1918-05-08 — Page 1

EXCHANOB Clasing Quotations po ́ ́T.T, London Se{1}{d.”

On Demand S.154.

The Hongkong Telegraph

WEATHER FORECAS

SHOWBRY I

May 8, 1918,

7937 日入十月三

(ESTABLISHED

1881)

Copyright 1918, by the Proprietor,

Temperature Humidity

70 2 p.m. 70

96

96

May.

1917,

Temperature 6 am,

Humidity

(69-3

89

WEDNESDAY,

MAY 8, 1918.

八月五英港香

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

EARLIER TELEGRAMS.

SINGLE COFT 10 CENTS BRA DER ANNUM,

DISORDERS IN IRELAND,

THE PALESTINE CAMPAIGN.

THE UKRAINIAN SITUATION.

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

ACUTE AUSTRIAN CRISIS.

Great Unrest Still Prevalling,

Troops Withdrawn Over the Jordan,

London, May 6.

London, May 8. A telegram from Vienna shows that the crisis is more soute.;

A Palestina cfficial message says :-Odr advanced troops hold- Great anrses contingea owing to the adjournment of Parliament. ing Esgalt have withdrawo, and subsequently the bulk of the śroɔpa The Slar members of the Cabinet have resigned and it is doubtful were withdrawn over the Jordan, strong detachments remasking on whether the Premier, Dr. von Seidler, will be able to restore order the eastern bank, securing the crossings. We captured, on the east in the Slav districta in the south, where a modified seige prevails of the Jordan, between April 30 and May 4, one German and forty- firs Tarkish officers and forty-two Germans and 843 Turks of other London, May 7," | ranke, 29 machine gune sad six motor lorries, also inflicting ossusi-

Prosecution of Czechs.

A telegram from Zarich says that Dr. von Seidler has ordered ties exceeding cars. The King of Bedjes's forces, on May 3, attacked the prosecution of the organisers of the demonstration at Prague Turkish parties working at Wadi Jorun railway station to the north on May 1 in farcar of the creation of a Czech-Slovak State. One of Maan, taking twenty fire prisoners and serionely damaging the hundred thou-and Czechs have since presented a petition demand-line. ing to be prosecuted",

47

An Explanation Required.

London, May 7. Socialist newspapers in Vienna say that the Committee of the

The Times, commenting on General Allenby's communiques, Socialist party and the Committee of the German Socialist Deputies says:-The fact remains that we have twice passed east of the Olub hare decided to manifesto the workere urging readiness Jordan sud each time been compelled to withdraw. It is clear that to fight the re-establishment of absolutism, of which the the enemy on thie front is incessing in strength and the whole sdjournment of the Reichersth is a sign. The Albeiter Zeitung problem of the Palestine advance requires faller official explanation warns Dr. von Seidler that he is on the brink of a precipice and than has hitherto been received. that the unrest of the southern Slava is due to the proposed partition of Bohemia on national lines.

ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

British Take Over 200 Prisoners.

London, May 6.

MEN FROM AUSTRALIA. 1

London, May 7:

A Rigorous Comb-Out Proceeding. The Daily Mad learne from Sydney that the military authorities have decided to gesse employing for service in Australis men fit for | Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports:In a saccessful local service abroad sad, as the result of two years' public agitation, a operation during the night in the neighbourhood of Marlancourt, waigorous comb cat is proceeding, every man who has not eta sotive took over two hundred prisoners. The French repulsed attempted service being medically examined and those who joined for general raids south of Lore. Reciprocal artillery firing continued all day service will be sent etroad. The action of the authorities is widely on the battle fronta. Dar artillery caused several fires behind the approved as tending to remove 's condition which prejudiced

recruiting.. enemy's lines to the north of the River Lys.

Artillery Activity.

London, May 7. A French communique says:-There is somewhat great reciprocal artillery activity north and south of the Avie.

A German Report.

Landon, May 6.

A German wireless officia! message asya :—A local enemy attack to the south of Lere failed. We took some prisoners during reconnoîtring engagements Dear Hangard and south-west of Brimont, and also with the American rooth-west of Blamont and with the French at Hartmanns Weilerkopf.

American Sector Violently Bombarded.

London, May 6. Renter's oorrespondent at Paris says that the Germans, on May 5, violently bombarded the American sector in Picardy with gas ebells and high explosives. American artillery vigorously replied.

THE NAVAL AIR SERVICE,

Good Work on the Belgian Coast.

