1917-08-18 — Page 1

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The Hongkong Telegraph

(ESTABLISHED 1881.)

Copyright 1917, byt

FAIR

Temperature

August 18, 1917, Humidity

7727 8-AŁ.

REUTER'S

*

TELEGRAMS.

THE ANGLO-FRENCH OFFENSIVE,

FRANTIC GERMAN EFFORTS TO RECOVER LOSSES.

Enemy Lads Mown Down Wholesale,

London, August 17.

SINGLE COPYAR GENTI,

$36 PER ANNUM:

TELEGRAMS.

August 18, 1916;

idity

SATURDAY, - AUGUST 18,-

1917.

大興禮 骁八十月八英港香

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

THE POPE'S PEACE PLANS.

Welcomed by the Enemy and Noutrals.

EARLIER TELEGRAMS,

- London, August 17. Reuter's correspondent at Rome says that the Vatican has been Reuter's correspondent at the British Headquarters says:-Byered that Berlin, Vienna and neutrale support the Pope's continoons and obilfs bitter fighting we progressed throughout proposals. The Allies maintain an attitude of remuzyn. the day along the front of the renewed offensive. Too joint Anglo-

German Professions: Se

London; August 17, §. French “ack appears to have been a success, but the sitastion on;

The German Prown, prafemusù a disinolination to accept the the right flank is a little obscure. Troops hereabouts are moving towards Polygon de Zingebeke, but the Germans are delivering Pope's proposals until the fall sext is available, but it is obvious some of their heaviest dɔanter-attacks there. Further north, we that the step is most welcoms, and that there is mooh anxious bave unquestionably done very well: Langemarck is reported as curiosity manifested regarding the attitude of the Allies.

The semi-official Cologne Gazette way that it would not be right being well in our hands, and fighting is well beyond this point. The mention of Langemarck recalls the first battle of Ypres, when to reject the Pope's proposals, for logic pronoribes that Germany the Taird Brigade met the Twenty-Seventh German Division should enter the path indicated by the Pape. advancing with arme linked, with a conscientiousness of overwhelming experiority. Our machine-gun fire so out them up that even our own soldiers were asserated by the slaughter.

Italy Speaks Out.

London, August 17. The Italian Frens hopes that the voice of the Pope will be socompanied by an unceasing Allied bombardment from Flanders to Trieste, and exprate that the Central Empires will now be obliged to reveal their peace term".

Germany's "Peace Offensive" Answered,

London, Au

Frantic German Efforts to Stem the Tide.

Lendon, Angust 17. The fighting in Flanders is very heavy and most desperate. Corrapondants sy that the blood-bath is worse than it was on

17. the Bamme. The Germans are frantically throwing in whole

The newspapers applaud Mr. Lloyd George's'sober and water- Divisions, in ysin attempts to retake lost positions, The attacks are likened to the outgoing tide. The warse are still heavy, hot manlike utterance as the best answer to the new German "peace each collapses behind its predecessor. One came within sen yards offensive." The Times says it proves that leading statesmen in this before it was withared by our machine-gun fire. The losses in the Empire, in possession of the fall facts of the situation, entirely counter-attacks on Hill 70 were particularly beavy, Boys of discent from those who think that the war is becoming more and seventeen were mown down wholestie. The Allies have been very more a Geelere massacre. The enemy, se Mr. Lloyd George pointed anlucky in the matter of weather. The advance on Langemarck out, has und risken à regalar campaign to prove that the state of war was carried out through floods." Men saak up to their waists in food eupplies and theanocem of nulimited piracy must presently bring mad, asing their rifles se supports. Many had to heal ous their England to her knees. This month, he says, has been mentioned comrades, but all the difficulties were ultimately surmounted. The in the Reichstag as the period when this consummation is to be enemy Aid when the British closed round the ruins. The captures schiered. The objects of the move are patent, but fortunately it in included a Colonel, who was nerve shaken sad dejected. de possible to demonstrate by facts and figures that the fond hopes admitted that his losses had been very heavy. Yesterday's fighting which its authors seek to propagate are built upon sand.

Outspoken French Comment. marks the fifth successful cftansiye vinos January 1. Each bas meant

London, August 17. the lows of a dominating height by the Germans, who now hold only -Auber's Ridge, west of Lille. This has not yet been attacked,

St. Quentin Cathedral in Flatres.

London, August 17.

