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The
FINAL EDITION
Hongkong Telegraph.
SINGLE COPY 10 CENTS
FOUNDEL 1001 二拜望五月三港香
TUESDAY, MARCH
5. 1940.
日七廿月正 $30.00 PER ANNUM
No. 10000
Largest
Ship
AMERICAN
Mercerised Cotton TENNIS SOCKS
In White, Scarlet, Green and Navy Blue
with Snug fitting cuffs
$1.50 pair
WHITEAWAY'S
Registered In Colony Is Sunk By Direct Enemy Action
U-BOAT DESTROYS HONGKONG
TANKER:
Tonight is Black-out Night HOUSEHOLDERS
World's BLACK-OUT --
Awful Death Roll
Death Rate in China Exceeds Birth Rate
Because complete statistics are provided by countries in only three of the world's six Contin- ents, exact. ügures of the number of people who are horn or dic cach year are impossible to obtain.
But an estimate of the num- ber of deaths last year-believed to have been a year in which the mortality was the heaviest the world has known since the Great Plague, reveals some astonishing details.
It is estimated that 215,000,000 people died from various during the year.
Causes
This is at the rate of approximate- ly 600,000 a day, or 25,000 an hour.
Of this unbelievable total,
more
than half are belleved to have died In China, which has within its boundaries something like onc- quarter of the world's entire popu- Jation.
Highest in World
causes
For the first time in many years, It is believed, China's birth rate has been exceeded by its death rate,
MOTORISTS
AIDED GRAF SPEE VICTIMS
Capt. Relatos Thrills To "Telegraph"
D
ENTIRE
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPHI”
CREW
SAFE
LONDON, MARCH 5 (UP)—FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE Viborg Refuses To Surrender As- OUTBREAK OF HOSTILITIES, A HONGKONG - REGISTERED STEAMER HAS BEEN SUNK BY DIRECT ENEMY ACTION. THE VICTIM IS THE 10,516 MOTOR-VESSEL CHARLES F. MEYER, OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE ORIENTAL TANKERS, LTD., OF UNION BUILDING, HONG- KONG.
THE TANKER CHARLES F. MEYER
The vessel is also a sister ship of the W. B. Walker, named after a former manager of the Hongkong office of Standard Vacuum Co., Ltd..
The Charles F. Meyer is the latest of a fleet of new tankers purchased by the Hongkong company. The tanker is, in addition, the largest tanker in the company's fleet, all of whose vessels have been launched since 1935 and is, incidentally, the largest ship registered in Hongkong.
Nazis Unleash Air Hordes
Daily Activity Over
Western Front
sance flights.
Slowly Sinking
Only brief detalls are as yet to hand.
The tanker was attacked oft the south-east coast of England and, ns details were flashed to Hongkong, was slowly sinking.
The crew had already abandoned the ahlp and lifeboats were setting out from the coast to rescue ther
ine outbreak
It is believed that she made one or
war. Since September, however, she
Bervice.
HAINAN OFFENSIVE
Significant Action By Japanese
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPHY
the
are
REDS SMASH DOWN FINN DEFENCES
By EDWARD BEATTIE
UNITED PRESS WAR CORRESPONDENT
HELSINGFORS, Mar. 5 (UP).—The Red Army is smashing through the crumbling Finnish defences on the centre and western flank of the Mannerheim Line.
But Viborg has not surrendered.
The white and gold day which has flown continually from the famous castle since Finland became à republic again a quarter of a century ago still flutters from the ruins that was once the castle.
But the odds for the doomed
battalion which has remained
behind to defend the city to the last are overwhelming..
Hourly, the Reds orc drawing closer to the centre of the heap of broken masonry, lottering walls and shall-craters that was once Finland's second largest city.
"
Soon, No Escapo
Boan Viborg will be completely zurrounded and there will be no es cape for the men entombed in its ruins.
