1938-01-25 — Page 9

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1938.

PRESENTED TERMS-THEN AMERICA NOT FOOLED

REVERSED THEM

BY HIROTA

་།

Why Chiang Did Not Reply Words Not Enough: Change

To Japan

Hankow, January 24

Widespread rumours, both at home and abroad, that the Chi- nese Government had been secretly negotiating with Japan for peace, should have been finally set at rest, in, the opinion of official circles here, by the publication at Berlin and Tokyo of the detalls of Germany's part as mediator, and by the disclosure, by the Japan- ese Foreign Minister, Mr. Koki Hirota, of Japan's four basic condi Hons for peace.

Before submission of these basic conditions, it is learned from usually well-informed sources here, Japan submitted certain pro- Government, "but changed her mind and posals to the Chinese practically reversed them before a reply could be given."

The basic conditons, it is stated, were presented towards the end of December and Japan pressed for a definite reply-"either acceptance or rejection.".

"TOO VAGUE” The Chinese Government con- sidered the conditions, as present-

closing the door to further nexo- tiation."

The Chinese Press here publish ed the text of Mr. Hirota's four basic conditions without comment. The Chinese Government, it is un- derstood, is shortly issuing an off- cial statement on the subject.

Mr. Chen Fo Sen, formerly

In Course Wanted

Washington, January 24.

The moderation of Mr. Koki Hirota's speech, with its pledge for the continuance of the “open door" in China, has been duty noted by officials in Washington,

If the" scepticism regarding the course of Japan's policy in China is not removed by Mr. Hirota's pronouncements, it is be- cause of the fear based on past experience that Japan's real po». Hicles are too often improvised by her forces in China. Consequently, Mr. Hirota's na- |· THE QUESTION MARK surances have been received here with full reserve and certain ten- dencies are here read into Mr. Hirota's speech.

and,

It is understood that Mr. Salto, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States, holds no such is tile view, and warned Tokyo urgently against an adverse tide of Ameri can opinion.

First, a continued desire to play off the signatories to the Anti-Red Pact, including Nationalist Spain,

Thirdly, the suggestion that the against the Democracies,

Powers should co-operate in an within the Democratic front to

economic respect in occupied China strive to weaken. Anglo-Americanis interpreted in some quarters as co-operation by dattering the

an Invitation to provide loans for United States at Britain's expense.

Japan's protege, Manchukuo—in the form of aid to Japanese which Secondly, Mr. Hirota's contention the democracies have already e-

ed as "being too vague or too all. Tokyo correspondent of the om. i that, despite the sinking of the fused to provide.

embracing and Its being SJS ceptible, without further detalls.. to the widest possible interpreta- tion."

Then on Jan. 18, the Japanese "Government issued a declaration withdrawing recognition of the National Government "thereby

cial Central News Arency. in Panay. Japanese-American rela- leading article published in the tions have suffered no impairment, Takung Pao says that Japán is is regarded as a plece of over- facing the gravest "financial and optimism comparable to the phan- economic situation and predicistacles which the Japanese Press

has been publishing about "grave complications are bound to follow in Japan If China is able to United States. continue her resistance for six months or more."-Reuter.

BRITAIN-PORTUGAL ALLIANCE STILL RETAINS FULL VALUE

London, Jan. 24.

Discussing the task of the British Military mission which will leave London shortly for Fortugal, the "Times" observes that the mission will have to examine jointly with the Portuguese Military authorities strategic and other problems arising out of the defen- sive alliance between the two countries. This alliance. SAYS ,the paper, still retains its full value, as a means of defence of com- mon interests

US. FLAGSHIP SETS NEW RECORD TIME

From Shanghai To Manila

Manila, Jan. 24. Mr. Paul V. McNutt, High Com- Inissioner of the Philippines, re- turned to Manila this morning aboard the U88. Augusta, flagship of the US. Aslatic Fleet, which made the trip from Shanghai in a new record time.

arrived in The cruiser, which Manila at 9.30 a.m., took only 43+ hours for the voyage thus beating the former record established by the U.S.S. Houston,

Mr. McNutt refused to divulge anything regarding his talks in Shanghai with Admiral Yarnell, Commander-in-Chief of the US, Asiatic Fleet, but revealed that his

plans to fly to the United States at the end of the manth had not been changed.

