HONG KONG DAILY PRESS
FRANCO-ITALIAN TALKS
NORMALLY
ASSURANCES REGARDING
SPANISH QUESTIONS BEING AWAITED
Paris Press Pessimism.
Paris, May 18.
The Franco-Italian negotiations are proceeding normally, ac- cording to political circles here which deny the rumours current abroad to the effect that the French Charge d'Affaires, M. Blondel, had received instructions to express to Count Ciano the surprise of the French Government at certain passages of Signor Mussolini's Genoa speech.
CABLES
PROCEEDING
JAPAN'S WAR CASUALTIES
Hauchów, May 18. According to an official an- nouncement made by the Japanese military authorities at Yenabow, over 135,000 Japanese soldiers have been killed since the beginning of the war in August, 1937...
The casualites, according to the announcement, includes three major-generals, over 5. 600 military officers and 600 naval officers"—{Central News),
It is further declared that France is still prepared to continue PLAN FOR IRON
the negotiations in the same conciliatory spirit that characterised the Anglo-Italian negotiation.
Nevertheless, Qual d'Orsay cir-
Political circles here declare des admit that the French that the Premier is going to Paris Government certainly wishes to not only to discuss ratification of receive assurances from Italy re-the Frenco-Syrian Treaty but also garding the
Spanish question on account of the Franco-Italian The French Government is ready conversations in Rome. to restore International control on .the Franco-Spanish frontier on condition that international con- trol is simultaneously restored on the Spanish-Portuguese frontier! and after the international com- mission appointed by the London Non-Intervention Committee has actually begun its task in Spain of withdrawing the foreign volun- teers from both sides.
WILL RESERVE RIGHT
If after fulfilment of these stipulations and restoration of control the French Government considers that no progress
has
been made in the matter of with- drawal of volunteers within SIX weeks' time, France reserves the right to suspend frontier control.
ACCUMULATION
Official British Project
London, May 18 The British Government is pre- paring a plan for accumulating large piz Iron supplies to be used for the manufacture of steel in emergency, reports the Daily Ex- press.
It is asserted that Italy de- mands certain assurances for the of her interests in protection Syria.-(Transocean).
FRANC DISCOUNTS WIDEN
London, May 18. The widening discounts" од Factories, it is stated, will be French france for future delivery. asked not to extinguish blast which are quoted at 12 centimes furnaces in future even at a time for one month and 112 centimes when no orders are on hand.. for three months, compared with According to the paper, pig tron parity and 80 centimes respective-supplies will be increased from ly, are arousing comment Ja 600,000 tons to a million tons.-
(Transocean). foreign exchange circles,
Well-informed circles are of the opinion that the change of senti- currency ment towards French originates from the delay which is being experienced in arriving at an agreement between France and Italy, with matters not help- PAPERS PESSIMISTIC
ed by last Saturday's speech by While French official quarters Signor Mussolini at Genoa display a certain optimism regard- Moreover, some fear that this ing the prospects of the Franco- change of atmosphere may have Italian negotiations, today's news-repercussions on the French de papers speak of serious diMculties fence loan.
that have arisen.
RESELLING DIFFICULTY
SPANISH WAR HELD UP BY WEATHER
London, May 18. Wet weather holding up operations in the northern section of the Spanish war. The Insur- gents claim to have made further The fact that the conference It is pointed out that while the advances in the mountains" in the Govern- between the Italian Foreign, Ioan is fully subscribed, a con- Teruel trent while the Minister, Count Clano. and the siderable portion has been taken ment French Charge D'Affaires in Rome,
up by banks with the object of treated a short distance at
claim successes else-
forces
M. Blondel, which" was announced reselling to clients. The latter, front but for yesterday, did not take place. was considered as an 11 omen.
(Transocean).
SYRIAN PREMIER'S VISIT TO PARIS
4.
Damascus, May 18. The visit to Paris of the Syrian Prime Minister, Mardam Bey, has been postponed till the last week
of May.
A.P.C. TANKER DAMAGED
West River Town Heavily Bombed
admit having re- this
however, may be less responsive where.(Reuter). than at first thought, pending Inore satisfactory reports of Franco-Italian negotiations.
In this connection, it is stated that, one bank. reported having sold the new loan at 984. com- pared with the issue price of 98. thus giving away its commission.
(Reuter).
Attempt To Seize Japanese Fishing Boat
SOUTH AFRICA ELECTIONS
Government Majority Expected
Johannesburg, May 18. Polling in the general election began this morning in the Bolon, which has 150 constituencies.
The United (Government) Party is expected by political commenta- tors to obtain a majority of 54 seats. (Reilter)
NO BREAK WITH BRITAIN
Tokyo, May 18.
