Page
1
CABLES.
LATEST CABLES.
· {THROUGH REUTER'S AGENOT.}
DIVORCE REFORM.", RESOLUTION IN PARLIAMENT. LONDON, April 18th.
In the House of Commons, Mr. Rendall moved a resolution in favour of legisis tion embodying the Majority Report of the Divorce Commissioners, recommending ve new grounds for divorce, namely, Blasertion, persistent cruelty, drunkenness Incurable insanity and life imprisonment. Mr. Bonald McNeill's, amendment, favouring sexual equality in divorce and Opposing changes in the law impairing the permanence of marriage was carried by
134 votes to 91.
Lady Astor opposed the resolution. UNREST IN IRELAND. GENERAL STRIKE TO BE.
DECLARED OFF.
LONDON, April 14th. There has been a general strike in Na- hionalist Ireland since April 19th in sup- port of the demand for the release of Bina Fein prisoners who are hunger strik ing in Mountjoy Gaol, Dublin.
The Lord Mayor announced, to-day, to crowds outside the gaol that Lord French had stated that all prisoners whose lives were endangered would be released. The
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, APRIL 17cH, 1920,
AUSTRIAN AND BULGARIAN | THE SITUATION IN GERMANY FAR EASTERN CABLE
TREATIES.
DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF
COMMONS:
LONDON, April 14th. In the House of Commons, moving the second reading of the Bill carrying into affect the Austrian' and Bulgarian Treaties, Mr. Cecil Harmsworth emphasis eg the difficulties as regards Austria, owing to the break-up.
He claimed that the Treaty was in some respecta lenient, even indulgent. The shrinkage of the Austrian Empira was due to the fact that many nationalities desired to secede. The principle of self-deter mination had not been greatly violated Although the German population, num bering 230,000, in the Tyrol, had been included within the new frontier of Italy, this was due to the principle of strategio. necessity..
The situation on the Jugo-Slav frontier was, at the present moment, too delicate for profitable discussion.
The Conference had gone to the greatest trouble in providing for the Austrian cont
interests.
AMERICAN SUBJECT KILLED BY SOLDIERS.
NEWS.
[BY COURTESY OF THE ** CHINA MALL.'*]
THE FUTURE OF MALAYA.
SINGAPORE, April 15th.
The High Commissioner, Sir L. Guille-
THE ADMINISTRATION OF
VICTORIA GAOL,
REPORT OF A COMMITTEE OF ENQUIRY
BELIN, April 13th. A sentry shot and killed an American
PRISONERS AND THEIR FOOD, named De Mott while the latter was
The following Report is to be laid before attempting to escape from prison amard, outlining the policy for the the next meeting of the Legislative Council Wesel, where he was awaiting the death'
Federated States of Malaya, fore-shadow-by Command of His Excellency the sentence,
ed large expenditure in new works Goverpor:- The Freiheit denounces the "murder by Arrears due to the war, he said, must be the soldiery who were afraid of the sunulmade up. Beat of the death sentence.”
BRITISH PRESS COMMENT-
"LONDON, April 13th. The morning newspapers, commenting on the House of Commons debate, point out that although Angle French differ ences have not yet completely been settled, decisive progress has been made.
The Times writes: France may have breach of diplomatie committed
etiquette, but, in' substance, she did the best thing not only for herself, but for all the Allies in teaching a lesson to the Ger man Government and the militarista, ~
The Daily Telegraph understands that M.. Millerand has given the assurances desired by the British Government. emphasises that the outcome of the nego
but a triumph for reason.
I
LIFE ON A TRANSPORT. HOW HOMEWARD-BOUND, TROOPS
ARE FARING
"A member of a detachment of troops which left Hongkong for England re- cently on the Hyaan writes to a friend in Hongkong the following account of the men's experiences;—
are having a lovely trip, which reminds us of the "slip of paper" I you have a friend on one of the H.K. showed you from the General. Perhaps
papers who would like to hear of our trip. Our ship is It," we are all forward” and have to take it in turns to find "a place to sit down-there is absolutely no room to sit, in fact, one could not even
Report of a Committee consisting of, the| Honourable Mr. H. E. Pollock, K.C., Chairman, the Hou, Mr. R. Q, Hutchison, M.B.E, and the Hon. Mr. Ho Fook, ap- pointed by His Excellency, the Governor to report upon the following subjects in con- nection with the Victoria, Gaol, namely
..
