The
BUICK China Mail
1928-
NOW ON DISPLAY.
INSPECTION IS CORDIALLY INVITED. THE DRAGON MOTOR CAR CO., LTD.
Telephone Central 1246 or 1247. 33, Wong Nel Chung Road, Happy Valley.
ESTABLISHED
1845
No. 25,746 HONG KONG, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1927.
HEALING CANTON.
STABILITY MAY SOON BE RESTORED,
POLITICAL INFLUENCES.
"Kwang" Partnership Now Likely To Succeed.
OUR TRADE FUTURE.
Optimistic Figures and Facts.
"SOCIAL TYPHOONS."
Chinese Investors Realize Security Of Hong Kong,
SOUTHERNERS REALIZE POTENT DANGER OF ATTACK BY SEA.Hong Kong was launched in June,
[By "Li Chung yin.”] .
In spite of this week's unprecedented events in Canton reaching. n degree to attract world-wide attention, there is still a prospect of comparatively stable conditions being restored in time for trade to bank managers. benefit before China New Year which falls on January 23.
THREAT OF WAR.
Shots Exchanged on West River.
WUCHOW WAR LORD CONFIDENT.
Foreign Mission Property Seized
By Iromides.
PRICE, $3.00 Per Month,
GERMANY PAYING UP.
Loyally Furnishing Dues On Reparations. OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK.
Final Solution Possible When Safeguards Removed.
The anti-Brillah boycott against
Wuchow, Dec. 14.
Berlin, Yesterday. General Wong Shiu-hung has Reparations and other problems 1926. For nearly two years traders arrived, and has taken active per- depending thereon will not be final-! in the little British colony at the sonal command of the Kwangsily solved till Germany is given the mouth of the Canton river were troops.
definite task to perform on her own gloomy and nervous. British and A big reception was arranged responsibility without the present Chinese about the cautious policy of local because he prohibited it
merchants
complained in His honour, but was not held safeguards, concludes Mr. Parke Gilbert, Agent-General for Repara, As usually hap-, Interviewed. General Wong tions Payments, reporting on the pens in times of trouble, appeals Shiu-hung made the statement third Dawes annuity year. dur-were made to the Government "to that he was sending his troops He is optimistic as regards pro-
do something.". As a result an down the West River to. attack sent and Secrecy in Chinese politics cannot be preserved to the extent merce by means of a trade loan again be master of Canton with- punctually and fully though
effort was made to assist local com- the Ironsides and that he would points out Germany paid loyally, future payments and usually associated with Western countries, because so many people Sums totalling more than $16,000,-in a month's time. who are not politicians have an indirect voice in matters of vital 000 (Hong Kong currency) were ure advancing on Dosing, which were unsoundly balanced. He con- His soldiers budgets of Reich in many states importance.
granted, in order to alleviate the they expect to take with little op- cluded it is encouraging to find the financial difficulties of business men position. resident in the Colony.
Heavy troop movements are observed, and it is evident that
Everything hinges on the trend of political developments ing these few days.
PAPERSIDES' POSITION.
It may be remembered that the
original loan of $1,800,000 needed to finance the scheme was floated, in London. Although Hong Kong borrowers were inclined to grumble at the terms upon which the locat Pence in 2 or 3 Weeks.
Government lent them money, it is To-day General Li Fook-lum generally believed that the moral exercises more influence in Can-effect of the trade loan was exce)- ton than he has ever done and lent. It did show any
It is popularly known that [ Or General Li Fook-lum may be General Li Fook-lum has to-day a able to introduce a government large voice in Canton affairs. He by partnership without resorting commands the 5th Nationalist to hostilities. Army-known as the Papersides which is mostly in Honam, that part of Canton on the south side of the harbour, opposite to the city. He has
no troops to speak of in the city but he took a major part in subduing the Communists.
General Li Fook-lum's negative policy in Canton's domestic poli- ties has become a byword. Ever ready to join the winning side, he threw in his lot with the Iron- sides when they supplanted the Kwangsi military faction which had kept fluctuating order for more than a year and had at least
wound up the anti-Hong Kong
strike movement.
