1935-03-21 — Page 9

INFERIORITY IN AIR STRENGTH

Mr. Churchill's Warning At Commons Debate

London, Mar, 19."

The feature of the debate on the Air Estirantes was Mr. Winston Churchill's address.

now

He bluntly asserted that, last November, Great Britain and Ger- many were virtually of equal air strength, but insisted that since then the British position had materially worsened relatively. Germany, he declared, possessed a minimum of six hun- dred first line combat aircraft.

It was possible, he said, that the addition to Germany's mighty fleet of military aeroplanes during 1935- 36 would total 1.500 machities

In this light, he charged, the British programme of construction was entirely inadequate.

"GRAVEST PERIL "We have entered into a period of gravest perly and are faced with something very like the possibility of a resumption of the war which ended in 1918," Mr. Churchill cried:

However, he still hoped and be leved that the danger of armed conflict in Europe might be averted. Replying for the Government, Sir Philip Sassoon, Under-Secretary for Air, said that according to the Government's latest information he had every reason to think that Great Britain was still stronger than Germany in the air.

He admitted that the situation had deteriorated to a certain ex- tent since last November, because there had been a greater accelera- tion of Germany's manufacture of aircraft. Nevertheless, he consider- ed that at the end of the year Britain would still have a British programme of defensive over the German air forces.

STILL HOPEFUL Sir Philip emphasised that the British programme of

defensive construction was capable of in- crease or decrease as emergencies required.

counts of the weakness of the British air forces and pointed out that only France and

Russia possessed a substantially greater first-line

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1935.

DISCONTENT IN FRENCH

MALTA

数

Measures Against

Italian Culture .

(Special to Hong Kong

- Daily Press"}

graphic

(B Telegraph, Copyright, Taie-

Mustagas Received. March 20. 70 p.m.)

Ordinance, 1894,

Malta, Mar. 20. The deep dissatisfaction caused

PROTEST NOTE

TO GERMANY

Matter To Be Referred To The League

(Special to the "Hong Kong Dally Press")

..." (By Telegraph, Copyright, Taia

strength. The United by the British Government's policy graphic ages Ordinance, 1894. States and Italy had only a small in Malta is expressed in a tele-Received March 30 p.m.) margin of superiority in numbers gram addressed by the Maltese of aircraft, and they had actually Nationalist Organisation to H, M.

Paris, Mar. 20. less qualified pilots on the active King George which, while convey-prevall in the Qual d'Orsay when Feverish activities continued. to

ing congratulations to the sover M. Laval twice received the Bri- eign on the occasion of the forth-tish Charge d'Affaires coming Silver

and put Jubilee, emphatically at the same

protests the finishing touches to the French against the measures taken

time note of protest against Germani

the British authorities in

by conscription which is to be ap- against Italian culture and an-to-day (Wednesday) and there- Malta proved by the Ministerial Council

after wired to Berlin. An agency

pages and is couched in "energetic" reports that the note covers two

tone and will be supported by irrefutable" moral and judicial arguments. The French Ambasca- dor to Berlin in handing in the note will make a verbal statement.

list than the Royal Air Force."

The machines at the disposal of the Royal Air Force were inferior to none in design and performance, but technical progress was so rapid that a strenuous re-equipment pro- gramme was necessary, in addition to an increase in the total numbers.guage. Sir Philip hoped it would be pos-, "sible in the future to shorten the time taken to bring new types into production.

BRITISH MAKES POPULAR

more than holding its own, and the The British aircraft industry was

31 per cent, Twenty-nine foreign value of its exports in 1934 rose by countries were using British aero planes, and 39 were using British aero engines. Meanwhile, the ex- pansion of the Royal Air Force necessitated. In the first place, ad- ditional stations and aerodromes, and this accounted for the greater proximately 3 million pounds on the increase part of

the last 1934 Estimates.

of

ap-

CIVIL AVIATION -- Dealing with civil aviation, Sir Philip. paid a tribute to the work of the Imperial Airways in 1934. The weight of some six million letters ent by air from Britain last year was 122 tons, an increase of 43 per cent. on the total for 1933.

