1940-02-22 — Page 7

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

PRIME MINISTER DESCRIBES

CABLES

RELEASE

OF BRITISH PRISONERS FROM ALTMARK AS "ADMIRABLY CONDUCTED OPERATION"

BY BRITISH NAVY

LONDON, Feb. 21 (Reuter)-In the House of Commons yesterday, the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, described the release of British prisoners from the Altmark as "this admirably conducted operation."

Loud cheers greeted this description when Mr. Cham- berlain reviewed the circumstances which led to the escape

British Commonwealth's Solidarity In Common

of the 299 British seamen from the German ship, while Mr. NORWAY'S STAND

Winston Churchill, the First Lord of the Admiralty, was also greeted with cheers when he took his seat in the House.

These prisoners, said the take any action beyond complain- Prime Minister, were closely ing and accepting an apology. confined in a German riaval supply ship for more than three months.

OFFER REFUSED

Mr. Chamberlain recalled that u

IN ALTMARK

AFFAIR

Special to the H.K. Daily Press

OSLO, Feb, 21 (Havas)Ex-

"

Cause

MR. EDEN PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE ANZACS

joint Norwegian and British guard plaining Norway's stand regard. Cheers punctuated the statement

SATISFACTION FELT

was proposed so that a proper in- ing the Altmark incident, the "His Majesty's "Government are

vestigation might be made at Ber- Foreign Minister, M. Koht safd at present awaiting full reports fused. The Norwegian officer de tions between Oslo and London in.

zen (Cheers).

This offer was re-that, as a sequel to the conversa- from the naval officers concerned clined to accompany the British 1930 and 1940, Norway understood in this very gallant affair, but I boarding party aboard the Alt that Britain accepted a warship's am sure that the House will join mark. the Government in the satisfaction

right to navigate Norwegian fer- they feel at the release of omcers

ritorial waters without considera- and crews of the vessels sunk by

tion of the usually admitted 24- the Graf Spee (Cheers) after their long ordeal, and that Members will desire also to congratulate the Royal Navy most heartily upon this notable addition to its annals.

"It will be seen therefore, that not on one occasion but on three or four that th: Not wegian authorities falled to.. carry out a proper investiga- tion of the matter.

N.. until after these refusals NORWAY'S ATTITUDE

did FM. ships take action against the Altmark, and if they had not "Apart from the original pro-done so she would have been al test handed to Lord Halifax on towed to complete her voyage to, February 17, we have received no Germany without let or hindrance official communication from the and" without any inquiry into the Norwegian Government. but I circumstances. have seen an account is the Press of the full statement made by M. Koht in the Storting last night,

"Yet observe also that M. Koht and I desire to make certain com-

said that the Norwegian authon- ments thereupon at once (Cheers),ties did not know that British pri-

"I feel bound to say that the. account makes the action, or rather the Inaction... of the Norwegian Government even more difficult to understand than I had previously suppos- ed (Cheers).

NO EXAMINATION

MOST SURPRISING

soners were aboard the Altmark. Considering that this fact was prominently reported weeks ago in the Press of the world, I cannot but regard this as a most surpris-. ing statementi

I find it difficult, ir these cir- cumstances, to resist the conclu- slon that the Norwegian, authori-

"We had Imagined that the ties have displayed a complete in-

difference as to

the tse which

hours limit.

Having acted as an auxiliary to the Graf Spee, the Altmark must be considered as a warship and. therefore, had the right to refuse to be searched.

•

The

POWERS' INTERESTS STOCKHOLM, Feb. 21 (Reuter)

newspaper Dagensnyheter | declares that the Altmark affair has been all along a question of the interests of the great Powers concerned and not a question of

right or wrong.

LONDON, Feb, 21 (Reuter)-

Anthony Eden, in the House of by the Dominions Secretary, Mr.

