Vancouver Daily World from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • Page 1

1 TELEPHONES TIDES IN HARBOR Prlvnt Exchagne connecting all department. Day Call Hey. 45I After A p.m. Clreulntlon Bey. 4S16K Editorial S7.

4517K Advertising Sr. 4S18K FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7 High Water 0.09 a.m. Low Water 6.10 a.m. High Water 12.32 p.m. Low Water 7.50 p.m.

8.0 feet. 6.0 feet. 12.4 feet. 6.2 felt. THIRTIETH YEAR VANCOUVER, B.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1917. THE WEATHER Lower Mainland 1 lKht to moderate winds: fair; colder. LATE EDITION LARGE SECTION OF HALIFAX DESTROYED AND SEVERAL HUNDRED LIVES LOST IN EXPLOSION BRITISH ARE ADVANCING AT LA VACQUERIE Troops Move Forward on Cam bria Front, Says Today's Official Announce ment. WHERE BYNG BITES HUNS Coll sion of Munition Ship With Another Liner Cause of Tremendous Disaster North End of City is in Flames and Property Loss Into Millions Other Shipping: in Harbor I Will Run Suffers Severely Telegraph Service Severed. TAKE FRESH STAND AT NOYELLE SUR L'ESCAUT Halifax is Chief Naval Base in North America For many years Halifax has been the chief British military and naval station on the American continent.

Its harbor, one of the most spacious in the world, is large enough to float the entire British navy and is strongly fortified. In addition to the fortifications there is a government dockyard containing an immense drydock. The city's population, according to the 1911 census, is about 47,000. Halifax is the eastern terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Canadian government railways. Steamship lines operate between the port and points in Newfoundland, Great Britain, the United States and the West Indies.

Since the outbreak of the war, Halifax has assumed a more important position than ever, as it is the principal port from which men, munitions and supplies are transported from Canada to the battlefields of Flanders and Northern France. I FORMER. BATTLE. If EREStrtT ftMTtt Today's dispatches state the British have advanced southwest of I.a Yacquerle, west of Kscaut canal, shown at the bottom of this map At Rourlon Wood, due west of Cambral, our troops have withdrawn slightly. Twenty Five Airplanes Make Raid on England; Two Are Brought Down Crew of Three Men of Each Machine Is Captured When Fliers Are Forced to Descend After Encounter With Latest Report Places Number of Dead at 1,200 But This is Not Official Munition Ship Said to be French, and Other Vessel is Norwegian HALIFAX, N.

Dec. 6. A large part of the northern end of the city is in flames; probably about three hundred lives were lost, hundreds were injured, and heavy loss was inflicted on shipping in the harbor when two vessels, one of them loaded with munitions, collided in the Rockingham section of the harbor this morning about 8 o'clock. The vessels collided soon after 8:30 o'clock, and it is presumed that the munitions ship was hit in the stokehold, because instantly flames were seen to pour from her. Her crew appeared to make an effort to get the fire fighting apparatus to work, but the explosion occurred before anything could be done.

The berth of the cruiser Niobe was near the area affected, but no reports have reached here as to whether the ship or her crew were injured. Many buildings on the waterfront were blown to pieces. The area of destruction covers several miles. The Canadian government depot, used by the Canadian Pacific Railway, is described as having entirely collapsed, while a big government repair plant at Willow Park in the northwestern section of the city, is wrecked. Later reports on the destruction at Halifax said that the whole city north of the Queen's hotel is a mass of wreckage and that fires have broken out in a dozen places in the city.

The area affected is several miles. MONTREAL, Dec. 6. Direct telegraphic advices from Halifax this afternoon say that the destruction in the city today was caused by the explosion of a French munition ship, not an American, as earlier reported. It was stated that the French ship was rammed by a Norwegian boat carrying foodstuffs MONTREAL, Dec.

6. The dead in the Halifax disaster are estimated at 1200 by officials of the telegraph companies, although it is explained that the information which the estimate is based is unofficial. Large Area Laid Waste ST. JOHN, N. Dec.

