1937-12-11 — Page 9

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS,

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1937.

ITALY'S WITHDRAWAL FROM LEAGUE

Serious Obstacle To Anglo-Italian Rapprochement

SHARP

ATTACK BY SECTION

BRITISH PRESS

4

ITALIAN MEMBERSHIP OF

WAS MERE FARCE"

LEAGUE

OF

London, Dec. 10: The possible withdrawal of Italy from the League of Nations has attracted an unusual amount of attention In British political and press circles although it is admitted that such a step by Premier Benito Mussolini was not unexpected. The entire press this morning features the announcement, which it is claimed has been confirmed by Italian circles in Geneva, in large headlines that such action would, without doubt, constitute a seri ous obstacle to further rapprochement between Great Britain and Italy.

The "Dally Telegraph and Morn- ing Post" refers in this connectior to the British Premler, Mr. Neville Chamberlain's wish for "direct ex- pression of opinion between the two Governments which should begin with conversations between the British Ambassador in Rome, Lord Perth, and the Italian For- eign Minister, Count Clano, but points out that the state of affairs during the past two months hav been such as to prevent discussions of any kind.

The paper intimates that the Italian withdrawal from the League an indefinite post- would mean ponement of any discussions bo- tween the two nations,

IL DUCE'S PLAN The Daily Mail" asserts that such action would open the way to discussions proposed by Mr. Char. berlain and goes on to state that on the authority of its Rome corres- pondent that Signor Mussolini in- tends. within the near future, to submit a plan for solution of the non-intervention problem to the Western Powers which will reveal his willingness to make extensive concessions. This plan, declares the paper, is inspired by a wish to prove Anglo-Italian relations, al- though it is in reality based 1.pon the Italian reaction to the British policy.

SHARP ATTACK

The Socalist paper "Daily Herald" utilises the opportunity for a sharp attack on Italy declaring that Italian membership in the League during the past two years has been

In conclusion, the "Daily Herald" expresses the hope that those champions of Italy in England which include a number of Gov- crament leaders will anally have the scales removed from their eyes and perceive the goal: towards which Il Duce is striving.- Transocean News Service.

JAPANESE DENIAL

JAPANESE MEET WITH STUBBORN CHINESE

RESISTANCE

Defenders In Capital Blow Up Bridges

TOKYO, DECEMBER 10: THE JAPANESE ARE REPORTED TO HAVE ENTERED NANKING CITY.—REUTER.

Shanghai, December 10: Wit 1 aeroplanes raining bombs and artillery laying a powerful barrage, Japanese Infantry headed by tanks and other mechanised units tried to-day to clear the paths to the age-old high seawall around Nanking to crush back the defenders and enter the city as its Arst allen conquerors. The tide of the battle ran in favour of the Japanese who, however, encountered most stubborn resistance from the Chinese whose operations were directed by General Tang Sheng-chi, gar- rison commander at Nanking. Two Japanese observation balloons appear southward of the Purple Mountain and remained aloft despite Chinese attempts to bring them down.

A number of Chinese tanks were put out of action by the Japanese fire.

The city echoed with heavy explosions all night long as the Chinese blew up bridges and other strategic features.

Meanwhile a flanking Japanese force of 7,000 men including cavalry reached Tashengkuan about eight miles up river from Nanking thus cutting off a possible Chinese retreat in the direc- tion of Waha-Reater.

WUHU INCIDENT REGRETS

j

MAN OF MOMENT Shanghal, Dec. 10: With General Matsui's ultimatum; General Pel Chung-hsi, the Kwangsi warlord, who at the outbreak of hostilities buried the hatchet with Chiang Kai-shek and came to the fore us commander in second military

In a written reply to Lt-Comdr. R. T. H. Fletcher (Lab.), Lord Cranborne, In the House of Com- mons, said that Admiral Sir Char-

Tokyo, Dec. 10: The withdrawal China, has become the man of the les Little, Commander-in-Chief of

of Italy from the League of Nations is declared in the Japanese news

papers

moment.

