1932-03-02 — Page 1

Fion Model 29

SPARTON SUPER

MODERN

Radio

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SERVICE

THE NEWSPAPER

Library, Supreme Court

China Mail

ESTABLISHED 1845. a

Tel. 27806, No. 28,045 HONG KONG, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1932.

GIGANTIC FIRE

TO-DAY'S DOLLAR.) The closing rate of the dollar' on demand, to-day was 1/5 3/16,

PRICE $3.00 Per Month.

RAGING

IN CHAPEL A GREAT SEND

CHINESE AND JAPANESE FRONT pears that it was the

LINES THREATENED General Retreat,

CHINESE ABANDON KIANG- WAN LINES & WITHDRAW

Shanghai, (10.59 a.m.),

To-day.

The Chinese troops at

Nanyao, who have been

guarding against a pos- sible Japanese attack on |

OFF.

"H.K.'s Contingent of Mercy."

LEAVES FOR SHANGHAI.

The scene in the City yesterday,

threat arising from the landing of a Japanese Division near Liuho that resulted in the orders up to within half an hour of the for a general retreat last departure of the 8.8. President night.

(Continued on Page:12):

SUSPICIOUS OF PEACE OVERTURES the sector, are also with- STOP

JAPANESE PAY HEAVY PRICE IN DEAD AND WOUNDED FOR ADVANCE,

Both China and Japan have intimated accept- ance of the Boncour Proposals for a Shanghai Round Table Pence Conference, but China withholds off. cial acceptance until hostilities cense.

In Paris, it is felt that a golden opportunity has been presented to Japan to prove the sincerity of her repeated declarations of no territorial designs. Will she avail herself of the opportunity?

A more hopeful atmosphere is reported to pre- vall in the US. as a result of the recent peace de velopments.

Belgium unequivocally support the authority of the League of Nations.

Maude Royden's Peace Army is growing in numbers. It is now about 600 strong. The British Government is to be asked to bring to the notice of the League the Army's offer of service.

Reuter reports that the Japanese claim that they are now steadily advancing on Tazang, as the Chinese troops have abandoned their positions on the Kiangwan front and retreated.

"Hong Kong's Contingent of Mercy, which sailed on board the "President Lincoln," yesterday, for Shanghai, was given a great send-off."

A fire of immense proportions is raging in Cha- pei and threatens the front lines of the opposing forces.

In view of Japanese preparations for new ex- tensive operations, the Chinese are suspicious of

the peace parleys.

Japanese troops were landed yesterday at a spot 15 miles from Liuho, and as they threatened the Chinese rear lines, a general retreat was ordered last night.

The Nineteenth Route Army is retreating on Chenju.

The Japanese have paid heavily in dead and wounded for the successes they claim.

The Shanghai-Nanki ng Railway line next Quinshan, 30 miles from Shanghai, was bombed this morning.

KIANGWAN FRONT

ABANDONED

LINE

ADVANCE ON TAZANG.

(Reuter's Pacific Service.)

Shanghai (9.56 a.m.), To-day.

The Japanese claim that the Chinese troops on

drawing

Railway Line Bombed.

The Japanese threat to bomb the railways,

PRESS

Shanghai (11.50 a.m.),

To-day.

Chinese troops in the Kiang- wan area have fallen back to the Tazang line, while Chin- ese troops in Chapel and the

made on February 29,88th Division in the vicinity

was not made in vain. At 7.30 this morning, six bombing machines, es- corted by three fighting 'planes, loosened their missles, contining high- explosives, on the Shanghai-Nanking Rail- way near Quinshan, 30 miles from Shanghai.

Liuho to Be Bombed. The Japanese 'planes intend to bomb the Chin- ese positions near Liuho some time this morning.

Heavy Casualties. Shanghai, (11.35 a.m.),

To-day.

Indicating the severity of the fighting to the west of Kiangwan Vill- are yesterday, the Japan- ese concede that they have suffered 400 casual- ties, while 1,800 Chinese dead have been counted, including 200 men of one small strong point which has been the scene of a grim struggle for several days.

of the North Station, evacuat- ed their positions during the night. It is reported that they are falling back to Chen- ju and, it is now learned, that the whole of the Chinese forces north of the Stochow Creek are falling back. on Quinsan.

:

During the night the Chief of Police at Nautao caused a panic among his subordinates by issuing orders that no resis tance should be offered if Japanese forces wish to land along the Nantao Bund (which

is considered very unlikely).

Some Nantac policemen were arrested this morning on the borders, when they were trying

to enter the French Concession. They report that Chines troops. sind Police are evaluating Nantao.

The Headquarters at Woo sung and the Shanghai Gendar- merle have been transferred into the International Settle ment.

