CABLES.
LATEST CABLES. THROUGH BETER'S AGENCY.] SMYRNA FIRE TEST CASE. IMPORTANT JUDGMENT.
LONDON, December 15th, Attor & hearing lasting twelve days, Mr. Justice Rowlett in the Commercial Cart gave judgment, for the defendant insurance companies in the Smyrna fire ense, mentioned in a cable dated Decem- her lat, thereby holding that there was "an art of war, and excluded from insur- alve policies. The decision will he a hig blow to many British traders ruined by the fire, for the action has been treat-
RC 43
test case fur claims amounting insurance to nearly £20,000,000 under policies with "British and other
com-
papirs
"
11
STORY OF THE ACTION. The earlier cable alluded to read:
Loxpos, December 1st.
An aportant test Pase arising from the great fire at Smyrna in September Jus and involving a vast sums of money, was begun in the Commercial Court. London, relay.
The plaintifs, an American tobacco company, claimed to recover insurance on property destroyed by are from the Guardian Fire Assurance Company.
The liability of a number of insurance companies to pay insurance on other des troyed property will depend on the judg
ment
The plaintis counsel said that the issuo was whether the fire was acci dental or same within the exceptions of Are policies, pon which the action was broughs. His case was that the fire was accidental]
"
GERMAN GOVERNMENT, CABINET DIFFICULTY,
BERLIN, December 19th. Dwing to the impossibility of forming certain Government Gmmanding a pajority, Cabinet-making efforts have been abandoned until the approach of thepopening of the Reichstag on January BSL In the meantime the Mara-Strese- taan Cabinet carries on. Probably the Marx Government will confront the Reichstag and take a chance of being Defeated,
EAST AND WEST. CANADA AND ORIENTAL
131MIGRATION.
2
Vieroja. December, 19th. The British Columbin Legislative As sembly has unanimously passed a resol- tion introduced by Minister Sloan' asking the Federal Government to take steps to ensure the abrogation of all international Treaties preventing Cañada from exer cising an hampered eontrol of Oriental Immigration. Mr. Sloan insisted that Canada must be kept for Canadians and declared that Orientals and Whites would not mix.
SPAIN AND MOROCCO. FRANCE NOT ANXIOUS.
PARIS, December 19th
means
Le Metio states that the reports re- ceived by the Government from Marshal indiente that Lyautey by do events in Spanish Moracco might have TEN consequences is the French area. tribesmen are quiet and the influence that Abd El Krim might have on then must not the over-estimated. Abd El Krim scens more concerned about or ganizing biswonquests than about making
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20гx, 1024
LATEST CABLES.
FIRST TEST MATCH. «h AUSTRALIA OPEN WELL.
SYDNEY, December 19th. The first Test Match began in glorious weather before 34,000 spectators. The wicket was perfect. Australia won the toss and butted first. Score:
"
AUSTRALIA.
Bardsky, e Woolley, b Freeman ... 21 Collins, Hendren, b Tate' Ponsford, b. Gilligan Arthur Richardson, not out Taylor, not out
Extras
BARLINE CABLES. [REUTERS AMERICAN SERVICE
THE UNITED STATES AND
THXT
i
JAPAN.
"LURKING ANXIETY
WASHINGTON, December 13th. Mr. Hughes, departing from precedent to-day, lasued a formal statement noting
FAR EASTERN · CABLE NEWS.
CHINA'S MILITARY INCUBUS.
TWO MILLION' UNNECESSARY:
SOLDIERS.
Токой
OUR PRKING CORRESPONDENT.] The whirligig of time has seen China transformed froin a nation which desired soldiers to a nation dominated by armed men who batten upon, the country. The
1,500,000 DESTITUTE IN CHIHLI
"A PLAIN, UNVARNISHED TALE.”
