T
ITALIAN PUBLICATION OF SECRET REPORT
Matter To Be Raised
In Commons
London, February 21.
It has now been arranged that the question of the publica- tion in the "Giornale d'Itaia" of extracts from confidential
British document containing an inter-department report on Bri- tish interests in Abyssinia will be raised in the Commona on Mon- day either by means of a private notice of the question or, in course of a general debate o be held on foreign affairs. If the Commons show a general testre, it is probable that the Govern- ment will agree to make pible the whole report, which is of con- siderable length and of which only selective extracts appeared in the Italian Journal.
While it is not known how a British Governinent paper of a confidentia, nature came into the hands of this Journal, the gen- erat Impression based upon hese extracts is that the greatest mystery about the affair is why the Italiaus should have thought its publication profitable or in any way damaging to arguments advanced by Britain in support of the line, she has adopted throughout the Italo-Abyssinian dispute.
SHOWER OF QUESTIONS
London, Feb. 20. There was slower of questions in the House of Commons to-day with regard to the publication bý
a Rome
newspaper of from the secret report of Sir John
extracts
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1936.
BATTLE NEAR MAKALE
Ras Mulugeta's Communique
Dessie Feb. 21. Ras Mulugeta has issued a com- munique explaining the tactics at the battle southward of Makale.
It states that it was realised on February 12 that the Italians were plaaning a big offensive and he The ordered a strategic retreat. enemy advance guards noticed the movement and attacked immedi- ately, thus the battle Eegan “in a series of local engagements and continued from February 13, to 17. The Ethiopian casualties were 147 dead and 268 wounded. The
losses. Italian
were greatly superior."
The Ethiopian War Minister
on the claims that
night of February 16 1,500 Eritreans desert- ed and joined him with arms and münitions.- Keuter
RELIEF AT CAPITAL
Addis Ababa, Feb 21." Ras Mulugeta's communique is halled with great rehef. It is pointed out that it is impossible for the Ethiopian Government to ot taltes report on the resu.t
poor com-
The Committee of Experts which issued the report had been entag- ed during the early months of last year in dispassionare examination of British interests in Abyssala, Its report, specially makes clear that it excludes from its consider ation all political and moral as-Maffey made to the Foreign Office"quickly owing to the pects that would become involved by aggressive action by Italy-such as acquiescence of the British gov- érnment in a breach by Italy of her pledges under the League Co- venant. Kellogg Pack. Tripartite Agreement of 1908, etc.
Its main finding is that Britain's material Interests in Abyssinia are 1 fact Amited to the Lake Tsana waters of the Nile, which Irrigate the Sudan and Egypt, and grazing rights of the protected tribes of British Somaliland.
in June, 1935. The report concern- ed the Italian claims in Ethiopia and pointed out that Britain had no vital interests there.
Mr Winston Churchill and others were anxious to know how the leakage, which is the subject of departmental inquiries in London, accurred.
Mr. George Lansbury, former Labour leader, urged that the House, unless it possessed the full Inte before Monday, could not properly debate the foreign affairs problems which would come before
it.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, replied that he had been busy all morning and had not read He must cor- the newspapers.
The finding corroborates the statement frequently made by British statesmen to the E fract that Britain's attitude throughout the present dispute. contrary 10 Itaan allegations, has beer. ac- tuated by no material or imper-sider the point raised and could faustle interests but solely by Adel-
not answer now, he said."— ity to League pledges
prin-
acuter, ciples.
:
and
PRESS COMMENT
The Times" says: "This paper which has been improperly pur- loned from British archives is an unimpassioned study of conditions and contingencies. Italian propa- ganda which has hitherto defend- ed the justice of its course with apocryphal dum-dum bullets and equally aprocryphal activities the British military attache Abyssinia and British decorations if any worn by Ras Mulugeta will certainly have a task to twist its story to advantage."
of
in
oppost-
ROME DENIAL ·
munications.
The opinion is now held that Ras Mulugeta conducted a skilful retreat in the face of vastly superior numbers.
