Wednesday, HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. January 24, 1940..
Inside Story Behind Fall Of General Abe's Cabinet JAPANESE ARMY LEADERS FOOLED
BY YONAI'S
Palace Clique's Manoeuvre
TOKYO, JAN. 23 (REUTER).—THE FALL OF THE THIRD CHINA INCIDENT CABINET HEADED BY GENERAL NOBUYUKI ABE AND THE APPOINTMENT OF ADMIRAL MITSU- MASA YONAI AS' PREMIER FORMED AN UNUSUALLY INTERESTING EXAMPLE OF THE TANGLED CONDITIONS OF PRESENT-DAY JAPANESE POLITICS.
Nobuyuki Aba, the first soldier in Japanese history to attain the rank of general without sce-
APPOINTMENT
ing active service, was also the first Premier to go Admiral Yonai, the Japanese Premier out of office without appearing at a Diet session.
Inheriting a number of complex problems deriving
from the half-hearted invocation of the semi-totalitarian
National Mobilisation Bill by the Konoye and Hiranuma cabinets, the Abe Cabinet, during the eighteen weeks it held office, went from blunder to blunder, chiefly in in- ternal affairs.
Legislation selling up a Tende Ministry resulted in a strike of the
permanent staff of the
Foreign Office, which the Cabinet bowed to, dropping the plan and not even during to discipline any of the mutineers.
Loss Of Prestige
The Premier's efforts to induce the President of the Minseito, the leading political party in the Lower Houze, to join his Cabinet ended in complete failure, with consequent loss of pre- stige. The Government's Axed price policy for commodities was frustrated by heavy increase in the prices of Government monopoly articles, not- ably tobacco and rice, and the Gov- ernment plan to abolich the law guaranteeing the postiions of civil officials, aimed to weaken the bur- eaucracy, eventually had to be drop- ped.
Canton Being Encircled
By
Chinese
CANTON, it was stated by a "Central News" message this morning, is perturbed as a result of fighting near the city between Chinese and Japanese troops. Following
in pursuit of the Japanese, Chinese forces
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re developing a wide encircling movement MACKINTOSH'S LTD. round the city.
CABLE OFFICE FOR KOWLOON IN NEAR FUTURE POSSIBLE
The sing being set, a represen
of the tative of the Lord Keeper
THE QUESTION of providing Kowloon residents Privy Sent was sent to Shizuoka to outain the approval of the Cento, with greater facilities for sending cables is being Prince Saionji, to what Japan generally thought was the recom-investigated by Cable and Wireless, Mr. W. E. Rickwood, invortation of General Bata.
|Manager, told a “Telegraph” reporter this morning.
-
emissary's return, to general
tonishment, Admiral Yonai, was called to the Palice and commanded to form a Cabinet,
Delicate Situation
"We are very urxious to help in this matter by providing an office in Kowloon," Mr. Rickwood said, "and it is probable that That the situation was delicate was but for the outbreak of war such borne, out by the fact that within an an office would now be in exist- Your the Einperor took the excep- tional step of commanding the presence. At the moment things are sence of the Ministry of War, when, a bit confused. but this matter to mente the Arahi Shimbun.
will not be lost sight of and as Minister, to arrange that the Army soon as we are able to start the
Mills Majesty griehusly fold the War
operate in the organization of the next Cabinet as the Imperial command has been given to Admiral Witsumaza Yondi at the Imperial Navy,
he would endeavour 10 Majesty's mugust wishes,"
follow Fits
job it will be done."
