1939-06-07 — Page 9

THONGKONG DAILY PRESSTM

CABLES

EXTRA PERSONNEL HAD NOTHING MR. BUTLER BELGRAVE

TO DO WITH SINKING

Premier Recounts Ocean Drama To Commons

PROFOUND SORROW AT THE LOSS

די

OF THETIS TELLS THE

BIG RESPONSE

TO APPEAL

Funds For Thetis Crew Dependents

LONDON, June 8 (Reuter)--Files of letters have arrived at the Man-

OF SO MANY VALUABLE LIVES: FULL PUBLIC INQUIRY PROMISED House in response to the Lord

LONDON, June 6 (Reuter)-"The extra përsonnel on the submarine Thetis, had nothing to do with the sinking of the vessel," declared the British Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, when he‍ made a statement on the disaster yesterday in the House of Commons.

The Premier promised that a full public inquiry would be made and went on to express the profound sorrow of the Government and the Houses of Parlia- ment at the loss of so many valuable lives. He ex- pressed deep sympathy with the relatives.

but this

Was

It was believed that three men

Mayor's appeal for funds for the dependents of those who lost their lives in the submarine Thetis dis- aster.

Messages of condolences con- tinue to be received by the Admiralty from all parts of the world while mesures have been sent direct to the King by President Roosevelt, M. Dala- dier, Prime Minister of France, and the King of Egypt,

The Lord Mayor of Melbourne has also started a similar tand in Australia

LORD MAYOR'S THETIS FUND

(To The Editor of The

Mr. Chamberlain said that curred severe risks of fooding the sinking of the submarine which would have been unjustified, was caused by the flooding of

Fresh Effort the two forward compart- Later, a fresh effort was made ments through the bow tor-to lift the stern, pedo tubes, one of which had an unsuccessful, as the Thetis

was becoming less buoyant. become open, or was open when the submarine sub-were killed when trying to escape merged.

with the first party and were taken The submarine's signalling ap back into the submarine. paratus was destroyed, preventing No further escapes could be her from communicating with sur-made by the Davis apparatus face ships.

Shortly before low water, wire Marker buoys and smoke signals was placed round the Thetis, but had been released, but were not it slipped, cutting away the indi- of those who gave their lives in Immediately observed.

cator buoy.

4

"Hongkong. Daily Press'? Sir, The disaster to the sub marine Thetis, which resulted in the loss of. so many lives, has evoked deep sympathy among the Chinese in Hongkong.

In token of heartfelt sympathy for England, and for the relatives

COMMONS

RECENT EVENTS.

IN CHINA

SQUARE SHOOTING

SHOT FIRED. AT DUCHESS OF KENTS CAR

g: LONDON, June 6 (Reuter)— In giving an account of the recent happenings in China during question time in the House of Commons yesterday. Mr. R.A. Butler, Under-Secre tary for Foreign Affairs, said that some fighting had been proceeding in Central China, in the Han River area, and that the general Une held by both sides remained the same. The general situation in the In- ternational Settlement of Shang- hai remained substantially un- changed and there was no redue--As the Duchess of Kent, tion in the number of landing par.accompanied by Lady Portal- ties in Kulangsu.

|ington, Lady-in-Waiting, was leaving her home in Belgrave Square yesterday evening to visit a cinema, a... shot was heard..

settlement

MAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER A SHORT STRUGGLE

LONDON, June 6 (Reuter)

Negotiations for a there were continuing and British and American marines were still on land,

Regarding the British Officers, The Duchess and her com- held by the Japanese, Mr, Butler panion were uninjured and said that he understood that the were not aware of the in- Chinese Secretary to the Embassy cident until after they had and the British Military Liaison left the cinema. Officer were returning to Peking day with the latest news. and were expected there on Sur-

The whole matter had been taken up with the Japanese mil tary authorities and the Govern- ment.

The submarine was re-located in appreciation of the sympathy HUAHSING BANK

na

An effort was made to lift the stern more from the water, with a after

and by this .some hours, ylew to making a hole in it, but time deep sex divers from Scaps the attempt was unsuccessful: Flow had arrived, and diving He believed that three men were operations were again carried out. killed trying to escape with the

Hope Given Up first party and were withdrawn By this time it was clear into the submarine.

that there Wis

further possibility of saving life, and they proceeded with the task of salvaging the vessel. The Premier added that it was while adjusting the trim of" the submarine after diving that the flooding of the forward compart- ment occurred...

Salvage Operations The Premier, in the course of his narrative of the salvage operations, sald that wire was passed round the submarine and a "camel" placed in posi- tion, but the submarine slipped the wire and had to be re- located.

It was not possible to say how soon the submarine could be raised.

