1917-08-11 — Page 9

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH

EXTRA

HONGKONG, SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1917..

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

LABOUR AND THE WAR.

Voting on the Stockholm Question.

London, August 10. The Labour Conference amendment opposing the sending of delegates to `Stockholm was defeated, the voting being:-For, 391,300; against 1,851,000.

The Labour Conference card vote on the main resolution in favour of sending delegates to Stockholm resulted as follows:-For, 1,846,000; against, 550,000.

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For and Against.

M. P.'S UNDER FIRE.

Mr. Gershom. Stewart's Experiences.

Some of the members of the Parliamentary Committee who at teaded during Whitsuntide the Allied Inter . Parliamentary Council Conference in Bome paid

visit to the Italian Front Amongst them was Mr. Garahom Stewart. At one point, Mr. Stawari tells us, they were very interested to hear that a British battery of 8-in. howitzers was

close by, so they went to it, and had a talk with Major Dunster-

London, August 10. On the Labour Party Conference resaming this afternoon,' the principal resolution was moved, namely: "That the invitation to the International Conference at Stockholm be accepted, on condition that the Conference is consultative and not mandatory." An amendment was moved to the effect that no case had been made out for the sending of delegates to a conference including enemy dele gates. The amendment added: "This Conference should adjourn rine die." The motion was moved on behalf of the textile workersville, who was in command, and and miners, and the amendment by the dockers. *

The mover of the amendment said it would be treason to the rank and file of the party if the resolution were carried. Mr. George Barnes, M.P., seconding, declared that the proposed Conference at Stockholm would defeat the aim for which we entered the war. This was not the time to discuss pasae. Moreover, Americs, Belgium. Italy and France would not be represented, and if British delegater want, they would have to disease pesce with the Germans on the one hand and the Dutch and Scand- inavians on the other. Tae latter would be in's position to vote for peace on any terms. He pointed out that the difference between a mandatory and & csasultative coafarance was very small.

Mr. Ramsay Macdonald, in supporting the resolation, was given

with Lieutenant Melville, the latter, fom Shanghai. The battery was fring away at a great rate, and they told the delegates that it was se hot a firs as they had delivered on the Somme. The battery was well placed, in a hollow, behind a bank, and up to that moment had escaped without casualties, In the course of an interview with a representative of the Liverpool Courier Mr. Stewart said:

a mixed reception. He was much interrupted, and abɔre the din Mr. Will Throne shouted, "Whom do you repressat?" while au other shouted "The Seamen's and Firemen'a Union will see thate, travelling mostly by motor you don't go to Stockholm." The Chairman had to appeal for

order.

Mr. Smillie suggested that the Executive should approach the American and Belgian Labour movements and get them also to send delegates, and also request the Dominions to send two re The Chairman replied stating that the sag-

presentatives each. gestion would be considered.

A NEW BRITISH THRUST.

A Reminder that the Offensive is Not Finished.

London, August 10.

"We spent three days in the war

the Julian front. This was May car. On the first day we visited

placed right amid the battle of 22. On the second day we were the Careo, with which, re-opening victoriously the Italian offensive, Count Cadorna. and his soldiers celebrated the second anniversary of their country's entry into the War. British batterias took part with great

effect in these terrific operations, and we were fortunate enough to Reuter's correspondent at the British Headquartera telegraph-pounding the enemy, and ex- get among them while they were ing to-day gaya-Early this morning the Germans received definite change a few words with some of proof that their newspapers were talking bab when they declared the officers and men. that the British offensive in Flanders had cams to eats adatili. Tast also allowed to place ourselves in We were their High Command did not think so was shown by the treadbass very favourable position for advantage it had taken of the conditions of bad weather imposed apon as to strengthen their front and rear defences. I lesra that no fawer than ten enemy Divisions have been withdrawn since July 31, which is a fair criterion of the loss, since we know that most of these troops were fresh'ia the line on the eve of the attack.