COLDER & COLDER
Temperature Of 43 Dogs. Last Night
It's daily becoming colder in Hong- kong
No Indefinito Delay Exceedingly awed by the Emperor's Asked whether the scheme would
Last night the temperature fell to Meanwhile, nilegedly through the
metrage, the War Minister repiled be left in abeyance until the end of
43 degrees, which In the lowest re- Inadequate and Inefilelent marures
the war, Mr. Rickwood said: "No."cording for January for the last Elx taken by the responsible authorities. Furthermore, late the same rvin-Ile added that while nothing was. years. shortages of rice, charcoat. coal, anding, Admiral Yonal had a meeting certain at present there was no rea- many other articles of daily ntersalty, with the War Minister at which he son why the matter should be delay- and soaring prices in marty prefec sought the co-operation of the Army ed until the end of the war. turca, particularly in large cities, such und "mplored" General Hats to as Tokyo and Osakn, had given rise carry on as Minister of War. to serious social unrest, which In! whispered to have amounted to ats and some tooling in Nagoya, Oska and Kober
the
Army Furious
Owing to the war telephonic com- munication recently opened between |Hongkong and Chungking has becni | suspended until the duration. Other proposals for extension of the tele-
For obvious reasons, the Army was phone system between the Colony reported furious at the "münter hand outside stations have been tom wblet had been mbled and made porarily abandoned. So took foolish by the Elder States- II. organ, the Kokumin Shin- ban, was suppevised for print ng un
declaring that Admiral Yonal's appointmol had shocked many quarters.
greatly
The newspaper ametid, it seems
No Lack Of
Fuel Oil
Hostility Accentuated Finally, shortly after Chrishnas. when the Diet was
J:1 rect majority of the members of Lower House combined to pass diinial unofficial resolution calling Cabinet to resign
the The Promier's declaration that he would také no notice of the regulien marry a centuated the hastity againnt bitn
with considerable truth; that lie Thereupon the Premier indicated Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal had would dissolve the Diet as won bien making preparat uns for Ad- as it
resumed session. This proposal miral Youui's, uppomtrent os Premer not only split the Cabinet but also for some time past and alleged that, brought down on it the aetive dis- it was a reward for Adm.ra) Yoner's approval of the Army and Navy action in quashing the Army's plan leaders, trendy seriously contemner fer military alliance with Gernity fest the unrest at Home should affect and Italy when he was Davy Mini- LONDON, Jan. 23 (Reuter)- the military campaign in China and tor in the Hanuma Cabinet insi--The Director of Supplies at the who realised that a general elcetien Spring. would seriously delay passage of the
Declaring that, in the circum-Admiralty, Mr. W. J. Jick, de- huge Y10,090,000,000 budget.
stances, the presidents of the in-jek red that the position with re-
he
Navy's Supplies Arc Satisfactory
The maximum temperature during the last 24 hours reached only 42.
Last night's thermometer fell 13 degrees below the normal minimum for this time of the year.
The Royal Observatory gives no Indiention of any change in present conditions. The weather will re- main fair with fresh north and north- east winds
Cold Wave Hits U.S.
NEW YORK, Jan. 24 (Heuler),---- The severe winter conditions pre- velling in Europe have descented in full force upon the United States,
As a result, the populace fears that the fighting may spread lo the city.
To the north-cast of Canton, the Chinese are continuing their attack on Tsengshing, an im portant East River town.
Japanese and puppet troops are holding out inside the town. Japaness Driven Back
On other fronts, serious clashes have been in progress near Siaoshan, on the south bank of the Chientan Biver opposite Hangchow. Japoncsó unlts on the north bank of the river commenced a routhward drive on Sunday night with Shaching and Nimpo as their objectives.
They attempted to cross the stream in more than 80 launches and rubber boats, but they were driven back. Several of their vessels are aki to have been sunk.
The following morning the in- vaders, with the support of aero- planes, succeeded in landing north- east of Sinoshan.
Twenty-one truckloads of war materials seized by the Chinese ut Kunlunicwan, a strategic pass about 20 miles south of Pingyang in South
are Kwangsi, now
on display at the public recreation ground in Kweilin. These include ene ficid tun. three mountain guns, three anti-lank guns, four heavy machine guns, 10 high machine-guns, 600 rides, and a large quantity of gas masks, steel helmets and ammunition.
FIGHTING IN SIKANG
Chinese And Tibetans In Conflict
SHANGHAI, Jan. 23 (Reuter) Fighting has broken out be tween Chinese troops and Tibet- fan forces in the far western border province of Sikang, ac- registeret ten cording to reports received here.
Arctic gales have swept youth as far as Southern Georgia, where the heaviest snowfall for a century - oc- curred yesterday.
The thermometer degrees below zura.
Phoenix Park Raid Sequel
The Minister of War, General' selto und Selyukai parties, the most gard to the Navy's oil fuel was Two Of Accused Aro Shunroku Hata, actually uminated important in the Dirt, would
eminently satisfactory.
