1936-04-16 — Page 9

TUGS FAIL TO REFLOAT

THE RANPURA

Weather At Gibraltar Becomes Worse

Gibraltar, April 15.

Dockyard tugs after strenuous efforts failed to refloat the P. &0. iner Ranpura this morning, at high tide and are therefore abandoning the work of salvage temporarily. The weather is be- coming worse and the tenders are unable to go alongside. The salvage steamer. Geir has left Lisbon for Gibraltar to join la the operations.

The liner Barrabool, which turned back on radio Instructions after passing here. has arrived and is taking the Ranpura's pas- sengers to Markellles. Meanwhile the question of " transhipment of the Chinese art treasure collection is being considered.

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P. & officials in London em-reports state that the vessel is atl phasise that the art treasures, stor-

ed in a special compartment. are easily removable it necessary and there is absolutely no danger. They recall that the goods contained in the strong room of the P. & O. liner Egypt which was sunk off Ushant in 1922 were recovered un- damaged ten years later by divers.. The weather nt Obraltar "has become worse since yesterday and tugs are unable to approach the Ranpura, A high, south-south-west wind is blowing and strong cür- rents are running in the bay. It

ground.

The P. & 0. Company have or- dered their branch liner Barrabool. which passed Gibraltar yesterday outward bound for Australia, tö turn and stand by to carry urgent passengers if necessary Mar- seilles.

to

There are apparently at present no apprehensions for the safety c the Ranpura- British Wereles.

HONG "ONG DAILY PRESS. THURSDAY, APRIL

ACCIDENT TO RANPURA

Comment In Home Press

London, "Apr. 15. The excitement caused by the grounding of the P. and O: Ran- pura is proportionate to the un- thinkable value of the Chinese art treasures and the enormous crowds they drew to the exhibition at Burlington House.

All papers give prominence to the accident which almost eclipses the prospects of the Italo-Ethio- pian peace discussions, and the ar- ticles are accompanied by copious photographs and interviews with every authority capable of "shed- ding light on the nature of the accident, and safety of the trea-

sures.

Cheng, who confessed to a great Mr. Quo Tal-chi and Dr. F. T

weight being taken off their minds when the

treasures were finally stored on the Ranpura, are now sitting at the Embassy awaiting every telegram 'from Gibraltar,

The accident is not only alarm- ing but astonishing, says the "Man- chester Guardian" when 1t is known that the treasures were carried in a great liner accom- Dr.panied by a naval escort which all

seemed to be safe.

ADMIRALTY ASSURANCE

London, Apr. 15. le unlikely that anything will be T. Cheng that they will see that

The Admiralty has assured done to refloat the vessel to-day. everything possible is done to safe- Two tugs which battled desperate-guard the Ranpura treasures.-- ly yesterday were disabled.

VESSEL QUITE FIRM

॥

The Rampura apparent y is quite firm in her present position and it

Reuter

་ ་

SALVAGE RESUMED

Gibraltar. Apr. 15. Admiralty tugs resumed salvage is believed there is small addition-operations this afternoon and laid a' danger arising out of the delay & kedge anchor in refloating.

At present it is not known what under-water damage, if any. the vessel has suffered, but it is ex- pected that when freed the Ran- pura will go into dock. - Bruter

INSPECTION RESULT

London, Apr. 15. The P. & O. Company is London learns that the Ranpura has ap- parently escaped with tle

dam- age. An Inspection has shown that she is not making water and it is unlikely that the wi have to go into drydock. TЯvers will examine her on arrival at Gibraltar. Reuter

DRIVEN BY GALE

London, Apr. 15, The Peninsular and Oriental lin- e Ranpura' which is conveying to China the art treasures lent for the recent exhibition in London ar-

rived in Gibraltar Bay yesterday and during a fierce gale dragged her anchors and grounded on the sandy bottom off Punta' Mala in- side the bay.

Three powerful Admira ty tugs endeavoured for several hours last evening to refloat her, but the efforts were unsucessful. They were renewed this morning but latest 1

LAST SCENES IN LONDON

Respects To Late Ambassador

London, April 15. Dr. Deckhoff, who had travelled

from Berlin for the purpose," re-

presented Herr

Hitler at the funeral of Baron von Hoesch, German Ambassador in London, this moming

.

As the coffin was carried..from the Embassy and placed on a gun carriage, a salute of 19 guns was fred at Hyde Park.

Members of the Diplomatie Corpe in uniform headed by Sir Sidney Clive, Master of the Corps, was1ked in procession and the British Ministers who took part in it were Mr. Anthony Eden. Bir John Simon and Lord Monsell who wore levee dress,

..

At Victoria Station a large and respectful crowd gathered. Many Germans temporarily resident in London including a considerable number of German students were. among those present.--- British Wirdeta.

