for
BUICK China Mail
1928-
Smartness that catches the eye on any
Boulevard-Buick for 1926-now on display.
INSPECTION IS CORDIALLY INVITED.
THE DRAGON MOTOR CAR CO., LTD.
Telephone Central 1246 or 1247.
83, Wong Nei Chung Road, Happy Valley.
ESTABLISHÐI 1845
No. 25,743 HONG KONG, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1927,
CANTON DELIVERED.
THE RELIEF OF A STARVING CITY,
EASILY WON VICTORY.
Communist Rabble Run When Troops Appear.
GOVERNMENT FORCES.
Brought almost to the verge of starvation, Canton's populace was delivered yesterday-not a moment too soon-from the Red evil which had descended suddenly on the city and remained for about two and a half days.
ANTI-RED LABOUR UNIONS HELP
''
The evil remains. There is not the slightest doubt that the loyal troops won the day with comparative ease but the greater majority of the Communist rabble have escaped and withdrawn to bide their time again.
With very few troops at its disposal, the Canton Government is only following up the pursuit half-heartedly and risings elsewhere
may yet have to be dealt with.
Following the exposure in yesterday's "China Mail" of attempts by Communist agents to seduce workers in Hong Kong, vigilance has been maintained by the Criminal Investigation Department and a number of suspects are detained..
VIGILANCE IN HONG KONG,
That the turn in the struggle would come yesterday and the city recaptured from the Reds by last night was confidently pre- dicted by correspondents in yes- terday's issue of the "China Mail."
No quarter was given to the Red hordes by the regular troops whenever captures were made..
"WHITE" UNIONS HELP.
How 5,000 Men Landed From
the River.
In a measure, the Government has to thank the anti-Red labour unions for creating a diversion while an attack was launched on different parts of the bund.
It may not be generally known The fact that the Ironsides are but nearly every trade" in Can- still engaged in war with the Kwangsi military faction miti-ton has two unions, one red and
the other white, but each violent-
gates against their making a serily opposed to the other.
ous (drive on the Communists. Once they are back in control, the anxiety to get at grips eases off.
Kongmoon "Safe."
When the Reds swept the city' following their coup, the moder- But once ates were in hiding. news was received that the re- gular troops had effected a land-
The "China Mail's" political correspondent learns from a well-ing they came out and struck at informed source that the Com- the rear of the Red redoubts. munists did not succeed in ris- ings in provincial towns such as Shekki and Kongmoon.
·
Reassuring intelligence has been received from Kongmoon and is recorded elsewhere on this page. At the most, agitators have in- fluenced the seamen of Hong Kong ships but the Ironsides re- main in control
The report from Shekki is not now credited although leaders of Peasant Corps are known to have been plotting against the Iron-
sides..
THE PURSUIT. Suspected Quarters in the City Itaided.
⚫ Latest reliable information from Canton is that the loyalists" campaign We prosecuted
throughout the night but activi- ties were confined mainly to the city and suburbs.
""Zero Hour" & No Staff Work.
After frantic summonses for reinforcements, the Ironsides were not able to put more than 5,000 men in the field-or, rather, on the River-when they counter- attacked yesterday morning- after failing to secure a foothold ou Monday.
The forces were divided into four bodies, proceeding from Ho- nam (on the south side of the! of armed River) under cover craft. At "zero hour" (about 9 a.m.), the troops landed simul- taneously.
Only in isolated instances did they meet with determined re- sistance but the Ironsides' tactics were not worthy for a lamentable lack of staff work and co-ordina- tion.
The
LALOR RELEASED.
Now Aboard British Gunboat.
QUITE CHEERFUL.
Result Of Missionary's Second Altempt.
AMATEUR PIRATES? Steamer Fired at With Old Muskets.
ATTACKERS IN SAMPANS.
May Have Only Been Military Stragglers.