London, May 6. The Admiralty eanounce that between April 29 and May 5, Air Force contingents from Dunkirk oarried out bombing operations at Ostend, the west end of the Zrebrugge Hole and lock gates, the enaplane base, and shipping in the vicinity. There were direct bits on the Mole, the seaplana base and the docks at Zebrugge. One of our machines has not returned. Daring offensive patrols we dee- troyed one enemy machine and drove down another.

THE UKRAINIAN TROUBLES,

New Government Distinctly Anti-German.

London, May 7. The position in Ukraine ie moet obscure, as reports of happen- ings there have bitherto been received from German sources. German papers contend that General Skoropadaki is a pro-German and a frequent visitor to Germany, but Dr. Harold Williams, the Russian expert, in an article to the Daily Chronicle, says that from what te knows of the personnel of the new Ukraine Government it is distinctly anti-German and trying to make the best of a bad job.; He says that General Skoropadeki ie a soldier, wholly innocent of politics. The new Premier, M. Vesireenko, is a Cadet convinced of the necessity of a union with Russia.

The Daily News' correspondent at Moscow; describing the scene; in the Rads on April 28, suya that the Germane surrounded the building. A German Lieutenant walked to the President's chair while troops entered. The Lieutenant shouted "Hands up; sit still!" and then called the names of certain Ministers. One answered and was arrested. The corr spendent says General von Eichhorn's order proclaiming martial law was the result of a series of passant rieinge making it unsafe for Germans to more about. Whole trains of food en route to Germany have frequently been esized by bands of revolutionaries,

GERMANY'S DIPLOMATIC SUCCESS IN HOLLAND,

London, May 6. According to Renter's correspondent at Amsterdam, in comment- ing on the Foreign Minister's statement of May 8, the Moan Dagochtendblað says that German, diplomacy has won a snocess în Holland similar to what Genomi. Hoffmann and Field Marshal von Eichhorn win daily in the East. It complains that Joukheer -Loudon's statement is obscure regarding Datch control over German

sraffic on the Limburg Railway.

THE CHINESE UNREST.

Japanese Offer of Mediation.

London, May 7.

According to the Times' correspondent at Shanghai, the Chinese. presa states that Count Hayashi, the Japanese Minister at Peking, huayisi'nd the Ohinem Premier and offered Japan's mediation between the North and South. Count Hayashi is going to Canton

Interview the Southern leaders.

LORD FRENCH'S SUCCESSOR.

London, May 1. The Daily Chronicle saya that it in anticipated that General Sir William Robertson, will eacceed. Lond-French in the Home Com mand.

NEW POSTAL RATES.

London, May

The House of Commons has agreed to the second reading of the Bill authorising the postal rates, mentioned on Aprit 22 The increased letter rates do not apply to soldiers serving abroad. The Post Master General has estimated that the extra letter charge to the Dominions and Colonies will predaos £140,000 annually.

SPANISH STEAMER TORPEDOED.

London, May 7.

Beater's correspondent at Barcelona says that the survivors of the torpedoed Spanish steamer, Laias, have arrived. They were attacked while following armed Allied vaseels. The boat soak in three minutes. Three of the stokers were killed and British patrol bosta picked up the survivors.

EARLIER

TELEGRAMS.

SUCCESSES IN THE WEST.

London, May 6.

Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports: By a minor operation our line westward and south-westward of Morian- court, between the Somme and the Ancre, was advanced on a considerable front despite strong opposition. The enemy's losses were heavy, while we prisonered 150 and our casualties were slight. In local fighting we improved our positions in the neighbourhood of Locah and the Lawe river.

A French communique saya: An enemy attempt, after a violent bombardment, to reach our lines south-west of Anchin Farm failed completely many of the enemy being killed. A detachment penetrated German organisations in the region north of Louvre and west of Rheims and indicted serious losses on the enemy in a lively engagement and › brought back considerable war material.

Renter's correspondent at British headquarters reports: The main activity on our battlefield during the past twenty- four hours has been confited to the Australian troops. Fol- lowing Saturday's success, when the Anzaca advanced the line between the Ancre and Somme to depth of seven hundred yards, they relaunched a successful operation last night south and west of Albert, advancing towards 'Morian- court on a front of about a mile and a quarter. They drovE,.. back the enemy on their whole line for an average distance of five hundred yards. The Germans fought stubbornly and suffered, heavily. The Australians have pushed on to the lower slopes of the ridge extending from Vants sur Somme behind Morlancourt and linking up with the undulating country around Albert, which is such important terrain in con- nection with the defence of Amiens against a converging movement. The weather is intermittently wet and the ground is getting waterlogged making heary going,

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

London, May 6. Commenting on the appointment of Viscount French the **Daily Telegraph” indicates that the Government is 'deter- mined to pursue a strong, firm Irish policy.

