1937-12-25 — Page 9

HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE

ON PROPAGANDA

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1937.

London, Dec. 73.

Improvement, in a temporary and not permanent improvement, but still an improvement. But there' bad been during recent months a recrudescence, and it was for that reason that the Foreign Secretary had sent for the Italian Ambassa- dor and told him the Government were well aware of that pro-

The House of Commons adjourn- ed this afternoon for Christmas, and will reassemble on February 1. "The subject of foreign propaganda and In particular. Italian anti- British propaganda, was raised in the debate on the adjournment; and, replying. for the Government, Lord Cranborne, (Under-Secretarypaganda, and added that unless it for Foreign Affairs) safd the zen- eral question of British news ser- Vlees was at the present moment under examination by a special Committee appointed by the Cu- binet,

»

"I can assure the House", he said. "that we take this question very seriously indeed, and recognise is Immense importance, but pending examination of it by the Committee

I think the House will forgive me if I do not make any further statement"

Coming to Italian propaganda, he referred to previous occasions the Government had on which made

their attitude sumclently clear. He thought there was no disagreement in any quarter of the

house. regarding this propaganda, They all hated organised pro- paganda from whatever country It came, whether it was Government Inspired, Government controlled or merely Government encouraged. They believed, it represented one of the worst developments of the modern world

Of course, there were gradations of badness. There was propaganda In which a country boasted itself. There was a form of propaganda which was far more pernicious, in.. which a country tried quite -de- liberately. or apparently deliber- ately, to detract from or depreciate Its neighbours

VERY BAD METHOD

It seemed to him that that form of propaganda was bad from every point of view. It was bad from the point of view of the country that did it, because people of that country, the propaganda was conducted through the public press. got a completely distorted idea of the world situation: and that was a dangerous position for any pec- ple. It was bad also from the point of view of peoples of other countries if it was conducted over the radio, because they also got a distorted impression, though to a lesser degree it was true, for they were able by other means to get a truer impression.

could be brought to an end it would be impossible to create an atmos phere necessary for the prosecu- tion of successful conversations designed to improve Anglo-Italian relations.

On former occasions, such TC- presentationis had to a certain cx- tonu been effective. It was their hope and belief that the good sense of the Italian people would see to it that they were effective again. If they were not" erective, It was clear sooner or later that

they must take further measures, and he could assure the House that they would not hesitate to take whatever measures they thought necessary or appropriate for the purpose.

They did not want to have to takeasures. They did not want strained relations with any other countries. What they really want- ed was a return to the old con- fdent friendship which had existed in the past with Italy, but that confident friendship required mu- tual respect and understanding.--- British Wireless

"POISONED" PEN OF

MUSSOLINI DENOUNCED

London, Dec. 23.

the

British indignation over Italian anti-British propaganda and activities In the Near East led to the further sharp criticism of the Duce and the Italian Minis- try of Popular Culture in the House of Commons to-day by the Under Secretary of the Foreign Omee. Lord Cranborne, who dis- cussed the subject at lengti.

The subject was brought up by Comdr. R. T. Fletcher when he denounced the "poisoned" pen of Mussolini and demanded that the British Minister for the Co- ordination of Defence be authorised to cuunter-act this by propaganda and that funds be placed at his dis- posal for this purpose.

In replying. Lord Cranborne re- called the Foreign Secretary's statement made a few days ago to the effect that this activity of Italy's in the Near East was making

Hungry refugees eager to get their food.

KIDNAPPING ATTEMPT IN TIENTSIN

PRETTY DAUGHTER OF BELGIAN AMBASSADOR

Four Men Now In Custody

Shanghai, Dec, 24. How British and French police at Tientsin on December 11 frustrated an attempt by four foreigners to kidnap Mlle. Denise Theon, pretty 19-year-old daughter of Baroness Gullaume, and niece of the Belgian Ambassador to China, is related in a belated foreign, report received to-day.

Baron Guillaume, the girl's step- father and brother of the Ambas- sador, is General Manager of the Credit Foncier in North China.

The foreigners arrested and de. tained by the police were:

But the worst effect was on the relations between the

country which attacked and the country which -Was attacked. Nothing could be so embittering to relations as a constant stream of irritating negotiations to be entered upon named Marcos, G. N. Keroor, and propaganda material. He believed He asserted that the British Gov-Hautemo It must take a large share of blame

J. P. M. Ferrer, well-known mem- ber of the French,community in it impossible for Anglo-Itailan Tientsin: and three Russians,

erament had not given up hope

One of these, when arrested. was

for the situation existing in the that the British representations found to be carrying in his pocket

world to-day.

They in England had had a con- siderable experience in recent years of propaganda of this description: From time to time, there had been clear evidence from the Italian press and from abroad-the Near East and other parts of the world -of propaganda directed entirely against Great Britain.

