1937-12-16 — Page 1

Page

MASON'S

DELICIOUS

O.K.

SAUCE.

TO-DAY'S WEATHER FORECAST-North-East Winds, Moderate To Fresh; Cloudy Probably Improving · Later.

Hongkong Daily Press.

Registered as a Newspaper at the General

Post Office in the United Kingdom.

ESTABLISHED 1857

Läbrary, Supreme Court

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best

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No. 34746. MATDACO DAJ¶±T HONG KONG, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1937. # MAƒ±ƒÆ*¶¶¶* Price

Single Copy, 10 cts.

Per Month. $3.

Japanese Planes Active Near The Border

Bombs Dropped Near Tongtowha

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS IN BIAS BAY

NEWS REACHED "THE DAILY PRESS' YESTERDAY AFTERNOON OF THE "PRESENCE IN SOUTH CHINA WATERS, NOT FAR FROM HONG KONG, OF TWO JAPANESE AIRCRAFT CARRIERS AND FOUR MEN-O-WAR.

The exact nature of their activities here is not known, but the opinion is held in usually well- informed quarters that preparations are probably afoot for a thorough survey of the coast for the an- ticipated large-scale operations which may probably be launched if and when the position around Nari- king and the north has been liquidated.

Considerable bombing of the Kowloon-Canton Rallway WAE again carried out yesterday after. noon, five planes taking part. These machines, presumably took off from the carriers now anchored near Blus Bay.

The Arst reports reaching Hong Kong yesterday was to the effect that Pukut, a few miles from the

Sensation In Paris

ILLICIT ARMS DEPOT DISCOVERED

Garage Owner Missing

. Paris, Dec. 14: An illicit arms depot,claimed to be the largest unearthed since the beginning of the enquiry into the Caar affair was discovered in a garage in the east side of Paris.

"The arms included six light Hotchkiss machine-guns two of which came from a mobilisation depot, in Laon and 80 rifles..

The owner of the garage is re- ported to be missing. "' Reuter.

JAPANESE AIRMEN PUNISHED

Shanghai, Dec. 14: According to a Japanese statement, some of the Japanese Byers responsible for the bombing the U.S.S. Panay have already been punished while athers have been sent to Japan in disgrace. Transocean News Ser. vice.

SIR WALFORD SELBY IN LISBON

London, Dec. 15. When the new British Ambassa- dui to Portugal, Bir Walford Selby, Teached Lisbon to-day he was greeted by, among others, a repre- sentative of Dr. Balazar and For- tuguese, British and French diplo- mats. The new Ambassador reter- red to the long ties of friendship between Portugal and Britain and promised to do his utmost to make them ever strotiger.a Beuter's Bulletin dervice.

frontier, was bombed, but a later message denied this, stating that the planes merely few over Pukut, turned north and then dropped bombs between Toagtowha and Kingtongwal. The extent of the damage done, if any, is not known.

A report received by the local office of the Chinese Maritime Customs stated that bombs were dropped

NEED FOR H.K.

PRISON REFORM

Startling Facts Disclosed In Report

QUESTION OF FOOD COSTS

The need for wholesale prison reform in Hong Kong is emphasised by the report of the Overcrowding of Prisons Committee, which tabled at the Legistative council, yester- day afternoon. The report con- tains startling revelations.

In the case of overcrowding it is shown that at one time this year Stanley Gaol, which has accom- modation for 1,500, was nousing 1,154 prisoners, despite the fact that 800 cells were useless as they possessed no locks.

about five miles from the Kong Kong frontier.

The fact that two aircraft car- riers have arrived in the south and are stationed in close proximity to the coast may be taken to indicate that intensification of the bombing raids or the southern railways is contemplated.

THE ARCADIANS

THOROUGHLY

ENJOYABLE

MUSICAL PLAY

BY "STALLS"

The congratulations of the thea- tre-loving public go to the Hong Kong Philharmonie Society on the great success they scored last night with "The Arcadians" which had its premiere at the Queen's Thea tre. Here in Hong Kong it is rather the exception than the rule to have a packed house at any "first night" but the theatre. last night was very nicely filled

A characteristic photograph taken at the last Sunday meet of the Fanling Hounds.

