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CABLES
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THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESE, THURSDAY,, MAKUN
LATEST CABLES.
ARMY ESTIMATES.
MOTION FOR REDUCTION REJECTED.
LONDON, March 15th
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.} LYONS AT WORK. PROUD CLAIM BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
PARIS, March 14th.
After visiting the Upper Rhone Valley, Millerand attended the luncheon ivun in his honour by the Chamber of Commerce in Lyons. In his speech at the luncheon, M. Millerard stated that France, while firmly resolved to get her due under the Peace Treaty, hus no other
The Army Estimates were introduced
FAR EASTERN CABLE NEWS.
(THROUGH RIUTER'S" AGENCY.]
CONCENTRATING FULL STRENGTH IN THE PACIFIC.
THE MAILS."
17TH, 1981.
CAUSES OF IRREGULARITY.
The annual report of the Hongkong Chamber of Commercs includes "volúmin. cus correspondano: on the vexatiouS in the House of Commons by Sir L. US. POLICY IN FAR EAST. delays of the inward mail service more especially between Singapore and Hong Worthington Evays. He explained that
kong.. the item of £2,000,000 under the heading Non-Recurrent Charges" referred to charges arising from the war in the Middle East and included sums fur reinstating the rolling stuck on Indian
always, reinstating commandeered pro- Washington correspondent maintains that pertice and reconditioning transport the United States Cabinet is considering ships, while under Current Expendi- the question of concentrating the full ture" was an item of £2,500,000 for the American naval strength in the Pacião,
PILFERAGE OF CARGO
HONGKONG
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE- AND GOVERNMENT.
IN Coal is weighed ex-ship into lighter but the weight is not checked when the coal is landed iato godown. Ship's officers and crows" cotive, at thefts 'und thêm- selves bronch cargo and sell ship's stores, including artioles of the most hulky Da ture; and anpervision is so lax that in The following correspondence is includ-recut instance a considerable gang ed in the Report of the Hongkong Gen- of cargo thieves deliberately set to work oral Chamber of Commerce:
Peninsular and Oriental
Navigation Co
in the middle of the day to broach cargo in a steamer which was lying alongside. Steinwharf holonging to and controlled.
thus vessel's owners
Both the Chamber of Commerce and the Commercial Secretary to H. M. Legation, took up the matter with the authorities The following letter from the General Despite the official denial, the Timeri Post, Othee, London, to the Chuptrolier- [ of, cargo detectives and the utmost as that the, comunnity as a whole, should
LONDON, March 16th.
#51
concerned.
It is impossible for the Police to watch every steamer and junk or follow every load of coal ur bale of goods, and while they can and do give all the assistaned in their power it is hardly reasonable
pean Force in the attempt in stets in mid- considerable augmentation of the Earo- undertake the very large expense of a
HONGKONG, August 17th, 1920. Dein SIR,--We beg to bring to your notice the serious recent increase of thefts discharging and loading cargo at this port In spite, so far as we
Tracie is included in the correspondence: Community that Harbour thieves are General of the Department of Overseas sible vigilance on board the steamers.
It is well-known among the Shipping General Post Office,
on the increase and is, re- LONDON, E.C.1, Oct. 14th, 1990. ported that sertain Native Shops are
stream abusen which the interested par- SIR-With raference to your letter of being, stored with goods for salo atolen ties can and should dam at the source..
from ships in port although we are an legislation for the control of guards and The Government is contemplating .E/20, I am directed by the Fost-ants to produce proofs owing apparently ing improvement in efficiency and re- master General to inform you that the to intimidation. mails far Hongkong are despatched ru The state of affairs is causing consider: liability will he of considerable assistance gularly once a week by the Indian Mailable concern and additional expenses to overnment is prepared to co-operate to in the matter under discussion. The vid Suez. It is noted that complaint is Owners and the port is suffering in re
derstanding that the cost of watchmon which is the quickest in existing cundi World generally. arrival of mails at destination. tions, but of the irregularity in the We would therefore be glad if the or letectives employed is borne by the Chamber will take up the matter with shipping companies or other parties con- the Goverdient and do anything they can to have the present unsatisfactory state of affairs remedied.
