1925-03-05 — Page 7

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1925.

HONGKONG CHEERED. SINGAPORE BASE OFFER. "GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED.” Scheme Debated In House of Commons.

Hongkong's "generous offer" of £250,000 towards the cost of the Singapore bake was greeted with cheers in the House of Commons.

LABOUR QUERY.

(Reuter's Service.)

London, March 4.

renewal. The Government believ

THE CHINA MAIL.

INDIA'S OPIUM.

DRASTIC MEASURES COMING.

CONSUMPTION REDUCED.

*

"TEMPERANCE BETTER THAN

PROHIBITION.”-

(Reuter's Service)

Delhi, March 4. ed the treaty. Would facilitate the settlement of any difficulties arised the resolution recommending a The Council of State has reject- ing between the signatories.

Mr. Hardie suggested that as to restricting opium to medical Governmental enquiry with a view Washington In "the House of Commons at the.

Agreement

purposes: question time, Mr. L. C. M. S. restricting armaments made war- Amory, Secretary of State for the fare in the Pacific very unlikely Celonies, said that Hongkong had during the next decade, it would generously offered $250,000 to be better to observe the status quo wards the cost of the Singapore than to invite war by proceeding

with the Singapore bage...

Mr. Amery.'

t

base (Cheers) representing the profits made by the Colony out of

SOVIET AIMS.

INFLUENCE IN THE FAR EAST:

RELATIONS WITH JAPAN.

Hopes of Winning Over United States.

Soviet Russia is anxious to increase her influence in the Far East. Having resumed relations with Japan she is now hoping to win over America.

»'. PACIFIC FRONTIER.

(Reuters. Serviço.)

Tiflis, March 4. The mover. Sir Deva Sarbad Union of Society Republics, em- M. Rykoff, President of the Hikari, complained that the con-phasised the importante of the sumption of opium was extremely Japanese treaty as solving the high in Assam, Burma and Far Eastern question for the portions of Bengal,

Soviet

and guaranteeing the Pacific frontier.

He expressed the opinion that the imminent development of Russo-Japanese economic rela- tions by means of concessions and

Mr. McWatters, Secretary of Mr. Austen Chamberlain replied the Finance Department, quoted that the Singapore base was not statistics showing a gradual proposed as a means of waging decrease in the consumption. in war, on the defensive or the Burma and Assum. He stated offensive, but as a "necessary that Bengal was "contemplating an increase in Soviet influence in link in Imperial communications.drastic measures. (Cheers.)

Mr. Hardie said that there were people in the Pacific who did not take the same viewpoint, and it was a difference of viewpoint that led to war. (Labour cheers.)

Mr. Austen Chamberlain replied yes, that was exactly why Mr, Hardie should be very careful with regard to the colour he gave to these unfriendly suggestions..

"Mischievous Charge,"

London, March 4.

In the House of Lords. Lord) Wimborne urged the Government

the reconsider

Singapore scheme with a view toʻite modi- fication or abandonment,

to

He declared that the scheme caused anxiety and offence to Japan.

He added that the Government of India was fully alive to the importance of opium amoking, but temperance was better policy than prohibition. Hence steps were being taken to reduce. the number of shops, also the. quantity of the sales.

Furthermore if a foreign coun- try did not require Indian opium, the Government would cease ex- ports thence, regardless of finan- clal considerations.

POLITICAL PROBLEMS.

Delhi, March 4.

The news that Lord Reading is going to England monopolises political discussion. It is Univer-

"

EBERT'S OBSEQUIES,

SOLEMN SCENES IN BERLIN.

HUGE CROWD'S TRIBUTE,

(Reuters Service.)

the Far East would necessarily influence, the American attitude.

He desired speedy restoration of diplomatic and commercial re- Intions with the United States

M. RYKOFF.

which had common interests with the Soviet in the Far East and whose technical aid could be berlisted.

SOVIET CLAIMS.

In his inaugural speech at the opening of the third session of the central executive committee of M. Kalinin appealed to the pea- the Union of Soviet Republics,

Government. He announced that a bill will be introduced at the forthcoming session providing for a decrease of 25 per cent. in the agricultural tax.

