1
HONGKONG DAILY PRESS
CABLE
WAR SECRETARY'S RESIGNATION CAUSES BOMBSHELL
HORE-BELISHA SAID TO HAVE TRODDEN ON MANY ARMY CHIEFS' CORNS
Oliver Stanley Takes Over: Sir John Reith To Head Ministry Of Information
LONDON, Jan. 6 (Reuter) Mr. Leslie Hore-Belisha, Secretary of State for War, provided London with a first- class political sensation late last night when it was an- nounced that he had tendered his resignation to Mr. Neville Chamberlain and that the Prime Minister had ac- cepted it. At the same time it was disclosed that Lord MacMillan. Minister of Information, had also resigned.
Mr. Oliver Stanley is going from the Board, of Trade to the War Office; Sir John Reith, formerly Director-General of the B.B.C. and Chairman of Imperial Airways becomes Minister of Information, and the well-known Scottish in- dustrial magnate. Sir Andrew Rae Duncan. succeeds Mr. Oliver Stanley as President of the Board of Trades
MR. HORE-BELISHA
Partial Food Rationing In Britain
FINNISH PILOT
FINISHES SIX
RED PLANES
Soviets Dig In For Long War
HELSINKIJ, Jan. 7 (Reuter)—It} is claimed that one of the most remarkable feats of the war was accomplished yesterday when a Finnish pilat accounted for xlx out of nine Russian planes which raided Uttl, 60 miles northeast of the capital.
Two other Soviet planes were brought down in the same raid.
Helsinki yesterday was again without an air raid warning. Life is steadily becoming more normal, and 32 cinemas have reopened.
COLDEST DAY
Yesterday was the coldest day ta Finland this winter, the tem- perature falling to 54 degrECS frost,
་
Dirk van de Geer, the Prime. Minister of Holland.
Ciano, Czaky Talks Show Harmony
LONG WAR LIKELY HELSINKI. Jan. 6 (Reuter).
VENICE, Jan. 7 (Router)-Count A startling change appears
Ciano and Count Czaky, the Itn- to have come OYCE LE the
llan and Hungarian Foreign Min- Russo-Finnish war, and the
The lsters, met twice yesterday. the Soviets appear to covering
have
first meeting in the morning lasted abandoned the plan for
90 minutes, and the second meet. short war. Red Army troops, are now dig-ng in the evening' lasted two ging in on, the Karelian Isthmus In preparation for a long cam-
Announcement of the re-tween France and Britain on the signations came as a complete conduct of the war, but produce surprise. There had been no no evidence to support the theory. LONDON, Jan. 7 (Reuter)- preliminary hints of possible their heaviest guns at his succes- Monday," marking the intro- At the same time, they loose Tomorrow will be "Coupon changes," and no explanation
scr. Mr. Oliver Stanley, as Bri- duction of the first official is forthcoming.
tin's leading German-hater."
rationing scheme Germany, seems to expect ex- sugar, butter, bazon and jäm. pansion of the war in the military.
Mr. W. S. Morrison, Minister of and economic fields.
Food, broadcasting on the subject.. said that the scheme was in no way caused by shortage of food. and added: "We shall have all paign, the food we need, but the object. is to devote the utmost shipping space and foreign exchange armament and raw materials.
It is known, however, by com munications exchanged between Mr. Hore-Bellsha and the Prime Minister that no difference on prints of policy had arisen.
In the re-shuffling of the Cabinet made necessary by the changes, "Mr. Hore-Belisha was offered a smaller post by the Prime Minis- ter, but for reasons which he had given privately to Mr. Chamber- lain, he was unable to accept it.
The resignations are greeted with delight In official Nazi circles, and the press asserted them to be "an example of the dissension and lack of con-
fidence within the British
Government."
Mr. Hore-Belisha has been des
1.
In his letter to the Prime Miniscribed in Germany as "the chief is
ter, Mr. Hore-Bellsha says he wil continue to do all in his power to which is alleged to control the contribute to the successful pro- Cabinet, and upon this ground his sccation of the war.
departure is warmly welcomed,
representative of the Jewish gang",
NO PEACE INTENTION Rumours that Mr. Chambe.lain
formed
had
War
PARIS REACTIONS PARIS, Jan. 6 (Reuter)-The all-Tory an Cabinet was the preliminary to an Brish Cabinet resignations are
published "prominently
of today's French
On
Important move
in the peace front pages arena were promptly scotched by the Foreign Office.
newspapers.
