TRAGEDY OF CHINA'S RAILWAYS.
FIFTEEN HUNDRED TRUCKS MISSING.
ROTTEN SLEEPERS AND UNNECESSARY IMPORTS OF COAL.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
SHANGHAI, Feb, 15. Mr. Mantell, an American, who is advisor to the Ministry of Railways, in a memorandum"regarding the Tientsin-Pukow Railway, states that the proper operation of the line has
THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1930.
a small percentage of the cars can be released to go to the shops at Woosung, and at concentrating points for enrs. These cars could casily be wire-brushed and given a coat of paint.
Waste of Coal. There is a tremendous waste of
by military activities, and out of a total of 1,988 waggons owned by the railway, 1,529 have been removed off the line, while over thirty per cent of the sleepers are in an absuperintendents, have no idea with
JAPAN STANDS FIRM.
NAVAL CONFERENCE 15SUE,
FRANCE "RAISES DIFFICULTIES."
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
Toxyo, February 15. While the British Press appears
cent. because it is not mentioned
THE NORTHERN : SITUATION.
FIGHTING IMMINENT.
CHIANG AND YEN AT ́LOGGERHEADS.
[FROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]
of hostilities. Following this action,
Marshal Yen has issued a message to the Chinese people appealing for their support,
RUSSIAN
PRIMATE'S
DENTALS.
NO RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION.
ATHEISM FLOURISHING.
(THROUGH REUTER' 1 'AGENCY.]
never
WILS.
BRITISH TRADE EXHIBITION.
OPENING IN LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM.
SPAIN'S MANY TRIALS.
KING DISSOLVES » PUPPET
PARLIAMENT,
ALLEGED ABUSES OF DICTATORSHIP.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
MADRID, Feb. 18. The pendulum is swinging "very rapidly from the dictatorship, and the King has dissolved the National Assembly, De Rivera's puppet " parliament. Firemen have already covered, the old lettering on the door with a new brass-plate inscrib
Another decres revives the Mumi-
SIXTEEN MILES DISPLAY.
(THROUGH ALUYER'S AGENCY.]
Moscow, Feb, 18. SHANGHAI, Feb. 16.
According to the official Taus
LONDON, Feb. 15. Britain is opening to the world Marshal Yen Hai Shan's tele. Agency, Soviet journalists have
on Monday in two sections, one in to assume that Japan is propared gram, addressed to Marshal Chiang submitted a questionnairë to ‘Metro London, and one in Birmingham, Kai Shek, requesting him to retire, politan Sergius, head of the Patri- the most important trade exhibi to give up her claim for seventy peris regarded in Chinese political archal Orthodox Church, and mom-
tion ever held, aamely the British Industries Fair. Invitations have been sent to over 200,000 buyers in been interrupted-for many years coal on the part of firemen in in the Japanese statement, it circles as a signal for the outbreak bers of the Holy Synod
Judging from their answers, thero sixty different countries to view and stoking locomotives. The firemen emphasized that Japan has no such
a no persecution of religion in buy everything for the home, form
and factory. Soviet Russia and have evidently never been instruct-intention, but on the contrary it in
As the goods, which are display Churches ed in scientific firing. The fremen. explained that the schedules con-
have certainly beened on a frontage of sixteen miles, closed, but at the request of the are expected to speak for themed "Congreso de Diputados." as well as some of the division tained in the Japanese memorandum are frazed to give Japan exactly
population clergymen and church-selves, the fair opens silently and seventy per cent. of the American
and exiled, but owing to anti-reserved for the Government ban. seventy per cent. of large cruisers. It is learned from an unimpeachable
Government acle, not religion,
Religious services are permitted, source that the figures are only
but unfortunately, we, the Metro-f substantially correct." The actual figures in the first
politan declares, sometimes do not chow autficient real. Persons rench- schedule are: America, large
ing "suitable" age may be cruisers 180,000 tons, small 147,000
taught religion. Under Soviet law tons, destroyers 150,000 tons, sub
all religions have equal rights. Wo marines 81,000 tons; Japan, 126,000
are naturally worried by the rapid tons, 81,700 tons, 105,000 tons, 77,500
development of atheism and the tona. The alternative proposal is
position of the church is becoming America, 150,000 tons, 189,000 tons,
worse, but we hope the faith will 150,000 tons, 81,000 tons; Japan
survive. 108,400 tons, 107,700 tons, 105,000 77,000 tons. If America desires only co,000 tons submarines as proposed, Japan is willing that America should transfer 21,000 tons to the destroyer category, which then would become 171,000 tons, Japah retaining 77,000
solutely rotten condition, in fact regard to grate draught, fire door strength of total auxiliarica `and present deplorable situation, and goers have certainly been arrested unceremoniously, the speeches being cipal and Provincial Councils, and
draught, etc. Scientific firing com bustion and burning of gases are not practised. There is an estimat-
in the last stages of demay,"
Mr. Mantell, however, has high hopes for the future of the railway, and says, that with a car float sered waste of from 15 to 20 per cent. vice across the Yangteze at Pukow, in fuel due to lack of proper' prac- the railway could develop à grosstical instruction of firemen, revenue of at least 30,000,000 dollars per annum within five years.