Shanghai, Yesterday, Reliable information was picked A telegram from Shasi, an-up on the waterfront last night that the Norwegian steamer Gran" nounces that Captain Lalor was released at ten o'clock this even- which cleared for Whampoa
"Bee."
ing and is now aboard H.M.S.
No details are given Reuter.
Official Confirmation.
London, Yesterday. The Admiralty announces the release of Captain Lalor.-Reuter.
His Rescuer.
London, Yesterday. The Admiralty announces the rescue of Captain Lator has been effected by Mr. Tocher, and Lalor is now in-the-British. gunboat "Bce."
on
Monday had wirelessed yesterday afternoon that she was fred upon by pirates when about an hour's steaming from Whampoa in the
the Canton River.
The wireless was picked up by in the neighbourhood of Lantao. several ships both on the river and According to the master of the "Gran" the pirates approached the ship in three boats and fired on the "Gran with old fashioned muskets in which home made bullets were used. One bullet was stated to have The Rev. Forbes, Tocher, who passed within an inch of the Cap- saving Lalor's life, is a well-bridge. has thus been instrumental in tain's head whilst he was on the However, the pirates' attack was known missionary of the Church
to not successful, as later the "Gran" of
He went Scotland. Ichang in 1909 and is in charge wirelessed that she had reached of St. Andrew's school there. He Whampoa safely. gained the Military Cross 18 a chaplain during the war. It is his knowledge of the situation and the confidence reposed in him by the Chinese which have rendered his efforts successful.
Shipping people used to the river, whilst inclined to credit that the "Gran" was fired upon, were un- antimous in discounting the pirate story. Opinion was evenly divided between two explanations. One was
PRICE, $3.00 Per Month.
KONGMOON TROUBLE Hong Kong. Steamer's Crew Walk Out. CANTON COUP SEQUEL.
"San Nam Hoi" Arrives With Scratch Crew.
The temporary reign of the Communiats and other extremists
"Your Eyes Are Safe With Us.”
N. LAZARUS
Hong Kong's Only European Optician.
(Established Over Forty Years). Manager:-RALPH A. COOPER, H.A.0.A., Registered Optometrist by Canadian Govt. Exam. (Personal Attention)......
BRITISH CONCESSIONS.
IMPORTANT OFFICIAL STATEMENT.
"PASSING THE BUCK."
Government's Position As Ground Landlord.
in Canton has had its reflection In LEASES TO BE SURRENDERED, TO EXISTING LOT HOLDERS. an increase of extremist agitation in Kongmoon where Labour Union officials, particularly those of the Seamen's Union branch, adopted a domineering attitude immediately news of the "suc cesa" of the coup was received.
Owners of vessels plying be tween Kongmoon and Hong Kong and other ports were written to on Saturday demanding a general increase in the wages of the crew, two days "grace" being given for compliance, failing which the withdrawal of the seamen was threatened.
A Threatening Note. The Hong Kong-Wuchow boats affected were the "San Nam Hol" (which boat experienced trouble with the Kongmoon Sea- men's Union last month) and "On Lee." which arrived in Kongmoon yesterday, no notice having been taken of the threats of the Union. A second notice was taken on board on the arrival, of these
WHERE THE CANTON TROOPS FOUGHT THE REDS.
Bird's-eye view of the centre of Canton's bund, looking west to east. In the left upper corner are the tall buildings in which the Communists took shelter yesterday while the loyallet troops landed on the bund which, in normal times. (as shown in the photo) is crowded with small craft. In the centre background is Dutch Folly, an island in the Canton River.
Missionary's Efforts.
London, Yesterday,
that the "Gran", had been fired upon by military stragglers in the vicin- Ity, and the other that probably the attackers were boat people who were hard pressed to make ends meet turn to plunder to better their lot. these days, and did not hesitate to Opinion was oxpressed that the attack was not made by "regular" pirates, as the procedure was too amateurish, it being considered practically hopeless to attempt to attack a steamer from sampans.
