For Sale
1932 OPEL SIX CONVERTIBLE TIP-TOP CONDITION ANY TRIAL Price $700
FAR EAST MOTORS
THE FAR EAST AVIATION COMPANY, LIMITED,
20, Nathan Rd., Kowloon.
Telephone 30101.
Dollar TT.
Blog Pool, Ledų, 2ft Hanhong-
The
FIRST EDITION
Cout
Hongkong Telegraph.
FOUNDED 1801
No. 15395
一拜禮號十二月二十英港香
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1937. BATAGLE COPY 10 CENTS
$30.00 PER ANNUM
You need.
the SECURITY and
DURABILITY
of
DUNLOP
FORT '90'
U.S. MAINTAINS DETERMINED ATTITUDE
ROOSEVELT Effort To Obtain Release Of H.K. Man Expected
COMMANDS
SITUATION
POLICY LEAVES
NATION
FACING JAPAN ALONE. SAYS NEW YORK "TIMES”
Washington, Dec. 19.
The State Department marked time over the week-end, pending the outcome of the United States naval inquiry into the Panay incident, and the Japanese reply to the American Note.
Whilst determined not to close the incident until Japan gives precise guarantees of full respect for Ameri. can lives and interests in China in the future, the Depart. ment declines to involve itself in any speculation as to what may happen if Japan's reply is unsatisfactory.
One reason for this is that President Roosevelt is in command of the situation and nobody knows what is in the President's mind, except Mr. Cordell Hull, the Secretary for State.
President Roosevelt possesses the means and the ability to rally publie T'opinion towards stronger action than the mere despatching of Notes if necessary, but the dilemma in which the Administrallón now Antia itself vis-a-vis public opinion at home is well expressed in an article in the New York Times, which declares that the United States refusal to net Jointly with other Powers in the For East as long as her Interests are not affected, now leaves her facing Jupan alone, with major incident to settle.
Chestnuts In Fire
as
BRITONS PREPARED TO LEAVE SHAMEEN
But Only If Lives Are Endangered
The newspaper continues to observe that whenever recently there
(By Staff Correspondent) been any talk-of-a-common-Anglo- American front in the For East, crles
Canton, Dec. 20. have arisen in the United States that London wants the Americans to pull
From an official source, the the British chestnuts out of the fire, Telegraph learns that women but now, says the paper, "we have and children residing in the some chestnuts of our own roasting British and French Concessions at Shameen, Canton, have been
in Ching."
The comment adds that the Panay warned by the Consulates to Incident has shown that foreign policy based
hold themselves in readiness to United States on neutrality is no foreign polley at all. evacuate to Hongkong at a
It is the consensus of opinion in minute's notice. America that even the Panay inci-
the zone
PRESIDENT HOOVER IS BREAKING UP!
CANTON PEOPLE RUSH FOR H.K.
RUMOURS OF ATTACK
SPREAD IN
CITY
Canton, Dec. 20. The news that hostilities are likely to break out in
dent is insufficient to stir public This step has been taken purely opinion to authorise joint action, but as a precautionary measure, in view South China, following reports of an imminent Japanese with the risk of further incidents not of the possibility that Canton may be
tomary landing at Bias Bay, is spreading throughout the city, ruled out as long as American ships brought into and troops remain in Chins, it is operations.
and steamers to Hongkong and Macao have been crowded impossible to predict to what the American attitude might be modi-evacuation have already been pre- with excited Chinese since the early hours this morning, Bed by further assaults on American pared by the British Consular Ives and treaty rights.-Reuter.
►
for It is understood that planS extent
all anxious to avoid what they believe may be a second that Nanking disaster.
thorities in Canton, in conjunction with Naval authorities.
It is emphasised, however, Tokyo. Dec, 20. tion unless it appears certain that
Silence Everywhere
there will be no question of evacua- Chinese official sources at present refuse to comment It is understood that the American British lives at Shameen are likely on the reports of the imminence of the Japanese landing, Ainbassador, Mr. Joseph Grew to be endangered by military, naval but the threat to Canton itself is not considered delivered a supplementary note in or aerial operations. connection with Panay incident to Mr. The British Consul-General in immediate, some Koki Hirola, the Japanese Foreign Canton, Mr. A. P. Blunt, is arriving
sources suggesting that the first Minister, late on Friday evening, but in Hongkong this morning to confer Japanese move will be to cut the Canton-Kowloon rail- the United States Embassy and Japan with His Excellency the Governor, ese Foreign Office refuse to confirm it is understood. He will probably way, isolating Canton from Hongkong. the report, and the Japanese press is return to Canton this evening or to-
silent.