"
Rates Too High. **The railroad rates are too high. He points out that a million tons Too high rates provent the develop of coul were imported from Japan through Shanghai last year, while ment of business. What will con- the output of the Changhsing mines tribute more than all else to diminu- on the railway, 470 miles from tion of cost is the adapting of the Shanghai, could easily be increased to 5,000 tons daily if adequate transportation was furnished, and then the coal would be mined by Chinese labour, and there would be no need of Japanese. Mr. Man- tell states that goods rates increas. ed by seventy per cent. between 1920 and 1924, and urges lower rates for coal, and agricultural and other goods....
MONEY.
railways to new conditions of goods traffic, and the full utilization of the railways by securing additional traffic to the utmost. The method of crenting rates on difference of cost of service is a fallacy. Con- tinual rate adjustment must be made."
rurchase of six locomotives of the
Among. the recommendations made by Mr. Mantell were the Mountain Type and the appropria UNNECESSARY WASTE OF tion of $280,000 for the strengthen
ing of the railway bridges.
The double-tracking of the rail way between Shanghai and Nanking was believed unnecessary. The statement of nine years' busincas, According to Mr. Mantell, would not indicate a necessity for doing this
PROPOSED FERRY ACROSS
THE YANGTSZE:
In a memorandum submitted to
11
4
Mr. Sun Fo, Minister of Railways, for the next ten years. It is be by Mr. John J. Mantell, Adviser to lieved, however, that with intel- the Ministry, regarding the latter's ligent management and proper inspection of the Shanghai-Nanking rates, the traffic, of the railway eati Railway and the Shanghai-Hang- be developed, as well as the traffe chow-Ningpo Railway, the American from the North with installation of railway expert stated that the
翘 car foat service nt Nanking. railway affairs were being handled Then there will be a necessity for en a very improper business basis, double tracking within the next, and that there was an apparent seven or eight years. "unnecessary waste of money."
Crossing the Yangtazu. These railways have not been developed," Mr. Mantell continued The problem of the Nanking in his report, "in the manner in Pukow ferry was also discussed in which they should have been for Mr. Mantell's memorandum. The economic administration, transdirect line of the railways between portation, and development of new Shanghai and Peping," he stated, business, particularly goods busi-is broken at Nanking on account nesa, and establishment of rates to of the Yangtze River." It was -meet the conditions of traffic, or in fairly estimale that 25. or 30 years other words, to some extent what would go by before a bridge could
the traffic will bear.
"
A Matter of Paint. "The goods waggons on the above railways have been seriously neglected in the matter of painting, and they are deteriorating rapidly
tons submarines.
.
Press Oritical. [BRITISH WIRELESS SERVICE]
RUGBY, February 15 The principal delegates to the Naval Conference are again spend ing the week-end out of London, and on this occasion the proceed. ings of the last few days have given them ample material to review and study in comparative leisure..
