1912-03-20 — Page 2

Page

THE HONGKONG DAILY PREIS, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20TMH. 1812,

that it has the appearance of being TELEGRAMS.br cent, superiority in battleship stadsins, Power at teste tot moment TELEGRAMS.

INTIMATION

to a British project on Fanning Island.

A Canadian syndicate, backed by British capital, has just completed arrange.

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

ments for the purchase of Fanning and BRITISH NAVY ESTIMATES. Washington Islands at a cost of $350,000 gold. The sala was negotiated by a French priest. Fanning Island, apart from the fact

A. S.

& CO., LTD.,

WATSON that it is a station on the cable route, has

ESTABLISHED A.D. 1841.

SPEECH BY MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL.

Moreover, the consequences of defeat at sea to us, are so much greater than they would be to Germany or France. We are We are an unarmed fed from the sea. people. We are the only Power in Europe that has not a large army.

menace the independence or the vital

(THROUGH REUTER'S" AGENOT.]

THE COAL CRISIS.

cruisers compared to the German Navy as fixed by the existing feet law. If Germany were to adhere to her existing feet law the Government believed that the standard would in ab- sence of any unexpected development in other countries continue to be a convenient guide to work by for the next four or five interest of any great Continental State. The second reading will be taken on

|

We cannot

It is put our wish to do so, but even if it

been known in the past caly on account of ATTITUDE TO GERMANY DEFINED. years. Further than this it was idle to speculate. As, however, our pre-Dread LONDON, March 19th.

nought vessels gradually declined in re- its ginno depasita, and the mother-of-pearl

The Right Hon. Mr. Winston Churchill, lative fighting. value our ratio of new shell which is found in large quantities in a big lagoon; but its future destiny, according First Lord of the Admiralty, in introduc- construction would have to rise above the to the French priest who regotiated the sale,ing the Navy Estimates in the House of co per cent standard. Every addition is to be "a free port similar to Hongkong." Commons, said the foundation of the which Germany might make to the num daval policy was finance, and the only ber of new ships each year must accelerate Vessels of all nationalities will be able to credit that could be claimed by the Ad-the decline in the relative value of our secure stores, supplies, and fuel there free

We further learn that inmiralty was for keeping their require pre-Dreadnoughts, and therefore required our navy wo are not thinking of our com-. of duty.

WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS, May the now owners will begin to provide large wharves and other shipping facilities, big oil tanks and coal bunkers to supply steamships which ply vid the Panama Canal, and the further statement is made that it is likely the British Admiralty will there. The only

LONDON, March 19th. Mr. Asquith has announced that he will introduce the Coal Mines Bill to-morrow,

Wednesday, and the Bill will go through all its stages by Thursday, and will be gen to the House of Lords on Friday. It will

have the Royal assent by Saturday.

were, it would not be within our Power. It is these facts which justify British naval supremacy in face of the world. I

The Premier said he would dofer his over any single nation were able to back the strongest fleet, with an overwhelming army the whole world would be in iestatement of the position until to-morrow, The Government considered the earliest pardy and catastrophe would swiftly

passage of the Bill to be seriously oceur. When we consider the strength of

imperative.

LATER. special measures on our part now. A merce, bat of our freedom. It is not a Mr. Bonar Law, following Mr. Asquith, plying the standard just explained to the matter of our trade, but of our lives. existing German navy law, it would ap- Nothing can make us absolutely safe. We pear to be necessary to construct four

must never conduct our affairs so that the ships and three Dreadnought ships alter-navy of any single Power shall be able to nately during the next six years.

engage us at any moment with any reason. was the least that would maintain the co

able prospect of success. If this is insular per cent. standard, and that was what

our existence. franied the Estimates now' presented to Parliament.

That

SHERRY. establish a base thrould havo y Exchequer, and nos to the First Lord of the Admiralty had in its mind where it arroganes, it is also the first condition of

W

13

the

can confidently recommend following as Xeres Whes of the

Specially Highest Class, Whipped direct.

Belected, and

In Quality and Price they are unequalled.

A. LIGHT DRY...

B.

C.

VINO DE PASTO

OLOROSO

Per Par dosen, bottle.

$16.80 $1.45

17.80 1.50

22.30

D. SUPERIOR PALE DRY 24.30

FINEST PALE DRY,

NUTTY

WHAT MODERN NAVAL WARFARE MEANS.

BRITISH NAVAL (POLICY.

