1938-02-14 — Page 1

Page

O.K. SAUCE

TODAY'S WEATher forecast:--North-West To North-East Winds, Fresh To Moderate: Fine To Cloudy,

Sirens Court

Hongkong Daily Press.

Registered as a Newspaper at the General

Served in the best places

Post Office in the United Kingdom.

ESTABLISHED 1857

15-18 Marina House, Queen's Road Central.

G.P.O. Box No. 1.

No. 24797. CÆTER :G*ƑöÎX HONG KONG, MÖNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1938. ** **AMBAE Price

STRONGEST FORTRESS IN

LUNGHAI RAILWAY BATTLE NEARS

Japanese Recapture Of Tsingfeng Reported

Shanghai, February 13.

IMPORTANT ADVANCES have been made by the Japanese forces In their drive towards the Langhal Rallway from Narth Honan and South. Hopel Launching a counter-attack, Japanese troops who had been forced to evacuate from Tsingfeng in South Hopei, have re- captured the town and continued their advance and pressed on to- wards Puyang which is, only sixty miles from the Longhat Kallway. According to a foreign report, the Japanese have already entered Puyang, bat no confirmation is available.

SINGAPORE NAVAL · BASE

GUARDED BY

BY POWERFUL

LAND

BATTERIES

Lazarus Always Zealously and Accurately Rectifies Unsatisfactory Sicht"

(By courtesy of a customer)

Single Copy, 10 cts. Per Month. $3.

THE WORLD

IS

DAILY PRESS FIELD DRESSINGS FUND OPENS

Help For Wounded Soldiers

BRITAIN CAN SAFELY SEND BATTLE

FLEET EAST OF SUEZ

GOVERNOR OF STRAITS SETTLEMENTS

GRAVING DOCK TODAY

OPEN

TO

Singapore. February 13. þUILT AT A' COST OF £20,000,000 after fourteen years of diffleult work, the recently completed great

Singapore graving dock and naval base will be opened tomorrow (Monday),

Meanwhile, another column of northwards along the Tientsin- Japanese troops, which had been Pukow Railway lines. Unless the "operating across the country are Japanese advance is checked there now continuing their advance trom is imminent danger of the Lung-

183-mile-long Taocheng-Chinghua | Meanwhile, Hsinstang. which 1 Railway, which forms its junction cnly forty miles to the north of with the Peiping-Hankow Railway Chengchow, is also threatened as at Sinslang, which is only 40 miles, the result of a swift Japanese (

s the crow flies, from Changchow. move southward from Hopel. the key to Hankow.

the eastern terminus of the hal line being cut at Kaifeng Bu

Unless the advance of this column is halted the Chinese forces on the Pelping-Hankow Railway northward of Sinslang will be cut off provided they don't withdraw f'st.

These developments hasten the approach of the long-heralded battle for the Lunghai Railway. (Reuter).

Japanese troops on the Tientsin- Pukow line have reached the south bank of the Kwel River which intersects the railroad immediate- ly to the south of Kuchen to which the main body of Chinese forces withdrew after the fall of Pengpu. Kuchen is only 65 miles from Hsuchowtu which is the great ob- jective of the Japanese drive on the Tientsin-Pukow Railway front. The Chinese threat on the wel River front. was followed by a 'Hankow, Feb. 13. battle in which former Мал- Tho Japanese threat to the churian troops under "Yu Hsuch Lunghal Ralway is becoming most chung suffered the heaviest losses, grave as the result of spectacular a whole régiment being completely successes by the Japanese moving wiped out together with six bat- southwards along Kinhan and tallon commanders.—(Reuter).

GRAVE THREAT

"

Austro-German 25 CASES OF

Relations

IMPROVEMENT SEEN

Vienna, Feb. 13. The probability that farther Austro-German conversations to

thrash

SMALL-POX

Twenty-ave cases of small-pox (24 from Victoria and one from Kowloon) were reported to the local health authorities during the 24 hours ended midnight, Friday.

During the same period two cases of dysentery and one of enteric fever were also reported.

The Health. Bulletin Of Eastern out the many questions Ports for the week ending February left unsettled at the Berchtesgaden 5 discloses the following cases: meeting is envisaged by official

circles. This might mean another meeting between Herr Hitler and

Plague: Bassein 1, Rangoon 1 Cholera: Calcutta 45, Madras 4. Small-pox: Bombay 214. Calcutta

Dr. Schuschnigg, a visit. long-156, Cochin-china 3. Madras 76. mooted. from General Goering or Rangoon 11, Cawnpore, 5. Jodhpur negotiations along normal diplo-1, Meran (Belawan Dell) 6. Halp- matic channels.

hong 45, Tourane 3, Hong Kong 101

(See also Page 9)

PEARL

RIVER

TO REOPEN

On what was swampy jungle and rubber land, has been bullt the world's second largest graving dock, which is guarded by the world's most powerful land batteries, and Britain can now safely send a battle fleet eastward of Suez...

