THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1980.
DEWAR'S
"WHITE LABEL
THE SPIRIT
OF INSPIRATION
-Sole Agents:-
A. S. WATSON & CO., LTD.
Established 1841.
STOCKTAKING SALE
OF
RECORDS
UNTIL THE END OF MARCH WE ARE OFFERING A NUMBER OF VICTOR &
"H.M.V." RECORDS AT
FIFTY CENTS EACH
OR
FIVE DOLLARS PER DOZEN
+
A complete list of these records will be forwarded on request.
S. Moutrie
Co., ∙Ltd.
York Building.
Chater Road.
Just Arrived-
CRETONNES
31" Wide
$1
Per
Yard
48" Wide $1.25, $1.75, $2.25
Por Yard
ARTIFICIAL ART
SLUB REPPS·
48" Wide
$225
Per Yard
IN A WIDE RANGE OF COLOURS.
FURNISHING DEPT.
LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.
You'll save expense
with a
“STUDEBAKER”
STUDEBAKER trucks cost very
AFRICAN SCRAMBLE
badly in the present partition
Truth when they tell us HE Italians are speaking the
that they have como off little more than the lowest of Africa. Apart from the two priced units on the market, but sovereign independent African they give you for better perform the whole continent le parcelled states of Abyssinia and Liberin, anch, far more stamina, much out to-day into the colonies, pro- lower operating costs.
tectorates, mandated territories And the handsome, distinctive and self-governing dominions of six Powers the British streamlined appearance of the Commonwealth, France, Portu- new Studebaker truck makes gal, Belgium, Italy and Spain · it stand out from the-ind of all these African em-. crowd, With its sleek, busi-pires the Spanish alone is ness-like lines and powerful, smaller and poorer than the
Italian." dependable engine, it is a truck Italy's African empire con-
4
;
you will be proud to own, a truck sists of three widely separated which inspires a feeling of pres-territories. Nearest homic there tige that suggests a price much is Libya, which fronts on to higher than its actual cost.
the African coast of the Medi- terrancan immediately opposite Sicily and Malta.
We will furnish particulars and terms-on application.
HONGKONG Hotel GARAGE
Stubbs Rd.
The
Tel. 27778/9.
Hongkong Telegraphı.
MONDAY, MAR. 16, 1938. EXAMINATIONS
An offshoot of the complaints which are being heard at Home | regarding the lack of promise shown by many applicants for posts in the business world. especially young people, is the
Next
comes Eritrea, at the south end of the African coast of the Red Sea. Finally there. is Italian Somaliland, which atarts at the "horn" of Africa and runs down the African coast of the Indian Ocean to the eastern frontier of our own Kenya Colony.
*
*
*
FRENCH BELGIAN
PORTUGUESE ABYHINIA ITALIAN
BRITISH
ment soon after the war and another instalment this year but most of this ex-French ter ritory consists of very light
French
African possessions as a result' of the Great War, Italy has not only kept hers, but has slightly Increased them, as "we have soen.
Perhaps the main reason why. Italy has come off badly in Africa is that, at the very start, she chose an unfortunate field for her African ambitions. She decided to swallow Abys- sinia-and that was like trying to eat an African hedgehog. spines and all, when Italy's European rivals in Africa, all around, were making comfort- able and satisfying meals off defenceless African rabbits.
Abyssinia was one of those countries-ko Afghanistan in Asia which had been prudent- ly left alone by European cm- pire-builders who were older hands than the Italians wore at the game.
