1917-12-20 — Page 1

EXCHANGE:

Cissing" "Quotations: TT, London Za/113⁄4d

On Demand 26/1136d.

The Hongkong Telegraph

December 20, 1917,

7831 B

Temperature Humidity

REUTER'S ́ TELEGRAMS,

By

AFFAIRS IN RUSSIA

(ESTABLISHED Copyright 1917, by the

1881)

THURSDAY,

DECEMBER

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

ANOTHER AERIAL RAID.

WEATHER FORECAST

FAIR

Barometer 31.03.

Temperature & salt.

63 3 pm, 67 46

48

Decembar 20, 1916, -- Humidity

1917.

四拜禮 號十二月二十英港香

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

THE ITALIAN FRONT.

A Further Enemy Claim.

London, December 19.

The "Qaillotine" Speech Explained.

German Aeroplahes Bomb London District. London, December 20.

London, December 19. ̋ Beater's correspondent at Petrograd alates that M. Trotzky It is officially announced that seroplanes crossed the Kent and A German official, wireless, message states that the Austro- today explains his reference to the guillotine mentioned on Essex cosets at 6.16 last evening. Some reached the London Hungariane have taken a thousand prisoners east of the Brenta. December 17 as being purely hypothetical. He referred to what an district and dropped bomb-. The raiders also bombed Kent and

Two Enemy Attacks. anraged people might conceivably do if disappointed about the Essex. Reports of casualties and damage have not been received. conclusion of peace and the receiving of promised lands.

Our gane and seroplanes engaged the enemy.

J

Ukraine a Democratic Republic.

Two Hours' Firing,

London, December 19.

London, December 19... Laat night's seroplane raid was the first while the moon be Reuter'a correspondent at Petrograd states that the Ukrainian Bade is proclaiming a Ukraine Democratic Repablio, forming part been so young. It was merely a thin sickle in sa ink sky. Firing of the new All-Russian Federal Republic and including Kief, was intermittent for over two hours but was less intense than usual: Podolia, Valbynis, Obernigoff, Poltavs, Kharkoff, Ekaterinoslar, Many workers in the West End bad barely started homewards when Kerson and Taurids without Crimes, also Kark, Hols and Voronesh it began Pedestrians quickly disappeared to shelter.

if the inhabitants so decide. The Cossacks have cocopied the eastern part of the Voroneeb government.

The Maximalist newspaper Pravda sunounces that Maximalist Commissioners have sent to the Ukraine Rada a forty-eight boar altimatum declaring that unless the Reds renonnces all farther attempts to support General Kaledin, the Maximalists will declare war on Ukraine.

A General Peace..

41

London, December 18.

According to Renter's correspondent at Petrograd, Herr Kuehlmann (the German Foreign Minister) and Count Czernin (the Austrian Foreign Minister) telegraph that they will arrive at They invite M. Tro'zky to join them "in order to initiate a general peace."

Brestlitovsk to morrow.

a

BRITAIN'S FOOD OUTLOOK.

Lord Rhondda Takes a Firm Stand.

London, December 19.

a

London, December 19.

An Italian official message states that the enemy launched attacks from the north-east and north against the 85larolo salient. Francc-Italian artillery broke up the former. A Division of the German Jaeger Regiment carried out the latter, which failed after

desperate struggle.

A German Claim.

London, December 19. A German official wirelese message states:-There has been lively artillery firing between the Brents and the Piave. We captured parta of the enemy position to the east of Houte Solarolo.

2

A POST-WAR, SUQQESTION.

London, December 19,

SINGLE COPY 10 CENTS $36 PER ANNUM.

TELEGRAMS,

...

(Reutar's Service to The "Telegraph.")

THE SILVER MARKET.

London December 18,

The silver market is alandy.

BREAKFAST TABLE SHORTAGE.

Supplies of Tea and Bacon Run Out.