ambition thau a well-secured and oomonaies in the Middle East, Mesopotamia and says that signs seem to point to the the 9th of this mouth No. D.O.T./2548/able et present to induce our informa watchmen, and it is hoped that the result-
ultimate adoption of this plau, not a plete peace, casting her to work to the and Palesting. He regretted the neces-
an emergency measure, but as a first move ainiost Ints of her product.ve capacity.sity, owing to need of economy, of dis-in a delibera, enduring policy.
The
M. Millerand pointed out the steady im-banding four cavalry regiments, saving United States is preparing to turn its face not made of the time taken by this route, pute in this respect in the Shipping the fullest extent in this direction, on the
provement
the trade balance, the 400,000 annually-the 5th and Ist beng especially Lancers and the 19th and 20th Hussars, figures for February
which were the four junior regiments Akik BS 15 il CIORY.
chosen for disbandment.
la reply, the President of the Chamber of Commerce cipuusised the part which 1yous and played in the great work of: national reconstruction, laying stress on
the wonderial studes made by the Lyons ilk undustry and trade, which last year
The general Army policy, said the speaker, was ultimately to recreate an Expeditionary Force of six Divisions, but at present we were very far from having an Army as complete as before the war. The aim was to provide 14
to Latin America and the Far East. This uld end the nebulous policy expressed tu u Lang-isal agreement. The "present lesung in ouciat circles scous to ve that the acceptance of the principle that Japai has special interests in Asia resulted only in encouraging Japanese Imperialism" and is weakening Chinese uvereignty. A return to, and reinforce
exported goods of the value of nearlyDivisions of Territorials with a Cavalry ment of, the traditional American policy seventy-three, millions sterling, it par Division As second line. There were ui the open door" in China is now
Havas.
FRENCH TRADE.
LARGE INCREASE IN IMPORTS. PARIS, March 14th.
According to official figures, just put, French imports exceeded those of last year by one billion 400 millious sterling, at par, being only slightly betow 1919 Agures, while the exports reached nearly e numuren milions, being nearly twice those of luts figures,--flavus.
EARLIER CABLES,
INTER-ALLIED COLONIAL
EXHIBITION.
ELABORATE ORGANISATION IN
PARIS.
LONDON, March 15th,,
230,000 Territorials required, and over intended 100,000 had been obtained. A sum of There is reason to believe that China £500,000 was provided for improved will soon ask Japan to cancel the treats tanks, including a light tank to co-operate growing out of the notorious Twenty with the infantry and a fast and power-one Demands," and American sure ful tank for the cavalry. Experiments vigorously to support the request were proceeding to enable tanks to be This would be the test of the power and used in tropical countries.
There was sincerity of the Liberal Party in Japan, and would, if China's demand is granted, pave the way for the settlement of the Shantung question in which, also, Ame,
provision for armoured cars, but there would be extensive experiments this year with a view to settling the ultimate, prac tical use of tanks and cars. The gcueral view was that mechanical meats of fight- ing must be developed to the fullest extent.
rica will support China.
GENEROUS BEQUESTS FOR SINGAPORE,
Combating the criticisin that the Army was too large, Sir L. Worthington Evans
LONDON, March 18th.“ pointed out that 32 battalions of infantry,
Mrs. Elizabeth Scott, widow of Mr. saven of cavalry, 32 batteries of artillery, Thomas Scott, a merchant of Singapore, four engineer field divisions and threo left £150,437. She bequeathed £1,000 signal units were carrying out a most to the Straits Settlements Benevolent distuseful duty in Ireland, steady and Society, £6,000 to the Straits Benevolent reliable, in face of the utmost provoca- Association, £1,000 to the China Inland tion-(cheers) and these cannot be re-
Mission, and £500, each, to the Y.W.Q.A. Singapore and the Chinese Girls' School in Singaport.
