1926-02-27 — Page 7

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH, 1926

CABLE AND WIRELESS

NEWS.

(BRITISH WIRELESS SERVICE.] BRITISH AIR FORCE. ESTIMATES INTRODUCED BY SIR

WLS

SAMUEL HOARE.

RUGBY, February 23th.. In the House of Commons, Sir Samuel Hoare,, Secretary "for" Air.. Introduced the Air Estimates for the next financial year He said that these were not markedly different from those of last year. There a net addition of about half a million sterling. One of the chief factors is that reduction of the gross Estimates was a saving of nearly £350,000 in the cost of defence in Iraq and Palestine. Fe sulting partly from a visit which he bud paid to the Middle East a year ago, but still more from the efficiency of the Air Command under Vice-Marshal Sir John Higgins and the civil administration under Sir Henry Dobbs. The small net increase in the Estimates was explained by new developments and additional Squadrons recently formed. The increase might have been greater «bat, för rigid economies practiced.

He claimed that the balance had been she held not unsuccessfully between urgent need for air development and an insistent demand for public economy.

The four main requirements of the British Air Force were home defence Imperial defence, the air requirements of the Army and Navy, and, fourthly, the development of civil aviation and the task of helping the British people to be come a people of the air. The para mount duty was home defence, a duty recognized by successive Governments in sanctioning home defence force of of these squadrons were already formed fifty-two squadrons. To-day, twenty-five and three more would be added in the course of the financial year. Thus, while in 1922 there were only three squadrons available for home defence, at the end of

+

1997 there would be 28.

THE NEEDS OF TO-DAY.

We were to-day, setting aside Russia, the second greatest air power in the world, but were still in an inferiority of somewhat less than one to two as com

Bomewhat

than

Was

1

!

[THROUGH RESTER'S AGENCY:) MOST EFFICIENT FORCE IN THE WORLD LONDON, February 25th.

In the House of Commons, winding-up Sir Samuel Hoare promised to communi rate to the Premier the weighty arga- mants from all parts of the House in favour of a centralised Ministry of Des fence. In the dicaritime he hoped to toster the closest co-operation between the three Chiefs of Staf. He frankly claimed that the British Air Force was the most efficient in the world today flying twice the number of hours of any other, not excluding France, which had the biggest Air Force in the World. The Estimates were agreed to without a

the debate on the Air Forca Estimate,

division.

[DRITION. WIRELESS SERVICE] CLOSER CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN SERVICES

NEEDED.

(THROUGH REUTER'S`ADENOY. ] ·

LEAGUE, OF NATIONS.

CONSERVATIVE COMMONERS'

VIEWS.

OFFENSIVE TO MUSSOLINI.

BRITISHER'S IMPRISONMENT IN ITALY.

LONDON, February 95th:

LONDON, February 28th, #7 In the House of Commons, the Labour

Under Secretary was

"LOCAL RACING NOTES.

PROSPECTS BRIGHT FOR OPENING DAY OF ÄNNUAL MEETING.

[BY ARGUS ]

At the race-course, yesterday morning.

Sir Austen Chamberlain's speech Mr. T. Cape (Workington, Cum-little further light was thrown on the Birmingham has added anxiety to all the berland), asked whether the Foreign form of the ponies in training for the parties at Westminster in view of the William Ellison, a Britisher employed in day, but this morning's work may pro- aware that Mr. annual meeting, which opens on Mon-

forthcoming meeting, of the Council of the chemical industry, had been en-vide useful data. the League at Geneva, symptomatic with tenced in Florence to five month's im

which is the question noticed by the Comprisonment and a fine of £15 on a chargeable and trainers will give most of their servative, Sir William Lane Mitchell, who asked if it is the Government's policy to support the admission of Poland to the Council.

of using offensive words about Signor Mussolini; whether Mr. Ellison was de fended by counsel; and whether represen- tations to mitigate sentence could he made to the Italian authorities, seeing that this was

the first case since the passing of the new Italian Act..'

"The Conservative M.P., Capt. H. Dixbu, said Mr. Ellison was a reputable constituent of his.

