1918-03-23 — Page 1

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Clasing Quetitions.com T.T. London 38/1362.

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The Hongkong Telegraph

WEATHER FORECAST

OVERCAST.

Barometer 29.917

Temperature

March 28, 1918,

Hamidity

7899

日一十月二

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE BEGINS.

GREAT ATTACK ON FIFTY-MILE FRONT.

BRITISH FORCES IN NO WAY SURPRISED.

Loudon, Marab 21.-

64 pam. 95

Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reporte:-The enemy opened a heavy bombardment at dawn along the whole of the front in the neighbourhood of Vendeuil, oath of St. Qentio, to the River Bostpe. We raided in the ceighbourhood of St. Questio and brought book prisoners and three machine guar. We also took prisonere to the south-east of Maasines and to the south of Houthulst Forest. We repulsed a raid in the neighbourhood of Armentieres. A Terrific Bombardment."

London, March 217

(ESTABLISHED F

Copyright 1918, by the

Temperature 6 am.

Maroh 23, 1917,

Humidity

63 % jm 81

SATURDAY, MARCH 23,

1918.

大拜禮 號三七月三英港香

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS,

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE BEGINS.

NAVAL ACTIONS.

The German ́ Plan.

-Renter's correspondent. at

the

'ANGLO-FRENCH ENGAGE ENEMY DESTROYERS.

London, March 21, British Headquarters, wiring in the evening, eays that by the employment, öff

derman Craft Sunk; No Allled Losses.

London, March 22. great masses of men and great weight of artillery the enemy appears to have penetrated our front line at certain spots, The Admiralty announces that British monitore succomfully between the Sourpa and Vendrail, but counter-messures have nos bombarded Ostend this afternoon. A Naral Air Sqasdron destroyed. yet been taken and the position is in a 1 quid state. The enemy's five enemy aircraft. British seaplanes reconnoitting in the purpose seems to have been to launch converging attacks uthe the HelionESS BES flasks of the Flesquieres salient with a view to outting it offThe eroplanos returned a plan has been regarded as probable since the similar attempt at Cimbrai in November.

"

@donned mine sweepers, All the.

German Destroyers Attacked.

Two Actionst"

SINGLE COPY 10 OENTS #24 DER ANNIIM

TELEGRAMS.

(Reuter's Service to The “Talngzuph."

THE TURF.

London, March 11.

The following in the result of the Gstwick War National **** Posthlyn Capiain Dreyfus Ballymecad lengths, a bad third,

Seventeen ran. Won by four

The betting wis 5 to 1

the winner ; 20 to 1 against. Cap. tain Drepina, and 7 to 1 against Ballymacad.

THE RICE POSITION,

An Official Statement from Rangoon.

Bios Commissioner has the following, may the Weekly Times of March.

London, March 21. An Attempt to Break Through.

Tha Admiralty announces that two British and three Franch London, March

destroyers ca Dankirk, between forr and five o'clock in this Mr. Hamilton Fyfe, wiring from France, says that the morning, engaged German destroyen which had previously bom- Germans assembled an enormone number of guna for the primins barded the town for ten minutes. Two enemy destroyers and two Renter's correspondent at the British Headquarters, telegraphsry bombardment, but this was not of long duration. I began torpedo boats are believed to be sunk. The survirotan of the two

o'clock in the morning and at seven o'clock torpedo boste wars picked up. No Allied vessels were tank. «A. The ing at ten o'clock in the morning, says that that the beary enemy at fire bombardment, mentioned by Sir Douglas Hig, is extending some German anits had already left the trenches, and attacked British destroyer was damaged, but resohed harbour. British in practically along the whole British front south of the Scirpt. This with heavy and light machine-gune. The engagment became onenalties are slight, and there are no French casualties. was followed by gaa ahelle around Fleurbaix. The air is thunderous general between nine and ten o'clock on a front of twenty-five miles.