Johannesburg, May 18. General Smuts, touring. Nata), Canton, May 18.. A Soviet gunboat yesterday at- Private advices received here tempted to seize a Japanese fish-today re-emphasised the Govern Today revealed that Shlubing, im- ing boat, the Asahi Maru, ten miles ment's determination to maintain portant town on the West River, from the Korean coast, according its British connection in a Govern- ment which claims to represent was heavily bombed by Japanese to reports from Fusai.
It is stated that Japanese gun-moderate sections of English and planes yesterday afternoo1.
Altogether 21 bombs, it is claim-boats managed to chase the in- South African speaking races,
truder away---(Transocean).
+1
ed, fell into the town, 11 on Nam- kal Road West where several houses were demolished. Two mis-
siles exploded on Konghon Road and the Shinhing Wharf, while the others fell into the river, damag- ing one Asiatic Petroleum Com- pany's oil tankers.
flew
Another group of planes over Mafong Market near Samshui on the terminus of the Canton- Samshui Railway, dropping seven bombs
"
KING OPENS NEW
TOWN HALL
DRIVES SIXTY MILES
The official Opposition's (Ng- tionalist) aim is to establish a re- public independent of the British Empire.
Another Opposition Party (Do- minions), on the other hand, is extremely British.--(Reuter).
TO MANCHESTER Air Force
London, May 18, Els Majesty the King, continu- ylling his Lancashire tour, opened lagers were killed and wounded. the new extension of the Man-
altogether. Twenty
The wharf at Samshui was also bombed. Eleven men and womer were killed.(Central News).
Squadrons
chester Town Hall today, Hè re- For Far East
called that the foundation stone
of the extension was laid by his
London, May 17. father in July, 1234, when the Arrangements have been made late King made his last visit to for the despatch of Royal Air Manchester.
Force squadrons to Ceylon, Penang MONKS TEACH
The extension, costing £750,000, and other centres in the Far East. This step is in accordance with forms a link between the old Town CLASS HOW TO
Hail and the Municipal Library..the authorities in 1930 to provide USE SWORDS
Their Majesties today, made a an additional twelve squadrons for 60-mile motor drive to Manchester overseas stations. to attend the opening ceremony, Canton, May 18. Four Buddhist monks of the-(Reuter), Chin Yun Monastery, located in Nan Ping village, Nam Hot county, 30 miles west of Canton, are hold- ing a class in the art of handling swords in warfare.
."
The monks are all over 60 years
GEN. LI CHI-SHEN RUMOUR FALSE
Canton, May 17.
Squadrons have already been sent to Singapore, Egypt and Kenya, and three additional squadrons recently sent to Egypt. will be located at Ismalla, Helwan and Helipolols.--(Reuter).
Because 'Hong Kong at present has no adequate accommodation for RAF. planes, it is thought im- of age but are recognised as ex- There is no truth in the report probable that any of the squad- will be attached to this perts in the sphere. The class that General Li Chi-shen, former rons consists of about 200 pupils.
military, head of Kwangtung, has Station for the time being.
Accommodation at the RAF. Recently, the monks sold some returned here. He is in Hankow
of their belongings and utilised the serving as a leading member of the Station at Kai Tak it is stated, 18 money in purchasing National Military Affairs Commission.--(In- fully taxed with the machines
from HMS. Eagle: Salvation bonds-(International).ternational),
Statement In Commons On Underground Rail Mishap
IMMEDIATE INQUIRY
TO BE HELD
London, May 17. The remarkable freedom over many years of the London under- ground railways' from serious ac- cident was broken foday when, on a district callway between the Charing Cross and Templa under- ground stations, an inner circle train ran into the back of a dis- trict train bound for Barking.
Six people were killed or sub- sequently died from injuries, and some forty others suffered injuries of varying severity.
and Rescue work by "doctors nurses summoned from nearby hospitals had to be carried out in darkness.
Not until two and a half hours after the collision had all the in- jured been released from wreckage.
A statement was made in the House of Commons this afternoon by the Minister of Transport (Dr. L Burgin), who, accompanied by officials of the London Passenger Transport Board and officers of his own Ministry, had visited the scene of the "accident within ap hour of the collision.
Dr. Burgin said he had appointed one of his inspecting officers of the railway to hold an immediate in- 'quiry into the cause of the accident which is at present unknown.
The number of dead and injured make this the worst accident in the history of the underground
Through railways.
trafic will probably be Interrupted unti tomorrow owing to the dimculties of removal of the wreckage from the tunnel--(British Wireless).
SEARCH FOR MISSING DOCTOR
Darwin, May 18. R.A.F. planes left Darwin this morning in search of Dr. King and his pilot. Dr. Elng took off from Darwin yesterday for the interior in answer to a sick cali
3
The country in which he might have made 蠶 forced landing is not tracked but well watered.-(Reuter).
