THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 14, 1988
SINGAPORE
BASE
Profound Effect On Empire Safety And Unity
"NO MORE REFRAINING
FROM ACTION"
London, To-day.
The unity and integrity of the British Empire de- pend upon the maintenance of sea power. The Navy, including the mercantile marine, is the ultimate sanction of British unity, declared Sir Thomas Inskip, the Defence Co-ordination Minister, yesterday. Referring to the Singapore defences, Sir Thomas' said: "They had a profound effect both on the safety and unity of Empire defences and repre- sent an achievement of the very first magni- tude. It means that we have a world-wide sys- tem of formidable defences.
"We are completing our defences; both at home and in other parts of the Empire so that it no longer may be necessary for us to refrain from appropriate action and no longer may our Foreign Secretary or Prime Minister in this or any other coun- try be hampered by considerations of weakness or default on our part." IMPERIALISM
Mr. Malcolm Macdonald, address- ing the Constitutional Club in Lon- don, spoke of the British Empire.
He said that people talked about Imperialism as though it meant ex- ploitation, duping and domination of weaker peoples by strong people. "How ignorant they are of the changes which have been going on inside the British Empire and which
have reached a climax in our time." A new Imperialism which is against this and that conception had grown up inside the Empire.
HISTORIC
SIGNIFICANCE
London, To-day.
The historic significance of the visit next year by the King and to Queen to Canada was referred in a speech yesterday afternoon by the Dominions and Colonial Secre- tary, Mr. Malcolm Macdonald, the Constitutional Club.
at
He described it as an unprece- dented journey, adding that the first time a reigning King and Queen were to set foot on the soil of one of the great overseas Domin-
·KING'S· BROADCAST TO EMPIRE
-
London, To-day. The King will broadcast to the entire Empire from Canada dur- ing his visit to the Dominion next year, according to an official an- nouncement.
The announcement says that His Majesty will not broadcast on Christmas Day.-Reuter.
MAN'S STATE
that
the
Some of the Dominions were an- xious to demonstrate that they had for attained their majority and
they had arrived at man's state. It was absolutely right and proper that they should feel like that, but ions over which they reigned.
beyond a certain point, nationalism He believed the British Empire could be a disintegrating force.
If one Dominion ever made a de- to-day was the greatest practical expression in certain permanent cision to break the link which tied political principles which ought to them constitutionally within imspire the devotion and command Empire, that might be a temptation There were certain disintegrating the services of even the youngest for others to follow suit. forces inside the Commonwealth to- and most idealistic.
There were many counter forces, day and there was no doubt that: Main purpose of the British Em- however, which were making for some of the Dominions had been pire was the gradual spreading of continued association of this coun- bitten rather badly by nationalism, liberty amongst His Majesty's sub-try and the Dominions. but he detected many counter-forces jects in whatever part of the earth "I have watched the Dominions making for continued association they lived. Most significant part and this country come through
nations within the Commonwealth.I called the British Commonwealth of one of those was a test of the pow-
Nations.
er of this country and the Domin-
COUNTER-FORCES
The Cycling Club held its first tourist time trial at the week-end. Above are Mui Tze-yan, William Choy, Mui Pak-chuen and R. H. McDowell.
FOREIGNERS REMAINING IN SHASI
Ichang, To-day. Shasi is reported to be quiet, and there is little business being tran- sacted. The flow of troops through the town has now ceased.
None of the foreigners in the town have moved out.
They are:
Mr. J. Mackay, of the Hankow Preas Packing Company,
Mr. J. K. Wilson, of B. and S., Rev. J. E. Olsson and Mrs. Ols- American Protestant
son, of the
Episcopal Mission,
Rev. F. R. Wennborg and Mrs. Wennborg, of the Swedish Mission, Rev. Carlstrom, of the Swedish Mission, and
Several members of the Roman
Catholic Mission.-Reuter.
300 KILLED
IN KWANGTUNG
and co-operation between all those of the Empire to-day was that part crisis after crisis together. Every AIR RAIDS
-Reuter.
Large portions of Kweilin, the Kwangel capital, are now in ruins following repeated Japanese air raids, which have taken a terrible toll in civilian lives. Some Idea of the extent of the damage can be gained by the above picture.
Macao, To-day. Villages and towns in the region between Shekki. and the east coast of Chung Shan District were heavi- ly bombed by Japanese aircraft yesterday morning, causing ten- sion in Shekki.
to
Several villages are reported have been totally destroyed while fires are blazing furiously in others. Over three hundred Chinese civi- lians were killed and wounded, and a number of sugar factories were demolished. Our Own Correspon- dent.
ions to stick together.
GETTING TOGETHER
"I have been amazed at the ca- pacity, indeed at the instinct, of the Dominions and this country to get together in times of crisis and work together."
Referring to the material factors that worked towards continued as- sociation, Mr. Macdonald said the Dominions had got to recognise, and recognise for some long time to come, that their main strength lay in their association with Great Britain, and their security depend- · ed mainly on the power of the Bri- tish Navy to defend their shores against aggression-British Wire- less.