1937-09-11 — Page 9

THE MEDITERRANEAN

CONFERENCE

Protocol To Be Submitted

INTERNATIONAL NAVAL CO-OPERATION

London, Sept. 10.

The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden and the other prin- elpal British delegates to the Mediterranean Conference arrived at Geneva this morning. The French Foreign Minister, M. Delbos, and the Polish Foreign Minister, Colonel. Beck travelled by the same train. The first session of the conference will be held at Nyon this afternoon and will mainly be devoted to the drawing up of proce- dure. Thereafter all meetings will probably be held in camera at Geneva apart from the final meeting.

#

Mr. Eden dined last night at the Qual D'Orsay when the guests of the French Foreign Minister in- cluded the Prime Minister, M. Chautèmps, as well as the other principal members of the British delegation. Paris, reporta state that discussions on the draft pro- posals to be submitted to the Mediterranean Conference reveal- co a complete agreement. Details of these proposals are still with- held but it is known they will pro- vide for the widest measure of international Naval co-operation whereby warships of contracting parties will be available for the defence of all shipping subjected to piratical attacks. The absence from the Nyon Conference of Italy and Germany is much regretted here but both powers will be in- vited to participate in the scheme to be adopted by the Conference although, et course, their fefusal would not prevent its operation.

Two sub-committees will be set up to which drafts of the con- templated protocol will be mitted.

sub-

Mr. Anthony. Eden, Foreign Secretary, who heads Britain's delegation to the Mediterranean Conference at Nyon.

Details are yet to be discussed but London hopes the Conference will last only a few days. It will be for the Conference to decide as to whether Italy and Germany will be invited to subscribe to any

It is stated in messages from Geneva that the protocol which will incorporate in its text last year's protocol for the humanisagreement reached. The principle tion of submarine warfare will when completed and approved, we left open and forwarded to the Mon-intervention Committee and .that this will afford an opportunity for adherence to it by Italy and

Germany.-.

British Wireten

MAXIMUM NAVAL CO-OPERATION

of convoys will also be discussed but adoption is unlikely because it will be most cumbrous. Reuter,

COMPLETE

-HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1937.

KING'S CUP AIR RACE

DISASTER

R.A.F. Officers Killed

PERFECT FLYING WEATHER

London; September 10.

A disaster involving the death of two occupants of a Miles Falcon aeroplane marked the early stages of the eliminating contest for the King's Cup Air Race which is being flown to-day over a 786 miles course.

*

Wing-Commander Percy Sherren entered the machine for the race and with him was Wing-Commander E. G. ton. Owing to some unexplained cause a defect developed and the machine appear. ed to crumple up and crashed to the ground near Scarborough, both occupants being instantly killed.

Other competitors in the race are reported to be making good

progress.

Perfect flying weather prevalis and 27 planes are participating.

Starting from Hatheld the com- petitors are flying to Aberdeen by way of Skegness, York and Edin- burgh. From Aberdeen they will fly by way of Glasgow and Belfast to Dublin where the night will be spent and Where the fastest machines will take off for the anal of the race to-morrow. Many of the aeroplanes, two of which are making their first appearance in public, are capable of more than 200 miles per hour and in the early stages Captain Percival Gull cover- ed 218 miles in one hour.- British Wireless.

CRASH AT TURNING POINT London, Sept. 10. The King's Cup Air Race started. from Hatfield this morning on a 736 miles round country course. twenty-seven platies participating. The first to cover the first lap was Flight-Lieut. P W. Percival flying D. H. Moth. with Charles E.

HIGHER COST OF TRAVEL

Auckland, Sept. 10. Authoritative, unofficial circles state that there will be an increase In fares on Passenger Conference Lines of ten per cent. from England to Australia and New Zealand, but the America to Austr, ille and Tas- man services will not be affected--

'UNANIMITY | Reuter.

It is understood that preliminary discussions between the British and French delegations to the Mediter- ranean Conférence have ended in complete unanimity of views re- taken

against pirates.

of

London, Sept. 10. It is understood that the British Mediterranean proposals alm at securing the maximum Naval co- operation between concerted Pow-garding measures to ers generally. The proposals will provide for the maintenance shipping lanes patrolled by des- troyers of all the Powers represent- ed at the Conference. Should a submarine attempt to molest a ship it will be made the subject to of immediate attack.

WHOLE WORLD

WATCHING

London, Sept. 10."

"The whole world is watching with sympathy the gallant Aght. being put up by the Chinese out- side... Shanghai," says the "News Chronicle" in an editorta com- ment.

cr. one

be

It is learned the measures en-.. visaged will be capable of being put into effect with or without the adhesion of Italy, although it is hoped that Italy will decide to support them.-- leuter.