His departure, however, will be delayed a few days as the China

The British Empire's important sea routes to the Mediterranean and South Africa pass both the Spanish and Portuguese coasts and the South African route also passes the Portuguses islands of Madeira and Cape Verde. The Azores are not far from the route to South America and from the proposed winter route for

trans-

Atlantic air traffic. It is of the greatest importance for British in- terests that in the event of war all these positions should be in the hands of an allied Power.

The "Times". goes on to say that the Portuguese naval bases on the Atlantic had often proved ex- tremely valuable for the British fleet. This had been notably the ease during the world war when St. Vincent on Cape Verde Islands, ∙served as a coaling station for the

British cruiser squadrons,

England, on the other hand, contributed to the defence of Portugal's coast and sen routes. thereby considerably facilitating the task of the Portuguese au- thorities.

VAN ZEELAND REPORT

the

Powers To Confer In London

London, Jan. 24. Discussing the Van Zeeland. Re- port which, as previously stated, is to be published next week, the newspapers in London assert that

a conference of Powers may take place in London early in the sum-

mer,

Briety. Washington would, wel- come Mr. Hirota's moderatiori if it were 'felt that his words meant a real change in Japan's course;, but there is no hiding the fact that this is where the question mark. comes in.-- Reuter.

SOVIET ENVOY PRESENTS HIS CREDENTIALS

Relations Between U.S.S.R. And China

Chungking, Jan. 24.

Dew

M. Luganets-Orelsky, the Soviet Ambassador to China, pre sented his credentials to President Lin Sen, Chairman of the National Government at 11.30 a.m. yester- day. in Chungking.

According to the "Sunday Chronicle" the British Premier, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, intends to

Presenting his official greetings, propose the convocation of such a the new Ambassador stated it was conference. The agenda of the his happy mission to declare first conference, according to the paper, the close friendship and profound will include the conclusion of the sympathy which the people of the twenty years non-aggression pact Soviet Union entertained towards for Western Europe which is to be the great Chinese nation, which linked with the economic agree- was respected by the whole civilised ment and the agreement for anworld for its rich and ancient armament holiday. The conference ( civilisation of several thousand will, moreover, discuss "practical years, as well as the industrious reform" of the League of Nations and peace-loving nature of its and revision of certain clauses of | people. the Treaty of Versailles, asserts the

paper.

Transocean News Service

It was the sincere wish of the people of the Soviet Union to see the Chinese people succeed in their struggle for national freedom and

HEAVY RAILWAY Independence.

BOMBING

Landing Attempt Repulsed

Canton, Jan, 24. The train from Kowloon arrived here at midnight owing to the damage to the rails by bombing

yesterday at Namkong, where the railway station was completely

wiped out.

The outgoing train' also left here at midnight instead of 4.50 p.m.

The USSR, in accordance with the principles of the October re- volution as well as the immortal teachings of Lenin' had `always maintained relations with China on the basis of equality and sincere disinterested friendship. The con- clusion of the Soviet-Chinese, Non- Aggression Agreement was a clear expression of the policy of peace consistently pursued by the U.S.S.R also an indication of her desire to further promote and

YOUR NEW YEAR RESOLUTION!

ALLSOPP'S

ALWAYS!

SOLE AGENTS":

CALDBECK, MACGREGOR & CO., LTD.

VANSITTART TO GO TO ROME

Anglo-Italian Parleys

EDEN STIPULATES CONDITION

London, Jan. 24. According to the diplomatic cor- respondent of the "Daily Express," Signor Mussolini has notified the the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, through the Italian Ambassador in London, Count Grandi, last week, that the Italian Government is now willing to enter into negotiations for improvement of Anglo-Italian relations.

Mr. Eden, according to the cor- respondent, has intimated that the British Government is prepared to enter into parleys and to send Bir Robert Vansittart, Chief Diploma- tic Adviser to the Foreign Secre- tary, to Rome only under condi- on that the anti-British Italian propaganda in the Near East. be discontinued.

