1937-12-14 — Page 1

MASON'S

DELICIOUS

O.K.

SAUCE.

Page

Library, Supreme Court

TO-DAY'S WEATHER FORECAST:North-East Winds, Fresh; Cloudy With Drizzle. Probably Improving.

Hongkong Daily Press.

Registered as a Newspaper at the General

Post Office in the United Kingdom.

ESTABLISHED 1857

Whurrow

General Manager

For the

best

treatment

No. 24744. BABENT CARETET HONG KONG, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1937. # ****** Price

Mr. Cordell Han

America Will

-Send. Stiff

Note To Tokyo

Washington." Dec. 13: As soon as it is established that the Japan-

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ACCIDENTAL DEATH

Talamba Inquest Verdict

EVIDENCE OF CHIEF MANAGER OF KOWLOON DOCKS

A verdict of accidental death and that they were satisfied that every precaution was taken to prevent accidents, was returned by a jury, comprising Messrs. G. A. Pentreath (Foreman), A. Ray- mond and A. R. H. Phillips, at the inquest into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Shen Kung-fan, and three others who were suffocated while at work aboard the B. I. 8.3. Talamba at the Kowloon Docks on November 28. The Talamba was swept ashore off Devil's Point in Lycemun Pass during the disastrous typhoon on the morning of September 2.

Mr. K. Keen sat as Coroner and Inspector T. O'Connor was present on behalf of the police.

At yesterday's hearing, Mr. V. C. Branson. Government Analyst, testified that he said that he examined a sample of the blood of So Chan who also died in the Talamba, and found no evidence of the gas.

On or about October 10 he went on board the Talamba together ese were responsible for the sink with the Port Health Officer and found that there was a large ing of the U.S.S. Panay the most stiffly worded Note yet to be sent quantity of fermenting rice which will be despatched to Tokyo. But Kave off carbon dioxide and sul- the way in which both Govern-phuretted hydrogen. He said that ment and Congress leaders recely-it was his first experience to and ed the news of the disaster makes

it certain that there will be no precipitate action.-Beuter.

ESSENTIAL POLICY OF

AMERICA

Washington, Dec, 13. Instead of staying up awaiting -news, Mr.-Cordell Hall, Secretary of State, went to bed last night de. termined to sleep on the incident before he and his advisers draft up. whatever protest is necessary, It is obvious that the State De- partment is doing everything to make public reaction as calm as possible.

i

The "Washington Herald" re- nects this determination and says, "Ameries has no interests that can drag us into the war because the Far East is'in a ferment. Our essential policy is to avold war. We are ill-equipped to wage war and at the same time protect the lives of Americans in the Far East." It is felt here that had another Lusitanis been involved instead of a gunboat. national indignation would be tempered by the realities of the situation.-- Reuter.

SINGAPORE

DEFENCES

Increase In Expenditure

Singapore, Dec. 13.

A Bill will be placed before the Straits Settlements legislature for an increase in expenditure of local defences from. £57,000 to £70,000 annually. Another Bil regarding "Black-out" in specific areas has been introduced.-- Bentor's Bulletin Service.

the latter gas being given off from fermenting rice,

Dr. C. Y. Kok, the then medical officer-in-charge of the Kowloon Public Mortuary, and now Health Officer in the New Territories, stated. In his report, that the cause of death of the four work- men, was due to gas and drowning.

SPANISH WAR NEWS

Paris. Dec. 13. "Havas" reports that Madrid was heavily shelled last night. The attack began at 7.30 p.m., and was Intensified two hours later. Many lives are reported to have been lost during the bombardment.

A number of shells were fired on Valencia, by an Insurgent warship but a Spanish Government re- port on the attack made no men- tion of casualties.

The Government claimed to have made an air raid on Saragos-. sa with considerable success.

Router's Bulletin Bereste,

PEAK HOUSES. ROBBED

|

Gold ornaments, Jewellery and money to the total value of ap- proximately $3,300, were reported! stolen carly yesterday morning from houses in The Peak district. The occupants of No. 198 suffered the heaviest loss, property to the value of $3.000 being stolen.