Common's yesterday afternoon, on his visit to Egypt to greet the Australian and New Zealand troops,

tralian and New Zealand troops," "I sought to express to the Aus

said Mr. Eden, "the welcome I feel sure this House and

would wish me to extend to them. section of opinion in this country

ANOTHER PROOF

Bvory

"The arrival of the Australian and New Zealand troops in the Middle East is yet another proof Commonwealth with us in a com- of the solidarity of the British

mon cause.

"I need hardly add that the

standard of the troops and their exceptionally "high- physical military bearing are beyond

all praise.

It complains that the Germans

GRATITUDE TO EGYPT have objected to neutral news-

"The House, I feel sure, would prisoners from the Altmark re- tu express our deep sense of Era- papers publishing interviews with wish me take this opportunity garding their treatment in the titude to the people and Govern-

Altmark

#

It welcomes the proposal made by Norway that neutral arbitration · tribunal should be set up under Pre- sident Roosevelt to judge the incident.

The paper adds: The lesson of the Altmark incident for Sweden

ment of Egypt for their action

as our friend and Ally in offering su hospitable a reception to the Dominion contingenta,

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1940. —PAGE 11

ALLSOPPS

IT'S CLEAR ITS GOOD

100% BRITISH

SOLÈ AGENTS:

CALDBECK, MACGREGOR & CO., LTD.

2, CHATER ROAD.

NAZI AIR ATTACK ON SHIPPING

ENGLISH COAST

RAIDED

INDIAN TROUPS. "During my stay, I was also į privileged to “ see something of Ships were

the Indian troops who have now been stationed in the Middle

Norwegian authorities had con- might be made of their territorialis that neutrality can only, be past for some intend to bear shire and Suffolk coasts.

ducted some examination of the Altmark, and our complaint was that this examination had been so perfunctory that it did not reveal the presence of British prisoner aboard.

"Now it appears, however, that the Norwegian authorities conducted no examination of the ship at all?

.. Mr.

Chamberlain outlined M.

waters by the German feet...

"Even if such indifference is due to German pressure, it is. nevertheless, in the view of His Majesty's Government, in- consistent with the active im- partial exercise of duty of a. neutral towards ourselves as belligerents.

NAZI ABUSE

preserved when it is defended by

to them also a message from the King Emperőr:"

arms."..

The Tidningen says that Mr. Chamberlain did not seek to Justify Britain's action оп the rules of international law,

tions observing them to use the The paper's London correspon- Canal by their warships. The dent asks whether the British third of these rules sets out that Fleet, roused by Mr. Winston a warship of a belligerent shall Churchill's adventurous blood, revictual or take up stores while Koht's statement and said that it "According to M. Kont's views, first dashed off and carried out in the Canal and "transit of such appeared in the Norwegian view the Norwegian Government see no magnificent deed and then vessels through the Canal shall be that as the Altmark was regarded objection to the use of Norwegian afterwards went to look up. the effected with the least possible as a warship and carried the Gerterritorial waters for hundreds of rules in the book international delay." man state fax, no

miles by a German wanhip for law. request to search could be made,

the purpose of escaping capture in high seas and conveying Bri- tish prisoners to a German prison camp.

NO ACTION TAKEN

The Chief Naval Officer at Ber- gen was not quite satisfied and the Altmark was later stopped. but refused to submit to an ins- pection

፡፡

"Such a doctrine is at vari- ante with international law as His Majesty's Government an- derstand it.

The rule then provides that "prizes, shall be, in all respects, subject to the same rules as bei- ligerents.” ...

PANAMA CANAL USE LONDON, Feb. 21 (BWS)-The Nax claim that Britain has a precedent for taking Drisoners It is readily seen that there is through neutral waters by bring no analogy between the action of ing the captured German ship the German, prison ship Altmark Dusseldort through the Panama endeavouring to reach her home Canal is at once answered by re- port under the protection of ference Treaty of 1901 which governs the a captured ship in charge of a to the Hay Pauncefote neutral waters and the transit of navigation of the Canal

prize crew through the Canal na na-international treaty.

vigation of which is covered by

Article 3 contains a set of rules

Even though the Altmark had "It would in their view legalise used her wireless in Norwegian the abuse by German warships of territorial waters, violating Nor- neutral waters and create a pos!- wegian regulations, this did not tion which His Majesty's Govern-which entitle all belligerent lead the Norwegian authorities to ment could, in no circumstances,"

accept." (Loud Cheers).

