1918-08-26 — Page 1

EXCHANGE

"Closing"" "Qustations s TT. Landon Smj6}{d

On Demand 3/6 7/168.

The Hongkong Celegr

(ESTABLISHED

Copyright 1918,

Temperature

August 26, 1918, Humidity

S030

日十二月七

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

THE ALLIED SUCCESSES.

BRITISH STORM FIFTEEN STRONGHOLDS.

The Americans Assigned an Important Task.

London, August 24.

A week of continual Allied anocnes closed gloriously yesterday, when the British atormed no fewer than fifteen important strong- holds.

4.

A semi-official Paris statement emphasises that the whole inter est was yesterday osatred on the British front, where the gsión of ground were most important from a trotioal viewpoint, especially in in the direction of Bapaume, which is now practically at the meroy of the British owing to their capture of the Ancre Valley Railway.

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A significant success is that of the Americans west of Firmes The Americans south of the Vesls have lately been assigned the "task of hammering the German_communications with the region north of the Aisne. They have been steadily, reinforced all the -time, however, and if their present movement develops, it in likely to have serious consequences for the Germans, whom General Mangin and General Hambert are on daking. When Gederil Ludendorff deems it prudent to retire in this region, his decision to withdraw to the 1917 line may be haatened by the Americans,

The Threat to the Germans.

London, August, 24". Experts in Parie recognise that the British have the hardest task in the present battle." The enemy has evidently decided to stand at all costs against & further advance of General Byng's Army, as the loss of Bapaums would at present be equivalent to a disaster to the Germans, whree flink between Arras and Albert would be thereby uncovered.

The experte contrast the British prosition, in this region now with that in the spring of 1917, and eay it is remarkable that General Byng has secured more in three days than was gained then after six months of hard fighting.

General Rawlinson's operations admirably supplement those of General Byng. The conjoint movement has already reduced Albert, and it is confidently anticipated that the present double turning movement by the British will compel the enemy to evacuate the old Somme battlefeld by pressure on the fisoka instead of the old and costly frontal attacks,

PRESENTATIONS TO MARSHAL FOCH AND GENERAL PETAIN.

The Brave Derds of the Allies Praised,

328

London, Augast 24. Yesterday at French Headquarters, M. Paincare, President of the French Republic, accompanied by M. Clemencesa, French Pre mier, presented Marshal Foch with the baton of his offios and to. General Petain the Medaille Militaire. Making the presentation, M. Poincare, in a short speech, ssid :-"Das of the Marshal's own favourite sayings is 'War is a department of moral force; battle.& conflict of two wills; victory the moral supercrity of the victor, and President Poincara defeat the depression of the vanquished. referred to the generous adhesion of the Allied Governments which gare Marshal Foch the Chief Command of the Allied "Armies and to the successive victories resulting from the situation on the Marne, the Avre, the Somme and the Oire. To Genersi Petain, on whom the Government had conferred the Medaille Militaire, the highest honours French General can win, the President said "You who love soldiers and who are beloved by them, will wear just with priče this insignis of heroïern."«

"A few minutes before President Poincare presented Marshal Fooh with the baton of his office, the Marshal received in his office "at the Headquarters of the Allied Armies, the representatives of the French, British and American Press and made the following statements:- You yourselves know, gertlemen, that the operations which were begun on July 18 are going on well. We are going to follow them up. As to our splendid troops, you can never say enough and never praise too highly their valoar and their heroism, Though they fought without a truce, though they were not relieved, one has only to sɛk from them all that one wishes, and they will Oerry it out superbly. Inak," he said, “what they have dona since July 18," pointing to a map on the wall where the daily advances had been marked in different colours. "I told -you once previously that the German attacks, launched like a wave, were going to break on the strand. This wave ir falling back and is now broken like a sex when it draws bick on the rocky cost,”

El

RESUMPTION OF FRENCH RAILWAY SERVICE. London, August 24.

A Harse menage says:-The train service for travellers has been re-established on the main line between Paris and Amiens. In a few days' traine to Paris and Calais will follow again their normal route. The journey will be considerably shortened. This measure is of great importance for the renewal of economic conditions in North France.

UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.

The Flag-Must be Planted in Berlin..

London, August 23. Renter's correspondent at Washington states that the Man- Power Bill has passed the House of Representatives sa originally drawn by the War Department. There were only two negative votes. both by Socialista.

.

Discussing the Man Power Bill in the Senate, Mr. McCumber declared Nothing short of planting the flag in Berlin is going to win the war as it ought to be won. No peace pact should be signed until Germany has surrendered unconditionally and has delivered the murderers of Nurse Cavell and other innocents."--

CANADIAN PREMIER'S RETURN.