The French memorandum, which to-day mainly monopolises press comment, much of it being distinét-
In the message he refers to the
the endless sufferings of the people He asserts that the years of civil wars are due to the attempt made by some military leaders to achieve national unification by forcé.
+
Ho says, inter alia: "As the Kuomintang Party is known in China as the only political party which aims to place the nation on the road of freedom and democracy, how is it possible to achieve this end when a military dictatorship is set up in the Central Government. The Metropolitan stigmatised the I sincerely hope that our country-resent Papa pronouncement as a men will support me in my appeal departure from the Christian path, as "smelling fäby, and, prompting for peace throughout the country, and the Archbishop of Canterbury
his flock to dew intervention."
Fürther Protests in Britain,
LONDON, Feb. 14.
and that a national convention be called;"
guet at the Guildhall in Londor in the evening.
CIVIL RESISTANCE IN INDIA.
"FINAL STRUGGLE."
NEW CAMPAIGN URGED.
(THROUGH REUTHE'S AGENCY.]
AHMEDABAD, Feb. 15. The All-India Congress Executive has authorised Gandhi to start a civil disobedience campaign.
The resolution authoriscs Gazdhi and other believers in the creed of
In reply to Marshal Yen's chal- lenge, the Nanking leaders have warned him that, na be- is a mem- ber of the Kuomintang Party, his The Executive National Council action in forcing Marshal Chiang of Evangelical Free Churches mestno violence to start a civil dis- Kai Shek to retire has almost cul-ing to-day adopted a resolution minated in rebellion against the expressing the horror of the Free Churches at the persecution by the party.
The statement concludes: "How Soviet Government of Christian can we hope to put national poli-and other religious people, ties in order if our national leaders do not appreciate the importance of loyalty and disciplines 7''
obedience campaign as and when they desire, trusting that, when the members of the Congress and others campaign is actually working, all will extend towards civil résistance their full co-operation in every way possible, and hoping that lawyers and studente will withdraw their
struggle."
another restores promotion in the Army by seniority instead of by merit.
Socialist Attacks Against King. MADRID, Feb. 14. Vehement attacks upon King Al. fonso, coupled with the prevalent industrial disputes and the grow- ing unemployment are enhancing the difficulties facing the new Pre- mier, General Berenguer in his task "of leading the country back to constitutional methods.
The only definite fact emerging from the very confused political situation is that the Socialista aro at present the only organised Party. They are, moreover, in & fighting mood and the criticisms that they formerly levelled Primo de Rivera, the Dictator, are now directed against the King.
at
Public opinan has been excited
by the revelations of alleged abuses, maladministration and spendthrift. habits of the Dictatorship.
The older Parties are endeavour. capped by lack of leaders. The ing to organise, but they are handi- stage is at present held by Un- anumo, the Liberal leader, and Ler- roux, the Republican Party leader, who are engaged in publishing virulent diatribes against the King. The Government has instructed the Madrid Municipality to speed up public works and to absorb the
ing further disturbances. The Fo. lice at Barcelona last night dispers ed "war-like" crowds, who stoned and sacked the headquarters of the Patriotic Union, de Rivera's or- ganisation.
The resolution calls upon the Free Churches to unite with other Churches in prayer on behalf of the (THROUGH REUTERS AGEXOX.}. sufferers in the Soviet Campaign of
eruelty, and urges the Government-operation from the Government SHANGHAI, Feb. 16. It is stated semi-offically, from to its utmost to remedy the ter- and throw themselves in "the final critical, has been, during the last two days, the subject of conversa Nanking, that Chiang Kai Shek has rible situation. tions between the chief. British, replied to Yen Hai Shan'e telegram.
Mr. Stanley Baldwin, the leader American, and French delegates, While the contents have not been of the Conservative Party, speaking and these will probably be resumed divulged it is understood that at Belfast to-day, declared that COTTON TRADE IN INDIA. unemployed in the hope of prevent- on Tuesday evening after the French Chiang Kai Shek pointed out, that British entry into diplomatic rela-
BIG INROADS BY JAPAN. Premier has returned from a week- the present conditions of the coun: tions with Russia was now an in- end in his own capital.
