H
•
Threat Of War Causes Exodus From Tsingtao
Curfew Advanced; Shops Closed; Looters Shot; Foreigners Leave
Tsingtao, Dec. 21.
The Chinese populace has been all streaming from the city in directions since Sunday, carrying meagre belongings and using all forms of vehicles including even perambulators. Following receipt of messages from the U.S. State Department, the American Consul to nationals advis.ng U.S. evacuate, and niany are doing so, but there is hitherto no noticeable movement by Britons.
is
300
Foreigners
here at present comprise appro- 300 ximately
Americans, British, several hundred Russlans and 150 Germans.
The majority of shops arc closed, and it is difficult to pur chase food. Meanwhile. looting started yesterday morning and continued spasmod'eally all the day long, because of which the
U.S. DOMESTIC
SILVER PRICE
Roosevelt's Statement
Awaited
London, Dec. 21. President Roosevelt's eagerly awaited statement regarding the United States domestic silver price is now thought by market circles will be made on December 30 in- stead of December 23. Apart from the paramount question the
of maintenance of 45 cents per ounce for foreign silver President Roose velt may indicate whether he is "prepared to renew the expiring. agreements with Mexico and other American producers under which the
United States will ak- sorb the bulk of their production, In this connexion the market con- siders significant the recent takk between the Mexican Finance Minister and Mr. Henry Morgen than.
It is realised that the discon- tinuance of the Mexican agree- ment would be disastrous for sil- ver which effect President Roose- velt is hardly likely to bring about in view of the consequent drop in the value of American holdings. On the contrary the United States Government may use the expiry of the agreement as a bargaining weapon to induce Mexico to adopt 'a more reasonable attitude to for- eign oil producers. A feeling of uncertainty is reflected in some Mexican bear sales last week
PRESENT NERVOUSNESS nervousness The present
is
caused by the realisation that the recent price will not hold for long but the upward adjustment indi- cates that the market on the whole takes a more optimistic view of the situation. It is pointed out the technical position has much improved the bull interest which is now estimated at only 3,000,000 ounces bigger than near as com- pared with 30,000,000 previously; also the ball position is held in very strong hands whereas bear consists of numerous small con-
tinental and other Sales. Some bears are now being covered but should President Franklin Roosevelt decide to renew the agreements and Day 45 cents foreign there will probably be a rush on bear covering with an ensuing sharp rise in price though the advance is limited by the fact that Mexican silver will be offered | in London when the price is over 20d. per ounce.--Reuter.
SITUATION IS TENSE
executed
curfew was readvanced to 6 pm. last night and measures are being taken by the Municipal authorities to quell looters, many of whom have been summarily Reuter's correspondent visiling the back streets saw looters' corpses exposed to public view as a waṛn- ing to others.
roar overhead Japanese planes Ume after time, some flying ex- tremely low so that the populace are able to see their bombracks. It is noticed that all the visitors are hydroplanes.
The burning of Japanese cotton mills was thoroughly accomplish- ed. and all are practically de- m:lished. The boom in the hat- bour entrance seems to be most effective and believed able to pre- vent the would-be raiders from coming in close to shore.
Reuter
MEDITERRANEAN SITUATION
FRANCE AND THE
FAR EAST ·
Parls, Dec. 21: The Ministerial Council is to-day understood to be Mediterranean discussing the situation if British warships pro- ceed to China, and also the pos- sible strengthening of French troops in Indo-China in view of the increasing Japanese Influence in 81am.
"L'Epoque" says that the British Ambassador had a conference with M. Delbos, (Foreign Minister) yes- terday, "France, we believe. would not refuse to lend help as we also have great interests in the Far Fast," says "Le Petit Journal" "I France
and Britain sends some Mediterranean units to the Far East, France as an old ally and friend will accept the duty of maintaining the status quo in the Mediterranean." Reuter.