מ!

The correspondent believes that the British Government will re- cognise Italian Bovereignty Abyssinia if agreement in other questions is reached.— Araneocean News Derne

MINISTERS RESENT

CRITICISM

strengthen the relations between "Moderate" Tone the two countries, which will con- stitute a most significant factor in the restoration and maintenance of peace in the Far East.

Expressing deep pleasure to re- ceive the new Ambassador, Pre-

The "Times" then stresses that suspicions which had arisen. in the course of the Spanish Civil War that Portugal intended to aban- don alliance with Britain have been found to be without founda- About sixty bombs were dropped tion. The sympathy mariifested in the raids yesterday in seven re- Clipper, in which he will travel. by Portugal for the attitude of lays, the largest number of missiles experienced some trouble with her Germany and Italy in the Spanish being dropped on the Canton-stdent Lin Sen remarked on the petrol pipe on. Baturday while en

war by no means supplies, accord-Hankow Railway. route to Honolulu and was forceding to the paper, termination, of to return to Los Angeles. The the alliance with Britain giant flying boat is now scheduled to leave Manila on February 2 instead of January 29. Reuter

SURPRISE ATTACK ON JAPANESE CAVALRY

Linfeng, Jan. 24. Mobile units of the 8th Route

Army last night launched a sur-

The paper recalls, in this con- nection, the recent statement by Dr. Salazar and proceeds to point out the excellent Impression creat- ed in Portugal by the British For- eign Secretary. Mr. Eden's cate- gorical declaration that the B- tish Government does not intend to admit solution of the Colonial problem at Portugal's expense. Transocean Newr- Service.

prise attack on a mixed mechanized BRITAIN'S

and cavalry Japanese detachment

at Chingping, 10 miles south of

Pingiu in north Shansi and shat-

tered the enemy, who retreated to

Bhuchalen in the south.

Two regiments of the 8th Route

Army first enveloped Chingping

BIGGEST

"AIR LINER

London, Jan. 24,

and forced the enemy to retreat. The biggest air liner in Britain, southward. The mobile units con- tinued to pursue the enemy in the direction of Shuohslen.

Mobile units of this army are "also active in Paotingfu in north Hopel province.- International News Agency.

and the first of fourteen being built for Imperial Airways, bad a test flight to-day. The machine is capable of a speed of 200 miles per hour and has a wing spread of 123 feet and length of 110 feet.-- benter's Bulletin Servide.

peace-loving character

of

the

A naval landing on Tai Nam Chinese people. It was a happy fact Shan Island Dear Chekwan was

that both the Chinese and Russian people entertained the same peace fal sentiments! He also referred to the cordial friendship and terms of equality and reciprocity in the existing relations between China and the USSR.

attempted on "Jaguary 22 but the garrison repulsed the landing. A spokesman of the garrison head- quarters here was, however, unable to confirm this incident.

There are two Japanese truisers Swabue, three near Haifeng, three at Pinghai and three near Tongkawan. Swabue, Haifeng, and Pinghal are on the east coast of Kwangtung. international News Agency

Pres. Lin Ben afterwards "enter-

tained the new Soylet Ambassador at an official luncheon. The Am- bassadorial party returns to Han- kow by air later to-day. Reuter.

General Mobilisation Of

Nation's Resources

Tokyo, January 24

It is understood that the Japanese Government will submit a. Bill to the Diet providing for national mobilisation late in January or early in February. Even if it is enacted, however, the new law will not be invoked at present.

1J

The Bill, which supersedes the munitions' industry mobilian- tlon law, may be invoked in the event of war or any incident, and provides for mobilisation of the whole nation's resources both personal and material.

The mobilisation provided for in the Bill is applicable to general goods, natural resources, foreign trade, finances, labour and press-Renter.

Sought In Japan

Tokyo, Jan. 24. Considerabie public interest has been aroused throughout Japan by the unexpectedly strong tone of the criticisms of the Government's policies by members of the Diet.

