1931-08-14 — Page 1

OSIXIO

Supreme Court

SINO China Mail

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HONG KONG & SHANGHAI HOTELS, LTD. (Incorporated in Hong Kong.)

No. 27,875

THE FLORA FORT

DISASTER

ALL DANGER PASSED: ADJACENT MAGAZINES FLOODED

A TERRIFIC BANG

TO-DAY A DAY OF MOURNING

ESTABLISHED 1845.

HONG KONG, FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1931.

SHOOTING

DRAMA

EARLY MORNING

INCIDENT.

ON PRAYA

REVENUE OFFICER

AT. BAY.

OVERDUE TWO DAYS

ANXIETY OVER S.S.

KWONG SÁNG.

APPEAL TO SHIPS

SWATOW REPORTS “NO NEWS.”

TO-DAY'S

DOLLAR.. — The closing rate of the dollar. on demand, to-day was 11%d.

PRICE $3.00 Per Month

MAHATMA GANDHI

DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT.

THE PACT

AN HONOURABLE

SETTLEMENT.

Following the arrest of a man, circles this morning as to Some anxiety was manifest in

Bombay. Yesterday........... Inquiries made on board ships, which arrived from Macao this carrying a paper parcel which, on shipping cabouts of the Indo-China is no question of resuming the "As far as I am aware, there morning, elicited little fresh, information regarding the disastrous being examined later, was found Steamship Company's vessel Kwong Civil Disobedience movement at to contain about three hundred taels explosion of gunpowder-at-Flora Fort-early-yesterday morning of illicit opium, a sensational shoot-Hong Kong, via Swatow,

Sangen route from Shanghai-to: once," said-Mahatma Gandhi Arrivals in Macao soon after 9 p.m. yesterday, tried to go to the ing drama occurred on the Praya

when Interviewed, and added scene of the disaster, but were turned back by the Military who between two and three o'clock this

that there is no question of re- morning.

opening negotiations with the are assisting the Police to patrol the streets and maintain order.

Viceroy regarding Congress re- presentation at the Round Table Conference, but the Irwing- Gandhi Pect was not necessarily terminated.

AREA CLOSED TO PUBLIC

The affected area has béon of citizens and foreign residents. closed to the public so that the They were on the scene soon after the explosion occurred and attended work of clearing the debris can to the wounded until they could be be speedily undertaken.

removed to the hospitals.

Mourning Day.

Apart from their desire to co- operate with the Police, Fire

As a mark of respect for the dead Brigade, etc., it is natural that and sympathy for the sufferers to- the Military should take control considering that the affected area is military land. :

day is a general holiday in Macao. are concentrated on the making of

All Government and other offices

arrangements for the funeral of the victims.

'Cause.

·

The Kwong Sang was scheduled to arrive here on Wednesday last, and is thus two days. overdue. A Chinese Revenue officer, in de- she was practically twenty-four fending himself, and trying to keep hours overdue when the local man- his prisoner in custody, against the agers, Messrs. Jardine, Matheron attacks of three others, probably and Co., cabled to Swatow for in- accomplices, drew his revolver and formation. The reply was that up tired three shots.

to 4. hm. yesterday she had not It appears that the contraband arrived, and nothing was known of oplum was brought to the Tal Ping her. Wharf, just off Centre Street's in- terecction with Connaught Road

Broadcast to Ships. Last West, on a small boat and handed)

night, nows up to a man who, prior to this, had steamer's non-arrival was'

lessed "to" all ships," been observed by a Chinese Revenue Officer, in plain clothes, to walk picked up by various vessels up and, down several paces. Leav.arrived here this morning. ing the wharf with the parcel, message asked that any news of Praya, but was smartly intercepted municated to Messrs. Jardine's the man proceeded along

the Kwong Sang should be com Reuter. the

by the Officer.......

Hong-Kong Register.

PRISE LTDA

Do Webm

DUNLOP Special

Extra

Construction

For

Overseas

Motoring

Conditions.

FORT MOTOR CYCLE TYRES. ·

LOCAL BRANCH.

Pedder Bldg.

BUDGET MUST BE BALANCED

EQUAL SACRIFICE AND EFFORT ON PART OF ALL

NEW FINANCE BILL?