The situation gave the lie to all
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] Press discussion of the French try did not justify any Kuomintolerable, bumiliation for Britain."
tang leader retiring. whether the figures and proposals Feng Yu Hsiang has returned to memorandum turns on the question
According to Japanese 'despatches we had stood for generatione.
Moscow, Feb. 16,
NEW DELHI, Feb. 15. The Federation of the Indian it contains are elastic or not, and
The Pravda declares that. Mr. Shenai and has taken over com. if they are, as everyone who de-
mand of the Ruominchum. General Henderson's reply, in the House of Chambers of Commerce are sires the conference to produce sub-
Han Fu Chu, and other pro-Kuo Commis on February 13, in regard animously expressing deep concern stantial achievements steadfastly hope, what is the extent of that minchun generals have sent a ciro religion is Russia represents a at the continued depression of the cular telegram attacking the Censurrendor to the Conservative presentton textile industry, and are elasticity. It is not denied that as
tral Government against whom they sure and is a hostile act against the strongly urging the Government to Soviet. It also describes the de- confer immediately for effective the French proposals stand, they have reported war preparations,
raise difficultics" for Britain and
nunciatory speeches by the Church protection. The mover of the re- America, and this, it is assumed, has
Mr. Hu Han Min, General Tan leaders as preparations for moral solution dwelt on the serious in not been concealed from the French
Yen Kai, and Dr. Wang Chung Hui, intervention in the Soviet," and roads of Japanese goods both in delegates by Mr. MacDonald and the presidents of the Legislative, imputes political inotives to "cam Indien and Overseas markets.
Executive and Judicial Yuans re- paigm ccclesiastion." It concludes spectively have cabled Marshal by emphasising that every attempt Yen Hai Shan deploring the latters to interfere with internal affairs of attempt to "' coerce" Marshal the Soviet should be resolutely Chiang Kai Shek to retire and ac- crushed." cuse Yen Hai Shan with fermenting strife and urge him to "ponder
Party and the Government."
UNEASINESS IN PEPING.
Mr. Stimson,
►
be considered preferable to a ferry in the vicinity of Nanking. The
A Misunderstanding, absence of physical connection at There is, however, a considerable this place constituted a very serious. measure of optimism in conference defect in the railway system as a chicles, and M. Tardieu is credited whole! and under authorization from with the first prophecy regarding the Ministry plans were being sent the date of its termination. He is effect in crossing the Mississippi end with a treaty signed on March which in many respects is similar | 10. One slight misunderstanding to the Yangteze.
NANKING, Feb. 18.
AHVEDAP Feb, 16.
A meeting of the local illowners' Association passed a resolution. in favour of closing the cotton mills one extra day weekly from Fehru- ary 15, in view of the accumulation
and the present market conditions.
NEW WIRELESS
MARVEL.
TELEPHONING TO SHIP IN MID-ATLANTIC:
[BEITISH WIRELESS SERVICE:]
RUOBY, Feb 15. Conversations between people on Land and people in mid Atlantic ate the latest wonder provided
wireless. The General announces that, following successful tests of wireless "tele- phonic communication with "the- White Star Liner public service has been opened between the ship and telephone subscribers in Bri- tain.
by corrosion. There should be no from America, showing methods and stated to have guessed that it will carefully for the welfare of the SOVIET TO CLOSE STOCK] of piece-goods stocks at the mille, by.
excuse for a situation of this kind. With the great amount of labour and over-stuffing which is evident,
EARTHQUAKE IN CRETE SEVERAL INJURED.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.)
ATHENS, Feb. 16.
2.
A HEALTHIER NATION.
ENGLISH MORE SOBER AND LONGER LIVED.
mga mamamagitan
..
EXCHANGES.
{THROUGH BEUTER'S AGENCY.]
Moscow, Feb. 16.
FUTURE OF AUSTRALIAN COTTON.
The Government has decided to close goods and stock exchanges. A FLOURISHING INDUSTRY. The value of foreign currencies and securities are to be fixed, in future, by committees attached to the Soviet State Bank and its Vladi vostock branch.