There appears to be consider The right of the German attack aimed at Croiselles, Bulleocart and our guns are replying strenuously. No infantry movement has

London, March 22. yet been reported. The weather is moe: basy and serial observation and Legnicourt, while the left wing pushed in the direction of

A French official, mandage states:-A division of Francale misspprehension as to the Everywhere the enemy suffered

state of the paddy Find rios is almost impossible. Out troops are standing in readiness every Roneroy and Hargicourt.

severely. Fighting in the afternoon developed into bard British destroyers fought a detachment of German torpedo bosta in markets and to the notion where for anything which may happen.

local struggles for points of vantage, Like the brickfield near Oroi- the North Sas between four and rs o'clock in the morning, sink which is being taken by Goren sillee and rained farmhotees and canal locks, but at present at ising two. Shortly afterwards, the ́ests division fought, hand deeless to attempt to give details. One thing is clear, and that is sction with five large destroyers which had previously bombsent to maintain the tone of these the enemy for the first time in two years has began an attempt to Dunkirk. One German destroyer was emak and two others were The markets, which had been

Forobably lost. We captured soms prisoners. It appears that thres. break through.

{flatillas were ordered to bombard Dunkirk, Lapaans and Brayduda,

Belgian Cost Bombarded.

London, March 22. Belgian communique mys-During the naval engagement Last night of Dankirk, enemy vessels bombarded our eosat towards

Austro-Hungariaos Assist.

London, March 21.

A Germsa wireless caial messsge states: The Bavarian surprise stack south-west of Ornea over ran the first lines and advanced as far as B.aleravin. We took 240 prisoners. Austro- Hungarians co-operated agsint the Esgieh and Frenok in artillery firing in the broad esctors on the Western Front,

First Details of the Attack.

London, March 21.

THE DUTCH SHIPPING QUESTION,

Vessels Seized In America.

London, March EL

ir

Holland Relieved of Awkward Decision.

Londen, March 21

Beater's correspondent at Washington states that the seisure Lapenne. Reuter's correspondent at the British Headquarters, telegraph ing in the afternoon, says that following the heavy bombardment of Datoh ehips came into force last night. which the Germane commenced against the whole of our front south of the Scarpe, the enemy launched an infantry attack on a big'scale.

" All comment on the taking over of Datch shipping emphasiser Under the cover of a emoke barrage, hia infantry cameover in dense Waves on a front extending from the north of Langicourt to Gauche that, apart from the fact that Holland will not lose by it, the Allies, Wood. At 10.50 there was hand-to-hand fighting in our front line by their action, have relieved the Datch Government from making at varioge points. The early morning mista had somewhat lifted what would have been a most difficult decision. The Datch Govern ment is probably very thankful as regards thir, besad Germany and our sirmen were able to ascend.

cannot now acouse Holland of scquiercing.

Details from the battle line hitherta are scrappy and confused, but it seems cartsin that the Germace have assumed the offensive on a big scale. The artillery duel is terrific, particularly in the region of the Ridges about St. Quentin, which appear to be s main German objective

A German Claim.

---

London, March 21. A German wireless cfficial message atatea:-We penetrated portion of the British positions between Cambrai and Lafere.

British Not Surprised.

Lord Robert Cecil's Statement.

THE SHIPPING SITUATION.

Some Illuminating Figures.

www.

London, March 21,

inflated by speculation at the commencement of the year, 1917, became seriously depressed owing to the abnormal shortage of shipping during the list: qasrier of that year; and not withstanding the low rates, an abnormal quantity of the old crop remained unlifted when the. new crop was harvested. “As soon as the new crop osme on skin. market with no better prospects

The Press Baresa announces that an Admiralty statement rum-of shipping, it became certain marises as follows the shipping position at the end of last years the price would fall to a The losses of the British were 7,079,000 tons; foreign-750 Bugar which would mesa rain to 000. Tás gaina in new construction wars, British 2,031,030.

the cultivator. The intervention foreign, 3,500,000. Enemy, tonnage captured by the Be

of Government „bedams, the only- Landon, March 2780,000 tons captured by foraigo Narias, 1,890,000

» method of relieving the In the House of Commons, Lord Robert Cecil, in a statement regarding Dutch shipping, said that the Allies deeply regretted that gains of the British were 3,800,000, and foreign gaias, 38 asy Government should have appeared to assist the objects of Ger man submarinism by not making the fallest ass of it shipping. The Allies had been endeavouring for months past, by negotiation and agreement, to induce every country to use its shipping to the

fallest. Referring to the abortive negotiations with Holland, cabo

Press Comment

approval of the

London, March 21.

ment, that all Barmarios required The Times says that Sir E-ic Gaddea' statement had a mixed for shipment to Europe sboald in the House of Commons and will make e mired impress he parahssed loosity. Tas para 100 outside. The summary tale of British losses is not reassuring.chase price for rice was fired on. on March 14, Lord Robart Cecil said that one of the Da'ch conditions The greatest biatus of the sistement is Sir Eric Geddes, silence on sbsais price of Rs. 105 par 100 London, March 21.

