1939-04-28 — Page 9

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

CABLES

"IF WAR IS TO COME WE MIGHT PASS INTO IT IN A MATTER OF HOURS," SAYS

MR. CHAMBERLAIN

Conscription Measure Explained To Commons

Weakness Of The Present

Voluntary System:

LONDON, APRIL 27 (REUTER)—-” WE ARE NOT AT WAR NOW, BUT WHEN EVERY COUNTRY · IS "STRAINING ALL ITS RESOURCES, TO BE READY FOR WAR, when confidence in the maintenance of peace has been undermined, and everyone knows that it war is to come we might pass into it in a matter of, not of weeks, but of hours, how can we pretend that this is peace-time in any sense in which the word can be used?" said Mr. Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister, when he explained the Govern- ment's decision to introduce conscription in the United Kingdom, to the House of Cornmons yesterday.

J

COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING

NECESSARY FOR NATIONAL SAFETY

LUNDON, APRIL 27 (REUTER)-THE GOVERNMENT MO- TION WHICH WILL FORM THE BASIS OF TO-DAY'S DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, approves of compulsory military training as necessary for the national safety and the fulfilment of the recent, European undertakings. It welcomes the fact that the Government is seeking fresh powers į to limit the profit on armament- producing tirms And wil take steps. In the event of war, to penalize profiteering and prevent additions to individual fortunes through war conditions

The Parliamentary Labour Party. after a special meeting in the House of Commons, has decided to put down the following amend- ment.

"Whilst prepared to wake au the necessary steps to provide safety for the nation and the fulfilment of lis obligations, the House regrets that the Govern- ment, in breach of their pledges, "should abandon the voluntary principle, which has not falled to provide the man- power needed for defeaċe.” The Opposition: Liberals have

Broadly speaking, said Mr. the view shared by the other de- Chamberlain, mobilisation-mocratic countries, especially by whether complete or partial-friends in Europe, that despite the could take place in the United immense effort already made by tabled a similar amendment. Kingdom only after the issue re-armament, nothing would so

of a Proclamation. The Pro- clamation differed in the case of each Service, and would have to declare that a State of Emergency existed.

FEW DIFFICULTIES

Impress the world with the deter- The Government's announer- niination of this country to offer ment was received with reller by armi resistance to any attempt at the majority of the members of general domination, as its accep- the House of Commons, wates tance of the principle of compul- Reuter's lobby correspondent. sory military service, which is a The original motives for such universal rule on the Continent.

Proclamations, doubtless, were that they could be issued when the outbreak of war appeared im- minent

WiF

But in recent times, might not appear to be in- minent, and yet general con- ditions might be so uncertain that it was desirable to take certain

precautions without

the publicity and shock to public confidence which would be caused by the issue of Pro- clamations.

BILL TO BE INTRODUCED Accordingly, the Government had decided at once to introduce a bill entitled the "Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Bill." which would simply the procedure, and enable the Government, by an or- der in council, to authorise the various service departments to call up" any class or description of re- serve and auxiliary "forces.

The bill would be temporary in character, and he hoped it would be passed without delay, in order that. the Government might be empowered to act under it at once

Every country in Europe had powers which the Government sought under the bill, and practi- cally everyone availed himself of it at one time or another to effect partial mobilisation,

NEW LIABILITIES

VOLUNTARY SYSTEM

Already there is evidence that the Liberal Section of the Opposi- tion will make as few difficulties as possible.

"There is an obvious weak- ness in the voluntary system. which allows one man to de-Labour Opposition remains non- vote himself to pleasure or committal, pending knowledge of gain, while his neighbour de- the scope of the Government mo- votes himself to training and tidh to be submitted to-day. readiness for war,

Apart from the general views ex-

the pressed in

Commons, the

It is, generally understood and 'accepted that in "time of war, mill- tary service should be compulsory from the outset.

"Hitherto, It has not been thought necessary to Introduce such a measure in peace-time, and I renewed the pledge given by Lord Baldwin that compulsory service would not be introduced during the life of this. Parliament, in peace-time.

MATTER OF HOURS "We are not at war now, but when every country is straining all its resources to be ready for war. when confidence in the main- tenance of peace has been under-

mined, and everyone knows that it war is to come we might pass into it in a matter, not of weeks, büt of hours. how can we pretend that

this is peace-time in any sense in which the terrd can be fairly used?