FORMER RED LEADERS

Take Over

Reorganised Forces

and

Sian, Sept. 10: Chu Teh Peng Tehhual, former leaders of the Chinese Red Army, formally assumed their posts as commandex and deputy-commander respective- ly, of the 8th Route Army here to- day. The newly-organised.. Route Army is composed chiefly 8th

of men from the former Red Army. reputed to be among the best and most efficient fighting men

"There has rarely been a war in which the sympathies of neutrals were so overwhelmingly side." says the journal, "Japan's apologists in this country are silent, and even the Germans, who recently signed an anti-Communist Pact with Tokyo. are notably cool in their references to the war.

"Chinese strategy la to hold up the Japanese advance as stubborn- | China to-day. ly as possible, in order that the war may be as great a strain on Japan's already creaking economy as pos-. sible. Events of the last few years have shown

that, a

country's economic ability to wage war is unfortunately greater than appears on the surface. It would be over- optimistic to expect a collapse in Japan, but every day the war lasts makes Japan less a menace to the world as a whole."

JAPANESE SUCCESS

IMPROBABLE

The "Times," in an editorial re- viewing the progress of the war in China, says a decisive Japanese

success on any front is highly in-

Immed'ately after

in"

taking oath

of office under the Central Gov- ernment. Generals Chu and Peng issued a télegram to the country. announcing their intention to Carry out to the best of their abilities, the orders of General- issimo Chiang Kai-shek, to devate the national entity of China, and their energles toward maintaining

to fight against all elements threa- tening the country.- Central News.

EQUINE SPORTS CLUB

It is learned that although the probable before late in the autumn Equine Sports Club in Shatin at the very earliest, nor is possible suffered considerable damage dur- toenvisage any single successing the typhoon, there will be rid-" which would automatically end the war This, says the journal, is the view taken by. Japan herself.

The Japanese blockade of the China coast, says the newspaper, must sooner or later have its effect ou China's fairly large but errati- cally-compiled reserves~"of ̄ ̄ ̄ ̄war" material. At this stage it is im-

ing as usual this week-end. Tem- porary arrangements have been made for housing the ponies, pend- which were completely demolished ing the rebuilding of the stables, by the storm.

ade will certainly be to enhance possible to predict to what extent the sinister implications which that effect will be off-set by sup- Tokyo reada Into the Sino-Soviet

piles reaching her from overland, Päct-

but one consequence of the block- | Reuters.

Gardner, who won the prize last year, second. Two competitors, Wing-Commanders Sherren and Hilton were killed when the plane crashed ns it was rounding the turning Castle.

pelat at Scarborough Renter's Bulletin Service LIST OF ENTRIES

The following is the list of

Xen- trants for the race:--

Lord Wakefield (2), Frederick 0. Arles, Charles E. Gardner, Fre- derick E. Tasker. Alex. Henshaw, Victor Dupree, Henry S. Horne, Caprain G. de Havilland, Major E Howard, F. C. J. Butler.. Sir. Con- nop Guthrie, Miss L Dillon, George M. Tonge, Derek Schreiber, W.

"THE CONNOISSEUR COMES

TO

CALDBECK'S"

NOT MERELY A FAMOUS

BUT A STATEMENT

LOGAN.

OF FACT

FÖR OVER 73 YEARS.

CALDBECK, MACGREGOR & CO.,

Lindsay Everard, M.P.. Victor FOREIGN

Dupree. W. Lawrence Hope, H. Oswald Short, Stanley T. Lowe. Charles M. McCarthy. Cari S. Napler (3), Wing-Com. P. Sherren. Brig. Gen. A.. C. Lewin, Sq. Ldr. A. V. Harvey. E. J. Jobling-Purser, J. I. Waddington. William. C. Potter. William H. Moss.

•

THE LEADING WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS

EXCHANGE

MARKET

French Francs Move Wildly

London, Sept. 10.

HOME CRICKET

New Zealand Defeated

The Foreign Exchange market London, Sept. 10. again fared up this morning and Mr. H. G. Leveson Gower's XI most active dealings are reported defeated New Zealand by 145 runs. Scores:-Leveson Gower's XI:--380 | ing wildly to twenty-five centimes for French francs which are mov- and 206 (Roberts 5 for 47); New Zealand 285 and 156 (Nichols 5 for 12).- Reuter,

SINO-JAPANESE BATTLE

WHANGPOO

(N.C. Daily News," Photos).

Japanese shell starts Pootung fire,

Another hit beyond the river frontage.

The Idzuma replying

IN

at a time. It is possible French Control may have intervened on small scale spasmodically but owing to the sharpness of the movements it is impossible to spot such intervention.

The Continent continues to sell franes and buy dollars and in order to check the rapid appreciation of the latter. British Control is again selling dollars and the Market es- timates the Control sold over $20,- 000,000 in the past few days which will necessitate the shipment of gold from London to New York.