"The "Morning Post' says: Viscount French; as a moder---" áte Home Ruler, has probably stipulated for a definite effort by the Government to pass Home Eule before wascription.

The "Daily News" says: The appointment is meant to se." ́re the Conservatives that the Government will enforce conscription. Mezatime the drafting of the Home Rule Bill proceeds and the Government hopes there will not be so many restrictive provisions anggested by the Conservatives. The "Times" says: The appointment is wholly non-political. Viscount French is entitled to credit for undertaking so -peculiarly difficult a teak from a sense of duty.

In the House of Commons, Mr. Lough asked: Has the enforcement of conscription in Ixelsad been postponed Mr. Boner Law replied: The intentions of the Government have not changed since the statement by the Premier on 29th April.

Germany Faced with Difficulties, '

Amsterdam, May 4

The German diffenities in Ukraine ars dearly brought out by a statement by von Fayer in the Reichstag and the subsequent debate. Von Payer admitted that the Germanx antered Ukraine not merely for the purpose of restoring order but because they wanted foodstuffs as speedily as possible. He said the Eads was powerless to make the population deliver its grain. Its communistic theories more- over were not reciprocated by the peasants hänce the trouble which led to the overthrow of the Government. "Vou Payer, after describing an alleged plot to 'assassinate German offers," said it was most regrettable that some members were arrested while the Bada was sitting General Eschhor made an immediate apology for the blunder and the Ger- maz commander responsible was immediately dismissed. The new Government which, was being formed by Hettan Skoropadski, whom the peasants elected, had agreed to the formation of German field tribunals. The new, Government refused to recognise the theories that deried ownership of the soil and it agreed to the necessity of concluding a long- term economic agreement with the Central Powers and to negotiate for the reimbursement of German military argint-

The Food Supply Question.

Amsterdam, May 6.

In the Reichstag Herr Scheidemann declared the policy described by von Payer was incomprehensible. The people of Ukraine did not stand behind General Skoropadaki and the supply of grain, could not thus be retained by Germany. Harr Erzberger said the shape' taken by Eastern questions would decide the entire future of the shaping of Europe. He urged that the political department of the German Gor- ernment should be the sole deciding factor in Ukraine. Under Secretary Bansche denied that General Skompadski. was sup ported only by the big landowners, Under Secretary

Brenn, replying to a question whether the Ukraine grain stores really existed, said that experts said so. They estimat ed the supplies at two million tons. Herr Braun then described the difficulties of securing fulfilment of the agreement for sup- plying the Central Powers, remarking inter-slis" that nothing could be purchased without the help of the Ukrainian Jews. Herr Braun added that it was at present very difficult to forecast the quantities which Ukraine could supply: Ao- cording to latest reports four million poods had been notified but as yet were not delivered, Herr Ledebour, the Socialist, declared that the new Ukraine Government did not possess any more power than the old.

A Dictatorship.

London, May 5. Apparently General Skoropadaki has established a kind of dictatorship in Ukraine, The "Vorwaarts" denies the German assertion that the majority of Ukrainians support Skoropadski, who, it says, only received nine Totes at the elections for the Ukrainian Constituent Assembly and who the big land-owners bail as their champion. It transpires that the Ukrainian Premier, who von Payer stated in the Reichstag voluntarily resigned, was arrested by the Germans. Cumplications Predicted.

Zurich, May 6, The "Arbeiter Zeitung" of Vienna condemns the Ger- man and Austrian proceedings in Ukraine and foresees perilous complications. It says the Ukrainians are bound to regard the Austro-German as a military regime whose object is solely to requisition foodstuffs. Thus the Basso-philo sentiment will be strengthened. In a telegram to Vienna-> Herr Seidler admitted that Austria was unable to feed the population of northern Tyrol and northern Bohemia. The former has been attached to Bavaria and the intter to Saxony for provisioning purposes. This concession wa wrung from him most reluctantly by German partics and will accentuate the feud between the German and non-German races in Austria.

+1

THE PEACE OUTLOOK.