REORGANISATION OF THE FLEET. Mr. Churchill next announced in een-

squadrone,

and flotillas,

said he considered that, serious as the crisis was, the Bill was also serious, aud

· required 'adequate discussion.

Mr. Asquith said he hoped to arrange

LATER.

this.

SPORT AFFECTED, Owing to tho strike, it is doubtful if the Lincoln and Liverpool race meetings will be held, as the railway facilities are at a minimum, and owners are hesitating to risk their horses.

LATER.

LABOUR PARTY'S ATTITUDE. It is announced that the Labour Party will not oppose the Minimum Wage Hill at present, but will shape their attitude

In a consultation with the minera”. executive at Cambridge, Mr. Walter Long warned then that the Government and the Opposition would jealously safeguard the interests of the employers.

您 and

present a distinct administrative status and standard of commission. The first fleet will comprise four battle squadrons

LATER.

ments at the minimum consistent with public safety and securing the utmost pos. aible development of war power from the funds entrusted to them. If the country was of opinion that the needs of the Navy had been well and amply provided for, it was to the House of Commons and not to the Admiralty, to the Chancellor of the

It Hongkong would, of course, be in the the Admiralty that thanks were due.

was necessary that this should be re freedom of its port. Fanning Island can

cognised. It was right to say that the be nothing but a coal depot for ships crous great scale which naval armaments bad

If we are now, as it would seem to be,siderable detail a completo re-casting of had only been ing the Pacife, and in this respect it enters been forced to assume inte competition with Hononlalu. It is rendered possible without additional confronted with an addition to the Gerorganisation of the Floot. Under the new defence will be divided into the first, claimed, however, that Fanning Island will taxation or having recourse to borrowing man new construction of two ships in these organisation the ships available for home have superior attraction for trans-Pacific by the wonderful fertility of the great six years, we should propose to meet that second, and third fleets, comprising eight shipping, since vessels will there avoid the budget of 1500. The financial aspect of addition upon a higher ratio of super battle squadrons of eight ships each, vemtious regulations regarding aliens. the Estimates, was not cheerful All the fority by laying down four additional together with their attendant cruiser during the committee stage:

world was building, and the navies were ships within the same period, spreading quarantine and custome which at Honolulu constantly increasing in size, complexity, them, however, conveniently over the six frequently lead to the detention of ships and cost. The true; decrease in the years. Let me make it clear, however auxiliaries. Each of these fleets will re- Fanning Island has a population of about Estimates was £000,000. That, of course, that any retardation or reduction in twenty Europeans, who are connected with took no account of any augmentation of German construction will within certain the cable emtion, and about 200 Gilbert the German naval programme.

limits be promptly followed here as soon islanders employed in the copra industry. No

as it is apparent by large and fully proof fully-commissioned ships, together with doubt, Amorica's seizure of Palmyra Island

He proposed to lay bare to the House portionate reductions. For instance, if our fleet flagship. Three of these battle squadrons will be based at home ports and was inspired by the news which reached with perfect openness the naval situation. Germany liked to drop out any one or

the fourth upon Gibraltar. The second even two of her annual quotas and keep flest will be composed of two battle 1.90 Washington regarding the intentions of the It would be necessary to do so mainly in

He regretted her money in her own pocket for the Canadian syndicate which has purchased reference to one Power, 2,05

Fanning Island. Though the telegram we this necessity, but nothing would now be published three weeks ago said that the Is-gained by using indirect modes of ex-employment of her own people and the development of her own prosperity we will Land is claimed by Great Britain, it does not pression. On the contrary, the Germans at once, in the absence of any dangerous thus assemble if necessary 85 battleships as appear that it has ever been defioitely masculine good sense and high courage development elsewhere, drop out our annered, as Fanning Island, was in 1888, did not recoil from and were not offended corresponding quota, and all slowing compared with 38 of the next strongest of work was possible. A ballot of miners nor does it figure in any reference book we by plain, blunt statements of fact, if ex-down on the part of Germany would be naval Power. The torpedo-boat flotillas will probably be necessary.

our larger The accompanied naturally on have at hand se an Imperial British pressed in courtesy and sincerity.

understand without ill-temper and with have to consider to some extent the build of Patrols, whose business it will be to A. S. WATSON & CO. But if Great Britiau can make time had come when both nations should scale by us with certain limits because we special admiral to be called the Admiral

good her claim to these five hundred acres of territory in mid-Pacific. Americs will out disguise what would be the conditioning of other Powers. But take the next protect the coasts from minor raids while Mr. Churchill emphasised the necessity LIMITED,

no doubt, haul down her flag; if not, she under which naval competition would be year-1913-Germany three ships and the battle fleet is defeating the enemy.

