FATE OF
OF MANY STILL UNKNOWN
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, MAY 8, 1937.
PASSENGERS HOME FLEET IN
CAPTAIN LEHMANN IN GRAVE CONDITION
Thirty-Foot Jump By Peter Belin
Lands Unhurt On Pile
Of Sand
"Lakehurst, May 7.
The fate of fourteen Hindenburg passengers is still unknown. but it is hoped that some will be found in the hospitals.
Captain Lehmann, who was among the sürvivors, was la suolr a grave condition that the last rites of the church had to be að- ministered. He told a visitor: "I don't know what happened. She Just went up."
An examination of the bodies shows that the victims include an unidentified local man who apparently stood there watching the
» landing.
One of the survivors was Peter Belin, son of Mr. Ferdinand -Belin. former Ambassador to Poland, who jumped thirty feet from a cabin window. He landed unhurt on; a pile of sand.
There was only one British pas- senger aboard. He escaped from the Hindenburg which is now 1 tangled heap of metal.-... Reuter.
W
CONNECTED ACCOUNTS
New York, May 7, Earliest eyewitnesses' connected accounts, show that the Hinden- burg was sailing normally up to the inding stage, rassengers at the windows were laughing and "waving greetings.
When Captain Pruss ordered the lowering of ropes the airship lost equilibrium and began to rock. The stern touched the ground and an explosion Immediately occurred. A gigantic sheet of flame jetted the forepart of the ship, ending up the craft almost perpendicularly.
EARLY CABLES ON
W
THE DISASTER
Lakehurst, N. J., May 6.
The airship Hindenburg burst
NORTH CHAHAR STATUS
Major Imai's Statement
Pelping, May 4. Major Imal, spokesman of the Japanese Embassy. replied amr matively to the question whether North Chahar, although occupied by Manchukuo levies. was still nominally Chinese...
He pointed out that North Cha- har was administered by the Mon- gol Political Council originally ap- pointed by Nanking, the status of which has not been changed.
Reports of an independent re- gime, he declared, were untrue..
· Major - Imal added that friends at Sulyuan have informed him that all is quiet in Inner Mongo- la despite reports to the contrary in the Chinese press.-- Keuter.
POWER PLANT PROJECT
into flames, as she prepared In Wuchang-Hankow
moor this evening at the end of her first trans-Atlantic flight this season.
BOMB-LIKE EXPLOSION
According to ground watchers the airship was only a few hun- dred feet above the ground and the passengers were laughing and way- Ing from the observation windows when a bomb-like: explosion sent out clouds of red and black alllow ing smoke. Captain Max Pruss, Captain' Lehmann was also aboard was commanding the Airship and
sengers included Colonel Nelson In an advisory capacity. The pas-
Morris, of Chicago, foriner U. S. Minister in Sweden.
FRAMEWORK CRASHES TO
GROUND
L
The Hindenburg was wrapped in flames within twenty seconds and Within a few moments after the burned completely to the girders, | outbreak of fire the twisted frame-
In the meantime some passen- gers had leapt from the windows and dashed through the flames. Landing squads with great herolsm working in the terrific heat were responsible for further resepes.
UC-
It fell to the "ground and burned work of the airship crashed to for forty minutes during which the ground. Spectators stood sob there were five or six more ex- bing and many were hysterical as plosions:
an army of trucks with screaming syrens sped to the blazing' wreck- agc. The Airship was scheduled to dock at 8 pm, and was delayed twelve hours by head winds over Newfoundland. The disaster curred at 8.20 p.m. E.S.T. The Air- ship cruised above the airport for over ab hour waiting for the weather to clear to permit ber mooring. The Police sent out a radio appeal to all ambulances and fire apparatus in the district to rush to the spot.
The majority of the dead are believed to be Germans.
The cargo consisted of small engine parts, packages of films, newspaper, photographs and mail.
-Reuter
ΟΥΕΣ
CORONATION VISITORS
INCONVENIENCED
GERMANY IN MOURNING
Berlin, May 7. " Germany is in deep mourning
The Hindenburg left Frankfurt- Hindenburg the
disaster.on-Main at 8.15 p.ni. on Monday Flags with black streamers are set and carried thirty-nine passengers, at half mast on public buldings There is no estimate 'up till now as and many private houses. Special to the dead and injured. The Air- editions of the morning papers ship had tossed. nose first to the with heavy black borders informed the public of the accident.
ground when suddenly there was stern. She was due to convey the last a ferritic burst of name from her
of America's: Coronation visitors to
Members of the German Com- mission to enquire into the causes of the accident are flying to Cher bourg where they will board, the Europa which is due in New York next Thursday.--- #eûter.