THE NEW POLISH AMBASSADOR
TO JAPAN.
טו
We could mention several vases of re gent date but would instance the follow- ing
་་
The Fourth Officer being called at the Police Court gave corroborative evidence but on being questioned by the Magis trate stated the cloth was not still in the possession of the coolie when the theft was reported to him.
Cerard!
graph of your letter ander reply, this With regard to the penultimate pata-
correspondence is being shown to the Magistrates-I am ete..
A. G. M. FLETCHER,
Calonial Secretary;
The Secretary,
Honkong General Chamber of
Commerce.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
HONGKONG, January 11th, 1921. Sia-I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter No. 631/1990 of 17th November with reference to the subject of pillage to cargo,
My Committee notes with regret the guneral tone of Government's reply which corned should not look to the Police for Is tantamount to a sign that those con-
My Committee takes the view that much can and should be done to assist in minimising the evil complained of by the expansion of Police, and Detective Ber- vice on the Harbour.
The Postmaster General regrets that it is not practicable in the present condi- tions of shipping to ensure that the mails shall arrive at regular weekly intervals. This regularity is not attainable even in the Mail Service to Bombay, by which the Hongkong mails are forwarded During the afternoon of th July a the first part of their journey, In conss coolie was caught by an Indian Sailor quence of war losses, the Peninsular and Watchman on board the x.s. Lahore pil- Oriental Steam Navigation Company are laging cargo and the following morning still not in a position to provide a weekly the coolie was brought up at the Police foot time to time, a slow ship has to be that he was on duty in the hall when service to Bombay by main line ships of Court (Magistrato Mr. R. O. Hutchison). contract speeds, and when, as happens Evidence was given by the watchman
put on the service, the maila arrive at he saw the coolie. in question wrapping Bombay two or three days later than in some white cotton cloth round his waist bther weeks. Further, although there is inside his coat. The cloth was similar) regular connection on the Trans Indian to contents of a Manchester piece-goods route between the arrival of mails at bale found pillaged in the same hold. Bombay and their onward conveyance to The coolie was arrested and the matter regular service by which the mails can be the Fourth Officer mustered all the cooties Singapore from Negapatam, there is no reported to the Chief Officer, who with forwarded in close connection from from the hold when the thief was identiprotection. Bingapore to Hongkong; and, although | fied. communication between Singapore and Hongkong is frequent by British, Japan. ese and French Lines, and all opportuni- ties are used, it is no doubt the case wait some days st Singapore for that the" mails may sometimes have to ship, hus if it happens that, a mail which while at other times they go on at once. has been conveyed to Bombay by a slow abip is further delayed at Singapore, it is quite conceivable that a following mail conveyed to Bombay by a fast ship may catch it up at Singapore, so that the two mails arrive at Hongkong together; and, until regular services can be fully restored, the Postinaster General does not ace how this irregularity can be avoided. The Postmaster General is in com- munication with the Foreign Offeehand the Colonial Office regarding the suspen- sion by the Canadian Government of the transmission of mails by the steamships of the Canadian Pacific Ocean Services that mails from this country for Hong Limited. I am to point out, however, kong would not in any case be sent by in point of speed over the Suez routa,-- that route, as it presents no "advantage
1 am, etc.,
(Signed) L. SIMON,
The Comptroller General,
Department of Overscas Trade,
(Development and Intelligence).
Secretary.
duced until the inhabitants ceased illegiin timate warfare. In the neighbourhood of Constantinople there were two British battalions of infantry, four Indian battalions, and one British cavalry regi meat, which, being part of the Allied. forces, could not be reduced at present and might have to be reinforced. There- fore, some reserves were held in the East, shuffle, M. Patek has been appointed to porated Verain Repression Society was
the Middle
available either for Egypt or East. If the Greeks and Turks accepted the modifications of the Treaty of Sevren and more settled conditions prevailed in
WARSAW, March 10th.