(Reuter's Pacific Service,)

Shanghai, 2.12 p.m.,

To-day. Japanese headquarters re- port that by 12.30 their troopa

completed occupation of Ta- zang, four miles due West of Tinwan, hoisted the Japanese flag, and signalled their air- craft. The town is in Japan- ese hands.

New York, Yesterday. Airman Lindbergh's nine- months-old baby son has been kidnapped. "Nobody has any time to talk," was the only reply to enquiries made at the Lindbergh's home as.. regards the kidnapping, news of which was contained in a pollee

Why Retreat Order Was Given. But, while these heavy losses, combined with the continued intensive air and artillery bom- bardment, have severely shaken the morale of the Chinese forces, it ap- service.

B

broadcast, which merely stater that the baby dressed in sleeping sult was kidnapped. between 730 and 8 o'clock at night. - Reuter's American

I

Lincoln, was reminiscent of the departure of the Hong Kong con- tingents during the Great War.

old hand

1888- DUNLOP the Pioneer

1932 DUNLOP still the Leader

COMPANY MEETINGS

DAIRY FARM'S VERY SATISFACTORY YEAR

BONUS TO STAFF

REALTY COMPANY'S HIGHEST PROFIT IN HISTORY.

Considerable interest was taken in the departure for war-torn

Both the Dairy Farm, Ice and Cold Storage Co., Ltd., and the Shanghai of the fifty Chinese girls and lads on their mission of Hong Kong Realty and Trust Co., Ltd., whose annual meetings mercy, to give Red Cross aid to were held to-day, show satisfactory profits for the past year.

the Chinese wounded.

The lads, with the exception of In the case of the Realty and Trust Co., the profit for the year a few male nurses from the Chin-! of $170,429.57, was stated by the Chairman to be the highest in the cae Y.M.C.A., are members of the history of the Company; while the Dairy Farm Co., have found it various divisions of the local

branch of the St. John Ambulance; possible to give a bonus of 15 per cent, on salaries to the Staff. Brigade, while the girls were all

This is ample indication of the healthy state of the firm, when

nurses from the Tung Wah and

Kwong Wah Hospitals. All were it is considered that even the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking young, same in their 'teens, others! Corporation had to suspend payment of Staff bonus.

in the early twenties. Considering,

their youth, one cannot help ad-

At an extraordinary meeting of the Hong Kong Land Invest-

miring, all the more, the patriot- ment and Agency Co., Ltd., also held to-day, it was decided to in- iam and the spirit which have crease the Directors' Fees to $15,000 from $10,000,

prompted theae representatives of young China to leave home and family to go and face the horrors

The Sixth Ordinary yearly meet-development of our Company during

of war in order to succour their ing of the Dairy Farm, Ice and Cold, the past year has entailed more Storage Co., Ltd., took place at the than ordinary work and attention: wounded. countrymen.

this morning. by our Directors. In view of our

Directors

The boys wore the neat khaki Company's office uniform of the St. John Ambulance Those present were, Messrs. A. B. very satisfactory year, and also in Stewart, (Chairman), T. E. Pearce, view of the fact that practically all Brigade, and very efficient they looked. They were to be seen in J. P. Warren and the Hon. Mr. J: the local Companies have or are in-

Owen Hughes,

and creasing their Directors' fees, .... I' various parts of the town yester- day doing final shopping before lesers. W. S. Balley, H. W. Page, beg to propose that the sum of going on board the ship, and every- B. W. Bradbury, S. Hamden Ross, $7,000, he paid to our Directors. where they received almost embar. D. Thompson. Chan Nai-pan, as extra remuneration for the year rasaing attention, being surround- H. G. L Figueiredo and F. H. Sin, 1991, in addition to the sum provid ed by crowds who followed them Shareholders. Mr. A. Stevenson, ed under the Company's Articles, about for considerable distances. manager of the Dairy Farm Co., and that this sum of $7,000 › be Others were seen going around and Mr. M. Manuk, Secretary, were paid out of the balance carried for

ward in motor cars paying farewell also present.

calls. on relatives and frienda bir: Mr. W. 8. Bailey, replied to the Tale proposal was seconds" byc fore embarking, while others man- Chairman's speech on behalf of the Mr. Stevenson.

ned one of the Brigade's ambul shareholders and expressed ap-The Chairman's speech was... as onces and visited their comrades" preciation of the able and efficient, follows

Your Directors are pleased to be

able to come before you with such

homes picking up odd pieces of manner in which the management The Report and Accounts having luggage and other last minute had conducted the business. He been in your hands for the necessaries which are "invariably added that the best previous year prescribed period, I will, with your overlooked either during, packing had been in 1927, but they had again permission, take them as read. or in the course of leave taking. broken the record with their re- Satisfactory Balance Sheet.