(Eatiler cable on pare 1). :

FUR CARGO COLLECTED 'BY PLANE

Fort McMurray, April 14. An aeroplane arrived hero torday with twenty bales of furs, valued at £10,000.

The pilot few three thousand miles from one trading post to another collecting the furs. The fur trade in Northern Canada is Bow adopting this modern method of transportation, Peuter's Bulletin Service

to prevent the Ranpura going further on the sand bank and also assist in pull ing of.

Further towing will be effected at day long and trimming ballast and fuel tants when the vessel is expected to refloat shortly if th whether moderates. but heavy squalls at present continue.

les this evening with forty of The Barrabool is salling for Mar- the Ranpura's passengers.

Briter

COMPANY'S STATEMENT

11 London, Apr. 15. A definite announcement

that the Chinese art treasures will re- main aboard was made by the and O. Company, which says that as far as is ascertainable the Ran- pura is undamaged and there every possibility of refloating when some cargo will be taken out.

It is not known how long she will

J

JEALOUS GODS

GENERAL STAFF DISCUSSIONS

Comment On Italian Abstention

London, April 15. The General Staff talks which are being held under paragraph three of the London agreement of the Locarno signatories other than Germany opened at the Admiralty this morning. Later discussions will be continued at the three Service Ministries.

FO

The "Times." commenting on the fact that the Italian Govern- ment have stood aloof from the London draft proposals and that the question of inviting the Italian stair delegates did not arise, says that "though the talks have immediate practical importance. rather than exclusion, the moral and though this is abstention

is no different It is indeed ob- vious on any dispassionate analysis that Italian influence in Europe must diminish with the growth of her preoccupation elsewhere."- British Wireless.

STRICTEST SECRECY

London, Apr. 13. Amid the strictest secrecy, the staff talks began this morning.

The "News Chronicle" contrasts the irony that out of hundreds of ships annually proceeding to China this alone carrying the treasures t worth all others put together must be blown ashofe. "It is things like that which explain where the ancient Greeks got the notion of Jealous gods who, whenever they saw audacious attempts on earth, decided to teach presumptions mortals, despite their skill and courage, that they still are crea- tures of circumstance," "

The military representatives had a preliminary discussion which will b resumed in the afternoon wher the naval representatives wi? also meet.

A general effort has been made discourage public interest. No one was wearing on form at th meeting- Reuter

SILVER MARKET

Լ.

(From Our Own Correspondent)

London, April 15, London Silver prices to-day were up 3/16 as follow:-

P. and O. officials, interviewed by Reuter, emphasise that Punta Spanish name Mala, despite the evil omen of the probably dating from the days of small sailing Spot....... ships, is well recognised as a road- Forward stead used by all ships. The ac- sident was naturally very regret- table, but the Chinese Government need not feel the slightest alarm.

The gale is now officially des cribed to be Force 5 and once it abates there is little doubt that the Ranpura will be quickly ex- tricted, they say.

The officials scout the

notion about transhipping the treasures b delayed, but the art treasures to be absurd and quite unneces- probably won't be more

than

asury.

few days late in reaching port in Reter.

China.

The Company adds that the Bar- rabool will carry the Far East mat to Colombo where it will be trans- shipped to the P. & Q. Sudán.— Reuter

(Earlier cables on page '12)

RETURN OF THE

CAPTIVE

Bosshardt's Mother Speaks

U. S. DESTROYERS IN COLLISION

April 14 20-1/16 20-1/8

April 15 20-1/4 20-5/16

MADRID PARADE COMMOTION

Fireworks Cause Alarm

"

"Hong Kong Daily Press" Specia;

Madrid, Apr, 14. At a military parade on Tuesday, 10 celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Spanish Republic, panic broke out opposite the President's tri- bune and alongside the grandstand

Mishap On Voyage occupied by the Diplomatic Corps.

To China

Manila, April 15. Two American navy destroyers came into colision last night dur

ing exercises of Olongopo Naval Station, to which both are report ed to be proceeding. It is under- stood that one was badly damag-

ed.

There is a rumour that one was London, April 15. The China mland Mission, usta found to be above water this abandoned as lost, but that it was which Mr. Bosshardt, just released morning. This report, however, from captivity, is a member, has has not yet been confirmed. a fine record, says the "Times." The work of foreign missionaries were no injuries in the destroyer It was gathered later that there generally is something about which collision, but both were badly the West has cause to be proud damaged. and China to be thankful for. Mr. Bosshardt's courage and endurance is typical of the spirit animating the best type of misalanary, "

The "Manchester Guardian" says that, strange and romantic though the story of this long captivity is its end is a fine tribute to the principles of Christian pacifism. which can answer violence with patience and cruelty with genero- sty

*

18

The cause was the sudden series of detonations following one an- other rapidly, due to explosion of Creworks let off by unknown "per- sons, and giving rise to the erron- ous assumption that the Commun- ists have begun an attempt to over- throw the Government.

