1917-12-15 — Page 1

-BXCHANGET

Cissing Quotations T.T. London B/113⁄4¿

On Demand 24/113ga.

The Hongkong Telegraph

(ESTABLISHED 1881)

WEATHER FORECAST

OVERCAST.

Barometer 30,0T:

December 15, 1917,

7830+

Temperature Humidity

‚REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

THE GERMAN PEACE SUGGESTION.

Copyright 1917, by the Proprietor.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15,

1917.

December 15, 1916, Temperature 6 a..

大拜禮·號王十月二十英港香

Humidity

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

ON THE ITALIAN. FRONT,

Value of the Anglo-Freach Detachments.

An Official Explanation from Berila.

London, December 13, According to Renter's correspondent at Amsterdam, a German

London, December 14. Reater's cofreepondent at the Italian Headquirers sistēm:- official explanation regarding Mr. Balfour's statement in the House is estimated that 150,000 Auatro Garmor bare been lost since of Commone on December 11, says that Germany received a the beginning of the effusive in Treation. Nevertheless, the enemy communication through a neutral country relating to Germany's renewing his desperate attempts to enter the plain, employing war aims. This communication was so coa hed as to warrant the whole divisons in each attack. These, after enormous saorifices, belief that it was made with the keowledge of Great Britain, generally acceed in conquering some outpost or advanced trench, Germany was ready to answer the enquiry and considered a direct only to find the position fominated by Italian Apparentl verbal reply through a neutral to be the beet course, kat Germany's Generale Soe zeador and von Balow are determined to pass the opponents did nothing to facilitate such a direct reply. Mr. Balfour's Alpine bulas k before the eavere winter sets in. Italan sopars have statement of December 11 was the first news received in Germany saceriained that the enemy concentrated 1,50 guna on less than S that the Alliee were ready to receive a communication from Germany. ten-mile frout between the Breats and Piste Rivers and, when all No further steps had been taken by Germany.

fired simultaneously, bou-es at Cita Della, Castel Franco and Treviso were shaken by the contusion.

THE FIGHTING IN FRANCE.

Successful Attack by British Troops.

Loudon, December 13.

Field Marshal Sir Douglas Hsig, in a communique, atates We successfully attacked a post south of Millers Guislain this morning. The garrison was either killed or taken prisoner. There was some bomb fighting this afternoon to the east of Ballecourt, in portion of the trench into which the enemy penetrated on Wednesday. A few additional prisonere were taken. Tos enemy's artillery displayed some activity south of the Scarpe and north-east of Ypres. Aeroplanee engaged "the enemy during the attack at Ballecourt on Wednesday. Bombs were dropped. Low recon naissances were carried out, and there was much fighting in the air. A Goths and two other machines were brought down and thres were driven down. All our machinea returned.

AFFAIRS IN RUSSIA,

Appeal from Black Sea Fleet.

London, December 13.

Reuter's correspondent at Petrograd aays the Government delegate telegraphs that Maximelist troops occupied Tamarovks and Kalaga, disarmed and arrested General Korniloff's shook trapps and restored Revolutionary authority. The Commissioner of the Black Bes Fleet telegraphs asking for the immediate deepatch of all the Black Sea detachments, with numeroas machine-guns. Es saye the Military Cadets are attacking Hostoff with armoured cara.

Military Disputes.

London, December 14. According to Router's correspondent, General Krylenko tele- graphs that Geners! Tcheremisoff has refused to come to see him at Pakaf and has removed from the Command the Commissioner of the Fifth Army. He snnounces his arrival at Drinak and adde that "the Committee of the Fifty Army has undertaken to strange sn armistice on its front General Boldyreff, the Commander of the Army, has been dismissed and arrested.

The Soviet at Mrecom has seized the works of the great Moscow acwspaper Rushse Bloco for pablishing rumours that General Krylenko's se zare of the General Staff Headquarters was carried oat on the insistency of the German Headquarters.

Overawing the Cadets.

London, December 14. Renter's correspondent at Petrograd, writing on the 13th instant, says the Bolshevik Government, while proclaiming the Cadets' demonstration at the opening of the Constituent Assembly on the 11th instant as absurd, has taken the strongest measured to overse the Cadets. It has concentrated 8,000 Maximalist troops, in the vicinity of Tanrida Palace, which is itself awarming with troops, and has prohibited the admission of members unless they here passes signed by the M-zimelist Commissionera. The Red Guards have raided the Cadet Headquarters and the cons of the Socialist leader, M. Tehernoff,

THE RUSSO-GERMAN ARMISTICE:

A Resumption of the Negotiations,

London, December 14.

