Wednesday,
HONGKONG TELEGRAPH
Government Decline Proposals Soviet Rebuke Of Men's Evacuation Committee
A Report by the Hongkong Evacuation Representation Committee, signed by all its members, has been issued, which gives the text of communications sent to Government, and the Government's replies.
11
an
The Report states: At the last public meeting on the subject of evacuation, held at the Peninsula Hotel on December 27, 1910, the Committee were instructed:
1. To reply to the answer of the Secretary of State to the Colonies; 2. To public meeting; 3. To urge Illa request a Government representative to address
evatuntes on Majesty's Government in Hongkong to make financial provision for the equitable basis.
"With regard to the question asked the Home Government is bearing the
second paragraph of your fetal cost. these in the In accordance with
letter, His Excellency directs me to "The Committee would be pleased instructions (1) a letter to the say that he considers that the matters to send a representative or deputa- Secretary of State for the of which the frat alx of these question for an interview if there are ons Colonies was drafted. The Com-ons treat have been adequately dent points in this letter which need
with in public announcements and in clarifying. mittee, however, were advised
Interviews which His Excellency hus by the Colonial Secretarint that had with yourself and another mem- this letter could only go forward ber of your Committee. I am to in the form of a petition. As that it clear that the answer to the seventh question en depend only this method did not appeal to
upon futuro pollical developments. them and also on account of ministerial changes at home and political events in the Far East, the Committee decided that by turning the letter into a petition no good purpose would be served and it was therefore agreed not to send it.
A letter why sent to the Hon. Colonial Secretary on January 1041, as follows
of
k
"In these circumstances is Excel- leney considers that no useful pur- pose would be served by receiving a deputation from your Committee as requested in the fourth paragraph of your letter ander reference."
"I am, etc.,
(I.) "C. BRAMALL BURGESS, "for Colonial Secretary," No Further Action
We have, ete...
(l.). L WILSON, Chairman; F. C. CLEMO, Hon. Secretary,"
Further Reply
was received:
"5th February, 1041, "Sir.-I am directed
to acknow..
March 5, 1941.
To Sofia
Reveals Her Anxiety
LONDON, Mar. 4 (Reuter). The important statement broadcast from Moscow in regard to the German occupation of Bulgaria has given rise to much comment in diplomatic quar- ters in London, learns “Reuters” diplomatic correspondent.
There is nothing, however, to suggest that it means more than it says, namely that the Soviet Government does not share the views of the Bulgarian Government that its attitude will lead to preservation of peace.
Consequently, the Soviet Govern- ment is unable to support the Bul garian Government in the prosecu tion of its present policy.
It is an obvious rebuke to the Government of Bulgaria and gives contradiction to those Bulgarian which were spreading reports that
bat Russia papers
In full agreement with the latest
WH
It must be recullaments,
darian
the
LIBYAN WAR
HONOURS
Naval, Land & Air Chiefs Decorated
that the Bul- Prime Minister,
In his speech at Vienna In signing Tripartite
LONDON, Mur. 4 (Router).— Pact, re-affirmed his resolve to deve- To this letter the following reply top further the traditional friendly General Sir Archibald Wavell
relations with the Soviet Union.
and Admiral Sir Androw Cun- Titised by
which incidentally statement,
have been made nored by Herr von fibbentrop, ningham was the German Foreign Minister, in his Knights Grand Cross of the reply, does not seem to have mollified Order of the Bath, and Major- Moscow in any way.
General Richard Nugent O'Connor becomes Knight Com- mander of the Order of the Bath, states to-night's "London Gazette."
ledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th January, 1041, on the subject the
maintenance of evacuate families, and to draw your attention to the notice which was published in he local Press on 7th November, 1940, under the heading "Arrange ments for Evacuees in Australia."
"I am, etc.,
The significant rature of the broad- cast is that it was renewed in several languages and on more than one
occasion.
Underlying Motive
⚫ that Publie opinion demanded
(sd.) "C. BRAMALL BURGESS, be 25, united protests should made "Per Colonial Secrcinry."
against the
compulsory polley of
The Members of the Committee re- "Sir-We have the honour to invite evacuation, and the flagrant injustice gned this reply as irrelevant and They intend therefore to do your attention to the second Meeting of the manner in which the Hong- evasive
husbanda
and
relatives af kong Government has enforced this what they can to educate public Evacuates held in the Peninsula Hotel order. Although no satisfactory reply pinion to the grave injustice infleted proposal made thereat that His Ex-jin spite of the fact that the members severely taxed for the benefit of the uude of Ron-involvement in the in much of the work of preparation cellency the Officer Administering the of the Committee, regard the tone whole community. They intend toggle and her desire that opern- for General Wavell is General Officer
on the 27th December, and to the hun been given to the protests, and on a small minority who are being portunity has been taken in the state. iion of the recent successful
Government should be invited to of the reply quoted above as brusque make earnest requests that all who nddreas a further meeting on the and discourteous, they have decided have had to bear any additional ex- subject of the compulsory evacuation to take no further action concerning pense, by reasons of having obeyed order to evacuate, these letters; nor do they wish to the Government of women and children.
