THINGTON
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WOERSEN MEYER & CO LTD.
The
COPY.
Hongkong Telegraph.
(ESTABLISHED, 1881).
68957 五拜 號三月十英港香 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1919.
REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.
RAIL WAY SITUATION GRAVE AS EVER.
STRIKERS SHOW NO SIGNS OF WAVERING.
MR. LLOYD GEORGE MEETS RAILWAYMEN'S EXECUTIVE.
London. October 1. A meeting of the Executive of the Licensed Vehicle Workers decided to postpone action as regards buses, trams and taxicabs until the meeting at Caxton Hall to-day is organised by the Executive of the Transport Workers. Besides the Union constituting the transport workers, the meeting will be attended by shipbuilders, boilermakers, engineers, printers, electricians, railway clerks and the Pastal Federation of the General Workers' Union.
The general outlook is regarded as critical, as it is believed that the purpose of the transport workers is to force a railway settlement. by a threat of a sympathetic general strike.
Twenty thousand miners are rendered idle in the Lothians and Lanarkshire by the railway strike.
SITUATION AS GRAVE AS EVER.
London, October 1.
Though more trains are running, namely, altogether 500 yester- day, including 240 Great Western, and the official arrangements for feeding the community are working without a hitch. the strike situation is as grave as ever. There is no sign of wavering on the part of the strikers and only the very small driblets of men, mostly veterans, have so for drifted back to work-but-in-newise to the extent of breaking the strike.
An encouraging feature from the viewpoint of the authorities is the large number of young men volunteering for railway service with a view to permanencies. These are carefully examined and if accepted will be trained for regular employment. This factor will operate to the advantage of the country each day the strike con- tinges, but with the resources of the Unions and the evident loyalty and determination of their members, it is likely that the struggle will be protracted.
Another factor against the strikes is the successful employment on the road of convoys of mator lorries. An extraordinary number of people, as a result of war-training, is conversant with motor mechanism. In this connection, Mr. Kellaway, of the Ministry of Munitions, told an interviewer last night that the much-contumed motor depot at Slough has proved most useful. The sales of Govern- ment motor transport there were stopped immediately it was evident that a strike was inevitable, and with the closest co-operation between the Ministries of Transport, Food, the War Office and the Disposal Board the accumulation of motors there has been made avail- able most promptly for the moving of fish and other perishable goods to stations and milk to Hyde Park. It is now hoped to deliver daily 200 or 300 lorries and motor cycles from Slough, to supply staffs to handle and maintain allroad convoys and to establish repeir work- shops in provincial centres.
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REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.
CABLE CONGESTION.
THE PUBLIC APPEALED TO.
London, October, 1. The increasing volume of commercial traffic over the lines of the Eastern and Associated Telegraph Companies, due largely, since the signing of peace, to reconstruction and resumption of trade relations thoughout the world with late enemy countries, is causing. heavy congestion and delay to telegrams.
The Companies appeal to the public to refrain from using the cables except for messages of the most urgent importance, and also. in their own interests, to curtail the length of telegrams as much as possible.
JAPANESE STEAMER'S PLIGHT.
London, October 1,
Seventy guineas per cent. reinsurance is quoted for the Otaru Maru No. 3. which left Singapore for Marseilles on August 2 and has been ashore off Northern Somaliland since August 8. unable to secure assistance which was urgently needed.
THE BALTIC PROBLEM.
Paris, October 3.
Germany has not yet replied to the Allied Note regarding the recall of General von der Goltz and the German troops in the Baltic Provinces.
A message from Reval states that conference between the Baltic States at Dorpat with regard to peace and the formation of Alliance between the Baltic States has reached a full agreement with regard to joint action.
FRENCH APPEAL DECISION,
Paris, October 1.
The Appeal Court has granted the appeal of M. Quien, against the death sentence, mentioned on September 5, as the Court Martila majority was only four to three instead of the requisite five to two.
Morever, the statement by Mr. Thomas, issued from the tailway- men's headquarters last night, declares that the offers of assistance for railwaymen received show that the challenge to the whole Trade Union movement made by the government, and enthusiast, ically endorsed by the press, is accepted." Mr. Thomas, however- declares that, despite this, he is limiting the issue to the railway- men's case regarding which he has not closed the door of negotiation.
GUARANTEED MINIMUM WAGE.
London, October 1.
Replying to the request for a clear explanation of the Govern ment's offer to the railwaymen, Mr. Lloyd George has telegraphed to Cardiff that in no event, even when the cost of living falls to the pre-war level, will any grade of railwayman on the average get less than twice the pre-war wages. In the case of the lowest grade of railwaymen, this represents a minimum wage of 40/- a week, com-
Furthermore, motor lorries are being brought back from France by the train ferry. A hundred arrived on Monday. Mr. Kellaway anticipated that Slough could deliver 3,000 lorries within three weeks. The petrol supply is also satisfactory, the Disposal Board having thousands of tons, the sale of which to the public has been pared to 18- to 20- before the war. stopped.