Mr Frank B. Turner, Chairman of the Distribution Board of the China Inter national Faraine Relief Commission writes:
I send you herewith copy of a letter
[From Our Own Correspondent.}
SHANGHAI PAPEE IN LIBEL CASE,
21 ONE CENT DAMAGES
SHANGHAI, December 19th The result of the libet case brought the appointment of Mr. Matnularia; the Against the North-A'kina Daily News by armies which have sprung into being as received this morning from Sin Ho Hsicu: Fu Sian E. a lot merchant is that a feature of the establishment of the it is such as we are constantly receiving new Japanese Ambassador to America the plaintiff is awarded one cent dam Tuchun system have swollen enormously from all parts of the previner, in which and welcoming him, as a step towards
within recent years and have constituted further, cementing the friendship be
a national disgrace as well as a national danger. Nos one of the armies modelled more or less on western lines and equip- ped with modert weapons has ever been employed to repel a foreign invader. In- stead, these unwieldly forces have been
.114
110
L
13
tween Tokyo and Washington.
Ages.
THE SHANGHAI MURDIR.
A MINOR STORM IN CONGRESS. SIX SERVANTS" ARRESTED."
WASHINGTON, December 18th.
Mr. Secretary Hughes' action is regard.
Total (for a wkt.)........ The innings opened in cautious style and runs came slowly. "Bardsley's dis missal come with the score at 48 for wicket. He had butted in splendidlar feeling on fashion for 1 minutes The first hour's play produced 33 runs, and the score when lunch was taken was 72 for) wicket.
Collins and Pouxford batted steadily
and with eunâderive, though Collins, when he had.. scored 42. was badly missed by Hendren. The second-wicket
partner-
ship (190) is a recund for England Aus- tralia watches.
When Collins left, the score stoud, at 236 for 2 wickets. The outgoing batsman had barted in the most careful fashion for 15 minutes and hit fours. He received an ovation.
When Ponsford
was
dismissed the
board showed 275 for 3 wickets. He had shown sound all-round cricket for minutes and registered fours. Fle has added his name to the distinguished list of those who have scored a century in their first Test Match.
The ground fielding was good, Chape
1231173
Olesen.
Sasori, December 18th. The police,, after working all night; ed as of special interest in view of popa-arrested one haaker and five servants in the Japanese-American connection with the murder of Migs relations being not on the best footing.
Officials are of opinion that no trouble-be charged at the Mixed Court to It is understood that the prisoners will some issues are now pending with Tokyo. mortow." Praudent Coolidge,and his political ad; visers feel that the relations of the twi Governments are all that could be
desired.
A minor storm was stirred up in Con. gress to-day when 'Senator Brittèn pro- posed a resolution for n conference of "the white nations bordering the Pacific: despite a protest from a number of his colleagues, including 'some Pacific Const members.
REPORTED CONFESSION
LATER. The police have `arrentisk six, Chinese servants who have confessed to Miss Oleson's murder.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] JAPANESE PREMIER AND SINGAPORE BASE.
OPINION AS AN INDIVIDUÁL JAPANESE."
Toxvo, December 10th. According to Press reports of the evening, Viscount Kato declared that while as an individual Japanese he did not welcome the "construction of the Singapore Base he was of opinion that, as the base had been contemplated for twenty years past and was also outside the scope of the Washington Treaty, its construction was inevitable. The British
there are 1,500,000 people utterly desti-
tute.
"I have not in any way amended its quaint English: "its graphic story of the sad conditions obtaining quite · corre- sponds with the reports of our investiga tors to whom he refers. We are sure that we have your sympathy in our efforts to meet this great distress, and that this "plain unvarnished tale" will Interest the many among your readers who have sent us help.