In consequence of a diplomatic re-
the Embassy at Tokyo.
SANCTIONS AGAINST
GERMANY.
OF NATIONS.
was
the attention of the Magistrate to the A representative from this Office entled increase in pillaging which was causing graya concern in the trade of the port and askel for a heavy sentence as a de- terrent to other bad characters.
The Magistrate however held that in his opinion there was not enough evidence to convict and discharged the man."
The following day on the same stemmer. two men were seen to come out of No.. hold and when a shout was raised to rodeavour to stop them they jumped from the ship's rail on to the wharf and made good their cape.-Youre, etc.,
MACKINNON MACKENZIE & Co., Ltd.
Agents. The Secretary,
Hongkong General Chamber of
Commerce.
With regard to the instance quoted of cargo thieves operating on a steamer, trolled by the vessel's owners where it is alongside a wharf belonging to and con- suggested there was lack of supervision, the explanation given appears to support a vie contrary to that, taken, by the fact that captures were made without Police sid.
It is notoriously a fact that the night launches employed by the Harbour Police are slow and that there are not sufficient of them on duty at me time. So much is this so that the return of the patrol- boat can be accurately estimated by those seeking to avoid detection. Particularly is this so by night, and it is suggested that a couple of fast motorboats, occa- sionally running with lights, out” would very quickly result in the capturo of craft on the move, without just cause. The lending Shipping, and, Wharf Com- panies have in existence a..system of watching and take certain measures for their own protection, but it is not pos HONGKONG, August 27th, 1920. sible for all the smaller concerns involved S1, I have the honour to bring to the
to have their own watching organisations. notice of the Government the serious re
and these at any rate are entitled to cent increase of thefts from cargo load expect more consideration than they are ing, and discharging at this port, despite at present receiving. After all such pri
vate organisations can only be auxiliary the vigilance of cargo detectives, and other precautionary measures taken by to an efficient Police force, and the Gov- Shipping Companies on board their crument doubtless have not lost sight of the immense difficulties experienced in getting reliable watchmen even with the aid of the Police Authorities.
xteamers.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
It is admitted that Hongkong is not the only barbour in which cargo pilfer age is being carried on, but that from Japan to Colombo, and further along the occan routes of steamers, theft and pil- ferage are alarmingly on the increase.
It would appear to my Committee that there exists an Organised Society operat
An inter-Allied Colonial Exhibition has been arranged to be held in Paris in 1995. It will be organised by the French Government in accordance with the law adopted last year. The British Govern ment has now been officially advised of the proposal, which will follow the lines of the Colonial exhibitibas held
at Mar- sailles and Bordeaux, but will be much
WAR ON RATS. more comprehensive. The French pro
OPPORTUNITY FOR BOY SCOUTH, position is to organise a permanent
My Committee note that legislation is Jubition covering the widest äcld. Not
The second annual dinner of the Incor-
contemplated for the control of guards only are the industries and agriculture
held at the Connaught Rooms last month.
and watchmen, and no doubt" such a mensure will materially naist, but the of the Allies' oversees possess.ons to be
Colonel Sir Bruce Bruce-Porter presided.
The Chairman said it was the object
point it is desired to make is that the
represented, but also the methods adopt
of the society to deal with all kinds of
European Police and detective force re- vermin, but they were mainly concentrat in gangs at the various ports prob- quires to be considerably increased, while it is essential that a greater number of ed to advance civilisution. For instance,
ing on the destruction of rath The rat ably assisted by members of steamers a feature will be the means of communica Turkey, & reduction of our troops could | GERMANY'S PROTEST TO LEAGUE about its extermination.
extraorinarily destructive animal, crews and it is further reported that faster launches or, speedy motor craft, and the society was doing its best to bring certain native shops in this Colony are should be employed.-I have, etc...