20
ECKENER SHOCKED
"Berlin, May 0. Dr. Hugo von Eckener. designer of the Zeppelin, on hearing of the disaster, told Reuter: "I am most shocked. It is terrible. The .ac- eldent appears to have shown clearly the necessity which I have always urged for using bellum in preference to hydrogen in airships. The difficulty has been that we in Germany have no helium supplies of our own"— Reuter
AMERICAN SYMPATHY
Washington, May 7 President Roosevelt has cabled to Chancellor Hitler expressing the deepest sympathy over the Hin- denburg disaster. :
Mr. Cordell Hull Secretary of State, cabled a similar message to Baron von Neurath- Reuter,
INSURANCE COVER
London, May 7.
It is understood that although a large part of the insurance on the Hindenburg was covered in Britain, the loss to individual insurance companies will be relatively small as the risk was spread over many companies. It is believed that the Zeppelin Company holds 25 per cert of the risk,
The cost of construction of the Hindenburg instated to be
€ 500.000,- Reuter.
Indústrial Area
Shanghal, May 7. As one of the most important steps in national construction, plans for a big industrial district in the Wuchang-Hankow area are being studied by the National Reconstruction Commission, it is learned to-day.
struction of a
The Aret move will be the coh, powerful electric generation plant on the Yangtze river. Definite arrangements, for construction work already being made between the Nanking Government and the Hupeh Pro- vincial Government. The exact alte of the power plant has not yet
been decided.
are
POSITION
Coronation Display In The Thames
London, May 7.
Early this morning ships of the Home Flect, under the command of Admiral Sir Roger Backhouse, which are to be atationed in the Thames for the Coronation, ar- rived and before noon had taken up their positions between South- end and London Docks,
The warships number 34 and will provide Londoners with # most Impressive display of naval strength seen for same years. The vessels include the 33,500-ton bat- tleship Nelson. flagship of the Commander-in-Chief, her Alster ship Rodney of 33,900 tons, five 29.150 battleships of the Royal Sovereign class, the aircraft- carrier Furious of 22.450 tons, the cruisers Southampton and New- castle of 9,000 tons, which have just been completed, and Cairo. twelve modern destroyers, five sub-
netlayer and one depot ship. marines, one patrol vessel, "one
All the vessels will be open to the public dally until May 13 when they will proceed to Partsmouth in. readiness for the Spithead Naval Review.-
British Wireles
KING ATTENDS LUNCHEON
Welcomes Dominion And
Empire Leaders
London, May 7.
The King attended a luncheon at Westminster Hall given by the Parliamentary Dominion Associa- tion to officials of the Empire delegations to the Coronation.
The King in a toast expressing welcome said, "I am glad to see so many members, of the Dominion His and Empire Legislatures." Majesty expressed his best wishes to them and the hope that their stay in London will be a happy
Earlier in the morning the Dominion Prime Ministers attend- ed a rehearsal at the Abbey.- Reuter's Bulletin Service.
one.
MORE CORONATION ARRIVALS
Construction of the power plant will be divided into two stages. The Arat, to be completed in three years includes the setting up of two 10,000 kilowatt generators and one of 3,000 kilowatts This equip-
London, May 7-The Canadian ment will be used to accelerate in-military contingent to the Corona- dustrial development around Wu- chang, Hankow and Hanyang..
In the second stage two 15.000 kilowatt generators will be set up. The entire cost is to be borne by the National Government.
Local observers say the people are showing increasing enthusiasm for the project- Union News.
crew
A member of the ground related how he and his companions ran for their lives to get out of the way of the falling zeppelin, then a mare of flaine. But they returned and
got three bodies from the stern of the airship, all unrecognisably burned but one still
alive,
tion arrived at Southampton last night and marched to London this morning to the barracks provided for their accomodation.
The Afghan continent reached
Folkestone this morning. arrived by the same boat-
The Maharajah of Mysore also
Reutera, Bulletin Service,
Coronation Souvenir Programme
"THE CONNOISSEUR
COMES TO
CALDBECK'S"
NOT MERELY A FAMOUS SLOGAN
BUT A STATEMENT OF FACT
FOR OVER 73 YEARS
CALDBECK, MACGREGOR & CO., LTD.
