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PESSIMISTIC OUTLOOK
FOR PEACE
Italian Conditions And Reservations
("Hong Kong Dally Press" Special)
Paris, March 5.
The prospects of the new conciliation proposal for a settle- ment of the Abyssinian war are considered extremely poor" by by their the papers here which publish' pessimistic forecasts
Although dip'amatle circles are certain Geneva correspondents. that the Negus will agree to a cessation of hostilitles for the time proposed. and although it is held possible that Italy will Agree in principle, it is feared that the Itaan answer will con- Lain so many conditions and reservations that the League will And it impossible to negotiate on such a basis.
Thus it is expected that Il Duce, by arguing that he cannot wil pressure. accept peace proposals while still under outside demand the lifting of the sanctions before agreeing to begin Nelther does anybody sincerely believe that Signor peace talks. Mussolini wit agree to any peace without territorial gains, while the Committee of Thirteen cannot recommend any annexations. In view of these 'self-evident; It is pointed out, however, that facts. the forthcoming talks be it will be very difficult to order tween Italy, Austria and Hungary. a truce, owing to the nature of the which are scheduled to take place, Ethiopian guerilla warfare, and it
is not believed that Italy will de from March 18th to 20
finitely guarantee to withdraw her the troops, in accordance with rules of the League Covenant. - Kauter's Bulletin Service.
are caus-
ing some anxiety in Geneva..as it I feared that. Ita.y will try to countries to persuade these two jala her if she leaves the League. The papers' Geneva correspond- ents are inclined to believe that such an attempt wou'd be quite likely to succed as far as Hungary belleved it 15 is concerned, but thai Austria wl not be persuad- ed. Teandrean News Service.
LEAGUE APPEAL
Addis Ababa, March 4 A telegram from the Secretary General of the League of Nations, M. Avenol, was received here, in- forming the Abyssinian Govern- ment of the decision of the Com- mittee of Thirteen, and calling on Abyssinia to suspend all hostili- tles against Italy in view of the being convoked for Commitice March
The Abyssinian Government is informed that the same request has been sent to Italy. It is not expected that the Negus will re- fuse, since he has already often declared that he is willing to con- sider peace proposals if they are acceptable.--
Transocrnu News ServRCE
:
ETHIOPIA ACCEPTS
tiations will be carried out within the framework of the League and in the spirit of the Covenant.- Reuter
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1936.
BRITISH ARMY ESTIMATES
New Machine Gun And Light Tank
has
London, March 5.
RUBBER MARKET NEW
CABINET FORMATION
Speculators Very Cautions
London, Mar. 5. Despite u brmer appearance this morning following the recent com- parative quietude, rubber is ex- pariencing some difficulty in clear- ing the seven and half penny hurdle which has hitherto proved almost as difficult to surmount as seven pence.
ה!
The Army estimates for 1936 amount to £49,291,000 showing an Increase of £5.731,000 over those of the previous year. of this sum £1,555,000 is provisiori on account of special measures taken in con-
It is pointed out that while now nection with the Italo-Abyssinian as in January, the outlook for the dispute. The estimates do not commodity is favourable, progress provide for acceleration and ex- has been slowed up by number of pension
of the Defence Services factors which combined to create contemplated in the Government's what some quarters describe as an recent White Paper
atmosphere of undue caution, the The Secretary for War says it chief of which has been the
create a persistent been decided to
fear spreading brigade mechanised mobilė
by Akron of labour trouble which
..resulted mechanising units of the present naturally
in falling orders in London. Horse Cavalry division and com- off of
the with them bining
Tank On the other hand it is believed Brigade and to reorganise the in- that American tyre manufactur- fantry into brigades of three rifle ers may find it necessary to make battalions and one machine gun up leeway following the settlement battalion
of the present difficulties.
Meanwhile the trade demand is mainly confined to small and "spot" and "nears" with specula- tors holding off. Apart from little proft-taking nevertheless holders have not shown any disposition to lower prices.
The increases in personnel of the army by 6.200 to 158.400 are due to development of air defence
coast of
defence modernisation garrisons of certain defended ports abroad and requirements of the Army on mobilisation.