One editorial commentator sums up the situation by saying "The Battle of Verdun was saved by the motor lorry; the Battle of Food will be similarly saved." The Government has devised a schema for out-of-work donations for the relief of sufferers from the etrike, excluding strikers or those identified with strikers, varying from 12- for women and 25/- for men.
Mr. McCurdy, presiding at the first meeting of the Central Profiteering Committee, promised drastic punishment of strike profiteers at the hands of the Tribunals.
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PREMIER MEETS TRADE UNIONISTS.
London, October 2. An official statement says that the Prime Minister received a deputation of the Transport Workers' Union, accompanied by representatives of certain other Trade Unions not connected with the present strike:
Labour correspondents had previously urged the Government to make clear that 40/- will be the guaranteed minimum wage.
TRADE UNIONISTS TO STOP AT NOTHING,
London, October 1.
The very important meeting of the Transport Workers" Feder- ation, on which all eyes are focussed, opened at Caxton Hall thie morning. The Commoners, Messrs. Arthur Henderson, O'Grady and A. Thorne were present. The Chairman, Mr. Gosling, President of the Federation Executives, in an announcement declared "We will stop at nothing to defend the long established principles of Trade Unionism, and the right to defend wages constitutionally secured.”
MORE SABOTAGE.
London, October 1. More sabotage is reported. For example, the signal wires have Replying to Mr. Gosling, who headed the deputation, Mr. Lloyd been cut at Swansea, a platelayers" lorry was found on the line at East Malden on the North-Eastern Railway, and a Midland train George said:-" If I an asked to see the Executive of the National Union of Railway men, I shall be ready to meet was stoned and its tender dented, but the driver was not hurt.
PREMIER TO MEET TRANSPORT WORKERS.
London, October 1.
them and hear what they have to say, but I am sure you will agree that there is nothing to be gained by any ambiguity, more especially as there has already been a good deal of misunderstanding. I want, therefore, to make it quite clear that in the opinion of the Govern- The transport workers at a meeting, which was private, passed ment it will be quite impracticable to continue negotiations until a resolution that the Premier be asked to receive a deputation from work is resumed."
''
the Conference.
Mr. Lloyd George has agreed, and the deputation is proceeding
Mr. Lloyd George continued that apart from other considera- tions the Minister who were concerned in the negotiations could to Downing Street. not possibly attempt to deal with the questions involved while their whole energy was devoted, as it must necessarily be, to improvising means of carrying on the life of the nation.
BETTER RAILWAY BERVICES,
London, October 1.
:
BRIDGING THE TROUBLE.
London, October L...
A prominent delegate of the Transport Workers' Conference, in
an interview, expressed the opinion that a bridge will be built."
THE CONFERENCE DECISION.
London, October 1.
Unions
An official statement issued from Downing Street says the train services continue to improve. Over 800 trains ran yesterday, exclusive of many local services on the underground and subur The Transport Workers Conference has issued a statement say. ban railways, where partial services had been resumed. More ing that meeting discussed the rendering of practical help to the railwaymen have returned to work. On one London line alone, 170 Railwaymen. Representatives of the following Unions were also all the Postal Unions; "the of the traffic staff have been re-instated during the last twenty-four present:General Workers; hours. Full arrangements will be made whereby substitutes will Amalgamated Society of Engineers; the Iron and Steel Traile be found for any bosmều who may strike..
Federation; the whole of the Printing Trades
the Railway The movement of food is going on remarkably well. In twenty-and
Clerk's' Association. The Parlia four hours, the Food Ministry cleared 10,000 tins of perishable mentary Committee of the Trade Union Conference attended and it foodstuffs from Metropolitan stations without the use of Government was decided to ask Mr. Thomas and Mr. Bromley, as representing lorrias.
[all grades of Railwaymen, to state the situation. After hearing them, the Conference passed a resolution declaring that the whole of the Delegates were convinced that the strike was purely a Trade Union strike for wages and conditions. After Mr. Theinas and Mr. Bromley withdrew, a resolution requesting an interview, with the Premier was carried.
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Normal deliveries by the railway companies are starting. Food coal and petrol must be strictly economised. In view of the disloc- ation of traffic this may continue for some time.
MOMENTOUS MEETING,
London, October 1. To-day's meeting at Caxton Hall will be momentous, for a state- wil be issued by the Executive of the, transport workers ang that the meeting declares that the economic status of Trade Umon movement is involved in the present crisis
* Umon of Bailwaymen has been thrust".
- RAILWAYMEN'S EXECUTIVE- CONFERS WITH PREMIER..
Mr. Thomas, states that the Railwaymen accepted the Government's offer to talk things ore is now conferring with Mr. Lloyd George');
Ser. 13 utive has Cexecutive
日十月八
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REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.