The appointment of 31:
It was categorically denied that any discussions of any kind have been entered into anywhere.
General in well-informed quar-i ters is to view Mr. Hore-Belisha's departure as a means of healing wounds caused by his ruthless re- organisation of the Army. In- volving the dismissal of older and more conservative elements.
i
the
Olver Stanley as" Secretary for War is interpreted as in- dication of the determination of Britain to energetically pursue the economie war and face up to Goering.. Le Petit Parisien sees in it proof of the formidable efficacy of the Franco-British bloc.
MORE INFORMATION
The journal forecasts the fero- ASKED FOR
clous organisation of the Germun Tile surprise created by the re-
economy by the suppression of signation of Mr. Hore-Bellsha is money, which will be replaced by
the newspapers, which are demanding that more; information be given.
reflected
in
Another criticism is that wh!
labour certificates,
"REITH WELCOMED
BY NEW YORK
to
share and share alike. The watchword of the scheme
PREVENTING QUEUES
"In the last war, rationing was not introducid until short- age arose, but this time we are not waiting for food queues but are forestalling and pre- venting them."
་་
Mr. Morrison concluded: leave you with this resolution—we won't ask the men at sea to bring: more food than we need. Let them bring instead more and more of all that will increase our protec soa and their strength.
hours.
Count Ciano later told journ. alists that he and Count Czaky discussed Central and Eastern
Strong positions are being pre- Line, which it appears the Russians pared opposite the Mannerheim Puropean affairs.
intend to defend all winter.
MINOR ENGAGEMENTS HELSINKI, Jan. ↑ (Reuter)-A communique reports Increased artillery activity on the Karelian Isthmus, while on the Eastern Front, at Suomussalmi, fighting is in progess in the" direction of Raale.
A number of minor engagements are reported, as well as the cap- ture of 11 Soviet tanks and other war materials.
il
"You can say that we have found that both the Italian and
MONDAY,
JANUARY 8, 1940. —PAGE
THE
HONG KONG
PENINSULA HOTEL} -
HONGKONG HOTEL; KEPULAR BAX MOTRIĄ
&
SHANGHAI
ALTOR HOUSE; PALACE HOTEL
HOTELS LIMITED.
In association with the Grand Hotel des Wagons" Lita, Feking.
GERMAN REPORTS OF
INDIAN UNREST SHOW
WISHFUL THINKING
LONDON, Jan. 7 (Reuter)-The recent German attempts to show that the Northwest Frontier of India is extremely disturbed and that there has been a seri-.. ous outbreak at Waziristan show that there has been much "wishful thinking," declares The Times in an editorial.
As a matter of fact: Waziristan is less troubled than it was early last year, says The Times. Although there have been some cases of kidnapping, brigandage and sabotage, they have not given the Indian authorities any ground for anxiety.
The recent revival of tales in the German press that Russia is planning Alexander-ke conquests in the Middle East has no doubt Increased Moslem anxieties, but the Afghan Government, which is well-informed as to affairs in Central Asia, is under- stood to have noted no sign of exceptional military activity on the Oxus River.
the Hungarian Governments have EIRE SWEEPING
the same views about peace,” he said.
NO BALKAN BLOC ROME, Jan. 7 (Reuter)-Italy will take no initiative to form or enter
bloc any Balkan Signor Virginio Gayda, writing in the
says
COUNTRY OF OFFENDERS
Giornale D'Italia regarding Troops Fired On
Near Dublin
SWEDISH SHIP TORPEDOED
Sub. Was Russian Say Survivors
STOCKHOLM, Jan. 6 (Reuter)--- A small Swedish steamer of 480
the Ciano-Czaky conversations.