MORE POWERFUL GUN As regards, anti-aircraft artillery, Addis Ababa, Mer. 5.
it is stated that experiments with Ethiopia
has accepted the
a more powerful gun are being League's "peace proposals without
conducted and equipment of the reservation and noting that nega-Territorial Army units for air de- fence is being pressed forward. the The normal distribution of
ré- principal units of the Army mains generally as in 1935 except or ITALY'S REPLY
that one additional battalion Rome. Mar. 4. infantry will be in Malaya and in Italy's reply to the Committee of consequence another battalion of he Foot Guards is included in the Thirteen's peace appeal will considered by the Council of Min-normal Infantry garrison of six
battalions in Egypt.. isters on March 7,
The Press
refraina at present from commenting, but unomictal circles are not enthusiastic and doubt whether Ethiopia is yet ready
Owing to the political situation abroad, certain temporary redis- tribution of troops has taken place. It is intended to proceed with con- artillery brigades into mechanised army field brigades equipped with two 4.5 inch howitzer batteries and one 18-pounder battery.
It is believed that this faith in the commodity's stability reflects the underlying optimism which should assist in eliminating un- necessarily violent auctuations.-
Router
RANADASTRA BAKAMIRANJE
SILVER MARKET
Lendon, March 5. London Silver prices to-day were down 1/8 as follow:-
March 4 March 5 ..19-3/16 19-1/16
18-15/16
Spot....
Forward...........19-1/16 -
to accept Italy's minimum terms, version of the remaining light AMERICAŃ NAVY
which will certainly not be less than those suggested by M. Pierre Laval and Sir Samuel Hoare, and which caused such a storm of in- dignation in British and French circles.. Reuters Bulletin Service.
The
ROME TO CONSIDER
Rome. March 4 Council of Ministers will meet on Saturday to consider the situation created by the decision of the Leauge of Nations, to bring about the end of the war in East Africa, and will arrive at a decl- bylon thercol
NEGUS MAY AGREE
Addis Ababa, Mar, 1. The Emperor of Ethiopia will probably agree to peace negotia- tions on the basis of the formula contained in the Committee of Thirteen's appeal to combatants, 1 is earned semi-oficially Reucr.
KING VISITS GLASGOW
Inspection Of Liner Queen Mary
London, Mar. 3. The King attended by Mr. Walter Runciman, President of the Board of Trade and the Secretary for Scotland travelled from London during the night and arrived this morning at Glasgow alighting at the station close to the shipyard where the giant Gunard-Walte Star liner Queen Mary is nearing completion.
The object of the visit was, to inspect the new liner and the Chairman of the Shipping Com- pany and representatives" of the builders were waiting to receive the King at the gangway. As His Ma- jesty walked aboard, the
Royal Standard was broken in the ship- vard, but this was only a sign that Royalty was in the yard.
At the King's express wish no formality was attached to the visit and the men.in the various parts of the yard continued their work. While the King was muking a tour of the vessel one of the great tur- bines of the Queen Mary was run- ning.
On the main bridge the Captain of the vessel, Sir Edgar Britten, was presented to His Majesty, and when he went into the engine rooms a number of workmen and, engineers were also presented and the King conversed with the men for a few minutes British Wireless.
ROUSING WELCOME
London, Max. 5: The King arrived in Glasgow this morning and aboard the liner Queen Mary in heavy rain: The work stopped for ten minutes on - his arrival and the workers greet
7unsocean Neue Service.
STRIKE OF LIFT
OPERATORS
Employers Reject Union Offers
New York, March 5. The conference to settle the Liftmen's strike has broken down. Mayor La Guardia said that be felt his efforts were exhausted and he laid the onus for the break- down on the employees. He said that the men's Union offered to arbitrale, but the employers re- Jected..all offers.
Tenants are now supporting the strikers by urging the granting of their demanda--- Reuter.