The Market is wondering at what level French Control will decide to step in and check the fall of the franc and wildest estimates are flying around the Market.- Reuter

First "Wood-Skin”. Ceiling In World

Copenhagen, Sept. 10. A new German material recently been employed for the first time, for an interior decorator has made use of "wood-skin" for a ceiling. A vislier to the room in question is always astonished at what he sees. The celling, which is very light in colour, consists of almost transparent wood alats, which only the presence of grain- ing and "knots" reveal to be genuine. It is actually a "skin" of wood,

is

IN THE FAR EAST.

THE

LTD.

HONG KONG

PENINSULA HOTEL;

HONGKONG HOTEL; REPULSE BAY HOTEL:

SHANGHAI

ASTOR HOUSE; PALACE HOTEL:

HOTELS LIMITED.

La zaociation with the Grand Hotel des Wagons Lits, Peking.

An

GUNS AND TONS

Alleged Japanese View Of Heavy Armaments

(BY SIR HERBERT RUSSELL, IN THE "UNITED SERVICES REVIEW")

In the course of a recent dispatch dealing with Japanese naval policy the Tokio correspondent of the "Times" made the following comment upon the controversial question of big gun callbres; "There is no means of knowing to what extent tech- nical factors may have influenced the naval authorities, but it would not be surprising if their experts believe that the British authorities were thinking in terms of North Sea visibility and that they shared the American experts belief in the utility of 16in. guns under the clear skies of the Pacific."

I need hardly remind readers I have no knowledge of the est-

retain

that at the last London Navai

nialed range of the 14. guns Conference a limit of 14 inches which are already in course of was agreed upon. There was a has certain

manufacture for the five new card- amount of compromise tal ships now under contruction in between the British, delegation. this country. Probably I shall be which favoured a still further re-

well within the mark in putting duction in calibre, and the United-

this at 45,000 yards-221 sea milles, States delegation, which, frankly, With the steady progress of science would have preferred to

It may well prove a good deal the 16in: gun. As the United States more; but let us take this Agure Naval Attache in London recently as a reasonable and conservative. wrote to this journal, his country guess. And let us further assume has ratified this agreement. But

Japan insistė,

that a 16in. gun, bullt on the upon building same principle and using the same capital ships with heavier gune ballistics, might have a range of and she declines to reveal her 50,000 yards-25 sea A patent process has been dis- Intentions in this matter-then

miles. Of what value is this extra two and covered "whereby waste wood can America may have to reconsider a half miles to any capital ship be so thinly cut that the slats are her own position, which she would even in the glass-clear atmosphere only as thick as half the tenth of be perfectly entitled to do.

of the Pacific? If she were bom-. millimetre. These wafer-lke QUESTION OF ATMOSPHERE. barding a coastal position, yes; pieces of wood are then pressed on The obvious implication of this she could lay 5,000 yards farther to a sheet consisting of celluloid suggestion by the Tokio corres- from the reach of any return fire and artificial silk, and are sub-pondent is that the very much But in fcct. tactics I still need Jected during pressing to a certain clearer atmosphere in which Am-converting to the utility of a gun degree of heat."

erican. and Japanese battleships range much in excess of what

The "wood skin" made by these means is impervious to damp and can be polished to any degree desired. Transocean.

German Cables For Great Northern

The "Norddeutschen Beekabel Werke" in Nordenham received an order from the Great Northern Telegraph Co., Ltd. in Copenhagen for 46 miles of deep sea cable, ・・

may anticipate having to operate would enable them to take adv antage of longer-range guns than would fall to the lot of British battleships operating in the more misty

can be brought into action.

AERIAL SPOTTING LIMITS. To put it in perfectly simple terms, ships cannot fight one ano- ther when they can no longer sec atmosphere of northern one another. From a fire obser- European waters. Incidentally, it vation station elevated 100 feet indicates 12 very circumscribed above sea level the horizon is 13.23 view of British naval policy to miles. The profile of such parts, suppose that. the Admiralty-limit-of a ship as would be worth aiming" their conception of our capital at might add the equivalent of ship activity to any particular another five miles. Refraction, of waters; but let that pass.

The assumption upon which this argument rests is that a 16in. gun will have a substantially longer range than a 14. gun. The pro- This is the sixth large-order-bability, but by no means the cer placed by this company. Since tainty is that it will shoot farther. 1931, 360 miles of deep sea cable | But before granting this to be an have been ordered. The present advantage it must be shown that order is destined for the Far East it may really prove so, and heri and will be shipped to Shanghai or I think, the theory put forward Hong Kong e

in the Tokio message is likely to Transocean.

break down

course, might lift a ship clear into view at a much greater distance. but the gunnery specialist cannot count upon abnormal atmospherie. conditions.

Aerial spotting is very effective In the case of long-range bom- bardment of a static position. It has never been tested under the realities of sea warfare, but among the airmen with whom I have. discussed it. I find little disposition (Continued on Back Page)