THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 21, 1937
HONG KONG DEFENCE AGAIN DEBATED IN HOUSE
Mr. Chamberlain Asked To Make Statement
RETRIBUTION DEMANDED FOR TSINGTAO ACT
Tokyo, To-day.
Drastic punishment of the Chin- ese who set fire to the Japanese cotton mills at Tsingtao, is de- manded by Shojiro Otaka, Consul General at Tsingtao, who evacuat- ed the port with 300 Japanese residents and officials on August 30.
Mr. Otaka declared: "News of such 2 situation having been
is no alternative for Japan but to resort to decisive measures.
BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE SEIZURE OF
QUITE. CLEAR
MADE
CUSTOMS AT REPLYING to a question in the House of Com-TIENTSIN
London, To-day.
mons yesterday about the situation in Hong
London, To-day Kong, caused by extension of Japanese hostili- The important question of ad- ties, Mr. Anthony Eden said he understood ar-ministration of the Chinese Mari- rangements were being made to cope with an time Customs was raised again in influx of refugees if hostilities reach the Can the House of Commons yesterday, ton neighbourhood.
by Mr. Philip Noel Baker, Labour
Another questioner asked if Mr. Eden would ar-member for Derby.
range that Mr. Neville Chamberlain make a Mr. Noel Baker asked if it might statement early in to-day's debate on foreign the assumed that the Government affairs about the present position which was tion by the Japanese authorities or feared in Hong Kong.
did not intend to recognise assump-
by the alleged Chinese authorities.
of rights belonging to the legiti
mate Chinese Government
Mr. Anthony Eden said:
brought about by the Chinese, there Mr. Eden replied that he did not know what the questioner meant, and added: "Our own attitude in respect to Hong Kong has been made quite should prefer to see that on the clear in my replies in the last few days." The questioner asked if it was not invasion of Hong Kong: I have heard no reports of that kind at all.”
"According to the latest report received by me, the constables who have been engaged in protecting. the Japanese mill areas, were re the case if there are reports about placed by Salt Revenue guards, the contemplated invasion of South who prepared the explosions after China, with a view to encircling that looting the mills of valuable part of the coast.
spindles, which were transported Mr. Eden: "Let's be quite clear to the interior on the Tsingtao-about this. I am sure the Hon. Tsinanfu railway." Reuter.
Member does not mean contemplated
GOVT. ATTITUDE
Tokyo To-day. Concerned over the destruc- tion of Japanese cotton mills. at Tsingtao, and the resultant unrest there, the Japanese Gov- ernment is keeping close watch on the situation, according to press-reports.
The reports add that if the fires were set by Chinese act- ing on instructions from General Chiang Kai-shek, this wanton action apparently, reflects the realisation of a policy of co- operation between the Comintern and the Chinese Government.- Renter.
PRES. HOOVER DISASTER
ADMIRAL TO FLY TO HONG KONG
Hankow, To-day.
Rear-Admiral LG E Crabbe,
S.NO., Yangtse, together with his secretary, J. A. Miller, are leaving for Hong Kong this morning by specially chartered plane.
Rear-Admiral Crabbe, whose re- lief, Rear-Admiral Holt, arrived in Hankow a month ago and at pre- sent is on board HMS. Bee at Nan- king, is due for home leave in Jan- uary...
Reuter
SHOT FOR DESERTION
Canton, To-day.
Mr. Kwong Hon, Magistrate of Kimmen Island, opposite Amo: was shot yesterday for de serting his post when the Japan ese landed and subsequently oc- cupied the Island-Our Own Cor- respondent.
paper, but I think the answer is Yes." Renter
POLICE BORDER PATROL AUGMENTED
About 30 policemen have left for the borders of the Colony to augment the pre- sent patrols, these including nine Europeans. Some of the men will probably have to live in tents.
No Intention By Britain Of Recognising Peiping Puppet Government
Londen, To-day.
THAT there is not the slightest intention of Bri- tain recognising the provisional government set up by the Japanese in North China, was made clear in the House of Commons yester- day.
His departure will leave Hankow Mr. Arthur Henderson (Labour, Mr. Eden replied that the without an Admiral, as Rear-Ad-Kingswinford) asked if Mr. Eden British Government recognised miral Holt, being at Nanking, is cut would give an assurance that the the Central Government as the off by the recently constructed Government in no way would re- Government of all China. booms.
cognise the provisional government. There was therefore no question installed in Peiping by the Ja of recognising the new administra- panese authorities.
Ition Better.
San Francisco, To-day.
BRITISH-YANGTZE PATROL Dollar Line officials here have re- Disposition of British gunboats ceived cablegram stating that the in the Yangtse at present is as fol "President Hoover" has weathered lows: yesterday's severe blow, and the
HMS Falcon at Chungking. captain and crew of twenty aret HMS. Tern at Ichang. standing by.
HMS Sandpiper at
Changsha,
Salvage equipment has arrived where she will remain all Winter and operations will be begun as owing to low water. soon as the weather is favourable.
Reuter
Taihosu, To-day.
It is learned that as the result
Four gunboats are in Hankow HMS. Gannet, HM.S. Cockchafer, HMS Gnat and HMS. Peterel
HMS. Mantis is at Kinkiang,
of Sunday night's violent gale, the showing eight gunboats on the President Hoover has been pushed Hankow side of the boom area. up on to the breakers and is in a more dimenlt position from the viewpoint of salvage than before.
In the course of the storm, the damage to the ship was extensive
increased It is now
Our Own
On the other side of the boom, HMS. Searab is at Wuhu, HMS. Cricket, HMS Bee and HMS: Aphis at Nanking. These gunboats have been carrying Rear Admiral Holt and presumably,
selieved that, if the deaux Brune,
ever salva
task Nanking
Consul General:
HMS. Ladybird Reuter
Pri
hanghai
Those who know..... Insist on
EWO
Jardines Tel. 30311