Tuesday
HONGKONG TELEGRAPH
December 27, 1938. Ubrary, Suprenie Cour INSURGENT OFFENSIVE COLLAPSING? Armies Bogged By Snow And Mud On 100-Mile Front
FAMOUS DRAMATIST IS DEAD
PRAGUE, Dec. 25.
THE DEATH is announced of Karel -Capek, the well-known Czech writer and dramatist, at the age of 48-Reuter.
Karel Capek, famous Czach author and dramatist, was born in January, 1890, In a small Bohemian town where his father was a doctor. After studying at the Universities of Prague, Berlin and Paris he joined the staff of the "Ldove Noviny!! of which he became literary editor.
Capek was producer at the Municipal Theatre in Prague after the war. His first work as a fiction writer was done in collaboration with his eldest brother Joseph, the painter. His first play was "The Robber" and then came another written along with his brother, "Love's Sport with Destiny".
In 1921 Capek's great play "R.U.R." was produced at the Czech National Theatre, establishing him as one of the foremost living dramatists. It travelled all over the world. "R.U.R." envisaged a time when humanity had evolved an army of perfect mechanical men, the "Robots", to the work of their human inventors. The Robots did this so well that they completely usurped their creators, The word "Robot" passed into every language. It was a forecast of the Nazi theury of the mission in life of the Individual-a mere cog in the State machine.
PESSIMISTIC SATIRE
Capelt's next work was "The Insect Play", written in collaboration with his brother. It is a pessimistic satire on humanity. Capek then turned to the problem of longevity in "The Macropoulos Secret", while in "Alam Die Creator" he depicted the extinction of the human race and the attempt to replace it by some newer furm! of life.
One of his latest plays "Power and Glory" deals, with the private life of a dictator and his downfall at the moment when war breaks out.
Capek was a sort of Czech H, G. Wells, his plays being! occupied with sociology and the problems of nature and the future of mankind.
PROLIFIC WRITER
stories, a mack-serious book stage-craft. and travel
AMERICA'S TRIBUTE TO BRITISH NAVAL MEN: Ongers of the Royal Navy leaving the American Embassy in Landon after receiving mudals from Mr. Joseph Remedy, the U.5. Ambassador, for their services and co-operation in assisting with the re- covery of the survivors of the Amerlean gumboat Panay when that vessel was bombest and sunk by Japanese aeroplanes in December of last year. Right to left-Mr. Christopher Holt, who received the Distinguished Servien Medal on behalf of his father, Rear-Admiral Holt-now serving as Senior Naval Offleer. Yangise; Lieut.-Comdr. Harry Douglas Barlow, who received the Navy Cross; Caplain George Eric Maria O'Donnell, who received the Distinguish- ed Service Medal; and Vice-Adiniral Lewis Crabbe, who also received the Navy Cross.
LOYALLSTS LAUNCH
COUNTER-ATTACKS
AT
HENDAYE, Dec, 25.
T A LATE HOUR yesterday the Insurgent forces in West Catalonia were still making every effort to break through the 100-mile Loyalist defence line on the Segre River, but the whole front has been bogged down with snow and mud.
Observers state that it is too early to prophesy what progress was made during the three-days' fighting.
According to reports from remained entrenched in all positions, Burgos, the offensive advanced and halted advances at all points. allghtly less than five miles dur-at Burgos states that the insurgents, A message from the front received ing the past 24 hours, making operating in splendid sunshine, con- the total gains 18 to 20 kilo-tinued to advance at Trempt, in the metres during two days.
lower Segre sectors, occupying strategie positions. Lower Segre troops, after breaking through three
Despite Insurgent claims, it is strongly indiented thint the lines Loyalists are holding their own lines in the centre areas, and that they also counter-attacked to the north, near the Tremp sector.
According to a Barcelona report, the surgent advance has been "light" and confined to the left bank of the Segre River, with heavy Insurgent casualties.
of enemy's fortifications, are operating fanwise In the open country, while the cavalry have been in action, especially to the south United Press.
some
INSURGENTS "SATISFIED"
Saragossa, Lee, 25. The insurgent troups muccessfully continued their offensive on the Catalonian front to-day, although operations were hindered to The report adds that the Loyalista
extent by the deep snow. succeeded in narrowing the attack to weather now is getting better, and The the Grand Serus sector where the it is expected that the next few days insurgents claimed a big victory
bring actions on a larger scale. will brit yesterday.
Both sides reported tense aerial clare themselves to be completely
Insurgent milltary authorities de activity in the southern sector, with satisfied with the results hitherto insurgent aviation co-operating with attained, and they display consider. the infantry in spraying the Loyalist able optimism in their forecasts on defences, while the Insurgent troops probable the first two days of the
future developments. advanced.
