1930-04-04 — Page 9

"T

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 1930.

THE RUSSIAN ATTITUDE TO RELIGION, NAVAL CONFERENCE AMERICA'S CENSUS. DISASTER ÄVERTED.

PERSECUTION AND PROPAGANDA.

RENEWED DISCUSSION IN HOUSE

OF LORDS.

(THROUGH DEUTER'S AGENCY.]

LONDON, April

themselves to make use of the Church. Why should this ·13- animity of protest be found now, when, so far as we have been able In the House of Lords to-day the to discover, the acts against hich Archbishop of Canterbury drew at it is directed are neither more fre- tention to the oppression of reliquent nor more shocking than they gion in Russia, and said that he

were some years ago The Russian had done his best independently to newspapers, which show no regret 'ascertain the Incts. He was con-

at the existence of such a muvement fident that he would be able to of protest, but give publicity to it, prove that an elaborate system of believe that it is stimulated by persistent oppression of religion those who, disheartened by the re- was being continued in Russia. He sumption of Russia's relations with had received reports of the sentene: England, wish to bring about a ing last year of 71 persons to be

rupture of her relations with shot and 112 to be imprisoned from France. It is impossible not to two years to a decade.

observe that prominent anti-Bol- The Archbishop repudiated the shevik Russians and their friends idea that criticism of the Sovici

in both the British and French Government implied a threat of Press have been more active than. war and suggested that the British sunl. Allied intervention in Rus- Government should bring the fol-in ought to have taught us oner lowing points to the notice of the for all to be at least as mistrustful Russian representative in Greator White Russian propaganda A Britain :-

of Red.

(1) Equality of civil rights for religious servants and other citizens. (2) Opportunity for workmen to observe Sundays and holidays in the five-day week

(3) To allow the printing and circulating of books of religious in- struction,

state-

Disputed Okargas. Some of the statements made by those who are leading the movement of protest seem to provoke con- tradictions of a disquieting kind. For example, a dignitary of the English Church referred to ments in certain numbers of the Russian Pravda. We have no means of knowing if he is a Russian scholar, but it was decidedly dis- turbing to read a letter a day or two later from a correspondent who had read these numbers of the Russian newspaper denying that Support of Religious Liberty..

the statements appeared in them Lord Farmoor, replying, said and stating that he was prepared. that he could not accept the whole to meet the Churchman, and to go

(4.) The removal of restrictions on the group teaching of children.

(3.) The release of religious ser vant languishing in prison in the Arctic. zone.

(6.) The cessation of the general closing of churches.

PLENARY SESSION

POSTPONED.

JAPAN ACCEPTS PROPOSALS

UNTIL 1936...

(THROUK RECTER'S AGENCY,)

LONDON, April 2

ELABORATE QUESTIONNAIRE. { AMMUNITION FACTORY FIRE,

SPECIAL: ATTENTION GIVEN | GOOD WORK BY SOLDIERS.

TO UNEMPLOYED,

[REUTER'S AMERICAN SERVICE]

ever

WASHINGTON, April 3. An army of 21,000 officiald is con- ducting the censis, which is intend A Naval Conference communiqueed to be the most complete tabula states that Admiral Wakatsuki announced at a meeting of the tion of American citizens and their heads of the delegations that the

economic conditions

accom- Japanese Government's reply on

plished. the British, American and Japanese ceived. He stated that the Govern- compromise proposals had been re-

operating in promoting the success ment, being desirous of fully co- of the Conference, recommended the acceptance of the proposals

with

certain reservations, which still have to be discussed in detail: The Chairman, Mr. Ramany Mac Donald, stated that he and Mr. Stimson have already had the op portunity of expressing the deepest appreciation of the spirit and sub

atance of the, reply.

[TEKOUGH 'BRUTER'S AGENCY.}

POONA, April 3 A terrible disaster in the Kirku Arsenal area was narrowly averted when a fire, which broke out in the main magazine section of the am

munition factory, was, controlled

only with the size of the populathe 2nd Battalion of the Royal A long questionnaire will deal not after two hours of hard work by

unemployment, illiteracy; number tion but will include the amount of

of house owners and numerous

other queries, which it is expected will give important data on the farm problem.

