1941-08-12 — Page 41

THE CHINA MAIL, AUGUST 12, 1941.

Situation In Far Nearly At

East

Flash Point JOHN BULLS

THE INFLAMMABLE SITUATION IN THE FAR EAST FORMS THE THEME OF THE LEADERS IN THE “DAILY TELEGRAPH” AND "DAILY MAIL,” THE LATTER DESCRIBING THE SITUATION AS “NEARLY AT FLASH POINT."

The "Telegraph” says that "Japan's mili- tarists have chosen to defy the British Com- monwealth and the United States by threa- tening attack on the vital interests of both in

i.

A fire started by German bombers among farm build- ings near an East Ang- lian' town was extin- guished by stamped- ing cattle, which broke out of their stails and trampled blazing timber under- foot.

the hope that, with their energies concentrat LEOPOLD'S

ed upon the European struggle 'and the Middle East, the two great democracies may let the Pacific go by default.

Bid To Stabilise Dollar

Minister

in

"The Japanese military junta delight to imitate the Fuehrer and perhaps still believe in his star, but

ACT

DEFENDED

What is believed to be Japan will risk nothing to the "inside story" of the save Hitler from defeat. seven tragic days leading "While the Nazi legions are to the surrender of King embedded in the Russian plains, the wheels of Japan's chariots in Leopold of Belgium was Manchukuo will tarry. How told for the first time much the Japanese oligarchs will

"I can tell

WHITE

HORSE

blindfold

Page

... it's equal to a fine liqueur””

law Sole Agents for South China: JARDINE MATHESON AND COMPANY LTD-

venture in the south against Thai- when a settlement was land, against Singapore and be- announced in the Mr. Wang Shih-chieh,yond, depends on their estimate Publicity

courts of a libel action of the strength which the aggres- sion would encounter. Chungking, in a press scale offensive by land, air and the Fleet, Sir Roger Keyes, A large brought by Admiral of

conference yesterday, stated that the Govern- ment was determined to stabilise the Chinese dol-might shring." lar in the Shanghai market.

enterprise against the Daily Mirror

Newspapers, Limited.

sea some 3,000 miles away from Japanese ports is an from which even the leaders res- ponsible for the interminable was- tage of Japan's strength in China

A Busted Flush

The "Daily Mail" suggests that He expressed the opinion that Japan is undecided whether to to stabilise Chinese currency, the march against the Russians or Stabilisation Board will be able to Thailand adding that "perhaps carry out the Government's decl- there is a great deal of bluff in sions, and added that the neces- the threats she is making in both sary funds for that purpose had directions. already been handed over to the Board.

Referring to the freezing by Bri- tain and the United States, Mr. Wang revealed that four of the Chinese Government banks had received licences from Britain and the United States to supply for- | eign exchange in Chinese form to merchants handling legitimate

trade. Reuter.

Negotiations In Progress

If

So, further warning Is nooded that a bluff of this des- cription carried to ex remes now manifest, la likely to take charge of the bluffer and create

Sir Patrick Hastings, K.C., counsel for Sir Roger Keyes said that within a few hours of the German alvasion of Belgium on May 10 last year, Sir Roger Keyes, at the request of the British Gov- ernment, flew to join King Leopold as a special liaison officer. He remained with the King until May 27, when King Leopold asked for an armistice.

Mr. Churchill, on May 2., announcing the Belgian surren- der, asked that judgment should be suspended until the facts were known.

Sir Roger Keyes, In the lobby of the House of Commons, echoed

a position where the only poss-this advice to a representative of

ble move is forward.

"Those whom Japan threatens are not treating it is as a bluff. They are making stern last-hour preparations to resist attack Joint- Ly, as they have already given Joint warnings.

U.S. Leadership

the "Daily Mirror," which, on May 30, published an attack on King Leopold and also Sir Roger Keyes.

