Page
CABLES.
LATEST CABLES THROUGH REUTER'S AGENOT.}
SPAIN.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESE, FATURDAY, APRIL 5TH,
EARLIER CABLES.
HUNGARY'S ULTIMATUM TO
CZECHO-BLOVAKIA.
Balz, March 21st.
A clegrain from Weimar states that an angonfirmed report has been received that - TROUBLE WILL SOON BE CLEARED the Bungarian Government has sent a short-term ultimatum to the Czecho UP.
Slovak Stato, owing to the concentration of troops in Czecho-Slovakia and the rumoured forthcoming general mobilisa
MADRID, March 27th.
The situation throughout Spain is im proving. It is expected that the troubletion in Bohemia. will soon be cleared up.
GERMANY'S TROUBLES.
BAVARIA'S BID FOR MILITARY INDEPENDENCE.
BERLIN, March 31st.
A breach has occurred between the Bavarian and the Imperial Governmente, as the result of Bavaria's bid for military
independence. Bavaris has prohibit ed all recruiting for the Volunteer Army. the The Mittags Ze-tung expresser
that the opinion
estrangement will
develop
THE DANTZIG DISPUTE
COPENHAGEN, March 31st.
The Berlin Government has invited the National Assembly Party leaders to participate in a conference on April 2nd, in view of Marshal Foch's request for fresh negotiations regarding Dantzig.
THE EX-KAISER.
ANSWERABLE TO GOD ALONE." Mr. Harold Begbie, continuing his parrative of his visit to the ex-Kaiser at Amerogen, says that the ex-Kaiser is He is convinced entirely impenfent.
RIGHTS OF FOREIGNERS RESPECTED.
COPENHAGEN, March 31st.
A telegram from Budapest states that the Hungarian Government has issued a decree forbidding anyone to leave the Those attempting escape will country.
be brought before the Revolutionary Tribunal."
The decree says that all the rights of foreigners must be absolutely respected The persons of foreign diplomate and their residences, which will be designated by their respective flugs, are inviolable, under penalty of death.
THE SILVER MARKET.
LONDON, March 25th. The Gazette states that the Treasury announces that the maximum price of silver bullion sold in the United King dom shall be such a price as is equiva lent, at the current rate of exchange, to
9 centa per standard ounce.
DEMOCRATISE CREDIT.
A PLEA FOR CO-OPERATIVE BANKING
that he strove harder than anybody tony W. KENNETH STORE (CERT. 46800. INST. avert war, and that he is answerable to God alone."
The ex-Kaiser said that all the rulers were against war, which was made by the diplomate. Germany became involved in the war breause she had to defend Austria against the aggression of Russia.
The ex Kaiser declared that be sent Kruger the famous telegram "with grave misgivings, and ander pressure from his advisers." He also regretted the sinking of the Lusitania, which was a great blunder which he would never cease to
regret."
Was
The shooting of Nurse Cavell ordered by a drunken General. The ex
BANKERE.}]
One of the leading features of war finance has been the democratising of in vestment. Where formerly the holdere of Government stock numbered thousands, there are now, by virtue of the war say- ings certificate and the small war bond, millions who are holders of "gilt-edged " securities, yielding a bigh rate of interest and affording absolute safety. The very emall investor has come into his own. It is worth his while to save. He has a real stake in the country." capitalist.
He is a
But what of the small borrower? Why should not credit be democratised also! Without credit modern industry would be impossible. The small shopkeeper, the Kaiser thereafter ordered that no woman
jobbing tradesman, and the agricultural should be shot without his personal small holder have a place in industry, but they cannot tap the great reservoirs santion.
of capital because the banke will only THE OFFICIAL PRESS BUREAU lend on the best of security, and the poor man has neither investments nor title deeds to pledge.
CLOSING DOWN AT END OF APRIL.
LONDON, April 2nd The Press Bureau stades:-- Unless an emergency arises, the official Press Bureau closes on April 30th. The censorship and all its other functions will cease from that date,
FIGHTING
BOLSHEVISM.
UFA KECAPTURED,
Ous, March 27th. Admiral Koltchak has recaptured the Lown of Ufa.
