Page
COALITION
THE 'HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, [SATURDAY, MARCH 19TH, 1821.
CRISIS:
EFFECT OF MR BONAR LAW'S RESIGNATION:
KRONSTADT
ABLAZE:
SUCCESSFUL CHINESE ATTACK.
COST OF LIVING
POSITION IN UNITED KINGDOM.
LATEST VABLES.
[THROUGH RIUTER'S AGENCY.] FATE OF COALITION. EFFECT OF MR. BONAR LAW'S
RESIGNATION.
LATEST CABLES.
KRONSTADT ABLAZE.
BOLSHEVIKS ENTER TOWN.
BRITISH
LATEST CABLEN. · FAR EASTERN CABLE REPARATIONS QUESTION.
NAVY.
MR. ASQUITH'S PROTEST.
LONDON, March 18th. The Times, eulogising Mr. Asquith'. speech on the Navy Estimates, last night, when he protested against the use of the phrase" the one-Power standard "'
to
NEWS.
[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT]
SITUATION IN URGA.
EFFECT OF INDEMNITY ON HUGE SCALE.
£300,000,000 a year for a
DANGER NOT PAST.
PRIME MINISTER ON THE NEUD FOR UNITY.
The Manchester Guardian says:—
The Prime Minister, at the Central We may be profoundly thankful that Hall, Westminster, on February 885, PELINO, March 17th. the terms of reparation determined by made an important speech at a meeting Dockrag, Albertsen and Steffan arrived the Supreme Council can never Dof the Council of the Executive of Welsh' to-day after an arduous journey fromxecuted. Even if the annual payment National Liberals.
over At the outset Mr. Lloyd George ex- define future British naval aims, saya that Urga. They report that Ungern trented by Germany of suns rising to security at sea is the sole, indispensable treated them well, but insered the years precisely carried out the terms politics he would be addressing political period of 'plained that under normal conditions in guarantee for survival for all parts of the Jews, Germans and Bolsheviks. Ungern's at the treaty and that treaty Empire.All of them realise that we force is estimated "to" "const" "of 00 itself
Wer meetings in the country, but there were a mundel of political justice, gantic events in the world today. They cannot afford cùmpetitive building of war-
to enfores this paymont, to Japanese, forming the bodyguard, 400
bold
had never been confronted by such a cons ships. All believe that competition in
a great nation in thrall for nearly 'tion of things, and in the circumstances contemplation of a sea-war should be im- Comicks, and 4,000 mixed Russians-all half a century, to keep it at work he could not go about the enuntry, not possible in a sane world. All desire the mounted, but with very little artillery, for the benefit of foreign taskmasters, even defending himself. lenst naval power compatible with Ungern's equipment is, most mixed, con- without hope of relief during the work
They were
security. All are convinced that build-sisting of Japanese, Russian and othering lifetime of the whole adult papulangaged in a terrible task, and he had
ing a navy against the United States will be trenchery to the future welfare of mankind.
LONDON, March 19th. The surrender of Kronstadt followed a LONDON, March 18th.
terrible artillery bombardment forcing the The resignation of Mr. Bona Law is garrisons to abandon some batteries.
BARLIER CABLES, regarded as bringing a fresh element of Then, in the early morn, an infantry uncertainty into the already uncertain attack was launched, and the Bolsheviks
NAVY ESTIMATES, political situation, almost creating 'a came over the ice from Oranienbaum, MOTION TO INCREASE STRENGTH urisia. The difficulties of the Government Simultaneously, the Chinese advanced
LOST. have been aggravated recently by the un-from Syaterbalck. All wore white cloaks. satisfactory financial position, the declin ing trade, the unemployment, the Irish situation, and the signs of Conservative insubordination, and the effect of the severance of the staunch partnership of Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Bonar Law is regarded with some misgiving by the Coalition papers.
FARLIER CABLES.
Strong artillery and machine-gun fre inflicted heavy loss on the besiegers, who, however, forced their way towards the town, where they were joined by Com. munists, who had till then remained in concealment.
The bombardment caused great and disastrous fires. Kronstedt was badly
damaged.
Prior to departing, the rebels blew up MR BONAR LAW'S RESIGNA- the modern 23,000 metric ton warships
TION.
ANNOUNCEMENT, COMES. AS
17 BOMBSHELL.
LONDON, March 17th. In the House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd George; announced that Mr. Bonar Law Lord Privy Soal and Leader in the House of Commons) had resigned on grounds of health.