(a) 19 to whether there is any fadation for the statements made by the con- victed man, Wong Kwong;
(b) as to any matters connected with the murders or the escape of the prisoners that the Committee think should be brought to notice;
Sing, as reported in the Daily Press of Tuesday the gard March, 1990, mere expect- fully as his remarks wero far more connected and cohormi than those of Wong Kwong, and, in order to sift his complaints fully, to the bottore, we have taken a very fall statement from Principal Warder Rebar son (referred to by Mok Sing at his trial
as a kind man) and have interviewed Mar Sing himself at some length.
1.-As regards food, Mok, Sing. plains; —
(a) That he was not given enough food? (6) That the rice was not properly,
cooked,
- יד
(e) Thas the prisoners were sometimes
(d) That condemned prisoners do not re- dad given rotten fish and bad food;":
וי
ceive the proper allowance of foodie (e) That short sentence prisoners do not get the proper Regulation allowa of food;
(/) That long sentence prisoners do not get the proper Regulation allowance of food;
(y) That if prisoners wanted to weigh the rice they were hindered in doing
зна
Our findings on the above are as fol-
(c) as to steps necessary to be taken to
prevent similar incidents in füture;}lows;== (d) generally on any point in which the
Committee consider that the gaol ad- ministration can be improved.. 1-The Committee have held several | sittings in Mr. Pollock's office and have made four visits to Victoria Gaol, three
As regards reparation, be said that since tiations was not a victory for any side swing the poor old cat round; while down by daylight, and one after dark, and have
the Armistice, the Allies had acted with, unparalleled magnanimity towards their ex-enemies.
He did not believe that the indemnity
The Daily Mail says that the rift in the Entente is practically closed.
below it is even worse, and the beat is examined M. Franks, Dr. Woodman, Dr. terrible. The only good point so far is Valentino, Chief Warder Passmore, Prin Las cnow, tank to car, it's, which cipal Warder Robertson, and the convicted; for a troop-ship is quite good. Ut course man, Mok Sing, as witnesses; and have we ges our Boure of stew, out are getting also inspected at the Central Police Station
general strike will be declared off to-night. demanded from Bulgaria was excessive, and frank dealing nave been possible, over quit, used to valg, ds. We stewcon neck all the exhibits in the Victoria Gaol murder
A plain-clothes policeman was shot dead in Dublin Street to-day.
MARLIER CABLES. GOVERNMENT POLICY UPHELD. LONDON, April 13tb.
In
the House of Commons, replying to Mr. J. R. Clynes, Mr. Bonar Law em phasised that the conditions in Ireland, where murder was rife, necessitated arrests on suspicion in order to protect the people's lives. The Government felt it their duty to continue the practice (Cheers), but this would be futilo if the men were released because they refused
or the methods of exaction embarassing, The most important article of the Treaty "was" that giving Bulgaria access to the Aegean which Article had not yet been definitely settled."
BULGARIA LENIENTLY DEATH WITH
Mr. Asquith said that no state in Europe nad less justification for joining the Central Powers than Bulgaria At the most critical moment of the war, Bul garia bore the heavy responsibility of the prolongation of the war. Therefore, the rower generally had not dealt harshly
with her.
He sounded a note of warning against the risk of the Balkanisation of Austria.
The Daily Express says that candour
ed the extent of the purposes of German helpful, for the Eatente, which has learn: The Daily Chronicle says that the prac tical value of the San Remo meeting depends on the success obtained in reach ing specific decisions, clearly planning on the Allies' co-operation.
IMPORTANT CONFERENCE IN
PARIS.
PARIS, April 13tb.