Mikado Talks To Chiefs

APOLOGY TO ROOSEVELT "IMPROBABLE

London, Dec. 15: The Emperor

of Japan conferred with leading Japanese military personages, in- cluding the Chief of the Ad- miralty. Admiral Yonai, on Tues- day evening and discussed with them the situation in connection

LARGE SUM RAISED AT CHARITY BALL

Report On Mui Tsai In Colony

S.C.A. FIGURES

Unemployment In Territories

The report of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs for the year 1936 was tabled at the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon.

The report states that at the beginning of the year the number of registered mul tanks in the Colony was 1,928 but by the end of December this had been re- duced by 344 to a total of 1,584. The main items in this reduction were marriage, permanent, de- parture from the Colony, restora- tion to parents or relatives and securing independent employment.

Seventy-two persons were prose- cuted under the Female Domestic «Service. Ordinance, the total num- ber of charges preferred being. 101. In all cases involving un- registered mul tsals, the girls were either restored to their relatives or placed in a suitable institution. The number of inmates of the Po Leung Kuk on January 1, 1936, was 59 and during the year 615 persons were admitted as `against ́ 360

International Medical Relief

Function Brilliant Success in 1935.

CHIEF JUSTICE'S SYMPATHETIC APPEAL FOR WORTHY CAUSE

Held in a gay and brilliant atmosphere, with gorgeous Chinese owns and chic westem evening dresses moving in continuous pa- feantry against a traditional male background of black and white, the Charity Ball sponsored by the International Medical Bellef Com-

and judging by the enthusiastic with President Franklin D. Romittee, which took place in the Roof Garden of the Hong Kong Hotel

way the audience received "The Arcadians," I make bold to predict "full houses" for the next three nights. I have been informed that on Friday night His Excellency the Governor and Lady Northcote, as well as His Excellency the General Officer Commanding and Com- modore E. B. Dicken will attend.

Primarily, I would commend to the public the spirit of this Society in presenting for its amusement

a musicale, which, for such curacy in production, labour in its setting, faithful rendering of its lyrics, and collaboration of its "en- semble" require that enthusiasm, enterprise and tact which Mr. W Robertson, the Hon. brings in its production.

ac-

Producer,

Particular attention-1s paid to the question of food costs, and the committee shows that not only an rations cost $13 per first class month per head, as compared with among the the normal average Chinese of $5 to $7 a month, but that for approximately 20 years the system of tendering by ration has been in existence in the Colony and that the tender has been ob- tained by a contractor under the sign of Hop Kee, whom the Com- mittee endeavoured to discover.combined with the commendable but found only an office in Con- naught Road, attended by a clerk, who professed to know nothing about it..

"

(Continued on page 9).

INDEPENDENCE FOR SYRIA

Paris, Dec. 16: France and Syria have agreed on all points of a Treaty whereby Byria which is mandated to France will be given complete independence in 1940----

Reuter's Bulletín Service,

SHANGHAI RICE SHORTAGE PROBLEM SERIOUS

Hankow, Dec. 15: The rice shortage problem in Bhangbainis becoming more serious as a result of the Japanese military re- fusing to let 20.000 piculs of rice stored south of Soochow Creek be removed into the Settlement and French Concession, accord- ing to a report received from foreign sources.

It is also stated that Chinese and foreign rice firms have concluded a contract for the purchase of 200,000 bags of rice from Indo-China which is due to arrive in Shanghal on December 20. Owing to various difficulties in obtaining special permits to im port the rice, it is reported that no further purchases will be made for the time being.-Central News.

The orchestra, under the baton of its Hon. Conducter, Mr. L. A. Lafford, worthly stimulates the cast to their brightest efforts, and

labour of those "behind," leaves one assured that the Society has added another star to its already bright firmament.

Continued on Back Paro)

RECENT RABAUL

DISASTER

Bravery Becognised

{

London, Dec. 15. For services rendered in the recent volgaro, disaster in Rabaul, the King has approved" of the bestowal of "honours on "officials and residents of New Quines, “

The Administrator of New Guinea (Brig. Gen. W. R. Me Nicoll) receives the order of Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, while nine others. will receive ordets ranging from G.BE to the King's Police Medal for conspicuous bravery.—- Reuters, Bulletin “Rammary

velt's protest Note according to a "Daily Express" report from Tokyo this morning. The con- ference was adjourned after one bour and was resumed shortly after.