As garrison. commander, General

Sheng-chi Tang.

nominally the of

but city. the actual power is vested in Pel Chung-hsi, former "Ironsides" commander Chang Fah-kwet and other pro-war generals.

be highly probable. in control to Nevertheless, paling are being taken to inform the Japanese public that there is no truth in the reports appearing in the foreign pres that Japan and Germany have all along been trying to induce Italy to take this step.--

Transocean News Service.

ITALY AND THE LEAGUE

Rome, Dec. 9.. That Italian withdrawal from the League of Nations will be decided upon during the Grand Fascist Congress on Saturday is regarded as practically certain in political circles

here. Representatives of the Ministry of National Culture, when questioned about the rumours, declared that they could not confirm or deny them as it was not customary to discuss the agenda in advance.

Informed circles. however, are convinced that judging By the Ita- an attitude generally during the past few months and Signor Mus-

membership of the League will be terminated. It will be remember-

a mere farce. "The vociferous ap-solini's Palermo speech, Italian plause with which Mussolini has encouraged the Japanese criminal action in China and his refusal to participate in international co- operation indicate plainly his at- titude towards the League," · says the paper.

POWER OVER PEACE The step which Italy is now planning to take reveals Il Duce's preference for power over peace, Justice and liberty.

SHANGHAI CUSTOMS

SITUATION

Japanese Government Not Yet Satisfied

Tokyo, Dec. 10: While acknow- ledging the fact that a number of Japanese nationals were recently' appointed to posts in the Shang

hat Chinese Martime Customs, a

spokesman of the Foreign Office declared at a press conference to- day that the Japanese Govern- ment was not yet satisfied about

ed that the Duce in his speech re- ferred to above, mentioned that the Italian Government no longer sought recognition, by the League, of Italian sovereignty over Abys- sinia though they demanded that they acknowledge that the Abys sinia of the Negus, must be regard- ed as dead.→→

Transocean News Sértice.

SITUATION IN WAZIRISTAN

Majority Of Additional Garrison Withdrawn

the China station, had immediate- ly protested in regard to the Wuhu

THIS IS

BURGUNDY WEATHER.

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND

OUR FINE SELECTION ́OF ·

VINTAGE BURGUNDIES

THE QUALITY AND EXCELLENCE OF THESE WINES

BEING UNSURPASSED IN HONG KONG

CALDBECK'S

OPEN LETTER-

TO JAPAN

incident to the Japanese Admiral, AND THE WORLD

who had" expressed regret. The British Ambassador at Tokyo had alsc made representations to the Japanese Government.

With regard to the attack on the steamer Sushan, his present in-

Continued from Page 1)

block in international relation-

as Chiang Kai-shek's formation tended to show that fir. / ships and should do it even while

General Pel Chung-hsi, who is regarded logical successor, is believed to be responsible for stiffening the pre- viously flagging morale of the defenders. On him, therefore, rests the momentous answer Matsui's challenge.- Keuter.

to

NO REPLY Shanghai, Dec. 10: General Tang Sheng-chi has not replied to Gen. Matsul's ultimatum, according to unconfirmed Chinese reports. Reuter

JAPANESE CAPTURE TANGTỪ

Tokyo, 'Dec, 10: Japanese forces captured Tangtu in the walled city on the south bank of the Yangtse midway between Nanking and

Wuhu this morning, according to a Japanese report received from Wuhu.--- Reuter.

BITTER STREET FIGHTING Shanghai, Dec. 10. Bitter street fighting is, raging within the inner walled city of Nanking according to a Japanese press report received here at 6.15 p.m. The report says that a detachment, descending through the outer wall from the north-east

skirted the Purple Mountain, battered down the Tal- ping gate and entered the inner city. Meanwhile Japanese troops from the east and south are stated to have effected a number of breaches in the outer wall and are also trying to force their way to the inner city.