LE
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs bas released Mr. Lee Fong who is proceed-
engaged in a succession of struggles between leaders bent on furthering aims which seem to lend to nowhere, occasion-
loss ing totally unnecessary
of lile amongst themselves while at the same time causing widespread 'devastation in the course of their campaign by living o the country. Other nations enjoy al 'sense of security from the existence of national armies. Not so China, where the inhabitants of cities, towns and vil
The letter, enclosed reads as follows: inges will offer almost any sum of mury to divert troops from their vicinity. "Mr. President, International Famine Not all of China's soldiers are
equally rapacious, but even the best are nowhere, Relief Association, Tientsin, China sure of a warin welcome, The remedy," "We are very grateful to your Asso- of coarse, is plain disbandment. Practic.
to Southern Porty and the Straits
Settlements to plead for Famine Relief on behalf of this Commission."
It shows
Mr. Johnson, chairman of the Inm Premier's statement to the Seiyukai last ally every one is prepared to advocate ciation beznuse recently one of your gration Committed, declared that the
dishandment of troops, even the Tughans officers came to our district and investi themselves, but no one seems ready to proposal was untimely and ill-advised...
be the first to reduce the number of meu gated our fumine conditions. Mr. Britten asserted that the Secret
under his countind.
that ary of the Navy and naval experts had made observations which he construeil
and Gilligan being outstandingning that Japan was making war pre-authorities had given an assurance that
Catching was at times faulty. Tate was the best of the howlers.
EARLIER CABLES.
CRICKET TOUR..
TRANSVAAL BEATEN,
JOHANNESBURG, December 15th..
Transvaal by eight wickets,
Mr. Solly Joel's eleven beat the
paratious against America. He asked if anything was wrong with the rited
States doing the same.
you and your officers are all very benevolent and charitable.
Our district is very small, with not
It is conceled by Chinese of all classes that the cost of maintaining all the men under arms, estimated new to runder close upon two millions, is out of all pro porticu to the national revenue. Five more than two hundred villages. This years ago 60 per cent of the nationni. revenue was absorbed by the military summer the flood broke our dike and That proportion is considerable higher overflowed more than one hundred and to-day. Chinese of all classes will fur-
ther concede that the existing army is fifty villages. The peasants' houses were so unwieldly and so decentralised that it all devastated and practically nothing has is impossible to equip it properly, even
left in their Selds." Their poor condition according to Chinese standards, or to train it to efficiency. The question of is more tragic than any words can de disbandinent has therefore been one for years, and has inspired many scribe. This, I think, your officer haz claborate schemes, most of which appear reported, and it is not necessary for me to be sound and practical, but they never ren rench the stage of trial or exper
to repeat it any more.
vital
the base would he purely a national affair, and was not intended to influence international relations, Japan, therefore. must watch future developments. Regarding the American Mr. French chairman of the committee
Naval maneuvres, Viscount Kata said the responsible for framing the Naval Ap-American Government had fully ex- propriations Bill, strongly denied that plained to Tokyo the motives and cir unistanees of the manœuvres. Further, with a view to removing misunderstand- there had been any such suggestion.
Mr. Britten announced that he wouldings existing in certain sections of the The Transvaal team compiled 100, Ken-introduce a resolution which would force Japanese people it was posed that the nedy taking for '46 am Parker 4 for 33. Mr. Joel's side scored 330. Ernest Tyldes-
an investigation relative to the conditions Arian feet should visit Yokohama after the maneuvres, which proposal ley contributing 1-47.
of the American Navy.
Japan regretfully felt bound to decline.
The Premier reiterated that it was the for the simple reason that the
I. being the mayor of the district, is ars while publicly, proclaiming Governors Government's intention to with Great Britain and America respect-bandment make no attempt to cartment of the
their acceptance of the principle of is undoubtedly responsible for the inaunge- ing the solution of China's financial por into practice. Apparently the various
famine relieve.
Rut my hleus which must depend on
faction leaders in this country cannot faculty is limited and therefore there are unification
overcome their distrust of one another,
The Transvaal replied with 354, Deane Suntributing 115. Going in again, Mr. Joel's eleven compiled 117 for 2
HOME FOOTBALL.
QUP REPLAYS..