"We are instructed by our Com- make that is one way umerents shall receive monetary compensation
which might in any way embarrass irrespective of any "means test." mittee to request that you be good
Government in the present They feel sure that they will have enough to place this proposition critical times, All mniters, however, an increasing weight of public opint before His Excellency and to enquire pertaining to the comfort and well- behind them in their submission that whether, in view of his personal letter being of the evacuates will continue this indiction on a small section of to the Very Rev, J. L. Wison of the
to receive their constant care. the Community shall cease and that 12th November, His Excellency now
A further letter was sent on the the entire cost of the Evacuation as feels that he is In position to
same day to
Hon. Colonial} affecting the individuals concerned the such a meeting. It is clearly- address
shall be borne out of the Revenues Secretary as follows: understood that in the event of His
"Sir, The Committee have direct of the Colony with or wilhout a grant Excellency agreeing to this course, ed us to communicate with you re- from the Home Government, the meeting would be confined to thegarding the equitable sharing of the address by His Excellency and would
the evacuated cost of maintaining not be open to questions or speeches
persons, from the body of the hall,
a
Questions Fut
"For His Excellency's information we append the major questions which were put forward by husbands and relatives of evacuates at the meet- ing referred to above, which they feel need to be clarified:
(b)
maintenance
The above Report is signed by-
J. L. Wilson, C. Terry, F. C. Clemo,
J. F. Macgregor, G. A. Christians,
evacuation of
More will have to be known of the
Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur true circumstances and underlying Longmore becomes a Knight Grand motives of the Soviet statement be Cross of the Order of tic Bath. fore any considered judgment would
All the honours awarded are "in be
possible so far as British quarters
operations in the Middle are concerned. It is clear that op- ment to underline the Soviet's at-
Admiral Cunningham was engaged
the Middle East operations. tions should not be extended.
By implication, blame for the Commanding the Middle East and spread of the conflict has been put Admiral Cunningham
is C-in-C Fleet. Major on Germany's shoulders, as the state- Mediterranean ment clearly implies that the occupa-General O'Connor was officer in tion of Bulgaria is to extend the charge of operations in the recent operations.
fighting. Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore & Air Officer Com. manding the Middle East.
Commodore Raymond Collin- shaw becomes Commander Bath; Lieut-Gen. Wilson Knight of the Grand Cross
(Military Division), of the British Empire. Knight Com- the same Division re manders of Major General Beresford-Feirse, Colonel (temporary Major General) O'Moore Creagh and Major Genéral 1. G. Mackoy, of the Australian Im- perlal Force."
Why R.A.F. Is Giving Hamm
A Miss
Hanim, once the favourite target of the R.A.F., has not
NEW ZEALAND been bombed for several weeks.
DEFENCES 30,000 Men Overseas
Perhaps people have wondered why the Bomber Command could not be satisfied with attacking this railway marshalling yard once a week or once a month, instead of every 24 hours....
blem.
of the becomes
the Order of
Gauss Leaving For China
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" CANBERRA, Mar. 4 (UP).-The American Minister, Mr Clarence
to
move."
He predicted closer social and cultural relations and asserted that he was pleased to return to China. He leaves Canbena this week.,
We would draw your attention to F. F. Duckworth, J. F. Galvin, A. C. the fact that there are many husbanda Jeffroys, S. Simpson, and fathers in Hongkong at present. who nro bearing a very heavy and inequitable Anancial burden due to having to support wives and families whose evacuation was ordered In July. Owing to (a) the necessity of (a) If the evacuation was in
the maintaining two homes, (b) fact necessary, why was not the higher cost of living in Australia, large foreign community of women individuals find the cost of maintain- and children also-advised to leave?ing their households increased by It the evacuation was famounts varying between 22 and 20 carried out for the safety of women a week according to the size of their
The answer is that damage to a Gauss, who was recently designated railway can be repaired in a times United States Ambassador and children, why were so many families. women and children permitted to "It is clear that this expenditure in
WELLINGTON, Mar. 4 (Reu-which must seem incredibly short to China, bade farewell to Australions
the layman.