Kruta

|

|

ing was carried out by Chinese troops. If further enquiries, which were being made by the British Consul-General in Shanghai, con- Armed this, representations would be addressed to the Chinese Gov- ernment. Porter's

U.S.S. PANAY'S

NARROW ESCAPE

Shanghai. Dec. 10: Bombs fell within a hundred yards of the U.S. gunboat Panay during a Japanese aerial attack on the Pukoy water- front, opposite Nanking yesterday. according to a belated 'report re- ceived to-day. The bombing oc- curred while the Panay was going upriver to Sanchiaho, two miles distant, where HM.S. Scarab and HMS Cricket are moored.

The remaining four U.S. Embassy cücials in Nanking aboard the Panay at the time state it was the closest shave experienced by any U.S. warship during the whole war.- Reuter

JAPANESE TROOPS DRIVEN BACK

Linfen, Dec. 10: Five hundred Japanese troops at Talhsien south of Yenmenkwan Pass in north Shansi which attempted to move to Fangchih, a town east, have been driven back by Chinese mobile units, a report reaching here to- day states.

OFFENSIVE LAUNCHED Tokyo, Dec. 10: The Japanese forces launched a general assault on Nanking at 1.30 pm. as the re- sult of the rion-arrival of a reply

Twenty truckloads of Japanese from. General Tang Sheng-chi to troops were ambushed by Chinese General Mitsul's ultimatum, ac- guerrilla troops on the highway cording to semi-official Japanese between Kuohsien and Taiyuan un reports from the Nanking front.

December 6, resulting in the destruction of two trucks and some The ultimatum expired at noon,

half hour's grace.-

this war is on. This is our own the it regardless of the actions of moral problem and we should set-

the other person Involved. Two wrongs do not make one right.

EXTRATERRITORIALITY.

2. If we ask Japan to respect `the political and territorial, sover- eignty of China, we must ask the rest of the nations to do the same.

We therefore suggest that: (a) Extraterritoriality be renounc-

+

are

ed by all nations at once, ex- cept where China of her own free choice asks for its con- tinuance. The reasons fot Ex- traterritoriality have been tad- ing out and practically gone. China has been setting her own house in order at an amazing rate and reforms of every kind are making Extra- territoriality cutgrown and un- necessary.

(b) All posting of foreign troops on Chinese territories for the protection of foreign nationals should be done away with at once. This, too, has been out- grown and unnecessary and is at the same time ineffectual. The best security for foreigners is, on the part of China, a strong

Government Central and, on the part of foreigners, sympathetic and friendly at- Chinese titudes toward the people.

THE

HONG KONG

PENINSULA HOTEL;

HONGKONG HOTEL; KEPULAR BAY HOTEL}

&

SHANGHAI

ASTOR HOUSE; PALACE HOTEL;

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In association with the Grand Hotel der Wagons Lits, Peking.

Crowd of Nantao refugees standing outside the French Con- cession in the hope of gaining admittance.

New Delhi. Dec. 10: More than half of the additional garrison at Waziristan, numbering 5,000, have but the Japanese gave one and a Japanese casualties, another report (d) Ail territory of China now oc-ward China from being a country

been withdrawn from the province and the normal strength of the Indian garrison 20,000. The Government is optimistic of the

18

the Chinese Maritime Customs in | altuation in Waziristan becoming Shanghai.

better and that they do not bé- He added that negotiations re-lieve there will be any trouble

Customs garding the

situation during the cold weather although

Fakir pi is still at large. were still being continued.

Renter's Bulletin Server. Reuter..

Picture taken at a recent Fanling. Hant meeting.

Reuter

KING GUSTAVUS

י,

OF SWEDEN

Tributes Paid By English Press

just received here reveals.

Central News.

FAREWELL TALK

In a farewell talk to a large in- ternational gathering at St. John's Cathedral Hall last night, Rev. Dr. E. Stanley Jones, the eminent evangelist and writer, spoke from personal observation of many as- pects of the present Japanese activities in China.

on

(c) Along with this withdrawal of troops there should be a with- drawal of all foreign gunboats from the territorial waters of China, except the normal visi- tation of naval ships of one nation by another. These

We therefore make bold to offer. ships in Chinese waters have necessary to her own national life served their function and the and development.

to a confused and baffled world a necessity for their presence 5. We urge on the part of all simple solution, the Christian solu- has been outgrown.

nations a change of attitude to- tion, the Kingdom of God on earth.