Soochow:"Remains of one carriage where many people met their

death after Japanese bombing.

$

MANAGER'S EVIDENCE

Mr. E. Cock, B.Sc., MIN.An M.B.E. Chier Manager of the Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Com- pany Ltd., giving evidence said that the Kowloon Docks had taken the salvage work in hand. Before salvage

commenced operations

there was a large quantity of rice in the holds of the Talamba The rice in No. 4 hold was removed be- fore salvage "work was The rice was removed with great difficulty by divers as No. 4 hold was under water.

started

There were matters of time and

cost and the safety or the ablp had to be considered as she was lying in a nearly upright position with much of the ground excavated or washed away under the port alde for the purpose of patching the holds on that side," såld witness. (Continued on "Page 8

To-day is the 42nd birthday. of King George VI, second son of the late King George V and Queen Mary.

ITALO-FRENCH

· RAPPROCHEMENT

Belgrade, Dec 13: During the French Foreign Minister, M. Delbox" visit to Yugo-Slavia the final

touch will be given for the signa- ture of the trade agreement be- tween France and Yugo-Slavia. It is understood that M. Stoyadinovitch had been instructed by Italy to approach M. Delbos for an Italo- French rapprochement and also be told the French Foreign Minister that Yugo-Slavia will not sign the Anti-Comintern Pact---

Renter's Bulletin Service.

U.S.S. PANAY DISASTER

Causes Profound Sensation In Japanese Official Circles

HIROTA EXPRESSES REGRETS

Tokyo, December 13.

The American Ambassadör, Mr. Joseph Grew, called on the "Foreign Minister, Mr. Hirota, at "10 a.m., and pointed out that he had received reports that Japanese shells were falling close to the U.S.S. Panay In the vicinity of Nanking and asked the Japanese authorities, to exercise caution.

Later in the morning, upon receipt of information from the Ministry of Navy that Japanese planes had sunk three Standard Oll Company tankers and the Panay, Mr. Hirota personally called on Mr. Grew and expressed most profound regrets and apologies. The War Minister, General Sugiyama, and the Navy Minister, Admiral Yonal, called on the Military and Navy attaches for the same purpose.

The incident caused's most profound sensation in Japanese oficial circles which is very anxious to build up the most friend- ly Japanese-American relations with the view to preventing Anglo-American co-operation in the Far Eastern situation Reuter.

76 PERSONS ABOARD PANAY Shanghal, Dec. 13; It is learned that a party of Japanese Army officers escorted by armed soldiers boarded the U.S.S. Panay at 11 am. yesterday and courteously ex- changed information about the situation at Nanking and asked the destination of the Panay. During the visit many armed Japanese troops came alongside in sampans and trained weapons towards the Panay. The American Embassy understands that seventy-six per- sons were aboard the Panay in- cluding 54 crew and six Chinese!

Chinese Advised Not To Be Disheartened

Hankow, December 13: A timely advice to the Chinese'not to feel disheartened at the present Japanese attack on Nanking, the capital of China,(was given by Mr. Shao Li-tze, Chairman of the Central Publiclty Council, in the course of a radio speech broadcast at Hankow last night.

Even the fall of Nanking which is not unexpected in the present war of protracted resistance should aroase no undue worry and pessimism, Mr. Shro declared.

Citing similar cases in history in which national capitals were threatened by allen invasion, Mr. Shảo said that during the World War the capitals of France and Turkey had to be removed from Paris and Constantinople to Bordeaux and Angora respectively.

With the removal of the National Government to Chungking, Nanking, Mr. Shao pointed out, has lost its political and even military significance. The reason why the Chinese forces are bitterly defending the city is to show that China will not surrender any territory without resistance.

Mr. Shao was confident that like France and Turkey, China will recover her lost territory and win the final victory, if her people are persistent in resistance to Japan.--Central News.