Ironsides Not Strong. Even the Ironsides themselves will not maintain that they are strong enough numerically to rule the vast province of Kwangtung and its 35,000.000 people.
of war with the Kwangsi faction At present they are in a state
but stalemate has set in, leading
to an impression that both sides prefer to negotiate rather than fight matters out to the bitter end,
Supposing there had been no Kwangsi faction, some adventurer general is bound to turn up in a province where temptation is provided by good revenues with only a small ruling force.
Favourable Disinterestedness. General Li Fook-lum realises that the interests of peace and therefore of himself-are
nervous
a threat to desert the Ironsides Chinese investors in local securities for the Kwangsi faction may be that the Imperial Government of sufficient to swing the balance.
Great Britain was ready to "stand
Those who are closest in touch by" the Colony. with political organisations are Historians will probably record] confident that compromise, if not that in two ways the Imperial Gov- an understanding, will have been ernment saved the "face" of Bri- reached in a fortnight. Should tona in Hong Kong during the they be right, an era of peace troubled times of 1925-27. until after China New Year will was the offer of the trade loan. have been inaugurated.
4
One
TRIBAL CRIME.
British Official In Sudan
Murdered..
ALSO GREEK VICTIM.
Cairo, Yesterday. Captain Fergusson, district commissioner of the Bahr el 'Ghazal province of the Sudan, was murdered with a Greek mer- chant by Nuer tribesmen near Lake Gorr, north Shambe, while returning to the Dinka tribe cattle tite Nuers had stolen.- Reuter.
4
the
German Government already finan-1
Later.
"Your Eyes Are Safe With Us"
N. LAZARUS
Hong Kong's Only Furopean Optician.
(Established Over Forty Years), Manager: RALPH A. GOOFER, M.A.0.A.. Registered Optometrist by Canadian Govt. Exams,
(Personal Attention).
THAT MYSTERY SHIP!
"BRAINS" AND "MONEY" WERE TOO LATE.
CAREFUL COMMUNIST PLANS.
"Red" Leaders Who Were Not Allowed To Land,
WHOLESALE ROUND UP OF RUSSIANS AT HANKOW.
rising in Canton this week was the result of most extensive planning Proof has been shown to the "China Mail" that the Communist which lasted a month, during which plotters in far off places attend- ed to the minutest details.
Canton was not the only objective of what amounted to a grand fling by the agents of the Soviet. Kongmoon and other cities, and attacked simultaneously. even places close to strong military encampments were' to have been
Nor were the Reds resigned to a brief rule of a few days after which they would flee before the regular troops. They were prepared to stay for some considerable time. Had it not been for the turning back of the mystery steamer
cially reformed somewhat-Reuter. which arrived at Canton on Tuesday, China would to-day have been The report shows that Britain re- rid of nearly every one of the most violent exponents of Com-
638,000,000 gold marks, munism! France 767,000,000, Italy 107,000,- 000 and Belgium 97,000,000-Reu- ter.
ceived
CHINESE BONDS.
PEKING ANNOUNCES REPLACEMENT.
A SIMPLE EXCHANGE.
BLAMEWORTHY GENERALS.
Canton's leading generals are in a measure blameworthy in that they sadly, under-rated the extent to which the Communists had gone.
the Red blow would certainly have been much heavier, but those 2,000 sworn Communists will not now be at large.
STRONG EVIDENCE.
Police Revelations at Kongmoon.
Pakkai, Kongmoon, Yesterday. obtained that there was a plot on Conclusive evidence has been
a very extensive scale to let the
While the Ironside government held the opinion that the Reds would not risk an open clash, the Peking, Yesterday.. Reds held them in contempt and The Finance Minister has issued were absolutely, convinced that The other was the movement of the
n notice to the holders of 96,000,000 the Ironside army was much too If the Ironsides are adamant, additional troops and ships to the
bonds that they must hand them weak hostilities are imminent and the Far East.
to resist a surprise in Gestures mean much
in to the Loans Department of the ternal attack. experts predict that the Kwangsi when watched and commented upon the master of Kwang is trying will be exchanged for new ones of respondent writes that a council Communists run wild in Kong-
Ministry of Finance, where they faction-supported morally and by the Chinone, who always think to wipe out the humilation suf- the same denomination."
