EUROPE
CURRENCY RACKET IN EARNEST
Peiping, To-day.
Every Chinese entering the Le- gation Quarter yesterday Was searched for national currency, and a number of poor Chinese carrying small sums had them confiscated.--Reuter.
ROYAL VISIT TO UNITED STATES: PLANS COMPLETED
London, To-day.
THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 28, 1989.
WAITING
ON IL
DUCE
Speculation Rife On Sunday Speech
London, To-day. Speculations as to whether Mussolini will formulate colonial claims next Sunday, when he is due to make a speech to Italy, are rife.
Some circles maintain that the time is propitious but in well-informed quarters Reuter under- stands it is believed the Duce will state Italy's claims in firm but balanced language.
It is not thought that the Duce, with his strong sense of realities, will present anything in the
nature of an ultimatum to France, nor that
PLUMBER'S MATE
Ten leaks in succession in the gas pipes of à Paris apartment aroused suspicion.
A gas-itter advised the tenants to call the police."
The maid confessed to detec tives that she had fallen in love with the plumber.
"I wanted to see him again, so I stuck nails in the pipe," she Bald.
CONTRIBUTION TO WORLD PEACE: ARITA HUMOUR
Tokyo, To-day.
he will make his demands in such a form as to preclude possibility of an agreed `settlement. It is known that certain circles,
ALL POSSIBILITIES The broad outlines of Their in France are anxious to discuss
London, To-day. matters with the Duco, and The consultations which are pro- Majesties' visit to the United States
rumours are many concerning per-ceeding between the British and In a message to the Nazi Foreign have been completed with the ex-sonages who are thought to be the other governments, were mention- Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop, the ception of the New York pro-bearers of messages between theed in the House of Commons yester- Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. day in a reply by the Home Secre- Arita, congratulates Germany on gramme, Reuter learns.
Meanwhile no reply has yet beentary, Sir Samuel Hoare.
her action in Czecho-Slovakia. Although it has been fixed that received from the Soviet and Polish Sir Samuel-made it clear that all "It will contribute much to Their Majesties will spend some Governments to the British pro possibilities were being consider-stabilisation of Europe and world time in New York City, details of posal for a four-power declaration ed. British Wireless.
peace," said Mr. Arita!-Reuter. the duration of their stay there by Britain, France, Russin and and how much they will see, have Poland taking a common line in been attended by several com- the event of a further plications.
Germany.
A train of 12 coaches is being put at Their Majesties' disposal for the duration of their stay. Reuter.
JAPAN STILL HOPEFUL OF SETTLEMENT WITH SOVIET
Moscow, To-day. Mr. Togo, the Japanese Ambassador, yesterday had his 20th interview with the Soviet Foreign Commissar, M. Maxim Litvinoff, regard. ing the fisheries dispute.
Although no progress is re- ported, Japanese circles pro- fess to feel optimistic over an eventual settlement.
Mr. Togo stated that Jap- an would participate in the auctions at Vladivostok on April 3 provided the Soviet offered certain guarantees, the nature of which at pre- sent is unknown. Reuter,
TIN QUOTA FIXED AT 40 PER CENT
London, To-day..
two Governments.
coup by Committee For Welfare
Of The Poor Urged
DRAFTED ON MONDAY
ments, can scarcely be expected for a few days.
The delicacy of the Polish position is fully appreciated in London, where it is hoped that Warsaw's objections may be met.
