HONGKONG DAILY PRESS
Lord Halifax Defends
British Policy
Legitimate Rights, Values Of The People More Important Than Life Itself
LONDON APRIL 20 (BWS) IF WAR EVER COMES TO THE WORLD, IT WOULD BE," SO FAZ AS THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY, ARE CON- CERNED, because they would feel that there was no other way of defending their legitimate rights and values, which, to them, are more important than life itself," declared the British Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, in the course of the debate on Foreign Affairs in the House of Lords yesterday.
we are
HIROHITO
TO HITLER
TOKYO, Apr. 20 (Reuter)— The Emperor of Japan has cabled to Fuehrer Hitler cor- dial felicitations to-day on the occasion of the latter's birth- day.
IL DUCE ON POLICY OF AXIS
SPEAKS ON ROME
EXHIBITION
ROME, April 20 (Reuter)— "To attempt to suggest that the axis wants war is ab- solutely unjustified. We want to get on with our work," de- clared Signor Benito Musso- lin in a broadcast speech on the 1942 Rome Exhibition.
Regarding negotiations in attention of the Government Moscow, Lord Halifax sald:
who had not been at all un- "I don't think there is any
mindful of "their obligations in that connexion. He could not thing I can say at the present time beyond that
say more at present. Replying to a question by Lord engaged in the active pursuit Straboigi as to whether any agree- The Duce said, "To-day of those negotiations and Iments reached with other coun-
marks have every hope that a re-tries would be registered with the
the beginning of a mobilization-I hope great different League of Nations, Lord Halifax those hysterical people over cognition of the points of view will enable us said that he had no doubt that it to make that progress which would be the purpose of the Gov- the frontler won't get frigh- we all desire."
ernment to take whatever action tened it is a civil mobiliza- To Lord Straboigl, who asked if is incumbent upon them under tion of workmen. By accept- the negotiations included the Article XVI, but that would de-ing the invitation to the Ex- question of the. Pacific, Lord pend, in some degree, upon the hibition many nations have Halifax replied that he could not form of agreement reached. shown they have the same: exclude the possibility of the
# TROOP MOVEMENTS
ideas as the Italians about! conversations being more widely With regard to the rumours of peace. A horrible geographi- extended.
troop movements in Spain. Lord | cal pyramid has been con- ROOSEVELT'S MESSAGE Halifax pointed out that a great stituted by people without Speaking of Mr. Roosevelt's deal of troop movements were rudimentary knowledge of
Foreign Secretary legitimately and naturally
ac-
message. the said that it had already been counted for by the fact that the made clear that the British Gov-Spanish Army was now demobiliz- ernment found themselves ining and there was, therefore, no essential agreement with the out-need for such movements to cause look on international relationship uneasiness. which he had expressed with great clarity of language and with the Immense authority at his com- mand. He said he had no doubt that millions of people in all coun- tries would trust that the Pre-designs.. sident's initiative might have a "It is fantastic to suggest
successful outcome.
Regarding President Roosevelt's about considering
suggestion
economics, the British Govern- ment were prepared to play their part in that matter.
RECENT EVENTS
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238
In reference to the general negotiations in progress result of the recent events in Europe, Lord Halifax said it would be quite fantastic to think that the consultations the British Government had been engaged in and the guarantees they had glven covered any aggressive deal- ings on their part.
.
If his voice could reach as far as he wished it to, he would be prepared, on behalf of the Govern- ment, to give the most solemn undertaking that such an idea would never find a place in British policy.
Concluding Lord Halifax said: "If war ever came to the world. It would be, so far as the people of this country are concerned, only because they would feel that there was no other way of defending values which to them are more im portant than Efe itself.”
BRITISH SHIPPING LONDON, April 20 (Benter) -The suggestion that there might be an act of war against British shipping was made by Lord Strabolgi in the course of the debate.
Lord Halifax, replying, as- sured Lord Strabolgi that the subject had engaged the full
CHINA'S GRIM FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY
Asiatic Partner Of Axis Kept Fully Occupied
LONDON, APRIL 20 (REU- TER)---MR.” - QUO TAI-CHI THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR IN 'LONDON, addressing the British",and North American Luncheon Club yesterday, ex- preased satisfaction that Pre- sident Roosevelt was equally emphatic about Asia as "ho was of Europe,
Mr. Quo Tai-chi stressed that China's grim fight for International political decency. and for democracy was keep- ing the Asiatic partner of the aris fully ocupled.
"Faltering on the part of China wond set the whole world still further out of its stride," udded the Chinese Ambasador.
25
EMPHATIC REPUDIATION Lord Halifax made an emphatic repudiation of the allegations that Britain's political moves at present were connected with aggressive
that the consultations in which the Government are engaged and the guarantees they have given against "aggression have any, aggressive designs."" he declared.