6. Communication with Halifax was established by the Canadian Pacific Telegraph Company this afternoon. It was learned that as a result of the explosion of the munition ship this morning nearly one half of the north end of the city is flat, that all the hospitals are filled to overflowing, so that many injured are compelled to walk about untreated. A number of Canadian Tacific Railway operators are reported injured. An unconfirmed report received at 2 o'clock this afternoon said the fire at Halifax was under control.

The origin of the report which was put on the telegraph wires could not be determined. Three Hundred Dead TRURO, N. Dec. 6. Three hundred dead and many hundreds injured was tho estimate this afternoon of casualties when a large munitions ship rammed a passenger liner near its pier at Halifax today.

The advices stated that the ship which collided with the munitions vessel was a Red Cross liner. British Aerial Defence Forces Is First Raid on City for Several Weeks. LONDON, Dec. 6. About 25 airplanes raided England today, it is announced officially today.

Of these, six reached London. Two of the raiders were brought down, the crew of three men on each machine being captured after encounters with members of the British aerial defence. The machines which escaped the British airmen were last seen I A A. 1 1 SUSPEND WAR FORTEN DAYS Hostilities Stopped on Entire Russian Front, Beginning at Noon, Berlin Says Officially. TROTSKY WILL NOT LET BRITISH LEAVE RUSSIA Englishmen Are Turned Back at i r' Finnish Border may be Held as Hostages.

BERLIN, Dec. Suspension of hostilities over the whole Russian front for ten days, beginning at noon on Friday, has been arranged, tho war offlco announced today. Carries Out Threat. STOCKHOLM, 6. Leon I Trotsky, the Bolshcklvl foreign rain ister, apparently Is carrying out his threat to detain In Russia all English subjects until tho Russian prisoners in England have been released.

Passengers arriving at Haparanda, Sweden, report that several English men have been turned back at tho Finnish border, although possessed of Bolshekivi passports. The Russian commandant at the Finnish seaport of Tornea, opposite Haparanda, has committed suicide. "This is a striking Interpretation of and a commentary on the attitude of mind of the old officials of Tornea," telegraphs the informant of the Associated Press. Consider Allies. PETROGRAD, Dec.

6. Repre sentatives of Germany, Austria Hun gary, Turkey and Bulgaria met the Russian emissaries at Brcst Litovsk to discuss terms of an armistice. The delegates of the Central Powers informed tho Russians that they had power to negotiate only tho condi tions of an armistice, which a Pus communication calls an "evasive declaration." The request of the. Russian delegates that all the belligerents be asked to take part in reaching an armistice all lronts was met by the enemy statement that it did not possess such powers. 1 he Russians then presented a project for an armistice on all fronts, tl.e principal points of which were tho promise that tho Austro Germans would not take forces from the eastern front to other fronts and that the Germans should retire from the islands around Moon Bound.

The Russians were handed a pro posal for an armistice on the eastern front, which is now being examined i by the Russians. Withdrawal From Lines Accom plished Without Germans Be ing Aware of Move. HAMMER MAY STRIKE Teutons Expected to Make Another Desperate Effort in Cambrai Area. LONDON, Dee. 6.

The British have advanced slightly their line southwest of Lavacquerie, on the Cambral front, It Is announced officially. On Tuesday night, the official statement says, the British troops withdrew to the southwest of MoyeHe Sui L' Kscaut and Bourlon Wood. Tho withdrawal, it is added, was accomplished without the Germans appearing to bo aware of it until late yesterday. Iluig's Heport The official report from Field Marshal Haig says: "On tho Cambrai battlefront two minor attacks attempted by the enemy during the morning in the neighborhood of Gonnelieu were successfully repulsed. Local fighting took place this morning to our advantage in tho neighborhood ot La Vacquerle.

"Early In the afternoon, a moro serious attack was delivered by the enemy in this area In considerable force; It was repulsed after heavy fighting. Hostile infantry advancing to attack In the neighborhood of Bour lon Wood and Moeuvres was engaged and repulsed by our artillery." Huns Still Hope WITH THE BRITISH ARMIES IN FRANCE, Deo. 6. (By the Associated Press) There is no indication that General von der Marwlt's great offensive has been abandoned and the presence of further fresh infantry divisions in the Cambrai area shows that tho enemy has not yet lost hope of Inflicting a sharp defeat on tho British. Tho British line Is now very strongly held und can withstand any sledge hammer preuro and tho anxiety the natural effect of tho fht two days' onslaught has been followed by a feeling of cheerfulness and complete confidence.