THE RISE IN SILVER.
CAUSED BY CHINESE BUYING.
London, October 1. Chinese buying is responsible for the rise in silver to 64d. With Shanghai exchange still very firm at 6/2, no cessation of Far Eastern buying seems anticipated.
It is pointed out that the increased importation of gold into India will somewhat relieve the Government's requirements for silver. A further amount of South African gold was taken yesterday. for India.
STRENGTH OF THE GERMAN ARMY.
STEEDILY DECLINING.
Berlin, October. 1.
Herr Noske in the Budget Committee stated that the Army was at present 400,000, but the number was rapidly declining.
OBITUARY.
C
Are Good Tires
TO-DAY'S EXCHANGE.
The closing rate of the dollar, on daïmand, fo-day www-fx:[2 7-163
THE WEATHER. Forecast-fair., Barometer *---** 29.80. Temperature p.. Humidity 2 p.m. --~73.--
THE SLANDER ACTION.
JUDGMENT - FOR PLAINTIFF.
In the Summary Court, this morning. Mr. Justice Melbourne delivered judgment in the case in which A. d'A. Souza, an assistant employed in the firm of Messrs. Hastings, Hodge and Co., claimed from Chan Pak-kwong, compra- dore of the same firm, $1,000 damages for elander.
His Lordship said-It is admitted by the plaintiff that the occasion was privileged and that therefore
cust the plaintiff The death is announced of Sir Edward T. Cook, M. A., K. B. E establish malice. Ah Kau denies The deceased, who was 62 years of age, was a very-well-ever having used the words com- known journalist. Having served on the Pall Mall Gazette plained of and I accept his denial From this it follows under Viscount (then Mr.) Morley and the late Mr. William & re Stead, be became editor in 1890 and later succeeded to the that the words were invented by From 1896 to 1901 he was malice has been established be the defendant and in my opinion editorship of the Westminster Gazette. editor of the Daily News, since which time he has published many cause if the, defendant made a works, mainly on art and literature. He was knighted in 1912.
London, October 1.
SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.
(From Our Own "Correspondent.)
SINGAPORE SALVAGE CASE.
JUDGMENT FOR THE N.T.K.
statement which he does not believe to be true-reckless-na to whether it is true. or. false that,
in law, malice which will destroy the privilege existing between de fendant and Mr. Hodge (Royal Aquaraim Society Ltd. Parkinson (1892) 1.Q.B, 431.) On. the question of damages, I think it will sufficiently meet the case if I award to the plaintiff, as I do, $50, and costa on Scale IIL
Mr. E. Davidson, for the de- fendant, pointed out that His Lordship had agreed to leave the Singapore, October 3. question of costs over for dis- In the salvage case at the Supreme Court in which the N.Y.K. cussion, in view of the fact that (owners). the master and the crew of the Totomi Maru claimed the plaintiff had amended his $30,000 salvage expenses against the Nam Vian's cargo and freight, writ, which altered the whale the Acting Chief Justice (Mr. Woodward) gave judgment for plain-statement of claim. tiffs for $10,000 and costs, the amount to be apportioned according to the rules of the Company.
SHIP'S FIRE AT SHANGHAI,
FIRE BRIGADE MEN OVERCOME.
Shanghai, October 3.
The Chief of the Fire Brigade, as well as three Earopean and pine Chinese firemen, have been overcome whilst attempting to extinguish a fire in the hold of the steamer Mineric, lying at Pootung,
TANG SHAO-YI RESIGNS.
Shanghai, October 3. Tang Shao-yi has tended his resignation as Southern delegate to the Shanghai Peace Conference.
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His Lordship accordingly with- drew his judgment as to costs and arranged for discussion in Chambers.
HERO" FROM ORKNEY.
0:-
Said to have masqueraded as a V.C. hero, a youn man, attired in the uniform of an officer of the RAF, was recently arrested, and l'interviewed at the War Office.
Besides wearing the badges of e major, he had the ribbons of the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross. Distinguished Flying Cross, "Air Force Cross, Air Force Medal, Mons Star, and the Victory Medal He had five service chevrons, and two wound stripes.
He said he was Major Ian Irvine Barclay, V.C. of the RAF, and he produced two visiting cards bearing that name. He said that he had been present-i ed with the V.C. by the King sta Buckingham Palace investiture. Later he admitted that his story was untrue, and that he bad never been in the Army. Hesaid he bought the uniform s week or two ago, and that he had been, staying at the Savoy Hotel
When charged-af-Bow-street with wearing the uniforin with out authority, he said that he had been rejected when he tried to join the Army during the war, | and had been taunted by people.
His name is Ian Irvine Barclay. of Ronaldshey, Orkney. He was. remanded.
DON'T FORGET.
TODAY.
V.B.C. 5pórta-Becond day, Coronet Theatreb
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