The "China Mail" political cor- materially by the central Nation-in theatrical terms. alist Government at Nanking-gestures from London produced a the Ironsides.
Those two fered in Canton at the hands' of'
"No charge will be made for the of war was held in Canton prior moon as well as in Canton. exchange of the bonds, except the to last Sunday when General that had it not been for prompt ought to be back in Canton in very steadying influence upon the
I learn from official sources Church Invaded. three weeks.
cost of printing, which will be Chang Fah-kuei (commander-in-nction on the part of the author- Chinese population of Hong Kong. Word has been received that thirty cents for every new thou-chief), General Wong Ki-cheung ities on Monday night Kongmoon. Short-sighted Policy.
Previous Periods of Anxiety. the Ironsides have occupied pro-sand dollar bend, fifteen cents for (second-in-command and director would have suffered the same Much business has to be done! In the midst of chaos and con-perty in Shiuhing, belonging to every hundred dollar bond and five of operations) and General Li not a few trades reap their an- a long view. But the facts of the They are using the church as January 10 till June 30, 1928, after before China New Year. In fact fusion it is always dificult to take the American Baptist Mission.eente for every ten dollar band."
fate as Canton: Fook-lum of the Honam Paper- nual harvest at this time. Quite past do enable us to form some sort quarters for their soldiers. When which no exchange will be made.
The period of exchange is from sides elected to wait and see.
Labour unions have been zeal- a number of influential people are of idea about the future. History the Kwangsi garrison evacuated, Router.
ously searched. Fight to the Last Ditch.
Labour Union Proscribed, ready to make sacrifices to be has its uses. The events of the they burned up the barracks, thus
Major-General Chu Fai-yat assured of such a harvest.
Incriminating documents, large (Commissioner of Police) was the quantities of kerosene and inflam- But the policy of government been exasperating and
last two years in Hong Kong have leaving the advancing Ironsides
Gnly one who voted for direct act-mable material and even bombs by partnership-if it can be There have, however, been periods the Baptist Church and after unusual. no quarters. The latter made for
ion. He is reported to have were unearthed. Several arrests described as such-is very short-of great anxiety and trade depres-threatening the caretakers, took
vowed that he would fight the were made. sighted.
Reds to the last ditch and put his The General Labour Union (1.e., sion in the past. It is not the Bri-pussession, A prediction has already been tish habit to retreat from difficul- made before it has come into ties. If it had been there would
Confidence Restored.
words into deeds by ordering an federation of unions) has been immediate raid on the three best-proscribed and sealed up. The atmosphere in Wuchow has being that it can only last till have been very little British trade cleared up considerably since the
known hotbeds of intrigue in the next spring when the partners in China during the last century.
city. will be squabbling among them-
panic of last week. There is no selves again for territory.
The following figures convey longer any danger of invasion by
SOVIET IN U.S.
MACHINERY PURCHASING
MISSION.
New York, Yesterday,
After a long hearing before a crisis. Thankful for small mercies in/dome idea of the growth of the re- the Ironsides. On the contrary special board of enquiry at Ellis served by an atmosphere of un-these days, the Cantonese will venue of Hong Kong during the lost the Kwangsi-units are expecting island, a Soviet mission of 12 in-ned for Thursday. As it was not allowed out at night.
easiness.
not
Accordingly, his agents are reputed to have been busy dis- cussing matters with the respec- tive parties.
still be grateful for a few months' respite.
Under False Pretences. However, clouds loom on thei
thirty years:
Year.
1897
1906
1918
horizon.
1923 First of all there is a pro-
1926
H.K. Revenue,
$ 2,687,000
7,085,000
18,665,000
24,784,000
21,132,000
themselves in
other
On Tuesday morning police and military patrole were sent out, all His action precipitated the men wearing white armlets.
The iron gates in the streets The rising was, in fact, plan- after dark and pedestrians were of Kongmoon city were closed to control Kwangtung in the near dustrial mining experts was future. Confidence in the provin-mitted to land under a $500 bond. troops believed to have left Han perthe 2,000 Communist leaders and
Two Loyalists Murdered? It was announced the delegation kow some time agodid not reach had been cut into pieces were On Thursday, two bodies which was visiting the United States with Canton till Tuesday when the Reds found by the Police in the Gen- a view to purchasing "millions of
of machinery were already on the run, after oral Labour union building and dollars' worth Reuter.
breaking out early on Sunday have not been identified. morning.