THE LEADING WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS
COLLIERY
DISPUTE
Progress Towards Peace
London, May 7. Important progress towards peace in the mining industry was report- ed last night. After an all-day conference betwcen the Mines Minister, Captain Crookshank, and the National Executive of the Mine Workers' Federation on the Har- worth dispute, it was announced that the Executive Committee of Federation informed Captain Crookshank that in response "to the Prime Minister's appeal and in the "hope" of securing a settlement at the dispute honourable to all parties, they were prepared, if the, conference of the three parties Nottinghamahire Colllery Owners, Mine Workers' Federation and the Nottinghamshire and District In- dustrial Union-could be arranged to suspend for a fortnight, from Thursday night, the handling in of notices to terminate the contract. Captain Crookshank in consequence has invited the parties to such a conference under his chairman-
IN THE FAR EAST.
THE
HONG KONG
PENINSULA HOTEL;"
HONGKONG HOTEL; REPULSE BAY HOTEL;
&
SHANGHAI
AUTOR HOUSE; PALACE HOTEL; ·
HOTELS
LIMITED,
In association with the Grand Hotel des Wagons Lita, Paking
HOME CRICKET RESULTS
Gloucester Beat Hampshire
London, May 7. The following are the results of
JUBILEE
STAKES
Probable Starters And Jockeys
ship. The meeting between Cap Home cricket matches concluded starters and jockeys for the Jubilee
tain Crookshank and the Execu-.
resumed at tive Committee was noon to-day-- British Wireless
ALARM IN PEKIN".
Chinese Objection To German Film'
Berlin, May 7. The Alm entitled "Alarm
in
In connection with the sale of Coronation Souvenir Programmes by Boy Scouts in the streets on Pekin" now completing at Neuba- May 12, 13, and 14. It should be belsberg Studios outside Berlin led noted that all sellers will wear Dr. Tien Fong-cheng to call at the
Europe and her next trip to Ame-plosions continued.
Even after the crash minor ex-
Scout uniform and will carry an Foreign Office. official label. The price of the The flin deals with the Boxer The screams. rica had been postponed two days next week so that she could take
of the victims were plainly audible. Programmes will be $2 and as the Rising and assassination of the money will be kept in collecting German minister in Pekin and is newsreel and other films of the
HYDROGEN GAS
tins, such as are used on Flag alleged to have tendencies to Coronation to the United States,
Days, it will be impossible to give which objection could legitimately change.
be taken.
It has been definitely establish- ed that there were ninety-nine people aboard the Hindenburg. 39 passengers and sixty members of the crew.
The four survivors comprise Her- bert O'Laughlin of Chicago whe jumped when the ship was ten feet from the ground. two stewards and a cabin boy who jumped from a window.- Reuter.
BURNING WRECKAGE
Lakehurst, May 6. It is impossible, to reach the wreckage of the Hindenburg. which is still blazing fiercely. A wide area around it is roped off. Ambulances are unable to get through. Pressmen are barred from the scene.
It te reported that Captain Ernst Lehman adviser to the common der, Captain Pruss, is in hospital seriously burned. Apparently he leaped from the "control cabin. Captain Pruss also survived.
EYEWITNESS REPORTS
A photographer, who was an eyewithers, said he saw the ship enveloped in flames. In a fraction of a second nothing appeared to be left but a blazing skeleton.
He said he saw a man walking towards him assisted by kwo others. He had no clothes on..
It is learned the strship was Alled with hydrogen gas, which is highly explosive.
The entire proceeds of t: sale The Ambassador saw Secretary The chairman of the U.S. Senate of Programmes, after essential ex-of State Machensen, who promised Committee investigating air safety penses have been deducted, will be to refer the matter to Dr. Goeb said be would order an immediate forwarded through Government to
bels. inquiry as to the causes of the the King George Jubilee Trust. The fact that Chinese are belog crash. The Hindenburg was Fund, and the generous support of employed as extras in the film, specially designed to avoid a fate the public to this deserving cause which allegedly does not show similar to that of the Britian air is requested.
China in the best possible light, is apparently another ground for ob- lection... Reuter
ship, R-101. It contained scarce The sellers will be stationed ly an inch of wood, Everything near Star Ferry in Kowloon and was built of duraluminium. Ehe Hong Kong, near the lower Peak was the first zeppelin which Tram Station and along the pro- passengers were allowed to smoke. cession routes.
The frame-work of the TUNL R-101 is actually embodied in the Hindenburg's skeleton. It W28 purchased by the German Govern- meht after the British airship crashed in France.
The cause of the Hindenburg disaster is still unknown, but it is
REFUGEES ARRIVE IN FRANCE
THEFT REPORTED
"to-day.
At Southampton, Gloucester bent Hampshire by 297 runs. Glouces- ter 204 and 339 for 7 declared (Barnett 101; Boyes" 5 for 85). Hampshire 172 (8infeld 5 for 52) and 74 (Hammond 5 for 30 and Barrett 5 for 40).
