1920-01-01 — Page 7

CABLES.

FÀTEST CARLES. "[TEROUGE RENTRE'S AGENCE-]

FRENCH FINANCE

MINISTER ASES FOR VOTE ON ACCOUNT.

Pants, December 29th. A Havar imessage stains:-- -The Minister of Finance asked the Obamber of Deputies: for a Vote on count amounting to 15 milliards of france to provide funds for the arm three

modithu in 1820.

The Minister intends to make com- plete Budget immediately after the re- -assembly of Parliament in January 'and proposes to bring in a Bill authorising the issue of a loan. The Government pro- posals were adopted by 475, votes to 18. -

FRANCE AND BELGIUM.

NEGOTIATIONS REGARDING

DEFENSIVE ALLIANCE.... ́

PARIS, December With.

THE HONGKONG" DA

THURSDAY, JANUARY

NEXT MALLIED CONFERENCE. THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS qualified by de condition, and that an DEATH OF GENERAL MESNY. FRANCES

SURPRISE IN FRENCH DIPLOMA-

TIC CIRCLES.

PARIS, December 29th.

A Havas message sistem t Sme surprise" was caused, in French diplomatic circles by a telegram from Rome, relating that it has been decided that the next Allied Conference shall meet in London, and not in Paris Inquiry in official French arcles shows that nothing is known of such a change.

It would be dificult for M. Clemenceau to leave Paris during the first fortnight of January, as the Chamber is discussing

*

DISPOSAL OF WAR STOCKS

י

FRENCH ACTION TO PREVENT SPECULATION.

PARIS, December 29th.

UNION.

CONSIDERATION OF CHINA'S

POSITION:

[CONTRIBUTED,

There is no doubt in the waitor's mind that China, and all who wish her well, Nations movement and the formation of will ardently expense the League of

World Council,

...

CONOMICS

AMERICAN IGNORANCE OF COOR FOOD

Production and exportation have been

normal, but practical Tuggestions are recommended as the only efficient axass to bring back the French exchange to cargo. It is pointed out that France

OLD CHINA" HAND."

One of the most picturesque of old

$...

China Hands" has passed away, at Hankow, in the person of William

us in his reminiscencre bon in 1843, Meany s' Jernoy pan, as he himself tells

sondor lineal representative of a long the ancient family of Megny D'Auregny merita of cheapness and quality, while line of poor but respectable ancestors of

cannot hope to supply Americs, with standard manufactured goods, which have easing home in 1354 when only 13 year America. The output is therefore himit such things are better produced in ld, he arrived in China in 1860. Toed articles of luxury. Mr. Louis outh like Meany, the China of that day Thomas gives a list of exportable goods wäs horse of, atirring adventure, Wet the newspapers. At the heads of the and him up and down the coast between specialities as he says that the feeding tinho places French gastronomical

the command of the Hai Lung knows how to choose American mentis, it Shanghai and Hongkong, Anon he is in in America is very poor. That is bola Hankow where his sea experience secured false and true; false because one can live. vory well in a modest restaurant, If me dag, the Seadragan juga native versel then legally flying the British flag Coming wn the riv he has numerous adventures in one of which he is wounded and taken prisoner by men in the employ of the Imperialists.

essential one Re-construction in China and it succesful issue, hitherto retarded, depends in no "mall, men sare upon Japan's treatment of China. If Japan legally acts up to her promises and will

League, China's pelitical and commercial barself submit to the view of World position will improve from year to year (which, of course, she would not) the If, however, Japan were to continue policy of the past few years, the work of Directly and as a political power, the League would be nullified. China is China for some time to come will not be country of immense latent possibilities. in position to make much, if any, poai-She has been for many years in a condi. tive or material contribution to such a tion of arrested development and exploit League The completion of reconstrued by this or that nation, or groups of the Budget and a new loan, and the Benslishment of peace within her porders will For the past decade she has been the tion of her government and the re-estab-financiers belonging to many nations torial elections are to take place on first be necessary. Indirectly, however, object of persistent and insistent atten January 11th, and the Presidential elec- her adhesion and inclusion is a necessity tions by Japan. It is difficult to deny tion on January 17th,