Hospitality

To Dominion

Servicemen

BERLIN REACTIONS No More Coal ARCHITECTURE'S

TO SPEECH BY

PRIME MINISTER

For Theatres

BERLIN, Feb. 21 (Beuter)"Mr. Chamberlain's statement in

the

"

Commons yesterday proves that the main purpose of the brutal attack on the Altmark

W3s

In Germany

&

HIGHEST AWARD FOR C.F.A. VOYSEY LONDON, Feb. 21 (BWS)-The

LONDON, Feb. 21 (BWS)-The political one," saya the Officia}| ~No more coal will be supplied to as much outside as within Great

Dominion Club which has been opened in a large Aldershot house is being made full use of by the Canadian and New Zealand sol- diers. With the exception of the

announcement that architecture's highest award" the Royal Gold Medal-15 to be presented to Mr. AMSTERDAM, Feb. 21 (Reuter)C. F. A. Voysey will be welcomed

cinemas, theatres and

similar Britain. places of entertainment in Ger wanton many unless they are of special violation of Norway's neutrality, importance.” Britain is striving to manoeuvre

German News Agency.

"After committing

&

domestic staff, "all the work is a country away from her policy This order has been made by

done by voluntary helpers and is

Mr. Voysey, who is in his 3rd year, has always been highly rated by European architects perhaps, until today, more highly than by the architectural authorities of his own country.

LONDON, Feb. zi (Reuter)-

attacked yesterday afternoon by enemy planes off the Northumberland, Norfolk, Lincoln-

8. O. S. cals from the attacked ships were heard by wireless Listeners on the Norfolk coast. Air raid warnings and sunțite were heard in South-East Essex,

+

NAZI CLAIMS Oficial

BERLIN, Feb. 21 (Reuter)-The claims that "wo

German News Agency British mine-

layers, and an armed Bridah mer- chantman" was sunk by German planes "in the course of recon- naissance fights to the English

shetland Isles." coast, Scotch east coast and

that no confirmation whatever o

A message from London states

but it is stated that one fishing- the above claim is available there, boat was attacked,

TELEPHONE 20075.-

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SHANGHAI PROFITEERS

WARNED

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ARMED I.R:A. ATTACK › MADE IN CORK

CORK, Feb. 21. (Router)---Biss armed attack against the Tom-

PRICE INCREASES SHANGBAI, Feb 21 (Reater)ple Bridge Fort was made by Asserting that the present price

a group of men yesterday, who, in an attempt to break in, fired increases in Shanghai are

at and wounded the sentry, solely the result of the changed situation, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai issued a public statement to all Chinese merchants here warning against hoarding of goods or "making "large purchases when the prices sudden- ly, increased. six

SURVIVORS LAND COPENHAGEN," Feb. 21 Reu- ber) The owners of the Danish steamer Sleipner, which was sunk

that seven of the crew and on Thursday evening, announced

Greek passengers, who were ported missing, landed yesterday

at a British port..

re-

The sentry returned the fire and the attackers fled. While no reason for the attack is yet that the men were L.R.A. gym- definitely known, it is presumed

pathisers, trying to get in and liberate their colleagues being #beld in the Fort

RULES OF SELF-RESPECT to observe the rules of self-respect the Ministry of Finance in Chung-

The statement urges all people i

in the absence of Government king. in recent instructions to supervision and direction, so as to local Chinese public bodies, ad-