FRESH WINDS CLOUDY.
East winds, fresh: generally cloudy, is the official weather forecast until noon to-morrow.
China's Trotsky.
In-
There is one favourable factor which lends a happy influence tobability-already referred to as the outlook. Other generals who the other extreme-of there be-. The figures are given to the near-
quities are proceeding. It is sur act as mediators invariably ask a ing too many troops and not eat thousand dollars. If we com- good deal for themselves, but no- enough revenue to go round. pare Hong Kong's revenue of 1926
mised that deceased are "white" body can picture General Li The result is inevitable-civil with that of 30 years we see that
Political Developments.
So Shiu-ching, who was con- labourers, who were done to death Fook-tum in such a role.
nected with seamen's interests in by "Reda" who suspected betray- body can have Canton for that comes its rivals.
Any war until a stronger army over it has increased more than eight-
Shanghai, Yesterday.
Hong Kong till a few years ago, al to the authorities.-Our own fold. It is noticeable that the re-
General. Chiang Kai-shek ap- was on that ship which flew the correspondent, matter as long as his Honam is A still more serious outcome is venue of 1926 was considerably less cial government has been com- pears to have returned to power. Japanese flag, ready to land as [Note: The above report has left to his own devices. And he the arrival in Kwangtung of mili- than that of 1923, but fluctuations pletely restored and enthusiasm holds Honam at present and has tary units at present in other have shown
Mr. Wang Ching-wei's move- China's Trotsky. is high.
He is beat been delayed in transmission done so for years.
parts of China who are marching periods. Thus in 1907 there was a river yesterday morning--Our Leftist, or Canton, group of poll- and the leader of the anti-Hong Pakkai.]
HMS. "Moth" left for downments are not quite clear.
known as a former chairman of owing to suspension of the steam- [Note: He is the leader of the the Seamen's Union in Canton boats between Hong Kong and The Lesser Evil.
under false pretences.
setback compared with 1966; and One extreme which is undesir-
own correspondent. The Ironsides, at first suspect-1908 gave lower figures than 1907.
ticians.]
Kong strike of 1925-6. able in any province of China ised of being Red themselves, have! After that the increase continued
Hostilities Bezin?
Orders have been issued by the Another violent Communiat on that it should have a superfluity been found wanting. So the most for ten years, and for the next
Takhing (West River), Nationalist Government of Nan- the boat was General Teng Yen-ta of troops. In other words, there popular slogan to-day, now that three years there was a setback.
Yesterday. king for closure of all Soviet Con- who was expelled from Hankow is not sufficient territory to be the Red reign of terror is ended, Yet the curve resumed its upward between the Ironsides and the Soviet trade establishments. The
Some fighting has broken out sulates in their territory and of some months ago. shared. General Chiang Kai-shek is "down with the Ironsides." tendency. realised this well and he got rid |
This strong force, the plotters Kwangsi faction a little further officials of these have received thought, would have been strong of those that he did not trust and
(Continued on Paye 7.)
up the river.
orders to leave.-British Naval enough to have held the loyalist packed the others off to war.
Passing steamers have been Wireless, Kwangtung is now at the other
held up here.-British Naval
reinforcements at bay. extreme, having too few troops
Wireless. and thereby letting the Com- munists get in
themselves in.Kwangtung.
Prodigals & the Fatted Calf.
Having found an excuse which sounds logical, Nationalist army of trained fighters is at pre-
8
can
Surprising Interest.
THE NATIONALISTS.
British Consulate Fixtures Destroyed.
Nanking, Yesterday.
FURTHER NORTH.
Reported Nationalist War Success,
Bottled Up?
SEAMEN'S PART.
"Had to Obey Orders From Canton."
The "China Mail" is in receipt of other news from Kongmoon and Pakkai which throw light on the strike of crews of the Hong As it was, the foreign warships Kong steamboats, showing con at Canton prevented the Rednection with the plots in Can- force from landing and the steam-m er sailed away again.