Daily Chronicle of Sept 25:-

The following is from the

Sir Arthor Tapp yesterday commenced his daties & Director

of Food Economy, spending the morning at Grosvenor House in conference with heade of depart- mente. His campaign for national

Lord Rhondda, addressing the London Boroughs Food Comittees, said that he was taking steps to end the food queues, In the House of Commons, Mr. David Davies suggested that Brit-economy is to be launched with which were centres of discontent. The question was mainly one of sin should propose to the Allies a Treaty for the total exclusion of allant delay. distribation. Local Food Committees had a large discretion and commerce, shipping and trade with the Central Powers until they In a preliminary glance at the should initiate schemes for stapping queues as Birmingham, abandoned all occupied territory, made complete resparation for food problem, Sir Arthur has Sheffield and other places had already done. He was considering crimes and accepted the Allies' proposals for self-determination of spoken of the importance of proposal compelling every customer for butter and margarine to nationalities, international arbitration and limitation of armaments, economy in the consumption of register at one shop. Hie was a thankless task but he did not after the war.

bread, meal, and sugar. At the intend to resign. He would take drastic sotion in the interests of Lord Robert Cecil replied that the suggestion would be same time the call is to be for the nation. He was not afraid of vested intereats, as there was no carefully considered.

general food economy. fear of the Germane starving as out. There would be privationa

Illustrations of the need ao and the people must tighten their belts. But there was no fear of

cumulate. There are at the Renter's correspondent at Petrogred states that M. Trotsky losing the war if people showed the grit which he knew they would.

moment marked shortages in tes was shouted down at the Passants' Congress owing to his guilloting"The tonnage question will get worse before it is better. Stepa

and bacon; while it is prudent speech. He left the ball with Kazimaliste shaking their fiate and have been taken which leave no room for profiteering. If all tradere

sparingly to use batter, which is recriminating.

abortly to come ander Govern- Speedy Peace Expected.

ment control.

M. Trotzky Shouted Down.".

H

London, December 19.

IF

London, December 19. Renter's correspondent at Petrograd atatea that, in expectation of a speedy peece, units are increasingly leaving the Northern Front.

To Cancel Foreign Loans ?

*London, December 19.

were registered the transgressors could be struck off the register."

Replying to questione, Lord Rhondda said that there was not enough margarine, butter and bacon in the country. The quantity of margarine produced was rapidly increasing and by rext sammer it would be four times se much as in 1915, but the supply from Scandinavis was likely to be restricted. The food question generally was causing great anxiety for the fature. There was no danger of a famine in meat, but there was likely to be a great The Times correspondent at Petrograd states that there have chortage of wheat. The position was more serious than two months been various hints by the Bolshevik press that the "Government" ago, owing to the demands of France and Ialy, and compulsory intends to cancel all Foreign Loans when it is definitely ascertained rationing was probable. He added as regard meat that if breeders that the Allies refuse to participate in peace negotiations. Time did not supply cattle at fixed-prices he would not bastitate to will show whether this threat is simply a mode of putting pressare commandeer cattle. We may have to control the whole supplies of on the Allies. It is noteworthy that thin Frankfurter, the principal margarine, as he suspected that the multiple shops were encouraging organ of German fiaürce, is horrified at the thought of the Russians queues for the purposes of advertisement. The price of milk during repudiating debt.

the winter would not be changed but it would be threepence a gallon cheaper in the summer. The supply of tas would shortly be soficient and it would belong to the Government, which could do what it liked with it.

THE BRITISH STAFF IN FRANCE. “

Important Changes Foreshadowed.

London, December 10. The Times says it is understood that Field Marebal Sir Douglas Haig is making some important changes in his Staff at Headquartere, which has practically been unaltered since the time of Viscount French. There is not the slightest euggestion of a change in the High Command.

THE FIGHTING IN THE WEST.

Considerable Aerial Activity.

London, December 19. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reporte-We repulsed raiders. south of Fontaine Les Croisilles Hostile artillery ie active east of Ballecourt and between Lens and Armentieres and east and Borth of pre. Aeroplanes on Monday bombed an aerodrome near Courtrai, Roulera station and aerodrome, and Ledeghem and Menin atatione. We brought down two and drove down two. One of ours is missing.

Intense Artillery Duels.

London, December 19.

A Freceh communique sare:-There is somewhat intense artillery duelling on the right bank of the Mense, especially in the region of Qaurieres Wood and Bez pvaux.

AMERICA'S HUGE SHIPPING SCHEME.

London, December 19.