if the League is to be world-wide and that Japan in control would mean the all-embracing. A country so rich, with a commencement of a great era of indas population so dense and with an intelli- trial expansion and of internal organisa gance and a patience of the highest order, pion in China. It cannot, however, also China- must and will become a great he denied that such an activity would be Power. She forma a political and geo directly for the benefit of Japan. China's graphical whole, despite attempts made initiative would tend to disappear and to separate and disintegrate certain, por Western nations would be slowly but tions The Literature of her, vast terri- surely warned off and driven from this tories is one. I refer not only to the promising country."The East for the eighteen provinces (in themselves some East" would be the cry with increasing twenty times as extensive as England) determination, and China would be claim but also to the surrounding territories-ed as Japan's natural ally and ward the New Dominion, Manchuria and under a Monroe-doctrine pronouncement Inner Mongolia

Her written Language But such a fature would be full of menace ona Her national heroes are the to the world's peace. Neither Chink not possession of all the provinces, and her the West could sit quiet while this ex great sages, Confucius and Mencius, are ploitation van in progress; a great nation household words in every home The as China cannot become permasiently Chinese love to speak of themselves as absorbed by smaller one, although for DESIGNS IN THE nation of four hundred million brothers! the time being Japan may be thought to

BALTIC.

While her dialects are many and diverse, have the power and the organisation, to the so-called court tongue or kuan huo, eflect a temporary conquest The country in greater or less purity, is current over is beginning to awake, and self-conscious some three-fifths (it haz, indied, been said ness is making itself felt; aggression with

is becoming to an increasing degree the increasing internal unrest and continual accepted official and business language of attempts to throw off a foreign yoke. The In 15, Mosny had the fortune to be the land and it is being taught in schools results would, of cours, be disastrous to taken by the Taiping We had written

trade and civilization. to an ever wider extent.

"ill fortune," but nå a matter of fact be Now a League of Nations, assuring self-way very kindly treated by his captors, written and spoken is included in the curriculum of the Hongkong University real and self-development to States and especially by the Wei Wang and his In short, China. is a whole-a political possessing the best qualifications family a time be was with them and an economic unity. If such a people this time neods; and is in fact, just what matters bad by that time begun to go self-government, is just what China atin Sooctor and other plates, and as naturally inelized to peasor is not cliners the Western best offer as a solution of ill with the rebels, he was not always in a World League, words loss their mending Despite the restless ram thing The Tastern, problem. In short, the pant of late in Ching-accompanying the be smooth, and the prospects of a world

courer of future developinent promises to recent change from an absolute monarchy wide peace more hopeful, under the aegis to a republic, a change still in progress of a World Council than continuance there is a general and widespread desire at present conditions, in which nations for a union of forces, for a settlement of

A Havas mesango ataten :-- The now French Under-Secretary of State for the Disposal of War Stocks has decided on a series of measures for stop.

·A Havas message states:--

ping-speculation in American Army up- The Belgian Minister in Paris has been instructed to begin negotiations to reach plies being sold to the French Govern- an agreement with the French Government. No bayer of any class of materialis ment on the military question, also con- cerning the settlement of the Luxembourg question which is closely interwoven with the French and Belgian defensive alliance.

GERMAN WAR ORIMINALS.

FRENCH CHARGES AGAINST

EX-CROWN PRINCE.

PARIS, December 20th."

Havas mesange stales :--|

will be allowed to purchase more than he can consume or use himself.

GERMAN

REPLY TO THE ALLIES.

also true because that "country savoury recipes, as in French cooking. not know any of the refinements o He then gives a long list of French specialities which he specially recund

ends for America, where one can fad a unlimited market. He next places French dress-making, which he believes has never been properly exploited, the

4

Money was plentiful in those daye, and the indanements offered both by rebels ports of which should be limited to a

ad imperialtats to such men as Mesny long list of materials needed by archit. pensive goods only. He concludes with a were often successful in collecting concets for decorations and buildings. siderable numbers of wandering mer conaries in support of both sides... The late General, as he afterwards besame, THE KUANCHENGTSE AFFAIR was, however, of a different nature from the filibustering type who, as often as not, degenerated on occasion into pirates. Ho was a most absterious man, if not absolutely a teetotaller, and to that fact may be attributed not a little of his success and the general good health which bors him through a life of stirring action

adrature. His contemporaries

were a hard drinking set among whom it was the fashion when at the height of their good fortune to call, not

to entertain their friends.

