THE CHINA MAIL, JANUARY 12, 1989.
SMILING AFTER
FACES
TALK
ROME
Rome, To-day.
The conversations between the British and Italian statesmen have started auspiciously judging by the smiles on the countenances of the Bri- tish diplomats at the conclusion of the first talk which, lasting just over one hour, served to es- tablish personal contact between the two for- eign ministers, Count Ciano and Lord Halifax. This is in keeping with the mood of optimism which has found more tangible expression during the last few days in the British and Italian press.
the
The friendly atmosphere in which the conversations have started has not, however, prevented London or Rome from continuing to speculate on the practical outcomes of Anglo-Italian deliberations it is still presumed. will around the Spanish problem and the question of Franco-Italian relations.
which, revolve
EUROPEANS
-AUSTRALIA- AND IRON EMBARGO
Sydney, To-day. The Attorney-General, Mr. R. G. Menzies, has promised Union leaders that if the
waterside workers at PortTM Kembla, who held up the loading of 20,000 tons of pig-iron for Japan, would re- verse their decision, the Gov- ernment would review its
VICTIMISED policy regarding the export of
Mr. H. R. Arns, of No. 26, It is believed that at the first meet Conduit Road, has reported to the ing, the ministers explained their Police on behalf of Mra. Reiner, respective standpoints towards speci-that an unknown Chinese snatched her handbag and content valued at fic problema.
in $29, while she was walking Caine Road, at about 2.45 p.m. yesterday.
ERITISH AIM
British circles point out that the British ministers are not aiming at anything in the nature of concrete results. It would be regarded as a great success if the conversations resulted in the creation of a friendly atmosphere leading eventually complete clarification of Mediterra- mean relations.
to
The following official communique was issued: "The British Prime Minister Mr. Neville Chamberlain, the British Foreign Minister, Lord the Italian Halifax, II Duce and Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, conferred in the Duce's study for an hour and twenty-five minutes. on Thursday afternoon at 5.30 p.m." The deliberations will be resumed
Trans-Ocean.
"TOUR OF THE HORIZON”
Miss Ivey Gordon has reported the loss of a wrist watch at about 1 p.m. yesterday in her office at the Hong Kong Bank Building. The watch is valued at $20.
ARAB PARLEYS IN CAIRO
The
Saudian
pig-iron to an aggressor na- tion.-Reuter.
The men take the attitude: that it is illogical for the Australian Government to place an embargo on ship- ments of iron ore to Japan if they allow the export of the manufactured iron.
DESTROYER CREW TAKEN TO GOVT. SPAIN
The
Gibraltar, To-day. crew of the Republican Cairo, To-day. Spanish destroyer, Jose Luis Diez, near Gibraltar, Erair which ran ashore Prince,
Saudi after a naval encounter on Decem- Feisal, who will head the Arabian delegation to the London- ber 30, left Gibraltar yesterday .. British destroyers Palestine conference arrived here aboard the brother, Prince Khaled, and Fuad unnamed Republican Spanish port. yesterday, accompanied by his Glowworm and Greyhound for an Bey Hamza, the Saudi-Arabian -Trans-Ocean. Foreign Minister.
:
Prime
On Friday, the Iranian Minister, Nouri Pasha, arrives in the Egyptian capital.
Rome, To-day. Only Mussolini, Count Ciano,
At the beginning of the next Mr. Chamberlain and Lord Hali-week, an Arab conference will be fax were present at the first talks yesterday, Anglo-Italian which were conducted in a most cordial atmosphere.
Later it was revealed that the conversation was
of a purely general nature which might be described
the as a "tour of horizon."
Further meetings are possible at 5.30 this afternoon (Thurs- day). Renter.
ROYAL SCOTS OFF
FOR ENGLAND FROM PALESTINE
Haifa, To-day.
opened under the chairmanship of the Egyptian Minister, Mohamed Mahmoud Pasha, when the attitude the Arabs will take in London will be decided.-Trans-Ocean.