(THROUGH REUTER'E AGENCY.]
BIAM, Feb. 15,
Post-master
Although the service is somewhat experimental in character, and for the moment is available only for calls originating on the ship, it is hoped to extend it on the next Mr. Walker, the Queensland voyage to calls originating on Minister of Agriculture, has an-shore. Rugby wireless station is nounced that an agreement has been used for transmission to the ship, reached for the cotton board on and Baldock station for reception. behalf of the growers, belonging to the British and Australian Cotton Association, to take over the gin- neries and oil. mills, and thus to place the cotton industry on a co- operative basis...
arising out of the French memoran- dum has meanwhile been remedied. The document affirmed that war bo- tween France, and Great Britain-
(Fah Ta Yat Pan.) and France and United States is "unthinkable,
PEPING, Feb. 16. but "did not, in that connection specifically mention
Since Yen urged Chiang to retire, Japan and Italy. Now it is pointed rumours are rife here, and mer- out that these two countries were chants are uneasy. The Legations [OLITISH WIRELESS SERVICE.] not mentioned solely because the are watching the development with
memorandum in that passage was
izven attention. Rucer. Feb. 15.
commenting upon the only sugges An earthquake, which was felt
Giving evidence before the Royal tions and figures then available, near the east of the city on Friday Commission Licensing, Sir namely those
од
of Britain and night, destroyed ten villages in George Newman chief medical offi- Americn.
Several persons were in-car of the ministry of health, jured and the inhabitants panicked spoke of the great improvement and ran from the villages,
which had taken place in national habits and national health. Eng- lish people, he declared, are be coming more sober, more healthy,
In an interview with Press repre- and longer lived. As to evil effects President Hoover and party, de- sentatives in Nanking last week, of overdrinking, he stated the high parted for Washington to-day in Dr. C. T. Wang, Minister of For death rates during the past two atead Monday, owing to the develop-eign Affairs, made the following in London to-morrow from Sand. compared more than favourably successfully opened and many con-
crete.
TWENTY-FOUR NEW TREATIES.
LEAGUE'S RECORD YEAR.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.],
GENEVA, Feb. 16. The year 1920 was a record year for the League of Nations, It's pacific labours saw twenty-four new treaties registered at the secretarist compared with fifteen in 1928, and six in 1937, the United States signed twenty last year.
ANTARTIC EXPEDITION. SIR HUBERT WILKINS RETURNS,
[REUTER'S AMERICAN BERTICE)
NEW YORK, Feb. 15. The New York American says that Sir Hubert Wilkins in the whaler William Scoresby, after a terrific battle with mountainous sens, has returned to his base at Deception Island, after three weeks in the Antarctic ice.
Mr. Hcover Returns to Washington (REUTER'S AMERICAN SERVICE]
LONKEY (Florida), Feb. 16. After a week of deep sea fishing,
on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico,
DR. WANG ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
il
GOOD PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE.
1.-Sino-British conversations re-
hundred years had coincided with
ments of the Naval Conference.statement:- periods of alcoholic excess, mainly The President desires to keep in spirit drinking, and that alcoholism rendered people more succeptible closer touch with London than is garding various outstanding issues to pneumonia, tuberculosis and possible here."
other diseases.
HUNGARIAN POISONING
TRIALS.
WOMAN SENTENCED TO DEATH.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16. In a broadcast address, Senator Walab, "acting democratic leader, advocated the adherence of the
KING AND QUEEN IN LONDON.
i
TWO INVESTITURES TO BE HELD.
[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
LONDON, Feb. 14. The King and Queen will arrive
ringham.