After n
To bring in such a man incapable ofį deflutely showing strong character and a man unable even to strengthen
and to recommend him to the
No Admiralty tanker has been lost
Discharged
DUBLIN, Jan: · 23 (Reiter).—Two
Hostilities have occurred near the Sino-Tibetan border and the ailua- tion throughout Silang and Eastern Tibet is said be very uneasy.
Trouble began at Kunze, in Sikang, between camp followers of the late Panchen Lama-one of the two high- est religious personages in Tibet, who died in 1937-and Chinese forces 'C£ the Sikang administration.
What Startad Trouble Deliching Wangmo, cister of the Kangsar Lama (who claims direct descent from Genghis Khon), was imprisoned In her pulace by Chinese and a
group of Tibetans for the "crime" of attempting to enter an other marringe.
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Federal Debt Insufficient
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U.S. Treasurer Wants It
CASTORIA
When her supporters, reinforced by Up To $50,000,000,000).
the Paneken's followers, declared their intention to fignt for the Dea ching's liberty, the Chinese garrison took refuge in the princess's palace. The palace was besieged by the Tibetans and there was some sharp The Chinese found the palace had no water supply, and when parties ventured out at night to a nearby spring they were miped by the Tibetans
to the Cabinet by the powerful so join such a Cabinet, a forecast which called palace clique, and not by the proved correct, and, without men of Army, was instructed by the latter, such enlibre, there was little basis and there are comparatively few to inform the Premier that his poll for belleving that the new Cabinet orters of tankers. cles were not approved and be should would correct the defects of the out- Since the last war, a new system of the seven accused in connection of supply naval vessels at sea has with the Phoenix Park raid, in which give the situation further considera- going one and therefore would have
on polite suggestion to resign. only a short life, the Kokumin Shim-enabled a ship to be maintained six a large quantity of arms was taken. It is understood that Premier Abe bun outspokenly concluded:
or eight months without replenishing, have been discharged, information replied to General Hata that be
Pre-war arangements had worked (being refused against them. would not unless the Intter, in his
xtremely well.
More precautions than usual were capacity us Minister of War, oficially
The increase of the work in the taken by the authorities for the hear- the form of national unity now exising department is indicated by the fact ing. The gates leading to the court called upon him to do so. further conference of Army leaders,
for giving the Engerer's command to that the Naval estimates of 1834 were closed and a strong force of the War Minister was instructed to
form a Government is bitterly and in provided £5,000,000 for Naval stores, armád military was stationed arounci cremingly criticized as a conspiracy on Tals had risen to £15.006,000 in 1938, the building. comply with the Premier's demand.. the part of the statemen Deas U10 In the Brst year of the war was
Aghting. In addition, an armed rallitary and
• Throne." The Navy Minister also officially In-
likely to be at least £60,000,000, palico force patrolled the passages formed the Premier that the Navy
covering 670,000 items of atores." land corridors in the court ikelf. backed up. the Army's demand. whereupon General Abe handed the In the circumstances It seems mie resignation of the Cabinet to the to prophesy that the coming Spring Throne..
will witness some unusually interet Condemned British Soldier Awaits Vordict Army Leaders Fooled ing events in the Japanese political Recommendation of a new Premier world, especially in the Diet cession to the Throne then become the which will resume towards the end responsibility of the Lord Keeper of of January. the Privy Scat, Mr. Yunsa, and the It is interesting to note that the President of the Privy
"Yo No!" Council, Japanese words Prince Konoye, the 92 year old lang term for "No rice", which Conro, Prince Salenji, being now some superstitious people ecnsider #
bad omen for the new government.
too old to retain that prerogative:
Prince Konaye, who was greatly favoured, baying defnitely refused office, he and the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal opened negotiations with the Army, suggesting that General Shunroku ata sho
should
Is It An Omen
are R
COTTAGE CLUB
AMBASSADOR TO DECIDE
MURDERER'S FATE
SHANGHAI.. Jan. 23 (Reuter)—Following the recommen- dation to mercy by the jury of Private David Eckford, of the Seaforth Highlanders, who was recently found guilty of murder and sentenced to death in the British Supreme Court, the Judicial report of the case, together with the jury's recommendation, have been forwarded to the British Ambassador, Sir Archibald Kerr.
