1939-05-09 — Page 7

THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 9, 1939.

MR. IS

NOT

CHAMBERLAIN

AWARE

Adopts Stiff Attitude Towards Tory Back-Bencher

Will Not Admit Public Call

For Soviet Pact

London, To-day.

"Is the Prime Minister aware that the great ma- jority of people in this country are in favour of a pact of mutual assistance with the Soviet Union," asked Mr. Robert Boothby (Conserva- tive) in the House of Commons yesterday. Mr. Boothby added: "In view of the guarantees given to Poland and Rumania, and the increas- ing anxiety regarding the failure to take steps necessary to implement those guarantees, will the Prime Minister give an assurance that he will do everything in his power to conclude an Anglo-Franco-Soviet pact at the earliest mo-

ment?"

-MARTIAL

LAW FOR THREE HOURS

Canton, To-day.

Martial law was again proclaim- ed all over Canton at 6 o'clock this morning, and lasted till 9

a.m.

Lorryloads of armed Japanese troops frequently passed. Shakee in the direction of the Canton- Hankow Railway.

It was rumoured that Chinese forces are very active north of Canton along the Canton-Hankow line.

Official reason given for the im- position of martial law w38 'cleaning up unruly elements."- Reuter.

POTEMKIN IN BUCHAREST

Bucharest, To-day.

NO CHANGE IN SOVIET FOREIGN POLICY

London, To-day.

The fact that Sir William Seeds, our Ambassador in Moscow, saw M. Molotov, the new Soviet For- eign Commissar, and handed him the text of the British proposals, shows that the British authorities have received satisfactory assur- ances that M. Litvinoff's retirement implies no change in Soviet foreign policy, says Reuter's diplomatic correspondent.

It is also shows that there are hopes that the British counter- proposals will serve as the basis of

Although the British offer does

The Soviet Vice-Commissar for mutual understanding.

rived here yesterday morning. not accept the Russian suggestion

Foreign Affairs, M. Potemkin, ar-

In the afternoon M. Potemkin

for what would virtually have been

belief that it was based

on col- laboration on a reciprocal basis in the event of aggression against central or south European States bordering on Russia,

Mr. Neville Chamberlain re- tion) Mr. Chamberlain denied plied he was not aware that the there had been any dilatoriness conferred with the Rumanian For-an alliance, there is ground for the public of this country had had in the methods for securing col-eign Minister, M. Gafencu, and left any opportunity of expressing lateral security. Reuter. such an opinion, any more than Mr. Boothby had for making such a statement.

Mr. Arthur Henderson (La- bour) asked whether the House might take it that the policy of the Government was to endeavour to secure the fullest degree of co-operation with Russia in en- deavouring to establish a system based on a mutual guarantee, with the object of resisting ag- gression, from wherever it might

come.

PREMIER'S DEFINITION.

The Prime Minister replied that the purpose

of the Government was to obtain the fullest. co-oper- ation with Russia in the policy they were pursuing.

Fletcher

Lt.-Comm. R. T. H. (Labour) asked whether the Rus- sian proposals remained unaffect-1 ed by the change in the Soviet Foreign Secretaryship.

Mr. Chamberlain: I am not in a position to give an answer.

DILATORINESS DENIED

Answering Mr. C. R. Attlee (Leader of the Labour Oppasi-

EUROPEAN LADY

A VICTIM

Mrs. Wagner, of No. 224, Nathan

·Road, this morning appeared as complainant before Mr. Q. A. A. Macfadyen when Lan. Fuk, 24, was sentenced to three months' hard labour for snatching her handbag.

Mrs. Wagner was waiting for a bus at the corner of Nathan and Austin Roads when accused snatched her bag and grant away He was caught by:

for Moscow in the evening.--Trans- Ocean.

Optimistic View Of Soviet Agreement Prospects

London, To-day.

An optimistic view of the chances of Britain and the Soviet coming to an agreement, is taken by the Moscow correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph."

The

There would be consultation and an exchange of information, but at no moment would there appear to be any specific proposals regarding the shape collaboration should as-

sume.

Reuter.

SOVIET FILLS A VACANT POST

Warsaw, To-day.

The Soviet Minister to Athens,

correspondent attaches much importance to the interview yesterday between the British Am- bassador, Sir William Seeds, and the new So- M. Scharone, has been appointed viet Foreign Commissar, M. Molotov.

DEATH OF MR. F.M. XAVIER

1

Ambassador to Poland. Since the last Soviet Ambassador to Warsaw,

The diplomatic correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says that the M. Davtjan, disappeared in Au- British Ambassador asked if Russia tumn 1937, the post has been va-

cant. Trans-Ocean. still stands by the proposals made to Britain on April 16.

select ARGUS VISITING

The Moscow correspondent of the journal says that a conference which Stalin had on Sunday with select A member of the staff of Messrs. members of the Central Executive under- Johnson,. Stokes and Master for over Committee led to a better

of 50 years,

Mr. Francisco Maria standing for, the British point Xavier passed away early this view.-Trans-Ocean, morning at the age of 69.

He was a highly respected mem- ber of the Portuguese community

Rome, To-day.

The new British Ambassador to

The French gunboat Argus is expected to arrive in Hong Kong to-morrow on a short visit; she has been stationed in Canton.

Bringing to an end her visit to Hong Kong, the U.S.S. Astoria,

and his loss will be widely felt. Italy, Sir Percy Lorraine, visited 10,000-ton cruiser, is to sail for and the Quirinal Palace yesterday Manila and the United States to-

afternoon to present his creden-morrow. place tials to the King." Trang Ocean

He leaves a widow, one son three daughters.

The funeral, which takes this afternoon; will Pass Monument at 5.30 p.m.

ICHANG BOMBED

the

Ichang, To-day. Ichang, was subjected to two severe air raide yesterday morning. |--Some 50 civilians were killed and wounded and over 80 houses were wrecked Central Nowhe

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