PARLIAMENT TO MEET NEXT MONTH?

public at Home. There has been much coming and going of Party Britain's finances continue to engage the main attention of the

Leaders in Downing Street, and the Fremler has had his time fully occupied in consultations and presiding over meetings.

It is understood that the Economy Committee has decided, that the Budget must be balanced, but that must be effected by equal sacrifice and effort all round.

A new Finance Bill to deal with the situation, it is said, may soon be introduced, to pass which Parliament may be summoned to meet next month.

will make every endeavour to-

"Congress," said the Mahatma, work for a settlement honour- ably."

«Government's Refusal.

Mr. Neville Chamberlain, however, takes a more pessimistle The Congress Working Com-view of the state of affairs. of the mittee states that Mahatma

Gandhi has asked for the appoint- The rumour that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is consider. ment of an impartial tribunal to ing a scheme for compulsory reversion is described as baseless. investigate the alleged breaches ment has refused his request.

The general state of the country's finances la regarded as sound in every respect, and there is no necessity for concern.

wire

being

who

The

of the Pact, but that Govern-

·

coercion in the collection of land tax in Gujerat.

Much to Be Regretted. Up until noor to-day, It was

Rugby, Yesterday Death Roll.

News reached Tandon today According to arrivals from

It appears, then, that the man learned upon enquiry, nothing had

that the All-India Congress, sit- Macao this morning the death siva was the extreme heat which men, who had apparently been in

The official cause for the explo- shouted for assistance, and three been heard of the ship.

The Kwong Sang, it is under-ting at Bombay, had decided not roll is nearly 80, including many had been experienced in Macao hiding all the while, came out from stood, after leaving Shanghai was to co-operate in the London of the military. In some cases, during the last few days,

instructed to go to the assistance Round Table Conference. The This under a verandah. The man in whole families, living in the vici confirms the conjecture which the custody struggled with the Revenue of the same company's Waishing, decision was arrived at following which went ashore during, a ty- the receipt by Mahatma Gandhi nity, have been totally wiped out. locul Consul-General for Portugal Office and a melee ensued, in the phoon at Nam Kwan, eighty miles of what was regarded as an un-

course of which the Revenue Officer south of Wenchow. No reply was satisfactory Some Chinese, among whom were gave to the China Mail yesterday.

reply from the When seen again this morning, drow his pistol and fired. The received, although it is definitely Viceroy, to whom he had address- the Chinese caretaker of the Senhor A. Luiz Cerveira de Alby-three desperadoes Immediately kindergarten school housed in the querque e Castro said, that he had made off, and the officer was not known that she had left Shanghai. ed certain grievances alleging old Flora Palace, formerly the received a telegram from Macao able to make out if his shots had Summer House of the Governor confirming the disaster, but no par- struck any of the men,

ticulars were given. of Macao, are reported killed.

Several copies of the Journal of Fortunate Escapes.

Macao reached Hong Kong, this Many residents with houses in morning, but this paper carries no the vicinity of the fort had 'very report of the explosion. fortunate escapes from death and

To Prevent Alarm. serious injury.

It was learned from arrivals from Looking After The Injured. Macao, this morning that in order The Injured are variously placed to prevent undue alarm and at between 60 and 70 and the Gov- the broadcasting of unfounded ernment Hospital, the Hospital de rumours, it was decided last night BAD Rafael, and the Chinese Hos-not to accept telegrams for trans- pital are all full. The Red Cross mission other than those for the

Magazines Flooded.

1

·

The Labour Government is to accept full responsibility for the measures to be adopted, but all such, it is understood, will receive the full support of the Opposition Parties,

Further meetings will be held on Monday and Tuesday next, and on Wednesday there will be a full Cabinet meeting. All are to be held in connection with the country's present financial condition.

Mr. Ramsay MacDonald has returned to Lossiemouth, Mr.

Stanley Baldwin to France and Mr. Neville Chamberlain to Scotland, to continue their interrupted holidays. They are prepared, of course, to return to London at a moment's notice if the situation warrants.

NO NEED FOR NERVOUSNESS

London, Yesterday.