An important conterence was held yesterday, in regard to the technical means of securing the carrying ont of the Provisions of the Treaty of Versailles, and in regard to the delivery and acstruction of German war material, especially artal
He criticised the absence of provision for commercial intercourse between the new States, and said that it was all im-lery. portant that we should create economic
Mr. Winston Churchill, M. Lefevre, the
good. (Cheers), Suicides in these circuHe urged that the Reparation Com rienca war Minister, uranal roen, and
stances were very deplorable, but to give the impression that political action in the House or Commons might alter the deci sion of the Government was likely to increase the danger.
MILITARY AT MOUNTJOY REINFORCED.
LONDON, April 13th. Owing to the swelling crowd at Mount joy, Dublin, the Military were reinforced "by three tanks and several armoured cars., Barbed wire has been erected.
THE PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE.
In the House of Commons, before the adjournment, the Irish Attorney-General stated that the general strike was sub- stantially operative in the South and the West but not in the North of Ireland. The railways in the West and the South were not working, but a practically nor mal sorvice was being maintained on the Great Northern Railway.
A substantial number of post officials had struck, but a number of post offices in Dublin were working,
Ordinary business in Dublin was held ap. A great many hotels and shops were
closed.
He hoped that the evening's debate would clear the air, tending to bring to an and the drifting trouble. The Irish Government was most anxious about the situation.
A DOWNING STREET ANNOUNCE- MENT.
Loxoox, April 14th. A Downing Stroe communique says that the Irish Government does not intend to release the prisoners, unconditionally. Any requiring medical treatment outside the prison will be released on parole, for a specified period in euch ease.
Another policeman and sergeant of the constabulary were found abot dead at the police depot in Phoenix Park' to-day.
HUNGER-STRIKERS RELEASED. LONDON, April 12th Yesterday evening, 56 bunger-strikers were released and conveyed to hospital. Twenty-four will be released to-day.
mittce should carefully and promptly deueneral wegen were present. hne the amount payable by Austria
The allies should insist on the disarma.
ment of the new States, with a view to safeguarding the peace of Eastern Europe
SMALL. EUROPEAN STATES
ARMING.
A complete agreement was reached on pounts of principe, also in regard to tue necessity, of increasing the number or arenen a Brisish emcers employed 1, is work by th inter-Allied Control Com
Mr. Bonar Law, replying to the debate,asion in Germany. agreed that it was deplorable the way,NUTES CANNOT BE PUBLISHED.
the small states were arming, but they were independent States, and any attempt to imit their armaments would not be tolerated. He admitted that without limitation of armaments, the war would The largely have been fought in vain. Lengue Treaties, and it was the duty of the Gov ernment to do its utmost to make the League effective.
of Nations. embodied
these
The Bill passed its second reading by. 185 votes to 34.
LEAGUE OF NATIONS.
ANOTHER APPEAL ISSUED AT HOME.
LONDON, April 14th.'
A large number of very, prominent City business men bavo issued a manifesto
appealing for funds for further active propaganda for the League of Nations, on the ground that the League had became an absolute necessity as a business pro- position and was the only alternative to another war, which would utterly ruin industry and commerce throughout the whole of Europe.
It declares that financial support should be regarded by all business med as a neces ary insurance premium for the continu ance of peace. The campaign for educa
tion mast be on a national "scale and must extend for at least a generation, hence a large fund was essential
BRITAIN'S TRADE.
INCREASES IN IMPORTS AND. ́EXPORTS. A
Losnos, April 14th.
LONDON, April 14th.
In the House of Commons, as question time, Mr. Honar Law stated that it was undesirable to publish the British and French Notes in regard to the French occupation of German towns. He declar ed that, angsor renen relations, Wete aą, armonious as he uoped they would always De. (Chéers),
te intimated that the matter would be discussed at Dan. Kemd. '
AN APPEAL FRUM ARMENIA
INTER-ALLIED TROOPS WANTED.
LONDON, April 12th,
The Armenian Delegation appeals for the despatch of Inter-Allied forces to Cilicia.
urges that the refugees will be killed before they reach Cyprus The destruction of further villages is announced. Adaaa and Mersina are threatened. The French officials are repatriating families Cilicia in isolated owing to the destruction of the telegraphs.