"Under the bill it will be neces- sary to call up certain territorial and a number of regular personnel to reinforce our system" of anti- aircraft defence throughout the period of uneasiness. This period may last for a considerable time yet.

The Govemment had given con- sideration also to new liabilities which, with the approval of all

**This will entail on the part of quarters of the House, they had teritorials who

are -called up incurred in Europe within the last greater and more prolonged sacri- month, and the means at their nice than anticipated when they disposal to discharge them effec-enrolled. The Government has tively.

Mr. Chamberlain added: #1 need, perhaps, hardly repeat that the object of the assur- ances we have given to certain countries, as well as the con- versations now proceeding with other governments, is not to wage war, bai to prevent it. "Bearing this object in mind. we cannot but be impressed with

NEW STATUS

OF ALBANIA

come to the conclusion that to meet these new and exceptional conditions, sonie measure of "com pulsory military training for the time being has become necessary. "I say for the time being be-

As regards the political effect in general, the whole area of national effort has widened and there now remains little in divide the Government. from the previous conservative ex- tics.

Consequently.

ITALIAN CABINET

SUMMONED

ROME, Apr. 27 (Reuter)---- Signor Benito Mussolini has summoned a Cabinet meeting for Saturday morning.

Refugee Germans In U.S.

KINDRED CIVILIZED

BEINGS

Plain Speaking By Mr. Harold Ickes

NEW YORK, APRIL 27 (REUTER)-REFUGEE GER- MAN SCIENTISTS, ARTISTS, AND WRITERS, now shelter- ing in the United States, are "thrice welcome as kindred civi- Used beings.", declared Mr, Harold Ickes. U.S. Secretary of the Interior, when he spoke at the dinner of the American

German Guild for

Cultural- Freedom.

G.

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1939. —PAGE 9

R.

The Commissioner of Police

sincerely hopes that British

subjects will complete their

registration within

within the next

fortnight.

ANTI - BRITISH

MOVES IN NORTH CHINA

Violent Denunciations Of Britain, France & Russia In Kaifeng

"reports

describe

PEIPING, April 27 (Reuter)—The Mr. Ickes stated that the United anti-British movement continues been enriched within various parts of North Chins States had some 400 of such refugees and aland Japanese luded to them as men who had meetings even in Mongolls, where seen in their homelands "the de- the chief speakers were Japanese, vastating results that follow the while foreign correspondents in

of character, the It will not be assassination

Kaifeng yesterday heard - violent Mr. surprising if

Chamberlain murder of culture, the strangula-, denunciations of Britain, France and Russia by the Japanes shortly makes changes in the direction of spirit and even the torture tion of broadening the basts of the of human beings"

appointed Governor, Cabinet.

Mr. Ickes added that a bright It is significant that British ray of freedom will again pierce' correspondents were not invited to the lowering clouds in due course visit Kaifeng with the German and even in the Totalitarian States of American correspondents. Europe.

IMPORTANT PARLEYS

SOFIA, April 27. (Beater)- The Soviet Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs had a talk here with the Fremler, which, it is understood, has been greatest importance.

of the

"On his return journey, the Soviet official intends to spend three or four days in Softa after visiting Bucharest. Hạ L very satisfied with his reception in Bulgaria.

+1

Alluding to "certain" Ex-

countries," Mr. Ickes" ropean said: I submit that they over there debase truth and de- grade the known history of man."

The British Minister in Stam, returned to Bangkok yesterday."

*

THE

HONG KONG

PENINSULA ROTEL;

'KONGIONG HOTEL; REPULSE BAY HOWEL}

SHANGHAI

APTOR HOUSE; PALACE HOTEL}

HOTELS LIMITED.

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

AFFRONT TO BRITISH

ENVOY IN BERLIN?

"Eye-witnesses describe the Gov- LONDON, APRIL 27 (REUTER)...... ernor' as reading from a manu-QUESTIONED IN THE HOUSE OF script prepared

YESTERDAY WHE- Japanese COMMONS typewriter.