FALSE PASSPORT PLANT IN PARIS
Chinese Hotel Proprietor Among Arrests
A
Werc
Paris, March 5, police raid in the Chinese quarter unearthed an elaborate false prssport plant. Six personis arrested including Chen proprietor of Hotel King-te, Cheklang, who is alleged to have enabled hundreds
Chinese of expelled from France to remain at the price of a false Chinese pass- port costing £3- Reuter.
His Majesty explored the whole ship and consequently did not stay long in any one section. One set of engines were started for the benefit of the King, who was most interested in the engine rooms and ed him with a burst of loud cheer-work on the superstructure.
Revter's Bulletin Service ing.
Preparations for manufacture of a new Bron machine gun are now An anti-tank rifle has in hand. been adopted as the first line of defence against armoured fighting vehicles, The latest type of light a Success, tank having proved production will continue this year and new types of other models, and of armoured cars will shortly be available for experiment and trial. A new type of machine gun carrier has passed its experimental itials satisfactorily. British Wireless,
BELOW STRENGTH
London, Mar. 5. A memorandum accompanying the estimates says that the regu- lars will be 10,000 below strength beginning in the financial year and 16,000 will leave the colours dur- ing the year, hence 36,000 recruits will meet the shortage.
The strength of the Army Re- serve is expected to be 8,000.- Reuter.
"DEFENCE MEASURES IN
NEW ZEALAND
1:
Wellington, Mar. 5. In connection with Imperial Defences, the New Zealand Goy- erninent regarded the naval ex- pansion programme as too expen- sive and therefore is concentrating on enlarging the Air Force and co- operate with Australia in Domain- ions Defence.- Henter's Bulletin Service,
AUSTRALIA'S VIEWS
Canberra, Mar, 2. Mr. J. A Lyons, Premier of Aus- tralia, stated that the white paper on imperial defences have no great He effect on the Commonwealth added that a cut in taxes will not be considered at present, which mean that Austraila intends to spend more, on defences.
euter
NEW APPOINTMENT IN LONDON
Successor To Captain Douglas Hacking
י
ESPIONAGE
Suspected Theft Of
"Secrets
New York, March 5.
Hirota Accepts Premiership
Tokyo. March 5. The difficulties in forming a Cabinet with the refusal of Prince Konoye to accept the Premiership. after he had been twice summoned by the Emperor, have been ap- parently overcome as an Imperial order has gone out to the Foreign Minister, Mr. Koki Hirota., to form a Cabinet.
accepted Mr. Hirota has
the Premiership and is now busy in forming a Cabinet.
NEW FOREIGN MINISTER The Ambassador to Rome, Mr. Shigeru Yoshida. has been ap- pointed to the post of Foreign Minister vacated by Mr. Hirota- Heuter
||
LONDON WELCOME
London, March. 5. Although comment is guarded pending anal formation of the Government. · well- Japanese informed circles welcome the ap- pointment of Mr. Hirota, especia!-
ANNIHILATION OF RAS IMRU'S FORCES
Italian Description Of Tembien Battle
("Hong Kong Daily Press" Special)
Asmara, March 5. Further detalls concerning the battle of Shire region were received here which state that Ras Imiru's army has collapse com- pletely on the Takkaze River line. According to this information preparation for the annihilation of Ras Imru's forces of 30,000 men who have held the strongly fortified positions west of Aksum began on February 2. On February 29, the Second Army Corps commenced an advance from Selaklaka in a westerly direction, while the Fourth Corps, which included the cavalry detachments- of native troops and Blackshirts, crossed the Mareb River and be- gan to push forwards towards the South.
Despite the enemy's repeated attempts to check the Italian advance by precipatating attacks from the rear, the Second Corps reached their indicated positions. The enemy who had tried vainly to pierce the Italian lines was taken under terrific artillery and machine run fire, and suffered tremendous losses."
The Italiang beran a counter-attack on March 3, and the Abyssinians elected to retire, their retreat soon beginning to de- generate into a" disorganised bulk which crossed the "River Takkate as the Italian air planes took up the pursuit. Havoc was caused on the crossing. Meanwhile Italian foot soldiers also kept at the heels of the retreating forces.
of
The speedy retreat of the Abys sinians, however, prevented their the following the cold douche im being completely encircled, ported by Prince Konoye's refusal Fourth Corps having pressed for- which immediately caused Japan- ward through almost impassable
the Yoshida,
region Mr.
mountains ese loans to fall who is well remembered in London. Addiabe. Even though the Italian Imru's Ras is also welcomed.
planes annihilated The combined appointments are army, they did not entirely auc- ceed, but the army has been prac- regarded as a definite reassurance
tically eliminated from fighting.