D. K. BLAIR, being stored for sale, with goods stolen" tion utilised in the various colonies. An- be expected. A few substantial reduc
It was the from ships in harbour, although it in means of pushing the Rat Bill through difficult to induce informants to produce The Honourable
Acting Secretary. other will be the methods adopted to tions had been made in the troops ordered
Parliament, and though that object had
The Colonial Secretary. combat diseases. Officials from all the to Egypt Ten thousand Indians and
BERLIN, March 15th.
now been achieved the Board of Agricul- proofs, owing apparently to intimidation. turo had urged the society to remain in tive Department is alive to this growing
My Committee is aware that the Detec French Government Departments are 2,000 British were proceeding home from The Gerinan protest. to the League of existence and to encourage its special proevil and is combating it with all the paganda. In illustration of the great force at its command, they would bow. keing co-opted for the organisation, Egypt, and further reductions depended Nations contends that according to the destruction affected by rata, he pointed out which is also supported by the Paris on the result of the negotiations which Treaty of Versailles the economic sene that by exterminating them sufficienter, respectfully submit that, to under-
A paper written by Mr. R. A. B. money could be saved to build 80,000 take and carry through successfully the tho were about to open.
of thesc There were eight tions are only inflictable in the event of houses or to run the London Hospital for suppression banks, industrial undertakings,
which Ponsonby-Fano, was read last month to battalions of infantry,
500 ye475.
He referred to the disease threaten seriously the reputation of the the members of the Japan Society in the Municipality, etc. The organisation will
spread by rats and to the difficulties of port, it will be necessary to augment con- ball, Hanover-square. It was entitled be placed in the charge of M. Angoulvint,
putting down virus owing to its danger siderably, on land and water, the Eure Misasagi: The Imperial Mausolea of Japan," and dealt with the burials and ex-Governor-General of French Equa
Boy Scouts be taught ratting, thus it that the penalty imposed, in cases where during the last 2,500 years. The lecturer to human beings. He would suggest that pean force employed on the work.
Further, my Committee is of opinion burial places. of the Emperors of Japan tg the brain of the Scout against that the culprits have been brought to book, pointed out how complete were the ar
Professor Simpact spoke of the soldiers in far too light, and that much heavier rangements for guarding the sanctity of No actual ad- unpleasant experience of rats in the sentences should be imposed as a deter these revered shrines. trenches, Bats, he said, were the carriers, rent to other bad characters,
mission to them was permitted, but each trichinosis. He urged the need not only ernment will avail itself of every means The customs had necessarily changed in of disease, and were a frequent cause of My Committee will be glad if the Gov has his own place of worship outside. of waging war on thend vermin but of at its disposal to tackle a most serious the course of years, and many of these condition of affairs, and trusts that what were in the right direction, especially ever further action is taken will soon that of the self-immolation of retainers. disappearance of this The cfies of those buried alive were so manifest itself in crime. I have; etc.,,
heart-rending that the burial of figures D. K. BLAIR
was substituted many centuries ago. In: Acting Secretary. later years, though the burial ceremonies were still very elaborate, the tendency wits to an increased simplicity. Hin prove harmless to human beings.
Excellency the Japanese Ambassador, in Colonial Secretary's Office, introducing the lecturer, said it would be their society would be known as the looked forward, to the time, he said, wheri
HONGKOXO, November 17th, 1920.
pleasant in these troublesome timen, to SIR,- directed to acknowledge the enjoy the peace of the quiet atmosphere when the Board of Education would in- regarding the question of cargo broach-placed.
Royal Verminological Society," and receipt of your letter of the 27th August in which the scenes of the lecture were sist on all schools having children's pri-ing at this porɛ. mors Botting forth the life history of man's pestiferous foen.
torial. Africa.'
FORMER TURKISH GRAND VIZIER.
SHOT DEAD IN BERLIN.
BERLIN, March 15th.
