1937-08-24 — Page 1

Page

MASON'S DELICIODS

O.K

SAUCE.

TO-DAY'S WEATHER PORECAST — South Winds," Moderate; Cloudy, Occasional Rain,

Libinery, Supreme Court

Ginéral Manags

Hongkong Daily Press.

Registered as a Newspaper at the General

Post Office in the United Kingdom.

ESTABLISHED 1857

No. 4650.#### ★☆я✯±т.HONG KONG, TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1937. CAN #AĦTA#GATEX Price

A SPARE PAIR OF GLASSES MADE LEISURELY NOW will save

:

fuss & bother & hurry

...later on

WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURS.

Laz N. Lazarus, Optician 6, Pedder Street

-advise you,

Single Copy, 10 cts

Per Month. $3.

BOMB DISASTER CLAIMS HEAVY TOLL

FRENCH CONCESSION

CATASTROPHE

Refugee Tells Graphic Story Of Bombing

Graphic scenes depicting the French Town catastrophe and were vividly the bombing of the Greater Shanghai Building recalled by a woman evacuee who arrived by the Blue Fannel liner Patroclus yesterday, in an interview with a "Dally Press " representative.

Tu the foreigners, with, war-zone reports shifting incessant- ly between optimism and pessimism, Shanghai was but a hunt- ing ground for rumour mongers-of course. this was before the bombing-until out of a clear sky came' a squadron of aeroplanes raining mercilessly bombs on the horror-stricken people in the streets.

One of these instances was described by the evacuee who was an eye-witness of a shell which dropped in Rue Cardinal Mercier. -at the corner of Route Pere Robert en Friday: August 13, about 4.30 p.m. killing or severely injuring all the passers-by and especially those In the vicinity of the Baranosky Department Store.

ог

As a result of this some 450 men,

sacrifice their lives so that their children might live.

Of the wounded. the majority wore Russians, mostly of the poorer classes.

A sister, who reridered "sterling services to the injured was termed by them as the "Florence Night- ingale of Shanghat."

The following day while this evacuee was on her way to the

women and children, comprised Nanking Theatre, another surprise

mostly of Russians, were sent im- mediately by ambulances to the St. Mary's Hospital.

..

At 7 pm, a broadcast was given to the effect that anybody with some knowledge of first aid was needed in St. Mary's Hospital to render assistance to this unusually large number of patients. a great many of whom were in critical conditions.

This evacuee went at 8 p.m. to assist in the capacity of a nurse and worked throughout the night.

In the hospital she saw a most pitiful and unbearable sight, the sufferers dying either before getting a chance to get to or on the operation table. it

IJ

Mothers begged doctors and nurses to attend to their children first. while, much as they needed attention. they were willing to

belell her.

In the course of another air raid about 7 pm on August 14 bombs almed at the Japanese Consulate at the Bund fell at the junction of Edward VII and Yue Yu Ching Roads, on Greater Shanghal Building, in which over 1,000 Chin- ese refugees, who took shelter there, were killed or severely in- jured. Stray limbs were all over the place and that locality was. literally drenched in blood.

The wounded Chiness refugees were taken to Lester Hospital. This tragic incident involved many pedestrains and foreigners who

happened to pass by in motor cars. The injured foreigners were taken to St. Mary's Hospital.

The following morning, over 150 coffins were placed behind the Race Course, with corpses of those unfortunate Chinese for identica- tion.

This Tragedy

When historians come to record 'this chapter of China's story for students of future generations they will pen the usual formula with which all wars begin, that is, "a spark and then the fighting proper." The Sino-Japanese war, though still an undeclared war, will rank among the major events of political significance In 1937 and will go down as the worst catastrophe in the history of a people struggling to maintain peace and national sovereignty.

Dally cables tell of the progress of the war that is spelling ruina- tion for one of the most important ports in the Far East. From a mere "incident" on July 8 when

week in itself presents a tragic picture. Each boatload that has docked in this harbour has told a story of the tremendous anxiety that has prevailed within the In- ternational Settlement since that terrible night of August 14 when hundreds of lives of innocent Chi- nese and foreigners were lost in bombing outrages.

Hong Kong is doing its utmost

175 CHINESE KILLED: ONE

AMERICAN AMONG DEAD

Over Six Hundred Casualties In Nanking Road Tragedy

SHANGHAI, AUG. 23 THE OFFICIAL CASUALTY LIST, WHICH IS INCOMPLETE, OF THE BOMB DISASTER WHEN TWO SHELLS LANDED IN FRONT OF THE SKYSCRAPER DEPARTMENT STORES OF WING ON AND SINCERE COMPANIES AT THE BUSY INTERSEC- TION OF NANKING ROAD AND CHEKIANG ROAD, IS GIVEN AT 175 CHINESE KILLED AND, 475 INJURED; ONE AMERICAN, ONE GERMAN AND TWO SIKHS KILLED, ONE AMERICAN SERIOUSLY INJURED, AND ONE POLE AND THREE AMERICANS SLIGHTLY INJURED.-REUTER.

F.