Special streas is laid on unem ployment, and workers are asked how many weeks they have been at their present jóba; how many days they worked last week; how many weeks they were unemploy ed are they able to work, and are they seeking a job f

4,000,000

February

The plenary session, fixed for

The inclusion of such questions is April 4, has been postponed especially interesting in view of Mr. die owing to the progress of certain Green's aasertion that nearly (Anglo-French) conversations which

were unemployed last it is undesirable to interrupt at this stage and which might be

WASHINGTON, April, 2 affected by a public statement con- cerning them. The communique says that it is impossible to say whether the Conference will Enish

before Easter.

American Optimism.

LONDON, April 2

A particularly optimistic tone was found in the American delegation circles to-night, Mr. Stimaan told. American. varrespondents that "the situation has much improved since last week. I am much more

ment than I was then.'

Re-consideration in 1936.

LONDON, April 2 The Japanese Naval delegation has issued a statement confirming Japan's virtual" acceptance of the British and American proposals re- garding the ratios

ns between America and Japan.

of the picture painted by the Arch-through the newspapers with him.optimistic of a Five-Power agree bishop. The accuracy as regards Then, in a letter jointly signed by what was preacceding in Russia was a bishop and by a man who took beyond the scope of any Govern- an active part in this country in He did not agitating in favour of armed inter- nient to ascertain. doubt that there had been a terrible vention in Russia, we read that amount of religious persecution last the Communist Government has, year, but there was now an im without any reservations, declared They would use all its intention to "stamp out all re- provement. their influence in support of religion. A few days later there ligious liberty, but did not intend. comes an official statemeht from unless conditions attached to the Russia pointing out that tens of recognition of the Soviet were in-thousands of churches are function fringed, severing diplomatic re- ing in Russia (a fact confirmed by lations, or weakening the oppor our own correspondents) and insist tunity thereby afforded of influencing that religion is fought in ing religious conditions in Russia Russia by propaganda and not by -conditions now less terrible than the methods of the Inquisition. at any time in the past decade, Most disquieting of all is the ad Education was a purely internal mission that atrocities which are concern no outside Government could rightly act without;

Firstly, overwhelming proof of wrongs so grave that it became a concern of the whole of the civilis- ed world.

not recent atrocities. Some of the atrocities described are curious- ly like those which occur in Busstan historical romances dealing with the early, eighteenth century. It is extremely difficult hot to suspect Secondly, there must be certainty that we are once more being aut that intervention would not injected to propaganda' of the type crease the evil. If friendly re- that was too common during the lations were maintained there was war, and that, sincere as the move- a growing chance of influencing the ment of protest may be, it is being Soviet Government. He promised used, like many other gequine re- that the Archbishop of Canterbury's ligious movements before it, to, fur points should be enrefully considerther political ends of which it is ed by the Foreign Office, but he largely unconscious, declined to publish the communica- tions received from the British Ambassador. in Moscow.

What is Persecution?

"We are then led to ask ourselves what exactly do we mean by re- Lord Ponsonby's Reply.

ligious persecution. Preaching last Lord Ponsonby, replying to Lords Sunday in Peterborough Cathedral, Brentford, Buckmaster and New Canon A, F. Maskew said that he ton, did not question the accuracy imagined the average Englishman- of the Primate's statement, but, would continue to hold a candle if the question was to be kept out to the devil, as we have done when aide palities on the high plane of we obliged our own Sovereign to pure religion the House of Lords receive an ambassador from the was the wrong place in which to enemies of God.' Now, supposing discuss it. The overwhelming proof the law of our land prohibited demanded by Lord Parmoor was priests from using the pulpit for evidence of what the newspapers political purposes, and supposing used to call butchery." There that under that law Canon Maskew was no proof of that. He doubted were laid by the heels, would his whether the debate could do any imprisonment be properly described thing but harm; it would be hotly as religious persecution? In Russia resented by Russians indulging in the Church has been disestablished the damnable, intolerant, religious and, by robbery and other means persecution, but "we must give up of the kind employed in England any attempt to understand the and elsewhere during the wars of Soviet system or character."

