received the warrant from the acossion of the transference be conducted by the Law Officere politan Palion, with which he from Darby Prison to the har of the Crown, who would open proceeded to Foundry Lane Coan- racks for a court-martial, and in the case and proceed with the oil School, where the defendant default of paying

a figo be weat evidence on that day and the Winnie Mason was employed as to prison for a month. following Monday and Tuesday, a teacher. She admitted that she His whereabouts are at present if the case should take as long. was Mrs. Mason, and witzem told unknown, and it is understood Inspector Righam, of the Bher he was a police officer. Be that the military authurition ars Division of the Derby Borough cautioned her after reading the looking for him. Police Force, was then called and warrant, and she replied, "What An incident which ouste examined by Mr. Pearor. He said is it all about? Edon's understand sidelight on the character of the that on Tuesday in company with it. My husband has left on his Wheeldons was the unexpected Detective Stidey, of Derby, and tingale for Dirby. He is a discovery at their house of an Detective Inspector Parker and obemint's assistant meeking om-absentes, alg consideations Detective-Sergeant Hallatt, of ployment. I know how much I am objector for whom the sathoritien Bootland Yard, he proceeded to in it."

have long been looking. His Alexander and be

Mann

WIN

McDonald, described

| No. 12, Paartree-road, the resid- Witness brought her to Derby, a

ence of the defendanta Wheeldon. where she arrived on Tamday Mrs. Wheeldon was out when sight. Witness also visited bør | Was [they arrived, but they saw the house in 8 athampton, and took insurance agent,. He was arrested prisoner Alfred Mason. Witnon possession of certain docamenta, under the Military Service® Ast muid to him, "Árs you Alfred Mr. Pearce: That is all the last July and then told the Banch Mason?" And be replied, Yes." evidence I propose to offer to-day, that as a member of the Interns- Witness thereupon took him to and upon that evidence I ask for tional Labour Body he could mot | Bloomfield-street Police Station, « remand until Saturday,... – become a soldier. He way hand- where he read the warrant over Asked if aha had anything to od over to an Army escort, and to him and cantioned him, but all my why she should not be ambargoently released- pending bu said was “Not guilty". Witnem remanded, Alios Wheeldon, the the hearing of his case by the searched him and found nothing eldest defendant, unid;-

on him. : On the way to the police *** I think it is just a tramped iation be told. witnem that brap charge to punish me for my ayaled from 8>uthampton to Derby lnd being a conscientious obj sotor. on Saturday,

You ́panished him through me while you had him in prison-lon time. You browski po â tonnial#i

Nothing to Say.

cond to Le Paarizon- the defpodent Alion

Central Tritanal, bat be had not been hosed of sinos: En was now.. handed over again to the military sathorities

to