Sir Patrick Hastings described how the British Army and the French Northern Army were ordered on May 20 to prepare to fight south-west_to_regain con- tact with the main French Army. It was clear that unless the Bel-

Government is negotiating with the British and United States aule thorities, designating the Central Bank of China to handle oversea "The United States will take' gian Army could conform with Chinese remittances and to pre- the leadership in any action in this movement there would be a vent them from falling into the the Pacific, whether of diploma- breach of contact between the hands of the Japanese and tic or warlike character, and we British and Belgian Armies, he

are well content with this.

We, said, as well as Australia, are prepared Government has decided to to take any action for the defence enlarge the Foreign Exchange of our imperial interests. Committee under the Ministry shall be ready to conform it to a for Finance which is empower. more comprehensive plan. ed to handło all issues connect- ed with the freezing.

Chinese "puppets."

Decisions of the Committee will be executed through the Central Bank of China.

Thai's Position

We

"Undoubtedly, Hitler consi. dera the moment for Japanese action well chosen, probably by

himself.

"King Leopold made it clear that if there was a separation

between the two armles the capitulation of the Belgian Army would be inevitable,” continued Sir Patrick Hastings,

The Belgian Army, at the re- quest of the French High Com- mand, was withdrawn on May 23 from a strongly prepared position on the Scheldt. to a weaker and When the German forces are longer line on the Lys to allow meeting fierce opposition in Rus- the British Army to retire behind sia, it is time to create diversiona defensive frontier line to pre- After denying the report that not only of the Russian forces, pare for a southward offensive, 20,000 Chinese troops have been but also of American armaments. "King Leopold, on the morning sent to the Shan States (Burma), from Britain and Russia to men- of May 27, asked Sir Roger Keyes the Minister declared that Thai- ace in the Pacific.

to inform the British authorities land's attitude appeared to have Armed, probably as a result of But

So Hitler undoubtedly thinks, that he would be obliged to sur- we remind ourselves and render before a debacle occurred, the statements by the British For them that in the face of realitles and at 5 pm. on May 27 King eign Secretary and the United the ultimate success of any such Leopold Informed the British and States Secretary of State, but he desperate gamble is impossible French authorities that he inten- believed that the situation was and the cost enormous."

Reued at midnight to ask for an still uncertain unless Britain and

armistice in order to avold - fur- the United States give more ade-

ther slaughter of his people.” quate support to Thailand than economic measures: if they hope

ter.

to check Japanese nggression and Marshal to be placed under strict strengthen resistance on the part survei lance of the National Mili- of Thailand. 180

"Sir Patrick Hastings concluded that Sir Rogar, Keyes, in the light of his knowledge, foit jus:, "tified in suggesting a suspension of Judgment on King. Leopold, and resented the attack... on himaqf.

*tary Council for five years, adding that the Marshal had been already The Young Marsha! under surveillance for more than

four years.

The defendants accepted. Sir- Questioned concerning Marshal! Replying to another question, Patrick Hastings's statement and Change Hsueh-lang, "popularly, Mr. Wang, stated that no major regretted having been misled, by known as the "Young Marshal,"'", clashes between the Communist an unimpeachable * source, Mr. Wang Shih-chich,; sold: that and Central troops had been re- The Judge ordered defendants though his sentence was commut~" ported in the past fortnight-Reu- to pay damages the amount not ed, the court-martial ordered the tor..

being attited, atut also costs.

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MASSED BAND CONCERT

́in ·ald'

BRITISH PRISONERS OF WAR FUND

The Massed Bands of The Royal Scots and of The Middlesex Regiments will give a Concert in aid of the above Fund on the ground of the Hong Kong Cricket Club at 9.30 p.m. on SATURDAY, 23rd August.

Everyone attending is asked to buy a pro- gramme with badge from the Lady Programme Sellers either on the ground or beforehand.

Tables may be reserved at a charge of $1.00 per person on application and payment to the Hon. Treasurer, Mr. 1. E. Roberts, Messrs. Thomson & Co., Hong Kong Bank Building.

Refreshments, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, will be served throughout the Concert, the pro- ceeds of which will go almost entirely to the Fund

and so

Gather your friends and come and enjoy a good evening

and

help a good cause.

HONG KONG CRICKET CLUB GROUND

SATURDAY, 23rd AUGUST, 1941.