Lord Balfour replied that Lord the local scheme of shipping con- Wimborne had made an erroneous, proposals of the committee ap-oration by Herr Loebe, President sants to co-operate with the

trol during the war.

The gift had been very gratefully accepted by His Majesty's Govern- ment. (Cheerk.)

!

Berlin, March 4 When the funeral procession of Herr Ebert, late Bresident of Germany, wended its way through thronged streets decor- ated in black and the Republican colours, and halted at the steps of the Reichstag, a crowd of 200,000 people silently and re- sally believed that it concerns the vently listened to a funeral mischievous and unfortunate painted by the Raj last year to of the Reichstag charge when he said that the report and make recommenda- scheme gave the Japanese, just tions in connection with the work-ingly interminable, was accom- The cortege, which was seem cause for complaint. Straits Settlement to provide the the base was for defence alone, for that deputations of the various by coaches laden with wreaths.

Lord Balfour emphasised that of reforms in which connec-panied by Reichswehr police

it is very tion

"probable bands. The hearse was followed bessary land still held good. the obvious purposes of protect political The site which had been acquired ing the great self-governing go to England to state their case railway station, whence the body

parties will

also The cortege proceeded to the at a cost of $1,250,000 would be Dominions. barded over as required.

to Lord Birkenhead. Lord Haldane, Lord Chancellor

was taken to Heidelberg for Mr. G. G. Ammon, Parliament in the Labour Cabinet, contended

It is pointed out that the Gov-interment, which will be made a ary Secretary of the Admiralty in that the scheme would cause other Assam also Sir Rasil Blackett, the the graves of Herr Ebert's father crnors of Burma, Bihar, and simple ceremony to-morrow near the Labour Cabinet, asked: Does nations, to doubt the spirit in finance member, will all be in and mother. the offer from Australia and New which we were approaching the England this summer. Lord Zeuland still hold good?

HONGKONG TRIBUTES. reduction of armaments.

Reading'a private secretary, Sir As a result of a request emanat- in England to report reforms. Geoffrey Montmorency is alreadying from Government. House this

The generous offer of. the

Mr. Amery: That does not seem

to arise out of this question. will answer it if it is put down."

Pacific Treaty,

London, March 4.

In the House of Commons, the Labour member, Mr. G. D. S.

House of Lords, emphasised our Lord Curzon, Leader of the

obligation to protect Ceylon, Singapore and Hongkong in the event of a war which would expose our Dominions to attack.

Hardie, asked whether the Govern-which Parliament would be asked The proposed expenditure for

AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINE

would only be £204,000.in the pre- sent financial year, £306,000 in the next year, and £277,000 in the following year.

PRICES OF FOOD

HOMELAND COMMISSION

CRITICISED.

Lord Curzon emphasised the willingness of the Dominions to contribute to the erection of the

1

ALLEGED PROFITEERING.

*

(Reuter's Service.)

baso.

The Australian and New Zea-

land Governments. must take

account of their new commitments

London, March 4.

In the House of Commons,

morning the flags at most of the business houses in the Colony are fying at half mast as a mark of respect to the memory of Ger- manyis late President, whose funeral took place to-day.

The flag at Government House was also at half mast as were those of the naval boats in the harbour.

consequent on the MacDonald moving a resolution condemning Government's decision in con- the composition and proceedings of the food commission, Mr. sidering the extent to which they

George Lansbury could at present co-operate in the aerted that the high dividends (Labour) development of Singapore.

Lord Curzon added that the proved the existence of profiteer- graving dock at Singapore had ing. He cited the ten companies, the

STEAMER DISASTER.

BURNED TO WATER'S EDGE.

BRITISH MATE MISSING.

(Heuler's "Service.)