SOVIET GOVERNMENT LOSING POWER.
STOCKHOLM, March 31st.
4
BONGKONG AND "OUR DAY.” LETTERS OF THANKS FROM THE RED CROSS SOCIETY,
tion:-
THE YARD AND THE POUND.
1919.
PROBLEMS OF THE PEACE, weakens the bonds of fellowship which to
CONFERENCE.
Com-
An interesting little ceremony will be
FRANCE'S ATTITUDE. Government House, Hongkong, performed within the Palaos of West-
[FROM DE, P. J. DILLON.] November 25th, 1019.
minster early thie session, when the Lord The following correspondence relating Chancellor, the Lord Chamberlain, the
While the political system of the world "Our Day" celebrations in Hongkong Speaker, the President of the Board of is being expeditiously remodelled, hardly has been forwarded to us for publica-Trade, and other important personages any headway has been yet made with the will verify the parliamentary copies of draft treaty to be concluded by the vie MY LORD MARQUESS,With reference to the imperial pound weight and yard meatorious and vanquished nations. Bir Robert Hudson's letter of the 20th. June, 1818, I have the honour to informare, which are sealed up within the wall you that the celebration of Our Day" of the public staircase leading to the com- in this Colony on the 24th. October re- Bulted in a sum of £19,330 being remitted to the Joint Finance Committee of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. The gross re- the ceipts amounted to 8114,491, and expenditure to 83,281, leaving a balance of 111,216. To this a sum of 3243 wan was added in order to make a round figure.
guarantees
day require exocptional strength. To an observant outsider who takes in the larger and more fateful problem which confronte the European Allies, these an scasonablu bickerings and manifestationa of national passion and personality ap pear out of all relation to grim realities, and their approaching dangers. Blind nase tu symptoms and neglect of warnings nearly ruined the Allied prospects dur mittoes are indeed at work, making outing the war, and the same uncured defecia the bill of damages against Germany and
are of dark omen for the parmanent re The world-re mittee roome of the House of Commons. drawing up an indictment against the establishroent of peace.
This ceremony is due to be performed authors of the war, but the really thorny volation now beginning draws its motive very twenty years. The last examina-problems of the strategie frontiers and power from ideas more than interests. tion took place in April 1899. Various
légitimate
demanded by and the political chess-board, on which causes have prevented - is re-enaction France's official spokesmen have not been the pieces are so oddly distributed, is since.
discussed, nor even clearly formulated. itself but a pawn in another and more As I have announced in previous mes fateful game. It is deeply to be regret sages, these delicate matters will come up
ted that at this torning-point in the for consideration after the present
world's history there is no commanding labours of the committees are terminated,
personality capable of discerning the cen hut by that time Mr. Wilson will probral issues and shaping the mould m ably be in the United States, and the which the destiny of nations will be cast. European statesmen will be deprived of
To men imbued with the instincts of the benefit of his, counsel. But although statesmanship it must seem that one of France's concreta terme to Germany are
the urgent matters, which should have not yet defined, the aspirations and
been practically solved without a week's The imperial standard pound is cylin-maxime which prompt them are fairly avoidable delay, is the conclusion of peace.
well understood. The guiding principle with Germanny, and, that done, all other is the peremptory necesity of effectively questions could have been tackled at lei- sure. But the governing iden now pre hindering sudden attacks, which will be far more dangerous in the future than in vailing is that the skeleton of a League the past, and of utilising the present of Nations must first be outline, and Sub- golden opportunity, such as may never all initiative emanate from that. Occur again.
sequent decrees and judgments will b promulgated in the name of that entity. but by the representatives of the five Powers deliberating behind closed doors.
The standard yard is a solid bar of bronze thirty-eight inches long and one inch square in section, on which thirty six divisions of one inch nach, have been market-off. These divisions represent the In the absence of the Honourable Mr.
urm measurement of Heary 1, who or E. H. Sharp, K.C., O.B. E., the Honourdained that the length of his own arma able Mr. D. Landale, undertook the should be the standard yard of cloth men. Chairmanship of the "Our Day" Execu-zure-at ordinance preserved in British The Honourable Mr. commerce to this day. tive Committee.