Here is a new order based to be exploited for selfish ends to mutual aid, brotherhood, love, re- one that should be co-operated demption, and it stands at the door with and developed in her own of the lower order based on selfish- interests. She should be given an ness, exploitation, mutual ruin, unfettered apportunity to reform and is ready to replace it both in and develop her own ufe. No one; the individual and in the collective need fear that development least will This is the stone, "rejected " of all Japan, provided Japan is indeed by the puliders of civiliza- friendly, for the heart of China is tion, that has now become the hera essentially pacific. This will turf of the corner. In many minds. out to the best interests of all around the world, and in the in- concerned. We are ́assured ... by creasing number of minda, it has Chinese economists that Chins become the cornerstone of econo- would not object to, indeed would mic international thinking as welcome, economic assistance on offering the only solution. It is the part of Japan, or other nations, being looked to more and more as provided it is by mutual consent the only hope for civilization on and provided it leave China's the brink of ruin. You have tried unworkable ways of hate and force sovereignty intact and real.

that

fast breaking down through their own contradictions and strains. We ask you to try käsin, Z

cupled by International Bettle- ments, or Concessions to Indivi- dual nations, or territory which is legitimately Chinese now oc- cupied by other nations, should be renounced and given back to China, except where China of her own free will asks for their retention. It is quite thinkable and probable that China,, given unfettered choice, may decide that cer- tain places be occupied as at present in the interests of all concerned. But China should decide. JAPAN'S NEEDS SHOULD BE EXAMINED

An

London, Dec. 9. During the last few days, news- papers of all shades of opinion in

He said the nation had in the the United Kingdom have contain-

last few years: shown such remark- ed comment in the friendliest tone on the 30th anniversary of the ac-

able promise of accomplishing a real cession of King Gustavus, cele- great things that it was

to find her endeavours brated in Sweden yesterday. Tri- tragedy

3. Japan says that she needs fur- and shattered by the ruthlessness of the butes to the King" as man ruler have been paid editorially in invader. Giving an outline of his ther outlet for the settlement of the principal newspapers.

trips in Central and South China, surplus population. This should British Wireless

and of his own reactions, as well be impartially and sympathetically examined by an international as the attitude of men, and women

DRIVE FOR EGGS AND GRASS SHOES

up portions of the

MUTUAL AID

6. These recommendations lead us straight into the necessity for one central recommendation,

210

We ask you to make a start in

of all stations whom he had met or Commission and recommendations namely, for co-operation, for mu

as to where suitable tual aid. Life lived according to this Sino-Japanese condict and addresesd; to the trial being under-made gone at the present time, Dr. Jones places are avaliable and sundent ruthless competition, the law of begin to apply it here. If you do Nanchang, Dec. 10: A campaign appealed for the withdrawal of all to meet an honest deed. Far bet the jungle, has brought us to a so, it may be that what seETIS 13 has been launched by the various economic relationship with Japan. ter to give co-operatives under the Ministry He said he was a friend of the world for such settlement that tongle civilization, full of fears and have within it the possibility of a world, affairs is mutual, rain. We turn out to have within it the of Industry in Klangsi Province to Japanese, but their crime in China give up the hope of peace for the wars. The end of this road in world war, with its world ruin, shall must have the courage, corporately, possibility of a new world based on contribute egge and grass shoes to could not be condoned, se

to turn around, to repent, to take co-operation and mutual aid, a 4. Where Japan lacks raw Ind the Chinese soldiers at the front. He expressed his faith in the

During the first day of the drive Chinese people, and said that in terials in her own territory, let at the road to mutual ale, to co world of peace and brotherhood. yesterday nearly 5,000 grass shoes the final reckoning Japan may same international Commission operation. We must love our neigh-It is worth risking our all upon. It and 40.000 eggs, were, collected, have cause to regret her present make recommendations for the bours as we love ourselves or we is the only open door.

E STANLEY JONES. policy. Central News.

world

"

supply of those raw materials perish.