The main ballast immediately. emptied

tanks were

by com pressed air with the intention of bringing the Thetis to the sur.

Mr. Chamberlain said that with face, but she continued to dive.

a view to facilitating escape for took an angle of 33 degrees, and

the personnel, all possible measures

were taken by the crew to lighten the submarine, and the stern came. to the surface.

After the

resque ship Brazen had located the submarine and Indicated its presence by sound signals, two survivors came to the surface by means of the Davis es- cape apparatus,

Great Gallantry

to

hit the bottom at 130 feet.

Mr. Chamberlain said that. Cammel Lairds were making provision for the dependants of their staff, and the Lord Mayor of London, in accor- dance with the feelings of the country, had opened a public subscription.

Full Inquiry Answering questions whether the

the service of their country, and

and support which China has re- ceived from the British people in her hour of need, we appeal to the Chinese in the Colony for dona- tions to the Fund which had been opened by the Lord Mayor of Lon-·: don in aid of the dependents of these gallant men.

Donations will be gratefully re- ceived by any of the undersigned, and will be duly acknowledge in the 'Press.

RH KOTEWALL T. N. Chau. M. K. Lo.

W: N. T. Tam,

DETAINED OFFICERS

SAFE

LETTER SENT TO INVESTIGATORS SHANGHAI, Jane 6 (Reuter)———-

ORGANIZATION EXPLAINED

Was Establishment

Necessary?

A man standing near the scene was taken into custody after a short struggle, but no charge was preferred against him.

Shot-Gum Found

A sawn-off shot-gun, containing one cartridge, was found near the Duchess's house."

A window of the Princess Royal's house was broken yesterday morn~ ing by a pellet, believed to be from an air-gum or catapult, but it is understood that the Police attach no importance to this.

Police Guard

Following the, incident, a police guard of, three officers' was posted outside the Duke of Kent's home

LONDON, Jane' 6" (Reuter)-The Belgrave Square, but this morn- Japanese Government reply to then the guard was reduced to one British Government's inquiries re- man. garding the Huahsing Bank has been circulated to members of the House of Common3.

The reply states that the Hua- hsing Bank was organized under the laws of the reformed govern- ment of the Chinese republic."

It was not expected to set as k central bank as its notes would be Convertible into foreign currency, the reserve of which would be kept equal or more to the amount of the note issue,

OLD LEGAL TENDER

Hughsing Bank notes would be Col. R. C. Spear, Military Attache, additional and were not intended and Lieut. Cooper,

Language to replace the old legal tender.

Short Struggle.

When the shot was fired, two policemen dashed towards the men who was standing near.

There was a short struggle and then the man was detain. ed and taken to the Police Station.

The Duke of Kent' was fuldlling a private engagement and did not hear of the incident until he re- turned home...

"1"

The Duke and Duchess of Kent's two children were staying at Cup-. pins, their parents' home in Buck- inghamshire.

MAN CHARGED

เท

One of these was Captain Oram, publie inquiry would await the officer, of the British Embassy in "No attack on the old legal tender Ledwedge Vincent Lawlor ap- who with great gallantry, took salvaging of the Thetis, the Pre by the Japanese military authori-Bank notes will be acceptable in Court charged with having in his Felping, who are being detained was intended" and Huahsing peared at Westminster Police upon himself, before he knew the mter replied that it would be

opened as early as possible, but itles at Kalgan, are both safe and payment of all taxes and duties possession a firearm and ammuni submarine had been sighted,

except Customs which will be left tlon with intent to endanger Hfe. escape from the Thetis under would be quite impossible to bring well.

This information was contained as at present. It to a satisfactory conclusion

or 'cause serious injury to property, conditions which were realised to be most dangerous, in order to until the submarine was salvaged, a letter which Col, Spear seat

"In the present circunstances contrary to the Firearms Act of and conditions inside of it sacer-the Embassy, and Major Dela- deemed necessary nor is it con- to Mr. Lamo, Chinese Secretary, to

no trade or exchange control is 1937. direct operations.

tained.

Lawlor was remanded in custody. He added that exceptionally main. Brigade Major at Tientsin, templated." strong spring tides made diving who went to Kalgan to Investigate operations impossible except in the case. slackwater. Divers taking part in Mr. Lamb and Major Delamain the rescue

operations had the were not allowed to see the cap

tives, but were given permission greatest difficulty in working. -

to send a letter to which Col Spear replied.

Captain Oram reported that conditions in the submarine were becoming bad, although all aboard were stili alive, "Later two more men came to the surface and, as soon as possi- ble, a

diver from the Vigilant went down, but he had the grea- test difficulty in working.

