1937-12-20 — Page 1

Page

O.K. SAUCE.

TO-DAY'S WEATHER FORECAST:-East And North-East Winds, Fresh; Cloudy.

Hongkong Daily Press.

Registered as a Newspaper at the General

Post Once in the United Kingdom.

Served in the best places

ESTABLISHED 1857

For attractive

frames and accurate lenses

Bec

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é Pedder St.

No. 24749. XADGETDATO BMASK4ET HONG KONG, MONDAY DECEMBER 20, 1937. ¤ ¤¶Price (Single Copy, 10 cts

Per Month. $3.

Cabinet To Consider Hong Kong Defence

CHINESE BLOW UP JAPANESE

FACTORIES IN TSINGTAO

WAR SCARE IN PRELUDE TO NEW CHINA

HANGCHOW

Many Leave Historical

WAR POLICY

City As Japanese Huge Fires Follow Explosions

Move Along Railway

Hangchow, Dec. 19.

A war atmosphere prevalled here to-day, as guns were mounted on the qutskirts of the city to pound the enemy when they come within range. The streets were laden with barbed wires and sandbags.

Gendarmes with fixed bayonets and carrying hand grenades are patrolling the streets, which are empty after nightfall. Many wo- le: the men and children have town for the interior.

The Japanese advance is along the Bhanghai-Nanking Railway and the Nanking-Hangchow highway. the Nanking- The outposts on Hangchow Railway are Tehching and Wukang, which are heavily garrisoned. It is said that batteries north of Hangchow will hold the advance

11

the Shanghai-Hangehow Railway-- International News Agency. ·

ID

new

SEIZURE OF JAPAN'S HANKOW

CONCESSION FORESEEN

Shanghai, December 19: The Chinese authorities have started blowing up Japanese mills, factories and other plants in Tsingtao valued at $300,000,000, according to foreign advices received here to- day. The Chinese are also stated to have closed the inner harbour presumably by sinking ships across its mouth. HMS. Suffolk and the United States ganboat Sacramento are at present at Tsingtao but the naval force there will be supplemented by the American Hght cruiser Marblehead and the U.S. destroyer Pope which left Shang- hal this morning.

Japanese property was left under seal with the Chinese authori- ties when 20.000 Japanese residents "there the largest Japanese community anywhere in China after Shanghal-evacuated in July. Apprehension lest the Chinese might destroy Japanese property has rendered Tsingtao, virtually Immune to attack. It is no secret that explosives have been placed ready to blow up every Japanese factory and mill at a moment's notite. Destruction of this property is re- garded as signifying either that Japanese have landed troops some- where in the vicinity of Tsingtao or that General Han Fu-chu, Gov- ernor of Shantung, has taken this step to show the Japanese once and for all that he will not be won over to their cause.

(Continued on. Back Page)

SZECHUEN TO RAISE ARMY OF 8,000,000

Activity In China's New Capital

AIR SERVICE WITH HONG

1

OPENED

(FROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

KONG

Chungking, December 15.

Once taking months, Hong Kong, Canton, Wuchow and other South China ports are now within six hours' distance of Kweilin, Kwelyang and Chungking.. This has been made possible by the Inauguration two days ago, of the direct Chungking-Hong Kong air service by the China National Aviation Corporation which has just transferred its head office from Shanghai to Chungking, now also the wartime capital of the Republic of China.

Faces once familiar i Canton | the direct Chungking-Hong Kong may now be seen in Chungking. airline was inaugurated on the Mr. Lin Sen, Chairman of the Na- morning of Dec. 16 when a China tional Government, who arrived at National Aviation Corporation Chungking at November 28 to pre-plane departed from that upper side over the temporary Govern-Yangtze port for the colony, by ment House here, was for mang

way of Kweiyang in Kweichow and years in Canton during the days of Kweiling and Wuchow in Kwangs!; the Military Government under the

the trip was completed the same. late Dr. Sun Yat-sen and at one

afternoon and the return trip was time was president of the ex-

made the next day. traordinary Senate of the Chinese

This direct airline has been reri- National Assembly. Other pro- minent people now in Chungking, dered desirable by the present non- use of Shanghai as an airport and but also when in Canton, are Mr. Tsou Lu, chancellor of Chungshan the growing importance of Chung- University; Mr. Lin Yan-kat, a king as a political as well as a former chairman of the provincial commercial centre. Until the in- express and Government and a former mayor auguration of this

(Continued on Page 8.)'

of Canton: General Chu Ching-lan,

a former civil governor of Kwang- tung, and Mr. Hin Wong until re-

cently Chinese editor of the Reuter's Bervice in Shanghai and chairman of the department of Journalism of the University of Shanghai. General Chu is in Chungknig looking after national· rellet work. It will be recalled that Mr. Wong, while in Canton many years ago, together with assistance given him-by Governor Chu Ching- lan, popularized the Boy Scouts movement which now has a strong į "hold throughout Chiria.