London, May 6. The following are the probable
Stakes at Kempton on May 8:-.. William of Valence, (Packham), Tempest
Fairey (Carslake), (Crouch), Commander II (Harry WLAKE). Moody (Beary), Monument (Pat Grace (Bartlam).
Beasley), Richarde),
His
Monico (Gordon Rippontor (Steve Lancashire v. Glamorgan Donoghue), Emborough (Haw- ..Lancashire took first innings croft), Aldine (Richardson), Pike- points from Glamorgan at Neath. barn (Lowrey), Dytchley (Birett), Lancashire 204 (Paynter 82; E. Ormstead (Mitchell). Jones 5 for 80). Glamorgan 143 Jockeys have not yet been (Pollard 5 for 40). Raia inter-assigned to Bela Ethel and British fered with the match.
Quota- Heuter.
M.C.C. v. Surrey **
At Lord's, the MC.C. beat 'Sur-j. rey by 123 runs. M.C.C. 247 (E. D. Rich 97) and 242 (Gover 6 for 68). Surrey 181 (8lms 6 for 61) and 180. -Reuter
Samer v. Cambridge
In their match at Cambridge, Sussex beat Cambridge University
HONG KONG TIDE TABLE
From May 8. to 14.) IB37,. HIGH WATER
Lee Lun-ying, mistress of Tin Bau Tong. medicine dealers, or No. 168, Des Voeux Road Central re- ported to the police that at some time between 10 a.m. on Thursday Sat. B and 10 a.m. yesterday somebody, having got possession of her key. Bun.
London, May 7. Children to the number of 2,273 thought possible that a backtire as well as 210 women and aged from an engine might have ignited men, all refugees from Bilbao, dis-opened her safe and stole from it leaking gas. The theary is borne embarked, this morning from the aut by the appearance of the sud- Spanish liner Habana at La Pal- den spark near the tall-ins justice, France There was only one prior to the explosion!
case of illness, among them. The
Hong Kong and Chinese banknotes Mon, 10
as well as some jewellery, the total value of which amounted to $3,580, "MISSING"
Tues.'.II
Wod. 12 Mr. Gillrobb Wilson, New Jersey Habana, with the Red Cross flying Lee Chun-wah, aged 14, has been Aviation Director, said it was a at her stern, left Bilbao yes-reported missing from the Nanking
Thor. 18 hydrogen explosion in the second terday morning. Оп passing boarding house, 80, Connaught F14" cell, from the rear of the ship out of territorial waters, the Road, since 5.30 pm. yesterday,
Another boy, Lee Kwai, 13 years
which caused the fire and crash. | Habana was joined by her es- There was something very strange cort consting of H.M. Battleship old, has been reported missing about it, he suggested.
Royal Oak and two destroyers.—... from No. 5, Western Street, since Renter
British Wireless,
7. p.m. yesterday.
by
246 runs. Sussex 262 (Jim Parks 144 not out) and 283 for 6 declared (Jim Parks 84 and Cook 98) Cambridge 190 (Roughtrought 92) and 109- Reuter,
WEATHER REPORT
ROYAL OBSERVATORY HONG KONG
10 am., May 7,
Barometer (at sea level), 29.88
Temperature, 82. F.
LOW WATER
ins
Hong
Hong
Kong
Kong
Standard Time.
Standard
Time
Height
12. in. 5. 2
$
b. m. '07 05 39 65 54 .07.44 6 9. 20:39 | 53 08 237 4 23005
ON 06.17 8
Height
It. L
61-02 23 135919.
01 38 2:4
14.10 02 14 2.8. 16:31 08
12403.6 18 19
2257 5 0 '09 «9·8 0 23 68 (47) 17 28 0 0 1038 80 010089 17 2016 2 00:45:45 11 20
18.5004
77
Humidity, 79 per cent...
Wind Direction, W.S.W. Wind Force (Beaufort), 2... Temperature; maximum yester
day, 81 F.
Temperature;
night, 75.F.
minimum Jast
Rainfall for 24 hours ending 10h.
to-day, 0.49 ins
Total rainfall since January 1, ::9.40 fris, '-*
Against an average of 12.84 ins Bunset to-night, 0.52 p.m. Bunrise to-morrow, 5.47 a.m.
4. p.m., May 7 Barometer (at sea level); 20.80 Temperature, 23. Humidity. 76. Wind Direction, 8. Wind Fores (Beaufort), 2. Maximum Tempera- ture, 87. Rainfall, nil. Minimum Temperature 15: