1
"Hongkong Daily Press"-Dec. 16. 1939.
Delicious
Temperature: Max. 68; Min. 59.
WEATHER FORECAST:-E. WINDS, MODERATE
FINE TO CLOUDY.
OK Hongkong Daily Press.
Better SAUCE
Registered as a Newspaper at the Generali
報西
ESTABLISHED 1857
刺孖
15-19 Marina House, Queen's Road-Camden). G.P.O. Box No. 1
No. 25365
龇伍拾陸佰仟伍萬弍第
Poas Office in the United Kingdom.
11
日陸拾月弍拾年玖拾业佰玖千佳兆露 16, 1939. HONGKONG, SATURDAY, DECEMBER
HOW NAVAL BATTLE BEGAN TOLD
"
BY PASSENGER ON FRENCH LINER:
NO
DECISION IN
BERLIN
AS TO GRAF SPEE PLANS
AN ACCOUNT OF HOW THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE THREE BRITISH CRUISERS, H. M: S. EXETER, H. M. S. AND THE GERMAN ACHILLES AND H. M. S. AJAX, POCKET BATTLESHIP ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE began, given by a passenger on board the French liner Formose, which was being convoyed by the Ajax, is contained in a Reuter message from Buenos Aires.:
MEANWHILE, A REUTER REPORT FROM AMSTER- DAM STATES THAT NOTHING HAS YET BEEN REVEAL- ED IN BERLIN ABOUT THE PLANS OF THE GRAF SPEE. The German authorities have been examing reports from the captain" of the pocket battleship, now lying in Montevideo harbour, and the German Legation but hither- to it is not known what decision will be taken.
Unbreakable Control Of The Sea
NEW YORK, Dec. 15 (Reuter)--- The New York Daily News says that the victory shows that the
The passenger aboard the French liner Formose related
2 GERMAN SHIPPING FIRMS LOSE. HEAVILY
Special to the H.K. Daily Press NEW YORK, Dec 15 (Havay)—— Two German shipping companies, The Nordeutscher Lloyd and the Hamburg Amerika Line, have suf- fered huge losses since the out- break of war due to the fact that
that at 6 pm. on Wednesday of their ships are blocked in when the liner was off the American ports and 2800 men, Uruguayan coast they sighted who are Idle, continue to draw the Grai Spee sailing parallel their salary,
with the Formose. The Graf Furthermore, they must purchase Spee fired four shots at a tar-supplies and foodstuffs for these get which was invisible from vessels. the liner.
FAIR AND SQUARE
An interesting sidelight on the situation is the polite refusal of the companies of the offer for re- ""At 7.30 p.m. we saw a ripatriation by 300 Chinese sallory, British are holding an unbreak-cruiser approaching at great speed, who had signed two-year con~ able control of the sea. meaning When she was 12 miles off, she tracts, stating that they prefer to eventually opened fire on the German battle-adhere strictly to the terms of the
ship. The Arst abell missed but the range was then rectified and
the second took the Graf - Splee m fair and square in the stern
that
Allies can the starve Germany into submission.
Hitler would be wise to begin thinking of another peace offer.
Swedish Ships Confiscated
HAMBURG, Dec. 15 (Reuter)— Two Swedish ships have been con- fiscated by the Hamburg Prize Court. They were seized by Ger- man warships in the North Sea.
"The cruiser threw a smoke- screen to hide herself and then resumed the chase," he said.
contracts."
Bateral Manager.
ABOUT YOUR EYES
Word to the Wise is Suficient When you trust your precious gift of sight to a qualified and old setablish ad house such as ours you know that you are giving your syss the that can possibla be givan, e charges are reasonable and compare favourably with the charges of repub
18:3
bearb
Our
able and qualified optometriate at hotze. We could sacrifice quality for chopnose but bhat is not our policy. Only the very boss la good enough for you eyes.
Infoguard Your Eyes By Consulting
fazanus
LOFTICIAN ISP
Single Copy: 10 Centa
Price Per Month 13.00
BUILDING IN QUEEN'S ROAD WEST
WITH NO FIRE-ESCAPE: INQUIRY AT MAGISTRACY: RIDER BY JURY
Kwangsi oops build a new highway to Indo-Chinia to re- place the one, rendered useless by the Japanese occupation of Nanning. (Photo, S, H, Haia).
New Zealanders Elated At Part Played By
H.M.S. Achilles
WELLINGTON, Dec. 15 (Reuter)-New Zealanders are elated at the part played by HMS. Achilles in the Atlan- tie battle.
The Governor-General, Lord,
Galway, sent a message to the AIR BATTLE
INADEQUATE PROVISION OF FIRE-ESCAPES WAS added as a rider by the jury at the Central Court yesterday afternoon when an inquest was held into the death of one of eight persons who lost their lives in a conflagration at No, 466, Queen's Road West in the early morning November 27.
ارم
Evidence revealed that the premises were built in 1901, and, according to a Building Authority witness, had fire-escape on the floors. The! staircase and floors, were con- structed entirely of wood.
no
Mr. T. J. Houston sat as Coroner. assisted by a jury comprising Messrs. G. A. Lomaer (foreman), Fun Fing-chung and Wang Man- fel
A
Boy Burns
To Death In Cockloft
Misadventure Verdict
of
The fire occurred at No. 468 Queen's Road West In the early morning of November 27 resulting in eight deaths, including women and children.
A verdict of death by misadven- Inspector W. Mair and Detective-ture was returned at Kowloon Sergeant R. Macvey, who conduct Court yesterday following an in- ed the investigations, were present quiry into nine-year-old buy for the police.
who was burned to death in the Medical evidence showed that cockloft above the ground floor of some of the persons dled from No. 13. Pitt Street, on the night of fractured skull. consistent with a September 30. fall from a height, while others perished by burna.
Giving evidence, the deceased's mother, Lam Kam, stated that her FIRST ON SCENE
husband had endeavoured to save Sub-Inspector Sze Wal-ming, the boy after fire broke out fol- who was the first police officer on lowing a pot of boiling all bursting the scerié, told the Court that he into fame. Her husband rushed was on duty from 1 to 8 am, en up the cockloft, but had to turni November 27 when he heard police back when badly singed by the whistle blown. He rushed to the flame, his hair catching adre,
Mr. G. G. Moss, Deputy Superin- locality and found the premises in door of the ground floor of No. 466 stated, in evidence, that a private Queen's Road West and made at individual was allowed by the re tempts to put out the flames. He gulations to keep up to 20 gallons. summoned the Fire Brigade and of kerosene on his premises-with- on his return found the fre had out a licence, and for a quantity 20 gallons 2 intensined. He then rushed next of kerosene over LONDON, Dec 15 (BWS)-Yes- door and roused, the inmates. licence was required on terms of terday was a day of almost unceas- Tam Yak-chi, master of the which the kerosene would have to TOKYO, Dec. 15 (Reuter)-As a The Prime Minister, Mr. Ming activity over the North Sea by Kwong Lee Lang grocery step on be kept in a pit in the yard
The jury sitting at this inquest aircraft of the Royal Air Force the ground noor of the house concrete meagire to help to break! Savage, stated the
Nomura Tries To Conciliate
Third Powers
Secretary of State for the
Dominions, Mr. Anthony OVER Captain and all ranks for the
Eden, congratulating the
heroic part played in the de- feat of the Admiral Graf Spee.
that the battle
HELIGOLAND.
Japan-American diplomatic would take a notable place in the Considerable forces made wide where the fixe originated, said comprised Messrs. L. Bones (fore- The Estonia ship. Minna, which attack without, allowing the Grat deadlock there is every possibility glorious annals of British naval searches for enemy surface craft that the inmates of the floor had) man), E. Eymard, and Woo Woon-
was also seized, has been released.
"The "Graf Spee' was surpris- ed by the sudden attack, She increased her speed and re- plied with a volley of four shots all of which fell wide. "The cruiser pressed on with the Spee the slightest breathing space, of the Yangtse being reopened to history.
"When night fell the Graf Spee third power shipping in the near
though her cargo has been con-
ly at random, She disappeared today, into the darkness, still pursued by the British warship," 'concluded the passenger.
11
retired
fiscated. She was on her way to was still firing her shells, seeming-, future, says the Kokumin Shimbun the Government and the people, naissance flights over the sea are and the main electric switch hed
North America. s
BOMBING LOSSES
and submarines.
before Just
midnight. kin. He congratulated, on behalf of
One of the sweeps as recon- There was no cocking in the kitchen
the Captain and the crew. which called-extended over Hellgcland A NECESSITY
included 327 New Zealanders. He Bight and during this operation a been put off. About 1 am. He was. awakened by shouts of "re" in of aircräft engaged The newspaper understands that added that it was gratifying that formation Admiral Nemura regards this mea-n the first naval action "our boys strong enemy fighter forces at the the front corner of his shop where, acquitted themselves in a manner same time encountering anti-air a quantity of straw mats had been IN KWANGTUNG
URGENT EXCHANGE sure as a fundamental necessity:
His opponents, the other fully in keeping with the great craft fire from German warships. kept. He gave the alarm and the AMSTERDAM, Dec. 15 (Reuter)
It looked as though the Ger- people rushed out through the SHIUKWAN, Dec. 15 (Central).
mans were going to escape any back door.
He suffered a loss to property of One hundred and afty-three civi-An urgent exchange of questions hand, argue that the re-opening traditions of the British Navy."
real punishment but then a twin- liana were killed, 219 wounded and and instructions was proceeding in of the Yangtae to third power
engined Messerschmidt German more than $1,500, 221 houses wrecked as a result of code between Berlin and Monte- shipping would violate China's ad-
fighter fell in flames into the sea. Japanese air bombing operations Video all yesterday and most of ministrative rights and will enable
last night. in north and east Kwangtung in November,
Continued On Paro 7
PROGRESS OF OFFENSIVE BY CHINESE IN HUPEH: BIG ADVANCES CLAIMED
Chinese FANCHENG, HUPEH, Dez. 15 (Central)" forces in Central and North Hupeh are continuing their advances since their major offensive launched on Tuesday.
Aside from Topaowan and Lohanssu, the units which crossed the Siang River have recaptured more import- ant points in their drive along the Hankow - Ichang highway, including Nanchanglu and Hsuchlachang, west of Tienmen. Kungyichang, where the Japanese.. retreated, is surrounded.
reinforcements! Yingshan are vigorously attacking Japanese were intercepted at Hungli Chackowtlen.
JAPANESE DISLODGED " and suffered "over 800 casual-
Japanese units at Hauchiamlao, ties. Several Japanese tanks
north-east of Suihslen, have been and armoured cars and a
dislodged. They are bringing in considerable quantity of arms reinforcements from the neigh- and ammunition were cap-bourhood to stage a comeback.
To the north-west tured.
south
Chinese.
in
of Anhu,
OL
the powers concerned not only en- joy economic beneßts, but also to military exercise political and pressure on China,
Therefore, they say, third power navigation righis on Chinese waterways should be abolished
A.R.P. EXERCISE
Unable To Count Nazi Bombers
LONDON. Dec. 15 (Reuter) An eye-witness of an aerial com- bat between 12 British bombers German and a large number of
A few minutes later another Ger-
FIRST EMPIRE CONTINGENT
TO JOIN R.N.
LONDON, Dec. 15 (Reuter)
The Empire's first contingent of men to join the Royal Navy, con- sisting of nearly 200 fishermen, 'all from the Belle Isle, bachelors
RUSHED TO VERANDAH 'Wong Mul-lin, principal tenant man fighter met the same fate and of the nrst floor, said that there Newfoundland, was given an off- these two were followed by a third were altogether 20 persons in her cial welcome at Liverpool.
The men, whose ages range from and fourth. In the engagement flat. When the first alarm one of our aircraft was shot down first heard the inmates rushed up 18 to 24, are the first of 825 volun- / and two others are missing.
was
Some of the men's fathers served in the Army in the last war.
to the second floor verandah and teers who will be engaged in
mine-sweeping operations.. All our other formations of air climbed to the balcony next door. craft returned to their base after Fu To, principal tenant of the dark barely half an hour overdue. second floor of Nu. 466 Queen's Road West, said that there were the LONDON, Dec. 15 (Reater) about 28 persons living on It is learned that in the air en-noor.