Pres. Hoover Feared Total Loss

Manila, Dec. 13: After spend- ing two nights huddled in make- shift shelters" on the barren Islands of Holshoto and Hayake, the passengers and crew of the Dollar liner. President Hoover, which went aground on Saturday morning while en route to Hong Kong from the North, are being taken off to-day by the President McKinley.

It is assumed that a skeleton crew is being maintained aboard the President Hoover but it is feared that the 21.936-ton liner will become a total loss. The three forward holds are leaking badly.--

Kleuter.

PASSENGERS ON WAY

TO MANILA Manila, Dec. 13: Four hundred and fifty-three of the President Hoover's passengers including those bound for Hong Kong are at pre- sent en route to Manlia aboard the Pres. McKinley which is expected here on Wednesday. It is under- stood the Pres. Pierce is expected at the scène of the Hoover dis- aster to-mOTTOW---- Reuter.

OCCUPATION OF NANKING

Announcement By Japanese

Shanghal, Dec. 13: General Matsul's headquarters announced

See

N. Lazarus Opticians

6 Pedder St.

Single Copy, 10 cts

Per Month. $3.

Vice-Admiral Hasegawa

Japanese Offer Full Reparation

RUSHING AID TO

11

U.S.S. PANAY"

The Chinese Foreign Once has instructed the Anhwel provincial | authorities to ensure the safety of

Shanghai, Dec. 13: It is under- the survivors of the Panay disaster

stood that Vice-Admiral Hsso- and to give them every ald post-gawa, Commander-in-Chief of the

ble."

It is learned that RMS. Lady- bird sustained six hits during the Japanese attack yesterday One ancil holed No. 2 oll and fuel tank

and another blew off the officers' quarters. A third demolished the wireless aerial.

An assurance that everything, possible will be done to respect British shipping concentration near Nanking Was received by the British authorities at Wahu from Admiral Hasegawa. The British Embassy flag was hoisted at Han- kow for the second time in history in the mast of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank building where the Embassy has established offices. The first time was on the occasion of HE. Sir Hughe Knatchbull Hugessen's visit in the spring when

It was hoisted at the Consulate- General-Reuter

WITHDRAWAL OF ITALY NOT REGRETTED

Poor Law For London, Dec. 13: Mr. Clement

The Colony

CHILD WELFARE

INTERESTS

H.E. THE GOVERNOR

Comment on the question of a Poor Law for the Colony and a promise to give the matter his the complete occupation of Nan- personal consideration were made king at sunset,---

kruter

PEIPING BEFLAGGED Pelping, Dec. 13: The streets of Pelping are beflagged in anticipa- tion of the Japanese occupation of Nanking. School children are in- structed to take part in parades and the parents of those refusing to do so will be considered as Communists. Instructions were issued by the Peace Maintenance Commission appointed by the Japanese.--

Beuter's Bulletin Service.

MR. R. G. HOWE LEAVING

FOR HOME

Soänghai, Dec, 13: It is learned that the Charge D'Affaires, Mr. R. O. Howe, and the Chinese Secre- tary, Mr. A D. Blackburn, will leave for Home at the end of the year. The consensus of opinion of leading. Britishers is that the ab- sence of the Ambassador, Charge D'Affaires as well as Admiral Bir Charles Tittle is inconsistent with proper representation of British Radly Programmes......Page 4: Interests and is likely to convey an

Cables

Finance

NEWS INDEX

Lending Articles

Local Diary

Mail Notices

Page 6, 8, 8. .Page, 12, 13 ..Page. 8.

by His Excellency the Governor, Sir Geoffry Northcote, at the an- nual Meeting of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Chii- dret, held at the Helena May In- stitute last evening. His Excel- lency also promised to look into the matter of some sort of reform of procedure in the Juvenile Courts, which subject had been touched upon by His Honour the Chier Justice. Sir Athoil Mac- Gregor, in his speech -seconding the proposal for the adoption of the report and accounts" for the year,

A very hearty vote of thanks to the Press for publicity given the Society, proposed by Mr. G. F. de Martin, and seconded by Mr. Tang Bhui-kin, was carried.