An endeavour was made to lift the stern of submarine higher with a above the water as soon as condi-

view to cutting a

hole

Occupants' Pluck Defeats

tions allowed. To have attempted Robbers' Plans

to cut a hole in the conditions then obtaining would have in-

HITLER PRAISES GERMANS WHO FOUGHT IN SPAIN

BERLIN, June 6 (T/Ocean)-

Y377

The pluck of the occupants of a

.

London financiers, interviewed by

Reuter, ask why, if this was all was the Huahsing intended to do, was It necessary to establish It?

The Prime Minister, Mr. Cham-

berlain, and the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, received the Polish Ambassador at No. 10 Downing- Street yesterday moming, sates a

Mr. Lamb and Major Delamain IRON LUNG" BOY Reuter message from London

are now back in Peiping.

Col Epear has been in the hands of the Japanese since May

GOES HOME.

The former British Foreign Se- 26. while Lieut. Cooper was de- The Iron Lung boy. Fred Snite, according to the "Dally Express" BORDEAUX, June 8 (Reuter-cretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, will tained when he went to Kalgan arrived here, completing the first shortly go to Paris where he will investigate the affair.

stage of his 4.750-mile return have conversations with influen

tial French politicians.-T.O.).

bonse in populous Portland Street. ESPIONAGE CHARGES Journey from Lourdes to Miami.

Kowloon, defeated the plans of a rang of armed robbers last night.

TOKYO, June: 8 (Renter)-L.-

Bix men, four of whom brandish- Col. Spear, MC.. British Military SOVIET REPLY: ed revolvers, gained entrance by a Attache in China, and Lieut. ruse about 9 p.m. to No. 44 Port Cooper, British language omcer.

and Street, first floor, which is are detained by the Japanese at

occupied by a 48-year-old unmar-Kalgan and will face charges of Speaking to-day before the Ger-ried woman, named Lai Ng and espionage.... a few others.

is alleged that both officers "Condor" legionaires, re- As soon as it was realized that denied a request to secure authori tumed from Spain, Field Marshal Goering, in the presence of the the purpose of the men was to rob, zation to enter the Japanese German Fuehrer, at "Lustgarten,"

some of the occupants who hap nghting zone. Berlin, praised the German volun-pened to be in the verandah, and,

close co-operation between Ger- many and Italy was publicly (de- monstrated. The ideal mctives prompting Germany and Italy to help National Spain were neither understood nor admitted by the International plutocracies.

LEADER

JAPANESE ACTION BE IN POOTUNG SHANGHAL, June 6 (Reuter) -The Japanese authorities to-day, arrested a Briton, Mr. R. M. Tinkler, age 45 who is employed by the British- owned China Printing and Finishing Company's mill at Pootung, across the river

therefore, unobserved by the gang. teers for. their bravery and efficiency shown in fighting for immediately raised the alarm.

At this, the men took fright and National Spain. -

Speaking after Goering..

Fran away, making good their Herr Hitler said that for the first time escape despite the progress through

a crowded street. "

Nothing was stolen from the day

IRA IN US. TAKEN INTO CUSTODY Hitler, turning to the legionaires, said that their struggle in Spain

DETROIT, June 8 (Reuter from Shanghai; must be regarded as a lesson for Federal Agents here have taken Mr. Tinkler is accused of Germany's adversaries. It was a Sean Russell, leader of the Irish firing a shot at a Japanese fight for Germany and those Ger-Republican Army, into custody. It officer and intimidating two man soldiers who had taken part is reported that he is held mother Japanese omcers with in it would be able to pass on their communicado.

a pistol experience to the young soldiers of The Police offer no information Mr. Tinkler's version of the German Army.

on the subject

Incident is not available

PRIME MINISTER URGED

TO VISIT MOSCOW

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1939 -PAGE

THE

HONG KONG

PENINSULA HOTEL;

HONGKONG HOTEL; REPULSE MAY HOSIĄ

SHANGHAI

APTOR HOUSE; PALACE HOTEL;

HOTELS

LIMITED,

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

"JAPAN'S ACTION ILLEGAL

Ranpura Incident Raised In Commons

Explanation Satisfactory "So Far As It Goes"

LONDON, JUNE 6 (REUTER)—QUESTIONS WERE ASKED IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS YESTERDAY ON JAPAN'S CLAIM TO THE RIGHT TO BLOCKADE CHINESE PORTS.

Mr. R. A. Batler. Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, re- plied that shortly after the outbreak of Sino-Japanese hostili- ties in 1937, the Japanese Government purported to declare a blockade of the whole coast, but, however, they had said that it would be exclusively applied to Chinese vessels. Any attempt to apply the block-

ade

to vessels of other powers would constitute the assertion of belligerent rights and, in the ab sense of a state of war between China and Japan, that would be illegal.