SOUTHERN INVASION
· MAY BE DELAYED "
But Canton Maker Feverish Defence Plans
t
Canton, Dec. 21: Although Canton has resigned itself to pro spects of hostilities in South China, feverish military activities and are reported to be taking place, including the arrival of several thousand Kwangsi
In troops Kwangtung, usually well-informed Chinese and foreign sources hesl- tate to give full credence to re cent rumours that a Japanese in vasion is likely, at least for the present.
It is admitted that the time is ripe for Canton to share the fate of other big cities thoughout China but the likelihood of trouble at Tsingtao, where the outlook has suddenly became. ominous, may temporarily direct operations from the South where all sources agree that a Japanese campaign may prove most expensive and neces- sitating the best man-power.
Chinese are still crowding Hong Kong, steamers, fearing opportuni-i ties for evacuation will not be avail- able later Student bodies, which have been quiet for this part of China, are now coming to the forefront, and vernacular papers report anti-Japanese demonstra- tions and mass meetings may be expected in the near future.— Reuter
MORE SOVIET EXECUTIONS
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. WEDNESDAY,
DECEMBER
22.
1937,
MR. R. G. HOWE NO RECOGNITION DEMONSTRATION
EXPRESSES
APPRECIATION
TO US. NAVY
London, Dec. 21.
In reply to a message expressing the warmest appreciation of the prompt and gallant aid rendered by British warships to the sur vivors of the United States war. ship Panay In the Yangtaze, the British Charge D'Affaires in China, Mr. R. G. Howe, has sent to the United States"Ambassador the fol- lowing message:"I am greatly touched by your message of appre clat on of the assistance which the
Mr. R. G. Howe, British Charge D'Affaires in China, who is at pro- sent in Shanghai with other mem- bers of the British Embassy Staff.
Royal Navy was able, in a spirit of comradeship, to render in connec- tion with the attack on the United States Panay and her convoy. I hope you will allow me to offer to to you personally and ask you convey to your Staff of the United Slates Navy and fellow country- men on the Yangtze, an expres- sion of my deep personal sym- pathy in th's tragic
Occurrence
and of my warm admiration of the fine qualities displayed by public servants and private citizens of the United States at a time of great danger.". British Wireless.
PANAY INCIDENT
Japan's Reply To Protests Expected Shortly
Tokyo, Dec. 21. Pointing out that the Panay and Ladybird Incidents differ widely in gravity and. furthermore, that the underlying political atmos pheres vis-a-v's Great Britain and the United States must be taken into account, authoritative naval circles state that formal replies to the British and American protests will be presented in a day or two and possibly accompanied by fur- ther apologies if Japan's responsi- bility is unquestionable.
*
Navy circles denounce reports
• that Britain and America ere sending warships to the Far East as unbelievable and foolish and a
-FOR PUPPET CHINA REGIME
JAPAN HAS MISREAD THE FACTS, SAYS
·AMERICAN PRESS
זי
New York, Dec. 21; The New York Times" in an editorial states
new
China
there is no reason whatever to believe that foreign nations will extend to the puppet government southward of the Great Wall of China, recognition which they de liberately withheld from the pup- pet government of Manchukuo r thing they will sanction loans to the
*Independent States Certainly our case is that Japan has been badly misreading the facts of the situation if she believes for one moment that American opinion would permit any action on the part of our banks and commercial "interests which would help to fasten Japan's hold on property stolen from the Chinese people."— Reuter
CHINESE CUSTOMS,
London. Dec, 20. Questions regarding the adminis- tration of the Chinese Customs were asked in the House of Com- mons to-day, when Mr. Noel Baker (Lab.) enquired if it might be as sumed that the British Govern- ment did not intend to recognise the assumption by Japanese au- thorities or by alleged Chinese au- theritles of the rights belonging to the legitimate Chinese Govern- ment.
Eden Mr. Anthony
(Foreign Secretary) in reply said: "I should prefer to see that on the Paper, but I think the answer is Yes."