THER SIR NEVILE HENDERSON, the British Ambassador in Berlin. would interview Herr von Rib-

the bentrop,

German Foreign Minister, before Herr Hitler's speech on Friday, Mr. Neville

CHAIN OF AIR BASES FOR US.

Chamberlain stated that Bir Nevile

Henderson had been received by [Herr Welszaker yesterday morning.

He was on his way to Europe for Contracts Signed For It was impossible to arrange an

a holiday when he suddenly re-

turned to Siam, it is reported, for Air Corps Expansion

personal reasons, say, Reuter.

Japanese Action Questioned

In Commons

DISCRIMINATION AT TSINGTAO

Demand For Ban

cause I wish to emphasise that the On China Nationalist

Government's proposals, which will be embodied in a second. bill entitled the "Military Training Bill," will be of a temporary char-

acter."

PLEDGE BROKEN

Loud opposition cheers greeted Mr. Clement Attlee when he ask- ed whether Mr. Chamberlain was aware that the Government's de- ciston broke a pledge solemnly Answering a question in the House given and reaffirmed only four of Commons yesterday, the Under-weeks ago. Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr.

LONDON, Apru 27

(BW8)

Mr. Attlee continued: "So far R. A, Butler said that the question from strengthening the country. of the recognition of the new it will sow seeds. of division in the status of Albania would be consi- ranks, and will meet with strenu dered when the constitutionalous opposition (further, loud Op- position and future relations be position cheers, and cries of "Re- tween Italy and Albania as well as sign"}, the international

of postion

Albania particularly in the sphere

of foreign relations, became mors clearly defined.

SOVIET ENVOY. RETURNING LONDON, April 27 (Reuter)-M. Maisky, Boviet Ambassador to Lon- don, who i en route to London. from Moscow, will break his journey at Paris with the ubject of informing the Soviet Ambassador there of the course of the Anglo-

Russian conversations.

CLEAR CONSCIENCE

Mr. Chamberlain replying

Flag In Shanghai

LONDON, April 27 (Beater) -Replying to Mr. Noel Baker (Labour), in the House of Commong yesterday, Mr. R.A. for Butler, Under-Secretary Foreign Affairs, stated that the British Government had made representations to the Japanese Government con- cerning the unfair discrimina- tion against foreign vessels In respect of mooring arrange= ments in Tsingtao and added that the question of an ex- tension of further facilities was being taken up

""with"" Japan.

asked re-

Mr. A.C. MoreingTM (Con) whether any report had been ceived from Bir Archibald ". Clark-

sald; “My own conscience is." Kerr, the British Minister in

perfectly clear (cheers, and

| counter-cheers), and I belleve

that when the people have.

considered the circumstances

in which we lire, they will ́agree that they cannot be des- cribed as 'peace-time? "clr- cumstances."

Chins, upon

"HARA - KIRI” ATTEMPT

Incident In Shanghai Municipal Building SHANGHAI, April 21 (Reuter)-B

WASHINGTON, April 27 (Reuter)President Roosevelt has asked Congress to appro- priate $32,000,000 to enable work to be started on a chain of naval air basts provided for in the $66,800,000 Naval Air Base Bill

Interview with 'Herr von Ribben- trop. Doubtless ir Nevile Hender- son would use his discretion.about seeking a subsequent interview. - `

Mr. F. J. Ballenger (Labour} alluded to the rumours that Herr You Kibbentrop was unable to

Sir Nevile Henderson because he had no time to" spare and asked whether that

WAS

not 2

* direct affront to the British

Ambassador?

JAPANESE AIR RAIDS

Heavy Civilian Casualties

ICHANG, Äpril 27 (Central) -Fourteen Japanese bombers. rained death and havoc on Tchang, Yangtze River port 350 miles above Hankow in Hunch, in a terrifle air raid yesterday. Scores of civilian casualties were inflicted and a wide area in the elty was devastated.

A large number of bomba, in- cluding incendiaries, were dumped fr the basy sections of the elty, 6,000 PLANES

WENCHOW AGAIN BOMBED Contracts totailing $50,000,000

KINHWA, April 27 (Central)- were signed by Mr. Johnson, withį. five aeroplane manufacturers to Mr. Chamberlain thought it Werchow, important coastal town put into effect the expansion of unnecessary to make that assump-in south Cheklang, was again the Army Air Corps to 8,000 planes tion. He understood that Herr von ralded by 11 Japanese naval planes as provided in the Appropriations Ribbentrop was engaged on account in relays yesterday.