The operations this morning were not of first magaitade; rather were they a battle for position to try to complete our partisi dominance of the Westhoek Ridge. Following the usual thunderous preliminaries by gunners, bar infantry weat over at 4.30 on a froat of 3,509 yarde, and we carried the advance to an extreme depth of five hundred yards. At the time of writing there are signs that the Germane are preparing for counter-attacks bat our artillery is warning them off in no uncertain voice. The weather is pretty fair, except for local showers, which temporarily mar visibility and retard the drying of the groand...

A General Order dated July 6 to the Ypas group of Prince Rupprecht's Armies is interesting and enlightening. It says:- "The fact that economy in the stocks of bread and sareala is necessary makes it essential to a nation an increased rating only to those to whom it is really nece osry. All officers are requested to explain again to their subordinates the really serious nature of the economic situation in Germany and to instruct them that the strictest economy in supplies must must be exercised. Nothing must be consumed beyond what is necessary; even the smalleet particle mast not be wanted."

More French Progress.

London, August 10.

A French communique stated: We conuaned to progress in Bel- gium and occupied during the right several farms east of Bixechoote. West of Langemarck we captured machine guns. A German attack on a kilometre front in the Fayet region, north of St. Quen- tin, was broken up by our fire and repalsed with loea, except in the centre, where enemy fractions gained a footing in a small ares of our advanced elements, There was a recrudescence of bombard ments during the night in the whole region south of Allemant and Filain. North of Aisne, the enemy at dawn violently attacked from Pantheon farm to Chevrigny ridge.

observing something like 25 miles of the battle line. It was a thrilling experience. We were exposed to the enemy's ganfire for over three hours, many shells barating uncomfortably near.

weat to the Trentino frost, and "On the third day (May 24) we

Cenzio, the scene of much fight Baw the Asiago Platean and Mont ing last year.

We were every- spirit and soldierlike bearing of where impressed with the fine the Italian soldier of all ranks, at the things they have been able and were filled with amazement to accomplish in the way of road construction Bad fortification snowclad, paka, Baliere me, in among lofty, ragged, and often their 450 miles of war frontier our Italian friends have done and are doing atupendous work, for which it is impossible tp gir them too much credit."

Speech at the Conference. Mr. Stewart briefly addressed the Conference in advocacy of the ton-for-ton policy. He said:

points:That the enemy should I will limit mysli to two

with his own shipping ton for ton repay the Allies sa far as possible for thosehips destroyed by illazni methods, and if it is not possible Three battalions supported by storm troops attempted to asemalt linquencies in full, it is necessary for the enemy to expists his de our lines at various times, but accurate fire stopped the assailants they should, as far as they on most of the front, inflicting on them very heavy losses. The possibly can, make reparation enemy elements which penetrated the trenches were killed or taken in kind to the Allies for their prisoner. After hand-to-hand fighting, in which our troops showed ships sunk, The Germans are admirable dash, we held all the positions. Other German attempta, s new power at sea, and they have notably south of Ailles, south-east of Chevreux, in the region of violated the sncient general code Vanquois, towards Avocourt and north-west of Flirey, also failed that has existed amongst all mari- under our firs; with appreciable losses.

time peoples from times anterior to the Romans. In my opinion, we ought to show them that this new law of ferocity and brutality code is not accepted by Wa does not pay, and that their the second place, I think it is our duty to inmit that so an expres sion of our disapproval, of tinir piratical methods, the Gorms dag should be excluded from our maritime porta för a period after the

SERIOUS EXPLOSION AT HOME,

London, August 10.

An explosion and fire have destroyed chemical works at Berk ing. Bo far, it is ascertained that thirteen woman have been killed and many injured.

NEW FRENCH MINISTER.

London, August 10,

According to Beater's correspondent at Paris, M. Charles Chaumet has been appointed Minister of Marine.

hostilitie