ALLEGED DETAILS OF

SETTLEMENT..

-The German Government, through its over three-fourths") of the country; ia view to domination would result in for a bottle, but for a case of champagne at Mudken, was settled to the satisfa

wireless stations, issued the following on October 18th.. from Berlin:

The following Note was presented to day to the representative of Marshal

Foch-

withdrawn

A declaration was made in Paris by a. **The Allied and" Associated Govern- high authority that full agreementments for the first time on June 18th

requested the German Goverment exist between the Allies for enforcing the evacuiste the Baltic Provinces

Lithuanin, whilst in May they demanded Burrender of the ex-Kaiser.

and, in spite of the German protest in The ex-Crown

en Prince is included among tisted that was for these regions, uld not the persons whose surrender will bo de German Government has since manded by the French Government will done all in its power to carry out the with the criminal offences of the opposition of the troops who have been withdrawal of the troops and to overcome charge him looting and robbery with violence promised Lettish citizenship by the Est The ex-Kaiser has been greatly per The German Government has with turbed by the publication of Kautsky's held pay food, and other supplies from the insubordinate troops, and further, vent ady munitions or reinforcemente crossing the German

can frontier, to

tish Government

Kuan-hia

to become of bins For months he was sure towards the end what was going

in Nanking while Tiong Kuo-fan and his brother were hammering away at the walls outside. In the end he was re-

Consul and a gunboat party, and taken to Chinking.

settled," and particulars relating to the The Kuanghengte affair has been settlerent are to be shortly published. the deal, it is reported on good autho According to a Changchin dispatch to rity that among the several demands pre- ferred by the Japanese Government re garding the affair, the first demand was disposed of in the negotiations betwees the Chinese Government and Mr Chats, Japanese Minister, while the second item, consisting of an apology by General Chang, the Tuchun of Fongtien pro- vince, to the Japanese Consulate-General

to the strong attitudo assumed by General tion of the Japanese Government, owing Chang. The matter was left to the free will of the Tuchun. With regard to the third item relating to the punishment of the Chinese troops responsible for the intent the Chinese side deals with only others had either fede when that the three of them, for the on

the police officers who made commen three were the only persons who could be case with the troops - con than they discovered. Bo far as the punishment of

chief. As rewards the control of the cases concerned, it is said that have been properly dealt with by their Chinese troops in the future, which was claimed by the Japanese Government as the fifth item, no result is reported to have been obtained, because of the conten troops were responsible for the origin of the affair. The indemnities "fixed wera Y.2,000.

revelations as to the origin of the war, has taken ali necessary: measures to pre- the differences now existing between there struggling to obtain, secure foothold [scued by the combined aid of a British tion of the Chinese side that the Japanese

and is now not very confident of security from retribution.

HEROICE FRENCH TOWNS.

RESIDENT PRESENTS LEGION

OF HONOUR. A

PARIS, December 29th.

A Havia message states:--

+

the

tageous positions. That China will one and large shares.of commercially advan day be and remain mistress in her own house is certain, Will that day be continuous struggles? approached through peaceful progress or

:

The foregoing remarks are argumenta

may be summarised as follows:-

Does China possess a political mind and unity of its own? It mest emphatically does

so-called Northern and Southern parties, troops

The German Government has not

and there is recognition of Poking as the declined to recall Count von der Goltentre of government, the capital of the but only pointed out that this was a land Sentiment and desirs will, I am matter which concerned German internal affairs As a matter of fact, Count von sure-ultimately triumph; reunited der Goltz was recalled, and it was only and re-organised China will advance in after a mutiny had broken out in the Iron all those arts which we of the Westtive rather than constructive, and they Division soon after his departure that he decided to return to Mitau on his own asociate with civilisation. A most responsibility. His return temporarily powerfal factor which will contribute to was tolerated by the German Government such union and advance will be the con- have sufficient authority with the zaatin-sciousness that she is leagued with the only because von der Golta appeared to ous troops to make them obey the Govern nations of the world and the knowledga

withdrawal order. He actually succeeded in faucing dome Fly that the will no longer, continue to be obey the order. But, as his further the playground of the ambitions, of others. -GREAT COLONIAL EXHIBITION endeavours were a failure, he was definite At the present time, even, the leaders in ly recalled and ordered to come to Berlin, Meanwhile General von Eberhardt took all the provinces follow intelligently the