FRANCO-SOVIET EARTHQUAKE IN SERIOUS DISTURBANCES
PACT
Ratification May
"Be Postponed
"Hong Kong Daily Press" Special)
Berlin. Feb. 21. Discussing the prospect of the Franco-Russian pact being ratified by the French Chamber, an article published in the paper "Deutsche Allgemeine Zeltung" by the form- er German Secretary of Foreign Aairs. Richard von Knellmann, expresses the view that "the same forces which compelled the reluc- tant Laval to accept and sign the treaty will also make the ratifica- tion by the Chamber unavoidable.
It would. however, be an error to assume that the matter is there- by definitely settled, for well- informed quarters believe that the attitude of the Senate is by no means certain, so that a new post- ponement of the ratification is Hkely.
The French people, which has a certain instinet for important for- eigr political affairs, sees itself, with horror, entangled in the Russo-French pact."-- Transocean News Service.
SURPRISE CREATED
Paris. Feb. 21.
The Government intimation that it will probably refrain from cutting the question of confidence when the Chamber decides on the Franco-Russian part next week- this intimation was conveyed to the lobbies by the deputies close to the cabinets creating consider- able surprise In political c'rcles here.
The news that Ras Kassa has communicated freely with Ras Mulugeta and that from Dessie is regarded as proving the falsity of the assertion that the Italian Quarters which åre friendly advance cut off the Tamblent Sorfet Russia fear that forces.
owing to -the Government's lukewarm attitude, various depu- ties who hitherto have not decided as to the best course to be taken t now will either vote against the pact or abstain from voting.
Harar messages state that heavy and continuous rains are falling there and in Ogaden--- Reuter.
1
FURTHER ADVANCE BY ITALIANS
Rome, Feb. 20
The same quarters a'so admit that under these circumstances the majority of the Socialists and Radical Socialists will be reluctant to vote for the pact, and point out that even if the latter finds a ma~
A ruriber Italian advance on the jority in the chamber its fate in northern front is announced "in
the senate will be highly doubtful. to-day's communique from Mar Transocean News Service shal Badogllo, commander-in-chiet
3.
Rome, Feb. 20. Official quarters deny the Paris suggestion that the publication of of the Italian armies in East NBASEL VERRENDAbbia the "Giornale d' Italia's" report in | Africă. Rome caused surprise and be-
wilderment.
Most Italians do not understand the reason for the publication of the particular Rection of the Maffey
report
clearly which favours the British standpoint, and shows that"in her attitude towards sanctions Great Britain is acting disinterestedly.--
! Heuter.
PUBLIC INTEREST
on
The First Army Corps was the body
this involved ba
ден
manoeuvre.
可
The Corps forms the left wing of the army, as constituted after the recent battle for Ambaaladam, south of Makale, in which the Italians claim to have inflicted severe losses on the Ethiopians and to have captured highly impor- tant strategic positions,
The advancing troops reached a' group of villages at the junction of three caravan trails, fifteen miles north of Ambaalagi. No resistance was encountered—
The "News Chronicle says: "The Italian presa oddly entirely ignors.
Rome, Feb. 20. the fact that the document dis-
The revelations made by the proves conclusively the noisy as-
"Giornale d'Italia” about the se- ot. sertions that the real motives
cret report of the British Colonial | Krater" & "Bulletin Service. the British Government's tion to Italy's war of aggression Office, was the sole theme of dis- were fears for its own imperialist cussions in political circles. interests. In this report the Ex-Thursday, the public showing al- tish Government was assured by lus own experts that there was no Above all it was pointed out ground for any such fears. If that the authenticity of the docu- Italy has no more damaging critlement was nowhere questioned, "cut" ism to make of the polley of this country than the evidence of this Lecret report, she must be hard put to it."
most as keen an interest
tactically admitted in as much as the official authorities in London are making feverish efforts to as- certain how such а documenti
ETHIOPIAN REPORT
11 [Specia; to the "Hong Kong Dilly Presa (Copyright.);
Addis Ababa, Feb. 20. Abyssinian reports state that the whole northern front was quiet.yes- terday, the Italians having spent A simtar line taken in al. could have come into the bands of the entire morning with scouting other press comment-
a person who had no right to: it flights, no bombs being dropped. Dankortan News Service. British Wireless.