RUMOURS OF THREATS Turning to Spain, Lord Halifax stated that the Government's in formation indicated that too much credence should not be päld to rumours of threats to Gibraltar. He expressed goodwill towards the Spanish Government in "their im mense, task of reconstruction,"
SPANISH ASSURANCE LONDON, April 20 (Reuter) -The Spanish, authorities in Tangler have given the British '
·Consul-General the fullest assurances that there is no truth In the rumour that Spain intends to occupy terri- tory there, according to B Spanish press service message received by Reuter.
The rumours were described as "totally false and unjustified" and the Spanish authorities added that they were prepared to authorise any foreign newspapermen who wished to do so to visit the
European affairs. The policy of the axis is peace and col- laboration."
Signor Mussolini sald that the greater the number of people at a.. conference the less likely... was it to succeed. This remark was greeted with loud applause.
But, added Il Duce, they had men and means to defend themselves. He repeated the! slogan, "peace with justice,"! amid loud cheers, and con- clüded by announcing that the new buildings for the 1942 Exhibition would have the of St: Peter's proportions Coliseum.
Il Duce was speaking in the City Hall to members of the Organizing Committee of the Exhibition.
Soviet To
CABLES
Kings, Rulers, Diplomats, On The Move In Europe
THREE GROUPS ACTIVE DURING BUSY INTERNATIONAL “LULL" AS THE WORLD AWAITS HERR HITLER'S! REPLY TO PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
LONDON, APRIL 20 (REUTER)~~~~THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BUSIER INTERNATIONAL "LULL" THAN THE PRESENT ONE This is the apt conclusion of diplomatic correspondent of "The Times" in reviewing the comings and goings of kings, rulers and diplomats, while the world awaits Herr Hitler's answer to President Roosevelt.
out.
Visits fall into three main groups, the correspondent points
The Anglo-French contacts, stretching out to Moscow and Angora, with several main branches from Poland and through- out the Balkans, is described as "all progressing well."
The second group are the German and Italian interviews. "made all the more easy by Herr Aktier's birthday celebrations to-day that are drawing bidden zuests from all parts of Central and South-Eastern Europe."
Thirdly, there are the distinctly Italian contacts which need not automatically be included in the accepted German- Italian scheme contacts, for example, with Count Teleki, pub- licly in Rome, and with the Yugoslav Government, quietly in Belgrade."
FRIDAY. APRIL 21, 1939. -PAGE 9
THE
HONG KONG
PENINSULA HOTEL;
HONGKONG HOTEL; BÈPULJE BAT HOTELĮ
&
SHANGHAI
"APTOR HOUSE; PALACE HATEL;
HOTELS LIMITED.
in association with the Grand Hotel des Warons Lits, Peking
SALE OF JAPANESE GOODS
CHINESE MERCHANTS WARNED
*
Wang's "Peace Move" Opposed
BY BANKERS IN
NORTH CHINA CHUNGKING, April 20 (Cen-
-CHUNGKING, April 20 (Central) tral)-Chinese merchants in
-Evidence that Wang Ching-woi's Shanghai have been warned
"peace move" has found support against selling Japaness roods,"
neither in Free China nor in the according to a Shanghai re-
"occupied" areas is provided by a port
manifesto Issued by the North On Monday, two "Chinese youths China National Salvation Associa threw a bomb into a cotton plece-tion, composed of Chinese hankera goods store at Rue de Montigny, businessmen, teachers and other. in the French Concession, which educated Chinese la Peiping. was alleged to be selling Japanese The manifeste, which reached goods labelled with Chinese trade Chungking by a roundabout route... In supplementary question, Mr. marks. It failed to explode. They takes his December 28 telegram tổ Mander suggested that, if it were also left a threatening letter. task point by point and minces noi made clear that the arrangements Shortly afterwards. handbills words in showing where the arts- were open to all countries willig warning Chinese merchants mar-while Kuomintang leader is miss
give guarantees and accept |keting Japanese products were taken. obligations, that would go a long scattered in the street from the way to discount German propa- | roof garden of the Great World ganda that these purely defence | Amusement House. arrangements constituted
I am not yet in a position to add anything" to my recent statements.", .
Reciprocal Obligations
Against Aggression
Questions In Commons
LONDON, April 20 (BWS)— When asked in the House of Commons by Mr. Geoffrey C. M. Mander, Liberal, in connexion with mutual aid, arrange- ments with other countries, whether it was proposed obli- gations should be reciprocal and that arrangements 'should be open to adherence of all countries, the Prime Minister replied: "As I informed Mr. Attlee yesterday. His Majes- ty's Government are still in consultation with the other Interested Governments and
to
clement.
encir-
"The Prime Minister was under- stood to reply that he feared those responsible for propagandist al- legations of that kind would not be, convinced of their mistake by theoretical consideration Mr. Mander had in mind,
1.
