1917-12-24 — Page 6

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH

EXTRA

HONGKONG, MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1917.

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

German Prisoners form Army Corps.

London, December 23. According to the Times' correspondent at Petrograd the STERIDA now papera Jays that the ex-German Military Attache and the ez-German Military Plenipotentiary to the Tear is forming an army corpe in Petrograd composed of German war prisoners with the consent of the Russian authorities

The Disturbances at Odessa: 1)

London, December 23, The Times' correspondent at Odessa says that the disturbances at Odessa have subsided. Latterly they degenerated into the sacking of wine stores and other excesses. The trouble begin by the shooting of a young Jaw, who was chief of the Red Gaards during the subsequent fighting. Eight wine stores were looted in one day, including twenty thousand bottles in one store. The Guards sent to restore order joined the looters. Finally both sides of the Soviet and Bada met and appointed a committee jointly to restore order.

The Murder of Officers.

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London, December 22. The Morning Post correspondent at Petrograd says that the dacres of the Bolsheviks abolishing distinctions of rank in the army has caused an increase in the murder of officere, especially among the infantry. When the news of the decree reached the front the soldiery mobled officers and killed them if they refused to strip off their epaulettes. Hence officers have largely donned mufti and dis- appeared. Many are returning to their homes in Ukraine, the Canosans and in Siberis, but a great many Russian officers are practically prisoners among their men.

A Holy War Against Imperalism,

STATE CONTROL OF COAL.

Government Bill in the

The Coal Control Bill came ap recently for second reading in she Commons. This far reaching stirs conscie zapngtsement between the industry and the Coal Controller, according to which the prosperous ming jaya,, not only 80 per cent, fax on esse profits, but an additional 15 per cent. contribution to the funds of the Coal Controller. This fand is to be used to make good deficiencies of profits on less prosperous mines, and Mr.. Bauciman holds that the levy is

charge on the subject, which requires a finance resolution. The Speaker ruled against him.

Sir Albert Stanley then pro ceeded with the Bill Last Des amber, said he, the Government took over the South Wales Mines, and in March control was extend- ed to all cost mines in the United Kingdom Thie met labour dil- ficulties and affected economies in transport. Roughly speaking, 250,000,000 tons of coal was car- ried over the railwaye sunually. Therefore, it was omantial that the transport of coal should be London, December 22.

ander the control of the Coal Beater'n correspondent at Petrograd, telegraphing on Deos Controller. As a result of the ber 22, says that M. Trotsky, speaking at a meeting in celebration control there had been a very of the armistice, said We did not overthrow the Tear and material saving in locomotives, bourgeoisie in order to fall on our knees to beg the Kaisar for peace, railway waggons, and atzï. If we are offered unacceptable conditions we sak the Constituent As a result of this control, more Assembly to decide. If the Assembly agrees then the Maximalist coal had been distributed for use party will leave the Assembly. We invoke all to a holy war against in London this year than waa tie imperialism in all countries. If owing to economic ruin, we are case a year ago.

We had larger unable to fight for our ideals we tell our foreign comrades that the stooks available than a year ago, struggle is not ended but only postponed, as it was similarly in 1905. and we could congratulate our After declaring thst in the affair at Tohitohrin, mentioned on selves that this country, as som December 3, the Maximalists had shown Sir George Bashanan their pared with all the other bellige dignity in proving that they had not acted under the influence of rents, with the possible exception the Anglo-American bourgeoisie, M. Trotzky continued :—" If diplo of the United Stater, was better mats interfere with our affairs they come to be diplomats and become supplied with coal for domeatio private adventurere on which the heavy hand of the Revolution will purposes than any of the others. have no mercy,"

The Coal Controller had been able to prevent any real hardship, and as far as he could ese, pro- vided that reasonable economy were exercised, we should get through the next winter success fally. (Cheers).

"

For the Revolution.

London, December 23.

Benter's correspondent at Petrograd says that a Maxidialist news agency quotes M. Trotsky as saying "If the Kaiser were able to attack us sad to propose peace terme onerous for the Bevelation, we should create a powerful army to fight against the Kaiser.”

Pacifying the Railwaymen.

London, December 23, Beater's correspondent at Petrograd says that the Commission- er have telegraphed to all the railwaymen that they will take the control of the railways in their of hands and abolien high railway posts, for instance managers and heade of departmentą.

The Commissioners have ordered the stoppage of defensive works on the Russian front, the dismissal of local workmen and the disbandment of the technical staffa.

The returns of the hospitals are still most incomplete, but there are already 250 casualties in the sacking of wine shape in Petrograd. The Peace Conference,

London, December 23, Beater's correspondent at Amsterdam says that the peace conference between the Bassian and German representatives have decided that a representative of each power should preside alterastely. The chief Russian representative stated the well- known Bassian pesce programme, of which the representatives of the other powers then began an examination.

SA

A Maximalist Suspicion.

London, December 23.

So far sa could be estimated, Sir Albert added, the suma received from the excess profits would be at least sufficient to compensate those whose profits. bad fallen. If the money received proved insuficient, it would be ascessary for the Government to acme to Parliament and ask that that should be made up either by a Vote of Credit or in some other way.

Bir B. Roberts, on behalf of the executive council of the, Mining Association of Great Britain, one of the parties to the agreement, said it had been so cepted by the vast majority of the

persons interested.

Sir J. Walion moved the rejec tion of the Bill on behalf of large

colliery interests concerned...

Mr. Finney, for Labour, accept- ed the principle of the Bill. The time had come when the coal mines should be under State control. The Labour members

Reuter's correspondent at Petrograd says that, owing to the armistice in Rumania, Mr. Anderson, the head of the American Red Cross Mission in Romania has telegraphed to his agent would support the second read. Petrograd Follow Send all natomobiles possible to Rostoll." From here it is intended to ship them to blesopotamia. This telegram, together with a telegram from the American Ambassador authorising Mr. Anderson to draw one hundred thousand roubles; came to the knowledge of the Maximalista sad led to a bitter attack on America and Britain by M. Trosaky, owing to a Maximalist suspicion that the Americans are sæcisting M. Kaledin,

BOMBS DROPPED ON DUTCH' TERRITORY.

London, December 23,

Reuter's correspondent at Amsterdam saya that five bombs were thrown in the district of Goes, in the Province of Zeeland, on Satur- day evening. Several houses were damaged, but there were no magualtion.

GERMAN NEWSPAPER SUSPENDED.

London, December 23.

Reuter correspondent at Amsterdam says that Vorwuerte has been waspended for three days, evidently owing to the artiala os bled on December 21.

ing, but would move amendments in Committee, and would reserve to themselves the right on the third reading to vole against the Bill if it were not amended in certain directions. * ****

At "eleven o'clock the debate was adjourned.

•Imperial Japanese Portrait Stolen.

It is reported from Shingu (Ki province) that on the night of November 30 between 7 and 9 o'clock some one broke into the Tosho Elementary School in Kinomoto Oho, Miye Kan, and stole the Imperial portrait which bea always been kept carefully in

& special room. It may be stated

that a similar incident occurred recently in an elementary school

a Arii Murs, Minni Maro Gar, kiye Kan. The Police are mak- ing a resolute search for the culprit.