LONDON, December 18th. The Association Cup replays' resulted
as unter:-
Charlton lost to Queen's. Park Rangers, one goal to 2.
Barrow drew with Gillingham, one all, after extra time.
RUBBER RESTRICTION.,
PLEA
יי.
FOR RECONSIDERATION.
LATEST CABLES.
-U.S.-NAVAL -STRENGTH.
WASHINGTON, December 18th.
The House of Representatives has approved the provisions of the Navy Appropriations Bill which maintains the Navy at.$8,000 enlisted officers and men.
OBITUARY.
MR. JULIUS KARN.
SAN FRANCISCO, December 18th. The death has occurred of Mr. Julius Kahn, the chairman of the Military. Affairs Committes in the House of Repro-
C
“ ENGLISHMAN !! ON WISH
WYNNE.
sentatives. LONDON, December 15th, In the House of Commons, replying to a question by Mr. Owen as to whether he was aware that the British Chinese THE Chambers of Commerce and the Euro pean Chamber of Penang and Singapore had approached the Governor of the Straits Settlement regarding the need immediate review of the rubber restrictions position, the Colonial Secret ary, Mr. Ainery, expressed ignorance of this, but promised to ask the Governor for information and consider what action might be necessary,
for
OCCUPATION OF GERMANY, « PREPARING FOR EVACUATION,
to
Է.
of the country.
MANILA.. TRAGEDY.
en-operate
the re-
NOW KNOWN TO BE DUE TO A LANDSLIDE.
ANILA December 19th.
FILIPINO INDEPENDENCE.
REPORTED NOTE FROM LEAGUE OF NATIONS.
though hopes have been running high three things which I earnestly want to that Marshal Tuan Chi-jui's assumption do for the people bus cannot do without of the high office of Provisional Chief
Executive, to which he was so unanimous. your help.
ly invited, would secure the first condi- "Eirst, it is the famine relief of this tion for disbandment of superfuqus winter. Investigation has shown us that troops, namely, peace. Fighting on a many of the famine people are eating the The loss of life at Hickdock Island on
large scale has apparently cenged, but leaves and backs of the trees and still the 15th inst. is attributed to a land-alas, it must be recorded that the num many others are dying of starvation. side and not to the earthquake register- ber of troops is steadily increasing. When winter comics, after all the plants ed by local seismographs.-
Divisions belonging to defeated armies have become withered, even leaves of have been re-formed under new leaders, trees cannot be secured, and the condi while the recruiting of fresh soldiers is tion of the people then will be ten times pruceeding daily, Every the problem worse than it is now. Therefore, on be
day becomes increasingly difficult. Truly, the half of the people, I earnestly ask the outlook is gloomy, but there is one ray help of your organization to reheve and of hope which comes from the fervent and help the people. MANILA, December 19th. abiding faith of the Chinese themselves
"Secondly, it is the famine relief of The League of Nations is forwarding that they will eventually emerge from instructions to the Philippine Labour this period of trial and strife and again the harvest this autumn is extraordi the next spring. On account of the flood, The Calcutta Englishman, in its Bureau regarding the membership of the become a united nation. critique of the opening performance of litter in the League Labour Division. Since the foregoing was written the narily poor. The farmers practically got Wish Wynne and company in that city. The reported suggestion of the League Chief Executive has issued a Mandate nothing from their fields. Though some of the peasants have planted wheat after says:
officials that the Philippines should be- forbidding recruiting, and the measure
the food was over, the crop cannot be "Just for an instant we doubted and come an American mandate under the of respect, accorded this Government gathered until next summer. So, without were afraid. Not, of course, that Wish League is favourably received by Fili-order will indicate the degree of success the help of your association, the people Wynne-that incomparable and inimit pino politicians, who state that they will which Tuan Chi-jui's administration may will have nothing to live upon during the able artist in her own gear-could fail
deliver the goods," but whether attempt to bring the independence issue hope to achieve. If the prohibition be
before the Leagus.