In Britain five. Supposing we were both to carried on in the next few years. will heap it flying there and Great Britian modern naval warfare battles were not take a holiday for a year, to introduce for augmenting substantially the list of will cot say her nay. It is merely a ques. decided by ration nor percentages. In a blank page in the book of national mis- lieutenants, and announced the intention tion of evidence of possession, and while that fleet battle between good and officient trust. Supposing Germany were to build of the Admiralty to promote about une is under investigation, those developments navies equally matched tremendous damno ships in that year, she would save hor- hundred younger warrant officers to a are only of public interest in so far as they age would be reciprocally inflicted. Many self between six and seven million pounds rank equivalent to sinh-lieutenants and to roveal the attention which is being paid to slips on both sides would be sunk or sterling. But that is not all. We should give commissions to senior midshipmen.

Many more would have in-nut in ordinary circuinstances begin our the probable shipping developments on the blown up. Pacific when the Panama Canal is thrown juries which it would take months to re-ships till slic has started hors. The three pair and others would not come out again ships that she did not build would open to traffic.

during the whole war. Indeed the hid-automatically wipe out no less than five cous course of such a naval engagement would resemble the combat between Mamilius and Herminius at the battle of Lake Regillun

29.00

2.65

ALEXANDRA BUILDINGS.

[23"

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BONGKONG OFtion: 10A, DE VEUX ROAD U LONDON OFFICE: 131, FLÚST STREET, EC

The Daily Press.

For selling opium-without permission, a` Chinese was yesterday fined $50 or a month's imprisonment.

were people of robust minds, whose strong

When side by side These chiefs of pride Together fell down dead.

A Chinese engaged in painting the .8. Hong Bee at Quarry Bay docks yesterday fall from the vessel into the dock, and was

That was a very satisfactory reflection tilled.

Death was due to a fractured to the stronger naval Power.

It would skull.

always pay us to lose ship for ship m

potential. British super-Dreadnoughts, which is more than they could hope to do in actual war. As to the indirect results -even from a single year, they simply cannot be measured, not only to the two great brother nations but to all the world

squadrone upon

an active basis.

The

third Reet will also comprise two battle squadrons with nucleus crews. We could

will be placed under the command vi a

A mather of miners' leaders de- livered speeches last night, several being of a threatening tone, declaring that if the Minimum Wages Bill be unsatis factory they would not hesitate to bring: this country lower to its knees. The most hopeful speech indicated that it would ba at least a fortnight before the resumption

··LATER. TERMS OF THE BILL. It is stated that the Miners Minimam Wage Bill will not enforce arbitration. It will not contain compulsory powers

nor penalties.

CONTINENTAL MINERS' SYMPATHY.. The strike in stagnant in Westphalia, but many miners bavo struck in Saxony, Hanover and Saar, and a

atrike threatened of the colliers in Silesia,

The Miners Federation in Auzin, in. a. manifesto, calls on all French miners to rise in sympathy with their British com- fades.

THE OCEANA"-WRECK.

LONDON, March 19th. The P. & O. Co. announces that the

AN AGE OF INCIPIENT VIOLENCE." In conclusion he dilated upon the strange spectacle of the polity of the nations of the world devoting wealth, manhood, and science to producing a gigantic military machinery which was obsolescent as soon as it was created, draining their coffers and stinting the following passengers from the Úceanu ase needs of the people. The most hopeful missing:--Rev. Mr. Leishman, wife, baby interpretation of this strange phenomenon and nurse, Mr. O. R. Macfarlane, Capt. was that these rivalries were the modern V. Knox, 'Licut. C. G. Russell, and substitutes for the actual wars of the

of toiling men-so immeasurable are they earlier ages, just, as a credit transaction Stewardess Newbury. Four stewards who

in their hope and brightness. This is our

superseded cash payments. Still we live position: that the Germans will be no in an age of incipient violence and deep

The utility of war may gainers in naval power by any increases seated unrest.

be an illusion, but war itself was no illu

were injured are progressing favourably. Tan bodies have been washed up on the beach at: Hastings and Newhaven. Tho bodies are apparently those of Mr. Leish-

Wo see by the latest mail papers that every class, and the process of cancelling they may make and no losers from the sion. The Admiralty must confine itself man and his child, two other Englishmen,

would conduct us, albeit by a ghastly basis I have laid down by any diminuto the simple duty of making quite sure Mrs. Nowbury and four Lascars. road, to certain victory and to a condition tions, Hers, then, is a perfectly plain plan that our island and people should come

the Chiness cruiser Hai-Chi, is at present at Barrow-in-Furness, flying the Republican red, yellow, blue, white and black flag, instead of the golden 'dragon.