Beater'a correspondent at Paris states that the Peons rejects the Pope's proposals. Le Temps asks:-How can a voice raised in the name of Divine justine omit to demsad punishment for the wrongs of 1871 and 1914? When one desires to pose ss. su arbiter of peace, his first duty is to decide between good and busz Le Journal de Debats mays that third parties, intervening are agung consciously-

Beater's correspondent at the French Headquarters states:- Fiames were ́ssen pouring from the roof of St. Quentin Cathedral last night from the French observatory" posta. All night the great building flamed. When day broke it was seen that the on behalf of the autocratic Empires. Le Matin ways there must massive roof bad fallen in, carrying with it the central tower. At be no equivocation over the terms of the evacuation of the invaded four this afternoon I was looking at the rained aball of the ancient districts. Le Journal expresses sympathy with the Pope's intentione church. The fire was still barning and smoke pouring out. The but unshakable Ermones in the Allies' plans Cathedral dates in parts from the thirteenth cantary. The edifice contained remarkably fan stained gizas windows. The enemy fired two villages close to St. Qʻrentin last night.

Belgian Const Raided..

London, August 17.

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America's Splendid Sentiment.

London, August 17. Reuter's correspondent at New York anys that the sentiment of the United States, as reflected in the principal newspapers, continues to indicate little hope of concrete results from the Pope's pro-possle. An Admiralty announcement staten that seral seroplanes The Boston Transcript says:The saggestion that the grest carried out a series of raida yesterday, Tasy dropped many tons of nations of the world should bay back the mutilated victime of bombs on Ostend and Thourous railway stations and Ghistelles German greed, strogance and aggression by restoring Germany's serodrome, causing fires. They also sitsoked Engel and Uytkerke Olonies and allowing the guilty German Government to go soot aerodromes and road transporta by seroplane gucfire. The free is too sinister for consideration on this side of the Atlantic, even

when the ruggestion comes in good faith from the Vatican.~ machines returned.

The Liberation of Belgium.

London, August 17. Beuter's correspondent at the British Headquarters, telegraphing --this afternonu, ays that the liberation of Belgiam made substantial

progress yesterday. Although the gain of territory was not grest, The Philadelphia Inquirw maya :-QBsts of pesos that the Allies it is all to the good. But what in more important is that there are can consider seriously must come from Berlin sad mast include the now fewer Hans in Belgium than previously. The Anglo-French repudiation of the Hohenzollern Dynasty.

The Washington Post writes:-Bamanity sharge with the Pope. a feeling of horror over anch bloodshed and desolation, and it is to put a stop to it for over that humanity refuses to compromise with the German murder system.

have now probably got two thousand prisoners in the collecting The New York Herald declares-The capture of Hill 70 is cages, whilst we know for s ́certainty that the enemy'a dead suḍthe finest peson move that hea' happened since the notable British wounded must form en appalling tolal.

Enemy Counter-Attacks.

advance at Wytschaste, and drives home to the people of Germany that the Bindenburg impregnability is not impregnable. Magnif cent work is being done in the orase of pesce by the British Army in the vicinity of Leas, and each day that passes brings us usarer to peace, not because of anybody's peace talk proposals, but becauUES

London, August 17 Field Marshal Sir Douglas Heig reports -The enemy twice counter-attacked last night on our new positions to the east of Loos, in the direction of Cite St. Auguste, Bia second attempt pressed the armies of civilisation are driving hard for peace. back the line alightly at some points. Our counter-attacks restored .. the positions We repulsed a further counter-attack, inking prison- ers. There is dual artillery activity to the east of Ypres.

THE STOCKHOLM CONFERENCE,

London, Angust 17, Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. Boost Liw said we had not been misinformed about the fosition of the Russian Government and we had not in the least been misinformed regarding the position of Britishers attending & Conference which would be attended by the anety, The G verament had not changed its attitude thereon. All recognised the part labour was playing in the war. Could we expect soldiers who were falling daily to continue playing the straggle when they know that fellow dit:zna were hobnobbing with their enemies behind their hack+? We cannot win the war unles the country is solid. He contended that the morale on which victory depended would be destroyed if the Government expressly allowed ditions to go and talk to their enemies. When the time comes to talk of peace it must be by a Government representing not a section, but

the whole nation..

AFTER-THE-WAR TRADE.

London, August 17. The Government has decided on a schemes for the satablishment of a Commercial Intelligenon Servios to promote trade after the war.

ANGLO-TURKISH WAR PRISONERS.

Loudon, Angast 17, Lord Darby ban annomgood" that Tatkey has agreed to a conference on the question of war prisoners in Switzerland.

CENTRAL POWERS AND POLAND.

Ingdon, August 17,

Beater learns that the Central Empires intend to offer Poland Regnoty, composed of three eminent Polish politicians, Ministerial Obinrt and Cobocil of State, in which none of the present Provisional Councillors will be appointed.

AUSTRALIA AND PEACE, ..

London, August 17.