effective it will have at least the merit spring Landon in the East possessed that
of preventing further aggravation of the
"Thirdly, it is the dike repairing-dike ap- preciation for the restrained effects, for
CHINA MINES CASE,
evil. The Mandate is conciliatory in, is the protector of people's lives. With the quiet mastery of those various types,
tone, yet firm. It reads:
out a strong e, people's lives are Lospon. December 18th. many of which are born within the sound
"Though the situation in the country, always exposed to danger. The Liu Kum. Questioned in the House of Lords re- of Bow bells, which that other London JUDGMENT FOR SIR C. KAVANACH.
has now become more or less settled, we. Dike of our district is about twenty-four LONDON, December 18th. still frequently hear of the recruiting of, miles long. Now, after many years with- garding the evacuation of Cologne, Mar- (in the West) has enjoyed for years, quess Curzon pointed out that it was an Calcutta has for so long been accustomed that
The Lord Chief Justice has given judg new troops which should be instantly put out repair, it has been broken at many rot concerning Allied issue,
Britain to
to broad, almost strident, effects
ment for Sir Charles Kavanagh for nder ban. The arrears of pay due to parts. The flood of this summer broke. alone, The Allies be satisfied that it
it gasped at
at the quietness with which
a part of about five hundred yards. Al the existing troops already amount to 20, balance of salary dus him, and a Germany was carrying out the military Wish Wynne took the stage and began declaration that he is not a shareholder enormous sums and, if fresh troops are these, both the old and the new broke conditions of the treaty.
enlisted, how can the Government pay portions, emergently need repair. the Allied Military man about town received his deserts. But in the plaintiff company, withe form of them? The recruiting of troops in time cording to the original size of the dike, the report
Hewart
for shares signed by Sir of war may be excused owing to unavoid-height ten yards, hase width twenty-five Kavanagh was obtained by Enable circumstance. But now, fighting xards, and top width fourteen yards, it ta уну the £1,750 now promised peace and tranquility, the whole dike. I have planned to hire the
troops
in the country should be reduced famine peeple to repair the dike, so that His Lordship expressed the opinion to the strength of normal times, so that we can both relieve them from starvation that the company committed a breach of the Government will not be financially and carry out the long needed dike - of agreement in connection with Sir embarrassed for their maintenance, while pair at the same time, with the same Charles Karanagh's visit to China, which the burden on the people will be lighten amount of money. But in our district, entitled him to corsider the contract reed. All those concerned should take which is already too poor, the money pudiated.
pole of the present Mandate and the cannot be collected, and you well know Ministry of War is hereby ordered to see that our Government will not give us any financial help either. I have asked your it duly enforced."
inspector to convey my difficulty to you. If you an the officers of your associa tion would be kind. enough to help us to accomplish our work, the people of the whole district would be much obliged to
"
When
mast
sotto
only for a moment.
*
costs.
As
further focs for himself." Marshal Lyau- Commission of Control, which the persis the hesitation was her first number Charles trick. Sir. Charles is therefore having ceased and the people having been needs an amount of 835,150 to repair the
ley, while taking the necessary precau- tionary measures, is hardly anxious. (Hoous)...
EARLIER CABLES. THE OPIUM CONFERENCE. INDIAN PROPOSED RESERVATION.
GENEVA, December 15th.
At the final sitting of the opium sub committee to-day, the Indian delegation submitted a statement for embodiment in the report to the effect that if it be intended ister to modify the conclusions of the sub-committee. and recommend to Conference the invertion of abe American proposals not modified in the the Indian delegation convention, thesertion of an additional require the paragraph in order to secure the admin- istrative constitutional position in India.
the
application Miss Wynne must have become convince ever blo
by, a demanded.
not.
