THE CHINA MAIL, AUGUST 24, 1939.*
BRITAIN'S AIR RAID WARNING SYSTEM PUT IN READINESS
London, To-day.
It is announced that instructions have been sent to local authorities by the Air Raid Precautions Department to the effect that arrangements should be made to ensure that in case of need street lighting and all other lighting could be immediately extinguished or concealed. Steps have also been taken to place the air raid warning system in readiness. All telephones which are included in the air raid warning system are to be manned day and night. - British Wireless.
MILITARY PREPARATIONS
IN FRANCE IN FULL SWING: CABINET MEETING TO-DAY
Paris, To-day.
FRENCH MILITARY preparations are in full swing, a fact which can be ascertained merely by visiting any of the principal railway stations in and around Paris.
The Gare de l'Est, for instance, which is the starting point of the main lines to the French Eastern frontier, is jam- med with troops.
ARMY WIVES' RUMOUR
Rumours circulated in the Colony yesterday declaring that the wives of Servicemen in the Colony had been ordered to hold themselves in readi- are shown, on enquiry, to represent ness to evacuate at eight hours' notice
wild exaggeration.
The cafes bordering the square in front of the station are
crowded with soldiers, waiting for trains, those belong-a ing to the "shock battalions" of the Naginot Line being especially conspicuous.
MEN OVER 41 ASKED TO VOLUNTEER
An official communication has been issued in connection with the Com- pulsory Service Ordinance, as fol-
lows:
Officers and men belonging to the reserves are arriving at their depots steadily.
In connection with the Cabinet Council to be held to-day under the chairmanship of President Lebrun, it is stated in political circles that two reports will be presented, namely, one by M. Daladier on the defence measures already taken, as well as those which are envisaged, and by M. Bonnet on the international situation. BONNET REPORT
It is added that M. Bonnet will Men are required for Se-communicate to the Cabinet the na- cond Line Defence Work such as
ture of the report of M. Naggiar, the Special Constable and Guard Duty, French Ambassador in Moscow, on Auxiliary and Special Fire Brigades,
the result of his inquiry of the Soviet clerical work, etc.
Government as to the meaning of the Non-Aggression Pact negotiations, and will also discuss the position of Hun- gary, whose Minister in Paris, Count Khuen Hedervary, called at the Quai D'Orsay yesterday.
British subjects of upwards are invited selves to.
The Compulsory for enrolment in
to
the age of 41 offer them-
Service Tribunal
The General Group of the Hong Kong Defence Reserve. which will be employed on essential services.
Applicants will bę medically examined and if passed as fit will be assigned to duty after enrol- ment, according to their capacity. This procedure will replace for the time being that laid down by the Compulsory Service Ordinance, 1939. Applicants are requested to send in their names whether or not they have already been called up for medical examination under that ordinance.
Applications should be sent to The Clerk to the Compulory Service Tri- bunal, Colonial Secretary's Office.
RICE RIOT IN SHANGHAI
SHANGHAI, TO-DAY.
IT 18 ALLEGED THAT THE JA- PANESE ARE ATTEMPTING TO STARVE THE CHINESE OUT OF THE INTERNATIONAL SETTLE- MENT AND THE FRENCH CONCES. SION BY CORNERING THE RICE MARKET.
or
They have established rice-selling bureaus in Hongkew and occupied areas, and are selling rice seized, bought with Hwa Hsing Banknotes.
Three rice shops in Route Frelupt were looted at 10 o'clock last night by some 300 half-starved Chinese coolles and labourers.
It is considered to have signi- ficance that the Hungarian Min- Ister in London also paid a visit yesterday, calling on Lord Halifax at the Foreign Office.
Concerning M. Naggiar's report, political circles manifest a certain optimism based upon information which seems to shed a different light on the importance of the Non- Aggression Pact negotiations.
MOSCOW ASSURANCE
It is asserted that M. Molotoff gave an assurance to M. Naggiar that the proposals need cause no uneasiness in Britain or France and that General Staff talks need not be interrupted.
The talks nevertheless are likely to be suspended during von Ribben- trop's presence in Moscow. Trans- Ocean.
MORE RESERVISTS CALLED UP
Paris, To-day.
It is officially announced that the Government has decided to call up a further contingent of reservists. Reuter,
OSLO POWERS IN CONFERENCE
Brussels, To-day, The first conference of the Oslo States--Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Luxembourg--was opened at the Foreign Ministry here by the Belgian Premier, M. Pierlot, yesterday. taken The first sitting was devoted arrived.- general discussion of the international
situation.--Trans-Ocean.
Many bags of rice were away before the police Our Own Correspondent.
to
OPEN THREAT TO SHAMEEN
Canton, To-day.
Intensification of the anti- British press campaign has been noticeable recently in Kwangtung.
The "Shun Pao" this morning, un- der the heading "Cantonesc Request- ing Return of British Concession," says that as a result of British sup- port of General Chiang Kai-shek, hostilities have been prolonged and the Chinese are suffering bitterly.
hence The paper says that
the Cantonese are organising an anti-Bri- tish campaign under the leadership of the Chamber of Commerce,
The article says the only solu- tion is rendition of the British Concession, and concludes with a threat that "very serious action will be carried out by the Canton- ese within a day or two.".
Official Japanese sources, ques- tioned regarding the article, said they strongly disapprove of the anti-Bri- tish outbreak, while unofficial quar-
ters disbelieve that the anti-British move is being carried beyond the press campaign.-Reuter.
may become necessary
gency.
in an emer-
It is suggested that they so arrange their households that there would be The military authorities have taken no unnecessary waste of time should steps very similar to those of the circumstances suggest evacuation to Government, advising that evacuation be desirable.
Heavenly
ENTERTAINMENT TREAT!
You've never really enjoyed Bing
untli you soo him frolic with Joan and Mischa in his greatest picture!
BING
CROSBY
JOAN
BLONDELL MISCHA AUER
in
East Side of Heaven
with
IRENE HERVEY C.Aubrey Smith • Jerome Cowan "Sandy". Matty Malneck
and bis Orchestra
ALSO
NELLIE OF THE CIRCUS
Screenplay by William Conselman • Original story by David Butler and Herbert Polusio. Directed by DAVID BUTLER A NEW UNIVERSAL PICTURE
TO-MORROW ALHAMBRA
At The