to-day. He said that the United remain in the Colony? If, on the the
Major Girouard, who was the Bri-States exchange of diplomats with other hand, as has been stated, it tamilies is not the desire of the in- ter).-Including the Home Guard was dictated us a measure of de-dividuals who make it, nor can it be and members of the Expedition-tish Director of Railways during the Australla was a "wise and successful fence, why were so many senior sald to be offset in each individual
Force in training, New Boer War, was faced with this pro- Omeints allowed to demonstrate case by a corresponding individual
Zealand should have consider- their unbelief in its necessity? knin. If there is any accruing
gain
Bve weeks in 1900 he had Within (e) What are the comparative from the compulsory evacuation, as ably more than 100,000 men to repair 27 bridges, 41 culverts, and numbers of women evacuated in presumably the Government main- the Colony?
Inins there is, such gains must be available to defend her shores in 10 miles of line.
He repaired them all so rapidly (d) Why was the threat of con- not to certain individuals, but to the a national emergency, stated the
that their working was scarcely pulsory embarkation-held-over-the-whole community. The price of the Prime Minister, Mr Peter Fraser,affected heads of women, many of whom gain should therefore be borne by in a speech to-day.
Great War Damage were in a delicate state of health. the community as a whole, in which Well over 30,000 New Zealanders, The Jast Great War caused even when in fact there was apparently vent
un equitable
share would he added, were serving oversens in more damage to railways. never any intention of putting this naturally be accepted by relatives of the three services and a large pro-1918 French and British engineers During threat into effect?
the evacuates.
That the evacuation of the familles portion of New Zealand's adult popu- had to renew 2,900 kilometres of line, re) What was the basic reason
lation was actively engaged In 1,583 bridges, 13 tunnels, and 590 behind. Government's cancellation eferred to was regarded by the of further evacuation, which placed Government as necessary as a de-national war service in one form or stations. a premium on disobedience? If fence measure for the Colony is stat-another. this cancellation was due to ed in the cabled reply of Lord Lloyd radical change in the situation, re-dated the 14th December 1940, to the moving the original reason for Pelition of the Evacuation Represen- evacuation, why are those who tation Committee. The same reason complied with the original order in implied in the point officially made not permitted to return?
that the evacuation was necessary in (1) Does the removal of some order to conserve the food supplies 3,000 women and children contrl- of the Colony. In this bute in any appreciable measure may we refer to His Excellency's WASHINGTON, Mar,. 4 (Reuter), to the safety or defence of the open letter to the Hongkong news--President Roosevelt at a Press ton- Colony in view of the numbers papers.
permitted to remain?
(A) Can any indication be given
Bearing the Cost
connection
White House
Interview
Gen. Smuts.Visits War Front
ference to-day said that the crisis now faced by the Government, was in some ways far more serious for as to the length of time that those
"If then the evacuation is regarded the future of the country than that women and children who loyally complied with the evacuation order, as having been done in the interest eight years ago.
The President was beginning op are to be compulsorily debarred of the Colony in general and main-
tained for its interest, the Colony unprecedented ninth year at the from returning to their homes? "Should His Excellency and it Im-should bear its cost. It cannot be White House, the inauguration day possible personally to address such a argued, we think, that a large pro- being March 4 eight years ago.
Chinese The President added that the crisis whether he would depute a personal and therefore cannot be expected to now was of a different kind-being meeting, we are instructed to enquire portion of the Community is representative to do so, or if this is pay for the evacuation of Europeans, international instead of domestic. not feasible, whether a Government for there has been no suggestion that should not pay for spokesman could be appointed for the the Europeans
other measures of defence designed purpose.
"Alternatively, should none of the to "rotect both themselves, and the
Chinese. foregoing commend themselves to Ilis
"It is strongly urged therefore that Excellency, we are instructed to en- steps be taken to transfer to the
Arrival In Kenya quire whether he would be prepared
NAIROBI, Mar. 4 (Reuler)-Gen- to receive a deputation from this proper quarter, viz. the Colonial
Treasury, the financial burden now eral Smuls, who arrived here to-day, Committee for the purpose of com- borne alone by a relatively email municating to them the basic answers number of Hongkong residents. It is was met by Lieut-Gen. Alan Cun to the points in question.
ningbom, General Oficer Command- nye have to add that our Com-suggested that this could be effected ing the Italian Somailland front, and mittee feels that such a statement by making appropriate grants from by the Governor of Kenya. would do much to allay the existing cost of maintaining the evacuated by General Sir P. van Ryneveld, the the longitong revenues towards the General Smuls was accompanied feeling of discontent and Injustice. families, the amount of the grant They are supported in this view by cover the increased expenditure Union's Chief of Staff, with whom he Ing held on the 27th December, and now borne by individuala as stated attended a conference at Govern- ment House Immediately after his they feel confident that those whom paragraph 1 of this letter,
arrival. they represent have at all times been "The way of carrying this out pre- willing to co-operate in any necessary sents little difficulty, and the follow-
In considerations are suggested:
") Class "C" accommodation of wives and families should be the busis used in calculating the cost
the opinions expressed at the meet-
of the
mensure for the prosecution war effort, and will continue to do so with better heart if the feeling referred to above can In mensure be dispelled.