A German official measga atates: The Eassis delegation agsin arrived at Brestlitovak on December 12 for a continuation of the armistice negotiations. The next plenary sitting is on December 13.

Peace Powers,

London, December 14

Renter's correspondent at Petrograd, writing on December 13, Baya M. Trotsky announces that if en armistice is eigned at Breallitorak, the Commissioners are empowered to enter into peace nogotiations.

THE FALL OF JERUSALEM,

London December 13.

The Chief Rabbi, in a letter to His Majesty the King, on behalf of the Jewish communities of the Empire, congratulating: him on the historio victories of his Army in the Holy Land, says: "The occupation of Jerusalem, following en closely on the epoch-making declaration of the Government on Palestine as the national home of the Jawish people, canses the hearts of millions of my brethorn in the world to throb with deepest gratitude. The Amighty House of Ifrael fervently prays for the complete and lauting anocom of His Majesty'a forosa everywhere. His Majsety the King he replied expressing his deep appreciation of the Congratulations. The Chief Rabbi hae telegraphed General Allenby his heartfelt congratulations. The Chief Rabbi haa arranged that special praise and thanksgiving at the taking of Jerusalem shall be included in the dervice at the Synagogue to-morrow.

Jadging from the present action, the caemy has reverted to bis original idea that entry to the plsin is only possible by the capture of the Grappa Mountaia Pass, but up to the present he bas erosastered redoubtable resistance. Whela battalions of Italians are allowing stems. Ives to be deataoyed in preferepes to yielding. Now the Anglo-French Alties are beside and behind the Italians and breathing space to the Italians, who have endured the unparalleled their intervention has eaved the day, giving a well-deserved rest and strain of five weeks of unremitting and anebeltered fighting.

EARLIER TELEGRAMS,

THE WESTERN FRONT,

French Aerial Activity.

London, December 18,

A French communique states: Since December 10, nine enemy aeroplanes have been brought down. Our seroplanes dropped ten thousand kilogrammes of explosives, especially on the aerodromes of Colman and Scielstadt, the depos at Logelbach, factories at Rombach and several railway. stations, with effective resulta.

A French communique states: There is lively artillery firing on both banks of the Meuse. Aeroplanes dropped bombs on Dunkirk, but there are no casualties.

Bitter Fighting on British Front

London, December 14.- Renter's correspondent at Headquarters reports that the Bavarian attack east of Ballecourt mentioned list night resulted in bitter fighting all day long. The enemy retained possession of some of the early captured ground but is encountering a ceaseless harrassing fire in trying to dig himself in and cover the situation. The lost greand.is. such as will not afford him any advantage. A tremendons enemy bombardment blazed up this morning. We thundered a reply and nothing followed. There are rumours that the struggle has boiled up again this afternoon. No particulars have been received. The correspondent pays a warm tribute to our wonderful artilley work ca this sector, while the infantry dash is described as more reminiscent of football than a battlefield with bombs.

The Enemy Attacks.

London, December 13. Accounts of yesterday's fighting show that the enemy, after heavy preparation, attacked from the zorth of our positions on the Hindenburg line to the east of Ballecourt and also on a wider front from the east and north-east against the angle of our trench lines, to the south of Rancourt-lez Gagnicourt. We repelled both attacks with heavy enemy losses. The enemy subsequently attacked on the latter front, penetrating the obliterated trenches at the apex of the angle... We killed or took prisonera a few Germans reaching the trenobes elsewhere. There was local fighting throughout the day on a small portion of trench in which the enemy gained a foothold, without change in the situation. We repulsed raiders to the south west of La Bassee and inflicted casualties as the result of patrol eacounters, to the east of Zonneboke.

: The German Version.

London, December 14:

A German official report says:We captured sevent shelters to the east of Ballecourt, An artillery dual between Moeuvrer and Vendhuile increased in violence this morning.

THE SUBMARINE SITUATION.

London, December 14.

Beuter learns from well informed quarters that the Go- ernment know with certainty the German minimum sub- marine losses and also their maximum output. It is believed the latter has been reached and since the monthly losses of submarines is now approaching the monthly cutpat, it sects that with the increasing moans at the Allies' disposal the German programme of operations for 1918 cannot exceed what has already been applied. The situation calls for the exercise of the greatest economy in food but it is justifiable to express the belief that the menace has reached its worst stage as an effective force. There is every reason to believe the enemy submarine operations should not only be beld in the near future but gradually repressed as our defensive work is neutralising the enemy outpat.