Other messages from Tokyo. de- clare that it is extremely im-

last night, was in every way an unqualified success.

The Ball was held under the distinguished patronage of HE. the Governor and Lady Northcote, and His Honour Sir Atholl MacGregor was President of the event. Many other well-known residents and other tiotables were present, the attendance being unprecentedly large and all accommodation was taken up.

Music for dancing was rendered by the Hong Kong Hotel Dance Orchestra under the leadership of Art Carneiro, and the proceedings were made more interesting and enjoyable by several excellent ca- haret numbers in which well- known local artists took part. The dinner was donated by an anony- mous gentleman who, in spite of his modest reticence is known as one enjoying a wide popularity.

The speech was rendered into Chinese by the Hon. Bir Chou-son Chow, who very kindly performed this duty for the Hon. Dr. R. H. Kotewall, the latter being unable, on account of indisposition, to act as Vice-President of the Ball.

probable that the Emperor of KING AT CHILDREN'S

PARTY

London, Dec. 15. Birthday greetings from all parts

Japan himself will answer Prezi- dent Roosevelt's protest since this would involve the Emperor in politics which would be incom- patible with Japanese tradition of the world reached King George according to which the Emperor's yesterday. In the afternoon His person is "sacred."--Transocean | Majesty and the Queen together News Bervice.

ITALIAN YOUTHS

KILLED

Rome, Dec. 14: Ten Italian youths were killed in an avalanche whilat skiing in the Alps near the Austrian border-

Hester's Bulletin Service,

Cables

NEWS INDEX

with Queen Mary and the Duchess of Kent were present at a children's party given in Buckingham Palace for Princesses Elizabeth and Mar- garet. About ninety children were 'present Reuter's Bulletin Service

THE DOLLAR

TT. ON NEW YORK: 30-15/18 ON LONDON:. ta' 27/BA.

London Silver Market

Finance upor

...Page 6, 8, 9 .Page 12, 13 Leading Articles....... Page 8. Radiu Prograinme Page 4.

Local Diary

..Page 5).

Page 16.

Fage 15. Paze 7. Page 10.

Spot.... Forward.

STROMBOLI ERUPTION Rome. Dec. 14: A volcano in the Island of Strombolt near Bicily Mall Notices suddenly erupted last night with Shipping

a violent blast but nobody was The Bervices hurt, Peuter's Bulletin Service ?

Sport

(From Our Own Correspondent).

London, Dec. 15. London silver prices to-day were unchanged as follow:-

Dec. 14 Dec. 16. ...18-11/10 18-11/16

...18-5/16

18-6/10

$5,165 RAISED \ A grand total of $5,165 was raised.. Actually the sum waa

$5,115 but this was supplemented by $50 won in a sweepstako by Mr. B. Raymond who kindly re- turned the amount to the fund.

In the course of the evening, the President read the following tele- 'gram from the Chinese Medical

of Association Shanghai; "Dr., Arthur Woo, Hong Kong-Best wishes for successful party for worthy cause-Greetings!".

(Condnued, on back Page:

AGRICULTURE IN TERRITORIES

Report For Southern District

Dealing

report southern

states:

with agriculture, the

the New Territories...... district for last year,

The district, as a whole, may claim to have enjoyed a fair inea- sure of prosperity during the year in spite of the severe typhoon of August 18 which did considerable damage to the rice crops in Southern Lantau and to the salt pans in Tai O. Both rice, crops were good as also were the sweet potato and vegetable crops.

The firewood and beancurd in-"

well. Cattle, dustries also did pigs and poultry, chiefly produced at Tsun Wan and Tal O, were reported very satisfactory. Prices generally were well sustained.

LIGHT BLUES. WIN

London, Dec. 14: Cambridge beat Oxford 3-2 in the inter-Varsity squash rackets played to-day.---

Beuter's Bulletin Server.

Refugees from Chapel.