CHINA AND FAR EAST The Premier answered affirma- tively another question in which he was asked whether the Gov- ernment would bear in mind the desirability of including China and other Far Eastern countries in any combination of govern ments for the purpose of resisting l'aggression.
Ask For Anglo - French
Assistance If Attacked By Japan
HEAVY JAPANESE
CASUALTIES
Spanish zone in Morocco in order 7,000 Reinforcements
to carry out investigations on the spot.
CHENGTU POPULACE
For Canton
From Our Own Correspondent
+
Dramatic New Moves
ENVOYS CALLED TO MOSCOW
CHUNGSHAN, April 20—Owing to Important Role In
Chinese counter-offensive heavy
Japanese
and
Casualties a
European Affairs
SWEDEN TAKES PRECAUTIONS
20
STOCKHOLM, April (T/Ocean)-The Swedish Gov- ernment called to the colours yesterday the 1915 class for one month military training beginning on May 15; while the class of 1934 has been simultaneously ordered to un- dergo one month of a special Lir-raid protection training at the same time.
COUNT CIANO
-REPORTS OF DRAMA- TIC NEW MOVES BY RUSSIA, WERE GIVEN LORD Perth SEES CURRENCY IN THIS MORNING NEWSPAPERS. M. Stalin, according to the "News Chronicle," has sent for the Soviet Ambassadors in Paris and Berlin and the Soviet Minister in Stock-
EVACUATION OF CHENGTU, April 20 (Central)-- Chengtu is evacuating ite surplus Kwangtung, eight Japanese trans-LONDON, APE. 20 (REUTER) population an measure against ports with about 7,000 soldiers on possible Japanese aerial bombārīgs.
board were sighted off Swabue to- To impress the people with the day en route to Canton as 'rein- importance of evacuating to the
forcements. The troops are ex- countryside, a monster citywide | pected to reach Whampoa, or Bocca publicity campaign was launched Titris, this afternoon, recently. The campaign was spon- It was revealed here to-day that sored by the Szechwan Provincial about 2,400 Japanese were killed Air Defence Association with the in the Chinese offensive during the co-operation of all local govern- past several days. The heaviest ment, party and military organiza- toll was at Teengcheng north of tions.
the East River, when the city According to the evacuation re-changed hands twice. The Chinese gulations, old and weak, women to-day resumed the offensive and "London. and children are the first who expected to clean up the enemy All four of them are reported questions with the Italian Foreign must leave. Those who have no shortly.
cavalrymen were killed in Chipang. about six miles north-east of
important occupations in the city Over two hundred Japanese should likew's go to the country Local cultural and educational in- stitutions have also been urged to move out. Only those who have urgent political or military duties will be permitted to remain.
An unusual rush is already evident along the various ways of exist from the city. There are seven [highways linking Chengtu with other provinces or other centres of rural Ezechwan. Each bus that leaves Chengtu is crowded with evacuees heading for the country side.
US, AIR BASES WASHINGTON, April 20 (Reuter) The Bill authorizing an expendi- ture of $888,000,000 on naval and air bases was approved by the House of Representatives.
Kongmoon. Representing the
holm, as well as M. Malaky,
ROME, April 20 (T/Ocean) The British Ambassador in Rome. Lord Perth, paid another visit yesterday to the Italian Foreign sinister, Count Ciano.
It is stated that Lord Perth had no special instructions from Lot- the Soviet Minister indon, but wished, on his awn initiative, to discuss series of
to have arrived in Moscow Minister. It is however, not cor- to-day for a conference, at rect that Lord Perth, who is to which Russia's attitude to leave the post in Rome in a few the pact with the Western days time, took leave of Count
Ciano on this occasion. Powers will be discussed. cream of the Japanese army, the When the Paris and Berlin en- mounted soldiers game chase to voys were en route through several platoons of Chinese rifle Foland, they met the Charge foreign ministries of the Baltic men in the mountainous and diff-d'Affaires in Warsaw, who report-States whether they would, wel- cult terrain in Chipang.",
ed to them on Poland's attitude come active assistance from the Soviet in case their independence for co-operation with Russia.
Is threatened and what form such assistance should take.
MOWN' DOWN
The Japanese light brigade made the charge, but before they gained
IF ATTACKED·· According to the "Dally Mall's Paris correspondent,
operation in anti-aggression in Eastern Europe, is asking for British and French support if the Soviet is attacked by Japan
a hundred yards Chinese troope en-Russia, in return for her co- trenched in strategic polais mowed them down with machine guns and band grenades. The ambush was aruse laid by the Chinese troops in order to exact heavy casualties. Over fifty troopers were wounded and thrown from their horses but succeeded in making good their re treat.