According to Reater's correspondent st Melbourne, the Senate bas rejected, witboot debate or division, e motion that the time has arrived for the Imperial Government to secertain, and announce a peace basis on which the Allies are prepared to negotiate. The Senate passed a motion déprecisting the return of the German Coloniea

· THE SPANISH SITUATION.

Country Much Quieter.

London, Angast 17; : Reuter learns that Spain is much quieter and that the sitastion is well controlled, though in many places the shops are closed sad communication is bad.” Soldwers are driving the trams. Fourtrain wreckers were executed at mid-day. A telegram from Heater's Madrid correspondent states that the cap tal is entirely normal.

A Prison Mutiny."

Later.

Renter's correspondent at Madrid states that a maticy broke oat in the chief prison at Madrid daring the daily rinit of the prisoners' families. The convicts attacked the warders and the military gourd. Reinforcements arrived but received 'shots from the window. Finally they quelled the disturbance."- Seven ̈ were | killed and several wounded.

MORE HARBOURS NEEDED."

London, August 17.

In the House of Lords, Lord Carzon emphasised that the estab lishment of suitable harbours and the improvement of existing bar- bours was an Imperial necessity. He hoped soon that the recommenda ations of the Royal Commission on the question, would be adopted, bat the metter sould not be dealt with in wartime, owing to the shorisge of labour. The question was not being last eight of, and would be taken up in all its Imperial aspects pa’soon as possible,

THE PREMIER'S WAR SPEECH.

Loudon, Aug. 16 In the couras of bin sporth in the House of Commons. Mr. Lloyd George said red,

Shipbuilding is quickening, Many-slips haya been or- dered abroad; 658,000 tons were built in Britain in 1915, . 838,000 tons in 1916 and 480,000 tons in the first six months: of 1917 In the last six months of 1917, 1, 430,000, boni would be nequired, of which 1,100,000 would be built in Britain, making a total for the year of 1,900,000 tons besides Jarge naval construction. He believed our shipping losses would decrease and he was certain our construction would increase.

We still needed · more.

the shipping bat if United States exerted its full capacity sa doubtless she wat preparing to do we should bare sufficient tonnage not only for the whole of 1918 byt if necessary for 1918.

Dealing with the military situation-the-Premier declared. that he would not exchange our position for the enemy's. Our difficulties would diminish as our powers increased while the enemy's difficulties would increase as their powers diminished..

The Premier, proceeded to read a telegram from the front regarding the latest offensive, which, he said, was not intended to be a big operation. The telegram stated that severe fighting continued, the result of which had not yet been determined. The French were effectively co-operating while the Canadian infantry bad won a 'conspicuous success. He then mentioned Langemarck already, ombled.. Concluding the Premier said: This is the supreme hour for! patience, courage, endurance, hope and unity. Let us go through this hour with the old temper of our race. That will enable us to destroy a great military, despotism..so that fiext year we and the world thall begin to reap the fruite of our valour (Loud-cheers).

Mr. Asquith, who followed the Premier, said we could survey the soene not with complacency after what had hap- pened in Russia. but with satisfaction as far RI Our OYA efforts were concerned. What happened in Russia frustrated one great military purpose of the Allies, but he hoped that Basis would soon resume ber full share in the common task.

Later.

The following is an amplification of the Premier's specch Mr. Lloyd George referring to the military position said he bad anticipated this year a great converging movement against our food Busia was equipped for this as never- before. The nippers were beginning to grip, but one claw of the nippers is out of repair for the moment; therefors we had not attained the converging pressure he had anti- cipated. But things are mending. The situation to Russia is very difficult, hence he deprecated discussion on the do- mestic politics of Russia (Cheers). Despite the difficulties - and troubles at the end of three years, when every country"- must feel exhausted, I would not exchange our military position with that of the enemy to-day. The best the enemy can do this year, when practically their most power-- ful opponent at the beginning of the war is momentarily paralysed with internal difficulties, is barely to hold his own against the attacks of the British and French, and she isn't quite doing it. On the contrary in that year she has been beaten in several great battles with severe losses and hundreds of her guns have been captured, which is not a bad test of tie winning or losing of a battle-all that when Russia is practically out of the campaign. When Russia has recovered and America is really in the enemy will have something to think about. The present moment is the hour of their difficulty. Our difficulties will diminish as our power ingresses; their difficulties will increase as their power dim inisher, and they know it.

THE GREAT BATTLE IN THE WEST,

London, Aug, 17.

Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports: The Allied attack on a front of nine miles northward of the Ypres Menip Road continued all day long in face of strong re- sistatice. The French on the left advanced astride of the Zuyg- schoote-Dizmude Road, cleared a tongue of land between the Year Canal and Märtjevaart and captured the bridge- head at Driegraschten. The British centre rapidly captured their first objectives, carried Langemarck in heavy fighting, advanced half mile beyond and established themselves in the German trench system, the day's final objective. There is fieres and continuous fighting on the right for the high ground northward of Menin Road. The enemy has repeated-

·ir heavily counter-attacked and' pressed us back from part of the ground won earlier. Our artillery broke up in the evening' counter-attacks in this neighbourhood. Eighteen hundred prisoners were taken in this attack and are already”. brought in. Wo reprogressed eastward of Loos and took prisoner 696 since yesterday on this front. Our arooplanes. effectively co-operated yesterday and machine-gunned the counter-attackers. We brought down twelve and drove down four. Three of oura are missing. There was excellent sero- plane work to-day.

"Reuter's correspondent at Headquarters saya: Both siden are fighting, desperately in the neighbourhood of Glen- corse Wood, a strong tactical point. The infantry loudly praise the almost sentient precision of our artillery barrage.. 'One of the worst experiences befalling the German counter- attacks was when our gùng put down a curtain of fire behind the assaulting waves then headed them off with a creeping * whirlwind barrage. Machine guns represented' the chief difficulty with which we had to contend. The Boche artillery appears to have afforded rather erratic support. Zonnebeke - redoubt was- the scene of fierce fighting to-day, - Picked, "stamptruppen" chiefy delivwed the counter-attacks. The French continued to progresi well, but their movement is mainly designed to conform to our advance.

A French communique sayı: "In Belgiam our attack wai successfully continued. Our infantry Froke the enemy re- sistance west of Stoonbeek. Progressiz, in conjunction with the British they captured all the enemy positions and over three hundred prisoners and considerable material were captured. "Both artilleries were active in tlie regions of Lallanx andTM Hurtsbiss. The Germans fred St." Quentin -Cathedral, which has been burning for several hours. * A wireless German official message says! We shattered

the Flanders assault on a front of thirty Hlomeizes, The -, enemy has only had local successes at Driegrachten and Langemarck. We completely repulsed the enemy "overy.

where between St. Julien and Warneton.

(Continued on page 8)

THE PORTUGUESE

Cordial, Brotherhood In - Arm

The cordiality of the relations ship between the British soldiers and the Portuguese may be taken ra finally cemented, by, the fact that the latter now bave a nicka zamo, »ays E. Peroy: Robinson in- the Daily News. They "Antonion," which is align

སའ being shortened to counterpart to Tommy, ing that the rapprochement conmeersted and complete.

Perhaps the Germans thought shoot-new troopa in the line would beenry." They have hom harded them heavily with both big guns' and trench mortare. They-havI mada ritious raids on them. They' baye attacked them with gan thella, But they have got very listly eatisfaction, though they have officially-bragged-of- inga small number of prisoners. On the contrary the Portugues have paid them back in good coin. They also bave raided the German trenches;. broken into thers and huld-them till they came back when it anited them, and on that occasion [not only those in the actual assault, bat the troops în support, who have even a mors, trying time, behaved with conspiccous | coolness" for men new to the

Was another cocasion, the urtáguasa. captured a whole German patrol at night in No Man's Land. It was very com plately done, two of the psicod- being killed and the rest taken prisoner, and among those exp- tared wis nomcommissioned officer wearing the Cross. For this act the cfider commsuding received the congratulations of the commander of the British - jarmy to which they are attaöhed. With each incident, almost with every day, the men gain conâd- ence in themskives. They azo naturally fighters, very eager to learn these new fangled fighting ways," and are unusually hard- working,

2

Daring the bitter winter the men, coming from a sanny country, bad a trying time, and there was in the early days mach eickness, both among the troops and among the horses. · Care and better weather, however, here rectified that, and a story is told. which symbolises both the Portaguese love of the sun and their bravery.

"

It was an joy day, when the trenchen were cold and tombliks, when British officer dia oovered a Portuguese who had climed cut of the trench and est conspicuously the paredor, a lovely mark for eny German sniper. The British officer shcuted remon atrances at him, but had a difficul ty in making him aɔme down. There was a ray of sun up there;" be said, which reminded him of Portugal, and for the sake of the -on he was willing to take the charge of being shot.

Besides the infantry, the Par tuguese field artillery is partion. larly good. Toe "guunere, are methodical, conscientious, sad brave, and their abooting in øde mirable. In all ways, indeed, there is every prospect of the Portuguesn continuing to prove themselven an ingrossingly valuable siement in the armies onỹ thia front. DONT FORGET,

-TO-DAY,U Victoria Theatre-9.15 p.) Bijon Theatre 9.15 puta. New Hongkong Cinemasto ---0.15 p.m. ***

TO-MORROWANA Victoria Theatre.2.15 Bijon The

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