FAMOUS
"
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HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1938.
POET DENOUNCES
RABINDRANATH TAGORE Eight Months
REPLIES TO REQUEST
Influence Sought To Oppose Current Boycott In India
Hankow, March 14.
Seathing denouncement of Japan for her aggression was con- tained in a letter recently addressed by Dr. Rabindranath Tagore. The famous Indian poet, to a group of Indian merchants in Tokyo.
The leiter was a reply, to a request of a group of Indian mer- chants that he use his influence to oppose the current boycott of Japanese goods in India. Flatly turning down the request. Dr. Rabindranath bitterly denounced Japanese menace to the defence- less peoples of the East."
The text of the letter is as fol- lows:-
"I know that in appealing to me you have reckoned on my high opinion of the Japanese: for I and all Asia with me. unce admired Japan and cherished great hopes that Asla had at last found in Japan the answer to the West; that the new power of Japan would be devoted to safeguarding the civili- sation of the East.
"But it was not long before Japan betrayed this awakening hope and turned its back on"every- thing which was wonderful and sign13cant in its symbolla rise. Japan now itself represents an even worse menace to the defence- less peoples of the East
"And worse than its economic exploitation. worse than its terri- torial aggression are the massacres which it perpetrates day after day. and its shameless defence of this Inhumanity. "
Dr. Rabindranath Tagore.
the whole world IS sclence of aroused to indignation by this wrong, and cries out in protest, how
Of War Costly
To Japan
DESPERATE NEW OFFENSIVE IS PREDICTED
Hankow, March 14. The undeclared Sino-Japanese. war has entered its ninth month with fighting råging on six fronts— Shans!, Pingan. north "Tsingu, south Tsinpu, Wuhu and Chekiang.
Reviewing the result of Japan's military adventure "in China dur- ing the past eight months, the Shun Pan a special article says that the Invaders liave, mobilised 1,500,000 men and spent 50 per cent of their peace timg; arms and am- munition. 600,000 Bien have been sent to the front. while a terrific toll of 200,000 casualties has been suffered.
TREMENDOUS PRICE Japan, in paying this tremendous price, has not gained the decisive and quick victory she had expected, the journal says.
What Is worse, Japan's finances have become chaotic and Japan has found it necessary to gamble ber national economic resources and fo eed to draft the Mobiliza- tion Law.
While admitting that Japan has occupied a large piece of Chinese territory and has accomplished a greater part of her continental policy, the paper asserts that the nominal Japanese domination of the four north-eastern provinces does not necessarily mean that Japan has added much to her na tional wealth.
In the earlier days of history, can oppose this just protest?
NEW OFFENSIVE countries have been conquered. This protest is not the work of
Japan, the journal explains, can- and viewed broadly, it was not so an individual. It is as spontaneous, not utilise the mineral riches of very inhuman or frightful for a 15 comes straight from the Chahar and Shans! as long as nation full of vitality to step over heart. as the admiration felt Chinese guerilias are active. the crumbling wall erected by the for Japan thirty years ago by So long as Japanese military other nation in the days of its the peoples of the East. I would operations are not brought to a victories. Before science rendered be powerless to stop this protest.conclusion, these mobile units will the Inhumanity of man so effec-even were 1 to venture the attempt. continue to exist to harass the tive, such struggles, just as life Therefore, you must. pardon me if Japanese in every way. Ilself, seemed only half as cruel. It is impossible for me to accede i The Shun Pao belleves that the
to your request.
Japanese militarists will make rash All this is now changed, and "Believe me that I feel the pro-and desperate attempts and will when one nation invades the ter-foundest sympathy both for my launch another large scale on ritory of another today, the wrong fellow-countrymen in Japan and laught against China,
ALL CHANGED
JAPANESE
New French Cabinet
BLUM SURROUNDED BY OLD FRIENDS
Paris, March 13, Mr. Leon Blum has formed a Government, which comprises the following linisters:---
Premier and Minister of Finance, Ar. Leon Blum;
Vice-Premier and Minister National Defence,
M. Edouard Daladier;
Minister for Foreign Affairs. M. Paul Boncour:
2
M. Blum, the new Premier.
Minister for the Navy, M. Cesar Campinchl
Minister for Air, M. Guy La Chambre:.
