IDLE FLEET.
CHINA MERCHANT ·
OFFICERS,
NOW IN SAD PLIGHT,
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,
"FRIENDLY GAME." NAVAL DISARMAMENTEAUZOL
TECHNICAL OFFENCE
PROVED.
The case in which the defond- ing solicitor described the offence as a "friendly game" of dominoes, came up for hearing before Mr. R. The seventy foreign officers of E Laudaell this morning. In place the China Marchants' Steam Navi- of Mr. F. E. Loseby, who appeared gation Co. who were thrown out of at the previous hearing, Mr. C.-A. employment at practically a day's S. Russ defended to-day, his easė notice when their services with the being that all the defendants were company were terminated last immutes of a fish-shop, and were week, are faced with a desperato indulging in a friendly game at the situation, науя the Shanghai time of the police visit. Times. The majority of them
The evidence relied on by the
ITALY'S EXPECTED RESERVATIONS."
Romo, Feb. 13.
Signor Mussolini has already conferred with the Chief of the Naval General Staff regarding President Coolidge's Memorandum.
The semi-ocial view is, that without claiming to anticipate the reply, It may at present be stated that Italy, in viow of her modest naval programme, cannot consent to monaures likely to endanger
Tactors have emerged since 1922, like the breakdown of the Rome, conference of small naval Powers' and the naval armaments accelera- tion programmes of the Great and Small Powers
at present in the mediterranean.-Router.
PERTINENT CONUNDRUMS...
have wives and families either in prosecution was given by a Chi-her vital interests. Moreover, new Shanghai or at Home, and in view nee constable, who acted ad of the present economic situation "pigeon-atool" in the case. This in Shanghai and elsewhere in witness said that he watched one China there aebms little prospect haud, discovered how it shaped out of their securing employment of for the seven players, and called in any kind to tide over the crisis. The police. During the resultant raid, a tin was seized, which, the REFUSED SLEEPING ACCOMMODATION.
holice submitted, was used as a Many of the discharged officers receptacle to contain the comm:is. have no homes" in Shanghai andrion. In apportioning the respec- have been accustomed to living on live responsibility in the case, the board the vessels when in port police enquired for the principal but even this privilege has been toaunt, but this unividual was held denied them now. They have been to have gone into the country, leay- cut adrift with a month's pay ating the shop in the charge of his short notice and with the unwel- dughter-in-law. She was the No come prospect of looking for a defendant in Court. home for us, indefinite period.
Called upon by Mr. Russ to give Efforts were made by Mr. W. E. an exposition in Court of the game Kirby, Secretary of the China he saw, witness sorted out the do- Const Officers' Guild, to secure minoes, and asserted that the game permission from the Company to played was puri-a more "hec- allow the discharged officers to tie form of gambling than the sleep on board the idle vessels tec-kan suggested by the defend-our cruisers are required in peace- and occupy their former cabins ing solicitor. without any obligation to the Cam-
In the witness-box, the No. 1 dedo any good at this juncture, if pany either in respect of food or
Britain's power of naval movement fendant said that the principal payment, but this has been reluc- tantly denied them by the Com-tenant of the shoji was her father-were crippled in the Far East while, by land, Russia were free to send into China agents and without restriction?
pany.
London, Feb. 13. Commenting in the Observer, upon President Coolidge's proposal for the fimitation of those classes of warships not covered by the Washington Treaty, Mr. J. L. Garvin says that "France, Italy and Japan will resist the limitation of submarines. Then, how can the British Empire reduce cruisers? Again, in view of the oceanic character and extent of the British Empire a considerable number of
time for peace purposes. Would it
munitions
Are flying forces to be free to bomb naval bases while naval forces!
in-law who owned the business. The No. 2 defendant came into the been put shop to amuse herself with the Three reasons have forward for this refusal, namely, baby, No. 3 defendant was an egg that in the event of permission seller doing business with the being granted the foreign officers shop, No. 1 was a shop-foki, No. 5 are weakened in their power to act there would be a similar demand was her husband, No. 6 was un bases? If the Russian armies are against nations containing flying by the discharged Chinese seamen other foki, while No. 7 was her to be organised without restric- and others which would have to
younger brother.
The game plus tion, are the possibilities of naval be refused. Secondly, owing toed was a friendly one, little money counterpoise to be diminished in the military situation, with only being passed, and although the tin the Baltic, the North Sea and the the master of the vessel and the was used to contain commission, Mediterranean? Would this make chie: engineer left to take care the commission would ultimately for tranquillity and reinfores of the vessels with a crew of six go towards the cost of a little sup-guarantees for peace? These are sailors, there was less likelihood
only few of the conundrums, which will protruct discussion and jeopardise conclusions. None the less, President Coolidge's proposu is heartily to be welcomed.
of the veggel being commandeer- eil.
PROMISE TO TAKE OFFICERS BACK..
These, and one or two minor reasons, were given for the re- fusal of the request; but Mr. Fa Siao-en, managing director of the Company, stated that he would give his personal guarantee that the men who had been dismissed should be re-engaged under the same conditions and on the
per.