PASSENGERS MAROONED ABOARD SHIP
Tientsin, Feb. 21. Hundreds of passengers including many Britishers and Amertraus are marooned, abcard more than a score of ice-bound ships in the Gulf of Chill which is almost completely frozen. Tugs are en- deavouring to reach the strande vessels with supplies of food and fuel.
The ice at Taku is reported to be forty feet thick, while Icebergst twenty feet high and a hundred and twenty feet square have been encountered.
The British vessels Yochow and Hulchow from Tungku progressed only two miles the whole day.- Heuter.
ELECTIONS IN JAPAN
PARAGUAY'S NEW PRESIDENT
Buenos Aires. Feb. 21. Colonel Franco took the oath of allegiance to the Army as Presid- ent of Paraguay to day. In spite of rain the ceremony was he d in the public square in front of Par- llament House.
Government
The newly elected reiterated adherence to the peace treaty with Bolivia signed recent-
ly.
The late President and Ministers are prisoners at naval quarters. Reuter's Bulletin Service.
TRANSPORT STRIKE IN CEYLON
Colombo. Feb, 20. Transport workers here have struck against a traffic regulation. whereby licences will be cancelled after a tenth conviction,
At orders of the Negus, the seven. airmen that perished in the re- Ccut plane crash were buried with full military honours.-
ancocean News Bervur
FRENCH ELECTION
CAMPAIGN
("Hong Kong Dally Press" Special)
Paris, Feb. 21.
the President
T
SILVER MARKET
ነነ
From Our Own Correspondent)
London, Feb. 21. London Silver prices to-day were down 1/8 for "Spot" and 1/16 for "Forward," as follow:-
Spot. Forward
JAPAN
Severe Damage At Osaka
Tokyo, Feb; 21.
A fairly severe earthquake rock- ed Osaks at 10.07 a.m. to-day.
A number of houses are reported to have collapsed. The, casualties are unknown, but fires have broken out in several places.
The earth tremors lasted 9.3 seconds this morning.
Fires broke out in a dozen places but were rapidly controlled.
Telegraph and telephone ser- vices were disrupted and three workmen were thrown off a chim- ney and killed.
There were eleven casualties in a landside.
The earthquake which rocked Kobe and Osaka and was more mildly felt at Nagoya ha done considerable damage.
News of the extent of the loss 18 slowly coming in.
The damage seems to have been of a minor nature in Kobe, but was fairly severe in Osaka, where some casualties and Are are re- ported.— heuter,
MINOBE SHOT IN LEG
Attacked During Interview
Tokyo, Feb. 21,
Dr. Tatsukich: Minobe, sponsor | of the theory that the Emperor is an organ of the state and not the state itself, which precipitated. that bitter controversy last August and resulted in his resignation from the House of Peers and three universities, was shot in the leg by a man who invaded his rest- dence to-day.
Oda, 31 years old and of na oc- cupadon, called at Dr. Minobe's home at 11.35 a.m. and produced a letter of introduction with a re- ques for an interview in the course of which he fired several shots at Dr. Minobe and wounded him in the left leg.
4
Dr. Minobe shouted for help and the police guard rushed in and fired at the assailant, seriously -wounded him.
The assailant is who now under examination by the police. Mean- while Dr. Minobe has been re- Feb. 20 Feb. 21
moved to hospital. His condition 20
19-7/8 is not serious. 18-3/4 Reuter,
19-13/16
DR. BENES APPROACHED BY VATICAN
||
DI.
Mediator In Dispute
("Hong Kong Daily Press" Special)
Paris, Feb: 21. That the President of the Czechoslovakian Republic, Bebes, has been asked by the Vatican to offer his mediation be tween Italy and Abyssinia, is stated by "L'Oeuvre" to be a fact, the paper adding that Dr. Benes has expressed his willingness to comply with the request on condition that Italy makes known her minimum demands, and secondly that Italy agrees to accept a set- tlement which takes account of such demands.
The paper asserts that there is, However, little prospect of the scheme proving feasible... Transocean New Service.
UNREST IN SYRIA
10.4
Damascus, Feb. 20.
FOREIGN POLICY OF GREECE
[Special to the “Hong Kong Da 1, Press" (Copyright),)
Athens, Feb. 20.
IN SPAIN
Fatalities At Amnesty Demonstrations.