Attackers Outstripped.
from Canton
The Scottish missionary inter- Why Foreigners Left. mediary, Mr. Tocher, with a ran- It appears that a vanguard had som for the release of Captain word having been communicated the rendezvous arranged by the already set foot on Tungshan Lalor, left Shasi last night for on Monday to the Consular Body pirates, and it is hoped that hence the removal of foreign- Lalor's release has by now been Meanwhile, the main strength ers residents in that district. effected. of the 1,500 men in the "cadet
reinforcements from
General Yu, one of Yang Sen's brigade" of the 4th Army Kongmoon were thrown into the subordinates, has one hundred which turned Red at the critical battle to the west of the city and bandits in custody in Shasi, but moment has retreated out. of a besieged loyalist detachment the gang who captured Lalor Canton with considerable loot. outside the cast of the city cour have removed from the North A. naval message
The Peasant Corps detachi- tered to advantage.
Bank of the Yangtaze out of the states that the s.a. "Gran" (flying ments have vanished and it is Some of the landing forces jurisdiction of Yang Sen, who has the Norwegian flag), the agonts for known that they were never at were covered by pom-poms or been endeavouring to obtain the which in Hong Kong are the Yama- any time in the thick of the machine-guns from the Ironsides' co-operation of the Kweichow shita Kisen Kogyo Kaisha, report fighting.
men-of-war. Bullets dropped on commander controlling this area, ed yesterday, having been fired an This morning the Ironsides the Hong Kong 8.8. "Charles Har- in tracking them down-British beavily from dunke (presumed to authorities were still raiding sus-douin" which was in the range Wireless Service.
be pirate Junks) on the 2nd bar Loyal Chinese,
before Whampoa pected quarters in the city, of fire but no damage was done.
Shanghai, To-day. The "Gran" which is a tramp A message from Ichang says that steamer of 1,988 tons gross and of their better fighters thereupon Capt. Lalor is suffering from a
1,162 net, cleared from Hong Kong took positions on high-buildings bullet wound in the foot-but-is. but the regulars broke in and otherwise cheerful and his condition for Whampoa on Sunday and left mowed down the snipers.
is satisfactory. He is at present The ship was struck in several The Reds' Weapons.
aboard H.M.S. "Bee." His release places but the "Gran" was able to
searching for ex-prisoners, labour suspects and agitators.
-FOOD-CRISIS.
People Almost on Verge of
Starvation..
The Communists were driven from the bund with ease. Some
on Monday,
ships. indicating
that
An interesting official document has just been published set- ting forth for the first time since the declaration of the British Foreign Office's policy towards Chna a year ago what steps it is proposed to take in regard to British Concession in this country.
The document starts out by declaring that our position as ground landlords of important town areas in a foreign country is untenable, and deals with ways and means of returning land thus held under Concessional agreements.
The only way, adds the document, by which the Government can terminate its position as ground landlords and provide as far as possible for the continuance of the position as contemplated by the "original arrangement-is-to surrender the remainder of the leases held by the Government to the existing lotholders without payment This is to be done.
FREE GIFTS FOR LESSEES.
London, Yesterday. minate the Government's ground A minute dated December 7 landlordship there and in view of the impracticability of selling the issued as a White Paper relating reversionary interests, their Lord- to Crown leases in British con- ships approve the Secretary of cessions in China, particularly State's proposal that the interests mentioned should be assigned to Tientsin, Hankow, Kiukiang, the existing lessees without pay. Chínkiang, Amoy, and Canton, ment, but subject to the condition states the Government's occupa-that the lessees bear the expenses tion position as ground landlord arising from the assignments."
Router. in important town areas in a for- eign country has long been re- cognised as an anomaly.
Such
position was a
now
clearly incompatible with the de-
FALLING WATERS.
clared policy of the British Gov- PRETTY WINDOW DISPLAY AT
ernment in China. Accordingly the Government on December 18 had
announced it proposed in
WHITEAWAY'S.