SERIOUS VIEW

to state

in Rome would bear some sort of result and went on that the common sense

CALMING PUBLIC OPINION IN AMERICA

A GLASS OF VINTAGE PORT TO ROUND OFF YOUR XMAS DINNER

HIS A FINE OLD TRADITION WHICH SHOULD NEVER BE NEGLECTED,

OFFLEY'S BOA VISTA

VINTAGE 1923

(DECANTED" ESPECIALLY FOR YOU IN OUR OWN CELLARS)

At $6.00 per bottle

IS OUR SP CIAL OFFER FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON,

"THE" CONNOISSEUR COMES TO

CALDBECK'S"

"CHRISTMAS

EXPRESS" DUE TO-DAY

Tokio, Dec. 24. Refugee Train From

A spokesman of the Foreign. Office questioned as to whether orders were issued to Japanese commanders in China to respect foreign interests at the risk of allowing Chinese troops to escape. replied: Some orders which express the importance of careful attitude in dealing with foreign interests when exposed to danger on the oc- casion of Sino-Japanese operations are believed to have been given by military headquarters during the last few days." Other sources have no information on the subject, on which the Press also is silent. It is understood that the United States Embassy may be informed of the orders in question with the object of calming public op'nion L

the United States. Reuter.

JAPANESE FISHING BOAT SEIZED

Los Angeles, Dec. 24: The seizure of a Japanese fishing boat in the harbour here by Federal oficials is disclosed by

the U.S. Attorney, who explained that the seizure is part of a new programme of in-

Hankow Bears All Nationalities.

Hankow, Dec. 29. Owing to last minute cancelia- tions on the "Christmas Express," the train left Hankow yesterday with only 294 refugees of all nationalities for Hong Kong Instead of the 324 originally booked.

Hundreds of husbands and friends gathered on the Butterfeld and Swire hulk at 6.30 a.m. yes- terday to bid good-bye to the pas- sengers. Many accompanied the refugees in launches across the river to the railway station at Wuchang.

Promptly at 9 o'clock the bright- ly be-flagged train drew out of the busy station carrying its none- too-happy travellers, who waved last farewells.

A London drizzle completed the quafrit picture. Hopes that another International refugee train will be arranged. are rising, and it is learned that negotiations are pro- ceeding to send another batch of Hankow residents southward about December 28 or 29.

took

107

Yesterday's train Britons, 96 Americans, 41 Germans,

a typed note addressed to Mc Denise, stating that her sister was of the badly injured and was at the Bri- italian people should lead them tis Hospital, where she was ask-vestigating into the ownership of Italians, three Swedes and three to prevall upon their Government to desist from this type of pro- paganda.

the

ed to proceed immediately.

I appears this was intended to decoy the girl from the Country Club, where she was playing bad- Discussing the methods of pro- minten. It was stated that a car! paganda in general, Lord Cran- was waiting for her, but the Secre borne drew a comparison between tary of the club, who had previous-

type

"praised one's earned that the telephone was that achievements and the other cut sold that Mile. Denise was not The British Government had method which aimed at running on the premises. He noted that a never condoned that propaganda, ¦ down or openly denouncing the number of Russians were in the They had

a very good achievements of other coun- car. The number of the car always taken serious view of it. On former oc- tries. Both these types were not taken and this eventually led to casions, when it had become bad, desirable but of them the latter was the arrest of the men two days they had always made strong re- the more dangerous..

later. presentations. which had led to Transocean News Servies.

Business at a standstill in Shanghak

was

As a result of a statement made by them, Ferrer was detained for questioning.

all Japanese fishing boats Southern waters- Reuter

An

EARTHQUAKE IN MEXICO

in.

Mexico City. Dec. 24.... .earthquake shock, the heaviest ever experienced here. rocked the city for five minutes to- day. A large surrounding area. including a number of towns, was also sharply shaken.

The casualties and damage are not, yet known, though in Mexico

THE

HONG KONG

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HONGKONG HOTEL; REPULSE BAT ·HƠTIL},

&

SHANGHAI

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HOTELS

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in associations with the Grand Hotel ries Wagons Lits, Peking.

VIOLATION OF H.K. WATERS

Japanese Spokesman. Has No Official Information

Tokyo, Dec. 24: No cfficial in- formation is available regarding violation of Hong Kong territorial waters, declared a spokesman of the Foreign Office at a press con- ference.

He declared that he did not know when the Japanese Government would reply to the British com- plaint, but hoped to be able to give

3

clear explanation later. The spokesman said he was not sure whether replies to the British and American notes on the Yangtae in-

25 Russians, ten, French, nine | cidents would be delivered-to-day or after Christmas, as the, matter was still being discusseda

Norwegians. Of the total number, 138 were women. 85 children and 71 men.

Providing everything goes as planned, the train should reach Canton at dawn on Christmas Day, and prospects are bright that the train will go straight through, via the loopline to Hong Kong- Reuter.