Some of the nurses wore their turns, and It gave him 'great picturesque uniforms, but the pleasure to second the report. majority were ́in very day dresses It was proposed by Mr. Hamden a satisfactory balance sheet, of semi-European styles, and they Ross and seconded by Mr. Chan in spite of the difficult times we looked more like a party-of-school-Naispan, that Messrs. A. B. Stewart have gone through, more particn- girls going on pienic, and ap- and J. P. Warren be re-elected as larly in regard to the violently peared quite cheerful although Directors. Proposed by Mr. Brad-fluctuating exchange. they must have realised that soonj bury and seconded by Mr.

Bonus To Stan, they would hear the booms of the Figueiredo, Messrs. Percy Smith, In view of the very satisfactory guns, and,behold scenes of destruc-Seth and Fleming were re-elected as rosult attained, the staff have been tion and, have to attend to cruel-auditors at a remuneration of voted a bonus of 15 per cent. on | ly wounded men. However, they. $2,000,

their salaries which, I feel 'sure,

were determined to be brave to the In proposing that a remuneration; will meet with your approval. last, although, as the ship pushed of $7,000 should be paid to the

Profit.

off, a few were seen with hand- Directors, Mr. W.-S. Bailey said:- The net profit, including the kerchiefs to their eyes.

I understand, Sir, that the violent sum of $31,418.94 brought forward The nurses were on board the Auctuations in exchange and the

ship early, and the wharf was

crowded with proud parents, rela: min tives, friends, well-wishers, · and sightseers, and what a rousing send-off these gave to. "Hong Kong's Contingent of Mercy" as the President Lincoln hacked out of the wharf. The scene witness- ed beggars description. Flags

blood went up, but everything was done

the Kiangwan Front have abandoned their posi- single conflagration yet recorded. It is a solid were wayed and cheer upon cheer tions and have carried out a general retreat during mile long and is converting the night sky into the darkness preceding dawn, consequently, when red. the Japanese forces launched a general offensive at daybreak they encountered no opposition and are now steadily advancing on the village of Tażang.

The Japanese declare that the retreating Chinese troops have been utterly demoralised by the intensive Japanese bombardment of the past few days.

(From Orr Own Correspondent).

Shanghai (1046 a.m.), To-day, The Chinese are said to be voicing suspicion of the peace plans, considering that such big prepara- tions are afoot for a new extensive operations.

MILE LONG FIRE.

Both Chinese and Japanese soldiers are en- dangered by the roaring inferno of flames Chapel which are ning a hundred feet into: air and extending

The fire is threatenin out thef lines. It is easily the large

CHINESE REAR THREATENED. The Chinese rear is now threatened by a dra- matic and speedy landing of a fresh Division of Japanese fifteen miles above Liuho. They were landed under cover of aircraft and a smokescreen. The men were brought ashore, under the fire of cruisers' guns, by shallow draught armoured mys- tery boats, which have recently caused much con- jecture.

The Chinese defending the shoreline were only beaten back by the sheer weight of heavy naval ordnance, and the Japanese, thereafter, imme- diately advanced against Linho, with a view to effecting junction with the Japanese infantry on the right flank of the Kiangwan front.

LARGE REINFORCEMENTS HANDY Meanwhile

[in a very, orderly manner.

GENERALLY OVERCAST. The Royal Observatory'á-re- port issued this morning states:==

The anti-cyclone has weaken

ed further. It is central to the South-East of Shanghai and is

early stationary

Forecast: N.E. winds, mo-

'derate; generally......... overcast,

Bome rain later.

Rainfall. Rainfall for 24 hours end- ed at 10 am. to-day" nil Total since January 1-2.58 inches against an average of 8.29 inches-deficit 76 inch.

erature

(Continued on Page 6.)

MAUDE ROYDEN'S PEACE ARMY

ABOUT SIX HUNDRED VOLUNTEERS

Geneva, Yesterday,

Peace Army's offer officially be-

Expressing admiration of their fore the Leagustu devotion in the cause of peace as presentative, Miss Royden said,

Interviewed by a Reuter's 10- evinced by Miss Maude Royden if the British Government de and the Rev. Dick Sheppard and clines, they will approach some many volunteers who have writ- other Government which is a League offering to Member of the League, probably ten to the League

to th

one of the smaller Powers. serve. in a Peace Army in the

Volunteers.

They are endeavouring to get

Far East, Sir Erie Drummond ex- plains that it is not constitution- the Japanese, Christian Evangel- ally open to him to submit offers ist, Mr. Kagawa, to join the to the Council, otherwise than a movement,

formal demand to a State Mem- Mr. Z. T. Koo Secretary of the ber of the League, auter. Chinese Christian' Students**

British Government to Be

Approach

In view of Sir

mond's

·Chefo

now, intends to

tish Government

gring

Join

Peace

Tum-]