religion, has been reduced to the The debate then ended..

beggary which has not always been The Need for a Sane Outlook. held to be a handicap to religion. In view of this renewed discus-It is little wonder that a great sion in Parliament of a matter "uzaber of Russian priests, are which concerns the domestic affairs moved by pretty strong resentment

LI

The atatement contains an im- portant reservation, namely, the assumption that the treaty to be concluded will remain in force until the end of 1936. After that Japan will be in a position to require an entire reconsideration of the whole problem.

IRISH POLITICS. MR. W. T. COSGRAVE RE-,

ELECTED PRESIDENT,

(THROUGH "REETER'S AGENCY.]

LONDON, April 2,

Mr. William T. Cosgrave has

A census of the population of the United States has been started. This is the first since 1930 when the population was 105,710,600.

The increase since, that time is estima- ated at 17,000,000. A long qués-. tionnaire is expected to collate more statistical information than ever before.

THE NEW PLANET.

DOUBTS OF ITS EXISTENCE.

[RECTER'S AMERICAN SERVICE]

WASHINGTON, April 2 The new planet, which was re- cently discovered by the Lowell Observatory in Arizona was the subject of a debate in the Senate The debate was especially to-day. in relation to the reports from Europe and eisewhere reflecting doubts of such a planet's existence.

Ordnance Corps. Ulster Rifles of the Indian Army

AUSTRALIA'S NEW

TAXES.

LUXURY IMPORTS

CURTAILED.

50 PER CENT. ON CLOTHING AND SPIRITS,

(THROUGH BEUTER'S AGENCY,)

CANBERRA, April 3. The Prime Minister, Mr. Scullin, announces drastic measures to cur tail luxury ports, some of which are prohibited, while others are rationed. A 50 per cent. supor

The origin of the fire is a mystax is imposed on others, including tely. It is rumoured that an at our spirits, matches, text, por tempt was made to blow up the goods, felt, furs, and clothing con- taining cotton, silk, artificial silk, or a mixture of wool and other An official enquiry is being held."

fbres. EXILES TO RETURN.

Arsenal.

On the ground that there are no

An Emergency Measure, Mr. Scullin has described his action as an."emergency" · mea- aure" to reduce imports, which

BATAVIA, April 3. longer any political objections to total ten millions annually. their returning home, the Govern- ment has decided to permit the nine pative Communista exiled from New Guinea, after the labour troubles in November 1920, to re- enter the country.

GANDHI AND SALT LAWS.

CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE TO

START ON APRIL 6.

[THROUGH REUTER'S ADENCY.)

BOMBAY, April 3. · Through his newspaper Foung Padin, Grandhi authorises the start- ing of Civil Disobedience against the Salt Laws on April 6.

MALAVIYA RESIGNS FROM ASSEMBLY,

SEQUEL TO. IMPERIAL PRE- FERENCE TARIFF BILL.

|THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.}

zré

New DELI, April 3. Professor MacMillan, the astro-

The nine Nationalists who nomer of Chicago University, said, resigning their seats in the Assem

About all we can say at present bly following the passage of the is that something is there.

Imperial Preference A resolution was moved that the Tariff Bill include Pandit' Malaviya, Provision f

new planet be named Icarus. who, in a long letter, says it is Officials of the Lowell Observatory interrupting a quarter of a century have issued

statement which of his participation in constitu- shows that the planet's course has tional activities owing to his con- been followed closely and its uo-viction that the Government is not tion is continuously along the trans prepared to work even the present Neptunian path.

reforms in a true spirit.

1

AMERICAN PATROL BOATS BUSY.

SEIZED.

been re-elected President of the ANOTHER BRITISH SCHOONER Irish Executive Council after the defeat of. De Valera by 93 votes to S4, and O'Connel (Labour) by 78

LATER.

votes to 13.