The Kwong Sangla under tha'

The Bombay Government, The prisoner Lai Kiu (40) a command of Captain Hendry, and after examining these allega fitter, in the course of the struggle, sails regularly out of Hong Kong. tions, had found that only the

The House of Commons may bo received a few cuts on his face. Built by Messrs. Wigham Richard- ordinary legal procedure had

It is understood from an summoned to meet earlier than He was first taken to the Revenue son and Cammell Laird of Newbeen followed, and that there authoritative squrce that the in the Autumn. Office and later to the Police Sta-castle in 1902, she is a steel screw had been no breach of the Delhi Cabinet Economy Committee has No Three-Party Conference, tion, where he was charged. · steamer of 2,288 tons groes, and | Truce..

definitely decided that the Bud- Government circles. do not

Man With a Gun Wound. This morning the wife of an un- and medical service have been mo- purpose of informing friends and employed seaman reported, at the bilised and the injured are receiv-relatives abroad as to the safety West Point Police Station that her ing attention.

or otherwise of local residents. Cables giving particulars of the husband; Lee Ying, 50 years, was

lying dead in his bed. At one time there was danger of disaster are being held up. another of the two remaining ma- Hong Kong Boy Scouts All Safe gazines at Flora blowing up, but

The Salesian Fathers in Hong by last night that danger had pass-Kong, report that their property in ed, the Fire Brigade having flooded Macao is safe, and also give wel both magazines.

come news to anxious parents herà that the contingent of Hong Kong. All Macao Shaken, The Military barracks near Flora Boy Scouts of the 16th (Catholic Fort had a wonderful escape from Cathedral) Troop, who are at pre sent visiting in Macao, are all safe, Dead and Injured.

Later.

destruction, considering that; houses further away had their roofs lifted. Some doors and win-

An examination of the body at

144, Connaught Road West revealed that the man had been shot in the groin.

CUBAN REVOLT

PANIC.

Great Excitement in Havana.

ence.

He appeared before Mr. Schofield 1,428 not. She is 290 feet long, Although the decision of Con- get must be balanced, and the regard the visit of Conservative this morning in the Central Police 42.1 in width and 15.2 in depth.gress will be received with re- fundamental principle to be ap- and Liberal leaders to Downing Court, pleaded guilty, and was fined She is registered in Hong Kong. . gret by those, both in England plied in doing so is equal sacri- Street as meaning the establish- $30,000 with the alternative of one

Later.

and in India who have endeavour-fice and effort on the part of all ment of a Three-Party Confer- year's' hard labour.

No news of the Kwong Sang. had fed to secure the co-operation of sections of the population. been received by the manager at the Congress Party in the re

All Means Scrutinised, ́ ́

Government's Responsibility, 2.30 p.m.

sumed discussions of the Round Various classes of expenditure

It is reliably stated that the Table Conference, that Confer- have been scrutinised from the

ultimate proposals will be sub- ence will proceed with its work viewpoint of effecting the econo-mitted on the sole authority of according to plan.

mies necessary, and a decision It will be recalled that co- reached in regard to the road to the Government, but it is hoped. ***that it will consult Opposition operation of Congress in the Con- be followed...

leaders from time to time with a ference was, one of the primary

Treasury Examining Proposals objects of the agreement arrived

The Treasury is now examin-view to obtaining the greatest at between Lord Irwin and ing detailed proposals. for submis-measure of agreement. Mahatma Gandhi on March 5 of eion to the Committes on Mon-

Voluntary Conversion Easy... this year.

day, sh

It is also believed, if the pro- . Authorities in India have car-

Generally Sound. ried out the terms of the agree

Well-informed quarters assert posed broad lines of economy are ment, both in letter and spirit, that the Committee has come to followed out voluntary conversion and everything possible consist the conclusion that the finances of War Loan and other Govern- ent with the responsibility of the of Great Britain in every respect) ment stocks will be easy.

No Compulsory Conversion. authorities for the operation of are sound, and the recent fluctua- the ordinary law has been done tions of sterling exchange are It is authoritatively stated to smooth away difficulties.-Bri- superficial and have not the least that the suggestion Mr. Philip tish Wireless Service..

connection with the general Snowden is considering a scheme Boycott.

state of the country's finances, for compulsory conversion la

baseless. Simply An Emergency. · · The present position is regard- ed as an emergency requiring emergency methods.

A Coroner's inquiry will be held in due course.

It is surmised that Lee Ying was one of the three men who attacked the Revenue officer...