+
JAPAN'S NEW POLICY, IN CHINA
NO OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Tokyo, Dec. 21: No.ofcial an- nouncement is available regarding the new Government policy to China but semi-omcially it is re- called
that the Premier, Prince Konoye: in a recent statement re- ferred to the "new administration in China which the Japanese Government would
possibly be
compelled to recognise as the Central Government of China if It becomes stabilised and strong, while both Government and mill- tary leaders, including the Premier. War Minister, and General Matsul have repeatedly made statements that Japan will continue her drive against .the Chinese National Government and troops unless and until they reconsider anti-Japanese policy and enter into co-operation with Japanmm.
Bruter.
·REFUGEE TRAIN
FROM WUCHANG
Japanese diplomat declares that Christmas Express
the Japanese-American storm will blow over and be forgotten in couple of days much to the disap- paintment of certain countries who had hoped otherwise.---. Reuter
Coming Here
WOULD HAVE LITTLE EFFECT -
JAPAN ASKS BRITAIN TO TRUST HER
For Protection Of Interests In China
13
Tokyo, Dec. 21. Reports that Great Britain is contemplating reinforcing her Far Eastern Beet,
Riso the and messages about Anglo-French co- operation, is being given great prominence in the Japanese papers. The fact that certain influential move, de- circles favour such a clares the "Miyako Shimbun. given importance. "If the move were preparatory to an untoward да а clash with incident such Japanese forces the despatch of a small number of battleships would not mean much. If the object was to" stage a demonstration it would not have much effect except to stimulate anti-British sentiment among the Japanese people. That Britain is still unable clearly to understand the situation does not become of a nation noted for its" prudence and Britain appears to be at a loss whether to assist China In establishing a new friendly re- gime in Canton or to approach Japan at a sacrifice in support for China," says the paper.
Declaring that Japan positively will not permit the establishment or existence of such a regime, in Canton the "Miyako Shimbun " declares that the only path for Britain is to trust Japan for the protection of British rights and interests in China-
Reuter.
BOOMS CUT OFF REFUGEES
Evacuation By Train Planned: Japanese Informed
Hankow, Dec. 21.
to
SPE
DY
OON:
CANTON
ONO
RAILWAY
Special Notice to Golfers
The "Belle" railcars will run between Kowloon and Shum Chun as follows :----
Saturdays only.
Kowloon dep. 1.08 p.m.
Fanling arr. 1.38 p.m. Sheung Shui arr. 1.39 p.m.
Sham Chun arr. 1.48 p.m.
Sundays and Holidays only
Kowloon dep. 8.25 am.
Sheung Shut arr. 8.66 1. Kowloon cép. «:20 1 m.
Sheung Shul art. 9 48 a.m. | Tuesdays, Sundays Shum Chun dap. 4.11 p.m.
Sheung Shut dap. 4.80[p m
Shum than arr. 9 01 x. m..
Shum Chun T. 9.86 1.
& Holidays only
Kowloon arr. 4.812 p.m. RD. WALKER,
Manager Chief Engineer.
THE
HONG KONG
PENINSULA HOTEL;
E
HONGKONG HOTEL; REPULSE BAY HOTELS.
&:
SHANGHAI
ASTOR HOUSE; PALÁDE"" HOTEL; HOTELS
LIMITED.
In association with the Grand Hotel der Wagons Lits, Peking
VAGUE FINDINGS U.S. WARSHIPS
END JAPANESE PANAY INQUIRY
SAILSUDDENLY
San Diego, Cal, Dec. 20 Nine American destroyers suddenly: kaftl ed to-night for San Pedro "under orders on whịch naval oficials said they were unable to comument,
Many Inconsistencies The crews, who were on holiday,
Strongly Disputed
were summoned from theatres and places of amusement and ordered to return to the ships.. The ware ships were due to proceed on: cruises to foreign ports early in.. the new year. High oncials of the destroyer flotilla said that they did not know why the ships had suddenly, been ordered out---. Beuter.
