1939-06-04 — Page 9

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

CABLES

THETIS-SHIP OF DOOM-97 LOSE THEIR LIVES: STORY OF COOL HEROISM AND

STARK HORROR

HORROR REVEALED

British Submarine Disaster

་, H, ‛་ ་་

The link which Hongkong had with the officers of the ill-fated submarine H.M.S. Thetis, particularly in naval circles, was borne out by the keen and sym- pathetic interest with which the public in the Colony followed the news regarding the attempts made at the week-end to rescue the men who were trapped inside the ship of doom.

Inquiries at this office were numerous for information regarding the latest.. news and Reuter's cables announcing that all hope had been abandoned has met with deep regret on all sides.

RESCUE ATTEMPTS FAIL: STEEL HAWSERS SNAP

Yesterday's news," according to Reuter confirmed that 97 had lost their lives in this unfortunate disas- ter and that there were only four survivors, among those lost being many admiralty and civillan tech- nical experts,

The attempts made to raise the vessel to the sur- face failed, the ste.. hawsers snapping under strain," though the vessel had been lifted to an angle of 45 degrees, and the doom-ship now lies flat on the floor of the sea.

DEATH FROM CHLORINE GAS

It was only on Saturday] Commander of Thetis. Lt.-Comm morning that it was learned Bolus, who is in the sunken sub- that there were 101 on board marine, was admirable. the Thetis-97 of these lost! their lives from the effects of chlorine gas...

4

Since early on Friday, she has been among the other wives, giv- ing them comfort.

..

The attempt to raise the sub- From midnight on Friday on-marine was made with "camels " wards,

a period of nerve (steel cylinders filled with com-

rumour pressed air)., Wracking uncertainty as succeeded rumour and hopes that the entombed men were still alive were raised only to be dashed an hour or so later,

A report that tapping had again "been heard at 1 am, on Sunday

was denied by the Admiralty.

HEARTRENDING SCENES Heartrending scenes were wit- nessed, as omcials at the Cammell → Laird Yards tried to calm the

crowd, says Reuter,

"The behaviour of the wife of the

Reuter was informed by the Ad- miralty that there were ancon- armed reports that in addition to the four rescued, two. others were drowned while trying to escape.

The Admiralty informed the relatives of the entombed men Individually

for that hope their rescue no longer exists. Meanwhile the names of seven additional men in Thetis have been issued by the Admiralty.

(LATEST NEWS ON PAGE 1)

STATEMENT BY BUILDERS

NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON BOARD THETIS WAS NOT ABNORMAL

N

Two British Officers Detained

Access To Arrested Men Refused

JAPANESE

ACTION

PEIPING, June 3. (T/Ocean) --The British Military.at-.. tache, Lt-Col Spear, arrested by the Japanese after entry into the Japanese lines from free China, is being kort 11 der arrest in a Roman Catholic Mission Station between- Hsin- pavan and Hsinhuayuan, on the Peiping-Kalgan 'Ballway Lt. Cooper, sent by the

meet Embassy in Peiping to Col. Spear, is now to be ed in the same place.

ANTI - BRITISH DEMONSTRATION

IN POOTUNG

CHUNGKING, June 4. (Cen-.. tral)-Under the alleged in- stration of the puppet regime, several hundred women workers of the Lan Chong Cotton Mill in Pootung, Shanghai, held anti- British demonstrations yesterday, says a Shanghai re- port.

The demonstrators paraded the streets, shouting anti- British slogans.

STRONG PROTEST BY CHINESE

LONDON, June 4 (Reuter)--" The Chinese Ambassador, Mr. Quo Tai-cio, when he visited the British Foreign Office on „Friday, protested very strongly against the instructions given the British Consul at Tientsin to hand over terrorist crim- inals to the Peiping "pro- visional government" at the Japanese request.

Latest

Italian

Move

YUGOSLAVIAN

ANXIETY

(Reuter)—

LONDON, June - 4 Anxiety has been roused in Bel- grade, reports the correspondent of "The Times," as the result of authentic information that the Italians have sent a tank -division to Albania and are also planning an air base" near the Yugoslavian frontier.

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1939, -PAGE 9

THE

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HÔNGKONG HOTEL; EXPULSE BAY HOURL}

&

SHANGHAI

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HOTELS LIMITED.

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

Disquiet has not been lessened ENCOURAGING SOVIET REPLY

by the fact of the continued main- tenance in Albania by Raly of a military.`forte · totalling, At the minimum estimate, 60,000 men.

Pressure Feared

Belief in Belgrade is that the Italians are endeavouring to bring

PROSPECTS OF TRIPLE MILITARY PACT GOOD

scarcely disguised pressure upon Russia's New Formula

Yugoslavia to persuade the Bel- grade Government into 3 non- aggression pact with the Axis Powers.