More than 30 missiles were of the visit of the Yugoslavian

rained in the town, killing seven. Rycsula Inouye, an unemployed

Mr. Johnson said that the con-Foreign Minister, M. Markovitch,

civilians, wounding six othera^and' represented

the 25-year-old Japanese, who arrived tracts

"much

Replying to a query whether Str reducing over 110 houses to ruins.

Since Tuesday, shipping between. | portant... message to deltver, the Wenchow and Shanghai has been Prime Minister. said that the stopped as a result of Japanese Ambassador-had not been instruct naval activities in the vicinity of ed to make any suggestions or the Wenchow coast. proposals to the 'German Govern- ment..

in Shanghai from Japan a fortnight largest" order in the history of the Nevile Henderson had an ago, went to the International Air Corps. Bettlement Municipal 'Council building yesterday to deliver two letters to the Japanese member of the Secretariat, in which he asked for stricter measures for the sup- pression of anti-Japoniam..

The man then went to another part of the building and attempted to commit "hara-kiri,”- but was stopped by the watchman after he had given himself the first cut.

He was taken to hospital and is expected to recover.

The Japanese Consul-General called "on the Chairman of the Municipal Council yesterday and requested a censorship of anti- Japar cae pewspapers and

the Japanese de publications in Shanghai.

mand addressed to the Shanghai Municipal Council that the Coun-

other

"THIS MOST GENEROUS GIFT"

LONDON, April 27 (Reuter)— In the 'House of Commons yesterday, Mr. Malcolm Mac. Donald, Secretary of State for the Colomies, in announcing the Straits Legislative Council's re- solution offering : £1,000,000 - towards the cost of general de- fence in the British Empire, said:

“I have requested the GOVEITION

im-

“We thought it right, in the present circumstances, that he should be at his post to keep Germany informed the developments of British foreign policy”, said the Premier.

of

F.R.B. CURRENCY SLUMPS AGAIN

Huanghwa, northeast of Wen- chow, was shelled by two Japanese men-of-war on Tuesday. 'Chinese shore batteries replied, scoring twe direct hits on one of the Vessels The Japanese warships were forcen to steam away shortly after- wards.

10 CASUALTIES ICHANG, Apr 27 (Reuter)-On

April 26, eight Japanese pursuit

planes and twelve bombers attack- east

Ichang, bombing the

PEIPING," "Apr 27 (Reuter) suburb of the city, and scross the Federal Reserve Bank currency inYangtze River North. China which yesterday

About 100 houses were destroyed,

to express to the Council, His sufferd a sharp slump plumbed to mostly burned, and the casualties Majesty's Government's grateful new depths to-day as the premium numbered about 70.

on Chinese National currency

cij should prohibit the display of The monthly meeting of the acceptance of this most generous the Chinese National flag in the Hongkong Philathetic Society was gift and warm appreciation for the climbed steepply to a new hgh of Counell's jurisdiction.

held in the Board Room of the sustained and practical co-opera- 301 per cent."

A Reuter message from Mel- Mr. Butler said that no report South China Morning Post yes- tion of the Straits Settlements in After rising from last Satur-bourne states that the Prune to this effect had been received terday, there being 18 members pre-sharing the costly burden of Empire day's level of 17 per cent, to 21 Master of Australia, Mr. R. G. Replying to further questions Any request by the Municipal coun-sent, Mr. C, L Chow gave an in- defence, of which this gift is yet per cent on Tuesday the premium, Menzies, intends to open Legations in terms of the Japanese-sponsored in Tokyo and Moscow in the near from Mr. Att lee, Mr." Chamberlain cit for assistance in a matter of teresting lecture on "GRL over another example,”

The amouncement was greeted notes, touched 25 per cent. future. He added that he c indicated that the House would be this sort would be carefully con-printed stamps of Samoa." given an opportunity to debate, sidered on consultation with the talk was followed by an auction of with cheers from all sides of the yesterday, and advanced to 301 pects the other countries to Ap

other Interested powers.

per cent. this morning. the subject to-morrow.

point Ministers to Australia

six lots of stamps.

The

House.