1918-06-13 — Page 2

Page

ALLISON

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS,

PIANOS

AN INSPIRATION TO THE ARTIST.

MUSICAL STUDENT AND AMATEUR.

15 DISCOUNT ALLOWED

FOR CAS

EASY TERMS CAN BE ARRANGED.

MOUTRIE'S

SOLE AGENTS.

ENGLISH MADE SHOES

A comfortable and good looking Shoe, made on a fairly wide last of good materials, and made as well as it is possible to make a shoe.

The uppers are fine Glace Kid, the soles of best Engilsh Leather.

TWO STYLES $12.50 and $14.00 per pair,

MACKINTOSH

& CO., LTD.,

Men's Wear Specialists,

16, DES VOUX ROAD.

LA

Telephone 29.

MINERVA

CIGAR FACTORY. ESTABLISHED 1883.

MINISTROS

MONARCAS

(A Cigar that has stood the test of time. Covered with

the finest Sumatra leef.

in Boxes of 28 $3.50

One of the most popular Cigars of the La Minerva family. It is covered with the finest Sumatra leaf.

in Boxes of 35 $2.50

LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.,

AGENTS IN HONGKONG AND SOUTH CHINA.

FULL 1918 EQUIPMENT

D

O

D GE

D

CARS

DUE

EARLY

IN JUNE.

FOR PRICES AND PARTICULARS. APPLY TO :-

SHEWAN, TOMES & CO.,

MACHINERY DEPT.,

HONGKONG.

[1361

[108

AMERICA AT WAR MILITARY EFFORT

[BY YAN HAY:1 Outside thousanda of houses in America to-day hangs a flag a white flag with a red border. Upon the whtio ground you will see black stars. A great hanner sprinkled with two or three hundred auch stars displayed outside a club or bunk, proclaims that so many members or 14- ployés are absent on native service. - A little pennant bearing a single star bung

in the window of a humble dwelling in

THURSDAY, JUNE 18TH, 1918.

CORRESPONDENCE. THE CONCRIPTION ORDINANCE

[TO THE EUITOR OF THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS']

SI-So much misconception bas arisen

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE HONGKONG

DAILY PRESS

Sin-It occurs to me that as there has

in connection with the. Conscription Bill represent that a great many young that it seems desirable to state the follow.gible men are thinking. ing facts --

The original suggestion

the

*! Chamber" was, that if men were really urgently required from here for active

The contribution should be general. Married men under the Bill, if the local Government's financial recommendations go through at Home, will have no causa to grumble at the conditions on which they will proceed to servo, and it is to be

heep an encouraging anant of very plain talking in conne, ion with the Conscription Bill a little more would not be out of place; it would certainly hoped that all the firms that can do so will see that single men will proceed en decent terms, too. Many of the single In the first place it strikes me that the men who have gone voluntarily have been Chamber of Commerce lus been dis decently treated by their employers, appointed by only one thing; it got what especially Civil Servants, and those who selected should hardly he it naked for The Imperial Parliament had not thought it necessary to spipose penalised for staying where they thought a back street in New York or a remote service at Home, universal conseription conscription here, and it would not now they were inest needed. A firm should lo have been unposed had it not been for called upon to show good enuse, why it should not make some allowance to its single men chosen to go, but even if no allowance is made there will be few single men to object, för, after all, a young man's right place just now is whore the need is greatest

village in Texas, intimates proudly to the passer-by that the son of this house is away doing his dutya

These flugs are typical. If an English household is doing its bit, it either assumes that you know, or is perfectly indifferent if you do not. The American when he has the goods," believes in advertising the fact. To-day the whole vast continent of America is astir with

of all British-born subjects should be applied.

The reply that, for the present at any rate, only men of pure European descent" were to be attested so narrowed the enquiry as to preclude any possibility of obtaining much "mun-power, since

Believing that, so far as their present declaration of policy goes, the Home Government

war activity-des

Only one form of entertainment is per- this class has already volunteered and missible the entertainment of soldiers and sailors. Tho country is full of greatne, save those who, for various reasons, camps, containing a million and a half could not go or be spared if paramount of young men undergoing training British interests are to be protected. America possesses a vast number of young

it men, and this makes. possible to set a very high standard of selection. Conse quently the National Army is composed of recruits of the finest physique. Their uniform is very similar to ours, except that duo allowance must be made.

for the American's passion for living in his shirt sleeves. The American soldier goes about his duties in a khaki flannel shirt-or blouse," as he calls it even on parade, and wears his tunic only in cold weather He is having a hard time of it, this recruit --or rookie for this winter is one

does desire paramount British interests protected even at the cost to the Army of man-power" if it be of greater national value where it is, we stipulated that thece should be pro- tocked in the Bill.