ELABORATE PRECAUTIONS FOR

PROTECTION

JAPANESE

OF LANDING

TROOPS

SHANGHAI, AUGUST 23: ELABORATE: PRECAUTIONS WERE TAKEN TO PROTECT LANDING JAPANESE TROOPS. WHILE BOMBERS AND PURSUIT PLANES DRONED OVERHEAD SCORES OF BIG NAVAL GUNS DROPPED A FIERCE BARRAGE ALONG 'A SEMI-CIRCLE OUTLINED BY CONCENTRATED SEARCHLIGHTS, THE LANDING WAS CARRIED OUT IN DARKNESS. THE JAPANESE CLAIM THE ONLY OPPOSITION WAS SPORADIC MACHINE GUN FIRE AND OCCA- SIONAL TRENCH MORTAR AND SHELL FIRE. ́THE NEW UNITS WERE BROUGHT INTO ACTION IM- MEDIATELY AND OFFICIALLY LOST 80 MEN WITHIN SIX HOURS OF THE START OF OPERA- TIONS BUT THE “UNITS ARE ADVANCING WITH CLOSE SUPPORT FROM JAPANESE WARSHIPS." NEITHER THE PRESENT LOCATION OF THE TROOPS NOR THE DIRECTION OF ADVANCE" ARE GIVEN. REUTER.

LONDON REPORTS

HIGH PRICES. IN COLONY

London, Aug. 23,

mesasga from

From Shanghai It is reported that some foodstuffs, especially rice, have grown so scarer

that the supply of the British munity had to be used for the soldiers stationed at that port. Transocean News Service.

com-

SHANGHAI FIGHTING

REVIEWED

According to 1

Shanghal, Aug. 23: Interviewed Hong Kong, the "Daily Telegraph" by pressmen to-day, General slates that food prices in Hong | Chang Chih-chung, Garrison Com- Kong have risen by 400 per cent. mander of the Shanghal-Nonking since the outbreak of hostilities in area revealed that Japanese were China.

using high buildings in the In- ternational Settlement as observa- Chinese tion posts to spot the positions and movements..

Reviewing the Shanghai. hostil- itles from the point of view of the Chinese forces, General Chang said that

main the

body of Chinese troops started " operations from the Klangwan, Chapel, and Chun Kung Road Tamang areas. The latter 1s the main highway between Shanghai and Woosung.~-' Central News

SAFETY ZONE IMPERATIVE

to make the lives of the refugees Japanese Admiral's

happy. And there is real hap piness in the thought that there is safety under the British Crown. To those who have been torn away from their happy homes in Shang- tal one can only express the deep-

Statement

Shanghai. August 23."

eruses

AIR DEFENCE CAMPAIGN Kwenming. Aug. 23: The local Air Defence League is launching a widespread campaign dissemina- ting - information on precautions people should take in event of air ralds in this far southwestern pro- vince.

*The campaign begins on Aug. 25 and will last almost a week.---

WARTIME ORGANIZATION

est regret and offer the consoling We deem it imperative that a fighting broke out near Wanping thought that there is hope even in safety zone be established in and Central News during Japanese, field manoeuvres,

the worst of times. But tempor-around Shanghai and all the outbreak has spread to a ma-

ary comforts cannot replace the for further trouble removed, once

COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED. jor conflict in Shanghai causing

real home,

and for

Shanghai, Aug." 23: It' was re- untold devastation

all, said Vice-Admiral' to property and misery to the dwellers in that Shanghal refugees here will read

when Interviewed by vealed here to-day that the local Hasegawa

Association Reuter aboard the flagship Idzumo, Anti-Japanese

has British the dally newspapers with" almost great city.. Damage to property is estimated at the stag-feverish anxiety always wondering target of many fruitless Chinese created a wartime organization

gering figure of £8,000,000,

If their relatives or friends have been killed, or more homes demo- Time alone will tell how long lished and more property lost. the war will last, but how many j years will it be before British There is anxiety for the British business houses will be able to and foreign troops serving their fully recover their former stand respective countries affording as Ing and continue along the paththey do protection for their na- of commercial "progress?

Trade and commerce, though, are not the only sufferers in this condict between China and Japan. There is the human aspect. The wholesale evacuation of British and foreign residents

to Hong Kong for safety during the past

attacked from land and air.

While his staff in the next room warked bustly over maps, Vice Admiral Hasegawa, speaking in a quiet and weary volde, emphasised that Japan was fully prepared to respect the rights and interests of foreign powers in the present con- tionals; and for the members of fict and said that since the Nan-- the Shanghai Volunteer Corps and King Road tragedy on August 14. other private individuals who are bomb-carrying Japanese planes doing yeoman service in defence of,

had been specifically instructed the Settlement.

not to fly over the Settlement. He disclaimed that the Japanese were responsible for the Bincere tragedy. -Reuter.