The jiumuer of British batteries hut been greatly Increased and their curate counter shelling oithe enemy's strong artillery groups east of the Scheldt has effectively reduced their activity. LOCAL VESSEL WAS IN TROUBLE Margaret Haney Ran Onto Mud Flats and Struck Rock on Her Maiden Voyage to Bombay. Chartered for Indian coast trade, the auxiliary schooner Margaret Haney, a British Columbia product, will probably not be seen in these waters again until after the war. Fol loving the arrival of tho vessel ut Bombay with a cargo of lumber, arrangements were made with her owners, the Canada West Coast Navigation Company, to retain her in the southern waters. She loaded lumber here, leaving May 1, completing her voyage to Bombay in S5 days.

A letter received from a member ot the crew states that the vessel had a mishap on her maiden voyage. It was when within seven miles of her destination that the vessel ran onto a mud flat, and after being floated proceeded to run over a rock while stcuming at full speed. The rock, tore away the keel and part of the rudder. Repairs were made at Bombay. IAIRVIEW SEVEN ROOMS fullv modern, a splendid home, lot 70x120.

Price J00, cash 11200, balanct) mortgagr. (For address se classified page) Answering "Want Ads. is a day by day education in practical affairs in business wars and means in values. "Watching the Want Ads. yon learn about real estate wherp before you only guessed.

You learn rental values at first hand. Classified readers touch and take interest and part in the city's life and by so doing they prosper. Are you taking full advantage of World Want AdsT OF MILLS LINfc. I Bombs dropped by tho raiders caused a uiimber of fires in London, htit ll nl u. infill wcio MUHM.V MrUUKll tjuuvi int msuumes are believed to be light.

Tho text of the report by Field Marshal Lord French, commander of tho British homo forces, regarding tho air raid is as follows: "A raid bv about, 25 enemv nir. planes took place early this morning. jTho first group of raiders came in lover Kent at 1:30 a.m. and dropped bombs on various places on and near the coast. The second group madu land shortly after 3 o'clock." "One or two explosives and a large number of incendiary bombs were dropped in various districts about 6 a.

in. "Two raiders fell victims to our defences, in each case the entire crew of three men being captured alive. "A number of fires occurred in London, but all were speedily got under control by the Metropolitan Firo Brigade. "Tho casualties are believed to be light, but full police reports have not yet been received. "A number of our own airplanes went up.

They all landed safely. ame in Five Groups. "Shortly after 3 a. m. variou.i machines proceeded up the Thames and some distance into Kont.

Both the above groups appear to have curried out preliminary attacks with the object of drawing gunfire and exhausting the defence, for it was not until an hour later that the most serious attack developed. "Between 4 and 5:30 a. m. two groups of enemy machines crossed the Essex coast and three groups tho Kent coast, proceeding toward London on converging courses. "Their tactical plan seems to have been to deliver five simultaneous attacks from tha northeast, east and southeast.

The whole of one group, however, was turned back by gunfire and the others, not moro than five of six majhincs, penetrated into London." This is the first German air raid jover Knglund in more than a month. iThe last, previous raid occurred on the night of October 31, being made by about thirty airplanes in stven groups. Seven Killed, 21 Hurt LONDON, Dec. 6. Seven persons were killed and 21 injured in tho air raid.

Chancellor Bonar Law an nounced today in the House of Com irons. Of the victims three were killed and ten injured in London. Six Towns BoiulH BERLIN, Dec. 6, via London London, Shdeerness, Gravesend, Chatham, Dover and Margate were bombed by German airplanes today, the war of flee announces WILL DEFINE STAND Seems Inclined to Treat ItoMiCTiki With Consideration. i WASHINGTON.