So far as the present wording goes we

the Chamber's appealing request. It was not that it wanted men actually taken that is, men belonging to the firms of the Committeemen, but it wanted a milk-and- water measure the only effect of which would be to take away a few men not connected with the Chamber and givo clean tickets to their employs. In spite of Mr. Holyoak's letter in this evening's paper I fail to see where the essential trade interests of the Empire or Colony were not protected in the Bill, and to myself and many others with whom I have spoken it sceras as if un official members were determined somehow to embarrass the Government in passing the Bill. On the first day when the Bil was in Committee Mr. Pollock tried his hardest to get a division on the point

are now

In spite of all that has been said, the Government, I feel sure, can rest assured that young able-bodied men welcome the measure and hope that it will be applied with such a thoroughness as to givo a man a free conscience if he is ordered to stay. The only thing we regret is that it was not brought in long ago, for many re

much more effective work would have been criminations would have been saved and

done. Yours, etc,

LOOKING TO KIRKEE.

THE CONSCRIPTION BILL.

who ought to be

of the coldest ever known in the States, believe they were not, and therefam that an Executive Councillor should not To "these men

is constitutionally less robust and por

moved a very carefully considered an end- ment to cover them..

judge us the merchants who framed it."

As a protest against the notion of the Government in rejecting an Ameurent which had been repeatedly and unani mously asked for by the “snoficial” members at private meetings we voted against the third reading of the Bill and could not logically have done otherwise. Our convictions and the “Chamber's'

Thirty or forty degrees of frost have been quite common, snow lies heavily every- where even in the South and deaths from pneumonia have been distressingly It was rejected only, by the full use

Tho common, running into (housands. American recruit, though on the whole of the Government official majority, physically superior to the British recruit, which is not touched by the Bill at all, Sonses less staying posteritate, we believe is not so competent to and in this particular instance, at any Still, conidering all things, the cipline and moral of the new Army a wonderful. Whatever truth there may in rumours of inefficiency in the ad ministrative departments of the United States Army, there is nothing wrong with

personer. The men are splendid" We seem to have heard that phrase else. when All things includes the fact that some of the recruits from the more remote districts have only the vaguest notion ns to why their country is in the war at all, for few of them have followed the course thereof from its origin and carly stages. However, they are content to announce that they are out to can the Kaiser and leave it at that. Others, again, possess a very limited with the English Janguage. acquaintance They speak Greek or Polish

sh or Italian

I deeply regret that Government action much more easily even German! The war is not at their doors, as it is at ours, prevented » unanimity in passing it, the few of them had accu i soldier fear more so kind, whilst the Government ago the restrictions and ceremonia of discipline are alike abhorrent to them pledged this in words, it would not take esprit de corps, which raises prompt obedience from a humiliation to a boast, the further natural step of including it cannot be created in a day. But the in the Bill and so procure unanimity spirit is there the spirit of patriotism, I am, sir, Yours faithfully, Passionate and deep-rooted.

to the necessity for the Bill in the form originally asked for remain unalter. ed.

protected from the imputations mado against them" (speech of Hon. Mr Landale on June 11th).

Is it true that the commercial houses

conscription to this Colony for men, married and single, in order that you might remain content to continue at your posts ?

pressed for the general application of

Did you know of the Cable which was seat?

Did you know that the Cable contained

sit on the Tribunal, and was only pacified when His Excellency promised to bring the Clause up at the next meeting. The series of questions addressed by the Churu- ber to His Excellency, and which were over made public, were tried to be

ally a divisien was forced on a phrase dragged in by Mr. Holyoak, and eventu

that was well covered by the text of the Bill and the assurances that had been given. The majority of young men in Hongkong think that the Chamber of Commerce and the unoficial members have made themselves look ridiculous by not a hint of any such reason for this their attitude. They ask for a Bill and step?