The cry goes out, how long will it last? That is the tragedy of it all.-E. MacN.

committee which has obtained, the services of experts with a view to studying various phases of war time activities.--- Central Newe

PROFITEERING

ENTERTAINMENT FOR REFUGEES

The Officers and men of H.M. Submarines Odl and Otus are en- tertaining a party of refugees at the Seaman's Institute to-mcrżow evening. We understand that in- vitations are being sent out fimme- diately:"

(Ed. This is a good idea and we hape others will follow.)

CHINA IS

PREPARED

"Nanking, August 23: The strong defence made by "our troops at Nankow, the rapid recovery of the districts in northern Chahar, and the

All Happy At The Valley

GLIMPSES OF REFUGEES IN

THEIR IMPROVISED QUARTERS

Down in the Valley something stlmed, but it was only `the cry of a somewhat startled pressman who walked 'into the spacious bar of the Hong Kong Jockey Club's sporting establishment at Happy Val- ley to find that place of good fun and fellowship completely denuded of its time-honoured equipment.

The bar was packed with 2000 lbs. of potatoes; 1000 lbs. of tea; 400 lbs, of bread and 200 lbs. of cake. There were flity "boys” there, some of them walters, pantrymen, books and their assistants, and there were thirty coolles job-trotting in and out round about with household utensils; foodstuñs;" crockery; camp-beds; mats; rugs and a variety of materials too numerous and, in certain instances, too personal, to mention.

Stretching in two long gows right down the betting hall were the "long tabies neatly set for tiffin, and further on was the improvised nursery where the children were amusing themselves with picture- books and toys which the people of Hong Kong, with characteristic generosity and sympathetic understanding, have so plentifully donat- ed to help make the youngsters forget a little of the tragedy of this very deplorable- occasion" which has reduced their homes in war- wrecked Shanghai to ruins, thus forcing them with their mothers and relatives into temporary residence in that fortified sanctuary of the Far East-Hong Kong.

(Continued on Back Page)

Refugees from Shanghai at the Hong Kong Government Refugee Centre. Happy Valley Jockey Club Stands,

HONG KONG HOSPITALITY

Wonderful Efforts

(To The Editor, The "Hong Kong

Dally Press," "

"Stanley Situation" Explained

[The Editor, The "Hong Kong Daily Press"]

Dear Bir.-I am afraid your cor- respondent "Spero Melorla" is very much misinformed and mistaken in his utterances regarding the ac- commodation for Shanghai Re- Kong

air. In his letter on "Hong Hospitality" in to-day's

fugees at the Jockey Club. His issue Spero Mellora writes:-"At

Stanley College. we have comparatively luxious accommo dation standing vacant.”

assertions are not only unfair to those who are putting their heart --WANG CHING.WEI|and soul into the welfare of our unfortunate neighbours, but also lends poor credit to the wonderful

I assume that he is referring to efforts of those responsible for making the excellent arrangement St. Stephen's College at Stanley.

It may interest him and your they did at such short notice.

Your correspondent apparently readers to know that we have successful counter-attacks belongs to the band of armchair which our land and air forces have critics who do nothing on these about one hundred and twenty re- made in Shanghal are concrete occasions, and achieve less in their sidents here now, including many evidences that China has made cfforts to disparage those on whom refugees from Shangbal, Swatow adequate preparations for. emer- this great responsibility has fallen.

and Canton, gencies duriny, the last few years, Your correspondent should not

Mr. Wang Ching-wel. President of lose sight of the fact that the L. Martin) went away for a short Before our Warden (Rev. E. W. the Central Political Council, de-war” started almost over night and clared at the Central Kuomintang the possibility of thousands of re-holiday, he offered our vacant Headquarters to-day:

fugees being thrust upon us at a rooms, through different people, moment's notice, something in the for refugees accommodation.

(Continued on Back Fare),

Addressing a large number of high officials at the Sun Yat-sen Service, Mr. Weekly Memorial Wang paid high tribute to the people for their strong determina- Sion and calmness. The training which the people have undergone during the last few years is now bringing results, he said.

He said that it would be difficult to predict the outcome of the present crisis and exhorted his Under this heading on Page & the

hearers to continue to struggle for Editor discusses an unpleasant the country. He concluded: by feature in the communal life of saying that since the people have Hong Kong which has resulted.determined to die for their coun- from the great influx of refugees. try they will not easily surrender

to outside pressure and dangers Union News.

THE DOLLAR

LT. ON NEW YORK: 30-7/8.. T.T. ON LONDON: +18. 2.7/80. :-

London "Silver Market

(From Our Own' Correspondent). London, August. 23. “ London silver prices to-day were unchanged as follow:-

Epot..................... Forward..

Aug. 21. --Aug. 23. ..19-15/16 19-15/16 .19-15/18 19-15/16

No doubt the offer will be ac- cepted when the need arises, and we shall do our utmost for our guests, but Epero Meltora should " bear in mind that the distance, cost of transport, and the general lay-out of the bathrooms and sanitary arrangements here, make it somewhat inconvenient especial-

for women and children.. Thanking Spero Mellora for this opportunity of explaining our posi- tion, and you, Bir, for inserting this in your paper. Yours, etc.,

Y. L. TANG. Hong Kong, August 21.