One result, however, has been the strengthening of the Yugosla- vian Air Force near the border and the strengthening by the Greeks of the defence forces on the Greek frontier.

Prince Paul

Mr. Quo Tal-chi pointed out Meanwhile, as part of the...Axis that compliance with the Japan-efforts to impress Yugoslavia" with

ese request was tantamount to de the seriousness of Rome-Berlin

facto recognition of the Peiping pressure, Prince Paul was treated in "government."

Berlin to day with a parade of

military might which tasted for three hours.

Subject of Exchanges

The question of extradition of the alleged murderers of Ching Shi-kang 16 the Tientsin Conces· sion is still the subject of ex- changes between the British Gov- ernment and British diplomatic Lofficials in China.

British

detain-

It is not thought the men will be handed over to the Japanese

No official communique has yet authorities. but it is anticipated been issued, but it appears that that the British Consul, after con the reason given for the arrest is tact with London, will resume that, Lt. Col. Spear did not re-discussions shortly with Japanese port to the Arst Japanese sentry officials.

the crossing into he met after Japanese lines.

Access Denied

Reuter also confirmed that Lt. Cooper, of the British

Peiping, who

was

MONGOLIA BORDER TENSION INCREASED

TIENTSIN, June" 4 "(Intl)----In Embassy trying to connection with the "Manchukuo"- reach Lt-Col. C. R. Spear, the Mongolia border clashes, it is re- British military attache arrested ported to-day that reinforcements. by the Japanese at Kalgan, had of the Outer Mongolia forces are being rushed from Ulan Bator to also been detained.

the border in view of Japanese designs to aggravate the situation

German

Japanese Warships Off Swatow

INVASION EXPECTED: TENSION INCREASES

the

The Baltic Guarantees

For

LONDON, June 4 (Reuter)-The Russian reply to Anglo-French proposals for a triple military alliance, the summary of which has been received in London, is encouraging, says the Diplomatic Corres- pondent of the "Sunday Times," who adds that the prospects of an alliance being successfully concluded are good.

The correspondent under-T stands that Russia's new,

formula for the Baltic guar

antees is that the three Pow- ers should pledge themselves to lend mutual assistance in} the event of any threat, direct} or indirect, to the indepen- dence of any one of them.

The formula la adapted from that used in the British guarantee to Poland and implies full, guar- antee to the Baltic states, without mentioning them by name, since Russla would consider German invasion of any one of these coun- tries an indirect. threat to her independence.

Moscow could, therefore, take action in this eventuality, assured of the full co-operation of her

allies..

From Our Own Görrespondent CHUNGSHAN, June, 4-Two

It may prove, however that Japanese "cruisers and three

British and Russian views of destroyers were sighted off

what constitutes an indirect Swatow yesterday afternoon.

threat to Bussian indepen- while seven enemy serial scou---

dence, do not coincide. ters made extensive reconnais-

Russia would probably like to

·sance over Swatow, Eltyang and

include, within the scope of the Chao On all yesterday morning

formula, not only direct invasion without dropping any bombs.

of a neighbouring state but also However, sixteen other Japanese the eventuality of a Baltic state planca vigorously bombed towns in coming under German control by Ma Shek. Many civilians and their within. dwellings were hit by the bombs

The principle of the points in It is reported that several thou- the alliance, as set forth in the sand bluejackets. have landed at Anglo-French proposals, are all Amoy to be used for the invasion accepted in the Russian note, in- of Bwatow, where the tension is cluding the exclusion of the Far increased. However, the "military East from the scope of the: authorities there have the situa- agreement. tion well in hand. Mayor Mao Ki of Bwatow, who is a military man by profession, is transferred to be magistrate to Chao On near that port and is to be succeeded by Lo!

EXTENSIVE RESERVATIONS

Soviet Reply To Pact Proposals

PARIS, June 4 (Henter)-Xt is reported that the Russian reply to the British and French past proposals expresses agreement inprinciple, while making somewhat extensive ́resKIT2- tions on certain points.

Main Demand MOSCOW June 4 (Reuter) The main demand, it is understood, is that Britain and France extend their system of guarantees to the Baltic states adjoining the Boylet frontier and that the guarantess. should be automatic in operation.

NEW MACHINES FOR IMP. AIRWAYS

LONDON, June 4 (BWS)-First of the Armstrong Whitworth En-

Tiger engines. will be delivered to Imperial Airways next week and thereafter it is expected that the remaining thirteen Ensigns will be delivered at the rate of one weekly.