("Hong Kong Daily Press" Special)
Madrid, February 21.
Rioting in various pinces throughout the country is reported to have taken place in course of Thursday by "Left wing ex- tremalsts. They not on'y assaulted the R'ght wing politicians in the streets, but also stormed and set on fire party offices and as sembly halls of the Right wing, as well as churches and monas- teries.
During the clashes between police and Left wing radicals in, the course of the amnesty demonstrations staged by the latter. Dve persons were killed and 31 seriously wounded. In Vigo the Marxists raided the Spanish Fascist office and attempted to lynch the Fascists assembled there. The police arrived only in the nick of time to prevent them" from carrying out their intention. Similar acts of vandalism are reported from Feriegle, where from fre, and also the Right wing party offices were set on Aelja, where order could only be restored by strong mounted po- lice detachments,
home for The Inmates of a juvenile criminals in Alicante rios- et and escaped from detention. two being shot dead by the police in the attempt.
In Ovieda, the Left wing radi- cals stormed the local prison and freed 19 prisoners.
In Gikon. where only the polit!- liberated by cal prisoners were force on the part of the Left wing- ers, the other prisoners also freed themselves. They, together with their relatives who had been wait- ing outside the prison, then form- ed a procession displaying Red flags
and putting up posters with revo- lutionary signs.
NUNNERY STORMED
In Cordoba Left wingers storm- ed the fats of several well-known Right politicians, threw their fur- niture out of the windows and set Are to it.
anunnery,
They also stormed dragged the nuns out in the streets and assaulted them.
In Barcelona the police were forced to use firearms, killing ave demonstrators and wounding sev- elai others.---- Transocean News Service.
BRITISH POLICY LONDON MURDER
IN CHINA
Japanese Paper's Allegation
the
Shanghai, Feb. 21.
to "Great Britain is scheming establish dominance over South- West China," says the Shanghal "Mainichi.”
The paper alleges, that Governor of Hong Kong is nego- tlating with General Chen Chi- tang for conclusion of a polliical and economic agreement.
"Britain is renewing her efforts to maintain control of the
South Yangtse which she started in 1934,
CONFESSION
Self-Defence Plea Tendered
A rank
Vernon
Paris, Feb. 20. confession by Roger
that he had shot. Max Kassel, alleged head of a criminal self- in London, but in gang defence, was given to the French aathorities to-day.
Vernon's confession startled the examining magistrate.
The prisoner said he shot Kasset without premeditation and only to defend his own life.
Vernon was arrested with a wo- Now with Hong Kong as a baseman two days after the murder of and the nearly completed Canton- the man Kassel, Max the Red, as Hankow Rallway as her weapon, she
is seeking to further her scheme,"
The "Mainichi" adds that Bri- tain anticipates more from the Southwest than Japan does in the Northern provinces -- Rester
DUTCH TUG RAMMED BY STEAMER
Six Lives Lost
be
was known to the London underworld Kassel was allegedly engaged in traffic in women.
The British authorities supplied the inforation leading to Vernon's detention, but the French Police refused to consider a request for extradition. Vernon was found to be a French subject, and escaped convict as well.—
Routers
AZANA CLARIFIES HIS POLICY
The Greek Premier Demerdale, speaking to foreign presa, men, stressed that the Greek Govern- ment, out of true conviction, sup- | ("Hong Kong Dally Press” Special) | (Speral to the "Hong Kong Daily
ports the Balkan Pact, and will do everything possible to fulAt the obligations undertaken.
The Premier said "The Balkan interests and the Greek interests are identical". Transocean News Service.
The
LEIPZIG FAIR
B
Berlin, Feb, 20. President of the Leip
Raimund Koehler, Fair, addressing
pressinen bere On Thursday,
that every thing painter to the Fair this time being a special success. Applications for living accomoda- tions were already 66% higher than at the last Spring Falz, 50 that all hotels in towns within a radius of 80 miles of Leipzig were let.
The French Chamber's legisla- tive period will end on March 13 according to a statement made by A more hopeful outlook for the of the Chamber, end of the General Strike is expect- Boulsson on Thursday evening ined, since the conversations that Transocean News Service reply to the question of the Radi- have taken place between the
Administration.. Cal Socialist leader Daladier.