With the hostilities in the Far East, Singapore had become an important point in the world's map, for as a focal point In world shipping. Singapore commands the western gateway to the Pacific and ships travelling between Suez and the Far East must travel within a mile of the city-(Reuter).

Singapore, February 13.

GUARDING THE ENTRANCE to the base, which lies in the protected waters of Johore Straits, are batteries with 15-inch and 18-Inch runs, and so secretive have the authorities been that the ex- istence of these guns was never confirmed, until a few weeks ago. The 18-inch guns, huiling one ton of projectiles, have a range of 30 miles with an accuracy comparable with that of a rifle at 600 yards. These guns, the number of which is kept a very strict secret, together with the 15-inch on land and aboard the monitor Terror, make Singapore the strongest fortress in the world, stronger even than 'Gibraltar, and probably also the most secret.

During the building of the base the most elaborate precautions were taken to prevent entry of un- authorised persons, and workers employed in this construction had their finger-printa and photographe taken and were obliged to carry passes," Casual visitors, who received permits, saw little more than the roads, and bungalows, while photography in the vicinity of the base was enmpletely - forbidden. When the base is opened tomorrow by. Sir Shenton Thomas, Governor of the Straits Settlements, all visitors will be especially picked and admission will be obtainable by invitation only. The base is guard- ed by its own police force of 200 men, mostly Punjabis, wearing distinctive unforms—(Reuter),

Thirty-Four Miles Of Piles

Shanghal, February 13.

Since Britain decided in 1921 to make Singapore the principal base in the Far East its importax re has steadily grown and the original estimate cost of £10,500,000 bas nearly doubled,

Since work began in 1923--with the exception of the year's break in 1934 when work war suspend- ed by the Labour Government—s dally average of 3,000 coolles have been busily digging out a' dock and filing in swamps which" surround it. The building of the graving dock. in swamp land was a terrifie problem and 34 miles of piles had to be driven in to provide solid foundations.----(Reuter),

The Hon. Mr. N. L. Smith. C.MLG., Colonial Secretary, is representing the Hong Kong Government at the opening ceremony.

Can Dock The

·

Queen Mary

As from December 1, the graving dock at the Singapore Naval base became a fully equipped part of British defence works in the Far East, wrote a Home correspondent recently.

It ta just nine years ago since the giant floating dock was made available to warships operating in the China seu, the two imme.ise sections which had been towed from the Tyne to Singapore by Dutch tugs being joined and the dock moored off the coast at Seletar, where the naval base itself was already arising from the swamp lands.

The floating dock is still mcured off the naval base, although it has rapidly deteriorated in the humid tropical climate of Singapore, which is only some Afty miles from the equator. The authorities are, therefore, glad that the graving dock is now ready.

2

The Reichstag wil on February 20 return the "pacification" of

The floating dock is the third, the base where other works are base mean that it could be used Austria: by which Dr. Schuschnigg

biggest in the world, being 855 ft. contemplated.

with safety under any conditions. would be expected to take men of

long and 178 ft. wide. Its submer- The base is, however, ready for The big guns at Changi on the east Nazi sympathies, but enjoying his

alble deck is so spacious that some "active service" if it is needed. | coast of the island, where a Royal personal confidence, Into the

Canton, Feb. 17. 60.000 men could probably parade Dredgers, power stations, adminis- | Artillery-Royal Engineers canton- various state and legislative or Resiter learna · officially that on it, and its pumps and buoy-trative and stores buildings are ment is situated, are reputed to ganisations such the State the Pearl River boom, which uns jancy enable it to take even a 50,-leverywhere, and long quays lead-have an effective range of more Counell, though not into the Gov- clared since February 4, will be 1000 ton battleship and to lift it jing to stores basins have been pro-than thirty miles. Many of the ernment.

reopened February 14 bodily out of" the water. It is vided.

small islands around Singapore are Reuter).

known at the Admiralty as Dock Oil tanks exist both below and also detenced, and despite camou- above ground, and it is estimated flage many of the gun emplace- 1,000 FT. LONG

Įthat some 1,250,000 tons of fuel are ments can be seen by any passén- air liner flying over The graving dock now completed stored on the island, enough for ger in an to replace the floating cock is even the normal requirements of the longer. It is 1,000 ft. long, but feet on the China Station for six only 130 ft, wide, while standing months.

0/1

An attempt would also be made to improve by mutual concessions ( the unsatisfactory state of Aus-Austraia commercial account in tro-German trade due to the ac-'Berlin-(Reuter> cumulation of frozen credits in the

Earlier References--Page 9

TURNING THE PAGES

Pape 2-Cathedral sermon.

nese firm's bankruptcy. Forged note gang caught.

Gen-

ISLAND STRONGHOLDS

Bingapore.

The authorities believe that Singapore is now impregnable.

The total cost of the Singapore, naval base and its ancillary works

on the top of the dock and looking. down to its base, 55 ft. below, is

The value of the naval base to is in the neighbourhood of £20,→ like gazing on to a huge rectangu- the British Empire is not only its 000,000, and the expenditure on the lar stadium.