"The German Government has not

course of events in Europe. Under the recognised any new Government in the which admittance to the Council of the sense of protection and of the self-esteem Baltic regions nor has it had say rela tions with such. It has strictly forbidden

of

M. Poincare left Paris to present the Legion of Honour to the towns Bethane, Lens, Arras and Bapaume

FRENCH SENATE'S PROJECT.

PARIS, December 29th.

Havas message sintés:

to

over the command as his successor.

Does Chian group with some other group Nog although its near neighbour Japan wishes to take it in leading strings,

Is it in itself divisible No. In the course of its long history China has own division, and for periods of vary

THE GENERAL'S CONTEMPORARIES. To read the story of General Mesny's life is to make the acquaintance of inany of the most noted names of the day of

as was inevitable. He at one time tried the Chira const General Ward appears,

to secure Kesay, as one of his lieutenants, Colonel Gordon also offered him az ap pointment, which was refused on the ground that having been captured by both belligerent parties, of whom the Im perialists had treated him as badly as the rebels did well, he could not fight for the former against the latter.

G.H.Q. GREAT BRITAIN.

N ABOLITION IN FEBRUARY.

General Headquarters. Great Britain, The War Office recently announced that will be abolished at from February 1st next on which date the duties at present carried out by the Field-Marabal Com manding-in-Chief Forces in Great Britain will be taken over by the War Office. The and his staff at General Headquarters General Headquarters for the United Kingdom wastatablished in 1916, in consequence of the large number of troops to be trained in this country and. the great amount of work entailed by the HI3 SPBSEQUENT CAREER. paigning with the Chinese in the western army at home is being reduced by demo preparation and coordination of men From 1868 to 1874, Memy was CASTA aures for home defence. Now that the portions of China. During that time be bilisation to pre-war strength, and the him to his life-long title of Giteral. He decided that the continued existence until he attained the rank which entitled has disappeared, the Army Council hat thus became acquainted with a number of General Headquarters is no longer of bigh Chinese officials and officers. necessary Bluff old To Tsungtang was me of these, Vimont French Art held the position and Vol. II of the General's remini, Commander-in-Chier of the Home cences has as a frontispices a portrait of Forces, to which he was appointed on re- himself with a complimentary inscription linquishing the command of our armies written by Tso, then Vicemy of the in France On going to Ireland as Min-Che provinces. During the summer Viceroy be was succeeded by General Sir of this year, the present writer had the William Robertson, who, in March last, pleasure to meet the General at a well- took over the command of the Army of known summer resort.

the Rhine while Earl Hais returned to General Headquarters in this country. the Horse Guards and the control of

The French Benate bas decided to German soldiers to enlist in Russian for League will engender, the aims of the ing length has existed in a divided state rose step by step in the native service need of special home defence measures

J

{PROHIBITION AFTERMATH,

ORGANISATION DISTRIBUTING WOOD ALCOHOLL

mations, and broken up all connection with League, the advice of its leaders, will be organize a big inter-Allied Colonial those who did so. There is not a single readily adopted by China. A civilised soldier among the Russian troops in the standard of life and of education will be Exhibition in 1825.

Baltic Provinces over whom the German Government has any power of command aimed at and attained. In General Avaloff-Bermondt's recent Pressure by forcible intervention from offensive no troops under Geras Com without is not required, In bar present mand participated.

state, however, political pressure, 'such as the recent joint Note presented by the NEW YORK, December 28th.