The telegram of 9th. June addressed to tonge. The Pond of the Board of Trade
in
E. R. Hallitax, O.BE, worked with much zeal and energy as Honorary Sec-drical in shape, with a grooved edge, retary of the Committes, and the success and, notwithstanding its weight, it mea of the appeal is, in great measure, due sures only 1.30 inch in height and 1.16 inch in diameter. It is made entirely to his capable organization. Mr. H. C.
of platinum
Most elaborate care is taken of these Bandford again rendered valuable scr
When the check two important measures. vices as Hon. Treasurer.
is being made they are handled with weight is tested with the standard His Excellency the Governor by Hia Royal sales capable of disclosing the differ
French statesmen are quite ready Highness the Duke of Connaught and once of a minute fraction of a grain, and talk the language of the new pacific epoch the yard is measured by an instrument your Lordship was published in the local which can detect an error of a hundred and pay a tribute to the noble sentiments which inspired the project, on condition
A curious theory is held here on the Press, as also was His Majesty's "Our thousandth part of an inch. At the con-
elusion the pound is wrapped in Swedish that all those other precautionary mea subject of the delay in drafting the peace Day" message of October 11th.
sures in which the statesmen of the old treaty. Men of mark maintain that, far The leading members of the Chinese Altering paper, which is soft and friction. a silver-gilt, cae, leas, and placed in
settlement, the Entente nations are. on community again organized theatrical which in turn is deposited in a bronze school put confidence are likewise adopt from running risks by postponing a
Ped. Thus the Saar Valley is demanded on
the contrary, certain to find the ground performances, the net results of which case, this being put in a wooden box, which is then screwed down and sealed. amounted to $27.721. Special mention The yard measure is placed on eight roll historical, economic, and military grounds, better prepared the longer the day,
reckoning is put of Germany, they carefully seated. Both cases are then put make up for the deficit of coal, and give the Bolshevik fever, but the into a leaden casket, which is sealed by
is fleeting. The process of
intenser day becoming
day, soldering. The lead case is then placed France a defensible strategic boundary, in a strong, oak box. When this has been
This augmentation of territory would although its industrial production, are not always scrowed down it reposes in the cavity in
mean an increase of population by the manifest. Lack of the wall, which resembles a small vault.
of foreign trade and sound Shances is incorporation of a million Germans. But gnawing at the vitals of the Teuton re The wall is then built ap again by a
this demand appeared excessive, the
unemployed 'masyn.
The army of
and French statesmen would, it is said, be public.
discontented is swelling. By April the
of this pontented with the frontier of 1814. As sinister consequences,
his stagnation France for purely German territory,
will have taken the form of rebellions would be satisfied to occupy it
it as Н pledge
revolta, disintegration. This conjuncture for a period se long as the Germans may
will be the opportunity of the Batente deem necessary for the execution of the
Powers, who can then step in, present treaty terms. Meanwhile, French pub their bills, impose their restrictions, End knead the Teuton dough into nủy shapa licists who have visited the country assure
Then it will. be feasible to the public that the Teutons of those dis- tricts are most favourably disposed to they relish. wards French rule, and would be extreme prohibit the Austrian Germans from one
of-Tel under penalty -rendering themselves ly glad to be annexed, for the sentimental tering the republic as a Federated State,
like the French people and hate
must also be made of the public-spirited ers in a mahogany case, which is also in order to restore the frontier of 1756.tend, has recovered
generosity of the Chinese community gen crally, which was manifest throughout the
the whole of the celebration,
Lady May was, unfortunately, absent from the Colony, and the Rose Fund, to which she has given her name, was taken over at short notice and most admirably managed by Mrs. Gurner, the wife of the present Commodore-in-charge, with the assistance of Mrs. Ralphs and other ladies. A warn of $29,581 was realised by means of their valuable nagistance.