The British Government had al- ready made its views on the mat- ter clear to the Japanese Govern-

RANPURA INCIDENT

Mr. R. H. Morgan" (Con.) asked if the Government considered the Ranpura incident closed on the Japanese explanation that they mistook the identity of the vessel.

Mr. R. A Butler: We have al- ways agreed that our ships might be boarded in cases of genuine doubt, whether the ships were British or not. There could be, no doubt in the case of the Ranpura and that was why we took up a definite attitude and have now received the explanation given. «

Mr. Morgan asked if that explanation was considered satisfactory?

Mr. Butler was understood to reply: Yes, so far as it goes.

ROYAL TRAIN SPEEDING TO

U.S. BORDER

SUDBURY, June 6 (Reuter)

With only the more major stops before crossing over the United States border, Their Majesties the King and Queen are now spending the night on board the Royal Train as it speeds" "castwards on another all-night run.

Minor Mishap ·

The main dining saloon of the Royal train was flooded early this morning as the re- sult of a minor mishap while the train was taking in water during the night halt at Sud- bury. Their Majesties private dining saloon was not affected. Workmen spent the night replacing the saloon's carpets which were soaked.

ENCIRCLEMENT

-

OF SHANGHAI BY GUERILLA FORCES CHUNGKING, June 8 (Central) An encirclement of Shanghai being staged by a huge Chinese

RESTRICTIONS ON BRITISH SHIPPING

Japanese Action In Tsingtao

LONDON, June 6 (Reuter)- In the House of Commons yesterday, Sir Stewart Sande-

man (Con)

the Prime Minister was award that the Japanese Naval Mis- sion in Taingtao now required landing permits for each separate Bill of Lading in res- pect of goods shipped in Bel- tish.. vessels: that cargoes have to be stored for several days on the open wharf; and that no restrictions wére. placed on cargoes arriving by Japanese vessels? Also whe- ther the Prime Minister would indicate to the Japanese Gov- ernment that unless restric- tions to British trade were removed, it may be necessary it impose similar restrictions on Japanese vessels arriving åt British ports?

Mr. RA. Butler, Under-Secre- tary for Foreign, Affairs, said that the reply to the first two parts of the question was in the air- mative.

He added that discrimination existed so far as warehouse ac- commodation was made available for Japanese ships, but not yet. for British vessels,

The matter had been taken up with the local Japanese authorl- ties in Tsingtao and representá- tions had been made by Bir'Robert Craigle, the British' 'Ambassador, in Tokyo, pressing for the allo- Ication 'of further berths or rea-

sonable warehouse space.

BIG FIRE IN WARSAW

Central Station Damaged

WARSAW, June 6 (T/Oceani)—–—–

Fire broke out at the Central Sta tion, Warsaw, early this morning-

which by the time the report was received 10 am. had, assumed such gigantic dimensions that the entire building was threatened

THE UNDESIRABLE PHENOMENA uerilla force operating in Klangs with destruction.

OF IMPASSABLE BARRIERS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND RUSSIA

and Cheklang, says a Shanghai Immediately after detection of report.

the fire all brigades in the capital in accordance with a well-con- were called out and streets lead- ceived scheme, the guerilla unlis ing to the Station were closed by have arrived at designated points strong police detachments, and around Shanghai by different trafic from provinces to the Cen- routes. Their preliminary step Istral Station was deviated to to: sever Japanese communication suburban stations." Hries

Investigations have been start- It is understood that they are ed already to ascertain the cause already in control of both banks of the confiagration. It is not of a section of the Whangpoo known, so far, whether any lives River" A Japanese steamship was were lost. The damage is all the

LONDON, June 6 (Reuter)—“The reply of the Soviet Government to the proposals made by the British and French Governments. has been received and is now under consideration,” said Mr. Neville Chamberlain, in the House of Commons yesterday, Asked whether he considered Chamberlain said that in the making a statement in the neur present circumstances, he did not future when the Russian reply had consider that the suggestion would attacked by the guerillas at heavier as it is practically a brand ben considered, the Premier reserve any useful purpose. Chekoukang on June Com- new, pulding which the Hates

Mr. Chamberlain made no reply munication lines between the are consuming at the moment. when he was asked whether he did western part of Shanghai and In the course of the last 10 not feel that a personal vialt wouldNantao are also menaced by them years, the old Station has been re- Asked whether be would con remove the undesirable pheno Gunfire has been, audible from built and had now, more or less sider the desirability of making & mena of impassable barriers be- the western part of Shanghai at been replaced by a new and much personal visit to Moscow Mr. tween Britain and Risda "

night in the past few days.

bigger stations

plied in the affirmative.

No Useful Purpose -