Powers to Peking and to Canton, can be either against the Lettish or Russian usefully employed and is in facty needed The Federal Agente have, arrested five peoples. The German Government takes Public opinion in China is with the civil man who are alleged to be the heads Bote that the Allied and Associated Gor

of ernmenta intend to debe an Inter-Allied arm, the military; it is felt,' must give an organisation which is responsible for Mission to the Baltic States, and requests way to the civil authority. The Powers that this Mission may be despatched as the widespread sale of concoctions of soon as possible, and that it may make a

possess the machinery, financial and

of

General Avajoff-Bermondt's political and military designs are not in any way approved by the German Government

Germany has no warlike designs what

of progress in the arts and of glory in But ber successful periods and her times civilisation are all related to her periods of unity. They cover the greater part of her long history. And, as in the pist so in the future, her momentary divisions of thought and independence of provinces will disappear, and a anited State and gation will emerge.

How do you conceive of it as being governed in the future in its own affairs, and, is its government to be related to a world Bouncil? As a republic, formed in the finin on American lines, but with some features of the French system in- second part of the above query, its govern- corporated in her government. Ar to the ment should be related to a World Council Just as other civilised governments of Findependent States will be

Though he was then in, the 58th year of his residence in China he seemed al 20 years before. His voice was a strong most as well preserved as he had been and as resonant as ever. His step, per haps, was hardly de firm, and there in

AUSTEIA'S DEBTS.

In the House of Commons on October

wood alcohol in five of the Blates Some brief stay at Berlin for an interview with other, to press for the change and to 500 Doer it. need policing or control from no doubt but that his years wore begin theMr. ATA Davies (Lincoln, C.U.)

-deaths and additional cases of alcoholic poisoning were reported from various parts of the country yesterday, but the number is less than that during the last

One of the men who has been arrested

an undertaker.

EARLIER CABLES.

STOCKS OF WHEAT.

BENCH FOOD CONTROLLER'S

the German Authorities there. The Mis it effected. That is to render and to the rion will on its own judgment surely come civil arm by warning the military of the to the gorriction that the reproaches made against the German Government are not consequent to themselves and to the justified.

BIN OF UGLINESS.

nation of a continuance of present con ditions and by a judicious handling of the power of the purse.

The question, has been raised-What There has fatherto been a widespread will be the future form of China's Govern religious feeling that art is wicked, sait ment, and will the voicevalia tral London This Holing has been directed Government he listened to and pater mpon

feeling against the drama and against painting in the provinces. Prophecy is danger In connection with, churches: We areous; but it is my firm opinion that the beginning to realise that men come to

republic har co church for three things goodness trutab

beauty: Our cha

bea

with Hide

rest and, per)

princi

asked whother the Peace Treaty with Aus currency of Anatian nationals to Brita tria provided that liabilities in Austrian subjects were to be discharged in sterling at the prewar rate of exchange world payment of such debts, and, if not, ho the Austrian. Government guarantee the

they be recovered what assistance would the Government render in po re- that British creditors had been prohibite culcay1of such debts, in view of 10 fact

outside 1 No. Even if present conditions in to tell. But for a man of 77, he able, the task is too complicated and too was justly proud of the long list of appear to point to such action as desireemed a marvel of life and force. He immense for any one nation or group of honourt which had been heaped on nations to attempt.

him by the native authorities in his No, but see what has been advanced in is reason to believe that he dream Lit a sphere for international control earlier days. During his later life theft the body of the memorandum on prente stances were not quite so flourishing ar and the power

his friends would have like to see them. of the on the Council or be grouped with other him, he remained the same cheery, good Should it have a direct representation But whether good or III fortune; befelt States or regions1 Direct reprezentation. humoured soul he ever was. In one of from receiving payment of their its obligations in supporting the decisions he saysThe Holy Bible har heen my country avilable for payment of

it the will and power, to carry out his chapter written in the lats pineties, during the war and What tops would of the Council Yes. This reply constant companion. must of course, he subject to the nature key, perhaps to much in his career. He friss fiabilities here

Therein lies of the decisions, hat, in the main, any leaves behind a name for kindliness, true

Bir A. Geddes The answer redaonable decision for the moral poppopric guidance of peoples,

friendship, and attention to cuty, and part of, the question is in the by End applied to other nations,

that after all, is better than a

he"guarantee of ment for able to and applied b

by China

the great deads recorded of

civilised

ion Y

19

A General Hony was

Sio Mason for over

of severe

Clearin

mä- sentimenta

at can be given by