"We have, etc.,
some
(sd.) "J, L. Wilson, Chairman;
F. C. Clemo, Hon, Seereinry,"
of maintenance.
More Sailors Sought By Uncle Sam
Plebiscite Result LONDON, Mar.~4~(Reuter)--It is announced that the final result of the Rumanian plebiscite on General An- less message) was as follows: tonescu's policy (says a German wire-
Yes.-2,010,000; No.-2,558.
Porter Killed By Piece Of China
Wartime repairs to a railway are rough and probably last only a year or two. They are often accomplished
A China fragment was found in with the use of timber "piles," driven Into the soft earth and rubble which lung of Patrick Henry Ahearne, it Is hastily stuffed into the crater was stated at the inquest at West- made by bomb or shell. Upon this minster. He was injured when the the sleepers and lines can quickly be Arts Club, Dover-street, where he was house porter, was bombed re-
lald.
The highly-efficient German en-cently. The coroner recorded a ver- gineers, whose weary task is to dict of "Death due to enemy action." keep the Hamm yards in order, ure") ---------- probably using this method, for they have plenty of good timber at hand in the forests of the Harz Mountains. But even by using timber piles, the Nazis take at least 24 hours to make food the damage done by British bombers,
Control-Smashed
Why, then, it rollroad repairs con be effected so quickly, have we left Haram in peace for so long?
The probable reason is that Hamm's control system has been emashed.
The Ines in a railway system can bo repaired with great speed, but the controls cannot. Probably Harm's control system is out of action for the time being.
Four miles long and nearly a mile across, Hamm is able when working normally to deal with 10,000 wagons a day, and the yards are essential to the smooth operation of from 500 to 1,000 German factories.
U.S. Appeasement Committee
Lindbergh A Founder The founders of the American appeasement group called the No Foreign War Committee, headed by WASHINGTON, Mur. 4 (Reuter). | Verne Marshall, bombastic Town "(b) There are some 1,500 persons Legislation which would increase editor were: Col. Lindbergh
Douglas to be dealt with, representing 000 the United States Navy's enlisted M. Stewart, part owner of "Scribner's familles. Consideration of casts personnel immediately to 232,000 Commentator" and George Eggles- could be heard in Hongkong.
(e) Payments to the evacuated and authorise the President to acton, editor of the publication, stalea
200,000 quire
of auxillary vessels ions
ssels "PM," the
daily. New York evening families could be cually made us.
Col. Lindbergh nominated Marshall through the sub-treasuries of the for national defence, was introduced
Mervin by Mr Carl Vinson, Chairman of the for the chairmanship. Commonwealth of Australia.
of Representatives* Naval Itart, president of the New York "Sir,—With referenco to your letter
"The Committee are not quite clear House
State Economie, Counell, and well- of 28th January, 1941, regarding cer-about the meaning of the statement Affairs Committee.
Government's Reply
We received the following reply. which the Committee nccepta
Anal:
ta
6th February, 1941.
lency
лд
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The Dill would also authorise the known for his. Fascist sympathies, that the Home Government aro beat- tain proposals made at a public meet-
foundation ing held at the Peninsula Hotel on ing the "cost of the evacuation President to raise the number of men also participated in the
his discretion. mecungs. December 27th, 1941, I am directed scheme" in the recent cabled reply enllated to 300,000 ut
"All that information was volun- inform you that His Excel by Lord Llovd to the Petition sub-
of his LONDON, Mur. 4 (Reuter),The toered by Marshall in ono mitted to b'm. We are 'under the Ofleer the
this must refer to George Cross has been awarded to numerous press conferences given the Government is not prepared pression that to address n meeting of relatives of the transll portion of the evacuation Temporary Lieutenant Harold Re- just before he left to testify on evacuates nor to delegate this duty since in view of the facts and argu- ginald Newgass, Royal Navy Volun-presidential campaign expenditures ments set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 teer Reserve stated the "London under a subpena from a Washington in-His-Excellency's to any officer is
of this letter it cannot be inid that Gazette,
trand Jury-states-the-report. administration.
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