The proposed dash to Shanghai of the B, and S. Woosung with 20 pasengers was baulked, by the closing of the Kiangyin booms, and preparations are now being made to run another refugee train Hong Kong. The date of the de-
Shanghai, Dec. 2. parture is not yet fixed, but it will
The Japanese inquiry findings in probably be the coming week-end.
It is learned that over 300 names the Panay incident, announced by are already registered for the trip. Major-General Harada, Japanese The Japanese have been inform-Military Attache, indicate variance accounts given by the ed of the proped departure of with the the train and have replied that naval and civilian survivors of the they will require 48 hours notice bombing. of its departure.
The findings were read by Major-U.S. Fleet Message Ai General Harada to a press con- San Diego Garbled
H.M.S. Capetown which left bere on Saturday with one man, 21 wo- men and 23 children, arrived at Wuhu yesterday morning, and will resume her journey to-day....
It is possible there will not be sufficient water at the breach in the Klangyin boom to allow the
Capetown, which draws 174 feet,
to pass through. In this event the
civilan passengers must be trans-
Panay.
ferred to a smaller ship in order to complete the journer to Shang-american warship was moving at hai
the time of the attack.
ference. The statement Was and the malu vaguely worded,
San Pedro, California, Dec. 21: conclusions were that three Japan- No specific action is contemplated, ese aeroplanes bombed the Fanny, stated a U.S. Fleet spokesman m that the gunboat fired three gun connection with the transfer of shots at Japanese army units, and | rize, deströyers which reportedly that the latter did not fire on the caine as a surprise to the officers, Otherwise the Navy High Com- Harada denied mand has thrown a screen of Major-General that Japanese army heats fired on silence around the transfer. Mean- the Panay, and asserted that the while a radio call from: Ban Diego last night for the entire personnel of the aircraft and scouting force Should the Capetown be unable The Pansy officers reported that to report immediately for duty was to pass the Klangyin boom, she will the gunboat was anchored two later described by an official source be cut off, not only from Shanghai hours before the bombing. All as a "serious mistake" after the but also from Hankow by the new points are strenuously queried by original call by one officer for "a booms erected near the Kiangyin the correspondents aboard the number. of men, to work overtime apertures which are now closed up. Panay, who point out that the sur- became garbled. Reuter...
vivors - contend there were Art San Pedro is 100 miles north of three, and then six machines con- San Diego. North Island is an air Hankow, Dec. 21.-cerned in the bombing, that the base in San Diego harbour alleged firing of the Panay's guna", Reuter. The steamer Woosung, scheduled was utterly incorrect, and that the The Japanese authorities have been given the required 48 hours to leave to-morrow, has cancelled Japanese army units hotly fired on shanshih on the Nanking-Hang-notice of the departure of the in-ling owing to booms which have the sunboat.
closed the Yangtsu River, Three Another point in dispute is the ternational refugee train already chow highway north of Hangchownown as the "Christmas Express hundred British and other women Japanese assertion that the Panar which will leave Wuchang at 10 and children will now be evacuated was moving at the time of the at- p.m. on Thursday for Hong Kong, Up to the present 120 Britons, 110 Americans, 40. Germans and some Bity French, Russian, After a whole day's fierce night- Itallans and other nationals have ing in the suburbs of Chingshan-reserved passages,
drove un abib, the Chinese forces
Riga, Dec. 23.
It is confirmed that eight form- er ministers.and officials who were sentenced to death were shot after a secret trial in Moscow. The best
CHINGSHIB AND SZECHIAKIAO RECAPTURED
Hangchow, Dec. 21: Both Ching-
Hankow, Dec. 21, The situation in Tsingtao is tense
and Szechiakiao about 8 kilometres from Chingshanshin' were recap according to reports received here. Commenting on the burning of the
tured by the Chinese forces in a Japanese mills in Tsingtao the known is M. Karakhian, ex-Com-counter attack. yesterday, accord- Chinese authorities here em- missar of Foreign Affairs who, as Ing to a milltary dispatch from phasise that while Admiral #hen special envoy to China in 1924 Wukang.