He said the Government had carefully considered the future of the cotton industry, and had as- certained that the yield per acre
with the yield of the United States? Their Majesties will take up re. average crop, and a superior aver- sidence at Buckingham Palace for age value of 85 points above the are in progress. As instructions so indefinite period during which American middling, while produc from London have not been received, the King will hold a meeting of the tion costs compared most favour- no decision has been reached as yet Privy Council and two investi- ably. The Association has six gin- regarding the Boxer Indemnity Fund tures, besides conducting a great neries and oil mills and the pur- and the Weihaiwoi question. Sir deal of State business and receiv-chase price has been agreed upon United States to the Mediterranean Miles Lampson is in telegraphio ing distinguished visitors--fromat. £137,000. Peace. Fact and suggested that the communication with his Govern- time to time. London Conference explained the ment, but some delay is inevitable pact to be similar to the pacific in view of the pre-occupation of pact, negotiated at Washington in Mr. Arthur Henderson, the British 1922. He suggested, that in the Foreign Minister, with the great event of a threat of war, the Naval Conference now being held Mediterranean Powers would wel in London. come the disinterested good offices of the United States in order to
(TAKOUGH REFTER'S AGENCY.),
BUDAPEST, Feb. 15. Another death sentence in con- nection with the poisoning trials the Szolnok tribunal convicted avert a catastrophe. Lidia Cery with poisoning her father and mother with arsenic. Lidia has been marrind frequently and quarrelled with her parents regarding money, she visited the old couple and made tea which made them sick.
Hungarians are becoming most resentful at the way the, foreign
!
ANOTHER RECORD BY MAURETANIA.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCE.]
HAVANA, Feb, 15, press is paying attention to this The Mauretania, on a special He and his personnel left im- series of sensational poisoning cases, cruise, has arrived from Now York mediately for Montevideo aboard especially the London paper's comin 48 hours 6 minutes, thus break the steamship Henrik Ibsen. Thus parison of Hungarian peasants ing the record of the United States
and their the Wilkins-Hearst "expedition has with Kafirs
witch liner President Roosevelt by over
thirteen hours. completed its work for the year.
doctors.
Among the Queen's public en- gagements will be a visit next Tuesday to the British Industrica Fair which opens on Monday. Her Majesty has paid frequent visits to the Fair since it was inaugurated.
A 2-The Polish Government being desirous of elucidating several points in the Sino-Polish agree- ment, M. Waydenthal, the Polish delegate, is now holding daily con- ferences with the Ministry on the subject
3-Major Haizdo, the Czecho slovakian delegate, arrived on February 7 and has initialled the Sino-Czechoslovakian Treaty which has been under negotiation. Formal signature will follow when M. Hinizdo receives final instructions from his Government.
4.The Sino-Russian qucation is still under careful consideration by the Government, Dr. Wang stated.
HUGE PROFITS FROM ARTIFICIAL SILK.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.)"
LONDON, Feb. 14. The annual report of Court auld's, the famous artificial silk firm. shows a profit for the year of £3,744,000.
The Directors recommend a final dividend of six per cent. free of tax, bringing the total dividend for the year. to tea per cont., tax
free.
WIRELESS IN IRELAND.
PROPOSED NEW HIGH POWER STATION.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
LONDON, Feb, 14. The Irish Free State is to have its own high-power station from which wireless programmes will be broadcast.
Plaus. have been submitted by the Ministry of Posts and Tele- graphs for the erection of a trans- mitter which will probaby cost £70,000, and these plans have now been officially passed,
Althoug the actual" site has not been definitely decided unan,it is considered likely that the new station will be built near Athlone
con-
These stations are connected with the London telephone trunk ex- change where the service, is trolled, the service will be available for any ship on the North Atlantic route, which is fitted with any suit- able type of wireless telephone "ap-" paratus. Yesterday evening, when the Majestic was one thousand miles across the Atlantic, the service was versations were carried on easily and audibly
WORLD'S STEEL -
PRODUCTION.
U.S.
[REUTER'S AMERICAN SERVICE]
_EUROPEAN_OVERTURES A
NEW YORK, Feb. 15, The European steel cartel has made overtures to the American stoel industry to join in a'world. combination of producers with a view of preventing over production,
GOVERNMENT HELP TO
WOOL.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
Lowoos, Feb. 14.
It was announced at a raceting. of farmers at Leeds that the Gov- ernment was prepared to assist a woolmarketing scheme by a lean of £3.000 a year for a term of years, without intereat, if the woolgrowers would.contributo £5,000.