Mr. Russ explained that this here some analogy to the "kitty" at a poker game.
His Worship found that there had been technical infringement, in the taking of coinmission. He was prepared to discharge the de- fendants with a caution, but the money seized and dominoes would be confiscated.
safe.
The position with the discharged
AN ELUSIVE, RATIO.
ay no means
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1927.
ROYAL TOUR BEGINS.
RENOWN
The Duke and Duchess of York going on board the Renown,
on her departure from England, followed by the Prince of Wales.
AUTHORITY EXCEEDED.
REBUFF TO KWANGSI,'
KUOMINTANG.
The future existence of Chinese
CORRESPONDENCE,
SHARING PLAYING GROUNDS.
[To the Editor of the Hongkong Telegraph.]
CIVILIAN.
Hongkong, Feb. 14th, 1927.
Chambers of Commerce in the im- portant centres of Kwangse was threatened by an order which was Sir, In view of the fact that recently issued by the Kuomintang several thousand additional Bri Headquarters in Kwangst and tish troops will shortly be arriving which ordered "the dissolution" of here for a probable stay of several all the Chambers of Commerce in months, it is obvious that the Co- the different parts of the Province. lony's presént playing-grounds are, In consequence of this order, many apart from radical re-distribution merchant organisations closed and re-allotment, wholly insufi- their offices.
leient to meet the imminent press- The order has, however, given ing need for giving numerous. op- The Sunday Times, remarks that rise to a difference of opinion be-portunities for active exercise to the definite ratio of strength fixed tween the military and civil these extra Forces.
Under these circumstances, it is in the Washington Agreement for authorities in the province, the for- capital ships has been honourablymer declaring that the Kwangsi obviously necessary for civilians observed, The case for a ratio is Kuomintang Headquarters had no to practise self-denial for the gen- so clear with the right to issue the order, as such an oral goed of all, by sharing their same rates of pay at the end of lately essential for the
smaller ships. Battleships and important matter as the dissolu- playing grounds, in a liberal man- tion of "people's organisationa"ner, with the new military con- the trouble and as soon as there keeping of the vessels has been armoured cruisers are of no use was any possibility of the Com- dispensed with.
except to fight fleet actions in warrested entirely in the hands of the tingents who will urgently require and their strength may not un-Government, and that the Kuomin- good hard exercise to keep them pany resuming operations. An attempt is to be made to get the man is extremely serious and there airly be conditioned by purely lang hnd, exceeded its powers.well and ft.
political circumstances which are The military authorities took the other directors to agree to the is a feeling among many of them within the control of diplomacy.matter further by asking the Pro-additional naval men in the Colony There are also several hundred same thing.
that services with the Company Light cruisers and destroyers have vincial Government for immediate to be provided for Yours, etc., This situation arose out of the have been definitely terminated. Company's decision to discharge Some are prepared to struggle function is to police the seas and
a use in battle but their principal redress by the cancellation of the
legal order. all junior officers or vessels be-along hoping for the best but execute a blockade, which, it It is now reported that the Gov- Tonging to the Company at present others would like to know definite-must be remembered, is one of the ernment has issued a statement lying idle in Shanghai. This was ly whether their services will be means of coercion contemplated by promising all Chambers of Com- effected on February 1 when the required again in the event of the the Covenant against a Power re-
merce its protection and asking men received a month's salary for Company resuming operations.
calcitrant to the authority of the them to re-open and function for the period ended January 31 and
This assurance has been de- League. The number of smaller trailing purposes as usual.. no notice was given. Thus, a finitely given by Mr. Fu Siao-en, craft that a nation requires de- proximately 70 foreign officers and according to Mr. W. E. Kirby, but punds, therefore, very much on the several hundred Chinese were the assurances of the other direc-size and extent of its commitments forced on the beach" and are
itors would relieve the suspense of at sea. An island Empire, like tâc likely to remain there for some
have assisted in British, the, men wha
with its Immense time unless they have the good bringing prosperity to the Commerchant feet, presents a much fortune to secure other positions.
pany by the devoted service to greater target to attack than any Many of them arc prepared to
its interests at all times.
other country. While fair. struggle along on what little-nav- ings they may have, in the hope ME SUN FO ORDERS INVESTIGATIONS Casily discovered at Washing diplomatic ratio for capital ships
of being "re-instated in the near. future: but there are others who Mr. Sur Fo. Minister of Com-ton, the ratio for smaller craft fear that there is little prospect munications. of the Nationalist that should take into account very geographical and of this in view of the present Government, on February 9th made complicated
considerations might financial position of the Company, public the following orster re-economic
China Merchant well- prove more etusive.- All the discharged officers are of garding the junior rank, but that does not Steam Navigation Company which British Wireless. necessarily mean that they have a stopped its services: not given. lengthy service to the "Notice ja horeby given that | Some of them were whereas the China Merchants) company. even on the eve of retirement after Steam Navigation Company has long and faithful service. Their suddenly on its own account dis- prospects of a pension and passage emntinued its sailing service, thes Home seem very remote.
deranging the communication faci- lities of the country and jeopardiz- ing the interest of stockholders;
MASTERS ON HALF PAY..