LONDON, June 3 (Reuter)-Mr. R. S. Johnson, Managing "

Lt. Cooper was not permitted to Director of Cammell Laird's, builders of the Thetis, referred in

communicate with Lt. Col. Spear.

as propaganda to frighten the Bouth Fakien such as Tenkai and means of pressure exerted from $ign air liners, atted with improved an interview yesterday evening to ramours that the submarine

Mr. Lamb, Chinese Secretary at people In Japan of the Red had been involved in previous accidents, as well as to reports

the Embassy, and Major Delamain, menace. that she had more than her usual complement on board.

More Mongolian warplanes are The pre-We postponed that trial and put Brigade Major at Tientsin, who

the Mr. Johnson sald;

the border. Both land and air forces vious mishaps were nothing of any the hydroplane into proper order. went to Kalgan to follow up the reported to have flown to

case, were denied access to "Thetis had previously dived arrested men and are

concentrated south of the moment We had an accident when, after one of her trials, she twice in the basin, and on one to Peiping to-day (Sunday), Khalha River.

occasion stayed down some time, hit the front of our dock

but there is no significance in that because we make all kinds of ex- periments with ballast.

"On another occasion, when we "took the submarine out for diving trials, the hydroplane gear which controls the diving did not act.

SIR PHILIP SASSOON DEAD

"The number of people on board was not abnormal and she did not have more tha the full complement.

"Experts are now considering the possibility that the sub- marine struck something. "Water entered the first two

Cousin Of Sir Victor compartments and kept her nose

4.

Sassoon

LONDON, June 4 (Reuter)~~ The death occurred on Satur- day of the Rt. Hon."Sir Philip Sassoon, Bart., P.C., M.B., First Commissioner of Works in the and Chamberlain Baldwin Governments since 1937, and ptor to that Under-Setretary of State for Air for 11 years. He was only fifty years of ago.

Sir Philip Sassoon was the third

baronet, and a cousin of Sir Victor

Bassoon.

down, so that" instead of diving riormally she went down sharply nose Arst.

"Air compressors and other ap- paratus were rushed to the spot, together with secret plans of the submarine," which were stadied on the spot by those directing the rescue attempts.

Toppled Over

"The submarine was only held

returning are

National SORROW

"THESE MEN DIED AT THEIR POSTS OF DUTY"

Profound Regret Evoked In Germany & America

LONDON, June 4 (Reuter)-National sorrow on the Thetis disaster found expression through the B.B.C. last night when the announcer, after giving the official statement that all hope had been abandoned, stated that there would be a short silence.

**These

He said:

Identical Tragedies

Hin-hsiang.

These aircraft, in which the controls have been made to work. more easily, will now have at their service an extra 220 hörse- power for the take-off, This re- presents an increase of nearly seven per cent, on the old rating of the Tiger engine, and should

Improve both the take-off run and the angle of climb.

ANOTHER NAVAL TREATY RESCINDED STOCKHOLM, June 4 (Retter) Kwangtung Front

The Government yesterday with-

It is proposed to try the Ameri- While the Kwangtung troops are drew the bill concerning the safe can Wright Cyclone in the same keeping the enemy in check, Gen. guarding and neutrality of the aircraft. It is understood that an 14. Hon-wan, the Chairman of the Aaland Islands, the proposed forti- order for a substantial number of Kwangtung Provincial Government, fication of which the Soviet, re-Cyclone engines will be placed soon has formed a plan to relieve thecently rejected.

by Imperial Airways. rice famine in Chungshan, the The Government also withdrew Swatów area, Tolshan and nearby the bill proposing retifications of towns, which have to consume for the Naval Treaty concluded in eign rice. It is reported that Gen-London on December, 21, 1938. be erai Li's plan is to facilitate the tween Great Britain, Denmark, transportation of native rice from Finland, Norway and Sweden. “ Hunay and Kiangs, while farmers

Not Unexpected are to be encouraged and assisted in every way.

withdrawal of the latter bill is not in provincial

unexpected here. The argument development is the continuation apparently is that Hair Hitler's

Naval Treaty renders the Anglo- scandinavian Treaty useless

Another

stride

accurate coverage and will counter-

HITLER AGAIN DENOUNCES

LONDON, June 4 (Reuter) VERSAILLES PACT

Germans Better Prepared

KASSEL, June 4 (T/Ocean)........ Herr Adolf Hitler addressing 215,-

ed at "Karlswiese” sharply refut~?

FOREIGN FORCES 000 German ex-servicemen gather-

LEAVE SPAIN

men, prior to the trial cruise but add. of radio broadcast from Shinkw&D, denunciation of the Anglo-German |

where news and music are trans by her nose on the bottom, and sailors and civilians, died at that this matter solely concerns mitted twice a day from 12.30 p.m. was moving about slightly under

and 7pm.The news is based on the influence of the very strong their posts of duty. We feel the British authorities tide. Eventually she toppled right that it will be in accordance Sir Philip was principal of over and was not seen again from with wishes of listeners if we express our respect for the David Sassoon and Co. the surface," Messrs.