The announcement of Mr. Bonar Law's
resignation casar as a bombshell in the Air. Lloyd George House of Commons. was most affected in reading Mr. Bonar Law's letter, frequently breaking down. He was rdly able to finish the state-
sment.
WOEN
The letter from Mr. Bonar Law said: The strain of the last few years haa- pressed most heavily on me. As you know, have had the greatest difficulty in doing my work and am now eut. My medical advisers have warned muthuty physical condition is such that unless have an immediate long zest and early and complete breakdown is inevitable(Murmurs of diunay). It will always be a pleasure to me to think that i have been able to help you in the great work you have done since you be came Prime Minister. It is accessity. that comhs me to abandon the hope of assisting yoà in the difficult task now confronting you.”
The House cheered sympathetically When Mr. Lloyd George broke down on Buishing the letter. He added that be
hoped short rest would enable Mr. Bonur Law to return to his duties, but modical opinion was that Mr. Bouur Law
would need a prolonged rest and free dom from worry, "Here Mr. Lloyd George was unable to master his felings,
and be Hung "himself back on his sont
with a gesture indicating his inability to
continue.
Mr. Asquith rose and almost inaudibly referred to the unexpected and painful announcement. He said all his relations with Mr. Bonar Law had never left zancour. Mr. Bonar Law's political antagonista entertained most affectionate momories of him, and hoped for his cou- plete restoration to "health and his ro- entry into the fighting ranks."
Mr. Olynos said the Labour members received the news with a feeling of the deepest loss.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN AS
-SUCCESSOR.
"LONDON, March 17th. It was understood to-night that the Coalition will not not be affected by Mr. Bonar Law's resignation. The Unionists are meeting on Monday to elect a succes- mor, in which, connection the name of Mr.
Petropavlovsk and Sebastopol.
The lender of the insurrection, General Koslovsky, is now. among the refugees in
Finland.
DECONTROL OF COAL MINES
BILL.
FUTILE LABOUR AND COALITION
OPPOSITION.
arms.
LATEST CABLES.
LETHAL CHAMBER.
NEW MODE OF CAPITAL PUNISH-'
MENT.
LONDON, March 17th.
RENO (Nov.), March, 17th. lu the House of Commons, Sir James The Senate has passed a Bill providing Craig, introducing the Naval Estimate for the use of lethal gas for capital
He punishment. dwelt on the economies effected.
LATER. referred to the speech by Lord Lee, last
The lethal gas executions bill pro- evening, in which the latter stated that vides that the prisoner should be placed we would never accept equality within the cell, which really would be the other Powers, except in connection with lethal chamber, without his knowing it, the great English-speaking nation that
and gassed while sleeping. bad aprung from our loins. Sir James declared that Lord Lee had done his ütmost, not perhaps to held out the olive branch to America, nevertheless to show RELIEF FOR AUSTRIA. that we were at present restraining our POSTPONEMENT OF PAYMENTS AND selves entirely to the question of main- RELEASE OF SECURITIES. taining the One-Power Standard.
Estimates.
EARLIER CABLES.
LONDON, March 17th.
war itself.
!
I should be so glad that I would sign my resignation: to-morrow and retire.
The danger is not post. . If you think there is danger keep together until we get through. government of any land needs every
The man who is responsible for the help, human and divine,
He certainly deserves something better than thwarting and snagging, and taking advantage of the fact that the whole of country, and that therefore he can be bis mind is engaged in the tasks of his round and rend his critics as he would kicked with impunity, and he cannot turn have done had he hear how the Gov
Can anyone tell me this-how. on without a coalition? ernment of this country is to be carried.
་
tion, would be a crime against civilisa something more important even than tion comparable only to the crime of the defending himself and his administration. In the course of his speech the Prims Since, however, the thing cannot be done it becomes only a crime Minister made the following points: of intention; the folly remains.