French Litary
15
SYNTHETIC RUBBER
سبة
Bremen, Feb, 21.. Six persons lost their lives when
Press (Copyright.)) ·
Madrid, Feb. 20.. the Dutch tug Dipping Five over- The new Spanish Premier Azane turned in Bremerhaven harbour told pressmen that his Govern- after being rammed by the Britishment would aim at carrying out steame Lagosian, of the United the programme of the "People's Front," and that the new Cabinet did not want any king for "new
African Line.
The victims were the tug's cap- tain, his wife and two children, disturbances,” „An amnesty law
as well as one member of the crew, Would be passed by the Cortes. while two other members were The new Cabinet would rule con- rescued, "one of them after being stitutionally and strive to main- trapped for Ave hours in the fore- tain justice and order throughout castle of the capsized vessel.--'] Transnscan News Service. transocean News Service.
LINKING OF RAILWAY OPPOSED
KING AS A GREAT TRAVELLER
is the
London, Fab.. 20. A new description of the King (From Our Special Correspondent)
was made by Lord Stanley, pre- Canton, Feb. 21.
siding at a meeting of the Travel The Canton Chamber of Com Agents Association, when be merce has issued a statement opstated that His Majesty posing the proposal of linking the greatest Travel" Agent," as his Canton-Kowloon Railway with the worldwide travels have done much Canton-Hankow Railway for the towards the peace and prosperity reason that such connection will of the world... divert all goods traffic to Hong | Heuter's Bulletin Service. Kong at the expense of Canton,
Canton will
The termination of the legis and influential citizens of Damas- lative period will mark the beeus. ginning of the electoral cam-
The chief tople of the discus-
"Berlin, Feb. 20. paign, but the date of the elec- sions was the demand for an am tion has not yet been fixed. Poli-nesty for those Byrians banlabad The "Germania," commenting
on Herr Hitler's claim that Ger- Talks about joining up the two tical circles anticipate that the after the revolt of 1028, especially
synthetic lines are revived owing to coming here expect that date will be set for one of the Dr. Schachnandeer, who, in view many had adived the Sundays between April 19 and May of the inadequate preparations, rubber problem, admlis that na-completion of the Canton-Hankow handle the bulk of trade coming 3.
and in view of the changed tural rubber is considerably cheap- Railway, and the proposal was put trom the Yangtze provinces via There appears to be little likel-situation and the hopelesmesa
er than the synthetic product, of forward some time ago in London the rallway Imports from Europé which at present only '600 tons by Bir Cecil Clements, former to Central China will also pass. Tokyo, Feb. 21.
hood of a debate on the electoral that any kind of a revolt like 1928
Governor of Hong Kong. It is through Canton `via the Canton- are being produced montbly, in reform being concluded before could be made, now advocates a
rumoured Ninety six results in the Japan-
that the National Hankow line, which will we come. ese election, known at 4 p.m. to- All trams, busça and. motor Parliament's dissolution so that more moderate course, so that the face of Germany's total require-
Government is being approached pleted before the end of the year. day, show the following position of vehicles have stopped runzing. the elections are almost certain to amnesty for him and his followers ments of six thousand tons. the partles: Minselto 55, Seiyuka! Two travel agencies have re-take place under the old system of is not out of the question.
However, the Journal "prophesies by British interest to connect the
two lines. On the other hand it is possible sensational results from artificial 31. Social Mass 12, Showakai, 3. celved intimidating letters threa- holding two ballots instead of the Kokomin Domel 1. The Selyukattening harm if they allow their system of proportional representa- that the authorities will not par- manufacture, which will eventu- motor vehicles to be run for the tion which has been proposed as don the ring leaders of the pre-ally effect structural changes in lost four seats in Tokyo and the
the international rubber market- benefit of their clients.
an alternative;-;
sent revolt. Minselto gained six seats.—
Router. Transocean News Servico, Heuter's Bulletin Service
Transocean News Service. Router.
{
Pubilc opinion here supports the stand of the Cantón Chamber of Commerce in opposing the joining of the two railways Merchants
However, officials here have expressed no opinion on this matter. They consider it inop- pertune to say anything when 'Siz Frederick Lelth-Ross is visiting Canton" to-day..........