"
In respect of Japanese policy especially towards Russia.
further
TWO PLANES LOST While the Abyssinian losses were very heavy. the Italian losses are stated, not to have exceeded 700 dead. Two air planes are stated
Fress comments since February 26 generally indicate that much will depend "abroad how the muti- neers are treated, Any excessive lealence would undoubtedly have a bad effect and many fears are to be missing. expressed that the incident may lead
renewed
pressure China.. Reuter
NEW DEFENCE SCHEME
Air Minister's Statement
The victory is Important, as it on ensured the water supply for the Fourth Corps which had marched
desert
of region through the Addlabe. The population of the occupied region imediately sub- mitted to their conquETOTS.---
·Transocean Fews Service."
London, Mar. 4. The suspected theft of valuable naval secrets and salo to foreign Referring, at a public meeting powers is being investigated by to-day, to the Government's new Federal Grand Jury officials who defence scheme, the Air Minister, are seeking an indictment against Lord Swinton, declared that Bri- a suspect on a charge of Impex- tain's great interest, as always, is sonating an able-bodied seaman. peace. The Foreign policy and Attempts are also being made to defence policy, he said, must go arrest a foreigner who is supposed together. "The Defence policy. to have bought information relat-uke the foreign polley, did not ing to equipment and feet inove- merely mean defence of vital in- ments during the Pacific terests, important as they were. It manoeuvres.
meant something more than that, The foreigner is reported to for it was insurance against war. have eluded the authorities and They wou'd only prevent war i crossed the Pacific.-
the forces of peace
strong
Reuters
enough to make war not worth while. "We must have means as well as will. It wih be costly, but the premium will he well worth paying for it is the premium of peace" The only way for Britalu WAS for it to get disarmament. to be strong enough and for other The world countries to know it.
never knew that Britain would use ber power for aggression.- British Waretesa.
GRAND NATIONAL SCRATCHING
London, Mar. "5, Tapinois has been scratched from the Grand National to be run on March 27-
Reuter.
were
British Ambulance Camp
Bombed At Quoram
Dessie, March 5.
An Italier bombing piane dropped forty large high explosive bomby on the British Ambulance camp near Quoram. None of the personnel was injured, but seven patients were killed. The plane circled ten times over the camp at a low altitude before. dropping the bombs, and the camp was clearly marked with a forty-foot Red Cross-Reuter.
I
COMMANDER KILLED
Rome, Mar. 5. The Commander of the 14th Bombing Squadron, Colonel Mur- tolini, has been killed as well as the three other occupants of his plane, in the course of an attack on the Abyssinians in the Tembien region, according to an official an nouncement made hère on Thurs- 4a7.m
"ransocean News Service.
HARD-FOUGHT BATTLE Rome, Mar. The battle against Ras Imru was one of the hardest-topght of the whole campaign in Ethiopia, saya an official communique Isyued by the Italian Army in East Africa to- day,
Troops of the Second Army Corps were forced to advance across the plains of Selaclaca and encounter- ed the most stubborn resistance The Ethiopians, employing the most modern methods of attacks, charged right up to the mobile bat- teries which fired into their ranks at point blank range, from only one hundred yards distance.
The
the Ethiopians resisted Italian assault for three days and were constantly subjected to heavy artillery fire. Finally they broke.
CHINA CONSCRIPTION
EXPLAINED
Nanking. Mar. 5.
High military authorities, inter- viewed by Reuter, denied the Chi-
and fled in panic, and their dis- orderly columna headed Takazze Ford. But the Italians were there before them.
Cross
As the fugitives endeavoured to the ford they met with a withering machine-gun fire and were simultaneously combed from the air.
The dead were piled up on the banks of the river six feet deep at some points..