The newspapers to-day feature a sudden conference of four Minis- tera yesterday, following a question by Mr. Miyazawa. of the Minselto Party, who demanded. to know. 'what the Government was plan- ning to do to relieve the sufferings of former Japanese residents in China, Big interests, Mr. Miya- zawa said, were trying to dominate the commercial and Industrial possibilities of North China with the result that smaller Japanese merchants, despite their heavier sacrifices in the national crials, were denied chances of recouping their losses.

The question of the Minselto member electrified the Ministers and the Premier immediately pro- posed a motion that the Foreign Minister and the War and Navy Ministers withdraw for a private conference.

The four Ministers are reported to have discussed the advisability of taking steps to negotiate with the various political parties with a view to moderating the tone of the interpellations in the Diet- Reuter

. The

THE

HONG KONG

PENINSULA HOTEL;

HONGKONG HOTEL; REPULSE BAY HOTELS

&

SHANGHAI

ASTOR HOUSE; PALACE HOTEL;

HOTELS LIMITED,

In asunciation with the Grand Hotel des Wagons Lits, Peking.

DIET STORM LIKELY

Tokyð, Jan. 24.

Government's

Japanese policy of pressing the passage for nationalisation of the electric control bill seems Hike- ly to cause a storm in the

power

ex-

Diet. Though the Premier presses conviction that the Lower House will approve; political parties seem to be split on the issue. which big interests are strongly opposing.

F.A. CUP

Draw For Fifth Round

London, Jan. 24. The draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup, which will be played on February 12, is na follówn:--

York v. Middlesborough; Luton v. Manchester City; Charlton v. Aston Villa; Arsenal v. Preston; Bunder- lland v. Bradford or Stake; Brent- ford v. Barnsley or Manchester United; Shefield United or Llver- pool v. Huddersfield; Chesterfield v. New Brighton ar Tottenhamn.-

Members of the Minseito Party forecast that the bill will eventually pass with considerable revision but members of the Beuter. Selyukal Party are watching de- whether velopments, wondering the Government will push the issue even at the cost of dissolu- tion.-

Reuter.

R.A.F. BOMBERS DAMAGED

Violent Gales In Scotland

CHIEN TANG

RIVER BRIDGE

Lecture By Mr. E. Wong Tape

Mr. Eric Wong Tape, B.Sc. (EDE.), AMLCE, A.M.L Struct, E, of the Public Works Department, gave a very interesting lecture on the Chien Tang River Bridge before a large audience at the Hong Kong University · last night. The talk was illustrated with photographs and lantern slides.

London, Jan. 24, -Violent gales swept Scotland dur- ing the week-end causing damage

The bridge, the speaker said, was to many places. Eight RAF the main connecting link between bombers, which were visiting Scot the Shanghai - Hangchow-Ningpo land, were damaged. The planes Hallway and the Hne from Hang- were too large to go into hangars chow to Changsha, being also an and had to be pegged out in the important connection along the Canton-Hankow Hallway. Taking airfeld for the night.

Three Inundred airmen were tall-3 years to build and costing $5,000,- ed out of bed in the night in an 000, the bridge is 4,600 feet long attempt to save the machines. One machine, weighing eight tons, was torn from her moorings, blown into another bomber which was linked together, and the two inter-locked planes then crashed into a third machine which was blown across the airdeid, eventually finding shelter behind an old hangar.—

Kruter's Bulletin Bervice...

WAR PREPARATIONS IN KWANGTUNG

Hong Kong: Jan 24 War preparations in Kwangtung, China's southernmost province, are in full swing.

The Chinese Central Govern ment has placed - $1500,000,000 (Chinese dollars) at the disposal of

the Kwangtung -- Provincial Government for military purposes,

and constructed, by the use" of special machinery, of Messrs. Dör- man, Long and Company's chroma- dor steel. The bridge is composed of four arch spam-end is-Warren trusses": "

Prof. Walter Brown presided at the lecture." At the conclusion, a vote of thanks to the speaker was proposed by Mr. 8. V. Boxer, and heartily accorded.

especially for af protection, and has promised a remittance of another $1,500,000,000. A

The Provincial Government has also received: large; mumber of goods vans from the Hankow- Canton Railway for the transport" of rice stored at certata tlačen for times" of stress-ba Transoacán, Frun Borste s