THE EX-KAISERIN DYING.
BERLIN, April 13th.
2-With regard to the statements of Wong Kwong.
ay and stew below all night, Generally trial. speaking, however, everyone in fed" ap with the accommodation and slight demonstration took place the night we arrived at Singapore. The officers went | ashore and then the W.O's and Sergia were allowed to go, but the lower ranks had to stay on board, so we sent a deputa- tion to the O/C and be then let us off till
O CLOCK.
Lesteruny morning we came to this' and of ned Tape, and from the way wo
are being treated wo are something WOIDO tnan Chinese Labour Corps, men. For
chow yesterday we were given three tins of
од
"buy" boet between 30 men and some bread wnatever else we wanted we bad to buy from the Coffee Bar."
The O had us on the Squaro in the boiling sun for an hour yesterday morning, but we do not know what for as be and unt say & word to us. To-day, we hayo to get our "grub", the best way wo can, some having to stand up and we are not allowed to leave the Island, in other words. We cannot bear how long We aro: likely to be here, from rumour t is possibly from 4 to 10 days so, do you wonder at us being fed up? I certainly tmax the people would uks to Hear of our "bon voyage." The troops were under the impression, tout some games, ete, had been put on board.for. their use, but up to the present nothing has been seen or the evident1y they havo zot altered through the Omcers Mess yet, We have a canteen on board but for the "sort drinkers it is beyoñar a joke aa we have to pay a shilling (English money) for 10 cent bottle of Watson's minerals. or soda water even; and 62, for a 3 cent pages of Woodbines" cigarettes
I'm atraid this is far frou à obeerful sort of letter but they are nevertheless uced, uca i lear that unless things soon alter there will be some trouble before we reach tame
By the way the gramophone has even 500e on strike, so we bave nad to rall back on a mouth-organ as there is not a piano on board.
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES.
MR WHITLEY'S HOPE FOR A
NEW AGE.
The Industrial League and Council. opened new offices recently at 82, Victoria Street, London, S. W. Ar, G. H. Roberta, ALE., and Mr. J. H. Whitley, M.P., pre- udents of the joint organisation, and the "Bishop of Birmingham were among those Present
The Tayes Zeitung says that the exeenme into existence because a low Trade Mr. Robert said the Industrial Longue Kaiserin is dying
RAILWAY STRIKE IN AMERICA
GOVERNMENT AIDING. THE
EMPLOYERS.
CHICAGO, April 13th The District Attorney has informed the The Board of Trado returns show that strike lenders that if the strikers did not the importa for March amounted to £177,000,000, being an increase of returp, the Government would support the £71,000,000, as compared with March, 1919. management in discharging the men.
The exports amounted to £101,000,000, being an increase of £51,000,000 as compar-
A SERIOUS STRIKE SITUATION.
LONDON, April 13th The strike stoppage in Ireland is more serious than anticipated. Instead of for one day, it will continue till the prisoners are released. The railway and othered with March last year, and £52,000,000, transport are practically, at a standstill. The streets of Dublin are crowded with idlers.
as compared with March, 1913.
and flour,
"The principal increases in imports over A procession of a thousand postmen £23,000,000; and grain
March last year were in raw cotton, closed the doors of the Post Office, and £11,000,000. The principal increases in prevented its being re-opened. They did exporta not interfere with the telegrapha, ADAM £10,000,000.
The Trade Unions in Belfast and the North of Ireland ignored the order to
strike...
AMELIORATIVE TREATMENT./ In the House of Commons, replying to Mr. T. P. O'Connor, Mr. Boner Law announced that the Irish Government had decided that persons arrested or detained
SITUATION GETTING WORSE
New York, April 13th Whilst the railway strike appears to be dying down in the Middle West, the tun tion in the East and the South has become worse. The number of strikers has in creased, causing a serious stoppage pending on the railways, grat
Conditions in New York have become worse, owing to the decrease of arrivals of food supplies. Towns-people in many places are volunteering assistance.