The afternoon fête of 1917 was this year replaced by a popular Gymichana, which was continued on the 26th. number of well-conducted side-shows wore aghibited on the ground, and proved great attraction. The Hongkong Branch of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade formed a Quard-of-Honour on this occa sion, and presented a very smart appezz- The total Gymkhana
ance.
amounted to $28,111-
illuminated.
a
CAMOUFLAGED GERMANS. NEW TRICKS TO SECURE THE ALLIES TRADE.
The economic invasion of Switzerland by the Central Powers, who, through this vestibule, hope to reopen their former commercial relations with the Allies, con-
large scale. tribes on
According to the Neue Zürcher Zeitung,
i
trom
from May 1st to July 31st last year, 203 reason the Prussians, and on the table for a proportionate share of GeF
economic
now foreign industrial commercial enter prises were founded in Zurch alone, while during the first half of this year the num- by the perspective of crushing taxation in
Austrian, and Hangarian, German, amounted to 387. There were no English or American firms, and only five French
ber of foreign firms, the majority being their own country.
THE ARABIAN QUESTION.
concerns.
Governments need only command, and the Toutons will hasten to obey. It is hardly credible that men of experience in foreign. polities should build upon such insecure foundations as these. So far as one can judge hy well-established facts, Germany
18
united country to-day, and is about and found a republie which will be demo- cratic without coming to be German, sources of weakness which took their risa will get rid of some of the principal in autocracy, and every week that Iapses between this and the conclusion of peaca will be atilised to the utmost hy her leaders
TONE
In the matter of colonies, France accepts the mandatory sten advocated by Mr. Wilson, and would like to receive It is easy for the Austro-Germans tu a mandate to administer certain extent receiptet aside the Swiss laws of commerce by sive territories in Africa, such as Togo- land and the Cameroons Respecting the choosing a dunung among their 300,000 A successful fête took place during the compatriots who were residing in Bwit. section of the Ottoman Empire inhabited ence of opinion and considerable warmth firms. evening in the Botanical Gardens, whichzerland before the war as chief of the by the Arabe, there is a marked differ were tastefully decorated and briliinatly Meanwhile, the German newspapers of feeling between the French and British which, hitherto sublued, but perceptible, The Japanese community continue to publish advertisements from manifested itself to-day after the dele
GERMANY'S CHANGE OF Already the tone in which the German most generously presented an exhibition businese houses and commercial travellers
The of fireworks, the set-pieces being special demanding orders for the Allied countries gates of the Hediaz had been heard by journal the Conference. The Hedjaz, which was
publicists write, and the temper in which ly constructed for the occasion. The through Switzerland. Portuguese community also organized a Konfektioner of Berlin, openly an always independent, was formally re- the German statesment act, differ pensibly.
Recently the inter-Allied com What is wanted for the "small" range in the Gardens, thereby anounces that the Allied trade boycott of cognised as a separate kingdom during the tone and temper of armistion was suddenly raised to the throne in the mander, having requested the Germans to aunt of $10,834 was collected. This item, Germany will prove illusory because the the war, and the Grand Sherif of Mecca
with the entrance fees, sale of Germans can easily employ Swiss trade together
European sense by Britain and France. bind themselves to abstain from military recently the Munich journal Simplicissi 21,064.
mas offered a present to German. firms, cunsisting of a pasaport for Switzerland -Daily Bapress.
is a system in which credit worthiness
rather than the possession of pledgeablo refreshments, etc., resulted in a total of marks and labels pe camouflage, while Since then he has been formally recognis-operations against the Pales, was met by
securities shall be the criterion of borrow. ing power.
If the "small" man be industrious and skilful and if it be certain that a few pounds' worth of capital. for stock or tools or buildings will help him to extend his business, then credit is as vital to him as to his large-scale rival, and he is worthy to be a borrower.
which The only practicable plan on credit can be supplied to the poor man is by a great extension of co-operative banking, worked in conjunction with the existing banking system and under the direct supervision of the State.
SAFETY LIMIT
Two theatrical performances were also Funda given in aid of the "Our Day by the Hongkong Amateur Dramatic Committee and members of the Portu- guese community, the proceeds of which amounted to $3,166 and 81,000 respos
tively.
