CABLES.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.}
-THE-FRENCH CONSTITUTION.
HISTORIC MEETING AT VERSAILLES.“
NOISY COMMUNISTS.
PARIS, August 10th. "For only the third time in history and for the first time in 42 years, the National Assembly met to-day to deal with a constitutional question at the Palace of Versailles, namely, to embody the Sinking Fund Statutes in the Con- stitution and thus remove the kernel of last week's legislation from the destruc- tive hand of the legislator. The Palaca and gardens were closed to sightseers dur ing the sitting of the Assembly, which the Government hopes will conclude in a single day provided-it-is able-to fore- stall the anticipated action of "tha Socialists to profit by the occasion to seck a revision of the Constitution to curtail the Senate's veto over Bills passed by the Chamber.
The proceedings opened with the over- whelming delens of a communist motion. designed to prevent the Government op- posing amendments to the agenda.
THE ASSEMBLY.
-VERSAILLES, August 10th The town and palace were bathed in sunshine when special trains conveyed from, Paris, Senators, Deputies and pressmen, but many, including M. Poin care, motored. Gendarmerie were much in evidence
The white-haired M. Descives, as Pre sident of the Senate, opened the pro- ceedings at 9.30. The issue on the vote constitutionalising the Sinking Fund being nasured, the members were in. holi- day mood and many in holiday attire. The thief pre-occupation, except by Socialists and Communists, who seemed bent on obstruction, was to get through the business ne quickly as they could, to-day if possible, but the long formali. ties absorbed the morning and part of
the afternoon.
The Assembly began by adopting the rules which were identical to the Assemb- ly of 1871 with the addition of an amend- ment limiting the number and duration
BRITISH SCIENTIFIC
'SENSATION."
THE
IMPORTANT DISCOVERY AN-
NOUNCED TO THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION.
(THROUGH RELTER'S AGENCY.]
LONDON, August 11th... What is described as probably the most sensational paper for years at a meeting of the British Association has been given by J. J. Manley, describing the complex experiments suggesting the existence of a combination between helium and mer- cury to form a helide of mercury,
Ho declared that Professor Soddy, who was interested in his work, had suggested the methods whereby experimenta might he carried to a conclusive issue.
Professor Thorpe, president of the se2- tion, expressed the hope that by next year's meeting, the first known combina. tion of helium with another element would be demonstrated.
COAL DISPUTE.
MINERS REJECT BISHOPS' PROPOSALS.
LONDON, August 10th. The result of the miners' voting by districts on the Bishops proposals for the settlement of the dispute is that the proposals have been rejected.
[BRITISH WIRELESS SERVICE] NO DETAILS.
--Recoy,-August-10th- Contrary to the expections of the news-
#
HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, AUGUST, 12TH, 1920
MEXICO'S RELIGIOUS WORRIES. FAR
AUSTRALIA'S NEW CAPITAL.
DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK..
GOING.
AN ARCHBISHOP'S OVERTURES."
H.M.S.RENOWN TO CONVEY
THEM.
[THROUGH HEUTER'S
_AGENCY.]
London, August 10th. It is officially announced that in order to mark the importance of the opening of Australia's new capital, Canberra, His Majesty's bastle cruiser Renown will be detached from the feet to convey Their Royal Tighnesses the Duke and Duchess of York to Australia.
The Duke and Duchess will first of all
Ir
visit New Zealand vui the Panama Canal and return to Britain, vid the Suez Canal. They will visit all the States in Aus tralia.
ני "י
(BRITISH WIRELESS SERVICE) PROVISION PROGRAMME.
RUGBY, August 10th. The detailed arrangements of their tour are not yet settled, but Their Royal High- pesses the Duke and Duchess of York will probably leave Britain about the middle "of January, and proceed by way of the Panama Canal to New Zealand, where it
THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
MEXICO CITY, August 11th. Archbishop Vera has again made over- tures for a truce, asking President Calles to suspend his religious restrictions until Congress is convened, apparently with the hope that the legislature may enact less severe restrictions. AMERICA'S "DRY CAMPAIGN.”
*WHAT PUSSYFOOT" SAYS.
ENGLAND LEFT ALONE,
EASTERN CABLE
--NEWS.
THROUGH REUTER'S "ACENCY.]
SHANGHAI“ RUSSIANS,
RENDITION OF MIXED COURT
FEARED.
THE BRITISH ATTITUDE,
SHANGHAI, August 10th. M. Alexander Fishman, a well-known Russian barrister barrister here, in the course of an interview with a Russian LONDON, August 10th. Ours is not a campaign, it is a move journalist regarding the Mixed Court, ment and it is going on for ever, cor- declared that the rendition would give Reuter enquired the progress of the dry Russians an entirely new and different rected Mr. Pussyfoot" Johnson when campaign in America and Central status. Europe, from which Mr. Johnson has just returned.
Despite the fact that Russians had lost
7
THE SPANISH DICTATOR.
A TALK WITH GENERAL PRIMO DE RIVERA,
DECAY OF "PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEMS IN ALL COUNTRIES,"
Foreign journals have already published so much about the personality of "General Primo de Rivers that it is unnecessary to describe him minutely. The Spanish Dic- tator is big, robust, and portly; bis hair and astuche are white, his eyes aco clear. He has not the air of a tyrant, and, as a matter of fact, he is not one. One of the significant features of his dictatorship, is that the people have not felt it. Save for the suspension of Parliament and the censorship of the Press, life has not changed in Spain with the new military regime. In the first weeks of the dictator- ship Primo de Rivera readily gave inter- views; to-day it is another thing He considers that he has no further fred of bar is why during the last months few publicity, and that his time is precious. declarations of the General have been pub lished in foreign journals--It is by a pure chance that I had the opportunity of an interview with him.
Primo de Rivera was Military Governor of Catalonia when be made his coup d'état of September 13th, 1823.
This fact was of importance. If he had occupied the same position in some other Spanish province it
He added that prohibition was being the rights of extra-territoriality, Russians enforced in America better than the ip Shanghai were et present under the licensing law ever was. "We have cor- ruption, but less than before. The op-authority of the Mixed Court but after position talks about a referendum, but the rendition he expected that they would every congressional election is a refet be under purely Chinese Courts, sub-and the whole Parliamentary system. endum and the people have elected a drier congress on three occasions since ordinate prohibition, started. If I had the power Peking. to make England dry, I would not use it ration should have the laws it
to the Supreme Court
at
Fishman declared that the move.
wants. If America wants the old system, ment of the foreign. Bar had been entire her soul." There were nearly 800 Euro-ly misconstrued. They had no selfish let her, and then God have mercy is hoped that they will arrive in the lat-pean delegates to the Dorpat Conference, motives, but desired to see the Courts one. Japanese and five American and ter part of February.
they all reported a tendency towards established such as to bring justice and greater sobriety. "The movement against order. He utterly disagreed with these alcoholism is steadily marching towards cusation made by an American attorney a universal veto and there is no forcing methods."
that British was bartering the Mixed Court for her trade-with-China. The British attitude-was--perfectly-honour- able and straightforward.
They will proceed to Australia toward the end of March, and will visit all States, with the exception of Western Australia, before the caremony at Can- herra on May 9th, which will be the cul- minating point of the tour.
They will re-embark in the Renown after the ceremony and proceed home rùi the Suez Canal, paying their visit to Western Australia on the way.
[REUTER'S AMERICAN SERVICE] CLEMENCEAU'S LETTER. HOW IT HAS BEEN RECEIVED
IN U.S.A.
papers the district votes in the mining areas, which were considered to-day at the meeting of the Miners' Federation Executive in London, disclosed majority against the proposals for the settlement of the coal dispate which had been advanced by the Industrial Chris- tian Fellowship and approved by the THE LOSS OF SUBMARINE H29. ular, M. Clemenceau cannot be ignor
It is expected that they will reach Bri- tain toward the end of June.
SIX LIVES NOW REPORTED LOST
Rucey, August 10th.
Miners Executive. The statement issued at the close of the meeting gave no details of the voting. It merely stated
It is now officially announced that six that the decision reported from the dismen, instead of five as at first reported, tricts was against the recommendations lost their lives in Submarine 29 which of the last delegate conference and added sank in the Dock Basin at Davonport that the Executive had decided to call another delegate conference of their mem- bers on Monday next to give a report of this voting to them.
[THROUGH REUTER'S "AGENCY.]
NEW STEP BY THE OWNERS...
LONDON: August 11th. Definite step towards resumption have of speeches. This was adopted in the been taken by the coal owners of Notting teeth of Socialist and Communist op-hamshire and Derbyshire, who are in. position, the Communists, as usual, being viting the Derbyshire Miners' Association noisily but harmlessly obstreperous.
to a joint meeting with a view to endea. your to reach a settlement,
M. Poincare, read the text of the single Article to be added to the Constitution and, after farther discussion on points of procedure, the Assembly adjourned till the afternoon, a Commitice of both Houses, meanwhile preparing a report on the Bill constitutionalising the Sink ing Fund.