The grass track will probably be avail.

charges the usual winding up gallops.

Despite the trade depression, prospects, for a good meeting are as bright as can be expected, provided the weather holds. The first race on each day is timed to start at noon. "The tin interval will be after the fourth event and the after anon's programme will commence at 3 o'clock.

Though it is possible that the Derby other events are sure to attract repre field will be smaller, than usual, the

Mr. Locker Lampson replied that his information was confined to press ausentative numbers. counts, but the Ambassador at Rome bad

Meanwhile a letter signed by six Con servative Commoners appears in the Times expressing the conviction that an addition of new permanent mamben, Rugar, February 28th. Before last night's debate on the ai: except Germany, without more mature estimates began, the Prime Minister, inconsideration than has yet been por answer to Mr. J. Ramsay Macdonald, sible, would be unjustifiable to the signi¦ said that in accordance with the policy tories, and strongly deprecates forcing a of successive administrations, the Gov-hasty decision on this vital issue, and been instructed to furnish a report, erament had no intention of re-opening also asks the Government, without pFRAUDULENT BANKRUPTCY!" the question of maintaining a separate air arm and air ministry. The Govern- ment decided to pursue the organisation of imperial defence on the existing basis of three co-equal services `riz, Navy, Army, and Air Force.

judice, that apart from any action, it takes in September," to oppose discussion at the March meeting.

The feeling abroad on the subject is reflected in the fact that the Chinese Gar.

Mr. Baldwin added that they were con-ernment has indicated in various Earo vinced that the way to secure higher ropean Capitals that they intend to apply ordination in defence machinery in the for a permanent sent on the Council interests of efficiency and economy lay the question of new members, besides in, combined action between all three through the machinery of a committee of Germany, is raised at the March, meet all.

ing.

.:

While Norway also has officially inti mated the view that only the German candidature should then be dealt with Madrid's Foreign Minister, writing to

In a subsequent debate the question. was again raised by speakers on both sides of the house, and the suggestion that the Air Ministry should be merged within a new ministry of defence was advanced. The Air Minister. Sir Sammel the newspaper Lanacion, while support Hoare, conveyed to the Cabinet arguing Germany's candidature, emphasises menta advanced in support of bis pro- Spain's

in's intention to pursue the applica posal, and remarked that it was obvious tion for a permanent seat, which dates the from debate that here was a growing feeling on all sides that there ought to be much closer co-ordination between the three services that existed at present. He believed that the best line of advance" was to ensure that every great question of defence and strategý should first of all be considered by the chiefs of staffs collectively. »

pared with the total strength of our dearest neighbour. Sir Samuel emphasis ed the vulnerability of this country to uir attack and said there was to-day no question of under-rating this weakness ur of scrapping our programme for deal ing with it Our programme of home defrace accepted by Government; after Government remained intact. The only Referring to the proposal that there. question was whether we were justified should be an imperial conference for in spreading the expenditure over

discussing air questions common to the longer period .originally intended. This had been a Empire as a whole, he said he would difficult question for the Government certainly bring up the question of air to decide. On one hand, there was the policy at the October meeting of the Im- urgent need to build up, as quickly as possible, adequate home defence.. On perial Conference, and would see, that the other hand there was the urgent need air questions had a prominent place. He to avoid a heavy rise in the estimates of depied that the ground personnel of the ney department. In addition there was. the new phase of international politics Air Force was in excess of flying per- ercated by the signing of the Locarssonnel, and stated that the proportion Treaty. The past against aggression, of qualified pilota in Aying training was signed by the Western Powers, must at the very lowest estimate make less like larger than that of. any other country, possibility of war during the next few and the Air Force had to it's credit twice years and to that extent justified a more alow process of the completion of a de fence programme. The Government had BRITISH INDUSTRIES' FAIR. weight ponclusion that on the onlance, THE LONDON TIMES" COMMENT it was fustifiable to spread the expense over a longer period, at the same, time holding themselves perfectly free to speed up the completion of the pro. gramme if the international situation was contrary to present opinions and neces- sitated it.

these considerations and care

He thought that from certain view points a short period "for consolidating the position and perfecting the air struc ture, would not be regretted.

as many Aying hours.