Amsterdam, May 6, Baron von Dembusche, the German Under-Foreigu Secretary, replying to Lord Robert Cecil's interview 36. regards the peace offensive, predicts further German vic- tories in the West and says England has frequently missed the psychological moment for peace,

Replying to Mr. Snowden, who called attention to a Benter interview with Lord Bobert Cecil on 3rd May, Mr. Balfour stated there had been no enemy peace offers recently.

THE GERMAN CASUALTIES AT ZEEBRUGGE.”

Amsterdam, May 6,

· The "Telegraaf” states that 70 Germans were killed and 230 wounded in the British attack on Zeebrugge. The Ger- mans compelled a thousand Belgians to repair the damage.

NORWAY AND AMERICA.

Washington, May 6.

A Norwego-America agreement has been signed whereby ∙America will provide. Norway with necessary foodstuffs, fodder, fertilisers and bunker coal and will not seize of hamper Norwegian vessels and Norway will send the United States surplus ore, minerals, chemicals, timber, wood and fish and will not forward to the United States the exports of the Central Powers or use or replace commodities shipped. to the order of the Central Powera.

ILL-TREATMENT OF BRITISH OFFICERS,

London, May 6.

Lord Newton in a speech in Lancashire aunounced that owing to continued ill treatment of British offiders in Ger- many under the corps commander of the Tenth - German Army, we had taken certain reprisals in the care of German officers in Britain.

"A BYE-ELECTION RESULT,

London, May 6. The South Hereford, bye-election has resulted as follows: Mr. Pully (Coalitionist), 3,250; Mr. Preece (Farmers' didate), 1,784.*--

(Continued on Page 8.)

Riotous Scenes in Clare,

Brms. prisoners male" their 6601pe on February 9 h by ushe ing out of the Eanie Session Scuse, Country Clare, Ireland, in & body and have not been re- captured. They were 17 in num. ber, and there are another six who, when in Limerick Gaol, where they were imprisoned be cause they refused to fod bail, began a hunger strike, with the result that, as acon as Ennis was' reached, the six bad to be taken to the infirmary instead of the Consthouse.

The 17 made triumphant pro- grees through Ennis in a military lorry, which, without interferanos from the police, was decorated profusely with the" Sinn Fein tricolour, A military armoured

car, trorps of soldiers and police, meny decorated jonating cars, and a number of boresmen mide up a corionely assorted procession.

A: the Sessions House, which is not provided with a dock, the 17 "bazoea" were surrounded by their friends, who refused to re move their cap, end cheered vociferously during the taking of tha evidence.

Only a single policeman, it appears, attempted to interfere by force with the rash. Once outside the men were lost in the crowd, and quickly got sway, although over 100 policemen ware in the immediate neighbour hood. The latter were strangera from King's Genstaadslid not know the prisacere:- 37 a strange oversight nearly all the local police had besu sent to the infirmary be sa escort to the siz: burger strikers..

The charge against the pri soners was that of cattle driving, and later in the day the town wae paraded by en excited crowd displaying Sinn Fein colours and orying. Up the estila drivers, "Ip the land for the people."

The local Bian Fein leaders issued a statement to the Esok that cattle driving is contrary to the principlies of the "Irish Be public. Bodies of polles sad

oldiers have bien concentrated v in the district Feeling is ran- alog high, zod s completa disregard for suchority prevails,

SPYING ON. THE SPIE37

Judge Shows How the Allies Cargoes are Guarded.

Revelations of the manner in which German spies who haant the quaysides of the Allies all över the world in order to do damage. to ships are themselves spied on made" by Mr. "Justice MoCardie recently,

Were

In the case which he had to try the judge decided that the sug gestion that damage to a cargo of wheat was the work of an enemy spy was contrary to fact.

Win

The wheat in question damaged by water coming In through the porthole of Ba Pannonia, and the plaintiffs, Meesra Joseph Rank, grain mer. chants and millers, of Liverpool; said that this was due to the vessel being unsstworthy. They claim” ed #2,058 damages from the owners, the Canard Steamship Compsay, The defence was that the damage, was due to the un- fastening of a porthole by an enemy spy in New York,

His lordship said that the ship was amply guarded whila at Naw York. Skilled, detectives stood: |st many points, and all who entered the ship wees watgbad. There was no evidence that say suspicions person was ever known. to be on board."

Ordinary fallibility rather than German criminality was the. explanation of the matter, added the fadge, who gave the plaintifa judgment for the ram elsimed and costs. Letva to appea