"Headquarters of the Chinese The Canton Government holds Seamen's Union in Canton sent an
sent hovering on the Kwangtung-problem of sea transport for the Fukien Boundary, too close to Chinese army, hitherto unknown, Swatow to be comfortable for the may have been solved. Of the two great evils-an people there.
What is to prevent the Kwangsi abundance of troops and the Red With their reputation behind generals at Nanking and Shang- menace the Cantonese most eer- them, these troopa are certain to hai carrying out their promise of tainly fear the latter more than ask for substantial slices of the shipping a whole army to attack the former.
province once they enter. By the Ironsides in Canton?
If a series of overnight cables the opinion that if the ship had order to the Kongmoon branch, Accordingly, it will be seen themselves, the Ironsides
The 44th Nationalist Army reveal the correct position, the been bottled up the greater part claiming authority from So Shlu- that the way is paved to troops hardly resist. As friends of the
here is reported to be proceeding Nationalist Army has now reach of the Communist movement ching, the notorious strike chair- other than the Ironsides finding Kwangsi faction, they will have is still thinking about Canton, as up the Yangtze River to join the watermark" in the last bid for Even if the 2,000 men had landed, crews to striko.
Then General Chiang Kai-shek shortly several hundreds of miles ed the point which was its "high would have been wiped out man, ordering the Hong Kong nothing to spare. And having witness the order attributed to campaign against the remnants Peking. That is to say, after been delayed for a day or two but Government by Partnership. marched so far the prodigal army him for withdrawing troops from of the former Hankow army,
the counter-attack might have Impossible Demands. The main strength of the will be satisfied with nothing less the war against the North for an
being driven back to the Yangtze the majority of them would have ing. After a lengthy discussion, The branch union held a meet- Kwangsi army is up the West than the fatted calf which, in expedition southwards.
The Nationalist military author- River, the Nationalists have River, around Wuchow, being spite of maltreatment by the
itles here have been occupying gone about as far north as they been captured shortly afterwards. at which it was evident that the In fact, Nanking and Shanghai the British Vice-Consul's house in ever have before General Chiang Very Heavy Bribe. held at bay by about 10,000 Iron- Reds, is still Canton.
men were reluctant to strike, it have displayed an interest in Can- the British Concession; and, on Kai-shek was forced to resign. It is also known that the cadets was decided that Canton had to sides. Some of the other Iron-
ton which is surprising.
leaving, they tore down all fix The "Hong Kong Evening or training brigade of the Iron- be obeyed, was aldes are at Canton and a few Generals whose names are high Ono effect is that the Leftist tures and removed the telegraph Post" says that fighting is going side army which joined the Reds thousand more are along the East up in the Nationalist army list politicians, who side with the pole British Naval Wireless, on near Hanchuang, a town in the was bought over at a very heavy able demands were made on the Accordingly, most unreason- River-keeping an eye on Swatow are threatening dire punishment Ironsides, and who encouraged where the Kwangal faction: has to the Ironsides for having the Reda in Hankow, have been
(Continued at foot of ment south of Shantung province, price, but the money was forth-agents of the owners--the latter remained in control with a divi- brought about the upheaval in very much relegated to the back-
Column)
about 400 miles south of Peking. coming a fortnight ago.
being in Hong Kong that wages Another cable is that the Canton.ada mod
ground. Even the merchants are
Expert opinion in Canton is be increased three and one third Possibly the Kwangal leaders The arrival in Canton this week denouncing the extremist polit
"Christian General's" Kuomine that the Police Commissioner times forthwith!iss may have to counter-attack be of the Japanese steamer with cians a factor which may augur
chun is causing the Northerners brought matters to a head and As the seamen knew well that fore the Ironsides will consent to troops from Hankow-alleged to well for Canton and even other
anxiety. In the south of Chihli thus saved. Canton from even their demand could.never be ac Batth them, vairs be: Communist - how that the parts of China, 2 DELA MALEN
province, which is even nearer, more serious consequences. Had cepted, they walked ashore, a
Growing Dangers.
TO-DAY'S DOLLAR closing rate of the dollar,