CAVALCADE form a
Cabinet. Thero necollations went Dome way, teveral conferences of
A BLOW. CAVALCADE, eullablo)
Army leaders being held to daruts for beginners and novica riders, will The Ambassador will have to, and his decision will be final. the advirability qt a general on the be held from the Collage Club an make the final decision as to The sentence of death will not be
service at assuming the | Saturday, January 27, al 3.30 p.m. premiership, and also consultation On the following Saturday, Febru- whether the jury's recommenda-
Active
Decision: Final
unit the Ambassador's carried out confirmation is given.
Meanwhile, Private Eckford is in the condemned ceil' at the Municipal Counell's Word Road Gaol
between the two elder statesmen and ary 3, a faster ride will be arranged tion should be adopted or Private Army representatives. Eventually for the beneft of the more ex-Eckford be hanged. the Army agreed to the proposal. on pertenced riders, the understanding that s'raultaneous- ly with his smption. of the will be held on Saturday, February. He will be guided in his docision to life imprisonment, he will probably premiership General Hinta should be 10, during the China New Year Holl by Ue report and observations of the be sent home, in England lo zerve placed on the retired flat.
dinys,
Judge, Bir Allen Mossop, and counsel, I his senterice.:
The next paper-hunt for members
If his death sentence la commuted
|
Situation Obscure
Unrest and fighting spread in the border region, other tribes and arm- ed forces joining the combat.
is
The present situation in Sikong obscure. One report says the Chin- ese Government at Chungking has been asked to mediale. Another message states attempts are bring made to form an Independent state, with Kanze az ila "capital."
MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE
A woman, Foo Yuet-ho, 12, was charged beforn Mr, 11. G. Sheldon, K.c., at the Control Magistracy to-day with the manalaughter of a three- year-old child named Tsang,
Wing idin at Wanchal yesterday, Vi ** No detalla of the case were given, and on the request of Detective Sub Inspector. Darkin, Foo was reminded for a week,jij
February 8 at 2.30 p.m. has been Axed for the hearing.*
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8,000 Crowd In S'hai Gaol
May Soon Swell To Fivo Figures
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 (Reuter).
Henry ! ----Mr.
Morgenthau, Secretary of the Treasury, informed the Representatives' Appropriations Committee during the hearings of the Treasury Department 1041 Supply Bill that he contended that the ilmitter)With crime steadily on of Federal debt should be raised to the increase in the International $50,000,000,000.
Settlement, the number of
SHANGHAI, Jan. 23 (Reu-
The present limit of $45,000,000,000 should be raised and he would lake prisoners in the Shanghai Muni- another look at the situation when it cipal Council's Ward Road Jail. had reached $49,000,000,000, but there the largest penitentiary in the would be по particular donger world, has for the first time in involved If Congress raised the debt its history passed the 8,000 limit to $50,000,000,000,
Mr. Morgenthau also maintained manrk. that the budget zhould be balanced by reduced expenditures and in- creased taxis,
Orazio's Death Roll Now 107
According to semi-omcial figures. Just released, somno: 8,300, people, In- cluding 120 foreigners: and 200 re formatory Inmates. are at present iving within the confines of the four walls of the Municipal, "Big HousO,” This number is expected, to swall to Ave figures by the end of the year if the "badlands" skirting the Western District of the International Belties GENOA, Jan. 23 (Reuter)-The ment are not soon cleaned out. fattat its published by the owners The Governor of the Jail t of the Orazio indicate that the num-Londoner, Mr. W. C. Grant, and he ber of victims of the disaster total has under him a start of nearly 100 107, of whom 47 were passengers and ereigners, 80 crew.
31 Hospitalled
on to te aur of the burning Oraalo
SPECIAL TO THE "Telegraph!” ROME, Jan, 23 (UP)-Thirty-one infled to-day for East Africa,
of the Halian liner. Orazio's passen- She was, compelled to fakta sbbard ........gers and crew are at present recalving many how men, because the former treatment in hospitals at Cenon. crew had been exhausted, by the
The steamer Colombo, which rishi-rostite, Work,
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