The British Government, for instance, sent an expeditionary force to Magdala, on the Abys- sinian plateau, for a strictly limited purpose in the eighteen- sixties: but they were careful to withdraw again before they had pricked their fingers. For anyone who had eyes to see, it was clear that the Abyssinians -warlike highland people, living in a natural fortress and possessed of a certain modicum of elvilisation-were not other native Africans were, and that they were best left in
and fend.
ag
the
BY far the greater part of
on the plateau of Cyrenaica all these three colonies is the bulge on the coast of North desertor, at best, "a country Africa between Tripolitania and with a very light soil," as Lord Egypt). Possibly Europeans Salisbury once diplomatically could also acclimatise them, soil." described the French posses- selves on the highlands, of The Italians do not feel par- peace to enjoy an independence sions in the Sahara. In fact, North Western Eritrea- ticularly grateful for these which they know how to de if one runs one's eye over the though, as a matter of fact, the map. one can pick out only Italian population of Eritrea is three small patches of Italian territory in Africa that have only about 3,000 strong to-day, after the country has been in any appreciable value; and, of Italian hands for the best part these, only two are at all suit of half a century. able for settlement by Euro-
The third valuable patch of pean colonista.
Italian colonial territory in the Africa is Jubaland, at south-western end of Italian Somaliland, Jubaland is a low- lying tropical tract which is not ment; but it can at least pro- duce cotton and other tropical or semi-tropical crops.
A European population could certainly make itself at home
increasing tendency on the part NOTES OF THE DAY suitable for European settle
of some business establishments
to hold little examinations of THE "HAVE-NOTS" their own. In this connection,
crumbs froni British tables; and they claim, The Italians, however, were not unreasonably, that a really blind to this; and in "equitable" redistribution eighteen-eighties they conceived would have assigned to Italy a the ambition which Signor Mus- much bigger share in the loot. solini is attempting, once again, For what, after all, are these to fulfil. They planned to conquer scrape compared to the German an East African empire éxtend- colonies that have
become ing from the Eritrean coast of French and British mandated the Red Sea to the Somali coast territories? Already, bofore of the Indian Ocean, and includ- the war, the Italian empire in ing the whole of Abyssinia in be-.
ambition': WAS Africa was a poor thing com tween. This pared to the British or the disastrously defeated by the French. a result of the Abyssinians when, at Adowa in Peace Settlement, the dispro- 1806, they wiped out an invad-
ing Italian army, unaided.
Ая
By Prof. A. J. TOYNBEE
political unity at home and had "hares" and "have-nots" must be and French holdings
*
*
*
Whether or not there is satis-
Italy, in repeating her at- we see it stated that employers faction with the result of the re-
tempt to conquer Abyssinin, has are somewhat appalled at the cent debate in the House of Com-
thrown vastly stronger forces It may be noted in passing portion has become still into action than she employed Ignorance of what they are mons. on Mr. George - Lansbury's that, before the war, Jubaland greater.
forty years ago. But Abya- call everyday facts motion urging the summoning of was part of British East Africa, Why is it pleased to
that Italy has sinia, too, is stronger to-day off 90 badly in the than she was then, and she now which is shown by the appli- a new international conference to and that it has been ceded by come
deal with such problems as access the British Empire to Italy in "scramble, for Africa" during has the League of Nations and cants. There is, however, a
It is the public opinion of the world to raw materials. It is all to the fulfilment of a promise which the last half-century?
her in her determina- point to be borne in mind, name: good that the problem has been was made to Italy by the British hard to any; for the scramble behind
and French Governments when did not begin till the eighteen- tion to resist aggression. ly, that the self-appointed discussed. No one who has studied Italy came into the war. We eighties, and by that time examiners have the advantage international affairs doubts that promised then that if, in the Italy had already achieved her To sum up, we may frankly admit that, on a basis of being able to choose their oner or inter the problem of the Peace Settlement, the British
in raised herself to the rank of a of "to each according to his own questions, and, on such a courageously faced. Indeed the Africa were increased, wa Great Power.