Italy wants to live in peaceful collaboration with the Danubian ¦ DUBLIN, Jan. 7 (Reuter)-The tans has been attacked and tor- Taking advantage of the fine and Balkan states, he says. but Police moved quickly in Eire yes-pedoed by a submarine in the nar- weather, adds the communique, wants to preserve her freedom of terday, following the signing by row part of the Gulf of Bothnia. Sovjet aircraft caritéd out number of bombing raids over central and'' northern Finland. At "a number of civilians,
"Until we have won victory, we Mikkele,
action:
the President of the Emergency The survivors stated yesterday A Ba'kan bloc under present
Powers Amendment Bill, which that they were quite certain that gives the Government the right to the submarine was a Russian one. conditions would be premature,
intern citizens suspected of activi- The Swedish Government has declares Signor Gayda. The Giornale D'Italia states that ties against the State without asked Moscow to institute an im- Italy has no aggressive intentions bringing them before a court of mediate enquiry. out towards the USSR.
A large number of arrests were and wishes to check the expansion of made yesterday in Cork and other
1 home will share what our men including some women and chil- bring us as they share the dan- eers of their service"
The date for the rationing of meat has not yet been fixed.
RATIONING IN EUROPE Rationing is gradually extending to every country in Europe.
Italy is rationing coffee, and Hungary and Bulgaria. have no meat two days a week.
dren, were killed.
Finnish aircraft carried numerous reconnaissance bombing flights.
RUSSIAN REPORT MOSCOW, Jan. 7 (Reuter-The eningrad Military Area com- munique states that there 15 nothing of Importance on front.
In Germany, the rationing ist The includes bread, milk eggs, cheese, patrol
Communism.
i
law.
She simply
"Russia may stay unmolested parts of the country.
DUBLIN INCIDENT within the confines of her front- lers," says the paper, "but it Early yesterday morning, a car communism attempts to encroach broke through the military patrol leading into on the European and Italian zones holding the road the
of vital interest, Fascism will be Dublin. mentions ready with the right answer." communique activities yesterday over
A number of men in the car fred
on the patrol," which comprised three men and a corporal, none of
NEW YORK, Jan. 6 (Reuter-jam and lard.
Various areas, and adds that a VENICE, Jan. 7 (Reuter)-It is whom were hit. The troops re- Mr. Chamberlain was about The. British Cabinet resignations
Germans have two meatless days, number of successful ralds were) understood that Count Clano. the reorganisation of the Cabinet is the main news in all the New might have been carried forthe. York newspapers.
ון
The Times remarks that, ir. Mr. Raymond Gram Swing, the wartime conditions in Army quar- noted commentator. In a broadcast. ters, tempers may well have be- commented that it would probably come frayed, and the Daily Mali have been difficult for the Minis Rces so far as to say: "Mr. Hore try of Information Belisha did not get on with the good generals, so out he goes."
H
turned fire.
FINNISH SHIP SUNK # HELSINKI, Jan. 8 (Reuter)- According to reports received here 2. Finnish ship has been sunk in the Gulf of Bothnia by a Soviet sub- marine.
CHINA WAR NEWS
Continued from Page 1
a week, and fish, poultry, veget-made by Soviet airmen on Finn Italian Foreign Minister, is already! There is some evidence that at ables and fruit are scarce.
reserves and military objectives satisfied with his talks with Count least one man in the" car was hit. and coffee is forbidden.
In addition the sale of real tea and that 10 Finnish planes were Csaky, the Hungarian Foreigh All roads over an area of 50 miles troops drove northward from
brought down in combat.
Germans are only allowed one small, plece of snap a month.
to make a Little wool is available for darn- start under anybody'sing and none for knitting. leadership, but he appreciated the
Shoes can only be repaired four
The Times says that it should, appointment of Sir John Reith. times a year...
be placed on record that Mr.
SURPRISE TO CANADA Hore-Belisha
New gramophone records can be had only ninc months to produce the army con
OTTAWA. Jan: 6 (Reuter)The bought only if old records are aldered necessary these days and resignation of Mr. Hore-Bellsha given in.
carte as a complete surprise to
that: thanks to him, it is far on Canadians. among whom he was
its way.
TROD ON CORNS The Dally Keraid says that there is no doubt Mr. Hore- Bellsha has trodden on a lot
of corns.
regarded as an excelled: War Minister, especially after his re- juvenation, of the Army Staff.