Unionists and employers foresaw that when the war had been won the greatest problem that would then emerge would be that of the relationship of employer and employed. Whilst the industrial situation was still very udsettled, he believed that but for the work of the Industrial League and the Reconstruction Council the situa
on would be a great deal worse, for they had succeeded in inspiring a large body of men with the spirit of goodwill and a desire to know, and confront facts.
Mr. Whitley said they could congrato- late themselves on results. There were now in existence some 53 Joint Industrial Councils representing as many industries and close upon four million workers. We might talk about settlement and prospe member that the whole of suffering huma rity within our borders, but lat na re-
were in cotton manufactures traffic and closing down industries nity in Europe depended on whether or
THE PRINCE OF WALES.
ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION AT
HONOLULU.
HONOLULU, April 14th. HMS. Dengu arrived today, escorted
by order of the military authority would by American warships and seaplanes. Tho
+
BRITISH MINERS, WILL A STRIKE EVENTUATE
LONDON, April 13th. in future be given ameliorative treatment
In the miners billet, the majority in from the date of their arrest. Until they
South Wales in favour of a strike was were convicted, they would be treated
60,000
There were small majorities, entirely differently from the convicted The Prince of Wales has sailed for against the strike, in Leicestershire, War and untried, prisonera.“
Sur
ickshire and the Doan Forest.
Prince of Wales was given an ovation when be landed.
not we were able to render the services demanded of us. Some queer people ba lieved we could love our enemies, and bate our neighbours at the same time. We
(a) We are clearly of opinion that there is no foundation wnataver, for the ailegations of the prisoner as to in- suihcient feeding. On the contrary, "Dr. Woodman and Dr. Valentine in- formed us that they are of opinion that the food, allowed by the Regula- tions is sufficient and a list (compiled between May and September, 1810) of the respective weights of prisoners "(whose sentenees varied from 1 to 19 months) on their admission and dis charge respectively, shows, on the avorage, a slight gain in weight, the average gain in weight being greater in the case of long sentence prisoners than in those with short sentences. We also inspected the rations distri buted to prisoners and found that they were apparently in order and wholesome.
Į
(a) That such is not the coup (6) That during the white rice period
last year, owing to the rice being" partly broken rice, it was very diff- cult to cook and was, in some in- staticos, not well cooked;
() That, in summer time, the fish was occasionally bad, but that it was changed by the compradore, on cons plaint being made, either for "fresh fish, or, if that could not be procur ed, salt fish was supplied in its place; (d) That such is not the caso;
(e) and () That such is not the case. We'
recommend however that a new met sure be made for the equivalent of 16- oz of food, which is one of the re- gular rations, (9)We are satisfied that this statement.
مرکی
is absolutely unfounded. Mok Sing admitted that he was allowed, when he complained of short allowance of rice, to so it weighed and was 'not' scolded hindered in any way; and we are satisfied, from what the Chief and Principal Warder told us, that no punishment is inflicted on any proner for making unfounded com- plaints of short weight, unless he has done so 3 times at least, “in which event he is either enütioned or put on rice and water for a day.
2. Other complaints made by Mok Sing were:-
(a) That they were not given enough
blankets;
(6) That during this past winter, they were supplied with a flannelette shirt, instead of a flannel shist.
As regards point (a) we are satisfied that the reserve of blankets was too low this last winter, and that the Medical Officer'a recommendation as regards extra blankets for prisoners could not be carried out; and we recommend that a larger reserve of blankets bo kept in the fature.
(b) As regards the allegations about cigarettes and tobacco being brought into the gaol, we gather that this docs happen occasionally and is difficult
As regards point (b) we are satisfied that to provent. We strongly recommend that the gaol regulations be amended there was cause for complaint owing to a for the purpose of making it legal single flannelette shirt being issued to ・for any officer of the gaol, below a prisoners for a few weeks in November certain rank, to be searched under December, 1919, but this was afterwards re- medied by two flanneletto, shirts being European supervision upon entering and leaving the "gnol.
