EDEN
MR. ANTHONY EDEN ON THE CUSTOMS NEGOTIATIONS
London, To-day.
HE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER
N.C.D.N PREACHES DEFEATISM
Shanghai, To-day.
Ito Chma to sue for peace, the
Echoing Signor Mussolina's advice North China Daily News," in a
leading article, states:
"The Japanese advance is being is becoming clearer that Japanese pressed toward Nanking, where it
"The fact is that the effort so la- vishly made round Shanghai has
Replying to a Commons question on the pre- sent position regarding the Chinese Customs Ser- vice at Shanghai, the Foreign Secretary said that! during the course of last week publicity had been given to a number of utterances attributed to the Japanese authorities in Shanghai which had ap- peared to His Majesty's Government to constitute a serious threat to the proper functioning of the expectations of speedy success are Chinese Maritime Customs and the service of for-justified. eign loans secured on the Customs revenues.
Government had, accordingly, en- cther, in the light of assurances broken the morale of the Chinese on the which have been given in Tokyo forces, and Japanese bombing acti- tered into consultations
the United that due consideration will be vities along the Yangtse, judging with Subject
accorded to the requirements of from reliable accounts from travel- States and French Governments.
His Majesty's Government had the various Powers before any lers, have set up an indescribable
PICTURE GRIM - reminded the Japanese Government provisional arrangement is made panic
"Ships are being rushed by that the Chinese Maritime Customs between the Japanese authorities
frightened villagers; demoralisa- had at all times been an internation
tion of the Chinese Government al interest and that they expected to be fully consulted before any
Asked in the Commons to make forces has added numbers of sol- arrangements were reached for carrying on the Customs services a statement on the Japanese Prime diers to refugees between Shangha Minister's declaration about the and Nanking, whole tracts of coun- during the present hostilities.
Similar representations had been possibility of Japan taking military try he desolate, and the picture is made by the United States and control in Shanghai, the Foreign grim.
Secretary replied that he had seen French Governments.
•
Discussions, Mr. Eden said, were still proceeding.
DISCUSSIONS IN SHANGHAI
in Shanghai and officials of the Customs administration...
MILITARY CONTROL
"The Chinese Government still a report of what was alleged to has a grip on the situation, and have been said to journalists and having heroically protested, China while he would deprecate any ex- can afford to raise the issue of aggerated deductions on this state peace without fear of being ignor- The discussions referred to by ment, he said the Government could ed or with a sease of humiliation." Mr. Eden are, it is understood, pro- not, of course, recognise the right-Reuter. ceeding in Shanghai, between the of any of the Settlement Powers to
British and other Powers concern- take unilateral action, for the solu- FUKIEN DEFENCE
ed, including the United
States tion of the problems arising from
and France on the one hand, and the administration of the Settle- the Japanese authorities on th
THE
MAGINE
in the
The depend
ment-British Wireless.
REMINGTON 16
propaganda, about thing as far as
are concerned.
Equipped with 5 KEY Decimal
Tabulator
MUSTARD & CO., LTD.
(Head Office
DAVID HOUSE HONG TỐI
SHANGHAI)
ISS. Bldg., 147, The Bund. CANTON Phone 13746
mines
PREPARATIONS
(Continued from Page 1)
are visible.
The s.s. Haitan narrowly escap- jed disaster, when one of the mines broke away and floated between the vessel and a tender which was ap- proaching
Between Foochow and Amoy, Chinese sappers are busily engaged digging trenches and constructing dug-outs, and in general preparing defences against any invasion of the coast.
“ghost of the
GHOST CITY Amoy is practically 2 city," about 80 per cent. population having evacuated. Every available boat leaving the port is crowded to capacity with Chinese, some proceeding to the Straits Netherlands Settlements and the East Indies. Thousands have left for the interior.
Most business houses have closed down, while those remaining open have huge placards - announcing "Closing Sales."
Quemoy Island is still in the hands of the Japanese and three Ja- panese warships are anchored out- side the harbonz.
DOMESTIC PASSPORTS Everybody, even coolies, travelling from place to place, must possess a pass issued by the Chinese Domes tic Passport Bureaux, which have been recently established in coast
thou such a pass, it is impos- the pass must sible to travel,
and state dorsed
ination.
for one place does not allow the hold Ter to rn to his starting point unless it is so
orsed: ontinues high in Swatow,
where there is activity.
Foreign
STOP PRESS
TEL: 20022 or 33993
Mr. T. L. Soong, Minister of
Finance of the Kwangtung Pro vincial Government, arrived by
plane in the Colony this morn-
ing from Hankow
He was accompanied by nine
members of his staff, including
two foreign advisers.
NEWS FLASHES
Shanghai The next event in between the elimination games China and Japan will be the The sporting "Big fang
th interest this eve
to have
ROYAL
less push on th
operatin
than