Minister of the Interior, M. Max Dormoy:
Ministe for the Colonies, ̈ M. Marius Moutet;
Minister for Frossard."
Propaganda, `M.
Ministers of State include M.
Successful Seamen
STICK TO SHERRY!
Amontillado Fino
lealdbeck Macgregora
MYSTERY BANDITS ON YANGTSE
Encounter With Government Troops
Chungking, March 14. Bandits had a brush with Gov- Albert Sarrault and Vincent Auriol, ernment troops today in the
AN INNOVATION
Tachan district near Wanshien, The political composition of the the well-known Yangtse port below Cabinet is 12 Socialists, seven Chungking. according to Chinese Socialist-Radicals, three Democra- despatches received here.
the Leftists and one Independent. One lieutenant of the Peace Pre- Under-Secretaries of State in-servation Corps and two lieuten- clude four Socialists... and six ants of the troops are among those Socialist-Radicals.
killed, while the district governor M Blum is the leader of the was among those wounded. Sociallats, while M. Daladler is The bandits were members of a leader of the Socialist-Radicals. well-known bady of marauders The creation of a Ministry of whose elusiveness has earned for
Bandits".
it commits does not consist merely for the Japanese themselves but Before plunging herself into this. of its imperialistic ambition, but the outery from the broken hearts. Japan may again resort to diploma-Propaganda is an interesting in-them the name lof "Mystery in slaughtering of human reings from shattered heads and bones. ise and political manoeuvres as a | noration:-(Reuter). with less discrimination than too penetrating. too frightful."-|cemouage, the paper predicts. pestilence. And when the con- Central News),
IMPORTANT
CHANGES ANNOUNCED
Christian Socialist Organisations To Be Dissolved
Vienna, March 14. Important changes were an- nounced here to-day, tending to ink Germany with Austria. These changes include the following:-
(2) Socialist Labour Front will be dissolved and there will be only the German Labour Front;
CZECH REPUBLIC NOT IMPERILLED
STRONG IN EVERY
RESPECT
- Olmuets, March 14. On the occasion of the cele- brations here yesterday marking the twentieth anniversary of the battle fought by Czechoslovakia a legionnaires in Gachmac. the Minister of Defence delivered a speech.
He declared. "If each of us shows only par to that love
(1) Austrian Radio stations to and self-sacrifice which we de- sena joint programme with German monstrated twenty years ago and stations;
If everyone is determined to pro- lect our national honour, freedom and democracy. then there is no power on earth that can rob us of the fruits of the Czech revolution.
"I tell you that our Czech Re pablle for which you have fought
(3) Austrian sports Association to come under Nazi direct.on and Christian Socialist organisations to
be dissolved. Jewish sports SSO is strong in every respect and has ciation may not join the common in no way been imperilled by re- front;
cent events," declared the Minis- (4) Austrian policemen's rubber ter for Defence. baton will be abolished as ид
"It is not the first time that a worthy of the dignity of the Ger-member of our Government says man people:
that the strength of our State
5 Only German citizens may and its continual obligations in serve in first aid organisations and the European political system has relief work;
always been the real guarantee of (7): German Her youth organi-our time. They are still guaran- sation will take over all youth or tors today. ganisations in Austria;
*(8) All Austrian student organi sations will become part of German students organisations;
*T can inform you here that nobody here fears our security being, threatened from near or afar. Our ability. our sense of (9) All ranks of the Austrian order and discipline and cur calm Army must take oath of allegiance ness will all bring their reward." to Herr Hitler.-(Reuter)..
he concludedTransocean?.