President Cosgrave was re-elected by 80 votes to e5.

TSHOTGR RETER'S AGENCY.].

BOSTON, April 2. British schooner, the

Another

The Irish Free State Govern. Aramay, was seized off the coast ment resigned following the Dail of Maine by a patrol boat and tow passing the second reading, by 68 cd to Boston Eight hundred cases votes to 64, of the Opposition (De of liquor were found on beard. The Valera) party's Bill to extend the crew has been arraigned at the operations of the Old Age Pensions Federal Court on charges of can Act, which the Government resisted spiracy and smuggling.

NEW YORK, April 2 on the ground that it would involve an additional cost of a quarter of The schooner Adam which was a million sterling annually.

chased ten miles before she sur The Government, of which Mr. | rendered, was sighted in the dark cd in 1923, and was the oldest in iately put to sea and was pursued Cosgrave was President, was formness off Sandy Hook. She immed

Europe.]

METROPOLITAN POLICE

SCANDAL.

SEVERAL OFFICERS

SUSPENDED."

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

LONDON, April. 2.

A sensation has been caused in

other police seandal being unearth-

ed involving uniformed officers Agaged in special dutice. Several of them have been suspended.

by a patrol boat, ignoring the latter's warning of blank shots, but shells across her bows .brought her to.

Five thousand cases of liquor wern found aboard. The spirits were contained in tins labelled olive oil, preserved fruits, etc. The authorities demanded bail of $500 from the skipper and 81,500 from each of the crew.

"ALIEN" SMUGGLING

BY PLANE.

ENDURANCE · FLIER 'ARRESTED.

[REUTER'S AMERICAN SERVICE]

NEW YORK, April 2.1 seated to Mesars. Mendell and The acroplane which was pre- Rinhart after their re-fuelling en- durance flight last year has been

in the plane, held in custody, by the Mexican Customs officials on the border of lower California on a charge of conspiring to smuggle Japanese into the country

of a foreign, country, those of against the Government which has Metropolitan Police circles accord- our readers who are interested in made them dependent for a live-ing to the Daily Chronicle, by an-

the alms of their congre- this controversy will find the follikood lowing article. from the Manchester gations. It is not surprising that Guardian most informative rend-some of them have tried to make difficulties for that Government, ing:--

There are several reasons why conscious though they must have many persons who believe in re-hern of the risks they were running. ligious and political toleration and We may admire their courage, but.

a good Christian can be a good cannot be suspected of holding re- we need not on that account per- volutionary views find it difficultade ourselves that their persecu Communist. For the same reason without serious misgiving to aption had other than political mo- they do their utmost to prevent prove of the present movement of tiyes. Our protest should be one potential Communists from becom~ confiscated, and Mendell, who was Protest against what is described against methods of political oping Christians Russia is the only as the Soviet persecution of repression, precisely as it would be country where Rationalist societies ligion. The chief of these reasons if the persons oppressed were en have the best wishes of the Govern is the knowledge that some of those gineers. The seizure of church pro ment. Their methods of parody, most active in stimulating this party is not religious persecution. caricature, and public mockery ore movement are men who have been No more is the melting down of shocking to those who believe that active in political hostility to the church bells, regretable though these

is. due towards. any We have only to sincere faith. But no genuinely re present Government of Russia and things may be. men who have expressed their dis remember Mr. John Bunyan's views ligious man can be afraid of them. like of the resumption of diploma of bell-ringing to perceive that bella Want he has to fear is the creation tic relations between that Govern and religion are not identical. of more excuses for. the Russian. ment and our own. The Bolshevik Christianity and Communism."

Government to identify religion with active counter-revolution. It revolution has lasted for a dozen

But there is a real struggle has only too often been given such years Why is it only now that the churches are moved to some against religion going on in Russia excuses, and there is grave danger thing like unanimity of protest to-day. The Communists admitted lest the alliance in protest between believe that trust, in the churches and those who are There is no evidence, that the Bol- aleviks are doing more now to dis-hereafter where all wrongs will anxious if not for intervention at courage religion in Jussin than be righted tends to lessen

least for another diplomatic rup- man's anxiety they have done in the past,

set things ture shall produce precisely that and it is difficult not to suspect that right here and now. For that rea- reaction to it. in Russia which persons whose interests are more son they are unable to believe that Christians in this country, would political, than religious have set (Continued at foot of next column), most deplore."

to

疵

reverence

means of an aeroplane.