* WEEKLY SERVICE Beginning with a weekly service. to be extended if business Warrants,

THE DOLLAR

T.T. ON NEW YORK: 30-15/16. IT. ON LONDON: 1. 2.7/2d.

A

London Silver Market

(From Our Own Correspondent).

London. Dec. 18. London silver prices to-day were down 1/8 as follow:-

Dec. 17, 15-1/16

Spot......

Forward...........18-7/16

Guarding British Interests

H.M.S. Suffolk, at present in Tsingtao, is standing by to guard British interests there in view of threatened hostilities and to afford protection to British nationals. Other ships may be sent to Tsing- tao should the situation become serions.

Christmas Will See Critical State In China

Warfare In All Parts Of

Country Presaged By Army Activity

Hehow, Dec. 19.. Japanese forca have slackened their westward advance in the dir- ection of Eankow but are concen- trated in the drive northward for

Panay Films Rushed To America

CLIPPER TAKING

NEWSREELS TO ROOSEVELT

Shanghai, Dec. 19. For the second time within a week the USA. "Augusta, flagship

of

STRENGTHENING OF

FAR EAST FORCES

AWAITS DECISION

London Alive To

Danger Of "Puppet”

Canton Administration

London, December 19: The British Cabinet will consider afresh at its meeting on Wednesday the strengthening of British forces in the Far East, states the "Sunday Times" diplomatic correspondent. It is realised that if reinforcement is decided on it will have to be strong enough to secure respect for British possessions, rights and interests. The despatch of reinforcements from Europe would in- volve reduction in the British naval forces in the Mediterranean and It will be for the Cabinet to decide whether the improvement in the European situation-due in no small measure to British rearmament --is sufficient to warrant this step.

The correspondent adds that should the Ministers decide to send ships from the Mediterranean France will presumably have to shoul- der additional responsibility for the maintenance of peace there.

Mr. Anthony Eden. British Foreign Secretary, who consulted M. Corbin, French Ambassador to London on Friday, was working at the Foreign Office yesterday.

The correspondent adds that Britain will defend leased territory behind Hong Kong as she would any other British possession.

There is no doubt in London with regard to the serious effects if a "puppet" administration were to be established by the Japanese in Canton-Reuter.

the U.S. Asiatic Fleet, postponed FANLING CHRISTMAS

her sailing to Manila, this time in- definitely. because at the last

ALL BOOMS ON this city and in the south towards minute it was decided that the

THE YANGTSE

CLOSED

Hangchow,

Court of Inquiry on the Panay By advancing along the Tentsin- bombing and machine-gunning Pukow Railway, the Japanese ex- must complete its Andings in pect to menace Shantung from the Shangha! before the Augusta south. The objective is to occupy | leaveS. Shantung without serious fighting. The first postponement, from Every attempt is made to avoid

December 14 to December 18, was Hankow, Dec. 18. fighting in the vicinity of Tsingtao the result of the receipt by Admiral Openings on all booms on the and Tsinan, where Japanese in H. E. Yarnell of news of the Panay to Yangtse river above Anking: capl-vestments are about Yen 400,000, bombing. The Augusta was tal of Anhwel, were closed by or-000.

have sailed at 11 o'clock this morn- ing with evidence taken by the Court of Inquiry from civilian wit- nesses. It was originally intended to complete the examination of some forty of the Panay naval sur- This theory is based on a close

vivors aboard en route to Manila. study of the Japanese troops move-

Negatives of newreels taken of ments, and the Chinese High Com-the Fanny bombing by mand is making plans to cope with witnesses and cameramen, Norman the situation accordingly. A cri- | Alley, 'of the Universal News, and tical condition will develop by Eric Mayell, of the Fox Movietone, Christmas.

der of the military authorities. While creating the impression of The opening on the boom at Ma-carrying warfare to all parts of the tang. near Kluklang. where the country. a portion of the troops Yangtze river meets Poyang fake, will be sent to Fuklen and Kwang- was closed last night and openings tang. on the booms at Klukiang and Tenchiacheng are also closing.