THE MAXIMALISTS' METHODS,

Petrograd, December 14. The Bolshevik News Agency announces that in the event of the majority in the Constituent Assembly not fav ouring the authority of the Soviets it is proposed to exclude" such constitutional democrats and also to bold re-elections, because in many places the Constitutional Democrats suborn- ed the electoral committees. The Bolshevik Commissioners have issued a proclamation concluding: Down with the bourgeoisie, There must be no, place in the Constituent Assembly for landlords and capitalista." There have been-- further arrests of Cadet leaders,

The. Maximalist decree also deprives of the right to. spend money at the cost of the State & number of Russian diplomatic representatives abroad including the Ambassa- dors to Japan, China, Egypt and Siam sild the Consul-" General in Korea

*1

THE FIGHTING IN ITALY.

London, December 14: An Italian official message states: Wo regained the great part of the trenches in the Coldell Aberretts region which we were unable to re-occupy on Tuesday: We sangui narily repulsed two violent attacks in the Calcino Valley. The enemy attacked in fores eastward of Brents at mid-day. The attack continued fiercely in the afternoon and ceased at night owing to the heavy enemy losses. A powerful attack at Caldipo and Papperex broke down...

DUTCH WIRELESS SCHEME.

>

The Ilague; December 14. The Government has asked for a credit of five million florins for the erection by the Telefunken Company of Berlin of a wireless station for communication between Holland and the Dutch Indies, the receiving installation to be ready in three months and the sending installation in eighteen months.

FRENCH SHIPPING RETURNS.

London, December 13.

For the week ending December 8, the French asriyals were 945 and the sailing, 967. One vessel over 1,800 and Done under that figure were sunk, while three vessels were unsuccessfully attacked.

·FILL-BOXES FIASCO,

:

552 pm 65

47

SINGLE COPY:10 CENTS -$36-PER ANNUM,

to

LANGUAGE BARRIER.

What Is Hindartog Japan's.

In his address to the members

of the Japanses Parliamentary Mission, who were entertained recently by the Janan Society at a luncheon at the Lawyers' Club, 115, Boadway, New York, Mr. Lindsay Russell, president of the Society, said nothing could be more beneficial Japan and the Waitsd S.ates tbaa free communi- cation and quicker interchange of idea. The Parliamentary Mission, which arrived here. yesterday from Washington, is in this country to study the working of our Governmental machinery, and to carry back to Japan an exact 8000out of conditions in Americs affecting the relations between the two nations.

The Mission is composed of five. members, representing the four gress political parties of Japan, and is headed by T. Masao, remain a menace to the advance to the Gorerament of Siam. The jariat, and for many voare adviser of the British infantry, who pash other members are T. Shimada, a forward unconscions of their member of the Tokio bar; K Huns' Newest Defence System machine-gun fire is opened.

presance" until devastating Mochizuki, a member of the party in opposition to the premeni Japanese Premier, Y. Uyshara, the address of welcome, sad Mr. and 8. Tamane. Mr. Rasssil made Masso responded on behalf of the The other speakers were Mr. Alton B. Parker and Mr. Maroall Knecht.

Beaten.

||

Concealed in the ruins of shat. The "pill-boxea" in which the tered farmbonses and cottages, German Headquarters had pinned cleverly covered with earth and their faith, to stop any farther regetation, it is almost imposible o British progress, have been for the "pill-boxes" to be detect- smashed, and another German d on aeroplane photographs. dream has been shattered.

Bat the "pill-box" has falled, "Pill-boxsa" are the latest Oar troops have advanced and phase of the Has evolution of captured the whole of an elabor defence. When the Germans had lately contrived system of fortifi learned the lesson of the Somme cation with, as Sir Douglas Haig offensive that their trenchayatem saye, light losses.