Won't Ask Germans To Kill Nazis
LONDON, Mar. 4 (British Wireless). In reply to a ques* tion in the House of Commons to-day as to whether naturalis- ed British subjects, who were previously refugees from Ger- many, would, when called upon for military service, bo asked to -undertake foreign service, the Financial Secretary to the War Office said?'
"Such personnel would not be employed in fighting units directly opposed to the German forces unless they had express- ed in writing their willingness to be so employed. They would be liable for any other form of service abroad."
Most of the habitable buildings
are completing the destruction of the that They are determined
Red hands when the invaders enter 0600 the city.
Although the
forcea Russian operating around Viborg outnumber he defenders twenty to one, Finnish Are has frustrated. machine gun every attempt by the invaders to cross the ice on the Bay of Viborg Doomed Battalion Will
By a peculiar Irony, the Charles F.
Apparently, Finnish G.HQ has Meyer was built in Germany. She
not yet decided whether it will order Thrilling experiences of the
PARIS, Mar. D. (Reuter).-Ger- was launched at the Blohm and Voss
SHANGHAI, Mar. 5 complete evacuation of all men-and battle with the Graf Spee off many is unleashing a horde of pur-yards in Hamburg to the order of the
those save the lives of the few who The death rate in China is believed Montevideo-were-related to a suit planes over the West Wall in an Hongkong company in 1938 and went (UP)-The headquarters have been ordered to stay at their to be the highest in the world. It ""Telegraph" representative to attempt to cut off Allied reconnais into service of war in Europe of the Japanese fleet in posts or will defend the ruins with street by street fight which will cost lins been aggravated during the past, day in an interview with Captain Messerschmidt fighters and Hein-
China to-day announced the Russians dear. two years by the war with Japan, Buret, who carried Home the 63 kels in patrols of from seven to 21
No civilians remain. Over 700,000 which has claimed millions of civi- British Captains and merchant rour daily back and forth over the two trips to Hongkong before the that a large scale offensive Han lives through indirect
words. such as man-made floods, famine officers imprisoned in the Ger-front.
Naxi Claims Ridiculed has been engaged in the trans-Atlantie in co-operation with the people have been evacuated north
Army is being launched on caused by the spoilation of crop areas, man warship. the scorched earth polley and the Captain Buret, who was in com- PARIS. Mar. 5. (Reuter).-A
Hainan Island where, it is are already destroyed, and the Finns WAS issued
Other H.K. War Losses great mass exodus of people into the mand of the Hughland Chieftain at special communique
Chinese rest admitted, in yesterday by the French Army, con-
·western areas,
the time of the action is now
big demning the false news given in Naz! Actually, the first ship of Hong- Hongkong in. command of 23,008 Royal Mail liner here on her communiques and by the ufficial kong registry to be lost as a result of guerillas are becoming in-nothing of value chall fall into
(D.N.B.)
the war was the 5,028-ton tanker creasingly active! German news agency. firat visit.
Neutral" quarters here The Germans claimed that three Vaclite, which was well-known in Even under ordinary circum- Screams Were Torrifying
French planes. had been shot down Hongkong harbour. stances, infant mortality in China is
She was mined and sunk some-speculating as to whether the on a tragic scale; it has been es Spee landed alongside where over the week-end. On the contrary,
my timated that one-third of all infants ship was lying after the action and
however, three Dernier planes were where off the coast of England. The offensive is designed to give the barn die before they reach the age saw Captain Langsdorf talking in a brought down and their crews taken Vachite, which was owned by the appearance of a permanent oc
prisoner.
Standard Transportation Co. Ltd., of of twelve months.
highly excited manner. The Nazi
the Hongkong, was launched at New-cupation of Halnan as additional Even in Hongkong the infant mor- men were all fresh young boys of
communique ridiculed
pressure on France during the German statements, claiming that castle in 1828. tality for Chinese bables reaches about 19," he said.
vessel trade treaty negotiations. Sum another Hongkong one-third of the total births, despite
"The British captains I had on only 11 U-boats had been lost since. the fact that the infant mortality board told me that when the battle the beginning of the war. It pointed which has been attacked by the
SIR STAFFORD aout that. the radio station at Frank- enemy is the James J. Macguire, among European babies compares started they were guarded by favourably with any country in the young officer. They played cards for fort announced in January that 35 which is owned by the Oriental
Ltd.