Lord
MacMillan's resignation
JAPANESE ADMIT BURNING OF
BRITISH PROPERTY
TSINGTAO, Jan. 7 Reuter)—— British newspaper criticism of the The Japanese authorities at Tang-
was not so unexpected, since the
1
WARNS NEUTRALS
LONDON, Jan. 6 (Reuter) — A spokesman of the Bussian Embassy today stated that the despatch of British or French forces to Finland, even if call- ed volunteers, would be garded as equivalent to a de- claration of war.
14-
He claimed that Moscow's only purpose in Finland was to estab- lish in Helsinki 2 government favourable to the U. S. 8. R. and insisted that there is no military or political alliance between Ger- many and Russia.
The Daily Telegraph emphasizes information facilities had received tao admit the burning by Japan. JAPANESE AND
alteration
in
the
L
that the resignation does not widespread publicity here. imply "any
No official comment ori the national policy. The resignation Cabinet reconstruction yet of Mr. Hore-Belisha and Lord forthcoming. MacMillan is nothing more serious than a change or watch on board!
a 'ship.
...
STANLEY POPULAR COPENHAGEN, Jan. 6 (Reuter) The general feeling in the Bri--Danish newspapers welcome the tish Press is that Mr. Chamber-appointment of Mr. Oliver Stan lain's team has been strengthen-les as War Minister, and point ed by the appointments of Sir out that he is well known here. John Reith as Minister of In- The National Tidence calls Mr. formation, and Sir Andrew Rae Stanley a good friend of Denmark, Duncan as President of the Board and refers to his diplomatic tact of Trade.
during his dealings with Labour in Britain.
· STATEMENT IN COMMONS Special to the ILK. Dally Press LONDON. Jan. 7' (Havas)—It is anticipated that the Prime Min- ister, Mr. Chamberlain, will make a statement in the House of Com- mens on January 16, concerning the resignation of. Mr. Hore-
The exchange of letters be- tween Mr. Chamberlain and Lord MacMillan makes it clear that the chief reason for the latter's resignation is that he was not able to answer critic- ism in the House of Commons. Bir John Reith, who will suc- ceed him, is not an MP. and seats! will have to be found for him and for Bir Andrew Rae Duncan. Bir Belisha. although tradition does
ences.
ese soldiers of the property owned by the British Methodist Mission- ary Society of Chuchia, outside Watingfu, in Shangtung. 03 Dec. 25, Reuter learns today.
U.S. MARINE „IN INCIDENT
PEIPING, Jan. 7 (Reuter)-It Is. learned that the incident involving a Japanese sentry and a United States marine is likely to be set tied amicably in the near future and is regarded by neither side as serious.
20malster.
from Dublin leading northwards | Changtalkwari, on the Pelping- Count Ciano will probably return have been actively patrolled since Bankow Railway, 14 miles north to Rome by air tomorrow to re- the incident. but the car and its of Sinyang in south Honan, on por personally to Signor Musso occupants have not yet been Friday morning. "They encounter-
ed stiff Chinese realstance.
All highways around. Sinyang have been heavily damaged by. the Chinese.
located.
11
Holland Will Resist
Any Attacks: Rumania
Likewise Determined
THE HAGUE Jan. 7, (Reuter) The Netherlands "Government has officially announced that any attack on Dutch from whatever side it might come will be met with obstinate armed resistance.
The only reason offered for the warning is that for some time tendencious reports have been appearing in the foreign press casting doubls on the Netherlands, resolve to resist any foreign aggression,
"In order to remove all misun- expressed the readiness of the derstanding runs the official pro-¦ population to sacrifice their lives nouncement, it is stated again for the country, and minority lead-| that the Integrity of the Nether-ers had also assured King Carol lands is not a matter for negotia-¦ of their loyalty. tion."*'
RUMANIA'S RESOLVE
SHARP FIGHTING WUYUAN, BUTYUAN, Jan. 7 (Central)-Sharp fighting took place near Anpel, 58 miles north- west of Paotow. on Thursday. The Japanese were surrounded and heavily attacked..
The highway between Anpet and Paotow and the railway between damaged as a result of Chinese Protow and Kwetsui have been
sabotage work.