Chi- Page 9.-Mr. Eden on peace.

It is circult to convey an act equipment. The island of Singa-air base and the garrison brings eral Araki explains Japan's 2m-curate idea of its size. Two bat-fortified base in the world, and the the three Service departments up pore is, now the most strongly the total spent on Singapore by bitions.

tleships could be accommodated simultaneously in dock, it is stated, ring of defences which protect the to a colossal figure.

Page 3 Negus fear blackmailers. Page 10-Sport news and notes.

More Japanese assurances. Schu-Page 11-Cricket, tennis, yachting bert manuscript discovered.

Page 1-Radio programmes.

and football.

The Queen Mary, the biggest ves- sel afloat," could dock there, and`] there would still be 25 ft. to spare

Page 5-Cinema notices. Empire Page 12-New York Quotations at the end and 12 It. In width. Two

Hong Kong Stock Exchange.football pitches' could

Games results. Annual tennis championships, What is wrong with boxing? Four soccer mat- ches.

be fitted

Philippine mining nows.

Into the base.

Page 13 China's trade. Harri-

SHORE QUARTERS

".

man's weekly report. Any letters

RUSH OF JAPANESE TOURISTS TO

CHINA ANTICIPATED

Shanghai, Feb. 13.

A DONATION FROM YOU WILL

ASSIST IN MERCY WORK

Os or wounded Chinese soldiers,

NE handred thousand feld dressings' are urgently needed for the Various organisations are

busily enraged preparing these outfits under the auspices of the Red Cross but they are handicapped in their work by lack of funds for purchasing materials.

To help with this work of mercy, the Dally Press is making an appeal to its readers and is inaugurating the Daily Press Field Dress- ings Fund with a donation of $50.

Contributions of any amount will be welcomed and may be sent in from today to the Dally Press, Marina House, Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong.

ALL donations will be acknowledged and forwarded to the responsible

body controlling this work" Cheques should be made out to the Dally Press and endorsed Field Dressings Fund.

14

Every 10 dollars sent in may mean the difference between life and death for 100 wounded soldiers.

Field dressing outflis are important in European warfare but in China they are of vital importance. Because of the lack of com- munications and, transport difficulties, the wounded are frequently many days without "medical sid. Equipped with field dressings, wounded men are able to prevent sepsis and tetanus until such time as they can be given proper treatment.

All that is needed is more money. The organisations will do the work.

Dally Press Field Dressing Fund Contributions received:

been

Dally Press

Total

$50

$50

DON'T FORGET! A FIELD DRESSING MAY SAVE A MAN'S LIFE

RAJPUTANA

RIFLES

To Move Into Laichikok Prison

رو

MEDWAY MAY BE HERE MARCH 24

HMS. Medway and the Fourth Submarine Flotilla pro- bably will return to Hong Kong from Singapore on March 24, it was learned unofficially yesterday,

The Rajputana Rifes, who have billeted in Marina Camp. stace their anival here some months ago, will move Into

the Hospital for chest trouble #hule Laichikok Prison, in the course of one of the men died of pneumonia

the next few days. This informa-] tion was obtained by the "Daily Press" from 21 authoritative source last night.

last week.

The rains experienced during the week-end have not improved matters and although the men It was also learned that condi- have shown exemplary behaviour tions in Marina Camp are so un-under the very trying conditions, satisfactory that some 50 menit is understood they are anxious from the Regiment have been to move into their new quarters treated in the Kowloon Military without any delay.

ARTILLERY OFFICER MARRIED

Page 6—Japan's challenge to world

to be answered. Japan refuses to disclose naval plans.

Page 7-The Services. Wedding bells. Buccessful concert, Góv-, ernment appointments. Page 8-Leading articles: Internal complications in Japan; Fair play or a free hand? Personal para-

graphix,

These establishments will be the

owners in Tokyo, Kyoto. Hakone,

for you? Italian priests wound-naval base is finished, for besides tourists to China after peace has Osaka, Nikko and other major ed. China answers allegations: the graving dock, and the' quaya.

It is not yet true to say that the Anticipating a rush of Japanese joint undertakings of leading hotel

Pares 14 and 15-Shipping news and workshops, which have been been restored, officials of the Japanese cities.

advertised

available for some time, new build-Japanese Ministry of Railways sailings: arrivals:

Officials of the Ministry of Rail- vessels due in radio touchs, including sher quarters for have drafted plans for the erec-ways are soon going to Japan the men of warships which dock at tion of hotels in Shanghial, Hang- where a joint meeting will be held Weather and tides. Directory.

the base are still to be built, and chow, Petping, and Tientsin ac with hotel owners who will be Page 16. International rugby the Admiralty has recently according to Japanese press reports called on to elaborate on the

Local yachting.

quired new land in the vicinity of here.

Ministry's plans,—(Reuter).

At the Homan Catholic Cathedral on Saturday, the wed- ding took place between Lient. Guy Butler, BA, and Mica Diana Malcolm Biscoe, after which the above picture was taken, (Mayen Studio).