At the Magistracy yesterday, a Chinese was charged with being in possession of 1,800 rounds of ammunition. He said he was conveying the ammunition to his

was inflicted.

not of relative but of absolute superiority If all the Dreadnoughts in the world were sunk to-morrow our naval superiority would be far greater than it was to-day The pre-Dreadnought vessels would come The out and play an important part Government were therefore keeping such vessels carefully in reserve, and arrange

THE DEBATE.

OPPOSITION APPROVAL.

LATER.

man and a passenger on the Oceane who accompanied the Naval Brigade to Peking during the Boxer Rebellion.

bodies washed up at Hastings are and arrangement whereby, without any safely through whatever time brings forth.lieved to be that of the Rev. Mr. Leish diplomatic negotiations, without any bar- gaining, without the slightest restriction upon the sovereign freedom of either Power, this keen and costly naval rivalry can be at any time abated. It is better, am sure, to put it quite frankly and

to judge:"

brother in the country. A fine of $100ments were being perfected by the War simply for the Parliaments and people

A small fire broke out on the Canton steamer l'aul Bean yesterday, but the dames were speedily extinguished by the Fire Brigade and the crew. The fire, it is thought, was due to a passenger throw- nga match into a quantity of pith.

........

Mr. Churchill then explained the new policy of building small cruisers which will be the eyes and cars of the Fleet by night and by day, strong enough and fast enough to overhaul and cut down any destroyer. He next discussed the anxious and perplexing problem of oil fuel, which was incontestably superior to coal, but could we make sure of getting full supplice of oil at reasonable prices in time of peste and without restriction in were bound over in a bond of $50 each charges matured slowly but remorselessly time of war? to keep the peace for twelve months. It was wrong and wasteful to build a ship store, a reserve sufficient for the ever-grow- for the British Navy a day before it was ing requiremente, properly protected both wanted up to the time when the contract was definitely assigned. The battleship was the heir of all the expanding naval science of the world. What he would call the more the merrier" policy was as harmful to efficiency as to economy.

THE GERMAN NAVAL DEVELOPMENTS.

These

The Post Office announces that the Mr. A. H. Lee, Conservative M.P. for mails which went down on the Occa the Fareham Division of Hampshire, and included registered correspondence and Civil Lord of the Admiralty in the parcels for Gibraltar, bage of letters for last Unionist Administration, said Zanzibar, Bombay and British warships he heartily approved of Mr. Churchill's at Aden and Singapore, and parcels for speech. The only doubt he had was whe Egypt, Berbera, Adén and India. ther the hare minimum would be consist-

ITALY AND TURKEY.

ent with full security being provided now, Lord Charles Beresford criticised the

LONDON, March 19th. omission to defend the trade routes. It was a mistake to nec provocative language. Reuter learns from a competent Italian We were always source that the reply of Italy to the towards Germany." niggling at Germany instead of attending inquiry of the Powers asking on what tu Imperial defence.

terms she would end the war, is con

to Mr. Kinloch Cooke moved for the ciliatory in

tone and calculated appointment of a Royal Commission to facilitate pourparlers. inquire into the pay and pensions of the men in the dockyards of the Navy.

THE UNREST IN PORTUGAL.

LONDON, March 19th

Mr. Macnamara defended the treatment of the men. The amendment was defcated Could we accumulate a by 202 votes to 156.

!

HONGKONG, MARCH 20TH, 1912.

Staff to bring them into commission at the sixth, ninth, or the twelfth month of APPARENTLY considerable importance i

a war. All this must be considered in attached in certain quarters in America to the occupation by the United States of

judging the standards of the new construc Palmyra Island in the middle of the Pacific

tion which was appropriate to our needs. It was very easy to make a rapid in Ocean. The United States cruiser Weat

crease in new construction so long as they Virginia visited the island some time last

were not burdened by the expense of month, and, according to the newspaper Sergt. Cashman at the Magistracy yes maintaining a great establishment. Our account, hoisted the Stars and Stripes on terday charged five men with having German neighbours had not yet begun to the territory in accordance with instructions behaved in a disorderly manner at Stan-feel the weight of maintaining year after issued by the Navy Department at Washingley. Defendants were each fined 32, and year a gigantic naval service. ton. Reuter, in telegraphing the informa tion at the end of February, stated that the island is claimed by Great Britain. We see that The Times printed the information under the heading." British Island Seized," The island of Palmyra lies in the Central Pacific Ocean and is one of the group of the America Islands. The islands were dis-