POLES ORDERED avoid a great and citywide econo-vised that the names of all pro-

TO SURRENDER LAND TO REICH

NEW ORDER BY

GOERING

According to "reliable but un- COPENHAGEN, Feb, 21 (Reuter) confirmed rumours," the Berlin correspondent Tidende says that Field-Marshal of the National Goering, Nazi Economic dictator, cation of land belonging to Poles has ordered the wholesale conns- in Western Poland

"of neutrality. Mr. Chamberlain's the. Reich Coal Commissioner be- organised by a committee formed reprimand of the Norwegian Navy cause of the ever-increasing fuel

proves beyond doubt that. England shortage. by representatives of adjoining now openly demanding assis- Nor is there to be any more and, indeed, in London he has no It is stated that all land-used |

Counties.

tance from neutrak, since

she is bound to lose the war."

Mr. Voysey" is essentially a architect of the domestic building outstanding building, but probably, Voysey has raised the standards of A number of cinemas and thea- domestic decoration and comfort. NAZI SKIPPER'S STORY tres have already been closed Captain Dau, of the Altmark, while in others it is very cold and correspondent of the Manchester "His House," writes the London speaking on the German Oficial attempts are being made to warm Guardian were always homes." Wireless said that the Altmark them by electric firea.

The club owes existence to the realises that, without this ald, useful for war purposes. Inspiration of Lord Milne who, as President of the Empire War So ciety, desired hospitality to Do minion servicemen to be more satisfactorily arranged than in the last war,

she coal for factories, that are not more than any living architect, for farming or forestry, not' be-?

A feature of the club is the stern on the shore. Her rudder temperature in the evenings must catering... arrangements whereby is broken and favourite Dominion

one propeller is not exceed 50 degrees Fahrenheit and the People's theatre appears ship to be closed. do,"

at present Is resting with her Even in the State theatre the

dishes are damaged continually on the menu. Tea- bone steak, cinnamon toast, clam į "We shall try to free the chowder are readily available to and then consider what to Canadians while the New Zea- he said, landers' demand for toheros soup: Describing the boarding of the is always gratified.

Alfred Fuller, aged 2. son of Mr CH-Fuller, of No. 1, Humphrey's

Altmark Captain Daurald: manceuvred the Altmark in such a way that she had to run on the rocks in order to make it possible for the English to catch Buildings, was bitten by a dog in her and go away with her Lock Road on Tuesday. He was He admitted that there were a later treated at the Kowloon Hos- few pistols on board, but as Pital. The dog has not been trae- serted that they wers

edi

used.

never

being built at the Kowloon Docks The Heinrich Jessen, which is

the order of Rhederi M. J. Jeb on 4/8, Aabenraa, Denmark, will launched today at 8.30 p.m.

OPENED ON MAR. 1 NANTAO TO BE

According to the Chinese press, the SHANGHAI Feb. 21 (Reuter)

French Concession and Interns tional Settlement trams and buses will be permitted to resume set- reopening to the general public on vices in Nantao, after its formal

Mar. 1, when no more Dasses will be required of those entering the area

The Japanese authorities are reported to have expressed "the" hope that conditions in Nantao The French Ambassador in Tokyo will this be restored to the pre called on the Japanese Vice-Minisar level through a resumption of ter for Foreign Affairs on Monday, pubile utility facilities.

origin on Sept. 1, 1939, will be longing to people of German

confiscated by the German State:

This will mean that millions Mor: Pales: will have to "zurren-" der their land and Western "Poland will be virtually denud- sed of Poles

A Confiscated land will be given Poles will be allowed to manage to Germans but in special cases

their former possessions,

A new "Reich Commissioner for Consolidation of Germanism in

the power to pass heavy sentences the Eastern Provinces will have

an Poles neglecting to manage confiscated land

li:་

VILLAGE FIRE: Blazing from 1 am, for hours yesterday, a fire slitted some 100 dwellings in Po Korg Village, Kowloon City rendering over 1,000 people homeless.

mie "eatastrophe."

Ateers in commodities in Shanghai be secretly registered for future

FUTURE PUNISHMENT According to the Bin Wan Pao, punishment.

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