London, August 23. Beuter's correspondent at Ottawa states that Sir Robert Borden bas kuzived there.

JAPANESE-AMERICAN ARBITRATION.

* London, Anguet 23, Beater's commerpondent at Washington state that Mr. Lansing

Ishii hays signed an extension of the Japansa

sty for another fŸo yours.

4

“

+1

MONDAY, AUGUST

EARLIER TELEGRAMS.

BIO ALLIED SUCCESSES IN FRANCE.

Speculations on the Allies' Strategy,

London, Aug.

The special and ultimate aim of Marshal Foch's strategio" plan, which is working out in the present series of battles, is the subject of much speculation alike in London and Paris Broadly the opinion of experts is divided between those who believe that Marshal Foch is striking a number of hammer blows with the object of weakening the enemy numerically, positionally, and as regards moral, preparatory to a decisive blow at some absolutely vital spot, and those. who think he is at present merely endeavouring to die- organise what is really a great German retreat or intention to retreat on large sectors, being content to reap the rich fruits of this disorganisation in the shape of big hauls of prisoners and material, and to allow later results to guide him in the matter of more decisive action this year. Some sble French critics hold the latter view, which is based on the theory that a withdrawal is gradually going on to some rew Hindenburg line which is probably of great depth. Those who argue that we are at present" witnessing the preliminaries to a decisive stroke base their belief on the facts that the Allies are presumably employing very consider able forces in the aggregate in the present battles, that they are exploiting their gains to the utmost, that they are already threatening vital enemy positions, and that, more- over, it would be folly not to push to the last degree this year the immense advantage of their regained initiative, superior moral and enthusiasm for an offensive, especially among, the Americans. It is pointed out that other con- siderations apart from weighty political reasons are that the Germans have still many divisions in Russia and it is possible have still more divisions booked for a surprise enterprise this year on some other front. Hence it is not absolutely certain that a better chance will offer in 1918, for the German front is now more or less fairly liquid.” As regards the latest developments of the battle one of the most important is the British threat on Bapaume, the fall of which would be a disaster for the enemy. His desperate resistance at Achiet-le-Grand, where the main defensive positions of Bapaume are located, shows he realises this.

The Entry Into Albert.

London, Aug. 28. Renter's correspondent at British Headquarters reports to-day: In the attack in the Albert sector some tanks crossed the Anere in the darkness and advanced under cover cf an early morning mist Opposition from the direction of Bray was strong, but the enemy artillery retaliation consisted mainly of heavy howitzers, well back, as the bulk of the German Seld-gans have been withdrawn Heavy rifle fre and machine-gunning greeted the entry of our troops into Albert at ten in the morning of Thursday and by eleven after street fighting we had driven the enemy out of the town and captured fourteen hundred prisoners, including a battalion commander, his staff, a few guns and numerous machine guns. The Germans previously evacuated the stores Although at some points northwards of the Somme we are still feeling our way, through the enemy's deep outpost zone, we berertheless made useful gains of ground with hundreds of prisoners and indicted the heaviest casualties. Our own losses were relatively light, as we were guided by the doctrine not to be too ambitious when success wae likely to be too costly.

For this reason we did not attempt to push through Achiet le Grand on Wednesday. The enemy here is in great strength and is still counter-attacking with fresh reserves. Last night's attack by the Third Army troops beyond the Arras-Albert Railway gained important positions. We have pushed to the zouth of Gommecourt, where heavy fighting continues. The weather is mercifully cooler...

The British Victorious Thrust;

London Aug. 24"

Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports: During the day we pressed attacks vigorously and successfully on more than a thirty mile front from Lihons to Mercamel English," Scottish and Australians attacked southward of the Somme at 4.45 am, and captured Herleville, Chuignes and Chuig- nelles, also woods between the villages and between Chaig nolles and the river. During an advance of over two miles we killed great numbers and made prisoners of many. Ten minutes later English and Scottish Guards attacked on the left of the battle front and stormed Gomecourt, Ervillers, Hamelincourt, Beyelies and Bairy-bee-Querelle, They made prisoners of many and during the remainder of the day they progresses eastward of these villages.

Meanwhile in the right centre of the battle front English and Welsh attacked the positions on the east bank of the Ancre from south-eastward of Albert to the neighbourhood of Grandcourt, gaining ground after heavy fighting We beat off a counter-attack southward of Grandcourt. At about 11 am. the English attacked on the left centre of the battle front, along the railway northward of Grandcourt. They captured: Achilet-le-Grand, Bibucourt and the ridge over looking Irles. We continued the attacks during the after- noon, Several thousand prisoners have been taken during the day and heavy casualties have been inflicted of the

enemy.