ATTACK REPULSED TUNGKWAN, Jan. 7 (Central)- Reinforced the Japanese troops at Lingshih on the Tatung-Fuchow They refuse, however, to give the ¦
HOLLAND AND LEAGUE
Rallway, 14 miles south-west of name of the unit responsible for the burning for alleged "discrima
THE HAGUE, Jan. 7 (Renter) Chiehheul and 56 miles north- BUCHAREST, Jan 7 (Reuter) Authoritative circles state that east of Linfen, in central Shansi nations" practised by the Mission,
An Impressive demonstration of Holland does not dream of tolerat-attacked the Chinese entrenched No, news as to the extent or na-
Rumania's determination to de-ing any interference by third in the neighbourhood on Friday.. ture of the destruction has yet
tend Bessarabia and the eastern parties regarding the question "After three hours' fighting, they been received in Tsingtao where
frontler took place yesterday at whether. In the present circum-retired into the city. the Methodist Missionary Society It appears that the Japanese Chistinu. on the Soviet-Rumanian stances, it is desirable for her to: CRACKERS FIRED is not represented.
was to blame and the sentry was frontier, where King Carol attend-remain a member of the League of 4 fully within his rights in Bring. ed the traditional Epiphany cere-Nations.
SHIUKWAN, Jan, 7 (Interna- The wound was only alight, the monies.
tional) Crackers were fired here It is exclusively Holland's bust-aat night to celebrate the suc- bullet glancing the chest and not In a speech, King Carol declar-ness to answer this question, it is causing a serious injury contrary ed: "When I set foot on the soll added. to Japanese reports that he was seriously hurt.
It is, however, assumed, that the Hospital of the mission, which was destroyed owing to the references to the treatment of guerillas.
น
TURKO FRENCH TRADE PACT
ISTANBUL, Jan. 7 (Reuter)
NO OFFICIAL ACCOUNT
It seems fairly well established that the Japanese' was intoxicated at the time but an official account of the incident has not yet been
John is well known to listeners to not oblige him to do so since Mr. Official circles confirm tha: fol-
Hore-Belisha's resignation was 'lowing economie talks in Paris released locally. Daventry. for he was formerly
not motivated by political differ between the Turkish delegation The Japanese, who was in uni- Director-General of the B.BC.
and representatives of the French form, was shot on Thursday night GERMANS SUGGEST BIFT
Meanwhile Government quar-Government, an agreement will when be broke into the quarter- AMSTERDAM, Jan. 6. (Reuter) ters stressed that Mr. Oliver be gigned in a few days.
master's compound, of the Ameri- The German newspapers interpret, Stanley's appointment to replace It is stated that the talks have can Embassy guard and refused to the resignation of Mr. Hore- Mr. Hore-Belisha "is devoid of been brought to a most anccessful stop when challenged by the. Belisha an the sequel to a rift be- political significance.
conclusion.
marine sentry,
+
cessful Chinese counter-attacks in.
of Bessarabia. I feel I am enter- This restatement of the stand-ingteh and Yungyuan and the ing not a country which is attach-point of the Netherlands follows Japanese retreats along the Can- ed to Rumania but a country which growing hints in German press and
ton-Hankow Rallway.
is and will always remain Ruman-political circles that membership in ian territory,
the League is incompatible with
"The unity of the whole country guarantees that these frontiers will never be invaded, and words addressed to me 'to- day prove the unshakeable anity of the nation, which will never allow an enemy to, setj foot on the sacred soll· of Rumania.
Prior to King Carol's speech, the Royal Resident of Bessarabia had
true neutrality.
NEW BELGIAN -
CABINET
More shops are re-opening, and residents here are able to enjoy their time-honoured relaxation in the tea houses in the morning and evening.
The Ta. Kwong Po, leading ver- nacular paper in this city, will resume publication early next BRUSSELS, Jap. 6 (Reuter)-M. week, according to an announce- Pierlot, the Belgian Prime Minis-ment by Mr. Chen Shih-yu, the ter has reformed his. Cabinet, publisher and ace correspondent ⠀ with one new member M. Jansen for leading vernacular papers in becomes Minister of Justice.
|Hongkong and Chungking.