ROYAL CHRISTMAS PARTY

King's Broadcast From

Sandringham

London, Dec. 23. Prince Edward and Princess

It is stated that the would-be kidnappers intended to keep their victim in a small detached build-City itself the earthquake caused Alexandra, children of the Duke

ing. Supporting this theory the police discovered a bottle of chloro- form and a typed letter demand- ing $50,000 fu ransom..

slight damage, when only two and Duchess of Kent, were taken deaths have hitherto been report-down to Sandringham this after- ed, but serious damage is feared to noon by their nurse. The Duke have been caused in the interior and Duchess will travel to Band- The windows of the building of the country where the earth-ringham to-morrow to join the were draped with a dark mate-quake was most severe. rial.-- Reuter.

Royal Family party, from the midst Telegraphic communications have of which the King will retire on been interrupted— Kister.

TERRIFIC GALE OVER TURKEY

Saturday afternoon to make his Empire broadcast at 3 p.m.

British Wireless.

KING TO OPEN EMPIRE EXHIBITION

175FT TOWER FOR AIR TERMINAL

Building At Victoria

A tower 1751t high, riearly as tall as Nelson's Columin, will form part of Imperial Airways new Terminal and head office building at Vic- toria Station. The tower will con- tain 11 storeys, and house a clock with

dials 14ft in diameter. It will be floodlit at night.

The building, which will probably be completed by 1939, is to be the best-equipped air-line terminal in the world. It will adjoin No. 17 platform of Victoria Station: Pas- sengers and freight will thus be handled with the minimum 01

In the course of discussion on the Incidents, the spokesman stressed delay. ignorance of the Japanese rankers. There will be an electric train who were mostly rude rustics, Inconnection with Imperial Airways recognising foreigri flags.

Empire service base on the South

14

A correspondent then suggested coast, and possibly with the por- that as a matter of good faith the plected aerodrame at Eynsford, Japanese authorities publish the Kent. Instructions issued to Japanese Cars and roaches will approach" aviators in the Yangtse area before the building along private drives. taking off. The spokesman replied and passengers will have, only to that the matter was too technical

pass through the booking-hall-to for him to discuss.

the trains. Reuter.

JAPANESE CLAIM SUCCESSES

the

Shanghai, Dec. 24. Following an all-night march along pertious mountain paths, a highlands overlocking both Japanese column occupied

the

chow, according to Japanese reports far-famed West Lake and Hang-

which add that at the same time the columnis operating from the north-west have reached points five miles from Changchow, while another force, trying to cut off the retreat of the Chinese, have oc- cupled Fuyang on the Chientang River, Afteen miles south-west of

London, Dec. 23, "The President of the Organising | Hangchow.-- Committee of the Empire Exhibi- Reuters. tion, to be held at Glasgow next spring, has announced that the

MAJOR-GENERAL BROWNRIGG NEW MILITARY SECRETARY London. Dec. 23. The War Office announces that Major-General W.D.S. Brownrigg has been appointed Military Becre- tary, to the Secretary for War.. A vacancy in the post of Military Secretary was caused" by the ap-

A terrific gale in the Black Sea King, has agreed to open the pointment recently of General Vis-wrought havoc to shipping and Exhibition on May 3.— count Gort to be chief of the In-swept over Turkey to-day. A num- | British Wireless:

perial Staff.--- British Wireless.

ROTARY CLUB TIFFIN

At the meeting of the Rotary Club on Tuesday, December 28, Mr. E.J.R. Mitchell will speak on "Re- miniscences of the Coronation."

Istanbul, Dec, 24.

ber of ships have been reported to have foundered and in one case only one of the crew, of 25 on a Turkish cargo steamer was picked up after the ship had been smashed against the rocks of the Bosphorus, Communications in most parts of Turkey have been disorganised by the gale- Hester's Bulletin Service. "

7

TROUBLE AT FRENCH AIRCRAFT WORKS

Passengers will be provided with a restaurant, retiring rooms, poet office, left luggage rooms, freight office and bookstall.

NEUTRAL ZONE

Hankow, Dec. 24 The Consular Corps here 15 dis- cussing with the Japanese à pro- posal for the establishment of a "notified zone" in Hankow, for the

protection of refugees in the event of the city being bombed and bom- barded by the Japanese.

The proposed zone would include the French Concession and special" areas along the Bund."

The plan is understood to be meeting with considerable oppoel- tion by the Japanese who maintain the zone would interfere with Ja- panese military operations.

A section of the river is included in the proposed protected area because of the numerous foreign warships and merchantmen which are at present held up at Hankow because of the Chinese booms below that city,

Paris, Dec. 23. Three nationalised aircraft fac- tories-two at Argenteull and one JAPANESE REQUEST REJECTED at Bartrouville near Paris-have

Tainan, Dec. 22. been occupied by workers who The Consular Corps insists on the A Japanese request to take over state that their action is an ex- term "notified zone" being ap- the telephone office in the British pression of solidarity with theplted, as they wish to emphasise Concession in Tientaln has been workers at Colombes who are that, while they are doing their rejected by the British authorities threatened with forcible expulsion best they are unable to guarantee there, according to information from the factory they have oc- the safety of lives and property from local communication circles, cupled-

within 'the area. Central News Agency.

Reuter,

Reuter.