HEAVY JAPANESE AIR CASUALTIES
Nearly Thousand Men Killed Or Wounded
Central News},
M. Daladier, Vice-Premier and Minister for Defence. In
the 'Blum Cabinet.*
AMERICA INVOKES
ESCALATOR CLAUSE
New York, March 14.
Fresh troops from the Pacifica-
on Commission as well as the
17th Division have been sent to the scene of operations, to wipe out the band.--(Reuer).
York JAPANESE PILOT
... According to the New Herald Tribune, the U.S. Staff
Department has definitely decided REALLY CHINESE
to Invoke the Esenlator Clause of the 1936 Naval Treaty, and is pre- pared unilaterally to remove the the present limit in 'the size of battleships, if France and Britain do not do so simultaneously—
(Reuter).
CHEERO CLUB WHIST DRIVE
1
Captive Airman Being Sent To Hankow
THE
HONG KONG
PENINSULA HOTEL;
HONGKONG HOTEL; REPULSE BAY HOTEL
SHANGHAI
AUTOR HOUSE; PALACE HOTELI HOTELS LIMITED.
In association with the Grand Hotel de Wagons Lits. Poking.
"BLACK MONDAY" FOR SHANGHAI
BUSINESS MEN
Promulgation Of New Foreign Exchange Regulations
PROTESTS TO HANKOW GOVERNMENT
"
Shanghai, March 14. merchant business was not allow- The promulgation of China's ed. (Reuter). new foreign exchange regulations today caused a veritable "black Monday" for the Shanghai busi- ness community,
be
as
"GUNS BEFORE BUTTER".
London, March 14. "Guns before butter." sald a city
As the regulations stand it is financier. "is the most probable-" feared that not only "will Shanghai meaning of the Chinese exchange
largely eliminated the restrictions, otherwise the cutting: greatest clearing house in the Far down of imports would prevent. Hankow, March 14.
East but will result in a severe the fight of capital abroad." Lleut. San Wyhara, the Jap blow to foreign business as they In this connection one authority anese pilot who was shot down will find it difficult in securing believes that last week's large at Tsengchen, 30 miles east of sufficient foreign currencies.
orders to London from the Far This is particularly true of im- East for the purchase of Chinese
An enjoyable whist which was Canton, on February 23. is being
well attended, was held at the escorted here tonight by train portera and houses doing opera-rans showed that some
Mr. Drury.
TENSE SITUATION ON
YELLOW RIVER
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knew
Cheero' Club last night. The from Canton...
tions in purchasing commodities what was coming. winners were: Ladies, (1st) Mrs. The Japanese airman will befand securities in other world mar- Kirman, (2nd) Mrs. Eccleshall: examined by high military off-kets.
BANKERS CAUTIOUS Gentlemen (1st) Mr. Rees. (2nd)cials and will be kept here as a Nothing but long faces were Bankers generally are cautious prisoner of war. A statement seen in Shanghai- markets today In expressing their opinion of the made by Lleut. Wyharu at Can-with the exception of the local effect of the mandate till further ton is also being forwarded here Stock Exchange where business details are available and also by 'train.
was more brisk owing to good pur- on, the possible modification The statement says that the chases in local securities, many resulting from foreign representa...... Japanese was forced to join the persons preferring to hold equities tions which are taken for granted naval air service and adds that rather than Chinese currency. from every Power trading with Wyhara was really a Chinese by It is believed that Shanghai China.' blood and birth.-(International holdings of foreign currency are News).
rather on the low side. It has been noted that fairly large orders opinion that foreign banks will be
Ucensed to purchase 3 were received in the latter part of quantity of exchange weekly. last week from Hong Kong for
The question of remittances purchase of gold currencies,
It is understood that protests dividends in. Shanghai utility com- against silzer debentures and
Chinese Rushing Heavy Reinforcements
Hankow, March 14.
The situation in the vicinity of Hanchen, on the south bank of the Fen River. Is reported to be terse in consequence of repeated Ja- panese attempts to cross the Yellow River at that point.