There are two coursen What
for Welsh Mr. Lloyd George anal M. Briand intend They can stand by the preservation of
Liberals to take.
by the terms of this agreement can be national unity until national difficulties. imagined faintly had the Germans at have been surmounted: the corresponding date after the Franco-old party factions and fights without re The other course is they can reviva Prussian War imposed corresponding ference in the least to the grave world terms on France. Before Frauce had issues, end without the slightest refer- paid her last instalment the war of 191sence to the realities of the moment. would have been in actual progress. But as this (national unity) leave the decision Can you, on a question of such moment it is, of course, incredible that France to any local association? should have tamely submitted to
this
When you have to bettle not a little unending exaction. She would bave re- question but a great national issue as to would nover tavo submitted. No civilised preserved until national dangers are belled, ineffectively perhaps, but she whether national agreement should be country can be compelled to pay tribute over, you cannot leave that to the deci on such a scale and for suck length sion of a cancus. The eleétors must- of time. Its Government may consent decide. and treaties may be signed, but no Has the need for unity passed? Is the Government could withstand the goadings danger past? Can someone in authority, of a desperate population to revenge. someone with vision, someone whose word Germany to-day may seem to the we can take, say Yes, the danger is diplomats at Paris to be tame and sub- over 1 missive. Do they really think that five, teo, or fifteen years hence the growing youth of Germany will be equally docile? Sir James Craig mentioned that in the
War, if only the kind of war that we In the House of Commons, Mr. Chain- so in Ireland to day, would be as inevit interest of economy, steaming of squad borlain announced that Great Britain, Alence Lorraine kept Europe on tentur- ablo a human. perversity could make it, og at Home and abroad would be re-France, Italy and Japan have intimated hooks for fine. kent
An Alsace-Lor stricted and the fuel allowances on all to Austria that they are prepared to raine extended to the size of the whole stations would be limited. The Ad-
postpone the payments due from Austr.a of modern Germany would banish all In the House of Commons, the bill formiralty had reluctantly closed down two under the treaty of St. Germain, also
hope of peaceL decontrolling coal-mines on March 31st dockyards, and Osborne would be closed payment of the capital and interest on War, it is true, is only faintly indicated. That, we must suppose, is the intention. after unsuccessful Labour and Coalition This would be the last year in which advances made to Austria since the Arms is suggested, The Allies will take power A cheaper method of enforcing payment efforts to get the period extended-was war Tiabilities would figure in tno read the third time.
tice, in order to avert the starvation of to impose the reasury the term in Austria: The whole assets of Austria take over the revenue of the German Sir James, continuing, said that it was have been hitherto pledged as security imagination is needed if we are to realis Customs. Hore again an effort of the proposed to replace four obsolescent ships by vessels of the Hood class, and also to for these payments. The above suspen- what this proposal means. We can im
ngine that Germany had won the war, build a submarine and minelayer embody-sions, however, will release the assets, and but can we imagine that the population ing the latest,. developments Tho vow the League of Nations will determins of this country would submit, under any New Yorx, March 18th.
conceivable system of coercion or ter of the Naval Stall as regards them what fresh gold advances may be made to roam, to the payment of, let us suppose, "Johnny "Wilson, the world's middle-portance of capital ships had
not Austria upon these assets. The four Allies 10s, income tax imposed at the discre- eight boxing champion, was given the changed. If the House sanctioned have also undertakes, at the forthcoming tion of Berlin and to German officers in verdict on points, in a fifteen-round £2,300,000, it would be impossible to get conference at Portorose, to help effect country? Even if that were conceivable, indefinite occupation of every port in the contest, against "Mike O'Dowd, at very far in the completion, or even the improvement in the economic conditions does anyone imagine that the trade of Madison Square Gardens,
beginning, of the four capital ships till which are at present prejudicing Central more than £300,000,000 a year in extra this country so governed, would yield fate in the autumn, but there would be no Europe. Furthermore, they will endeav-taxes for the benefit of Germany? Supplementary Estimates.
our to assure Austria a continued and in-would be equal to doubling the intercab on the whole of our national debt, which Replying to Mr. Asquith, Sir James Creased supply of coal. Criig said that if the Estimates were
in aready proving just as much as wa IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.
Germany, who is in a far can bear. passed, the four ships would be laid down
worse financial plight, could only attempt to do it by so debauching her currency ip the next twelve months. Ha em.