VIOLENT SOCIALISTS....
LATER.
GERMAN REPARATION.
REVISED FIGURES.
PARIS, August 10th. Revised. German reparations figures show that the receipts in gold markṣ during July were 93,023,000, making. & total revenue for the cleven months of.
yesterday afternoon.
The cause of the disaster is unknown, and the Admiralty announces that no official enquiry will be held as soon as
the vessel has been raised.
Salvage parties were at work through out the night by the light of fares and searchlights, and divers made many at- tempts to enter her, but in vain.
After some ten feet of water has been pumped out of the Dock Basin, it was decided to attempt to raise the sunken submarine bodily, and the vessel is being sunk on wire hawsers. "Officials hope to
taise her by a secret method, which is to be tried for the first time.
ITALY AND SPAIN.
PRESS AND THE NEW TREATY.
RUGBY, August 10th. British newspapers devote considerable the second Dawes year of 1,010,074,000 space to despatches from their Rom The National Assembly by 71 votes to
marks, to which must be added the correspondents recording the signature 144 constitutionalised the Sinking Fund.
balance at the end of August, 1925, of in Madrid, on August 7th, of a Treaty When the Assembly resumed in the after-107,013,000, making the total cash avail of Friendship and Conciliation and noon, the Socialists, violently attacked the proposal hurling insults at M. Poin-able 1,117, 087,000 marks from the July judicial settlement of disputes between
payments. The amounts received by the Italy and Spain. care. Tumult broke out and the sitting various countries are as cabled yesterday. 'was suspended, but resumed later.
THE FRANC.
LONDON, August 10th. French francs closed at 171.6 and Belgian franes at 175,3.
SECRETARY MELLON. REFUTES STATEMENT IN FRENCH
PRESS.
ROME, August 10th.. Mr. Andrew Mellon, Secretary of US. Treasury, has stated that his visit to Rome was entirely private and he has refuted the statement published in the French press to the effect that be had interviewed M. Mussolini and Count, Volpi and other financial, authorities re-
over д
+1
The Italian Press is quoted as stating' that the Treaty is a document of over a dozen clauses, roughly comparable with Italy's existing Treaties with Czecho Slovakia and Yugo-Slavia, but ranging considerably wider area and baving reference to the interests of Italy and Spain in the Mediterranean and South America, particularly the former.
It has been announced that the text will not be published at present, but that one clause provides for the neutrality of either signatory in the event of the other
NEW Yoax, August 10th. In a leader on M. Clemenceau's letter to President Coolidge, the New York Times says that nobody knows, better than M. Clemenceau that his action in appeal- ing to President Coolidge is most irre-
The
CHOLERA TOLL.
MANY VICTIMS
SHANGHAI.
FAMINE FEARED.
DIE IN
SHANGHAI, August 10th. Municipal Health Authorities that last week there were 2,053
possible that he would not have thought of overthrowing the Democratic Government
matter of fact Catalonia was the most agitated province in Spain. Murders were of frequens occurrence at Barcelona, aksug sinations of employers are yellow works unpunished because of many murders that nearly always retouined
abe
or intimidation lonia where the tendency to decentralisation the jury by the Reds." Moreover, in Cata is most noticeable, the separatist movement has been strongest, so strong indeed that it the kingdom. was becoming a real danger to the unity of
AGAINST REGIONALISM:
General said to me;" they are an energetic "Hike the Catalonians very much," the people, industrious, strong, and sensible. I like also their tongue, although I do not understand it, but it sounds pleasant to me. Profiting, however, by the weakness of the Governments at Madrid, some, maleontents had seized political power in Catalonia and were inreighing against Spain, against the unity of the country; and I have sech howe they have scoffed at the glorious Spaziab nag I can assure you that this anti- Spanish political movement was one of the causes of my decision to wait no longer, but counteract by force the weakness of the Democratic Government. The anti-Patri- far as prohibiting their children from speak- otism of the Catalonian Separatists went so g the Spanish tongue. In the end the situation became intolerable. It was neces
10
others refused to make a move I myself decided to act."
You are against Separatism, General," I said; but what do you think of Region- I believe that it is dangerous for Spain alism 1" and for all states formed throughout his tory by diverse nationalities.
ant that from the merely legal viewpoint state he lays himself open to a crushing re- futation as regards the promissory and foreigners suffering from choleca,sary that someone should act, and since the Dotes."