Ras Imru fled in the direction of his cwn province, Gojami.
It is believed the Ethiopians Inst many thousands of dead in this engagement.
The Italians are now; advancing unhindered towards the frontiers of Temblen. Reuter.
ITALIAN CLAIM
Asmara, Mar. 4. It is no longer a battle but &' man-hunt," declared Marshal Badoglie, the Italian commander- in-chief in East Africa, when ask- ed his impression of the three- fold Italian victory, which the Higher Command prefers to re- zárd as one great battle, which lasted three weeks and eliminated' 100,000 Ethiopians from the areas of warfare.
He added that Ras Kassa, one of the most able of the Ethiopian commandera, had not only been It defeated but utterly smashed. was the first time in Ethiopia's history that arms and ammnunition - had been discarded on a scale so enormous.-
Heüler
ONLY JUST STARTING
Addis Ababa, Mar. 4. The war is only just startling," declared Emperor Haile Selassie, in the course of a message delivered to a monster meeting of Moslems
the occasion of a religioua, festival here.
on
"Ethiopians should not believe. what the Italians say about the victories they have won and the casualties they have indicted," the Emperor's message added
"If the Italians kiil two Ethio- plans they claim they have des troyed a whole division," he de- clared.- Heuter.
GERMAN-DANISH. TRADE AGREEMENT
("Hong Kong Daily Press" Special)
Copenhagen, Mar. 3. The ratification bill of the German-Danish
01 trade treaty
nese Government was contemplat- Į January 30, 1936, which passed the ing the enforcement of military Folketing on February 21, also conscription in the sense which passed the second and final test in.
the Landsting
Wednesday hat term generally implies.
It is true, they say, that the night," so that it becomes law-
Transocean News Service Government on March 1 adopted
a law providing for the compulsory military service at all abic-bodied men of suitable age, but the terms of the order make it clear that the nature of the service required differs substantially from that of 'Addis government recruiting and
scription of armies in other coun- bombing
tries.
Quoram, the doctor in change has LONDON REPORT
London, Mar.
made a full report to the British Government: Addis Press messages from
Foth at Geneva and Ababa state it was officially an-
British Ababa the news of the nounced there that the
efforts for
соп
תם
ALL-ENGLAND BADMINTON
Championship Retained By: Holder
London, March 5. In the AH-England badminton Red Cross unit at Queram was has been received with indigna-
Under the Chinese law all able-championships semi-anal, R. M tion, expeclaky when
White, the holder, beat H. 8. Ong, bombed yesterday...
ere being made by the bodied men, who are citizens of
China, may be called upon for ser- Malayan captain, of Cambridge peace Committee of Thirteen.
In connection with the recent vice in the army in times of University. 15-7, 15-12-
hauter. ambulances, national crisis; but in normal bombing of Swedish
The reports state that Italian planes circled over the camp be. fore dropping the'r bombs and afterwards from alow altitude London, Mar..5..
raked the site with machine gun Marquess Hartington, son of the are. The reports add that it is Duke of Devonshire, has been ap- believed no British pointed Under-Secretary of State the auial number of casualties for the Dominions in succession to British Wireless Captain Douglas Hacking, who has undertaken the Chairmanship of the Conzervative Party Organisa-
tion.
Router & Hulielin Grevios.
were among
INDIGNATION ABOUSED In connection with the report from Desgle of Italian bombing of the British ambulance camp near
it is stated now how difficult it is to times they will only be expected come to receive "part time military persuade the Ethiopians to to the Red Cross ambulances for training of such a nature as not treatment, as they are convinced to interfere with their dally occupa- that ambulances are marked for lon." bombing.
K
In Rome the version about bombing is regarded as another regrettable accident it true.- Reuter's Bulletin Bervice.
as it is Unlike conscription known in France, they will not be
lives wholly to soldiering. required to devote a period of their
· fleuter.
BRITAIN'S ROAD TOLL
London, Mar. 6. Road accident figures in Britain last week were 112 killed and 3,236 injured. The figures for the cor-
killed, and 3,334 injured.- responding week last yeaz were 104
british: Wireless.
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