I enclose an extract from the Hongkong Daily Press of October 25th giving a de tailed account of the whole celebration. I have, etc.,
(8d.) CLAUD SEVERN, Officer Administering the Government. The Most Honourable The Marquess of Landsdowne, K.G., President of the British Red Cross Society, 8a, Pall Mall, London, 6.W. 1.
The Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England and The British Bed Cross Bociety, Joint War Committee, 83, Pall Mall, London February, 1919.
S.W. I, 5th
1018.
"Our Day DEAR SIR,1 have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th November, which has apparently arossed our letter of the 27th November, addressed to his Excellency the Governor acknowledging the safe receipt of the generous donation of £19,350 from the
Colony of Hongkong.
e-
ed by all five Powers. The King's re- a categorical refusal, on the ground that presentatives now demand the annexa they cannot undertake to leave their coun Lion of all the countries of Arabic speech
trymon unprotected. But assuming that which were under Turkish domination.
the process of gangrene made havoc with These include Mesopotamia and
the political and social organism; the Byria, an which France bas long looked
first consequence would be financial bank- The projected com-
ruptcy, and the second a tremendous re with loving eyes. munity would represent a Pan-Arab crudescence of Bolshevism, which would Federation of about eleven million souls. hardly be confined within the boundarica The comments of the Temps this evening of the German Republic, and the latter despite their studied reserve and conven
state of Europe would be infinitely worse Calculations of this tional phraseology, border on remon than the former. strance and hint at a
possible cooling
order darken whatever prospects there of friendship between the British and
Its arguments are durable pence
still may be of pacific negotiations
ods and a French nations
The populatione claimed briefly, these.
The plenipotentinrics are somewhat occupy such a vast stretch of territory barrassed by the sequel to their sobema that the sovereignty of the Hedju could of an ancillary conference at Prince's hardly be more than nominal and sym Islands. I do not allude to the telegrams bolical In fact, they cover an area of
from hotel-keepers, who, having spont 'one half The co-operativó bank is a little group The Order of St. John of Jerusalem in
I am pleased to be able to report to
The four lean years during the war, were the Ottoman Empire.. of men, some borrowers and Home deposi England and the British Red Cross
different territories would, in reality, bo. Society, Joint War Committee, 83, my Committes on the truly splendid man tors, who collectively undertake to be
an army of peacemakers to feed and « Pall Mall, London, S.W. 1
ner in which the appeal has been organis under the domination of the Great made suddenly happy by the prospect of responsible for the financial obligations
ed in Hongkong, and of the wonderful Fower which created a new kingdom out fleece, and are now anxiously inquiring November, 1918. 27th of each. A safety limit is placed on the
success which has crowned your efforts. of nothing, and the monarch of Hedias when they may prepare the culinary cam borrowing capacity of every member
BIB-1 have received from Mr. Mur- On behalf of the Committee I beg to com- would be a mers stalking horse of Bri. phim, but I refer to Chitherin' reply based on their common knowledge of each
through you our profound tain. This, it is urged, would not be in accepting the invitation conditionally, other and their common risk. This little ray Stewart, on behalf of the Hongkongitude to all who have so ably assisted dependence, but a masked protectorate. They are undecided whether to move near War Charities Committee, a remittance gratitude, be this record, and The financial resources of the Hedjaz aro er to may Bolshevik trap sacciation has thus a collective borrow
of £10,350, representing the proceeds of in achieving this manguitoont eerstiered utterly inadequate for the administration or withdraw, on the ground that the Login ing capacity or credit-worthiness
Meanwhile, Admiral It is suggested that the States should the Chur Day collections in the Colony for the assistance M. Trotsky is at present in Moscow, close promote the formation of such groups of Hongkong, and I beg to confirm my throughout the War to the sick and of such a vast State. Who, thea, it is fixed is prot
cable to you of yesterday's date as wounded soldiers and sailors.