PRINCE OF WALES.

SHOOTING TOUR TO END SOON.

[BRITISH WIRELESS SERVICE)

by

BUGBY, April It is officially announced at Cairo that the Prince of Wales will arrive there from Sudan by air on the 17th inst, and will embark on a P. & O. liner at Port Said on the

30th.

INDIAN BOYCOTT OF FOREIGN CLOTH.

TO START IMMEDIATELY.

[THROUGH BRUTER'S AGENCY.)

BOMBAY, April 2 The Bombay Coloured Printed Piecegonds Merebants' Association

JAPANESE FERRY DISASTER.

FORTY BODIES STILL MISSING,

THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

Torro. April 3, Among the victims in the Wakato Maru disaster were two Russians, while two Siberian girl dancers are reported to be among the missing.

Fifty-five bodies have been so far) recovered, forty-one are reported to be still missing.

REDS IN KWANGTUNG.

RABBLE NUMBERING ·2,000 CAPTURE NAMHUNG,

According to a Cantos report, the Reds under Chu Tak and Mo Chak Tung are again haunting Northern Kwangtung. It is reliably. reported that they have captured Namhung, at the extreme border of Northern Kwangtung.

YEN PROGRESSES.

ROLLING-STOCK COMMANDEERED.

NATIONALIST, TROOPS, EVACUATE TSINANFU..

(THNOÇÜN RAUTER'S AGENCY.]

SHANGHAI, April 3 According to plans, which are believed to have beea largely in-. financed by German, military ad- visers, the National Government forces are preparing to evacuate" Tsinanfu, falling back to strong prepared positions with a centre at Yenchowful

It is ohcially reported that four Locomotives Bad forty-three cars have been commandeered in Chihli province by the Shansi troops in- cluding eighteen cars from the Tientsin-Pukow Railway, eleven from the Peping-Hankow Railway, eleven from the Peping Mukden Railway and the remainder" from. other lines. The majority of them ("are being detained in, Tientsin.

The ordinary traffic of the North- ern section of the Ticatsin-Pukow Railway has been suspended owing to bepry transportation of rebel troops.

Yen's Army Advances. The Kuo Min News Agency re- ports that martial law has been declared at Tsinunfu,

A Shantung troops North of the Yellow River have been withdrawn to the South bazk

The Shansi troops have reached Wucheng, while Hobanese und' Shannai forces are reported to have occupied Tasoshow.

The families of General Hai Fu Chu's leading officere passed through Hauchowfu for Nanking.

TEN'S GUARANTEE TO PRO- TECT FOREIGNERS

Representatives of Marshal Yen.

The Red rabble, numbering more than 2.000, moved from Southern arrived at the Northern border of Kiangai to attack Kwangtung and the Province on the 1st inst. Their vanguard arrived at Namhung on that day to attack the city, but they soon retired in view of the Hai Shan, called at the various large body of garrison troops.Legations this morning and inform Their main body arrived the next ed them that Yen si Shan had day and attacked the city, which assumed the post of Commander- fell into their hands after some

brisk fighting. The Reds, are now in Chief of the forces and had de threatening to attack Chihing to clared a punitive expedition against the South of Namhung.

Mach anxiety is felt by the Can-Chiang Kai Shek. ton Government, which has receivtion to foreign life and property

Yen has guaranteed full protec ed telegrams from the magistrates and urged the Powers to refrain. 01 these two districts to the above from giving moral or material sup- effect. Telegraphic communication between Nachung and Canton has been suspended.