RUGBY, February 28th

The business done in sections of the

British Industries Fair at Londen and Birmingham is reported by the Times, at having been extremely large. The Times says the results generally indicate the decided movement in the direction of improved trade. The outstanding feature has been the number of inquiries and orders placed by representatives of dis- tributing houses overseas and the attend ance of visitors has greatly exceeded anticipation.

The journal adds: “There are very few countries that have not been represented by buyers. The visitors have come from the Dominions, all parts of Europe, the United States and South America, Busi- ness houses in China and Japan have sent their representatives, as well as firma in Russia, the Philippines and Iceland.

The result has been the opening of many new avenues for business in difer- The British eat parts of the world.

I

from 1999,"

BRITISH AIRMAN.

NOW ON HIS WAY HOME"

CAPSTOWN, February 28th. Alan Cobham has started on his retu flight to England

FRANCO-RUSSIAN · DEBT.

OPENING OF CONFERENCE IN PARIS.

**

PARIS, February 25th.

SEQUEL TO BELGIAN BANK FAILURE.

ANTWERP, February 25th. Four members of the staff of the Ban- que du Credit Foncier, of Antwerp, have been arrested in connection with a aus- pension of payment. The deitit is esti- hated at forty million franes. The Bank has one hundred branches, and it pro- posses a composition of forty per cent. to creditors

LATED.

Two further arrests have been, made in connection with the Credit Fencies. One is alleged to be a fraudulent debtor for thirty-two million franes and the other an employee of the Bank.,

The tribunal of Commerce has rejected the Bank's petition for a composition which will declare" a fraudulent bank ruptcy.

BELGIAN TRAGEDY.

As regards riders, the services of the following will be available-Mr, E. A. Brodie (Taggart's), Mr. A. W. Buck, Mr. A. N. Dallas (Dunbar and Stanton), Mr. 1. W. Doyle (Dryasdust's), Mr. V. H. Haimovitch (Rod's and Dynasty's). Mr. H. Maitland (John Peel), Messrs, E. R. Moller and E. McBain (Sir Paul's), Mr. M. M. Sokoloff (Tocg and Priestley), "Mr. G. W. Sewell (Taggart), Mr. W. T Stanton (Stanton and Dunbar), fr. da fellow, Mr. H. Seth, Mr. HM. Roza, Mr. E. Reidy, Mr. W. G. Good-

Nemazee, Lt. Cur. Thompson (Dyer and Beith). Mr. Cobbold. Mr. Peat, Cast. Hall, Mr. Dangerfield. Mr. Sugden, Mr. W, Dupree (Mr. and Mrs. Paterson and Dryasdust) and Mr. A. Gordon.

COLONIAL, AIMS OF GERMANY. POLICY AFTER ENTERING THE

LEAGUE...

.[BY. "' VHE TIMES BERLIN CORRESPONDENT.

BERLIN, January 17th. The German Association of Colonial Societies at its recent meeting oalled to decide upon the policy to be pursued with reference entry into the League of Nations, pasted a resolu tion demanding the return of all the German colonies as property stolen from Germany in defiance of right. It decid- ed to request the Government to convey this demand to Germany's former op- ponents and to make Germany's entry Into the League conditional upon the guarantees being forthcoming for its Zulfilment.

The somewhat peremptory "wording of the resolution does not accurately repre- sent the real attitude of the association. By very many semi-political bodies the pending entry into the League is applied

lever for making extravagant de mands, and if all the resolutions of this kind were taken at their face value the price of Germany's entry would be high indeed. But the German Association of Colonial Socioties also drew up a number of conditions of a much milder character,. such as freedom of trade and shipping, the right of settlement in all colonies, the removal of disabilities imposed upon Germans, the reversal of decrees dealing with former German properties, " and mandates for the Cameroons and Togo.