Dec. On receipt of expected advices from Russia the Russian embassy here will issue a statement fully defining It attitude toward the Bolsheviki. It is expected the statement will express the opinion that Russia may best be served, not by antagonizing the Bolsheviki, but by giving the new government an opportunity to show how far it may 1 restore normal conditions. i EXACT DETAILS STILL LACKING Ottawa Has Not Yet Received Full Official Advices From Scene of the Disaster. BELIEVE VESSEL BACKED INTO INCOMING LINER Wireless Stations Are Situated Some Distance Outside City.

OTTAWA, Dec. 6. Authentic official advices as to the loss of life and extent of damage done at Halifax were still lacking at the capital at 12:0 today. The department of railways and canals has received fragmentary Moncton. but they do not add anything as to what is known of tho details oi me uisasier.

wnu message states that tho vessel was backing out of the dock when she was rammed by a vessel coming in. The message does not state where the accident occurred, and the department is unable to get Into direct communication with Halifax by telegraph. Olficlals of the naval department were trying to gel into touch with Halifax by wireless after the first new's of the disaster was received, but no further details naa oeen oDuuneu up to noon. It was stated at the de mnnt thnt tha wlrplnss stations are situated at some distance from the city Itself, and the difficulty was in establishing communication between them and Halifax. If a boat can be secured to carry messages between the wireless station and the cuy, me ae nurtment can.

in all probability, get something through. Advices of the disaster were aiso received at the militia department, but ilipv contained nothine in addition to the meagre details obtained by the newspapers. The opinion was ex tu rirrlnn that tho eurly report of the explosion was much exaggerated, the reason given for the paralysis of the telegraphis service was said to be that, following injuries to some of the operators, through breaking glass, the military authorities had stepped in and taken over the wires. MINISTER OF RAILWAYS RECEIVES TWO REPORTS TORONTO, Dec. 6.

Hon. J. D. TaM minlalni. nf rflilwilVX.

whrt is In Toronto, received the following message from Assistant Chief Engineer Duff of the intercolonial nauway, who is at present in Halifax: Every building north of the Queen's hotel is totally wrecked. VAt. Qtreut ntatinn is in ruins, as well as our plant at Willow Park, and there is just one mass ot wreca age and dead bodies in tho north end of the city. Special trains irom Sydney, with doctors, nurses and hospital supplies are on their way. Am fnr fnnd supplies and to send coaches to Halifax to take people away.

unr, Mr also received the following message at 11.30 a.m. from Mr. Hayes, divisional supennienaeni of the I. C. H.

at Moncton: "Halifax city is on fire. Fire Is spreading; we are sending special trains out of Moncton and every city with fire apparatus Is being called upon. Wo are also picking up fire apparatus between Moncton nnd Sydney and rushing it to Halifax. Situation bad." On receipt of the news. Dr.

Reld sent a message to Mr. Hayes to give every possible assistance that might bo required in succoring the people. DEMF.S BOLSHEVIKI. PKKIN', Dec. C.

Prince Kouda rheff; the Russian minister, following the policy adopted by other Russian diplomats In foreign posts, has refused to acknowledge the authority of the Itolshevlkl. ucauiug in au easterly direction. Late Bulletins MONTREAL, Dec. 6 Sixty per cent of tho city of Halifax is In ruins, according to reports to the Canadian government railways. Among tho buildings destroyed arc the new deep water freight terminals of Uic government railways nt the north end of the city.

Every building north of Quivn'g Hotel is said to have boon wrecked, while bodies fill tho streets. HALIFAX, Dec 0, via St John. The fire was brought under control this afternoon. lUchniond Ls destroyed. Several hundred persons have been killed nnd the wounded number thousands.

Xot a house in the city escaped damage. Pieces of iron and shrapnel have been found three miles from the waterfront. jfF.rmAi.rTY recogmzed BERNE, Switzerland, Dec. 6. The American minister today handed to the political department a note Informing the federal council that the Knlted States fully recognizes the neu'rality of Switzerland.

MOT LEFT OFF LISTS WINDSOR, Ont, Pec. 6 Night and day sessions of the appeal board will be necessary in North Essex in view of the large number of names which have been left off the list by the enumerators. TKOOPS FOIl ITALY WASHINGTON. Dec. 6.