the
The
ان
During LOCKED IN BATTLE
offensive, the Insurgents captured an area of about 360 square miles. The second day
the long success of the offensive, so it is point- He also wrote novels, esonys, short "Krakatit," the name given to a terland, Spain and Italy, illustrated by threatened Insurgent offensive against ed out here, is due above all to the Loyalist Catalonia stronghold, fact that it has been very carefully sketches, tendencies of the present day. The the art of dressing shrewd criticiibatde on two major fronts, approx- translated poetry and edited enthole theme of the "Insect Play is re- in a mantle of engaging artlessssimately 500,000 men being engaged after the conclusion of the Ebro nies. Much of us work is known to peated in a book in which newts with trimmings of ironie wit so English readers by
the excellent
of civilisation and end by becoming offence. Selver several of his plays were its masters. produced in England. In his novel: The novels "Herdubal" and produce erine Hiritlers equal to "The Absolute at Lorre," a fantastic “Meteor" depict the life of anything that has been done in this satire, he described a marvellous in- Czechoslovak peasanit. Capek was jne. He was a great friend of the vention which after bringing univer- the author of several delightful and late President Binsacyls and publish
#1 plenty unded in disaster, humorous books on England, Hol- (Continued on Next Column.}
un ble explosive, deals with the grave his own amusing drawings. He had found the opposing armies locked in preparations began immediately
are
translations of his compatriot Paul trained to do the donkey-work gentle and so friendly as 'to disarin Decatalonia and towards lensive. The Insurgent forces were
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completely reorganised, their artillery considerably strengthened, and gaps in the ranks of all units which suffer ed losses during the Ebro offensive, were completely fille
alled.
Claims of victory from both sides have conflicted the outcome of the battle to date, although it is obvious that the heavy snows, combined with the strong Loyalist defence, materially impeded the Insurgents.
Reports claim that both offensives are taking part in the partially succeeded. It is claimed offensive. Trans-Ocean.
hat the Insurgents penetrated the defences for several miles on both
[ fronts, namely he Trempt scelor
where they advanced to a dominating i position, and also at Montsech, nenr the Baronia Heights.
Insurgent troops chaplains cele- brated midnight mass in the trenches ¡during a brief lull, after which thei
offensive resumed.
The Loyalists claim that they
ed a series of "Talks with the Pre-
It is stressed here that only a very small number of non-Spanish troops present
Two Brave Boys Get
Scouts' V.C.
sident" In which, Mnsoryk outlined The Cornwell scout decoration for his views of life and history and re-courage, capability and character" called some of the most signißeant has been awarded to Kenneth S. experiences of a full life.
PLAGIARISED IN US,
Shrives (18), of the 7th Sutton Group.
Kenneth has been in hospital for The "Macropoulos Secret" was over two years suffering from a pain- converted into an opera by the Czech ful lines. His secutmaster des- composer Leos Janneek and "RU.R." eribes him as "the perfect scout." was set to music by the Stuvak, Dr. Anthony G. Attenborough (14), of Marsik. The former play was the 7th Ipswich Group, has been plagiarised and published without given the Cornwell Scout Certificate. recognition In America owing to the Be was over a year in hospital with fact that no copyright convention several operations. For some existed between Czechoslovakia and months he was in plaster from his the U.S. Capek in discussing the feet to his armpits. Now he is home
alter sald bis chief grievance was again.
During the whole time he was in that many spurious editmis bad ap- peared differing greatly from the hospital Anthony was never heard to original and he had to reply to cri-complain. For his mother he always
had a smile. ticisms of matter he had never
Scoutmaster C. S. Whithead told written.
the News Chronicle recently: “Anthony was always cheerful. We. Scheimpflugova of the Progue knew that he was in agony for National Theatre company,
weeks on end, and although he grew During Germany's move for the thinner and the pain showed in his dismemberment of his country in free he never grumbled. 1930 Capek was one of the sign-outs are proud of him, and we are Ipswich tories to an appeal it the world by planning grand celebration next Czechoslovak writers. He uls month, when he will be presented broadensi from Prague urging calm with the award."
In 1975 he married Mme.
Olga
und confidence among his com- "I want to be a Rover now," sald patriots. It was suggested that he Anthony. "One of these days I am should be given a post in the new going to be an engineer. I am not Casch National Ministry.. B. worrying."
21 American Republics Reach Peace Agreement
LIMA, Dec, 25.
TWENTY-ONE AMERICAN NATIONS agreed unanimous-
ly to the declaration of continental solidarity, when Brazil signed the draft declaration which the plenary session approved in the afternoon. Brazil'e signature was the last one, was delayed owing to a technicality.
which
The signature ended a deadlock provat of the solidarity declaration, created by a conflict of United States which further modernises the United and Argentine views. The mere de- States pan-American policy structure claration provides only for consulta- | in the face of the chonged world out- tion in the event of threats,
look, especially in Europe. The United States, on the other Mr. Hull told the plenary sesalan hand, has a unanimous, if somewhat what the United States conceived the watered-down declaration, and declaration to moun.
was supported by all the American nations except the Argenina, mak-
Herald: "We recognise in the Lima ing the line-up 21 ogolnst Buchos) declaration nur determination to Aires. Thus the conference ended present a common front against the willhout a "winner."
Threats or activities of outside forces
Mr. Cordell Hull, the United States designed to impair the peace, necurity
Integrity, Secretary of State, surveyed another and territorial major stride in the good-neighbour undermine the democratic institutions programme with the unanimous ap-' In this hemisphere. We declared
or
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Don't let the
Children miss the...
FANCY DRESS PARTY
ON
DECEMBER 29.
AT THE Y.M.C.A. KOWLOON
FROM 3 TO 6 P.M.
It's going to be the jolliest party with heaps of fun Clowns ...
Mickey Mouse Cinema
Fish Ponds...
. and
Lucky Dips... Raffles
ALL THE FUN OF Tickets are only $1.50 (including teal and are on sale at Moutrie's, Anderson's, Tsang Fook and at the Dairy Farm, Kowloon.
THE FAIR.
The proceeds will be devoted to destiture refugee children to give as many of them as possible, some little ray
of happiness during our Festive Season. The grown-ups will also enjoy themselves. YOU MUST make a point of coming!
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and
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