PRELIMINARY AGENDA. as rapidly to bring her the position The nation will never forgive those who phasised that aircraft was more danger-
in which Russia, stands to-day, and so did not do their best when the country: LONDON, March 15th. solve the reparations question by making was in trouble ous to the submarine than to the battle Reuter learns that the agenda for the it impossible for us to get anything at ship or other surface ship. He gave as an Conference of Dominions' Premiers, is now of reparation could never be executed wa But when we said that the terms instance the futile bombing of the Goeben. being drawn up, but is unlikely to be did not simply mean that the money was Nevertheless, anti-aircraft experimenta complete for some weeks. The British more than Germany could And, though were to the forefront in naval experiGovernment is sending out
we believe that to be true; nor that in to the the process of trying to find it she would Dominions papers relative to questions it both bankrupt herself and injure us, Lieut. Col. Archer-Shee moved that desires discussed, and asking the Domin. though that is also true; nor that, when owing to the great increase in the ions reciprocally to send in data regard England would recoil from occupying it came to the point, both France and strength of other Powers it was necessary ing the subjects they propose to place more Germans territory by force of arms, that immediate steps be taken to further upon the agenda. It is practically cer. though that is probabic; nor that Ger increase capital ships and auxiliary ves
many would refuse to agree to the terms tain that the naval, military, and air from the start, though that is not im defences of the Empire will form the main possible. We may suppose that Germany
There is no issue about Home Rule. theme of the discussions, while arrange about fulfilling them zealously and to the by our gates, by the places where sub- There is an issue about setting up an agreed to the terms to-morrow and set independent country by our vory door, ments for the meeting of the Empire in best of her ability. We may suppose, marines used to lurk and sink our ships constitutional conference also figure pro that, miraculously, she found the money and endanger our commerce and the life siderable advance, will be made with re the terms would be impracticable. In minently It is hoped that further con- and began to pay us promptly. Still of the nation. gard to the Imperial wireless system. It deed, nothing else could so quickly and men and soldiers who are upholding the There is an issue as to whether police- is anticipated that the report of the so effectively prove their impracticability. honour of our flag are to be shot down by Milner Commission on wireless will be Germany's stock of gold and bullion is men who lurk in houses. ready for the Conference, enabling the so small compared with the sums demand- Dominions. Premiers to see how fared of her that i may he ignored. She stations have been developed and to sub can only pay the indemnity by means of mit views regarding their development,
BOXING CONTEST.
"JOHNNY " · WILSON GETS
VERDICT.
KING OF SWEDEN,
PARIS, March 18th. The King of Sweden has arrived here. COST OF LIVING.
141
FALL IN UNITED KINGDOM.
LONDON, March 18th. The Labour Gazette says the index figure shows that the cost of living fell by 10 points between February 1st and March 1st, chiefly in food and clothing, but that it is still 141 per cent. above that of July 1914.
The number of registered unemployed increased by 60,523 between March 4th
and 11th.
Railwaymen, automatically, lose 68.
weekly under the sliding scale, owing to the fall in the cost of living.
ments..
sels, in order to ensure a Navy at least equal in strength to that of ang single
Power.
all.
It
exported goods. If the exported every
I am told there is going to be a Gederal Election. It is from the Press I get to
know what I am going to do
I ask anybody here who happens to be in the. confidence of the Independent Liberals whether he would oare to pre- dict-and put a little money on it-that there would be one hundred Independent if there were a General Election to-day Liberal followers of Mr. Asquith returned In a Parliamentary country, you must have a majority.
Do Independent Liberals guarantee that under no conditions will they ever enter into a Coalition Government with Con- servatives?
If they don't, what does all this de nunciation mean boonuso I am acting with Conservatives in Lu great emergency.
national
hard for the country, we have saved are with me as Coalition Liberals to work By throwing in my lot and those who
Liberalism from internal disintegration. do its beat to economise as much as it can, Every sound Government is bound to especially when the burdens of the coun- try are so heavy.
The whole point is, what is it to econo mise on?
What about
They
must have an Irish Republicy say they army, an Irish navy.
They won't get it.
REPARATIONS-
Mr. Asquith declared that he was not NEGOTIATIONS.
one of the advocates who urged dispens CHAMBER SUPPORTS M. BRIAND.
ing with capital ships. He pointed out that the British Empire, more than any PARIS, March 18th.
Power in the world, was most dependent The Chamber of Deputies has endorsed on sea-power. He condemned the pre-war M. Briand's netions in the London Con-formals of the Two-Power Standard, and ference by 401 to 60. His speech has urged a formula that the Navy, in con overywhere been received enthusiasti- junction with those of the Dominions, cally.
who are a growing factor in the Imperial family, should always be adequate to secure the safety of the sea-girt Empire and sea-borne supplies against any rea sonably calculablo risk. Mr. Asquith President Harding has requested the trade, would soon raise a powerful attack Dumping Bill might go through with a the smaller articles of Germany's export manufacturers. Next session's Anti- emphasised that the present was the most the Socialist leader, Eugene Debs, who business. Perhaps we should put a tariff was ever invented can possibly, provent Attorney-General to review the case of on indemnities which put them out of Tush, but no Anti-Dumping Bill that favourable opportunity to reduce the
Austen Charborinin is freely mentioned. Economica, addressing the Imperial
AMERICAN FIRM IN
LIQUIDATION. ⠀
LOSSES THROUGH SOVIET'S REPUDIATION.