HOW IS IT DONE?
in
negotiation with Chinese author- itics to modify the constitution of of administrations municipal
The centre of attraction these Concessions, involving the Messrs. Whiteaway's elaborate and Government's abandonment of pleasing scheme of Christmas de the position of ground landlord. coration is a real water fountain The Government considered whe- erected in the centre ther the purpose would be effect-trance lobby, in full view of those able by the outright sale of head passing on the pavement outside.
The fountain consists of a large leases to the present lotholders, tub with a smaller one in the mid- which would have yielded £400,- 000.
"Convenience."
of the en-
on
dle of it, and from the centre of the smaller tub, which is filled with earth, thin ribbons of varied colour- ed water-now purple, then yellow, But the position of China pre-white, green and red or turn-
the vents proceeding with
sprout to a good height before scheme of sale of the Govern-falling back into the larger tub
interests which is half full of water, ment's reversionary without a guarantee of tenure, which prettily little celluloid ducks which would be wholly inconsist-float; whilst live gold fish swim ent with the Government's policy. contentedly underneath the clear unless Consequently, it is the Govern- surface of the water. Three pots demands were met the crew ment's duty to provide as far as of palma on tall stands inside the Sipossible for the continuance of the water complete a very pretty and would be called off.
The fountain scheme is Neither of the Captains of the position contemplated by the well arranged scene. two steamers was in a position, original arrangement, the sole ob-
been very carefully thought out. the deraands and the notice was of British traders and residents Inside the larger tub one can see if he wished, to comply with ject of which was the convenience cunningly arranged and must have nothing but two tubes leading to disregarded. At 4'p.m. the crews in China.
The only method by which this the smaller tub, and the question of the "On Lee" and "San Nam Hot" walked off, together with could be done consistently with as to how the fountain is worked the termination of the position of remains a puzzle until one is let the pilots and quartermasters.
Scratch Crew's Success, the Government as ground land- into the secret. On the "San Nam. Hoi" were lord is to surrender the remainder left one engine room fireman, the of the leases held by the, Govern- second cook and the Captain's ment to the existing lotholders.
Assignments. boy who remained loyal and cer- tain of the passengers bound for
In the excitement of the last y by the Communists and it is/was effected through. Mr. Tocher outstrip the pirates without injury vourably placed, however, owing arriving at Whangmoon and as
whose fearless determination and
perseverance under the most dim- having been done to anyone on
cult condition is beyond praise.
board.
very
By the side of the larger tub is
NAVAL SURGEON.
DEATH OF SURG. LT.-COMDR. J. J. CARROLL
a small, almost noiseless electric motor which supply the power for forcing the water up, and also for revolving a disc of many coloured glass cleverly concealed in the cen- With the Austen Chamberlain has informed is a powerful magnifying glass like Hong Kong indicated a knowledge The minute concludes: "Six tre of the smaller tub, under which of matters nautical. help of these and some harbour their Lordships that as a condi- those used in magic lanterns, and coolies engaged at the wharf, tion of a satisfactory arrange this, backed by a strong electric Captain Sparkes, together with ment in each case with the Chin- lamp, throws up the coloured rays his Chief Ofleer, Mr. Stoneway, ese authorities for the recon which make the water appear to And Chief Engineer, Mr. Hough-struction of the above-mentioned change colour, ton, was able to leave Kongmoon Concessions, it is essential to ter- about 4:15 p.m. and the ship ár- this morning, the trip only taking
Lee" and "Wing On" did not leave rived in Hong Kong at 4. a.m. two hours longer than usual.