be
the
1
contains
The declaration was only draft- ed on Monday, and therefore re- plies from all the governments
Sir-From information I have re- what they are paying to live there, and concerned, with suggested amend-ceived, and from the replies given by if it is found that conditions are in poor people when casually questioned the very serious state I believe them about their housing-or to more to be; namely—a wage earner getting correct, "WARRENING”-accommoda- from $20 to $30 per month having to tion, I am led to believe that there are pay nearly one half of that sum for o probably many thousands of poor fami- place not nearly so comfortable as lies in Hong Kong who are not aware prison cell, and which must accommo- that Ordinances have been passed which date a whole family (whereas a prison afford them protection from eviction cell is "overcrowded" if it from their dwellings when the extor- four parsons)-8 petition could be pre- It is understood that the pro- tionate demands of landlords are not sented to Government from such A posed declaration is an undertak- | met. I am told that in the slums, body of responsible persons, represent- ing to consult immediately on anywhere two years ago, cubicles could be ing the reality of what can only rea threat by Germany to disturb the rented at $2 50 or $3.00 per month, the sonably be regarded as a menace to the International position, also that it cipal tenants" are
cost is now $8.00 to $12.00; and prin- social security of this Colony; I mean
usually able to the rapacious landlords who are prob should be regarded as a prelimin- justify these increases to sub-tenants by ably also cheating the Government of ary. measure to which more con- producing letters from the property its legitimate revenue by not truly dis- crete form may be given later when higher rents. It seems to be the fact ing
owners demanding proportionately closing the rents they are now receiv-. the powers concerned have had that many Chinese flats-le. (usually Once the facts have been establish- time to elaborate practical detalls.] divided into four cubicles and a bed ed, handbills printed in Chinese could ← Reuter. ·.
space under some stairs) one room, a be widely distributed informing the verandah and a small back kitchen-poor Chinese that they will not be have had the rents increased more than ; evicted, when demands for extra rent 100 per cent. in nearly every case: I are not met with; unless the landlord have investigated; and I submit that goes to court and has received a court the poverty which these increases in order for eviction after the tenant has rent are causing is now so far degrad- refused to pay a fair rent as decided ed as to be incapable of being lowered by the Judge. much further.
BONNET IN LONDON CONFERENCE
London, To-day. The French Foreign Minister, M. Georges Bonnet, conferred on the International situation for an hour and a half with Mr. Neville Chamberlain and the For- eign Secretary, Lord Halifax, at the House of Commons last evening. Reuter.
ITALO-JAPANESE CULTURAL PACT
Tokyo, To-day. The International Tin Committee The cultural agreement between has fixed the quota for the second Japan and Italy was approved by quarter at 40 per cent, of standard the Secret Council of State which tonnages.
met yesterday, under the chairman ship of the Emperor.
Arrangements have been made for liquidation of existing over-exports. The agreement will be similar to Next meeting of the Committee that concluded with Germany and will be on April 27 at The Hague will officially be signed to-day,
Renter,
Trans-Ocean...
Unless some positive protective ac- I am also convinced that thousands tion, such as I have indicated is taken, of labourers' familles who were unable the evil will go on unchecked,-in all to afford the minimum amount of nu- but a few cases respecting people who tritive food previous to the Japanese are educated enough to know what pro. invasion of China, are now reduced: al-tection the law affords them,-until most to the point of desperation,
eventually the camel's back will break, and perhaps with results which our ad- ministrators will regret.
When the poor people reach that to become collective and menacing; but I believe that the more fortunate point, their actions are always liable probably it is the safety of this British members of the community in this Co- Colony which sustaine their amazing lony are unaware of the dreadful hard. forbearance in the face of the cruelty ships which are being heaped on to the of their own ghoulish compatriots! poor and lowly wage earners, who are To my mind, the situation la such so long suffering, and who contribute that it requires a number of respon- so much to the well-being and prosper-- kible, and civic minded residents of this ity of the whole Colony. Cannot some- Colony to combine and form an active thing real be done, so that in serving prepared to inter them are served, except of course the welfare of the the rent racketeers
Committees who
poor, indo the ope sonall
sults
siting principal tenanta alas and those
shelter (not In Ther cerned; to pér» (tro
record the Te
and questioning Occupiers of cubi- bed Spaces, in
order to ascertain the real state of esta a slum dlers should not ti pie
Tequestadaitoë
to state their see the places
fore-a-tribunal; dievances; go to them; their Zallow
live, and
been letters to the Preas
stion whe
es grateful for the
in this Co-
think that the Pratitude by
to the never-to-be- sing. land- 1-for