German Admissions.

Londoo, Aug. 23.

A wireless: German official message says: The British attack northward of the Ancre, begun on August 1, con tinned in full force and extended northward of Albert as far as the Albert Somme sector, but collapsed. We fore- stalled the enemy assault and attacked the enemy between... Moyenneville and Miraumont and threw him back in places two kilometres. We repulsed attacks from Puisseux, Beau mort-Hamel and Albert.. The enemy crossed the Albert Bray road Our counter-attack threw him back We have withdrawn out troops behind the flette: Our troops left on the west bank of the Ailette retired before strong attacks between Manicamp and Pont St Mard.

Another Good Day

London, Aug 24 Reuter's correspondent at British Headquarters, report ing yesterday, says: The heaviest figating has been around Boiry. Becquerelle, where the enemy counter-attacks in dense formations were devastated by our machine-guns and rifles, whole battalions being reduced to skeleton strength. The enemy resistance at Chuignes Ridge was similarly very costly. It is certain that in yesterday's and to-day's fighting. the Germans lost vary heavily Our casualties were rela fively light, Tanks and whippets again wron? havoc among the machine gun nests Surrey, E.. troops and Royal Fusiliers in today's fighting dist themselves. The progress to-day has been summed up as another good day

1918.

1917,

拜禮

六廿月八英港香

RLIER TELEGRAMS.

-BIG ALLIED SUCCESSES IN FRANCE..

Important British Captures.

London, Aug. 23. Information available in London at 3 o'clock-to-day was that General Rawlinson's Fourth Army had gained all their objectives. They captured the high ground south-west of Cappy, and also captured. Churignes and Herleville. There is an unconfirmed report that Usa Hill, north-eastward of Albert, has been captured To-day's advance of General Byng's Third Army has so far resulted in the capture of Bairy-Beogerelle, Boyelles, and Hamilincourt, also Gomie- court, where five hundred prisoners were taken. General Byng's advance is progressing in a south-easterly direction. from Gomiecourt and is now fronting the Albert-Bapaume- Cambrai, road, Australians and New Zealanders, are s participating in General Byng's operations The Canadians are with General Rawlinson's army. General Mangin's Tenth French "Army is also progressing. His patrols to-day "crossed the Aline at several places northward of Soissons,

but the German line-here is strongly-held-The Germans- since August 6th have launched fifty-five divisions against the Allied battle line.

A French

Aerial Operations.

London, Aug. 24- communique states: An expedition in great force attacked the important Mars-la-Tour serodrome, The first bombe caused a fire in the hangara and buts and, aided by the light of the flames, the remaining seroplance bombed most effectively other Hangars, hats and, the personnel Numerous machines on the ground were seen on fire. Altogether 4 tons of explosives were employed yesterday,

"

British airmen had another successful week. In the heary fighting notably between Albert and the Amiens-Boye road sixty-two enefly machines were destroyed and twenty. " one driven down out of control during the week, against twenty-giz-British missing. Moreover, while the enemy's concentration was achieved by inactivity in other sectors, the British airmen have not abated their destructive raids on the enemy's territory. Raids on London have cessed for the time being under the pressure of events on the battle- front, while the British aerial offensive in Germany grows daily in deadliness and power. It can hardly.be disguised that Germany is no longer able to protect adequately her immensely long air frontier

British Haul of Prisoners.

London, Aug. 24. Another report by Sir Douglas Haig says: We progress- ed in the Albert sector during the night taking prisoners The attack was resumed parly in the morning. Since the morning of Wednesday, in three days fighting, we have made prisoners of 14,000 and taken a number of guns, We carried out a successful local operation in the evening north-weet of Neuf Berquin and repulsed after sharp fighting local attacks at night time northward of Bailleul, southward of Loers and northward of Kemmel.. Fighting took place to our advantage in the morning north-west of La Bassee Canal and in the Givenchy sector.

British Nearing Bapame.

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Landan, Aug. 24.

The British are within two miles of Bapaume. Reuter's correspondent at British Headquarters, writing. on August 21 states: Be-attacking this morning we captur ed Bray, which is an important position, also Ovillers, We surround Thiepval The Australians yesterday made a fine advance along the old Somme desert, taking 2,000 prisoners from ten regiments.