"An air line was ready in the men and sympathy for the whose head office is in London.

During the last three years of rescue ahip, but the operation of bereaved in this way." the Great War he was Private cutting a hole would have taken to Field-Marshal Bir longer than tidal "conditions per- Becretary Douglas Haig, Commander-in-Chiefmitted.

A

**GERMAN SYMPATHY

act the propaganda, given out from the Japanese station in Canton.

The new station is powerful enough to reach all listeners in this province as well as those in Hongkon Macao

NEW YORK, June 4 (Reuter) Two nations with a common ances try and language and a common love of the sea are linked with the sorrow of almost identical tragedies, says the "New Tork

chouwan. BERLIN, June 4 (Reuter) The Times" in a leading article on the disaster of the Thetis has evoked Thetis disaster.. "Thetis was directly under the profound regret among the Ger-

"It must all our sailors with of "long flying tours while at the command of Lt. Bolus, who remain-man people. Every phase of the

of the British Armies in France.

A keen alrnan, he made a series

Air Ministry, visiting RAF sta-ed in the ship. Captain Oram left rescue work is published here in regret that we are so far away, the ship in order to direct rescue long telegrams and the public for what might not the Falcon, tions as far afield as Singapore.

followed them with keen interest. rescue, ahip of the submarine He was unmarried. His sister is operations."

Squalus, have accomplished if she The "Deutsche Allgemeine Zel had been only a few hours from, wife of the Marquess of Cholmon deley.

expresses sympathy with

England?", the relatives of the victims.

The "Boersen-Zeitung" voices- the German admiration for the silent heroism of the

MR. F. I. JENNER RETIRING

tung

sailors."

The

and Kwang-

POPE'S PEACE PLEAS

the war gullt le" and "sgain.

denounced the Versailles Treaty as the root of all the present unrest

in Europe, aby

LONDON, June 3 Reuter)-

N. June 3 Reuter despatch from Burgos says that as foreign forces which have been nghting in the Spanish Civil War The German Fuebrer expressed have now left Spain except for the conviction that the German few liaison officers.

Ce people were justly proud of the The message adds that during past, particularly of the World the Civil War, foreign troops on war years, had never considered the Nationalist side never exceed- and never would consider itself.

LONDON June 4 (Reuter) His ed 81.000, of which 40,000 were inferior, in any way, to any ad- Holiness the Pope's declaration Italians. has aroused much interest in di- plomatic quarters in London Bays PARLIAMENT MEETS

TODAY

versary, and that threats from whatever side, tisey were made falled afterts to impress the Ger

|maz" "nation.dk/

Heuter's diplomatic correspondents

Hitler concluded his speech I confirms the fact, which is surmised, but not established, that LONDON, June 1 (BWS)-The with an assurance that the third ATLANTIC MAIL His Holiness has received reassur- Prime Minister and Mrs Cham Reich was better prepared for en-

ing promises from Herr Hitler end berlain, who are still in the country, circlement dangers than the Ger SERVICE

Signor Mussolin, NC are to-day going direct to Chequers, many of 1914 and that the politi FORT WASHINGTON, Long Is Another significant disclosure is where they will spend the weekend. cal and military leaders of the tunate circumstances obviously land, June 4 (Reuter)The tying that the Pope is not abandoning It is probable that they will re- German nation to-

Boldier in the front line whe sealed the fate of the crew boat Atlantic Clipper arrived here his efforts which it is felt, will tam to Downing Street on Bun with the same spirit as the private

It refers to the criticism of the yesterday, thus completing the find greater opportunity in the day night.

Parliament reassembles after the came to defending the vital in- Whitsun recess on Monday.

tersts of Germany.

"Voelkischer Beobachter" remarks: "A chain of most unfor

The Hongkong Chinese Little Theatre Group concluded a most! Mr.. F. J. Jenner, of the Hong- successful season at the Taiping kong and Whampoa Dock" Co., Theatre last night when they pre Ltd, fa sailing for Home an retire- sented "Dream of the Red Cham- ment in the P. and O. liner Ranch ber" for the second time. This which leaves for London, vis poris, play and "Sable Cicada" were on Saturday. staged under the auspices of the Mr. Jenner has been Boatswam Hongkong Chinese Women's Bol at the Kowloon Docks for the past

situation, diera Reilet Association in aid of 21 years but recently he has not British press asking whether all second fight of Fan Americans represent full in the Internation nirarity.

been enjoying the best of health possible precautions were taken gular Atlantic mail-service.