Did you know that those commercial because in one minor particular all-their whims cannot be granted they turn roundhouses, represented by the Chamber of Commerce, would, when cunscription and kick the thing. As a matter of fact, they found that their request for a Bill arrived, take up the attitude that you was being taken seriously and became would have to continue at your posts?

Do you know that they asked to be,

know th alarmed at the thought of contributing

and are, repressated by a substantial moro thoroughly to the great war effort.

We all know that business is important, commercial majority "1. bnt when the men who own that busines shout aloud its importance their cry is not altogether the result of unbiassed judgment. Surely of

the Government realises suficiently well the

1 the necessity of long discussion on the Bill, all partics, leaving unimpaired, the vital trade including the Hon. Member for the interests of the Empire and Colony, for Chamber of Commerce, discussed in ap- Hongkong without its trade would be parent agreement the munificent provi worth but little. I know many young sion being made for married men t men like myself who have not volunteered

Did you consider from whence these because our firms have not wanted us to married men were going to come t

Did and some of us did not go before the Commission because it would have been a waste of time, as the objections raised to our going would have resulted then in a verdict of indispensability. We know of where young men were told to go before sleeps in a bed instead of upon the Colony by just thom few whom it the Commission, being first assured that three planks and a trestle He is more cannot possibly touch." To this might strong objection would be raised, and we or less adequately clothed, for, although he added at the instigation of The know now that come of the big firms are there is said to be a shortage of uniforms, ho is not sent into camp until he has Chamber of Commerce, who, apparently, going to make every effort to keep pras been supplied with one,

consider that all other British residents tically their full staffs. It is plainly à do not count in the legislation of this case of trying to appear patriotic whilst truly being jealously selfish, and the

COMPARISON WITH ENGLISH CONDITIONS.

But in one respect the American rookie is very much better of than his unkempt but "heroic..." opposite number" Kitchener's Army. In this winter of 1914 our military authorities were far too busy converting the Kitchener recruit into an efficient fighting man to have much leisure to consider his welfare as a human being,

those

Lose who experienced the squalor and discomfort of Branishott and Balisbury Plain and other quagmires of dismal memory, daring one of the wettest win ters on record, will testify. The Ameri can recruit is far better housed. He lives

219

P. H. BOLYOAK. Hongkong, 12th June 1918.

(TO THE EDITOR OF THE HONGKONA DAILY PRESS."].

BIR,There is .one/ "Roderick Random's.

in

sentence answer to My Jenkin the importance of which seems to me to have been overlooked by the Cham bor of Commerce, Mr. Jenkin, and even Roderick Random himself, and that 15: A Bill affecting the livelihood of in centrally heated wooden hatments; he all British Residents has been forced upon has hot shower-baths and modern plumb ing: he

Colony

As for the actual camp routine, the training is of the most thorough descrip- tion. The roen look remarkably fit and well-set-up, though suffering almost uni- versally from spring coughs of the most deafening description, as many as in-was called by Messrs. Holyoak and see through the shallowness of the Cham structor and lecturer has discovered to Pollock to which all British residents were ber's last move. His Excellency might bis cost! The officers are immensely invited to back up a motion for the exolu- well have referred some time ago to the hand-working, and it is satisfactory to note that the large number of British and sion of the Germans after the war, which men of the past and asked what they French officers and non-commissioned offi- motion had been rejected by the official would have done in the circumstances, but cers who have been sent over sa in- ploc on the Legislative Council when it that, doubtices, would have been con stractors in 2 artillery machine-gun,

was submitted by Mr. Holyoak Mr. sidered another insult. grenade, and bayonet work have made an excellent impression, both professionally Holyoak's motion was but to a crowded and socially. In fact, the British ser meeting and carried with only one or two geant instructor, with his peculiar blend dissentients and been disposed reflection for an honest man to know that of efficiency, humour, and full blooded After this business had sarcasm, has scored a succès fou, and has of an Association enlled The Constitutis Bill, far from being severe, is long

tickled his pupils to death."

tional Reform Association" was formed overdue and full, perhaps too full, of

A little more than a year ago a meeting | majority of young mou in this Colony

It takes not more than

moment's

Is it unfair to assume that the two preceding questions refer to an object and to the means for cbtaining the same t

What did you think when, during the

you know that they were not to be

drawn from your awo number?