The Turkish ex-Grand Vizier, Talaat
Bey, who has been living here for the past two years under an assumed name and was reported about to leave for Anatolia to assume the leadership of the Nationalist Government was shot dead in the street by a Persian. The motive is attributed to revenge for Turkish treatment of Armenia,
TRADE WITH RUSSIA.
~LONDON,”March 15th. Negotiations for a Russian trade agree ment have been proceeding satisfactorily all day long. Well-informed people are confidently antipating a speedy signa tore, possibly to-morrow.
4
regiment of non-compliance with the reparations cavalry and some artillery, etc., on the obligations, whereas there has not been Rhine, but who could prophesy when they infringement. The Government requests would be recalled or say that they would the League to initiate mediation proceed not have to be reinforced? He emphasised inge and to see that the Allies' forcible that the North-West frontier of India mensures are immediately stopped."" required constant attention owing to uz-STATEMENT BY FRENCH PREMIER. rest.caused by post-war economic condi tions. The Army Council realised the
PARIS, March 15th. urgency of national economy, but, hoped The first day's debate, in the Chamber that the House would recognise that there was a point beyond, which it was not of Deputies, on the London Conference, safe to set a long today's followed the lines of the debate in the liabilitics wore not liquidated.
The debate produced a vigorous proteet House of Commons. The Progressives, against the idea that tanks could be used while agreeing as to the futility of Dr. as a substitute for cavalry. General Seely declared that such an idea was in von Simons' offer, questioned the efficacy consistent with the lessons of the war. whilst General Townshend thought that of the sanctions., M. Briand, replying to the tank was a thing of the past.
Bir A. Williamson, replying to points question, declared that the proceeds of raised during the debates, said he did not the 50 per cent. imposed will be pooled think that a great section of the.com. munity contemplated with quanimity for distribution among the Allies in the the expenditure of seven millione Fannually on Palestino. That was a question with proportion of the reparations due to each. which Mr. Churchill, had gone out to dea!.. Sir A. Williamson hoped that we should not, again, have to face sums of this kind in the Army Estimates
BOMBAY ̃ ̃MILL STRIKERS RESUME WORK.
BOMBAT, March 16th:. The strikers at the Simplex mill, who The motion for a reduction of the enti-suspended work as mentioned in a mes mates was rejected by. 168 votes to 75, and the Estimates were adopted.
sago on the 7th inst, have resumed work.
Sir I Worthington-Evana declared as much as we preposed to do. that France had reduced her cavalry twice
of the rat.
taking measures to prevent their importa tion. This should be done by insisting infected. upon all incoming vessels being dia
Mr. Alfred Moore pointed out that the Ministry of Health, whilst not recom mending the use of virus, hesitated to The Honourable condemn it. The society would offer its
gold medal for the best virus which should Ho
21
Who invente apocryphal stories auch as, this; which appears in an American Paper Lady Burton made up her mind to go to a fancy dress ball as the Queen of Sheba. But there are in pictures so many Bhebas, she complained to a friend, I don't know which to select. You should go as Beer-Sheba, rejoined her friend."
The Colonial Secretary.
thofts,
This Government considers that the remedy for the evils which admittedly exist, lies largely in the hands of the shipping companies and others who are responsible for the carriage and safe custody of cargo.
JAPANESE BURIAL CUSTOMS,
MUCH ADO.
The--London-Morning-Port-telis-the following story:-Rob, an only son, some It is the practice for example to leave four years old, has sometimes expressed cargo. unwatched throughout the night in a desire for a brother, and latterly he has.. junks, and lighters, where there is ample been led to suppone that his wish was opportunity for pilfering and substitu- reasonable and might possibly be fulfilled. tion. Launch-owners in some casca pay A visitor calling at the home was met by their coxswaing a lump ham to cover a righteously indignant Rob. ." It's running exponses, and so provide a direct dome, incentive for the theft of coal and stores. Faney all that trouble for nothing.”
he announced, "It's a girl..