the Bino-Bolshevik Hung Lieh, mayor of Tsingtao, concluded
include M. undertook to protect Japanese pro- agreement. Others perty, he declared he would not Yenukidze, secretary to the Cen- be able to do so if Shantung was tral Executive Committee
1925 attacked by the Japanese. The til
when removed for Mayor also made it known that helping" disgraced ex-comrades the Chinese authorities might con- with food and money and M. Elder the destruction of certain Orakhelashvill, a former Prime property necessary in connexion Minister of Caucasia. Heuter. with the defence of Tsingtao." Reuter.
+
JAPANESE NOTIFIED OF JOURNEY
Hankow, Dec. 21.
The train which will consist of 14 back the Japanese and recovered coaches should be visible from B the town Pushing further on, great height as it bears the Bri- they defeated the retreating tish, American, German and other over the whole Japanese in another encounter at national flags. Ezechiakiac and recovered this length and should present a most strategic point too toward evening, picturesque appearance. the dispatch asserted.
LEAVING IN THE MORNING tender across the river to Wu-
During the engagements the It is now learned that "the chang" from where he caught the
chinese forces, the report stated, special refugee train will leave in ROUSING SEND-OFF
plane. Shanghai, Dec. 21. Lusty voices cried "bon voyage" damaged five Japanese trucks and
the morning of Thursday. Notice and.. inflicted heavy
of the date of departure, was tele- Vice Admiral LGE. Crabbe and sang "For He's a Jolly Good two tanks
'casualties upon the enemy.
graphed to the Japanese authori- took off by plane for Hong Kong Fellow" while the sailors turned
With the repulsion of the Jap-ties last night thus giving them at 8.35 a.m. Despite the early out en masse and cracked the
anese, cannon firing is no longer the required 48 hours' notice as re- hour, at 7 am.. a number of rest- quiet of the dawn, with
quested. dents turned out to see him off l'cheers as the tender drew away,audible at Wukang-
Central News. from the hulk where he took a Reuter
thres
Reuter,
COMING TO HONG KONG ...
to Hong Kong by train.--
Reuter
PEACE MOVEMENT DISAPPEARS
Shanghai, Dec. 21. The peace movement has entire- ly disappeared and has been re- placed by a campaign for long term hostilities in Central and South China according to the Shanghai porrespondent of the "Asahi Shimbun" who says that the peace atmosphere observed among Chinese just before the fall of Nanking has now entirely dis- appeared together with the peace, movement afoot among Chinese refugees in Hong Kong as well as Chinese in the two provinces of Kiangsu and Cheklang- Houter
tack.
UNKNOWN DESTINATION Unofficial naval sources state that Ave aircraft scouting force squadrons were ordered to report at North Island to be prepared for a fight to an unknown destination. Three squadrons of heavy petrol" em-planes are sald to be included In
this order.
Major-General Harada phasised that the Japanese "com- mander of the troops involved “díd-)
Harada
Aircraft oficials make 'no-com-"
not consider he was at fault." ment but #naval "men-here-be- Major-General
an lleve the orders, might be “monkey 1
drill" in which officers test the speed of the Navy's mobilisation under hoilday conditions-- "Reuter
nouncing the findings of the in- cident concerning HMB. Ladybird to-day— Reuter.
FOG OVER LONDON
London, Dec. 21, London this morning was ringed by fog and most of the roads were Icebound. Shipping in the Thames was blanketed by fog which ex- tended to the west as far, as
Bristol and to the north in the vicinity of Glasgow
COMPENSATION FOR PLUNDERING
London, Dec. 20. Asked whether the Japanese- Government were responsible for plundering of foreign property by their
solilers when entering * various towns, the Foreign Secre~! tary Mr. Anthons Eden, replied in Commons, "That is one of the items under which claims may be made."— British - Wireless.