Meanwhile, the Warsaw corres- pondent of The Times" reports that M. Litvinoff has recently been elucidate with the
trying
to
GOOD PROGRESS Whatever may result from these or other developments arising from the Soviet's im portant new role in European affaits, there is at least gener- si agreement among political and other commentstofs "in the morning newspapers that the Anglo-French approaches making good progress.
China Will Resist
To The End
เท
SIR CLARK KERR IN CHUNGKING CHUNGKING, April 20, (Reuter) China's deter- mination to continue the war of resistance to the end will doubtless be observed by Sir Archibald Clark Kerr, says the Takungpas" in an editorial commenting on the British Ambassador's arrival in Chungking.
Regarding Japan's demang that China should join the Anti-Comin- Lern Pact, the manifesto says that the has no right to force China, an independent country, to join an international pact and it is absolu- tely ridiculous to suggest that Jap- panese troops be garrisoned in China to support and ensure this pact
With reference to Sino-Jap- anese
economic co-operation, the manifesto points out that "this means Japanese domin”. ance and monopoly of Chinese resources and China's becoming a Japanese-controlled tárket.” RESIDENTIAL RIGHTS Rating" objection to the Japan- ese proposal for the right to reside Jin China's - interior and garrison troops in specified areas, the manl festo declares that the stationing of troops violates "China's terri torial integrity and that if the Jap-
anese have the right to reside in the interior China will become a colony and will likely suffer all the This determination of the Chi- consequences, such as the spread'. nese army and people, the paper of opium traffic, gambling and continues, was clearly stated by prostitution. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek in As to the abolition of extraterri an interview with the press on toriality, and return, of concessions April 18. Her anti-British policy the manifesto argues: We shonki and determination to conquer not agree to the exchange of these China, the editorial says, makes for greater inequalities. From the Japan a common enemy of China Manchurian expertence we learn and Britain.
that Japan has used this disguise The article concludes by ex-to strengthen her own position. pressing the hope that the British Again, from what we have seen in Ambassador will further the close this part of China ("occupted"
auch co-operation between the Chinese jareas)
as the merciless and the British Government. slaughter of innocent civilians by this Upon his arrival in Chungking Japanese military police, yesterday afternoon, Bir Archibald woul, pot give us political inde- was handed a copy of the "Han- pendente," kow Herald," a loent Baglish lan- Refuting Japan's claim for the guage daily, which had given pro-"eneation of a new order in Eart minence to the interview granted Asia," the manifesto staten that in by the Generalissimo to pressmen Japan is carrying on invasion of on April 18 when he declared that the Asiatic Continent, and expell- "peace was impossible under the the disguise of this beautiful slogan existing ‘circumstances,"
ing other countries from the Far East.
ROOSEVELT'S PEACE MOVE
In a statement issued this after- CHUNGKING, April 20 (Reuter)
of the Executive Yuan, expressed poon, Dr. H. H. Kung, President BADMINTON wholehearted approval of Preal INTERPORT dent Roosevelt's message to Hitler and Mussolini, declarins. "Once IN SHANGHAI
more Mr. Roosevelt has exerted his far-sighted statesmanship behalf of peace
BRITISH BATTLESHIPS
Plan Will Not Be Altered
LONDON, April 20 (T/Ocean)—
Lusitano Lead Recreio
BHANGRÁL, Apr 20 (Reuter)
By winning two of the three matches played this evening Shanghid 'is leading Hongkong/3-2 in the Badminton Interport be- tween the Club Lusitano and Cầub de Recreio: AMARJA
In the ladies' 'doubles, SANOZ The Parliamentary Secretary to Ribeiro and Miss M. Sliva (Reczélő). the Admiralty. Mr. Geoffrey beat Miss H. C. Collaco and Mi Shakespeare, stated in the House A. S. Costa (Lusitano) 17-14, 15-5, - of Commons yesterday, in reply to while in the men's singies B. A. questions, that the Admiralty had de Benna Lusitano) best MA no confirmation" of the reports | Oliveira (Recreio) by scores of 16-9. that Japan intended building | 15-5.
battleships armed with :18 fach- In the ladies singles Mrs. A. A guns and that the British Govern- | Remedios, (Lusitano); bekk. Minu 31. ment, therefore, did not contem- Xavier (Recreio) 8-11, 11-1-11-8. plate altering the plans of the Two mixed doublés matches, 10 British battleships which will be be played to-morrow, will complete
the series. shortly laid down,