Tea a Necessity.

Loodon, Desember 18.

In the House of Commpai, Hr. J. R. Clyass, representing the Food Controller, and referring to the proposed measures for the better distribution of food, ssid that Lord Rhondda took the view that tea was a necessary food. All the Indian and Ceylon. less required would be purchased and imported, the supplies to arrive early in 1918. The distribution would begin early in February. Wholesale and retail profits would be strictly controlled and the average prices now paid would be embatantially reduced.

AN ENEMY CONFERENCE.

Loador, December 10. According to Realer's correspondent at Amsterdam, the German newspapers report that the Tdi kush Foreigo Minister is proceeding to Berlin,

41

THE HALIFAX DISASTER.

London, December 19.

In the House of Commons, Sir Leo Chiczza Money said that five British steamere were damaged in the Halifax disaster and about two-thirds of the crews were killed.

יו

CONTINUED PROGRESS IN PALESTINE.

London, December 19.

A Palestine official message paye:We seized bigh ground to According to Beater's, correspondent at Washington. Mr. the east of Abadie, south-east of Jaraniem, taking 117, prisonere. Charles Piez has been appointed Manager of the Emergency Fleet Our casualties were considerably fewer than the Turkish dead. Corporation in succession to Rear Admiral Barrie, who has resigned. Our aeroplanes bombing boats and troops at the north end of the Mr. Horley has issued a statement explaining that the reorganisation Red Sea flew four hundred feat above sea level.

of the Corporation. discloser the fact that 8,395,000 tons dead-weight of shipping is being constracted. He says the conditions on the Pacific Coast are so improved that recorda are being broken in the apsed with which the ships are turned out. The construction work is progressing as fast as human Isbour can turn it cut. "He added: We are close to the point where the results of what has been done will be apparent to everyone."

THE CONVOY SYSTEM.

London, December 19. In the House of Commons, Bir Leo Chiczza Money stated that the general result of the convoy system bas been a great dimunition. in lostes, only two per cent, of the homeward bound cargoes baving been lost în November.

THE ALGERIAN OILFIELDS.

London, December 19.

The Times orriespondent at Paris erstes that the contract initialled by Mosers. Pearson and the Governor General of Algeria for the exploitation of the abandoned Algerian oilfields now awaits the ratification of the French Government,

AMERICAN PROHIBITION.

Landon, December 19. Heater's correspondant at Washington statee that the Senate has accepted the House of Hepresentatives resolation prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicants in the United States,

A NEW K. C. B..

London, December 19. The King bee invested Vice Admiral Lowther Grania Knight Commander of the Bath.

THE JAPAN-AMerican aŭreeMENT.

London, December 19,

Beater's correspondent at Tokyo mys that Viscount Ishii, în a epeech,"referring to the Japan-American Agreement, emphasised that there was no suggestion of interference with China. He wan confident that the Chinese would soon be satisfied to be partners to an agreement which eo materially contributed to the strengthening of the good relations of Japan, America and China. The undivided energy of Japan and Chins should henceforth be directed towards strong hening the forces of the Allien

EARLIER TELEGRAMS,

MORE VICTORIA CROSS HEROES.

"London, December 19. The "Gazette "contains" 'the' names of nive new Victoria Cras winners, four ut - whom bave bean killed. The recipients include two Canadians and one" Australian. Their deeds which аге recorded as usual show extraordinary heroism. Indeed, the awards are mostly for several distinct acts of such heroism of which the following examples are typical

Major Alexander Lafone, late of the Yeomanry, for seven hours in semi-darkness held a position against heavy shelling and cavalry charges. Ultimately all his men except three were hit. He ordered those who could walk' to move slightly to the rear and then continued the most heroic resistance. When finally surrounded and charged by the enemy he stepped into the open and continued the fight until mortally wounded, thus carrying out orders to bold the position at all costs.

Tank

Second Lieut. Clement Robertson, of the Corps, knowing the risk of the tanks missing their way, led them afoot over ground which was beavily ploughed up by shell-fire, in the face of heavy shelling, machine gunning and rifle firing towards the objective, although he must bave known that his action would almost inevitably cost him his life. He was killed after reaching the first objective.