In consequence the recent ten- year agreements with Italy and the provisional understanding which had been reached with France, Im- peria Airways planned soon to operate an inter-service through to Brindisi with small mall-carrying The Government had not aban-.

aircraft. A full service by large doned the hope of limitation of aircraft would be brought into armaments by general agreement, operation when the Company's fleet and did not consider that expan- had been augmented to make up sion or acceleration of aircraft for the heavy demands caused by construction was rendered finally recent duplication of Empire Ser-

necessary.

The situation was admittedly most anxious, he stated, and the Government was determined to see that no stone was left unturned when it came to planning for the adequate defence of the country and the Empire.- Reuter.

PROGRAMME DELAYED

London, Mar. 19. The Alr Estimates for 1935, totalling, $23,851,100 gross, and a small supplementary estimate of £200,000 for the current year, were introduced in the House of Com- mons co-day by the Under-Secre- tary of State for Alr, Sir Philip Sassoon. He said, that in the cause of peace the British Government had postponed for ten years past what had been declared minimum programme of air de- fence for the United Kingdom. British weakness in the air was a dagger to world peace, as well as to Britain hersel, and the Air Force could not be allowed to re- main fifth among the Air Powers In terms of first-line strength

as

At the same time, Sir Philip Sassoon refuted exaggerated ac-

SILVER JUBILEE BONFIRES

"His Majesty To Give The Signal

vices

BIG PRIZE - OFFERED

and Imperial Airways were con- The Alr Ministry, the Post Office tinuing to co-operate on a long- term policy aiming at quicker and more frequent services and the carriage of all first-class Empire malls by air without surcharge, The scheme would be in collabora tion with the Dominions, India and the Colonies and on the provision of two million pounds of fresh capital to extend the Imperial, Air- ways fleet.

Sir Philip stated that the Air Ministry were offering a £25,000 prize for the best medium-size com- mercial aeroplane produced by a British Arm, and were preparing to

construct two experimental machines with which they might eventually try for the high and distance records. He expressed optimism in regard to the progress of private flying in Britain, and said there were more private pilot licences current in the United Kingdom, in proportion to the population, than in the United States-

British Wireless.

NEW CABINET IN NORWAY

[Special to the "Hong Kong Dails Press" (Copyright).].

jesty to use his Influence to have The telegram requests His Ma

the Maltese constitution of 1921 restored which gives respect for Italian culture in Malta in con-

Transocean Kuo Min, formity with the treaties and other solema undertakings.

MUI TSAI QUESTION AT COMMONS

London. March 20. The mui tsai question figured in the House of Commons to- day at question time when Mr. HL Graham White (Labour) Inquired the terms of reference of the Commission of Inquiry appointed by the Governor of Hong Kong

The Secretary of State for the Colonies, Sir Philly Cun- liffe-Lister referred the ques- tioner to his previous answer on February 13 wherein he said that the Commission's re- port will be published, in due

course:

Mr. W. Lunn (Labour) sug- rested that the Commission Inquire into the system of inspection and registration carried on in Hong Kong and recommend more inspectors if the number is insufficient.

Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister re- piled that the Commission would have general direction not only to inquire into specific points but also the whole question. The Commission would have power to recom- mend an increase of inspecters if thought At-Reuter:

EX-SERVICE MEN

Prince Appeals For Employment

London, Mar. 20..

The Prince of Wales inaugurat- ed at Mansion House yesterday the "British Legion Employment Week," the object of which is to induce employers to take on, more unemployed ex-Service men.

Acording to "Petit Journal," the French note will refer to the in- fringement of human rights which Germany is said to have com- 'mitted by the unilateral renuncia- tion of the treaty signed by her. M. Laval all day on Tuesday was in constant telephonic touch with the British and Italian, Govern- ments.

In political circles, rumours are current that M. Laval plans hold- ing a joint Anglo-Italo and French conference which is to take place in Paris or Italy at which the at- titude of the Powers vis-a-vis the German move is to be defined. A definite decision has not as yet been "arrived at but as the papers point out, the conference of the three Powers is well within reach of possibility. This conference is to be held at this week-end prior to the trip to Berlin by "Sir John Simon and Mr. Eden.

MOSCOW INFORMED

Moscow, Mar. 20. The British Government, through Its Ambassador, Lord Chilton, has handed in to the Soviet Govern- ment a copy of the note the Bri- tish Government sent to the Ger- man Government on the subject of reintroduction of conscription by Germany- Transocean Kuo Min.