CRIPPS DUE world and is unique for the entiren while and then surprised the Ger- U-boats had been lost. In actual Transportation Company British Empire excepting Australia man by turning into their hammocks, fact, the Allies have sunk over 50 Hongkong. A sister ship of the Charles F. Meyer, the James J. Mac- and New Zealand, which have the They watched the effect of the British U-boats.
The Honourable Sir Stafford guire was more fortunate regarding lowest death rates amongst infants
the outcome of ber encounter with a Cripps, K., K.C., J.P., M.P., and Mr. of any countries in the world.
U-Boat.
G. Wilson, are expected to arrive at Worso To Come
Her crew were able to man the Government House to-day and to
and gallantly fought the U-Boat, stay until Thursday, March 7. which broke surface and answered
Great as has been the toll among Chinese people during the past twelve PLEASE Turn To Pago 2.
CABINET CHANGES FORECAST
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" LONDON, Mar. 4 (Domel)---The 'London Bureau of the "Associated Press" quoiing information from at- thoritative sources reports that the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Cham- berlain, is contemplating another reorganisation of the Cabluet
Sir
"I saw the men from the
Graf
shells on the Graf Spee through an opening. As one shell hit a six Inch gun the screams of the young Nazl boys were terrifying.
The
Red Cross Fund Now £1,192,000
One whoso arm was blown off was very brave and kept.saying he would learn to write with his left arm until
LONDON, Mar. 4 (British Wire-shell for shell. another shell blow both of his leg less)—The Lord Mayor's Red Cross The Hongkong steamer, after being some time, eventually off as titey were carrying him away. Fund Increased by £10,000 to-day shelled for
"As the British shells scored hits and now stands at £1,102,000. Gifts reached port. the German officer on guard became to-day included £1,700 from the
PLEASE Turn To Page 2. Mayor of Pietermaritzburg, Natal.
Hailstorm Broke
1,231 Panes Of Glass
Godown Co. Ltd., in whose godowns
The Charles F. Meyer, although not! the first Hongkong ship to be sunk
in the wor, is the Brst to be sunk by
direct enemy action.
Freighter Being Chased
NEW YORK, Mar. 5 (UP). Mackay-Radio. has intercepted
An
Hold Out To Last Man SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"
Troops Mutiny
Japanose "Puppets"
Cause Trouble
CHUNGKING, Mar. 5, (Reuter).-- There are at present about 500,000 HELSINGFORS, Mar. 5 (UP) Chinese puppet troops operating The defence of Viborg, which is now entering its second week, may rank in history with the heroic Polish defence of Warsaw last September.
With the main Finnish Army al- new defensive ready evacuated to
PLEASE Turn To Pago 2. positions three miles north of the
H.K. Second Largest
City In Empire
WARS in Europe and Asia have had a remarkable
urgent SOS from the 5,841-ton British effect on the populations of the world's chief cities. freighter Elcervo, slating that she is being chased by a submarino in
To-day New York is indisputably the biggest city latitude 22.10 north, longitude 51.28 in the world. London, which had a pre-war population west, or approximately 1,000 miles cast of the Virgin Islands.
of over 7,000,000 people, now contains only 3,000,000. The No further details are available.
rest have been evacuated.
Shanghai, which had a pre-war population of 1,600,000, now
under Japanese command in China, but during the past year 150,000 of these troops mutinied and joined the loyal Chinese forces, it is stated here.
The Chinese puppet troops in North China are under General
under Jen Yuan-tao, and in South China under Wang Ching-wel, It Is Chih Siel-yuan, in Central China
stated.