ined in lieu of one fannel shirt We have been informed by the Chief Warder' (c) With regard to the allegations of that the flannel ordered from England has Wong Kwong as to natural offence now arrived and is being made up into. inside the gaol, it is impossible for us flannel shirts for the prisoners.
to obtain any satisfactory evidence. [The Report of the Committee further We feel bound to condemn the system deals with comments on and suggestions which existed, during the recent for the Reform of the Gaol Administration shortage of staff, of the search of with occasional references to the verdict Chinese cells by Indian Warders of the Coroner's Jary. This part of the only, as giving at all events an op- Report considerations of space to-day, portunity for abuses of this nature, compei ns to hold over. and as also affording a ready occa sion for tobacco or implements or food being, banded to Chinese pri- soners. We enquired about the nilèg- ed misconduct of Principal Warder, No. 32. but we are satisfied that such A MYSTERIOUS ENGLISHMAN. misconduct did not take place. Mal
The Taisha Nichi Nicht publishes (d) With regard to the allegations of Naokata message, which any that an prisoners being ill-use, we have Englishman, suspected of being a spy, is carefully questioned the above 6 wit-wanted by the Kyushu police. It is stated nomes uppa the subject, and are of that on March 19th an Englishman, who opinion that such allegations are not gave his name as "Edward Stevenson and well founded. ·
is said to be a grocer, put up at the
SPIONITIS IN KYUSHU,
(c) Upon the food question generally, Aburaya Hotel at Nanchata, Fuknėk pre
we may add that it is clear that a fecture. He remained in his room all the considerable outbreak of heri-beri dav, and, forbade the maidservants to occurred in the gnol in October/enter. He was apparently engaged in November last, which caused a further writing. The following morning, he left shortage of the gaol staff in those the hotel, without telling the hotel people months inasmuch as many of the pri whore he was going. On March 1st, be suners were removed to Kennedy sent some money to the hotel by postal Town. The beri-beri, was due to the money order to pay his bill, with instruc-- prisoners being put on a diet of white tions at a basket-trunk which he had left Tice, and we think it regrettable that behind should be barat The hotel people the beef congee diet was not started were strictly forbidden to open it first. sooner. The experiment which was There being signs that this Prplikman: tried of mixing brax with the rice had been inspecting the googrenhical con- though no doubt good from a medical dition of North Kyushu, and Shimo point of view, was a failure, as the noseki-Moji district ne z any, the Nrokala prisoners absolutely refused to eat Police Station immediately, communicated the rice mixed with bran, Buch on with the Police Headquarter of Fukuoka incident shows that prisoners are by prefecture, The Kyushu police are, says. no means so powerless to voice their the sensational Japanese correuniondent, on grievances or is sugested by Wong the look out for this individual, whose Kwong; and the statements of" the whereabouts are still unknown. Chief Warder, Principal. Wurder Robertson, and Mok Sing havo "antis- fed us that prisoners are afforded ample and unrestricted opportunity of making complaint, about food, ill treatment and other matters.
(/). There were certainly no deaths from starvation in 1918 or 1919. In every case of a death in the gaol an la quest is held.
(a) We do not think it worth while to
comment farther on Wong Kong
statements.
A STORY OF THE KING.
A humorous story, told by King George concerning his visit to a contingent of the American Army in Francs, var temeated with great effect by General Sir David Watson at the Canadian Society dinner Inst week. General Watson said the King told him the story after an Investituro at Beckingham Palace
I was making a round of the fren" (the King told General Watson) win. I przed near a group of American artiste One marvel me closely and call to a comi rado, "Hey, Bill, there's the i His oal shouted back. What d've
must adopt the round table method in stead of the out-of-date trench warfare method of settling industrial disputes. He rented the pro-war period as the In dealing with questions relating to the Middle Ages In the new age we must have more of humanity and less of class food, clothing and treatment of prisoners, division123 we have thought it advisable, (though it
The Bishop of Birmingham said there does not fall strictly within the terms of King!" And the they knic never was a time when the example of this country could be more been the reference to us) to go into the state there bonhead the little telles,
King Where's his crown caro hac the other convicted man, Mok the answer.
the rest of the world than today.
menta