France gave them by the order of whom 391 Chinese and six foreigners Fof M. Clemenceau himself. The paper
points out, however, that what must be died. During this week, up till to considered is the fact that M. Clemen- night (Tuesday) there had had 65% more prevailing sentiment of the great a Chinese and eleven more foreign cases, ceau's utterances undoubtedly express the jority of the French people to the United of which 195 Chinese and three foreign
It concludes by asking that when had proved fatal. France has ratified the debt settlement, The China Press states that the concause of this that Regionalism' is danger- to the need of a general reconsiderationtinuous lack of rain and the excessive ought not Americans to their and readjustment of war debts before heat (yesterday the temperature was many years have pasted "That idea is again 1014) is not only causing the evidently winning more acceptance in this country among those who have given spread of the cholera but is also threaten their minds to the real significance in ing a great famine.
States."
the long-run-of-war-debts and there is no doubt that its spread will be hastaged by the irregular but impressive words cf M. Clemenceau.
OTHER PRESS VIEWS.
NEW YORK, August 10th. Although the leader in the New York Times is tactful and conciliatory, the general opinion among the newspapers is that the United States will ignore the Clemenceau letter, and the opinions in formally expressed by President Coolidge more or less represent the general feeling of the 'country.
PEKING GARRISON'S
COMMANDER.
WHY HE HAS RESIGNED.
PEXING, August 11th. Wang Buai Ching's resignation from the Garrison Commandership, which was at first believed to be the usual protest
against the non-payment of funds for the
Even the Democratic World takes this upkeep of the Metropolitan Police and view, its special correspondent. at Military Establishments, now appears to Washington declaring the officials contem- have been a protest against the summary plate that no reply will be addressed to a
letter which it describes as a bit of treatment of Lia Pei. Hsuai, of which he French politics. It adds that sooner or was not informed until the execution was later officia's hope the French people will United States will revise the debt com- learn that there is no hope that the over
pact.
The World adds that the letter is only the French against the United States, calculated to enhance, the bitterness of while it cannot effect the question to
which it is directed.
RUM RUNNING. «BATTLE" WITH A COASTGUARD
CUTTER.
NEW YORK, August 10th.
PROPERTY SALE.
At the China Auction Rooms yesterday afternoon, Mr. E. V. M. B. de Sousa
sold, by order of the mortgagees, a lease- hold property situated at Sham Shui Po, and registered at the Land Office as New with three tenements and other erections Kowloon Inland Lot No. 919, together and buildings thereon, at present in course of construction.
Regionalisn' is the residue of these nationalisms. It is
the province and municipality. Among the ous, dnd that is why wish to strengthen
good faith, but in spite of that it is neces- Regionalists' there are certain people of sary to fight against their ideals, which were leading to Spanish disruption.""
THE PROBLEM OF MOROCCO. "The Parliamentary system, with its in- stability, the General continued, "has greatly contributed to render more difficult the solution of the problem of Morocco. Changes were being made every momentin a change of High Commissioner, of Gener- alissimo, and of policy. When we were no lenger. embarrassed by Parliament and its fruitless discussions, we were able to get quickly to work and in a relatively abort space of time we successfully finished Ab- del-Krim. We have now obtained mastery. throughout our zone, and we shall soon be able to set about its economic exploitation.
There is muclr talk of a fresh, interna- tional conference on the Moroccan problem,"
emarked.
the General. It is necessary to wait until "It is not yet the moment for that," said the disarmament of the tribes is a reality. When no further threat is directed against the protecting Powers (France and Spain), then we can speak again of the international problem We desire that Tangier should be part of the Spanish zone. If we cannot have the sovereignty, as of Ceuta and of Melilla, we wish at least that Tangier should be in our protectorate like the re- mainder of the zone.
:
DECAY OF PARLIAMENTARIANISM,
"What do you think of Parliamentarian-
countries. It, has had its time, and the ism, General!"
I think that it is breaking up in all people no longer know what to do with it, how to rid themselves of it. The economic The property, which is held for the foundations of Parliament have been weak- A message from St. Augustine, Florida, term of 75 years, commencing from July saing for a long time; that is to say, it no of says that two members of a ram run-1st, 1808, renewable for a further term of longer represents the productive forces ning schooner named the Hazel Lee, 24 years, has an area of 3,240 square nations. It is absolutely necessary to sub- which is alleged to be of British origin, feet, with an annual Crown rent of 822stitute for Democratic Parliament a modern have been sent to hospital suffering from Mak Fook, No. 125, Connaught Road, of our day. At the same time, it is abso-.