The House foreign affairs committee's reports of the war resolution declares that the United States probably soon will send troops to Italy. though the continual reinforcements brought up by the foe for new assaults may well cause uneasiness. Along tho Piave the German Invaders are reorganizing their positions. On the British front Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig is straightening out the front towards Cam brai. These rectifications are merely for the purpose of making his new line as strong as possible.

The fighting to some extent has died down though there are still minor engageemnts around I Varquerle, where the British have gained and at Bourlon Wood where the line facing the enemy has been withdrawn somewhat. British airmen have invaded Germany and damaged railway Junctions at Zweibrurken and munition works at haarbrucken. Large fires were started and much damage done. Though the German defences were active, all the British machines returned safely. German airplanes have raided KnK land, dropping bombs on London and killing seven people.

Not Rod Cross Liner. NEW YORK, Dec. 6. Tho Red Cross Line officials hero said today that none of their steamers was in Halifax at the time of the explosion, and that the report that one of their vessels had been in collision with the munition steamer must be an error. The Red Cross liner Florizel, tho officials said, was at Halifax early In the week, but left on Tuesday, and her arrival at St.

Jon's, was reported yesterday. Government Terminals Destroyed. MONTREAL, Dec. 6. It is possible hat the ship which collided with the munition ship was a Red Cross or hospital ship, tev ral of which came into Halifax recently.

Among tho buildings destroyed at Halifax are the new deep water freight terminals of the Canadian Government railway at the north end of the city, it was learned at the offices of the railway here this afternoon. No report has been received about ocean terminals, but it is expected they have not been affected. THE WAR DAY BY DAY Sixty per cent of the city has been destroyed, according to railway reports. No Word at Washington. WASHINGTON, Dec.

6. Late to day neither the army nor the niv had any advices whatever on the explosion at Halifax, and nothing by which to identify the American munition ship. Massachusetts Will Help. BOSTON, Dec. 6.

Governor Samuel McCall, on learning of the disaster at Halifax today filed the following telegram addressed to the mayor of Halifax: "Understand your city is In danger from explosion and conflagration. Reports only fragmentary. Massachusetts stands ready to go tho limit in rendering every assistance you may be in need of. Wire me immediately." Later Henry B. Endicott, executive manager of the state committee on public safety, called a meeting of the committee for this afternoon to discuss means of extending aid to lie stricken city.

munition steamer was moving out from her pier and was rammed broadside by another vessel. Instantly there was a tremendous explosion, which practically destroyed the two ships and killed their crews. The concussion resulting caused the roof of the railway depot at North street to collapse, while all the warehouses on the waterfront for a mile and a half were damaged. The rem ism affected In many places caught fire. The force of the concussion was no (ratlaw4 Fare X) NOVA SCOTIA CENTRES TAKE STEPS TO ASSIST HALIFAX Dee.

The Italians are fighting what Is equivalent to another battle of Verdun. The Austro Germans clearly are attempting to break through from the Asiago plateau Just as they tried to break through on Dead Man's Hill. They are meeting with the same successor want of it, that Is, that when they pay the necessary price they gain a little ground. Hut the price ls overwhelmingly great. On the Asiago plateau during the past 24 hours there has raged a heavy battle with small gains to the enemy.

In the neighborhood of Monto Castelomberto and to the south of it the Italians were forced to give way. But their fortifications here are strong and they sti'l hold fast. Around Monte Tondere car a desperate struggle took place throughout Tuesday night, ending yesterday morning in the loss of the Italian front lines. Hand to hand fighting has been continuous and the British and French artillery has been engaged heavily. Generally, however, the situation gives no ground for pessimism.

AMHERST, N. Dec. 6. Several score of people 'were killed, hundreds; of buildings destroyed and a portion i of Halifax set on fire by an explosion which occurred following the collision of an American ammunition ship and another vessel at Rockingham, ac i cording to telephone messages reach ing here this morning. The explosion was so terrific that it destroyed the installation in the telegraph and telephone offices for thirty miles around Halifax, while it was heard at Truro, (1 miles distant.

It Is reported that the American 1.