Newspapers feature the fact that the Emperor gave audience to the Prime Minister, Prince Konoye at 8.30 p.m. and again at 10.40 on Satur day. It is understood the Premier reported very fully on the funda-
policles concerning
China
morrow.Special.
TO SEE ADMIRAL
It is reiterated that General Yu Hon-mau's troops
which constitute the bulk of Kwangtung's defence forces
RICHARDS STILL IN PRISON
China Reluctant To Release Spy Suspect
Elforts will probably be made by the British authorities in Canton to secure the release to-morrow of Joseph J. Richards of Hongkong, detained by Kwangtung military authorities on suspicion of espionage,
Richards was arrested at Shum Chub on December & whilst on his way to Hongkong by the Kowloon- Canton Railway.
The
British Consul-General in Canton, Mr. A. P. Blunt, informed a Telegraph representative yesterday that no oficial information had been received of the detention of Richards. Unoilleially, however, the matter has been brought to his notice, and it is understood that certain representa- tions have already been made to the Chinese authorities.
Enquiries from Chinese
seml. oficial sources in Canton substantiate the story of the arrest of Richards, who is still alive and in good health.
It is believed that the Chinese, are reluctant to release him unless guarantees are forthcoming that the British authorities will take suitable action against him.
court. It is believed, however, that
The question of rights of British subjects is said to be involved in a unique manner in the case of the detained mar. It is admitted in Chinese circles that Richards cannot The giant luxury liner. President Hoover, is reported to be be brought to trial in a Chinese breaking up. She piled up on a reef on December 11 and her the Chinese will insist that any passengers were landed on Japaneso soil, Hoishoto Island, just foreigner suspected of espionage on beyond the reef. Two American destroyers, the Empress of behalf of a country at war with Asia, the President McKinley and other vessels raced to her China should be forced to submit to the jurisdiction of a Chinese military But they were not needed. The above photograph was tribunal. taken shortly after the grounding from one of the ship's own boats.
aid.
"HOOVER" STARTS TO BREAK UP
Taihoku, Dec. 20. Weakened by the battering received from the heavy seas, the Dollar Line vessel, President Hoover, which is wrecked Kishoto Island, commenced to break up this morning.
Hurried and very gallant work was necessary to take off the
on
remainder of the crew, but all are reported now to be safe. Renter.
GALE BRINGS DANGER From the Dollar Company it was verified that the positiun
of the
i Hoover has been made more serious by the strong north-east gule that
has been blowing all night.
Mr. T. B. Wilson, who with Mr.
T. II. G. Drayfield, marine expert, is
on board to see what salvage pro-
It is learned that Mr. A. P. Blunt, intend to offer staunch resistance to any invasion-spects exist, wirelessed the company Consul General for Canton, is duc
of the West River Flotilla, here at 2 pm, to-day by a gunboat Reuter.
Admiral Sir Charles Little, this after- noon and will then go to Government!
He will interview H.E. the C.-in-C.,
mental which were unanimously adopted at House to consult with 13.E. the Gover- Saturday's meeting of the Cabinet nor, Sir Geoffry Northcote, which lasted all day.
Mr. Blunt will spend the night st Prince Konoye also submitted Government House probably return. President Roosevelt's request for ns-ing to Canton to-morrow. surances of safety for U, S. nationals
to the Emperor,—Beuter.
Ambassador Tries
To Sooth U.S.
Washington, Dee. 10. While the State Department was expecting a formal note guaranteeing the safety of Americans, Mr. H. Saito, the Japanese Ambassador, broadeasí a message to America to-night and promised that Japan would take steps to safeguard foreigners and foreign Interests in Chine.
au-
Mr. Salto observed: "Our thorities had not thought that such a blunder could have occurred”, the "blunder" referred to being the bomb- Ing and sinking of the Paray. Reuter
of
France Keeps Firm
Friends
Paris. Dec. 10. M. Yvon Delbos, French Foreign Minister, expressed him- selt very satisfied with his tour
Central Europe when 11 arrived in Paris this morning from Prague. He was enlánsins- tically recolvod by large crowds ut the railway alallon.