The upset price was $5,000, and Mr. system more in harmony with the economics wounds they received in battle with a coastguard cutter which, they declare, Central, became the purchaser for 85,800 lutely necessary to strengthen the executive fired without warning. The owner of the
power and render Governments more in- dependent of legislative power.. Hazel Lee, who accompanied the wonded men ashore, was arrested on a charge of drunkenness.
COMMUNIST EXPELLED. At Versailles, soldiers had to be called in at the National Assembly to enforce the ruling of the President. The notori ous Communist, Doriot wai largely re sponsible for the tumult and was several times warned. Finally, the President appealed to the Assembly to authorise M. garding the stablisation of the lire and being the victim of as unprovoked at guard cutter mentioned in connection and assaulted, appeared before M.
Doriot's explusid, and the assent was given. Socialists and Communists then rose and sang revolutionary songs, also hooting and whistling. Finally, at the President's request, General Pelletier, the one-armed veteran commanding Ver- sailles, entered with four men and a Corporal, tapped M. Doriot on the shoulder and requested him to follow. M. Doriot obeyed.
LONDON, August 11th
The French franc.in London opened at 175 and soon went to 178.
an
Kindred matters, Mr. Mellon added that tack. The Treaty, according to there had been no such conversations, and Italian announcement, will eventually be he did not intend to have any during registered with the League of Nations. his visit, to Europe.
."
COBHAM NOW AT SYDNEY.
SYDNEY, August 11th Cobham has arrived here..
(BRITISH WIRELESS SERVICE7 MAKING GOOD PROGRESS IN AUSTRALIA.
Ruany, August 10th. Mr. Alaa Cobham, the airman, is making good progress on his journey now reached Charleville, in Southern from Port Darwin to Melbourne, and has Queenaland.
[REUTER'S AMERICAM' SERVICE. }
NEW YORK STOCKS.
WIDE FLUCTUATIONS.
NEW YORK, August 10th. Stocks are most active and there have heen wide fluctuations, culminating in a severe decline.
Steel dropped fire points and General are attributed to a bear drive and a rise Motors twenty. The causes of the break
to five per cent.
-LATER.
A Chinese arrested in connection with in attempted highway robbery committed. in Waterloo Road on Tuesday morning,
A Savanna message says that the coast-when so Indian constable was waylaid to do with politica with the above incident has reported there JH, B. Nihill, at the Kowloon Magis with a member of the crew dead."
tracy yesterday, and was remanded for one week. It is alleged that two men stopped the constable, and, after assault ing him, they disarmed him, before de One of the men was later camping. arrested and the missing revolver re-
́U.S.A. AND 'MEXICO. PRESIDENT COOLIDGE'S DENIALS
summer
rumours
ARGENTINE AVIATOR,
NEW YORK, August 10th. At his
eamn, near Paul covered. Smith's, President Coolidge "gave the official quietus to Keveral emanating from Mexico City during the man stated that Pres. Coolidge had not week-end. Pres. Coolidge's official 'spokes
BUENOS AIRES, August 10th, had direct communication with President arrived over the River Plate
The Argentine aviator, Duggan, bas Calles, while the fact that Mr. Sheffield, It was reported on June 20th that the American Ambassador to Mexico, was Duggan, who had been missing for a being merely the customary vacation. returning to the States was explained as week, had arrived safely, at Vigia with his companion. He is flying from New * (Oontinued as foot of next Golumn.). York to Buenos Aires.]
CONCERNING HIMSELF. "Fermit me, Monsieur le President; to aak you a few questions that have nothing
Do so, I will answer you with pleasure." What profession interests you most!TM The military profession and that of agriculture My father was a staff colonel, but he retired young from the devoted himself to agrionlture at Jerex
"Do you also like literature "Yes, but I confess to you that I have very little time to occupy myself with it. I sometimes go to the theatre, more often to snis & comedy
"What is your favourite sport
น
and
nut great sportsman, nevertheless I like a game of "pelotes,' horse-racing, and I am very foud of horse-riding, ball fights and always ride when I have a free moment"
General Primo de Rivers, Dictator of Spain, pleasantly held but his hand to me in parting, accompanying the gesture with his well-known amiable'umile.Dr. ANDREZ Revzaz in Sunday Times.