Ie it not a pretty heavy price for your contentment?

Are you going to appear before the substantial commercial majority” per- mitting them to retain this attitude

Have you ever considered if no other and less costly method of contenting you would have done as well?

"If so, did you make representationa thereon f

Will you sit tight?

F. C. JENKIN. Hongkong, June 12th, 1918,

İTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE HONGKONG

GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.}}

Who is Roderick Random? of the Daily Press 1

Is his answer also your only answer k Do you in honesty approve his state. ment that a Bill affecting the liveli

forced upon the Colony by just those few

boods of all British residents has been (the Heads of Government Departments) whom it cannot, possibly tough

Do you suggest, as he does, that the

Does it not savour moro of truth to say

There are, of course, many intensely for the better representation of British safeguards At Home, trades have suffer Government may have trapped you? - training camp life in America and in Now, as the Conscription Bill affecta ed for the greater cause, and they must interesting points of comparison between interests in the Colony, England. Over here in Engand we are almost every British resident in the suffer more here before we fully realise

another, why accustomed to pursue our martial avoca Colony in some way or tions in a certain cloistered seclusion. was it that the Bill or the need for such all that the war is to us. The young men We keep ourselves to ourselves, and civia Bill was not brought before the whole are not afraid to go-they have been

S are not encouraged. In feet of the persona concerned, instead of Briew

wanting to go ; but it is the big employers done, the points affecting all the British whose eyes are fixed on maintaining huge strong resemblance to stray

concerned would have been discussed, and

a

is

in a British camp

the

a

dog show. But American

des the unofficial members could then have businesses who are scared that the Bill in a country which prides inevitable itself upon its democratio bearing is pat they represented the whole of the without fear or favout the Ordinance esgone to the Council with the knowledge will mean interference with their profits. almost entirely subordinated to civilian

community in the matter and

and not and political influence. Today in an

interests only American training camp the General

the

Etate

gislature

or a

an adjacent town

British

w should be applied to all it can, and every must be prepared at any moment to puber of Commerce

There is another point which the Cham- man possible should be sent to train to

the unofficial men- seide his work in order to entertain → couple of Congressmen, or a member of bere either are ignorant of, or have missed take his place with those who have been

the

Rignificance of and that is: During bearing the burden for us for well nigh has the previous 12 months or so, the

four years now. Big staffs must be dealt For Government has either sent, or a

to be sent between 150 and 200 able with as fairly an mail ones, and there bodied men to the Chinese Customs. If

should be an absence of influence just men were so urgently required at howe why were these men sent! If Imperial because a man is with a big Hong. This interests demanded that we should send

all

citizen into pass the time of inquire affer some protégé in the pant

file. The

local

То денарарога tail reporterss of trainin

Gover activities The progragined with recorded-it can ha degree of technical unprecision-while camp joban and camp gossip sze faith tally retailed. Even the mysteries of the Orderly Room are dished up for the lay man's defectation. Shades of Whitehal

Tignes,

what

man to the Chinese Customs, why not lest point is keenly felt by men on smaller recruit them Jocally for the term of the concerns, whose Taipans have not aspired war and make them allowances such as it to high places, for there is a genuine is intended to do now for conscripts fear that hidden influence will be exerted Youts Laithfully,

KOWLOON.

on behalf of some and denied to others.

that you are now afraid to take the re sponsibility for the price to be paid (by others than économie traders) for what we at last know to be the real object of this patriotic inspiration-namely, the retention in contentment of your employés. at their posta í V

Is it not for this, and this reason only, that you wish to fix the Government with

Will the the responsibiuty for the Bill?

** substantial commercial

majority" make your inspired cable a classic jest by adopting and enforcing the views of your Hon. Member that practi- cally no "firm of standing" can spare solitary man? SAN MA

E. C. JENKIN. Hongkong, June 19th, 1918.

CONSCRIPTION IN WONDERLAND.

And what happened to the Baby Bill"

asked the Cat.

It turned into a pig," mid Alice

I thought it would, raid the Cat,

XY.Z