It is evident that the association not expect even these demands to bo effective, since it passed a further resolu tion to the effect that should Germany enter the League unconditionally, ex- plicit instructions must be given by the Government to the German representa- tive at-Geneva for the future attitude of Germany towards colonial questions. These instructions, which are of a very detailed character, may be presumed to represent much more nearly the real

policy of the association. Briedy they

are as follows:-

(1) The mandate system must be re- tained so long as Germany's colonies are not returned to her. For this purpose" it is necessary that Germany should have a permanent seat on the Council, so as to oppose with effect the annexation policy of the mandatories.

ΤΗΣ OLD PONIES, There will be fewer "old" ponies than in former years, chiefly an account of Just year's subscription griffins baving beem an exceptionally poor lot. The

aid ponies entered are: Grey Knight, ... all protectorates with the exception (2) Recognition that all B mandates, Grey Streak, Gymp. Local Option, of South-West Africa, New Guinea, and Christmas Eve; Saracea, Gypsy Love, Samoa, form a complete administrative Golden Chrysanthemum, Prince Regent, uren and are not part of the territory Chicago, Wimmera, Grey Morn, Blotting of another State.. Paper, Rothesay, Loch Rannoch, Spotted (3) These protectorates must not be Sand, King of Hearts, King of the united to foreign colonies for adminis Plains, Saligia September, The Regent,trative purposes. Mystic Dahlia, Dictator Dahlia. The Critic, Arabian Parrot, Persian Parrot, Duke of Frisco, Beldorney Star, Demon Boy. Hailsham, Strathallan and Kago shima.

Of the foregoing, probably seven will EX MINISTER'S WIFE. EXPIRES IN not face the starter. The chances of the

remainder will be discussed in my notes. CONVENT CHAPEL.

on Monday, when my final selections will be pubished.

BRUSHELS, February 25th. Overcome with emotion at the .cere- mony of her daughter taking the veil at Douvres, near Caen, Madame. Vandevy- vére collapsed on we floor of the Convent Chapel and died immediately. She was accompanied by her husband, who yester day severed a long connection with the Belgian Cabinet, resigning from the M. Briand opened the Franco-Russian Ministry of Agriculture. His departure was widely regretted because he was & Debt Conference at the Quai" D'Orsayable link between the Conservative He insisted at the outset that the Cos and Democratic sections of the Catholic ference implied a solemn undertaking by group and contributed to the stability of the parties represented to adhere to the principle of non-intervention."

M. Demonzie, the head of the French

delegation, said the latter did not aban

don the defence of the rights of small

French holders of Russian bonus, but was ready to discuss the method of liquidating past liabilities. He added that France hoped for a speedy develop ment of private trade between the two countries.

M. Rakovaky said the difference in the institutions and laws of the two cour tries did not render impossible solutions. reconciling their interests. He desired. to find a solution satisfactory to small bondholders.

LOCARNO AGREEMENTS. HEATED DISCUSSION IN THE FRENCH CHAMBER.

Plats, February 25th. The Chamber of Deputies' debate, on the Locarno agreements was appropriate marked by most friendly utterances towards Britain.

several Governments in times of crisis.

AMERICAN TORNADO.

SEVERAL KILLED AND HOUSES. WRECKED.

i

MEMPHIS, February 25th. At least six were killed and many in- jured by a tornado sweeping over the night. The destruction of property is Mississippi River from Arkansas last heavy and 25 houses were wrecked near the path of the storm, which passed over Greenville, Mississippi Plantations in Tennessee and Kentucky, were severely damaged.

FRENCH "AIR TRAGEDY.

INSTIGATORS. OF “STUNT.” TO BE- CHARGED.

PARIB, February 25th. An enquiry has been opened to dis- cover the persons who encouraged the airman M. Leon Collot to make his fatal atant of flying under 'Eiffel Tower, They will be charged with manslaughter.

AUSTRALIAN BUSH FIRES. VILLAGERS ESCAPE FROM THE

FLAMES.

·· ́ IMPERIAL "CONFERENCE.

MEETING ARRANGED FOR OCTOBER

LONDON, February 25th.