The master and chief engineers therefore the Ministry of Com-
UNGRATEFUL!
KINDNESS RETURNED BY
: THEFT.
H
NO PASSPORTS.
TRAVELLING PERFORMERS
CHARGED.
HATS AND CAPS.
KOWLOON COURT CASES.
At the Kowloon Magistracy this morning, hats and caps formed the subject of three charges brought against a trio of Chinese before Mr. T. W. Ainsworth.
A young boy was sentenced to two months' hard labour for lar Two members of a travelling ceny of a felt hat from a matshed
Steve Floris, who
and at Cheung Sha Wan. The defen- troupe of performers, John
came to the dant had been convicted of laf- Colony without proper papers, ceny on two previous occasions. were taken into custody on their When charged with snatching arrival from Canton, and charged a cup from a small baby, an 18- before Mr. Schofield this morning. year-old Chinese stated that he
Mr. T. H. King who prosecuted, wanted to
raise some money to asked for a conviction on the pay his ferry fare to Hongkong. charge of lacking proper passports, Sentence of one month's hard in view of the circumstances of the labour was passed, case, with an order for their Seen wearing a hat in the Court ultimate. deportation from Hong-room, a Chinese.coolie was fined Yong. He had consulted Mr. F. C. $I for contempt of Court. Vaux, who appeared for the de- fence, and understood that ar- rungements would be made during the period of a short remand, for which he was now applying, for the defendants's departure.
Mr. Vaux said that this wRO 50.
QUEEN'S THEATRE.
A story of how a man returned
"THE DUST FLOWER." of the vessels in Shanghai have, munications, in order to safeguard his friends' kindness by robbing
A very interesting Screen- been retained for the time being the interest of the Company in them, was related to Mr. Schofield In the Company's service, but on its stockholders, undertakes to ap-at the Central Magistracy this The police were within their rights Snapshot, followed by "Fool Proof,"
Chinese was in taking proceedings on the ques- a clever Christie comedy, featuring half pay only.
pont a special committee of in- morning, when a
Neil Burns, and "The Dust The Company has been forced vestigation. Pending the investi- charged with the theft of clothing tion of passports.
The two defendants, who stated Flower" comprise the programme to take these drastic steps, owing gation no sale, mortgage, transfer and other property. to the continued commandeering of steamers, godowns, wharves and He pleaded guilty.
that they belong to a troupe of at present showing at the Queen'a of its ships by the military in other properties by the present | Detective Sergeant Carey giated fourteen, which included women and Theatre. Helen Chadwick, who various parts of the Yangtze Val-management of the said company that, nowly-arrived from the coun- children, and that they originated plays the part of Letty Gravely in ley and Canton for troop move under any pretext to whatever try without a job and without a from Wisconsin, although domicil the main picture, aets with great ments and other military opera-parties shall be permitted or re-home, the defendant was taken in ed in Argentina, were" remanded appeal. The story shows how a tions. The resultant loss of trade cognized as valid by the Nationalby friends and looked after at their until Thursday, being allowed ball girl is saved from suicide by a young millionaire, her hasty mar- has forced the Company to the ist Government. By order, Sun home in Queen's Read Central. of $150 each.
rlage and the subsequent outcome, wall and the threat of bankruptcy F, Minister of Communications. During the night, while they slept, hangs over. its head if the same dated 9th February."
he sneaked out from the house, tuk-Rupert Clark, seven years old, The film, though dramatic, has sot of circumstances continue. This notification is sent to the ing with him a basket full of cloth is now a millionaire and one of plenty of light and entertaining Sooner than have the vessels com-head office of the company ating, He
arrested at two Great Britain's largest land-touches provided by Claud Gilling- mandeered by the military the Shanghai, the General Chambers o'clock in the morning in Des owners. His father died recently water in the role of a butler. As Company decided to tie up many of Commerce throughout the coun- Voeux Road.
at Monte Carlo. The estate in-such he teaches Latly how to be cludes 113,000 acres near. Mola lady, adding "I know all the bourne, Australia..
ways of a indy."
wns
it
of them and, as a result, every try and the Bankers Association, Sentence of three months' hard offices and man, who is not abso- Shanghai.
labour was passed.
Le Powelli
Tlephone C. 4578
BEDDING SPECIALISTS
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CALDBECK, MACGREGOR & COMPANY, LIMITED. [Incorporated under the Companies Ordinance of Hongkong.) 15, Queen's Road C.
Telephone 75 Contral.
When buying Toilet requisites and-articles
for personal use, one wishes to be very sure that they are of the highest quality and of undoubted purity and freshness,
יד
The Queen's Dispensary.
guarantees these qualities to all who make their purchases there, and in addition a courteous and obliging service.
22, DES VOEUX Road (NEXT TO WHITEAWAY'S)
TEL: CENTRAL 492,
BIG SALE
NOW ON
Bargains
in
Every Department Come Early.
YEE SANG FAT CO.
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