Corporal William Clamp, late of the Yorkshires. When the advance was checked by intense machine-gun fire from concrete blockhonses and snipers in ruined buildings, Clamp dashed forward with two men against the largest blockhouse, His companions were knocked out, whereupon he immediately collected more bombs and, calling on two other men to follow him, again rushed forward. He was the first to reach the block-house and killed many of its occupants. He then entered and brought out a machine gun and twenty prisoners, whom he brought back under heavy fire from snipers. He again went forward encouraging and cheering his men and suc-# creded in rushing several snipers' posts. Finally he was killed by a sniper. His courage and self sacrifice were magnificent in relieving what was undoubtedly a very critical · situation.

THE RUSSIAN ARMISTICE.

London, Deceinber 13. The text of the armistice published in Vienna shows that it extends from noon in Nov. 17 to noon on Jan. 14. It also applies to the Russo-Turkish theatre in Asia. Troops on the present fronts will not be strengthened or transferreil ; unless, the transfera were already begun at the time of signature. It prescribes-conditions for the development of fraternisation. Interconres is permissible between sunrise » and sunset at certain places, where not more than 25 persons unarmed may assemble simultaneously. The exchange of newspapers and letters and the sale of goods is permitted. The armistice applies to naval and aerial forces in the Black Sea and the Baltic. Attacks against merchantmen by war- ships to cease. As far as possible the Russian Government undertakes to guarantee that the naval forces of the Entente in these waters will behave similarly to the Russians. Seven Armistice Commissionera shall meet at Riga, Drinsk, Brest- litovek, Berditchoy, Koloszvat, Focsani at Odessa to carry out details.

An additional clause provides for the early military withdrawal from Persia according to the principle of free- dom and independence of a neatral Persia."

THE WESTERN FRONT.

London, December 18. Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig says there is nothing, report,

CANADIAN ELECTION RESULT.

Ottawa, December 18,

Sir Robert L. Bordon's Union Government, which went to the country for the endorsement of the Conscription Act, has been triumphantly re-elected. The returns give the Government 128 and the Opposition 87. Twenty results bare not been received.

Sir Wilfred Laurier has been defeated at Ottawa, but overwhelmingly elected for Quebec East. All the ministers have been re-elected except two, representing Quebec con- stituentjes

1

Although there is no sugges tion for officially rationing tes, many shopkeepers are adopting their own rationing plane, some of which limit counter sales to 1lb. a customer. That has been. the case with multiple companies who have had difficulty in bay. ing stocks to meet normal requirements during the past few days.

"Curtailed supplies are ex- pected to meet an increased demand," said a representative of one of the large companies. Certainly more tas is being consumed; people drinkit morn- ing, midday, and in evening-ins many quarters it, has taken the place of luncheon beer. The only way to relieve the shortage is to secare larger imports, for there ie plenty of tea swaiting ship ment."

A number of suburban shope ran out of tes during the week. end, and opinions were expressed that hoarding has been partly. responsible for this, cases being oited in which householdere had. bought machin excess of ordinary needs during the past fortnight. Women, it is stated, bave gone from shop to shop making pur chaser, and others bave more boldly doubled and trebled their orders,

"it is only a temporary short- age,” was the sancacce given at - the Ministry of Food yesterday, coupled with the bist that people might drink more flee, of which there is an abundance.

• The bacon shortage may con.. tinue, for the next two months; Every shere pigs are fewer. The firet improvement may be in America's qutpat.

"The cottager cannot economi cally keep pigs nowadays," one ia told in answer to the criticism apon modern prohibitive legis lation, and it is added that there is good opportunity for the bigger men, commanding ample refuse, to increase their stocks.

Meanwhile shops have been roaning out of bacon, and uncon trolled prices have been ranning up. Irish bacon bought the other day at 28, 20,■ 1b. was unestable, ita rankoses conveying the im pression that it was fish-fed,A leading hotel had no bacon to put on at breakfast yesterday, A house keeper journeyed over wide suburban ares" before sho could buy the class of beson she required; and in the end it cost her 24, 6d. a lb., plna 41. for train sud bus fares, aut

Every description short and to. improvement in sight "--that in how a shop-keeper summed up the position.