1

to crawl into his home situated on

ALARMIST STORIES.

are

A battle has been waging for eight hours near Cienfuegos. The result is not yet known, though dis-

The dead, man's. heme is in the

Havana, Yesterday. Immediate vicinity of the shooting Faver heat excitement prevail dows of the barracks were, of a The district beyond, Flora, which incident. It is possible, though here in consequence of alarmist course, shattered. In fact, for suffered most as the result of the wounded in the groin, he managed rumours arriving almost hourly about a mile around, the vicinity of explosion, was Tapsiac. the Fort, not a house escaped with- Among the Fortuguese dead the third floor. He then got into bed from the interlor where it is re- out broken glass on windows.were:--Sergeant Antonio Souza and bled to death. He was pro- ported thousands of rebels

Vidal, Officer in Charge of the bably too frightened to call for under arma. Practically the whole of Macao, in- cluding ships in the barbours, was Silva, an Overscor of the Public

|Magazine: Senhor: Henrique da assistance. shaken by the terrine explosion. Works and his nephew, João Cor- Force Of Explosion. *** dova, the 11-year-old daughter of Large pieces of concrete, of which Sergeant Duarte of the Artillery; three African (Landin) soldiers the magazine was constructed, wore, and a son of Police Inspector Jono from Lorenzo Marques (one of/tant rifle-fire can be heard in the blown as far as a quarter of a mile Silva

whom is listed as missing,, believ by the force of the explosion. The Portuguese Injured included dead); and 19 Chinese. Large trees had branches blowned: The wife and son of Sergeant Besides the Europeans, mention- away, whilst some smaller ones Major Vidal, staying in quarters ed above, 15 others are reported ware uprooted. A small fire broke near the Fort: Major Gorgulho, injured, as also were 85 Chinese, out among the grass on the hillside, Commandant of Artillery and and 5 Landina. but this was quickly extinguished Senhora Gorgulho; Ligut Trinidads Ten tons of gunpowder are stat- by the Fire Brigade. The public of the Artillery; Sergeant Duarte ed to have been blown up gardens at Flora suffered to the and his wife (all seriously), and The other two magazines, which extent of having trees and plants Major Arez, Commandant of Infan were flopded and this saved, con damaged

try; and the wife of Senhor Henri Calzed small arme ammunition and The Boy Scouts gave valuable as seriously),

catastrophe would have been more sistance, as, wall as the majority The non-European-dead include : terrible.

capital which 'le, reminiscent of war

·

Bombay, Yesterday. The Working Committee of the Indian National Congress has de- cided not to participate in the Round-Table Conference.

Remedy Must Be Quick.

New Finance BUI

A well-informed quarter, has stated that Government may in- troduce a new Finance Bill to It is authoritatively stated deal with the situation and pro- COMMUNAL RIOTING.

that the carrying out of the re-vide for drastic economies. Also Troops Ordered Out.

port may necessitate a series of a short sitting of Parliament Three persons were killed and bille aufficient to occupy two ses might be held in September to time in London:

seventeen injured when fourrions of the House of Commons, ass such a measure. Rebels strength is unknown, but. hundred Hindu houses were whereas the position demande

Visitors to No. 10, Government claims to be able to burned, during a communal riot that the necessary changes be Mr. Stanley Baldwin and Mr. aat Dera Ismail Khan; effected with as little delay as Neville Chamberlain visited the field 12,500, soldiers| put into t

The trouble arose in conse- possible.

No. 10, Downing Street, to-day and 2,000-marines. They say they quence of a fight between a Mus Cabinet Committee to Remain and had a consultation with the will avon double the strength, if in shopkeeper and a Hindu cusat Post,

Premier, in ascessary,

stomer over prices. Supporters The Cabinet Committee will re- bombs and ammunition of of both communities joined in main in session as long as it is Europeair manufacture, which were the battle, necessary to complete Its work,

Internati running vessels, have been aelsed. ed and troops have been despatch required, it will carry out any gun ka

Reuter

ed from Lahora Reuter..

proposals made.

After the Cabinet Committee meeting, Sir Herbert Bamust

Boy Scouts Turn Out quo Bilva of the Public Worka (Jess shells. If these had "gone up", the landed at Cuba last week by guns Order has not yet been restor and it is hinted if a legislation similarly visited Downing Street

(Continued on Page: 6.)