The general opinion is that the alowed that France's alliances and friendships were in strong and as valuable as ever. and that M. Delbos had enhanced France's prestige----Retter.
toar
Maryse Hilsz Trying For New Record
Istre, Dec. 10.
The famous French aviairix, Maryse Hisz took off at 2.30 p.m. G.M.T. Lo-day for Basrah in an attempt to beat the women's long-distance record flight established by Amelia "Earbari, with a non-stop hop of 2,462 miles.
Mile. Hilax is flying a Caudron- Sloan plane with a 220 horse- power Renault engine, which was given her by the Atr Ministry for the purpose of the Night...-- Reuter.
KEEPING CLOSE CONTACT
Britain Studies Far East Position
London, Dec. 20.
+
here stating that the engine room had had to be shut down at 4 ani. since it was no longer posible to work the engines.
Peace Pact
Author
Is Dying
St. Paul, Minnesota. Dec, 10. Mr. Frank Billings Kellogg, author of the famous Kellogg Peace Pact, la critically Il fol- lowing an operation. He had a stroke six weeks ago.
Dr.
Lepak who in attending Mr. Kellogg says there is virtually no hope, and that Lits passing
matter is Just a
of hours.
Reuter.
JAPANESE
EXPLAIN SHELLING
Mistook Ladybird For Enomy Ship
Shanghai,, Dec. 20, The crew, he added, was working H.M.S. Ladybird was shelled well and another and larger tug. the by Japanese batteries neur Wuhu Miho, had come from Moj to assist
the Yusto, which left her work with on December 12 in the belief that the Asami Maru in Hongkong lust she was an escort for ships week, to assist in salvage.
Mr. Wilson did not any in his mess-
tage what the chances of salvage
were. He is expected buck Hongkong on Friday.
in
carrying Chinese troops, declared
a Japanese spokesman to-day in releasing the preliminary find. ings of the investigation of the incident.
The official sald the incident
oc-
merely preliminary and tentative, curred in the carly morning when the No positive point can be reached river was shrouded in thick fog and unless and until Britain decides that all distant objects were scarcely dis- reinforcement has become essential. Amplifying previous reports regard-In
cernable, considering the position Britain A ing consideration of the strengthen-will estimate the strength of Chinese
Japanese officer had told the la ing of British forces in the Far East, resistance and the situation of the thick
quiry that the Ladybird emitted.
smoke
which resembled a the Daily Telegraph diplomatic corres- Japanese army if it presses into the smoke-screen. In belief that such a pondent says the exchange of views interior. between London, Washington and
could only be used for the The Government is also considering transportation of troops, the officer Paris is constant. Hitherto there has how far Japanese policy is dictated in charge of the battery ordered the been no indication from Washington by the military and naval comunan-guns to fire. that if Britain reinforced her naval ders, and the strength of moderate strength in the Far East, the United opinion in Tokyo among the indus-questions as to details of the theldent The spokesman refused to answer States would take similar action.ialists, traders and economista on the grounds that the Inymus The Anglo-French discussion has been Reuter.
convoy
tion was all Incomplete, Neäteräy
DANGEROUS PRECEDENT
The Chinese claim that the release of Richards without trial would estab- itsb dangerous precedent, for In- sistence by the British authorities of (Continued on Page 4)
STOP PRESS
SHAMEEN NOT DISTURBED
Canton, Dec. 20. While exeltement is considerable" concerning the reports of an intended Japanese Inrding, foreign Consuls profess themselves to be completely unable to confirm the story, and Shameen is only mildly interested, it being generally felt that this 13 merely another rumour.
10
In the event of a Japanese threat
Canton,
the British Consul- General, Mr, A. P. Blunt, has an- nounced that British women and children would be
to requested evacuate, but Reuter in reliably in- formed that this order has not yet been given, and will not be given until Japanese landing, likely to affect Canton, actually occurs.
Mr. Blunt left for Hongkong this morning, it is reported, in order to dis- cuss the present situation with the hongkong authorities.-Reuter.
(Further 'Stop Press News on Page 12.)