In the House of Commons, Mr. Stanley Baldwin announced that a meeting of the Imperial Conference has been arroge for October. It is hoped that all Demi- ion's Prime Ministers and also a repre- scatative of India will be present.

FOOTBALL AT HOME. SECOND AND THIRD LEAGUE RESULTS.

LONDON, February 25th Playing in the Second Division, Swan- sex defeated Blackpool by six goals to

one.

In the Third Division, (Southern), Queen's Park Rangers lost to Aberdare Millwall by one to nil; and Chariton and by one goal to three; Newport bent Watford played a draw of one goal each. In the Third Division (Northern), Grimsby defeated Barlow by four tó nil.

TENNIS IN AMERICA. LACOSTES SENSATIONAL' WIN OVER TILDEN.

NEW YORK, February 25th. Lacoste sensationally defeated Tilden in the opening match of the Franco- American team contest the score being 6/4, 8/0; 6/ä

Tilden sustained his second defent this week at the hands of visiting Frenchmen through his own erratic play, which left him no counter against Lacoste's cool and calculating tactics and deadly accurate placements. It Was a baseline duel MELBOURNE, February 25th. throughout with the service the dominat In connection with the hush fires, n number of villagers who were surrounding factor. Lacoste was out-driving and M. Boncour, in opening the proceeded by Aames for six hours, were even frequently out-generalled the American.

THE DEFEAT Ór BOBOTRA.

LATER ings, drew applause from all sides by tually reseped thanks to a providential change in the wind. There were no

Richards defeated Borotra by 6/4, 4/8, reminiscently declaring that in the event casualties, though many properties in the of the violation of a neutrality guaran Kinglake and Healesville districts have 8/4, 6/2/

been destroyed and many inhabitants had teed by Britain the latter intervened most darrow escapes. with unsuspected forces.

LONDON-BOMBAY AIR ROUTE

he Sir

said Samuel, continuing, proposed to take definite and practical steps to help the aircraft industry to obtain markets abroad. The Air Minis try regulations had in the past made it impossible for arms to sell abroad any but practically obsolescent types. It was now possible to considerably relax these regulations. A substantizi advantage should accrue to the British Aircraft, in- dustry if its machines and engines, than which there were no better in the world,

Dominions have been prominent in tradly could and large markets abroad.

Turning to the important questioning operations, and in apite of the tariff of Empire air routes, he said that duties, British goods have appealed sue- an aeroplane service from Egypt to cessfully to the representatives of Ameri- Karachi, in India, would actually start can houses." next year, with the most up-to-date three engined machines, saving hve days, as compared with existing methods of transport. He believed that once this first step was taken, an 'extension would spring up and step by step, an air fine would be created between London and

RUGBY, February 28th. Bombay. The Ministry looked forward

The Committee on national debt and also to substantial advantage being made taxation, under the Chairmanship of with the programme, of airships daring Lord Colwyn, which was appointed two the next twelve months. This was of years ago, completed the taking of vital importance for Empire communica evidence in December and is now engaged tions and defence, and, in his view, air in drawing up a comprehensive report. ships during the next twelve months. This was of vital importance for Empire communications and defence, and, in his View, airships should before the normal life of the present Parliament came to end; have brought London and Bombay nearer together than were London and Edinburgh a century ago.

Th conclusion, Bir Samuel dwelt upon what he declared to be the most im portant objective of the Air Ministry, namely, the expansion of air knowledge and sir practice among the people.

·NATIONAL · DEBT.

COMMITTEE'S REPORT NOW

-BEING PREPARED.

OBITUARY.

DEATH OF SIR FRANCIS, LLOYD,

Roosy, February 20th. The death occurred this morning at the age of 73, after a long illness, of General Sir Francis Lloyd. The deceased had a distinguished military career. During the war he commanded the London district, and was afterwards food commissioner lefor, London and home" counties.

Discordant strings were harped by the Communist, M. Cachin, who spoke of the imperialist British policy of a group of uro Colonel Fabay who, critic of European nations against the Bovies, ed the lack of precision in defining Britain's obligations. He said the agree ment was full of loophole

M. Briand jumped up and warmly asked that when a country like Britain had placed all her sea, land and air forces at the service of a cause, did that mean nothing. He added that the agre meat assures that Britain will stand by France like Italy, Creche Slovakia and Poland. If we had that in 1914 should not have had waT,

The debate was adjourned..