The Canton authorities are 'rush-

vaders.

port to one who has undermined the unification of China and brow- beaten the masses which would

NANKING, April 3. Chiang Kai Shek arrived here this evening.

has passed a resolution that ioning troops against the Red in prolong the chaotic conditions. of the present political situation in the country none of the members of the Association shall order, buy or sell any type of foreign cloth for three months.

The Managing Committee vas authorised to take action against any member of the Association who contravenes the resolution.. It is to come into operation immediately.

AERIAL SPEED RECORDS. NO BRITISH ATTEMPTS AT

PRESENTA,

PINGLO SWEPT BY FIRE.

200 BUILDINGS RAZED; HUNDRED HOMELESS.

BIG REAL ESTATE DEAL IN SHANCHAL

9 NANKING ROAD SOLD

FOR TLS. 600.000.

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

SHANGHAI, April 3, Considerable activities of real estate deala in Shanghai bave re cently been evidepeed,

It is reported from Wuchow that a very destructive fire swept the No. eity of Pingle last week when more than two hundred shops and resi dential houses were reduced to ashes. The outbreak originated in the Sai Kwan Theatre (which had suspended business) at 3.30 p.m. and the flames spread with oppal ling rapidity. The fire brigades soon arrived but little could be done, as the fire engined" were rather primitive. The blaze was In the House of Commons, the the evening. Two hundred build to the Aria Realty Company for not put out until eight o'clock in liquidation, No. 29 Nanking Road, Under Secretary for Air, Mr.ings were destroyed and 30 people Tls. 600,000. Montague, stated, in reply to a lost their lives. Many have been The building may be used to question, that no farther attempts rendered homeless.

(BRITISH RELEAS SERVICE]

Rügay, April 2

The Intest sale being the pre- mises of the Chinese-American Bank of Commerce, which is in

The loss to house the American Oriental Bank-

and Raven Trust.

on the world's speed record were property is estimated at 8300,000. at present contemplated.

The fire was the worst ever ex High speed aircraft were being perienced in the city, which is now used for research purposes,

GERMAN POLITICS.

SOCIALIST MOTION DEFEATED.

(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

BERLIN, April 3. Socialist motion of non-confidence To-day the Reichstag rejected the in Herr Bruening's Ministry."

FRENCH OIL SCANDAL

SEVERAL DEPUTIES"

INVOLVED.

(THROUGH REUTER'S 'AGENCY,]

PARIS, April 2 Startling rumours are afloat in political circles following the ad- mission by the Premier, M. Tar- dien, to journalists that the Public Prosecutor will exhaustively inves tigate a big oil arandal, which, it in reported, involves several pro- minent Deputies.".

in a state of ruin. The General Chamber of Commerce and other organisations have wired other cities asking for relief for the victims.

WRECKED BY HURRICANE.

HEAVY LOSS OF LIFE WHEN SUN HOI SHAN SINKS,

BANDITS' RAID SEQUEL.

RANSOM OF $20,000 DEMANDED.

THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY, }

SHANGHAI, April 3. The China Inland Mission at Yuanshow has received a letter Press; there was a heavy loss of stating that his captors demand a

According to

from Mr. R. W. Porteous, who was the vernacular recently captured by brigands, life when the steam-launch Sun Ho ransom of $20,000 for his release. Shan capsized while on her voyage The prisoner's letter came with a from Toyshan to Suncheong... Chinese messenger.

The versel WAS always well patronized and was therefore often overloaded. This time, she carried as many as 80 or more passengers.

It was just at noon that hur ricane squall made its presence felt. At the height of the storm. the passengers hastily made for Two junks happened to pass by shelter and there was great con- and rendered relief. Through, the fusion. The vessel, listed to port bravo efforts of the crew, more than and went down' gradually. There 50 passengers were rescued. Thirty were loud cries of :* Fave life 1.0 passengers are believed to have Twelve lifeless, Goddess of Mercy!" from the been · drowned. women passengers and screams bodies were subsequently picked from the children.

up, most of them women and (Continued at foot of next column),, children.

The exact whereabouts of Mr. Porteous is unknown, but it is, be lieved somewhere not far from Yuanchow.