Very soon, the fireworks having all exploded, the detonations stop- ped and the real cause was dis- covered. The parade then contin- ted.

a

One officer, however, had fred few revolver shots to frighten the crowd, and was roughly mis- was a false alarm. This treat- handled when it was found that it ment of the officer, however, caused the military to fire into the crowd, Whipple and Smith

The vessels involved were the one person being killed, and sever- The

al seriously wounded. Thompson. latter is being towed

After the parade was over, Com- while the Whipple is proceeding to when one communist was killed Olongope by the destroyer Barker, munista and political opponents Olongopo under her

had a real fight with firearms escorted by a destroyer: The and four other persons wounded ---- tender Black Hawk and

Transocean News Service. panying the Smith Thompson. destroyer Paul Jones are accom-

ta

CAMIL steam.

the

The vessels which met la coll- Mr. Bossharda mother inter-destroyer division which, with the ston were part of the Afth viewed said: "Neither I nor my Black Hawk, left last Monday, on son's wife ever favoured ransom-

their annual tour to China ing him to have done that would

sumably they were undergoing

Reuter.

have put dozens of other mis-exercises on the way-

stonaries in China in great peril.- Reuter

WINTER FREEZE OVER

Montreal, Apr 14.

The first steamer to reach Mon- treal after the winter freeze-up of the St. Lawrence was the British tramp steamer West Wales, from the Argentine.

She arrived on Monday, which a one day ahead of the existing record for reaching the port after the break-up of the ice. The Captain was presented with the traditional, gold-beaded cane Beuter's Bulistin Bervica

+

SPEED TRIALS OF QUEEN MARY

Blue Riband Assured.

Fre-

NEW GOVERNMENT IN GREECE

&

· 16, 1936.

ADDIS ABABA CAPTURE

Plan For Aerial Landing

V

"Hong Kong Daily Press" Special}

Fome, Ajr. 14. Detalled accounts of the Italian air demonstration over Addis Ababa state that the bombers ap- peared over the Capital at 10.40 p.m. circled around in great cur- ves and dropped hand, bills recount- ing the victories of the Italian troops unt!! how, and depicting the extent of the Abyssinian territory occupied by the Italian army. The text closes with the passage.

"We could have blown Addis Ababa to atoms, but did not do so this time. We are satisfied to- day with letting the population see our might."

Thereupon the air squadron re- turned without any incident oc- curring.

In military circles here great Importance is attached to this ex- periment, which is believed to be the prelude of an attempt to oc-.. cupy Addis Ababa by air. The "provisioning of whole Italian Divi- sions has shown that mass.trans- ports is no impossibility. An aero- drome where large planes can land opinion prevalls that a large num- exists in Addis Ababa, and the

ber of men could be landed while a squadron of fighter planes could succeed, it is considered certain that the demoralisation "of Abyssinian army would plete.-- Transocean News Service.

a

ITALIAN PAPER UTTERS A WARNING

Interference In Lake Tsana Region

"Hong Kong Daily Presa" Specia

Rome, April 15. Recording the uneasiness expressed in the British papers at the Italian occupation of the Abyssinian, customs port of Gallabat on the Sudan frontier, it is declared by official circles that no an- xiety is felt at the proximity of British and Italian troops on both sides of the Sudan frontier. There was no reason for supposing that British soldiers wou'd set foot on territory occupied by Italians. or that Italian soldiers would penetrate on British spheres of interest.

A warning note is, however, sounded by the semi-official "Giornale d' Italia" which states that the Italian soldiers are ready to deal a counter-blow to any threat. This remark has been prompted by an article in the "Daily Express" which stat ed that hitherto Lake Taana had been considered, a British lake and would always continue to be considered so. The "Glornale d'Italia" writes that Lake Asana is, or rather was, an Abyssiniau lake and is dow in the hands of Itallab, soldiers.-Transocean News Service.

"

CAPTURE OF DESSIE

Rome, April 15. It is officially stated that Italian forces captured Dessle, which has been the headquarters of the Em- peror's northern army before the battle of Lake Ashingi.

Italian troops entered. Dessie without resistance except for a short encounter with the Abys- sinian rearguards. It is said that the Italian forces surrounded the town, which is eight square miles in area, on all sides last night and entered the town a the

dawn this morning from all points of the compass-

Reuter's Bulletin Service.

be com-

BID FOR TWO THRONES

Emir Abdullah's Ambitions

PEACE TALKS

London. Apr. 15. Preliminary peace talks between Italy's League. delegate, Bare Aloist, and the Chairman of the

POISON GAS

ATTACKS

Ethiopian Note To League

Geneva, Apr. 14. Nineteen cases of poison-gas ats tacks by the Italians are cited in a Note from Ethiopia, published by the League of Nations. The dates range from December 22 to April

Hong Kong Daily Press" Specia

Jerusalem, Apr. 14... The publication here a few days ago of what purports to be the original text of the memorandum sent by Emir Abdullah of Trans- jordan to the British Government, created the greatest sensation here and prompted pressmen to ask the Transjordan Fremler Ibra- [7. him Pasha Hashem in Amman whether the version published was the exact text or not.