PRESIDENT'S SPEECH In opening the meeting the President, the Hon. Sir Shou-son

Chow, said:

(Continued on Back Pare)

THE DOLLAR

T.T. ON NEW YORK: 30-15/16 : T.T. ON LONDON: 1. 2,7/8d; London Silver Market From Our Own Correspondent). London, Dec. 13. London silver prices to-day impression with the Chinese and were up 5/18 for "Spot" and "For Japanese that Britain is indifer-ward," as follow:- ent to the greatest crisis in the

Page 6.

„Page 16.

Bhipping

The Services

Sport

.Page: 15. „Page”'7" .Page 19.

Far East"="

Reuter.

8pot

Forward

|

"Attlee, Leader of the Opposition," said that he did not regret the withdrawal of Italy from the League. A Government which had practised aggression in Abyssinia, attacking the legitimate Govern- ment of Spain and had shown dis regard for all international rules did not bring strength to the League but weakened it.

Reuters Bulletin Servies.

Japanese Third Fleet, has offered Admiral H. E Yarnell, Commander in-Chief of the United States

connection with the US. Panay Asiatic Fleet, full reparation in

disaster. Beaten

PLANE WITH DOCTORS Shanghai, Dec. 13: Desuite the "danger of mines and Chinese gun- fire, à Japanese -mine-sweeper is proceeding at full speed to Habsien from Chinking to render every possible aid to the survivors of the USB, Panay disaster, according to which adds that a tri-motored. an official Japanese announcement Japanese bomber will fly Hosen

from Shanghai to marrow morning with doctors and medical supples. The plane will

to..

convey any more of the seriously. injured who wish to enter hospital in Shanghai.

vited

Vice-Admiral Hasegawa, has in- Admiral Yarnell, to send officers with the party Rester.

ARAB KILLED

Jerusalem, Dec. 73: One Arab believed to be a police informer was fatally wounded in Halfa to- day. A young Jew was seriously hurt when a shot was fired at him while riding a bicycle in western Jerusalem.

Reuter's Bulletin Service.

Incendiary Bombs And Fire

INTERESTING TALK BY MR. FITZ-HENRY

AT CHINA FLEET CLUB

The lecture on the "Effecta and Characteristica di, and Measures for Protection against, Incendiary Bombs and Fire," by Mr. J. C. Fitz Henry, M.I. Fire E, Superin- tendent of the Hong Kong Fire Brigade, at the China Fleet Club Theatre last evening. attracted a packed-to-capacity attendance, showing the very great interest taken in air raid precautions by the Government and public of Hong Kong

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Fitz Henry said:

The purpose of this lecture is to consider the increase in are risk ikely to be caused by the dropping of incendiary bombs from aircraft and the questions involved in meeting this risk. For easy reference I. propose to classify my lecture into several parts.

(1) Incendiary bombs with brief reference to type and construc- tion.

(2) The effects of Incendiary bombs falling on or into premises and methods of dealing with

Dec. 12 Dec. 13 them. :18-13/16--18-1/2-] (3) Fire precautions and forms .18-1/2 18-3/5 tion of auxiliary are units in

business takings

(4) Functions of the Govern- ment Fire Brigade under air-raid conditions.

and industrial under-

(5) Outline of precautions re commended to be taken by house- holders.

Incendiary bombs which are likely to be dropped from aircraft may vany in weight from 2 to 60 pounds, but it is more likely that the lighter, type of bomb would be dropped as this would enable aircraft to curry sufficient bombs to start many fires in widely separated localities with a view to disorganising the, pasive defence. arrangements and creating general panic anlong the populace.

A large variety of materials has been considered as constituents of incendiary bombs, some being preferred to others for the high degree of heat intensity they generate,

The most likely constituents to be encountered would beo, magnesium phosphorus, carbon disulphide, thermite and thermal- loy owing to their cheapness over other materials and the fact, that

*(Continued en Daga ?)