The boom at Matang is believed to be stronger than the Klangyin boom which defled the entry of Japanese warships for months. The Klangyin boom was prepared hurriedly by the Chinese authorl- ties by sinking several old cruisers and other ships to block the river

International News Agency.

channel whereas 400,000 labourers No U.S. Naval

have been working on the Matang boom and millions of heavy rocks have been collected from Kuling and other hills in the vicinity and dumped into the river.

Reuter.

KOWLOON MOTOR MISHAPS

Woman Who Hesitated When Crossing Road

Two motor accidents occurred in the vicinity of the Mongkok Police Station yesterday.

Lo Sum, reported to the police that while driving a car along Na than Road near the Mongkok Po- Alice Station a man, Luf Sun, carry- ing a bundle of bamboo poles, crossed the road and was knock- ed down.

He sustained alight injuries to his left foot for which he was treated at the Kowloon Hospital

Hesitating at first and then run- ning across the road. resulted in a woman, Chung Ching, being.knock- ed down by a car driven by Mr. H Beidler, in Nathan Road rear Fife Street, Mongkok district.

Dec. 18. The woman sustained injuries to 18-15/16 her tega; and was removed to the 18-5/16 Kowloon "Hospital

eye-

are at present en route to Manila aboard the US.S. Parott and UBS. Stewart. The vessels are under order to proceed as fast as possible in order to ensure that the picture may be placed aboard the Clipper before she departs to America

Demonstration where they will be made available

in Far

Eastern

Reoler.

BRITISH SHIPS WARNED

for showing to President Roosevelt Washington, Dec. 19: No naval and the State Department- demonstration waters is contemplated, according to a statement issued by the White House.

A State Department off- cial declared that there was а

that possibility

the Japanese Emperor would send President Roosevelt guarantees against fur- ther interference with United

China.

This States rights in speculation is based on news of the Cabinet meeting in Tokyo at which the Government was report-

motorboats were also involved in

Mining In Spanish Waters. Intensified

London, Dec. 18.

An Admiralty notice to mariners ed to have been struck by the states that mining in Spanish

by the information presented

waters has been intensifed and American Ambassador, Mr. Joseph British vessels are warned that Grew, showing that Japanese army

they enter Spanish territorial the Panay incident. It considered waters at considerable risk. Re- ports have been received that here that the Emperor realista moored mines may exist to sea- the indignation of the, United States and is determined to do all ward for a distance of 10 miles.

British Wireless Service. he personally can to allay it-- Heuter.

DEATH OF DR. G. VISSERING

NEWS INDEX

Cables Finance Leading Articles Amsterdam, Dec. 19: The death (Radiu Programmes. has occurred of Dr. Gerard Vis Local Diary sering. foriner President of the Mall Notices Netherlands Bank. He was Finan-Shipping cial Adviser to the Chinese Gay-The Bervices ernment in 1911- Beuter.

Bport

Page, 6, 8, 9. Page 12, 13. Page 8

Page 4.

Page 5).

Page 16..

„Page 15." Part 7

Page 10,

RACE MEETING

Governor And Wife Attend: Glorious Weather

AMBULANCE CUP SWEEP

The Christmas Meeting of the Fanling Hunt and Race Club, Glorious weather held yesterday, was an outstanding success. attracted a very large crowd, fully two hundred cars being park- ed around the course, and His Excellency the Governor, Sir Geoffry Northcote, and Lady Northcote, attended by the Private Secretary, Honoured the meeting with their presence. His Ex- cellency stayed to the end and was an interested spectator.

The Special Sweep run by the St. John Ambulance Brigade on the Ambulance Cup, the second event of the day, was won by ticket No. 10446, which drew Widnes. The holder will re- ceive $12,001.13. A real upset was provided in the December Country Cup, run over the Country Course, when Benerth (Mr. Archer) with only 19 tickets on for a win, unexpectedly beat the field to pay the lucky 19 $6450 each. Miss Fearon rode a very nice race on King's Worthy to win the Ladies' Scurry.

(Continued on Page 91

This picture of an elderly Chapel refugee bears mute test! mony of the suffering brought about by the present hostilities. She carries on her bank the little she has been able to save. trom her shattered home.