As will see from the reprint of a funds? Obviously Britain, who has been representatives Bere givina vont to the under:--
letter which we enclose, we were able to providing the Emir Faisal with funds intense distress he feels at the Allied "Please accept and convey to officure once in The Times on New Year' over since his father donned the crown. action, which has produced decided die. and members of Hongkong War Chari Day that it was no longer necessary for If this political entity came into exist couragment, and some of its usual sinis. tics Committee profound gratitude of
us to appeal for donations or for freshence it would generate continuous friction ter effecte, among his partisans. I have British Red Cross for manifeent collections to be made, and that we de between France and Britain, separate positive grounds for affirming that the response to Our Day Appeal from sired such collections as are actually in comradce in arms, and delight a vigilant
combture of the Bolsheviks," which the Hongkong. Stanley,
programs to be wound up and the proceeds enemy, and for these reasons alone must prospects of the relatively speedy din I am desired by the Joint War Com remitted to us na good as this can be done, bo rejected. Palestina is excluded from Russian representatives hère held out to
It is a great satisfaction to the Finance Government inspector's certificate. These mittee of the British Red Cross Society Committee that they have in band a sua anil tod Pan-Arabian fedoration, zapathining friends a few days ago,, ATG
A telegram from Helsingfors states that the recent disturbances in Petrograd bave assumed a
vary threatening character against the Soviet Government. M. Lenin's authority is considerably roduced.
ly guarded by sharpshooters.
CRISIS IN CENTRAL EUROPE.
BUDAPEST THREATENED WITH ANARCHY.
by undertaking the organising and regu- lation of a system whereby they would be brought into contact with the existing banking system of the country, Contral banks would be established-also share capital and deposit facilities for sinli investors and depositors-from which the local association could borrow up to the limit of the united credit worthiness of is several members, at indicated by the LONDON, March 31st. The Rumanian Press Bureau reporte central banks in turn would borrow that Budapest is seriously threatened direct from the branchen of the existing
joint stock banks, on the security of with anarchy. The Communists are les-Government certifionto an to their bor rowing capacity. This would, of course, ing control which is passing into tho be limited to the amount of the total hands of the Bolsheviste, who are daily redit-worthiness of the constituent asse
ciations. arriving from Russia
The Hungarian Army is reorganising in foverish haste, aided by Gorman officers of General Machensen's former Army..
By such a system the life-giving flow of capital would be maintained down to the very enpillaries of production, through the agency of, but without risk and trouble to, the banking system pro- pur.
CTOBE
"1918.
British Red
you
naked, would supply the indispensable Kolchak hus despatched telegrams to the
is expected to declare ita own become loss promising sinco that Tenbrk wishes without any injunctions from the able invitation.
Vory optimistic, somewhat oracular, Conference. The Governments of Syria and Mesopotamin would be kutonomous communiqués are being insted, reporting under the League of Nations, but a single the unexpectedly rapid programs of the mandatory is asked for by the King of commission which is elaborating the con of a Longue of Nations.. the Hodjaz for the entire 11,000,000 institution
Alrondy nearly half their ardous task has boon nocompliebed, general agreement in said to have been reached on underlying principles, and confident is expressott that the remaining artiolos will be shortly formulated and noquiessed in provision ally.-Daily Telegraph.
and the Order of St. John to express which they estimate as sulcient to meet to your Excellency, and to ask that you our liabilities. That this is the case is will be so good as to convey to all the due largely to the constant and munificent donors, the profound gratitude of the support whics has boom, given to us by British Red Cross for this farther galapathisers aversoas, and we beg you erous expression of the sympathy taken to believe how sincere our gratitude is in our work by the people of the Colony to you and to all who have helped to habitants.
I have, etc.
bring this aboutI am, etc., (84) ATHUR STANLET (Chairman Joint War Committee). Excellency the Governor, Sir Francis H. May, K.O.M.G., Hongkong. (Continued at foot of next column.)
His
(8d.) ROBERT A. HUDSON (Chairman of Finance Commitice). Claud Bovern, Esq, Offibor Administering thin Government, Government House, Hongkong.
'PERILS OF BLINDNESS,
That these divergencies will be bridged over and the outburst of ill-humour will Anally subalde is certain, but while thay last they are mischievous, and even after they have boon composed their memory
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