"

THREE-POWER PARLEY

Paris, March 20. M. Laval and the British Minis- ter, Mr. Ronald Campbell discuss- ed the question of exchange of views between Britain, France and Italy before the visit of Sir John Simon to Berlin. Agreement in the matter was reached in prin- caple but detalls have not yet been settled.

The meeting of the "representa- tives of the three Powers may be. held in Northem' Italy but it is more likely that the venue will be Faris. Mr. Anthony Eden will probably represent Britain

Reuter.

APPEAL TO LEAGUE

Paris, March 20. The Cabinet, has decided to refer Germany's

conscription decision immediately to the League of Na- tions- Reuter.

CONSULTATIONS HELD

London, Mar. 19.

Gordon's

SPECIAL

OLD TOM

NO COLOURING MATTER

NO INJURIOUS INGREDIENTS

WHITEST

The

PUREST

BEST

Largest Gin Distillers in the World

SPIRIT DERIVED FROM BRITISH COAL

Successful Results In

The R.A.F..

REDUCING ROAD CASUALTIES

Guard Rails In Camden Town

London, March 20.

London, March 20. The situation created by the

In view of the Government policy German Government's announce of assisting production of petrol ment of last Saturday of their in- from coal, interest" is attached to tention to introduce conscription, the statement by the Under- and by subsequent developments, Secretary of State for Air in the The speed limit of 30 miles per is likely to be fully discussed in the Commons last night that 9 squa- hour for motor vehicles on streets course of a" debate an foreign drons of the Royal Air Force were and roads and travelling in built- affairs which has been arranged now flying entirely and with up areas is officially considered to for Thursday in the House of Com-satisfactory results on spirit de- be working smoothly and the rived by low temperature carboni- Transport Minister yesterday ex- Sassoon also referred to the pro-response from motorists to his sation of British coal Bir Philip pressed "satisfaction at the

British compression ignition en- gress which was being made with gines and he drew attention to the fact that a world record altitude for an aeroplane fitted with a

Inons.

The British Government has not as yet made up its mind and France and Italy in consequence— so the "Oeuvre" reports are in dignant over Britain's "week Meanwhile, consultation between kneed" attitude. The same paper the British, French and Italian asserts that the French and Italian Governments continues through Governments on Tuesday night displomatic channels sent an identical note to England Simon received, a visit from the Sir John reminding the British Government French Ambassador, M. Corbin, this of the course of consultation stipu-morning and again in the after-heavy of engine was established by lated and urging that a conference noon. He also saw the Italian between the three nations be held. Ambassador, Signor Grändi, and

a British machine last May with M."Laval wound up his busy day Sir George

Clerk. British Am-British Wirdue.

a height of 28,000 feet.-

by receiving the Russian Ambassa-bassador at Paris, who is tempor- dor. Potemkin who discussed the arlly in London, while Mr. Eden re- Eastern Pact and Laval's project- ed trip to Moscow,- "ransocean Kuo Min.

ceived a call from the Russian Ambassador, M. Malsky- British Wimalca.

CABINET RESIGNATION

IN BELGIUM

Increases Currency Tension In Europe

[Special to the "Hong Kong Daily

da

Faris believes Belgium will fol- low the sterling group, and owing to the prospects of similar steps by Holland, another of the Gold Bloc nations, it is believed here: an unexpected chance to propose that President Roosevelt may have

world currency parley. about all gold currencies.

A nervous feeling is apparent

of the

Addressing a prominent gather- ing which included the Archbishop. of Canterbury, the Lord Mayor of

Press (Copyright).] London, the Labour Minister and

"Brussels, "Mar. 19. Admiral Lord Jellicoe, the Prince said he was not appealing for cabinet

The resignation of the Theunis money but wished to state a case raises the question of the utmost Tuesday afternoon for ex-Service 'mien to whose national gravity namely. patience, loyalty and fortitude inability of the Belgian

the hardships and dificulties he paldment to maintain the stability of Govern-

all that employers had done al-task to which the cabled devoted belga this afternoon suggests that a high tribute. He appreciated the Belga, this being the cardinal Official French support ready to absorb ex-Service men all efforts in the last few weeks. hopes of helping the Belgian cur- Oslo, Mar. 19. · but unfortunately there were still The new Norwegian Premier, many thousands out of work. He London, March 20.