Continued on Page 6
OUT-NUMBERED
AT YAUMATI The Director of Air Raid Precau- fighters said that there were so counter over the Frisian Islands tions announces that the Air Raid many of the latter, and they were and the Heligoland Bight, the Warning syren will sound at one changing directions of fight, that British machines were heavily out minute to 9 o'clock tomorrow he was unable to count their exact numbered. morning to indicate the com- number.
mencement of the ARP. exercise He added that when the battle at Yaumati. It will sound again was over he saw nine bombers at 10 am to indicate the termina-fying away in a north-west direc-
tion of the exercise.
It should be noted, however, that the duration of the signal has been limited to one minute, and the syren will not be sounded over the regulation period of three min-
utes
BUSY DAY*
of Vingshan, a Japanese FOR ENVOY
tion.
On Other-
Pages
They did not belong to the newly-formed Security Patrol.
WESTERN FRONT ACTIVITY
PARIS, Dec. 15 (Reuter)--Bharp engagements between reconnals- sance units are reported from the Vorges region and there was con- aiderable activity along the whole front from the Moselle to "the" Rhine.
CHEERLESS CHRISTMAS
CANTON, Dec. 15 (Reuter)-A cheerless Christmas awaits mem- bers of the foreign colony in Bha-
Page
2
A
.... 2
3
3
4
5
5
$
8
Anti-Nazi scenes
Church news...
0
Fanling race entries. Cathedral wedding Finance, commerce.
10
10
11
The announcement caused dis- appointment to large crowds who, as usual, had anticipated spending the week-end in Hongkong
Softball HEAVY CASUALTIES
Soccer prospects Training gallopa Further Japanese reinforcements unit has been defeated, abandon-
Radio programmės have been called out. Fighting is ing over 100 bodies.
TIENTBIN, Dec, 15 (Reuter) raging in the vicinity of Yung- The Hwayuan-Kwangsul
Coming events Mr. Nelson T. Johnson, American
Crossword puzzle the tion of the Peiping-Hankow Rail Ambassador to China, had a most lunghe. Slentaochen, neighbourhood, is encircled by the way has been damaged by Chinese busy morning interviewing indivi- $1,000 claim
at three points. The ralle near duals while in the afternoon he volunteer Orders The Japanese have suffered ginyang, in south Honan, have heavy casualties in an engage also been torn up. The Japanese pent two hours closeted with Leading article ment near Talenklang, 95 miles are finding it extremely difficult leading American business leaders. Hello and goodbye
American Consular and Cham-Kuomintang manifesto above Hankow on the south bank to send men and munitions to the ber of Commerce officials decime of the Han River.
On the Bulhalen sector, in North Hupeh, the Chinese have diso re- covered more important points, including Yuchlatlen and Tasi-
#
chiashan The Chinese north of
north Hupeh front.
serit.
to divulge anything for the pre- APPROACHING : YOYANG MILO, HUNAN, Dec. 15 (Central)
Mr. Yoshio Muto, Japanese Chinese troops are approaching Consul-General. called Mr.
Johnson Continued on Page 6
meen with the announcement that the Pearl River will be closed to shipping as from Dec. 12 mill the and of the year owing to military necessity.
Lord Derby, in the name of the King, welcomed the splendid body. of men who had come to help? ..their Empire in her great struggle.
FINAL SELECTIONS FOR JOCKEY CLUB'S 13TH
EXTRA MEETING
BY LAST QUARTER”
· RACE 1 (2.00 PM)
"Confusion Bay
Galaxy
Hectic View
RACE 2 (2.30) Pumpernickel Brutus Heinz
RACE 3 (3.00)
Smiling Time Matador
.2
3
RACE 5 (4.00)
New Star
Potentate Lancashire Lass
RACE & (4,30). Lancashire Chips Courting Eve Baffin Bay...
RACE 7 (5.00) Taxing Master Dawn Star Tampa Bay".
RACE 8 (5.30)
Gog..
RACE 4 (3.30)
2
Piet Hein
3
Gold Coin
King Kong Musketeer
Celtic Star
Night View
DAILY....DOUBLE
NEW STAR and TAXING MASTER