"ה
VISIT
Before she had finished sent obstruction of Germany had de- laved, was received, the Allies would
that her second awfully great adven- discuss whether the First stage of evacu ation could be carried out. His Majesty'store"her voyage into Eastern sens Government had not the slightest desire was going to be every bit as successful to continue the occupation.
us that first "Great Adventure which transplanted her from the music-balls BRITISH BEET SUGAR temporarily to play the leading part in the original production at the Kingsway THE SUBSIDY APPROVED.
Arnold Bennett's masterpiece Londons Theatre of what many consider to be
Lospos, December 18th.
A message of December 12th stased: Whether she was the The House of Commons by 223 10:24 FE,
with her world-famous Er! Oh! The King's Bench is bearing an action Messrs. Humphrey, Denman and has adopted a money resolution to give
or the pathetically comic school by effect to the late Government's proposals girl who has spilt her father's dinner, or Company, Limited, which is in liquida as regards subsidising the beet sugar Pierrette, or the country girl who thinks tion, against Sir Charles Kavanagh, grown in Britain for the next ten years her boy somebow different from the claiming $1,750 as unpaid calls on two FRENCH ECONOMISTS TO
JAPAN. on a diminishing scale, and to reimpose others, Wish Wynne was the true artiste thousand shares in the company and the excise duty removed in 1822 throughout. Sometimes it was comedy, damages for alleged, branch of agree The company alleges that Bir
PARIS, December 19th. sometimes farce, sad sometimes there was pathos. But there was never any Charles Kavanagh accepted £250
According to Le Matin, a French forcing of the note, any exaggeration, salary and £500 as expenses on a trip economical delegation is due to visit ary" playing down to the gallery or up to to China to report on mines on which Japan; and will start for Tokyo in : the stalls Always it was a highly in the compary
haul an option. It is February or March.-(Havas).
ance. Wish
captured the heart Charles Kavanagh has now asked that of Calcutta last night as she has cap his name, be struck off the list of share tured the heart of every other city she holders on the ground that he was misled
visited." We
fraudulently by the are to see some fine supporting Enever, who was agent of the company, artistes when the Wish Wynne seson
in June last commences next Friday at the Theatre and was proceeded against The First Chamber has approved a Royal, in fact this attraction promisca
Sir Charles denied any breach of Bill, despite the combined opposition of to be the greatest aggregation of talënt
we have bad in Hongkong for years. agreement. He gave evidence of bis visit Japan. after the mapenvres, alas that symptoms three or four times a day the Left parties, providing for an all- round increase in the present five per The plans are at Moutrie's and early op beat. import duty to eight per cent. plication for seats is recommended.
4
Factories benefiting must pay the grow price, and probably seven-five per cent. of their machinery will have to be British mede.
It is estimated that the net cost of he sterling in the first year.
ma
34
The wording of the addition will the subsidy will be a quarter million 1shed and suprericly natural. performa; alleged that he failed in that duty, Sir
somewhat, as follows: The right
right is reserved by the Government expressly Governments of India to
and control, as heretofore. the production and distribution of raw opium within their territories in accordance with the pro- visions of the Hague Convention, pro vided always that no surplus be avail able for export, save inder the condi- tions expressly provided by the present *rrangement.***
HOLLAND'S INCREASED
IMPORT DUTIES,
THE HAGUE, December 18th:
year.
statements
to China being a fool's errand.]
(Oontinued on next Colum
JAPAN AND U.S.
UNFOUNDED
REPORTS.
SAYINGS OF A WEEK.
Every motor-ent "should carry with is & proper sense of responsibility for ite good behaviour.-Sir Herbert Austin.
A minor ambition of mine is to pass hole day without thinking an urkind thought about anybody.r, Aruola Bennett.
TOKYO, December 19th. This morning's press reports of the
In many cases the medicine bottle doen. Premier's statement relative to an offer from, America that a fleet should visit far more harm than good by suggesting Japan's refusal of the offer had been rather than suggesting their relief-
Profetor PE. Wynne, declared, are without foundation.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.