In explaining the reason for rency to retain its normal level It is announced that His Majesty

Nygaardsvold who is the leader of hoped that these men would be the resignation, the Premier sald have not been abandoned entire- the King will himself give the Saturday with the formation of revival.

the Labour Party and entrusted on given their share of the economic on Tuesday that Belgium could 1- signal for lighting a chain of the Government

only remain on the gold standard-Reuter. bonfires which Boys Scouts are list of the proposed Cabinet to had lied. 46,000 vacancies and he assure the success of the work of submitted his Last year the British Legion if all parties pulled together to organising throughout Britain in the King on Tuesday. Besides the hoped with the assistance of economic reconstruction. The preparation for the Silver Jubilee. Fremiership, Nygaardsvold retains municipal and local authorities party spirit, however, got such a on May 6. By pressing an electric: the labour ministry while other and private employers of labour button in Buckingham Palace at posts are occupied as follows: Pro- there would be a big increase in 8.55 D.m., His Majesty will light &fessor Halvdan Koht,(foreign at this number in the present Juhi- beacon in Hyde Park, which will fairs), Adolf Indreboe (nance), Tee year serve as a signal for hundreds of Bergsvik (social policy), Hjeltveit

·British Wardles. bonfires scattered in every county (art

-British "Wireless.

and education), Madsen (commerce), Monsen (defence), Ystgaard (agriculture) and Ide (Justice).- Transocean Huo Min.

PASTORS RELEASED

Berlin, March 19. The authorities here have or dered the release of the 100 past tors of the Confessional Church who were taken into custody on Saturday night when it was learn ed that they intended to read from their pulpits, a proclamation against the neo-paganiam which was growing up in Germany.

No explanation is given as to the action of the police beyond that, nor is there any ground to believe that the opposition of the pastors has been broken and that they will cease to defend their principles because of their con- finement

Reuter

SILVER MARKET

(From Our Own Correspondent)

London, March 20

down 3/16 as follow

London Silver prices to-day were

March 19 March 20 Epot... 27-5/16 27-1/8

27-3/8 27-3/16

at 2 p.m. to-day was 4.7850 com- London on New York cross rate

pared with 4.79 at closing yester day

CONTINENTAL DEMAND Immediate repercussions follow-

London, March 10. ing the resignation of the Belgian grip on the nation and parliament Cabinet were felt here and result- that the national aims of supreme ed in the rapid improvement of importance were relegated to sterling in terms of dollars and secondary consideration. The francs, in view of the very heavy Government had taken all possi-Continental demand. ble provisional measures to pro- The news from Brussels un- tect the currency against those settled the Stock Exchange, owing who are trying to wreck it to feare of industrial competition stability and expressed the hope in the event of Belgium going off that the new cabinet will and the gold standard these adequate Transocean Kuo Min.

Reuter.

FRENCH SUPPORT

PROTECTION FOR GUILDER

Paris, March 19,

The Hague, Ms A Government Bill The resignation of the Belgian troduced, which Cabinet is attributed to the French econor

900 francs loan to Belgium and Europe decision not to grant a 4,000,000 the guilder

that adequate commercial conces- resignation alons are

EDITOR IN PROTECTIVE CUSTODY

(Special to the "Hong Kons

Daily Press"), «

(B) Telegraph, Copyright, Tele graphic Messages Ordinance. 180 Beceived, March 20, 7:30 pm.)

appeal for co-operation in en- fording the life-

A further innovation In the campaign for reducing traffe casualties in London was intro- duced yesterday when guard ralla to prevent uncontrolled "crossing of the street by pedestrians were Introduced at a dangerous road Junction in Camden Town. The object of the rails is to encourage pedestrians to use the safety lanes when crossing the roadway.

British Wirdess.

ing the journalistic propaganda methods adopted by the National- Socialist Party organisation in the districts of Cologne and Aachen, Cologne, Mar. 20. as well as behaving in a manner The editor of the Cologne Gaz-calculated to affect the prestiges ette. Dr. Schaefer has been taken and authority of the party. The into protective custody-recording statement adds that proceedings to a statement made by the po will be frstituted against Schae Hice auhorities, here on Wednes- fer, to cause his removal from the

charge of allegedly | Journalistic, profession.--- spreading false reports concern Fransocean Kuo Min.

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