INTERNMENT CAMP INQUIRY
FINE WEATHER
DEVASTATION
1
IN WEST RIVER VALLEY
Large sections of the districts of Samshui, Hoshan, Koyiù, Koming, Szewui and Kwangning in the West River valley have been devastated and at least 170,000 civilians have been ren- dered homeless and destitute as a result of Japanese air bomb- ings and military operations, ac- cording to a report of the relief committee organised by natives of the districts resident in Hong Kong.
Samshui, at the confluence of the West River and North River is. worst hit by Japanese ravages. The southwestern part of the town has been badly damaged by artillery and aerial bombardment. At least. 400 shops and residences have been demolished. The power plant and the match factory have also been destroyed by shelling.
All villages in the outskirts are desolate. These include Pushum, Paisha, Yeekong, Lochuen,"Shekhu-
chuen, Kofeng, and Youngmui in the
central area, Namkong, Wankong, Mukmin, Wongtong, Tanyao,
southern area,
Mukkong in the
and
Samkong and Mahow in the eastern area, and Tanpu and Chekpaknai in the northern area.
Most of the big buildings in the city proper have been wrecked.
50,000 DESTITUTE
The Japanese are using the pre-
ernment as their military headquar- ters. It is estimated that there are mises of the Samshui district gov-
between 50,000 and 60,000 refugees: in the Samshui district.
and
In Hoshan district, Kulo Hoihow where the Japanese landed, have suffered the worst. At Kulo alone 126 civilians were killed and about 200 wounded under Japanese The Royal Observatory reports fire. A large number of villages. at that the anticyclone is stationary China, and had increased moderately in intensity. A shallow depression is situated in the Pacific
Repeated air raids on the district to the east of Japan.
of Koyiu (Shiuhing) have turned Local forecast: N. E. winds, Wing On, Kwongli, Kamli, Lukpu, fresh; fine generally.
over
Kulo and Hoihow have duced to ruins.
been' re-
are:
Shinkiu, and Paktu intó masses of rubble. Though exact figures not available, the casualties are be- lieved to have been great.
at
Japanese troops who landed Miss May Wu, residing at No. 19, Kamli burned down all the sixteen
Women admitted to villages. It is understood that an inquiry Robinson Road, was
were brutally is being held by the military au- the Queen Mary Hospital, suffering molested. thorities into conditions at the in-from lysol poisoning. ternment camp at Matauchung.
It was reported that she took the The object is to deter the men medicine at the Metropole Hotel, at from attempting to escape, follow-about 6 a.m. this morning. ing the recent shooting incidents.
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
INADEQUATE
Refugees in the Koyiu district
at 50,000. are estimated
Many
and
are
Extensive air bombings in the caused district of Koming have
About 36,000 heavy property lo98. civilians have become refugees,
In Szewui, the town of Mafong bore the brunt. Artillery bombard-
Lack of recreational facilities and
A Chinese named Chan Kwok-of them have died of illiess of other means of occupying their
Medical supplies time is believed to be the main rea-[hing, was treated at the Kowloon starvation. son for the discontent at the camp. Hospital, after he had been bitten inadequate.
by a dog owned by Mr. W. J. Brown, of the China Light and Power Co., at Kau Pui Shek Road, The First Battalion, the Royal
At the Central Magistracy this yesterday. Scots, embarked for Southamp-morning, a 40-year-old unemployed on yesterday after a year's ser- Chinese Li Sang, was charged be- vice in Palestine.
fore Mr. R. Edwards, with snatch- Sin Tack, aged 25, was admitted ment demolished practically all vil- ing a gold earring from Tam Fun, to the Queen Mary Hospital, with lages in the outskirts and air raids suffered while have wrecked shops and residences married woman, at Queen's Road a crushed hand, Central on Tuesday. Defendant was working at the Tung Shing build-inside the city. remanded for 48 hours, to ascertaining contractor, in · Percival Street
yesterday. whether he is fit for caning.
During the period 14 officers and men were killed and 48 wounded.
The Second Battalion, the Queen's Royal Regiment, is relieving Royal Scots.--Reuter.
the
Refugees in this district number about 20,000--Central News.