need," Italy has a strong claim No doubt, when the scramble to receive a greater share of basis, most of us could no doubt only difference between the various would give Italy an "equitable" be appalled at the ignorance of political parties as revealed by the share in the redistribution of came, Great Britain, France, the European profits from Portugal and Spain were in an Africa than she at present en- debate would appear to be the African territory. others. Admittedly, it is pos opportuneness of holding the con- German colonies in Africa were they already held a number of United Kingdom, France, For- As it turned out, the former advantageous position, because joys by comparison with the sible, by questioning and by the ference at the present juncture assigned in the Peace Settle- key points on the coasts of tugal and Belgium. examination method, to gain The principle of holding such ment, under 'mandates,.. to Africa and had merely to push But, after saying this, there conference was not challenged. As France, the United Kingdom, their way into the interior, are two more things to be said. some idea as to the 'likely
is to be expected the problem is Belgium and the Union of whereas Italy, Germany and
First, Germany's claim aptitude of an applicant for a one that is exercising the attention South Africa; and the cession Belgium had first to gain a this basis is still stronger than particular type of work, but it of the nearly
thousand of Jubaland was the British foothold on the African coasts Italy's; for Germany is a coun- branches of the British League of contribution to the fulfilment of before they could begin to join try with half as large a popula is worth, asking whether the
in the competition. Yet Italy tion again as Italy's, and Gor- Nations Union up and down the the Franco-British pledge. owner of a mind crammed with country. At
France has also ceded some started on equal terms with many has been deprived of the Innt General facts which may be of little use Council meeting of the Union, held territory to Italy in the hinter- Belgium and Germany; and African colonies altogether.
land of Libya-a first instal- while Germany has lost her several is always likely to make the in London, in December,
resolutions dealing with this pro- ablest and most progressive blem were brought forward by
three
contribution to the study of the problem the Union has just pub-
ishod a pamphlet on "The mand for Colonies, Territorial Ex-
Do
ሲ
worker. There are many cap-branches and these gave rise to a It was able people who have never aim- very lively discussion.
the Executive Com- ed at carrying a large assort- agreed that
mitlec should undertake a study of: ment of facts about with them the proposals brought forward and -people who consider that that the various resolutions should energy, initiative and enterprise bo considered by the General are much more important. There Council at a further meeting. As is, moreover, the type of person who knows where he can get the facts. if and when wanted-and it is to be feared that many of Pansion, Over Population and Raw materials which is attracting con- the facts which examiners, in siderable attention and is likely to school or otherwise, seek to form the basis of discussion in study circles, This elicit are never really needed; numerous
should stimulate the growth of an they are often so much limber informed and enlightened public Intelligence testing is a depart-opinion in regard to a problem ment of education for which which unless solved may sooner or many people show great enthus later plunge the world into war. fasm, but it is well to remember
that even examiners, despite that the human mind is not al- ways amenable to yard-stickpearances to the contrary, are human. That the examination methods. Nor is the examina system has its uses cannot be tion system a wholly trust-denied, but its importance and worthy guide to the mental value can be over-stressed. This capacity or ability of young fact is becoming increasingly people. If akaminers were in- acknowledged, and, in particu- fallible, it might be more nearly lar, set examinations at stated intervals are getting into de so, but evidence has shown that
favour amongst educationists
which is another way of saying beyond the Immediate future,
LTD. they are far from Infallible, who have vision and who look
(SIDE GLANCES By George Clark
don't know what she can expect of you. You haven't oven made
those arrangements for her education."
on
In the second place, the at- tempt to conquer Abyssinia by force of arms is a piece of wickedness which, even if suc- cessful, will not give Italy the additional African resources that she wants.
Further Outlook Dull
The morning milk is chilly and The wind is cold and shrill; There's sixteen letters in the
post
And every one's a bill, And yet I hear a speckted
thrush.
A-shouting in a treo;
But what he finds to sing about
Is more than I can see. The further outlook's dull and
cold,
The sky is low and grey; I've got the hump and feel.
exactly
"Ninety-five to-day. to-day.
But on the lawn a snowdrop
Her Bitle suver bell; Though what she finds to bloom
• about
la more than I can tell, The world is just a murky mese Of foo and sluak and rain; And Spring seems years away.
That's if w
it ever comes again, and life that and moulty and There's not a single thing That's fit to make a song about, d so I shall not sing..