MARTIAL LAW IN PEIPING
Visit Of Prince
Chichibu
い
Tientsin. May 18. Martial law has been declared in Pelping as Frince Chichibu, young" er brother of Emperor Hirohito, and General Masak! are visiting the former capital,
All vehicles and pedestrians are by being thoroughly searched Japanese gendarmes. Additional guards
have
THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1938. —PAGE
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LUNGHAI
RAILWAY
LULL
LINE STILL HELD|
BY CHINESE
Hankow, May 18. "Judging by sparse reports re- calved here from the front today. the fighting on the Lunghal Ralf-
to understood be Iess way is violent. The Chinese still assert that the entire Langhal Railway is still in possession of their troops although the railway tracks be- tween Bauchow and Kalteng have 'been constantly bombed by Jap- anese airmen.
The Chinese reports stress that after the expulsion of the Jap anese from Bullunch and Han- taokow, the centre of operations has again been shifted" to Yung- perg, 50 kilometres south of Tang- shan.
the
The Chinese admit that Japanese have reached Fstaohsien. 30 kilometres southeast Hsuchow. Esitohsien itself, however, is still said to be in the hand of Chinese troops who are offering stubborn resistance.
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CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE
*$20,000 FOR RELIEF OF
AMOY REFUGEES
Acting under orders from the National Government, Mr. Eni Pa, member of the National Relief Commision, is fare conducting" a investigation into the conditions of the Chinese refuge who have, come here from Amey, following the Japanese occupation of the city, says Central Nows..
Rice For Amoy
Refugees
Manila, May, 18.
Mr. Hau, who arrived here frame Hankow on Monday, stated in an interview that the Chinese Gov- ernment is ready to appropriate $20,000 for the relief of the war victims
It is learned that in response to a request from the American Con- sul-General in Amoy, the Chinese Mr. C. E Porter, manager of the Reber Association and the Philip- According to Chinese reports the local Red Cross, declared this pine Red Cross Bodiety in the town of Hofel is now being shelled evening that 2,500 bags of rice, Philippines have remitted money by Chinese batteries. The Chinese cach weighing 107 kilos, left Hons here for the purchase of 3,000 sacka troops in the region of Hotel have Kong this afternoon on board of rice for the relief of the Chin- been greatly strengthened by the coastal steamer and are due at
arrival of fresh reinforcements. Amoy tomorrUW. -
The situation
ese refugees at Kulangan. -
Inquiries made here reveal that has already been pur- and will be shipped to
in the Hofe! The rice was recently purchased the rice sector is regarded as favourable in Hong Kong with funds raised by chased and it is expected that the town the local Chinese Rellef Commit-Kulangsu within two days by the will be recaptured by Chinese tee.-(Reuter). troops In the near future.- (Transocean).
THREATENS HANKOW
Tokyo, May 18. ..
been "Commenting on the military posted to keep track of the move situation on the Langhai front, a ments of Prince Chichibu and spokesman of the Foreign Office decision has General Masaki. The latter figured said that while no prominently in the Tokyo coup❘ been reached
by the Japanese d'etat of February 28, 1838-(In-Government on the subject, Han- ternational).
CODREANU TRIAL
WILL BE SHORT
Bucharest, May 18." The trial of Cornelius Codreanu, leader of the dissolved Iron Guard organisation who is charged with high treason will take place
On
Monday.
The trial will probably be short
kow would eventually be attacked by Japanese forces in case the Chiang Kai-shek Government per- sists in the present anti-Japanese
attitude."
The spokesman was of the
opinion that if Hankow should be You've always longed
occupied by Japan the importance
of Canton would be much de- for really hot water on tap... Now you can 'creased~(Router).
CHINESE NOT INTIMIDATED
Shanghai, May, 18.
Foreign military observers here
have it at a price you can easily afford.
1.3. Anking.
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13
because the military court con-]} sider hearing of witnesses super-doubt the Japanese threat to atare automatic- simple -economical- fluous, as the examination has de-tack Hankow, because their fores reliable. Gas is the cheapest way of getting hot water on finitely proved Codreanu's guilty have been exhausted in the pre- tap, without waiting, without work, without dat (Transocean).
BISHOP'S HOUSE
·BURGLED
sent offensive on Bauchow.
It Is believed here that, the threat to invade Hankow is to ta duce the National Government to accept Japanese pesce terms, as Tokyo wants to end the war as soon as possible. Ad
A Police report states that some- time between 7.30 p.m. on Tues- day and 7 a.m. yesterday somebody broke into the Bishop's house and the, stole $9.88 in money.
Chinese circles declare that the fate of Hsuchow does not affect duration of" the prezent struggle. (International);
2
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