The North China puppet troops are known as the "Anti-Communist Army In Central China as the Pacification Army," "and in South Chind as the "Peace and National Salvation Army.”
LATEST
FLOWER SHOW AWARDS
DAMAGE OCCASIONED by yesterday morning's The Agency report says that the freak hailstorm is much more extensive than was at contemplated reorganisation will bo far-reaching, probably involving Sir first anticipated, investigations this morning disclose.
SERVANT BOY'S Holds 4,500,000 people-mostly refugees, Kingsley Wood, the Air Minister,
Hundreds of windows in various parts of the urban area on Lord Hankey, the Minister without
THEFT Lestio Burgin,] the mainlanl were broken,
As a result, Shanghal temporarily | Sino-Japanese war hold only 400,000 Portfolio, and Mr.
becomes the third largest elly In the inhabitants. One of the chief sufferers was the Minister of Supply.
Amazing things have happened to Pipes Blacked With Ico Edon May Be Successor Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf
Pleading guilty to the larceny of world, being exceeded only by New
elties the Agency,
Downpipes on almost all godowns $20 from his employer, Mrs. Davies, York (6,930,000), and Tokyo (0.009.-populations in occupied China. Big which vied with those of cities According to
in Kowloon no less than 1,231 panes were blocked with ice for some hours nt 0 Leighton Hill, on March 3, Hauhe population of London now falls in any part of the world have now be Peak) Mrs. F. C. Hall.
after the freak storm which, although Chung, 22, zervant boy, was sent to
come mero villages in respect of glass were broken.
Shanghal, Moscow, Chicago Skylights in seventeen godowns not the first experienced in Hong-gaol for two months by Mr. Sheldon below those of New York, Tokyo,
and population.
Pelping has less than half a million In No. Bi godown, which is nearest xong, was the first ever recorded at al Central Magistracy,this morning. Omkā.
sanushed.
the Royal Observatory.
Sgt. Bentley sald Mrs. Davies went
Borlin Now Twolfth. Inhabitants. Before the war con- Godown
town coolies removed a drum-out on Sunday and left $120 locked
Berlin, which was once the fourth fained 1,500,000. Nanking probably full of 100 lbs, of lee from one down in n leather case in a cupboard. Hau
opened the door, with a duplicated largest city, in the world, is tempor- holda no more than 20,000 to-day
Before the war iis population. pipe alone at noon yesterday,
When this Ice was examined at 1 key, forced open the case, and atole arlly the twelfth largest.
It now has fewer people than receded million Canton has been p.m., some of the pieces were still $20 of the money, Ilau admitted the I over an inch in diameter.
theft when questioned by the Police. side In Chungking, which before thel
Kingsley Wood was recently subject
ed to severe criticism in connection with the light control, while he la
charged with being at varianco were with the Military regarding
the
com- mand of the Royal Air Force.
to the Star Ferry, no less than 215 The report understands that Mir. panes of glass were broken, while Anthony Eden, the Dominions Secre- godowns. Nos, 1 and 2, which are at tarzy will probably be appointed to the other end of the wharves next to #ooded Ste Kingsley sa the Air the Kowloon Naval Yards, lost 132 -Minister::
panes,
PLEASE Tum To Pago 2.0
The challenge trophy winners in the annual flower show organised by the Hongkong Horticultural Society, which opened this afternoon under threatening skies, were as follows:
Challenge Cup for pot plants (open), Mrs., E. Groves; dillo for
Challenge Cup Peak, A. Nicol.
for vegetables (open), Mrs. W. T. Stanton; ditio Challenge Cup for cut flowers [(open)," Mrs. Eu Tong-son; ditto (Peak) Mrs. F. C. Hall. BERAS
Lady Piol's Challenge Cup for six pots of anuals, Mrs, Tong-sen;"
Lady Southom's Challenge, Cup, Ho Kom-tong
Lady Northcote's Challenge: Bowl, 3, T. Dagrama
Paren