JE

FLOUR MILLS, BLAZE. BIG FIRES, IN AUSTRALIA,” ́

For MELBOURNE, February 25th.

rock of damage has been done by big in addition to the bush fires £1,000,000 conflagrations. One was at Sunshine Victoria, where the Darling Flour Mills wheat stacka, valued at £250,000, ware destroyed and the other was at some sugar works in North Adelaide, where the plant and a big stock were consumed, The damage was 2750,000,

[REUTEL'S AMERICAN SERVICE] COAL STRIKE SETTLEMENT. MANY DEALERS NOW FACED WITH BANKRUPTCY.

The New York Times says that one

NEW YORK, February 25th. result of the settlement of the anthracite coal strike is that many coal dealers are faced with bankruptcy in consequence of the sensational decline in price of hard coal substitutes, of which they had stock ed 700,000 tons. There are also 12,000 trucks of soft coal and coke in the rail way yards and, with the bottom out of the market, the railways fear the trucks will be tied up indefinitely, making it EREST, February 26th. impossible to remove anthracite from the The steamer Balton, which was repes, thereby causing the possible en cently on fire, has left for Amsterdam. "forced idleness of miners.

"THE STEAMER “BOLTON.”

(4) The same applies to finance and. Customa..

(6) Crown lands, railways, harbours, and public works are property of the protectorate and not of the mandatory. The League must regulate conditions with regard to works begun with the help of loans from third parties.

(6) The treatment of natives must: be in accordance with Article 22 of the League, Covenant. Recruiting in the protectoraten for foreign colonies must cense and recruits from the Cameroons and Togo must be repatriated. An in- ternational commission should be ap pointed by the League to watch over these.

(7) The natives must have the right to petition the League directly and the re- plies need not necessarily be through the mandatory.

(8) German trade must be placed on a footing of equality in all colonies,. especially in the former German pro tectorates.

The associatica..was unable to decide whether Germany should demand a man- date immediately in view of the prevail- ing conditions,

An increasing interest is being taken in colonial questions in Germany and especially in the future of the former German colonies. Some 18 months ago Herr Schacht, the President of the Reichsbank, proposed an international monopoly company as the best method of approach. The idea was favourably re- ceived in colonial circles, and one of the should be examined by experts on these leading societies recommended that it.

reason to believe that a scheme on lines has made some initial progress.

SERUM FOR TUBERCULOSIS.

AUSTRALIAN TESTS.

Sir Neville Howse, Minister for Health at Melbourne, announces that, by arrabgement with the Commonwealth Department of Health, Dr. Smallpage, of Sydney. will experiment with anti- toxin for tuberculosis, which he claims. is successful. The Government has invit ed Dr. Smallpage to use the department's serum laboratories.

The method adopted was the utilisation of an extract of the spleen for digestion by the living tubercle... bacilli. This digestion resulted in the production of endotoxin, which, upon injection into a horse, stimulated the cells of the animal to the production of an antitoxin. Dr. Smallpage has used this antitoxin in cases of human tuberculosis. No pre- vious attempt has been made to use this particular method. Altough the re- aults are encouraging, the department. pussesses - Do evidence to enable the formation of an estimate na to,reliability. It is therefore proposed to test a series of cases, carefully selected and observed for a sufficient period. The selection of the test cases will be made by specialista Dr. Smallpage is now engaged in the various stages of the prepara tion of the serum. Departmental officers Dr. Smallpage has agreed to trans will conduct independent experiments. fer to the Commonwealth uncondi tionally the use within the Common- wealth of all rights in his process. It is not intended to make the serum available until the tests have been completed pro- bably in three to six months.

The Government has assisted the er periments by providing a number of horses for the purpose of inoculation to enable sufficient serum to be supplied to meet all cases requiring treatment in the Commonwealth if the experiments prove Buccessful..