Heavy Chinese reinforcements are due to arrive on the west bank of the great waterway to strengthen the Chinese defences there.
Trains on the Lunghal Railway are still running in spite of the continued shelling of Chinese positions at Tungkwan and Shenhsten by the Japanese forces. Since the Lunghai railway runs close to the bank of the Yellow River, the Shenhslen and Tungkwan trains usua}- ly, make the trip at night, headed by armoured trains, which have been replying to the Japanese gunfire.
mobile columns.
EIRE
CABINET IN SESSION
TRADE AGREEMENT
DISCUSSED
ter, Mr. De Valera,
.
One authority expresses the
given
done in North China-Reuter).
(Earlier reference-Page 40.
have been made to the National Government at Hankow regarding (panies held abroad is of special
interest. the new regulations and some Dublin March 14.
The "mandate is generally, re- quarters hope that the actual The Cabinet of Eire met for working of the regulations may Japanese attempts to control cur- garded as a measure to forestall three hours yesterday under the not be as severe as their wording rency in Shanghai as is already. chairmanship of the Prime Mints-implies. It is realised here that some steps are necessary in order It is assumed that the questior to protect China's currency discussed was the acceptability of serves, particularly against the the trade agreement with England.new note 168ue of Pelping's The Cabinet will hold a further Federated Reserve Bank, which session today.-(Transocean),
are being issued in exchange for notes of the three Government LONG AIR RAID
banks, and could then be present- Shanghai, March 14. ed in Shanghai and exchanged One of the longest air ralds for foreign currencies. This would
re-
CHINESE HOUSES
DESTROYED BY FIRE
A fire which broke out shortly
NO FEAR OF INVASION
Prague, March 14. In the northern sector of the Popular demonstrations were Tientsin-Pukow Raliway front, the
HARASSING TACTICS held in Prague in which confidence Japanese forces appear to be mak- These columns have been operat- wás expressed in the Government. ing preparations to clear up the ing in the hills east of the Tien- The War Minister said that Cze- Chinese mobile columns which are tain-Pukow Railway and along the choslovak'a need have no fear of operating at Taishen, China's Kiatal Railway. Their object has since the start of the present has eventually mean that the Federat-after 11 o'clock last right des- invasion because she has her sacred mountain, east of the Tien- been to harass rallway communica-tilities was carried out yesterdayed Reserve Bank would secure troyed five or six Chinese two- allies(Reuter Bulletin).
tsin-Pukow Railway.
at Nancheng, at the extreme control of a sizeable portion of storeyed wooden structures in the Following the. evacuation of On the other hand, the Japanese southwest part of Shena, near the China's foreign currency reserve Shamshulpo district, wi Of the total, 427
The conflagration bedurred at killed Tsinan, capital of Shantung, and forces appear to be determined to Szechuen border, it was announc-held abroad. either while 422 were wounded, In ad-Tsingtao. Admiral Shen Hong-lle, clear the railway zone of Chinese ed at the Japanese press con- No inter-bank business
the junction of Yen Cho Btreet thedition to these casualties, over 20 |former Mayor of Tsingtao and forces before launching a drive ference here this morning. transacted today but banks sold and Cheung Sha Wan Road near present hostilitles,, up to the end Japanese airmen are being held newly-appointed Governor of south along the Tientsin-Pukow The Japanese claim that two sterling and dollars freely for the Nanking Barracks, "- of February, according to Agures captive by the Chinese (Central Shantung, bas organised 300,000 Railway
Hsuehow. Chinese military godowns were merchant business. The demand
Blx appliances were despatched. released here today.
Kews).
villagers in East Shantung Into Reuter).
| destroyed,~~(Revter),
for purposes other than strict to the scene.
Hankow. March 14.
A total of 849 members of the Japanese Air Force have
been killed or. wounded in
Were
tions.
toward
Was
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