One of the oldest to firmus in Yoko covered by Caplain Cook in 1777, and annered by Great Britain in 1888, just one hama, Messrs. Heliyer & Company, who hundred years later, in view of the laving have had their tea-firing godowns and resources, he was not prepared to recom-Parliament to assent to the large margins convince the Empire that it is confronted renewed the Convention af 1902 for five

A fine of $50 or a month's imprisonment was imposed on a Chinese who was found in possession of a quantity of aminunition, He said he bought the bag containing the that it contained anything bat crackers,

ammonition at Macao, and did not know

from aeroplans and sabotage?

THE JUSTIFICATION OF BRITISH NAVAL SUPREMACY.

PRESS COMMENTS. The comments on Mr. Churchill's speech agree as to the gravity of the statement but differ as to the wisdom to the refer ences to Germany.

The Timea says it is the best exposition since 1889 and will do much to raise Mr. Churchill in the esteem of bis country-

men,

A telegram from Lisbon states that the labour agitators Constantine and Castro have been arrested in connection with the murder of the Mayor of Moita on January 31st. The police bave prohibited to-day's Sydicalist meeting.

BIGAR CONVENTION.

LONDON, March 19th, Heuter's correspondent at Brussels re-

years from September 1st, 1913. Russia is Forts that the Sugar Commission: bas

to be allowed to export an extra 150,000 tone during 1911 and 1912, and fifty thou- sand tons in the two following seasons.

A NEW GUN.

LONDON, March 19th. Messrs. Vickors Bons and Maxim have.

After emphasising the shipbuilding re- sources of the country and referring to

The Daily Telegraph says the speech was the increase of men which the Government Having thus reviewed the existing naval was asking, Mr. Churchill said-We ack brimful of courage and resource and must

with a grave crisis.

The Daily Mail states that Mr. Winston offices in Yokohama for forty years, are

mend the House at present to adopt the of safety. We stand as a nation upon the of the Pacific cable, of which Fanning closing their plant and will remove their two keels to one standard in new construc defensive,

It in inconceivable that we Churchill may be assured of the enthusias Island, another islet of the same group, is al works to Shidzuoka.

The Morning Post doubts the wisdont of The Japan Ad- tion against Germany. The time might should make a surprise attack upon Ger- tic support of the nation. station. Palmyra Island, we learn from an verlier states that Mr. C. B. Stedman come when it would be necessary, but it many or any other European Fower the appeal to Germany which may be American paper, was recently bought by will have an office in Yokohama to keep was not necessary now, Here the speaker Apart altogether from the moral aspect of stimulated thereby to increase the pace Judge COOPER, of Henolulu, an American in touch with the firm's customers, but discnesed the changes in the situation such conduct, what would be the use of it and the standard. Mr. Churchill is over- It is described as of no great value all the main works will be, at Bhidzuoka, which the passage of time and the rise! We have no means of following up such doing the role of patriotic Englishman. invented a quick firing portable gun for

The Daily Chronicle says it is direct Its area is not more than 500 acres and it with their agency at Kobe. The two elder of the navy of a single Power to first an attack, even if it were successful, and The statement is almost a threat. lien very low. It was consequently consider partners of the firm are in Chicago in place on the Continent effected and had no means of bringing the war to a and businesalike and in no wise pro-

are vocalive. ed improbable that Great Britain would lay charge of the American interests of the rendered the two-Power standard inap speedy conclusion. Therefore we

The Daily News asks if the grave speech The actual relegated to the defensive, and it is neces- is an answer to the question of what was claim to it. On that point we can express company. In a few more years Shidznaka plicable and inadequate. no opinion, but the seizure would seem to will be the chief tea-exporting city for standard in new construction which the wary for us to be able to meet at our the result of Lord Haldane's mission to Admiralty followed in recent years had

Average moment the naval force of an Germany. be of considerable importance from the fact Tokyo and Yokohama merchants.

aeroplanes.

OBITUARY.

LONDON, March 19th. The death is announced of Mr. Aitken, barrister, and a former member of the Legislative Council at Singapore.