The Allies, the condition of the shipyarda.

baskatu of 48 lb, paddy, with In the House of Commɔne, Mr. Bonar,Law announced that the then was that shipe should not enter the danger zone.

The Daily News aaye that pablic anxiety will not be alleviated intention of reassuring the German attack extended over fifty miles from the Sosips to the however, recognised that even if an agreement including that con

of securing Oise. It was the largest scale cffensive of the war. Information at difion are accepted, Germany could have rendered is ougatory by by the figures, which did little to enlighten the position. If the intention and

After mentioning the Allies liberal eitmation to to be redeemed the one thousand men from the Army, that the Icoal price of paddy present showed that on part of the front our cat-ppet troops, where extending the danger zone.. the line was very lightly held, have had to be withdrawn to the conditione, cabled on March 14, and oatlined in President Wilson's whom shipbuilders demanded in October, must return to the should be in the vicinity of this figure. These anticipations were battle zone, sccording to pre-arranged iustractions. The informs Proclamation, Lord Robert said. ato her Datch condition was that shipyards. tion indiested that nothing beyond this Ead occurred. There was the ships should not carry war material. As almost everything at The Daily Express aaya that Sir E ic Goddes' statement is not not realised and the collections of

present wae war material, this condition was also unacceptable. pleassat, and is not improved by the plain demonstration that ship: 13nd revenue

was temporarily nothing in the nature of a surprise. What had occurred need not Therefore the Allies felt that their only course was to exercise the building lacked a strong guiding expert hand. Lord Purie should enspended so as to enable the cause any alarm." The stack had been launched in the very part acquestionable right of requisitioning the use of Datch ships ander be male the autocrat of the shipyards.

caltivator to keep back hier, of our line where it was expected. Moreover, the Headquarter the right of angery. He emphasised that Britain was most sexione The Daily Mail says that the facts are serious enough, but, if paddy antil the position could three days ago advised that an attack would be launched immediately to net most carefully and in the least obnoxions way. The repatria: faced in the right spirit, need not cause dismay. We have been more be made clearer. The Home “I am justified in ssying that the attack has not surpised as, ation of Datoh crews, who would be treated with the utmost courtesy accessful in destroying epbmarines but have lost ground badly in Government have now sanctioned those responsible for our forces have foreseen and throughoas be and consideration, had been provided for. Lord Robert Cecil con- replacing lost ships. Lord Pirris's appointment is a welcome change. the immediate placing of i. o. b. lieved that if such an attack osme we were able to meet i, Anything firmed that Datch ships henceforth leaving Datch ports would not The Daily Telegraph says the statistics are not calculated to Rangoon, Bassein and Akyüb that has happened gives us no cause whatever for additional anxiety." be brought into Allied service except by agreement. The Allies dissipate national anxiety. The position is worse even than we had contracts up to 400,000 tona for -(Cheere).

bad undertaken that Holland would be supplied with 50,000 tons of feared, since last year's depredations equalled a net reduction of shipment between March- and Enemy Use of Tanks.

wheat or four in a North American port as soon sa possible and a 40 per cent of the tonnage.

July. These smonta do not Loudon, March 21:

similar quantity in a Boath American port. He hoped that Bolland The Daily Chronicle says the total tonnage of 33,000,000 is include 60,000 tone for which Renter's correspondent at the British Headquartere Baye;-

contracts had been previously The heavy bombardmentopposite Fleurbaix early this morning was would immediately send ships for it. The Allies were anxious to misleading. Haking a large deduction for Allied shipping diverted followed up by an enemy infantry attack. Ramours mention the meet Holland in every way. There were approximately 450,000 to military and naval purposes and for neutral shipping 201 available, placed; Tonnage will be provided enemy employment of tanka. The weather improved during the tons of Datch shipping in American porte and 350,000 in other the real net tonnage available is probably less than half of 30,000,000 for purchases on Government "morning. It has been dry and tolerably clear.

ri

Attack on the Freach Front,

London, March 21.

اردو

porte."

BRITISH PRISONERS IN TURKEY,

Landos, Much 22,

INDIAN, MATTERS.

Idle Enemy Ships.

London, March 20.