•

The Germans are rushing up strong local reserves to oppose the British approach to Bapaume. Strong opposition": was encountered at Behucourt, where the enemy hold a big sugar factory redoubt, Beyond Domiecourt our patrola are. seen as far as Mory. Illustrating the spirit of initiative among our troops, one Australian division yesterday seized "sin opportunity and, successfully advanced a third of a mile on its own responsibility. Heavy shower in the small hours laid the dust and cooled "the air,

A French communique states: In the region of Lassigny and between the Oise and Aisne the night was marked by fairly lively artillerying: Our detachments penetrated sever- al points of the enemy's trenches in Lorraine and brought back prisoners. The night was quiet on the rest of the front.

French Eagerness.

London, Aug. 24. Reuter's correspondent at French Headquarters" zaya: Accounts of the capture of Beauvraignes by troops of Gen eral Humbert's Army, amid a terrific bombardment, recall descriptions of the Verdun fighting. A French division nicknamed "La Gauloise," of Verdun fame, was given the honourable and dangerous task of taking the place. When the moment came for the final advance, the men, parched with thirst and tired with days of fighting and pitiless beat, leapt to the assault telling the officers they no longer felt the weight of thour packs, so eager were they to get at the Boches

ESSENTIAL PEACE TERMS.

Washington, Aug. 24

Mr. Lodge, speaking before the Senate Foreign Re- Istions Committee in support of the Man Power Bill, warned - against the insidious poisonous German peace propaganda, declaring that peace must be dictated to, not negotiated with Germany in order to place her in a position where she never again can disturb the world's peace. Mr. Lodge specifically detailed the peace terms which must be forced on Germany, including the complete restoration of Belgium, unconditional return of Alsace Lorraine, and Italia Igredenta, the safety of Greece, independence of Serbia, Rumanis, Poland and the SĺATE and the freedom of Russia from German domina- tion, including the return of Bussian territory wrested by the Bresllitovak treaty. Furthermore, Constantinople must be made a free port. Palestine must never be returned to Turkish rule and, most important of all, the great populations under Austris, namely the Jugo-Blevs Czacho Slovaks, mast be established sa independent St These, with Poland, would stand scross the pathi - meny eastward Ho added that nobod dreamt

ing the German people. We are not engaged in

government for Germany that then

TELEGRAMS

(Bentar's Service to the

THE SILVER MARKET.

Hilver is archang

CORRESPONDENCE,

[The opinions" wxpressed

- pondente are 'not necesús of the Hongkong Tele

A DENIAL

To the Editor of the * Hongkong. asty Datagraph")-

Sit —I have been conem feci my olient the Vary -Reverend Father Joes da Costa Numer, the Head of the Dinner of M1080, with reference to the article which appeared in your issue of the 2ård instant, headed “A Macão Santi- tion" which, in his opinion, in- calculated to do infinite isjury to the moral character of the clergy in his Diocese unlese immediately. contradicted.

I am instructed to inform you that there is no priest in Macao of the name of "Leao Magalhae,” or any similar name, and that. there is no placs of the name. of "Ponti de Baron," and forther that no incident as that alleged has ever occurred in Maoso,

* My client, whilst spprecisting your reserve in publishing the story, will alea teglad if you will gire publicity so this communics- tion in the next issue of your paper.

"Your ets.

· · LEO D'ALMADA ● QASTRO. We are glad to be able to correct the wrongful impression that the incident referred to occurred in Macug.-Ed. H.K.T]

CANTON NEWS.

Our Canton correspondent writes as followe-

The Floods

The water in the streets of thể: western part of the city ia gradually subsiding, although some streets are still inundated. been. However, basiness" has renmed.

Lam Char-haan, after occupy. ing the presidency of the Adminis tration Council, sent his own' secretary, a member of the Pro- vincial Assembly and a military, commander to requeat Li In-hon, the Civil Governor to return to Capton and resame office.

Protection for Travaliers, The Foreign Intercoures com missioner has communicated to various departments the names of the foreign tourists who recently arrived and requests that dus protection should be provided for

them..

Junk Capsizes. Apsaenger jank towed by a launch which left Kai Chow Chow for Canton during the flood has capsized. It is feared that over 100 passengers were drowned, *** Tuchan's Appointment."

Mak-Wing sun, the Tuska has accepted effice as a Chief of the War Ministry of the Military Department.

A New Loss

Negotiations have been con- aluded between the Superinten-/ dent of the Bank of China and some capitalists in Shanghai for * loan of over $1,000,000 for the redemption of the notes of the Bank,” – All the Government pro-- perties in Canton will be given as security,

Armed Rob

change

$65000