New Yozz, March 17th.
Heceivers have been appointed to take over the business of Messrs. Gaston, Williams, and Wigmore, exporters and importers, whose liabilitics are cetimated
EARLIER CABLES. GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER'S
FORECAST.,
BERLIN, March 17th. Harr Scholz, the German" Minister of
Economie Council, declared that in view of the Allied penalties, German trade must seek fresh channels. He hoped that Eastern Europe would be able to absorb German goods. He foreshadowed in this connection an extension of the list of exportable articles, decontrol of prices and gradual abolition of the export duty.
DEBS CASE.
-PRESIDENT HARDINO'S, INTER- VENTION.
WASHINGTON, March 17th.
A Japanese criticism of President year an additional £200,000,000 worth of Harding's inaugural address is that "it goods to France, England, and Belgium is arrayed in thousands of words, but the outery raised by the competing mana is too abstract to bear any definite facturers in those countries would be meaning. heartrending. It is already audible.
The makers of toys, magnetos, and por
celain baths, to mention ouly some of
ple margin of naval strength held by during the war.
was imprisoned for obstructing recruiting on to keep the German goods out. They the German indemnity from being paid
America and Great Britain over all the other Powers, as fratricidal strife be tween the two great English-speaking peoples was an absolute impossibility.
WAGES REDUCTION, -LIVERPOOL SHIPOWNERS'
PROPOSAL.
LONDON, March 17th.
would then go to other countries, Latin to the creditor nations in goods from America, for example, in increasing somewhere. When Mr. Lloyd George and quantities. Latin America might put M. Brianil condescend to explain to their tariff on. They would have to go elsespective countrymen what goods thoy where. Wherever they went they wouldve in mind and the value of those was the most critical year which the Sir Edward Carson declared that 3921
be forcing themselves upon foreign mar which they propose to admit we shall ba Nosy would face in its whole history
keto, and British and French exporters getting a little nearer to business. We would be faced with a competition which shall be even bearer to revision of the become the second naval Power. He was the National Maritime Board a definite have to meet. The only other possibility most loudly shout for the uttermost far It would be the greatest catastrophe to Liverpool shipowners have submitted to but for the indemnity they would not terms of reparation. They will be revised not confident that the Estimates even scheme for the reduction of wages and is that the goods should be shut out alt thing, long before Germany has any need by us, and particularly by those who now maintained that standard. He pointed the revision of working conditions of all gether and we should fail to get the Dr. von Simons speech anticipated a cat bat in 1825, the United States would ratings, ranging from los monthly, in the indemnity. If we innint upon the indem had defpuienes for all, Germany, has at six-million-dollars. The assete consist resumption of negotiations with the ships, Japan eleven and Great Britain 1108, in the case of stewards.
have eighteen of the most modern capital case of officers, seamen-and-firemen to pity and shutout German goods, we of stock in subsidiary companies all over Entente. He declared that the work of only five.
shall have to put up with forcer comthough not on this scale. And she knows the world. It is understood that the com-
Replying, Sir James Craig said that
petition abroad, and, since payment in that the relatively small indemnity taken the end must be made to this country of a prolonged economic crisis in Ger- from France after 1870 was the precumor ju importa from somewhere it not from Germany direct, with fiercer competition many. Another such indemnity, it was. at homo also. The times seem to in a said, with sardonic exaggeration was little unpropitious for putting forward more than German industry could have this particular method of voring British stood. If she signs this agreement sho may even do có with a certain malicious ** (Continued at foot of next column.). satisfaction:
pany's financial-embarassment is due to reconstruction must be placed in the fore not a single member of the Board of the depreciation of ita stockholdings, front of Germany's counter-proposals and Admiralty would have signed the Enti- also to heavy losses owing to the Soviet the most comprehensive plan formulated mates unless he were satisfied that they Government repudiating claims for sup for the reconstruction of the devastated safeguarded Imperial interests. piles to the Imperial and the Kerensky regions by means of German labour, the case of officers, seamer and fremen, Governments.
which might form the security for a loan to 110 in the case of stewards,
LORD READING.
DEPARTURE FOR INDIA,"
LONDON, March 17th. Lord Reading has left for India to take up the Viceroyalty.
to default After