The Note states that during the last four bombardments of Quoram, from April 4 to April 7. the town wai literally drenched with poison- gas, mostly mustard-gas or yprite Reuter's Bulletin Service.

on

conciliation Committee of Thirteen of the League, Senor de Madaria- ga, will open in Geneva this even- ng and progress will be reviewed at a meeting of the Committee to- morrow afternoon on the report of its Chairman." He was in formal conversation at Geneva yesterday with the Abyssinian representative.

Britain will be represented at to-morrow's meeting by the Foreign Secretary. Mr. Anthony Eden, who leaves London this afternoon for Geneva. Mr. Eden was in confer- ence with the Prime Minister last night, but consultations with other Ministers at this stage will be un- necessary.

There has been no change.in the attitude of the British Government from the position taken ap in the ministerial statements in Parlia ment a few days ago.-. British Wireless.

EFFECTS OF SANCTIONS

Figures Issued By

Leag

Genval April 15.

showing the effects of sanctions The League, has issued figures

for the first four months, of its application

Imports by Italy from sanctions countries has fallen by one-third and imports from the same coun- tries by one-sixth compared with the same period the previous year. The figures showed the imports from Britain tri February 1935 to be valued as three million gold dollars, whereas the imports in February 1936 were only a quarter- million.

The report states that the effects of sanctions are being felt in

Reuter's Bulletin · Service.

''.

The Premier stated that the do- cument had been stolen from the Emir's Chancellery and published against Abdullah's will. No state-

DOCTOR'S COMMENT ment would be made as to the ac- curacy of the published text, nor

Cairo, Apr. 14. The doctor in could any information be furnish-Egyptian Red Cross unit in Ethio- charge of the

ed about the individual points of

pia returned to Cairo to-day. the document or about the alleged Commenting endeavours of the Emir to obtain

the Italian Italy charges of atrocities on the part! the Syrian and Palestine thrones.

of the Ethiopians, in which the As to the assertion published at testimony of three members of the the same time with the document Egyptian Red Cross was cited, he to the effect that an Iraq-Trans- said that the stories of these men Jordan friendship Agreement was about to be signed, the Premier

must be accepted with reserve as all were dismissed from the unit dented emphatically any truth in

However, the men responsible for this allegation, since as a resuit

for insubordination.

this outrage were immediately ar-- of the treaty signed in 1931 be-

He himself had only seen one rested and executed. single case tween the two countries, their re-

of atrocity in the Reuter's Bulletin Service, lations have been excellent, while the blood relationship between Emir Abdullah and his nephew, King Ghazi made new treaties superfluous,

Transjordan had

The Premier also denied that

any intention Iraq-

to become a part to the Saudiarabia Treaty.- Transocean News Service.

"

DILATORY TACTICS ON PART OF ITALY

11

Ethiopian ranke. That was the case of an aeroplane plot, who crashed at Daggahbur last Decem- ber.

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Geneva, Apr. 14. The fact that Baron Aloisi of Italy has delayed his arrival here for twenty-four hours has created an unfavourable impression.

It is regarded as an indication Supplied in Two Sizes. that Italy intends to adopt an at- Cash Prices:

titude of procrastination and ob- struction in order to throw the onus of any decision upon the Com- mittee of Thirteen.

Support From Liberals

("Hong Kong Dally Press" Special)

Athens, April 15. Following a conversation between the leader of the Liberal Party, Bophulis and Premier Metaxas, it It is even more algnificant that was announced that the new despite the delay of the proposed Government w'I be cupported by peace conversations between Senor London, April 15.

the Liberais. Late. to-morrow afternoon the

me de Madariaga and Baron Aloist, The Minor Republican Group has the former, who is chairman of the Jiner Queen Mary will Bouthampton for her speed trallsment.

leave also decided to support the Govern- Committee of Thirteen, has fixed in the Firth of Clyde

The Government intends the meeting of the Committee "for believed in Southampton that the powera till October in order to to imply that Senor de Medariaga It is to ask Parliament to grant plenary Thursday afternoon. This is taken Queen Mary will have no difficulty deal with some urgent national does not allow himself to be Italy's dilatory

in gaining the Blue Riband on her defence problems without previous influenced by fist crossing of the Atlantic British-Wirclese,

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