London, March 4.- A message from Batavia says

M. Rykoff extolled the diplo matic cleverness of the Soviet which was proved by the number of countries which had recognised the Soviet. He declared that the increasing influence of the Soviet in the Far East was caus-! ing uneasiness in west Europe and the United States and claim ed that agriculture in Russia had

British steamer "Frevo" improved the area sown about not up to the present been decided one of which he said häd paid 172 caught fire forly miles off Tand- eighty per cent of the pre-war

upon.

The

European Security,

per cent.

landed at Batavia, except the The crew were picked up and British mate and eight Chinese who are missing.

HIGHER SALARIES"

Mr. Alexander, former Secre- jong Priok and sank. tary of the Board of Trade, stated that in the last ten months an London, March 4.

attempt had been made to corner question of European security has undergone a new tea. He urged that greater. development as a result of the powers should be given to the German proposal for a mutual Government to compel firms deal- Anglo-Franco- Belgo-German ing in foodstuffs to file a fuller Sir of accounts." security pact, eventually includ-statement ment anticipated that the four-ing Italy if the latter desires it, Philip Cunliffe Lister, President power treaty with regard to the and

of the Board of Trade, deprecated. Pacific would not be renewed in treaties between Germany, Poland while it was still sitting, instead

arbitration supplemented

criticisms of the commission 1931. and whether the Govern and Czecho-Slovakia, according to merk now considered the present Havas' diplomatic correspondent,

of reserving judgment for the safeguards adequate.

Mr. Austen Chamberlain, Secre-don have already agreed that thejected by 229 to 126 votes.

It appears that Paris and Lon-report.

Mr. Lansbury's motion was re- tary of State for Foreign Affairs, necessary preliminary to replied that he was unable to such arrangement would be the anticipate a decision with regard admission of Germany to the to this question, which would not League of Nations, after which arise until 1933.

the Allies must examine the ques- Nothing up to the present had tion of guarantees for the main- occurred, suggesting any doubt tenance of peace, not only on the with regard to the value of the Rhine but on the castern frontier. treaty or foreshadowing its non of Germany."

any

Finally the Allies must decide whether the proposed pact should not be accompanied or preceded by a purely inter-Allied agree- ment in order to guard against the repetition of the violation of Belgian neutrality.

Holland Disarming?

The Hague, March 4.

.";

HIDDEN WEAPONS.

HUGE POISON GAS- DISCOVERY.

AUSTRIA IN TROUBLE.

(Reuters Service)

Vienna, March 4.

A newspaper states that 10,000 cylindera of extremely poisonous gas were discovered at Blumau by. The Socialist party has intro alon, which demanded the panish- the Inter-Allied Control Commis duced a Bill in the Second Cham-ment of the owner, and drew the ber providing for the disarma attention of the Government to ment of Holland, Based on the the matter,

Hines of the Bill now being.debated

In Denmark AYON KA

The Bill aime, firstly, at reduc flon of annual recruitment from 19,500 to 3,000 for thal/ and provisionally to one thousand for the Navy; secondly, shortening The term of military service::

The Commission also addressed

ubicer of 2000 carbines and a Note to the Government on the

er war material found near

figure, but that the bad harvest of 85,000,000 1924 bad cost the Government roubles and had affected six million people.

The Government had subsidis- ed the peasants to the extent of 22,000,000 roubles for spring, Bowings and seeds to same amount imported from abroad, Industrial production was equi- valent to sixty per cent, of the pre-war output.

AMERICA'S LUCKY: LEGISLATORS.

(Reuter's American Service,)

He emphasised the close Franco-Russian relations as very Washington, March 4,

desirable, for in International Before his inauguration for a politics they might have many further term of office as Pre-ideas. in common, especially in sident, Mr Coolidge signed a regard to the Far East., number of bills, including In- He concluded by saying that the; creases of salaries for Congress foreign policy of the Soviet aim- men from $7,500 to $10,000 anded at peace but questioned whe-} increases of salaries for Cabinet ther the Soviet was fet going too Ministers from $12,000 to far in the direction of dia $12,000 to $15,000.

armament Beuter.

1850

Seventy Five Years Progress and Service

1925

LANE, CRAWFORD'S

75th ANNIVERSARY

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IN

MARCH 1850

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