Bocount

Simultaneously arrangements are being made by Government to increase the shipping available A French communique says:-Towards the end of the night In the House of Commons, replying to Sir R. A. Cooper, Mr.

for export to markete other then there was intense and prolonged bombardment in the sectore north Buat said it had been impracticable to arrange for the interament In the House of Commons, Commander Ballaire complained Europe, Tomasze of at least and south-east of Bheims and also at various pointa in Champagne, in a neatral country of British war prisoners, owing to lack of that the large enemy steamers Branenfele and Frants Ferdinand in 37,000 tons month for Daioh where the Germana have made several abortive attempts. The accommodation in an arsilable neutral country and the difficulties

and licenses covering 155,000 bombardment on the right of the Meuse became very violent last of transporting a large number of Tarks from Egypt, Iadis and the Far East had been used as stationary halls for thirty months, Eat Indies is being provided

although in perfect ondition. night, s strong attack following between Caurierea Wood and Be-Barmah thereto..

Mr. Hayes Fisher replied that he had no information in connection tons have already been sazetion= 30vaux, After violent hand-to-hand fighting we drove back the In reply to Mr. Peto, Mr. Hant said the agreement for the with the matter. Inquiries would be made to the Esj, as possibly ed for other destinations. Tas enemy from some points whither, in the first rash, he had succeeded reciprocal repatriation of British and Turkish brianner was the vessels were under the control of the Director of Ladian Marine, minimum requirements for local in penetrating: We took prisoners. After lively artillery firing grounds of health and not length of asptivity. It had be signed

consimption of Ceylon, Malaya The Case of a Widow.

and Zanzibar are estimated at the enemy attacked at 130 this morning in the region of Momany and was awaiting ratification by Turkey.

London, March 20;" in Loraine, Car fire repulsed him with seriously losses. The Replying to Mr. Gershom Stewart, Mr. Bust said a lot of recent

information from those repatriated, reapceting the Turkish -intern- In the House of Commóne, Me, G. W. Carrie affirmed that no shoot 640,000 tone 01 "tha attack was without result.

ment camps, showed that the conditione were not more anfavourable cfier's widow was obarged over, fifty pounds sterling as official whole the outlook now is not than was expected. There was a slight tendency to better treatment expensse in Madras for the completion of her title to four hundred unfavourable; and the Los of prisoners in Turkey, but her difficulties were growing owing to pounds worth of shares in the Madras Repse Company, the increasing scarcity and deatness of provisions and the depresía. tion of Turkish paper carronov.

L-

The Belgian Frost.

London, March 22,

▲ Belgien communique says:-There was lively artillery yesterday.

A later Belgian communique saya:-A violent bombardment with poison gas-shelle againes our batteries along the whole front [sated throughout to-day,

German Attacks Break Down.".

London, March 22,

*

SOME AIR RAID CONTRASTS,

Mr. Hayes Fisher replied that of Mr. Carrie would give the officer's name, an inquiry would be made.

Pensüd Regulations.

די "

London, March 20, London, March 20,

In the House of Commonn Mr. Hayes Fisher stated, in reply to The Press Bureau asys that, excluding the raids on Germany, Col. Yate, that arrangements would shortly be announced in India ▲ French communiqus asy:-Daring the day reciprocal British sad Australian airmen on the Western Front daring Feb for putting into effect the provisions of the Royal Warrant dated artillery activity has been very violent be seen Mielle and the rnary droppad 5,200 bomba in the daytime and 3552 during the December 3, 1917, including en extension of the period for elenting Atene, in the region of the Rheims Heights, in Champagne and at night. The enemy has dropped twenty-sight during the day time to take a pension on the completion of twenty-two-years' vervice, Ville sur Tourbe. Three successive attacks in the Hatius ecctor over the ares occupied by the British and 1,768 during the night broke down under our fire, or were thrown back by counter-attacks, time.

British Night-Filers Bury.

De London, March 22.

Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, reporting on avistion, saya

GERMANY'S WAR BILLIA

dod, Márch 21.

Beater's correspondent at Amsterdam says that in the Reichstag

that the weather yesterday hindered firing. Our nighter the Searstary of Finance stated that German's mon dropped? *- hundred bombe, on an aerdrome sith a Tourist and a demo-porth-west of 81 Quentin, All Filarned

THE GERMANS IN UKRAINE.

London, March 21

Government feel corflent that the market will respond to the encouragement which is big. given, and that any missppra iss sion that exista will now bз

removed,

DONT FORGET.

-DAY

Vistoria