"

of the Mission to osrry back to Mr. Bassell urged the membara Japan three idess. First, he said, there should be, if possible, redaction of cable talls between was not impregnable against the Thrilling stories of how the the second place, he called attention. the United States and Japan. In British barrage and infantry British dealt with the "pill to the fact that there are few attack they inaugurated the boxes," are told in" despatches English publications in Japan. system of "strong points' (a from the British correspondents at These, besaid, constituted theonly phrase frequently used by Sir the front: Douglas Haig in resent com- Mr. Percival Phillips says: Aing cartent information regarding-

meena Americans have of obtain maniques)..

stont concrete dug-out half-way Japan, and urged that these. Strong points are little con-between Westhook and Zonnebake publications be kept effective and coaled spots, more often than not was the toughest nut we had to reliable. His third suggestion. dag on the lip of 's shell crater, crack at the southern edge of the was for a broader knowledge of wall provisioned, and supplied open "pill-box" ocuntry, and it the English language in Japan. with ammunition, and capable of was necessary to send out fint independent resistance from ating parties before the doors were to Japan's progress and inter "One of the greatest barriera shattered and the remnants of course with the outside world is The German dotted these the garrison flow out through the the Ohlasse ideograph," said Mr. strong points all along their front, smoke. The "Germans showed Russell. and the positions were so well resistance only when they thought conservative literary instinct. "National. pride and chosen and so canningly hidden their shelters were strong enough prompts you to cling to it. But that it was extremely difficult to to withstand bombardment and any one who is at all mindful of get their range ani pat the bomba machine gans with which they

your destiny sa s nation must Mr. Beach Thomae says: "One realise the importance of a wider bristled out of action, so se very merry NO.O., with his as of the Roman alphabat, so to allow the infantry to ad-right hand nearly, blown off, that intercourse with you may be Vance without heavy casualties, treated his wound as a huge joke. facilitated.

tack on all siden.

19.

DON'T FORGET.

TO-DAY. Victoria Theatre-9.15 p.m. Bijou Theatre 9.15 p.zs -9.15 p.m.

Now Hongkong Cinematogra

TO-MORROW. Victoris Theatre -9.15 p.m. Bijou Theatre-9.15 pm graph-9.15 paa.

New Hongkong Dinémate.

The Germans, with their nepal He had wriggled up to a pill- thoroughness, went further. They box," and slipped a bominesl suggestions. We have dallied "Thone, it is hoped, ara praor elaborated this system of defence, the letter elit sa he calls.. it, too long in the nebulons and at- and what the Tommies have when a ballet from within hit his productive realm of sentiment named “pill-boxes" are the result. hand. He regarded it as a sad oratory, Let as do some

"Pill-bores are miniature legitimate and humorous score, thing constructive, reinforced? concrete forts, or for the Germans within thought block-houses, with wells and roofs they had got their game off jast 5ft. thick in many cases, half-in time. Farther north a tez- built into the ground, with loop. man officer bolted from a wreck- holes for machine guns on all ed 'pill-box,' dired into a bigger sides. They are closed by s heay one near at hand, and stirred its steel door, no that they are mio garrison to a determined from troopa that may work their resistance. Nevertheless, in spite way round to the rear to reduce of the number of these forte, our the garrison with bombe

caualtia were light except hera They are held, eccording to and there, as where two English their size and position, by well regimenta were exposed to the trained troope numbering from full sweep of machine gune, aight to thirty; the larger ones

We have found an answer to have more than one compartment, the new German ayatem of They are fitted with stores (for defence, the concrete fort. The wbiob flaes and ventilating shafte scienos of attack use once again are provided) and ammunitioned caught up the defence.”" and rationed, so that the garrison The Times can hold out without fresh supe878:-All the wounded shouted of the shelters survived the plies from the dumpe.

with laughter as they told of the bombardment. Nothing but a direct hit from Germans surrendering (not know. All the captured German one of our biggest guns can pating whether to dance or stand on officers make no attempt to them out of solion, and sometime their head's, said one as they disguise the seriousness of, the even this fails to break up the streamed out of their concrete defest for Germany: concrete. In such cases, how«beiters), One man had climbed ever, the concussion is so great on top of a pill-box" door, when defence may be said to be she- "This elaborate system of that the garrison are rendered a bullet from an anseen place laat blossom and ultimate triumph- insensible,pa

ought him in the shoulder, Be of German strategiata. In other instances the pill-seemed to think it faddy. bozes have been knocked on any concrete pill-bazes framed with enormous indume.

most carefully worked their sides, making them an easy, were found ahattered by one big We have broken i at's singla burt pray for our bouberagung but only a direos hit from in the course of some three-ac Il raccontal, in escaping out the largest gans, 12in, or upward, four houre the Germany System2 ak bombardment the pill-bazen is elfsolivs. The great majority defence,

correspondent