"On Lee" Remains,
the wharf at Hong Kong. The Hand grenades were used free
The "On Lee" was not so fa- "Anjou" had already sailed but on to the difficulty of getting auf certaining from the "San Nam
The death took place at the Naval few days no reference has been interesting to know how they
ficient additional help. When the Hof" that there was trouble, also "San Nam Hol" left Kongmoon, observing the absence on the run Hospital this morning of Surgeon who were on the brink of starva- large quantity of them. Grenades Mr. Tocher was loyally supported by made to the plight of the populace came into possession of such a
were used to good effect early on two Chinese-Reuter.
release of Capt Lalor is beyond the Master of the "On Lee (Cap of the other ships from Hong Lieut.-Commander J. J. Carroll, Sunday morning when they
surgery department of the Royal Armed Communists were dash- atormed Police Headquarters and
Wounded in Foot. praise." Mr. Tocher has risked tain Fernandez) was of opinion Kong, the akipper. decided to re- M.B. of the Royal Naval Yard who
Hong Kong Naval Yord, la B ing about the streets. Shops were other official buildings.
A naval wireless message from his personal well being and safety, that he might be able to leave by turn and the ship arrived back in six months ago took charge of the
Political Situation.
Deceased was well-known and closed and markets did по
Shortly after mid-day yester Ichang, the neighbourhood in if not his life in conducting the night but as the ship had not ar- Hong Kong early this morning.
Regarding the political situs-respected by the Dockyard staff and business. Food was not scarce day, the Reds, were driven from which Captain Lalor of the China negotiations and the greatest rived in Hong Kong this morning,
obliged to remain at Kongmoon. tion at Kangmoon, the scare of very popular amongst the Naval but except for a few intrepid the Bund. By three o'clock they Navigation as. "Siang Tan" was praise is due to him and his twe it is to be assumed that he was
Naval Warning lested..the "Reda" havng taken control officers on the station. His funeral hawkers there was nothing to
Captain Lalors bullet wound, were leaving the city by the north held to ransom following the loyal attendantef
pirating of the boat, states that
In the meantime, news of the of the city is incorrect, from re this afternoon, which passes the buy.
Some may have been, able to and slowed down.
and east gates and the pursuit the captured skipper was released which we sustained at the time hold out against a Red siege for a At 2 p.m. Police Headquarters at 9 p.m. yesterday through the the pirates boarded the ship, is trouble at Kongmoon with the ports received from masters of Monument at 5 p.m., will be large week or longer but the poorer had been recaptured and the agency of the missionary, the through the foot and although Seamen's Union had been wire incoming ships from neighbour-ly attended. classes were all caught unprepar "cease fire was given in the city Rev. Forbes Tocher the wound had not received medi-lessed to Hong Kong and the ing districts. The "Ironsides" at 6 p.m. Mr. Tocher was supported cal attention priby to his release Naval authorities lasted advice to are still in control and are con-
Clearing Away the Dead, throughout the protracted nego the utmost is being done for it all ships about to leave yesterday solidating their forces.
moon that they would be better sides" troops at Dosing had con eral Wong Ki-cheung (second-in-sion, by two Chinese immediately tiles to ble release advised not to undertake the templated an attack on Wuchow "Empress of Asia" on the 16th No
having been 23 days in transit. command) of the Ironsides army The naval wireless messageCaptain Fibr's condition is trip,
but the "Red" coup in Canton de-vember arrived in New York (8 states "the fearless determina satisfactory states the message, In consequence of this mess-ferred them from, putting their John's Park) onthe 9th December
age, the Kongmoon boats, "Tail plans into effect. (Continued on page 6.) tion of Mr. Tocher in effecting the "and he is quite chee
tion.
ed and had no provisions what ever in their homes.
What with fleeing from in- cendiary fires and from robbers, very few gave a thought to eat ing but not a few were driven by hunger to donning the red sash and joining the rebels.
SILK MOVEMENT.
General Chang Fah-kaeitiations which have now been how on one of HM, ships (H.M.B. afternoon and evening for Kong It is stated that the Iron gik forwarded from here by the
(commander-in-chief) and Gen
brought to a successful conclu "Bee?") to which he was taken