1920-01-09 — Page 1

EDISON

LAMPS

The

Hongkong Telegraph.

(ESTABLISHED 1881).

FROM ELECTRICAL DEALERS

69035五拜雞號九月登英港香 FRIDAY. JANUARY 9. 1920.

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

MINISTRY OF SHIPPING.

A REPORT ON ITS WORK.

оп

London, January 6. The final report of the Select Committee on National Ex- deals with the Ministry of Shipping, and finds penditure its work, as B whole, most efficient. The main subject for National ship-yards, the criticism the expenditure

is loss on which most be most heavy, but the stress of war justified the scheme for building fabricated ships on a great scale. There was insufficient control of expenditure, especially during the period preceding the armistice, but the, utmost allowance must be" made for the difficulties of the situation. The cost of concrete vessels, for which the Shipping Controller was not responsible, was much heavier than was anticipated, the cost of a concrete barge averaging £27,500 as compared with £17,000 for a steel barge. The committee

sell ship-yards.- approves the decision of the Ministry to

of the Ministry generally, the As regards the work policy of the Controller since the Armistice had been to restore abipping most rapidly to normal commercial conditions, but this is affected by the operations of the Ministry of Food, the Admiralty, the War Office, and especially by the congestion in the Ports. Sixty million tone of imports were handled annually before the war without delay, but now forty million tons were handled with difficulty, owing to the accumulation of Government cargoes.

TOWARDS PROHIBITION.

A WORLD-WIDE CAMPAIGN.

刂

Londen, January 5. The Times correspondent at New York says that the Anti-Saloon League is starting almost immediately a world prohibition campaign. backed by a fund of £10.000.008. Britain, which is described as "the keystone of the world liquor traffic arch," will be first the country attacked, but the operations will be conducted from Wash- ington in practically every country of the world. from Scotland to Japan. Organisers of the movement declare that if Japan adopted national prohibition it would have a profound effect upon the entire East.

PORT CONGESTION.

GOVERNMENT CARGOES CAUSING DELAYS.

London, January 6.

The congestion at the ports continties to be severely felt. It appears that Government cargoes accumulate at the ports, instead of being rapidly disposed of. Ships are delayed many days in port awaiting discharge. At present, of eighteen ships discharging tea for London twelve are awaiting their turn in the river.

DEATH OF LORD GUNLIFFE.

London, January 6.-

The death is announced of Lord Cunliffe at the age of 65. He was a former Governor of the Bank of England and had been a director of the Bank since 1895. He did valuable work during the war, including a financial mission to the United States. For this he was raised to the Peerage.

FLYING TO AUSTRALIA.

London, January 5.

The Air Ministry announces that Capt. Matthews, who is fly- ing to Australia, arrived at Constantinople on December 23 from Belgrade. He is proceeding to Bagdad.

POLES CAPTURE DYINSK.

London, January 6.

The Times correspondent at Warsaw, writing on January 5, says the Poles have captured Drinsk.

THE PEACE TREATY.

TO BE RATIFIED ON JANUARY 10.

"

Paris, January 6. An agreement has definitely been reached with the German Delegation on the formula for negotiating the delivery of naval material as compensation for the fleet scuttled at Scapa Flow. Nothing now hinders the ratification of the Treaty. The exchange of ratifications is fixed for the afternoon of January 10.

THE SIBERIAN CAMPAIGN.

HEAVY JAPANESE REINFORCEMENTS,

New York, January 6. According to a message from Honolulu it is reported from Tokyo that heavy Japanese reinforcements are being rushed to Irkutsk to

aid Admiral Koltchak's forces.

ESTHONIAN FIGHTING.

BOLSHEVIKS BREAK THE ARMISTICE.

Stockholm, January 5, An Esthanian communique dated January 3rd says the Armistice began at 10 30 this morning, but the Bolsheviks at noon opaned fire against Esthonian workers on the Narva front, breaking the Armistice.

INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS.

Amritsar, December 30, The Indian National Congress unanimously passed a resolution demanding that, in view of the revelations contained in the evid- ence at the Hunter Commission, General Dyer be removed from bis Command; also that in view of Bir Michael O'Dwyer's endorsement of firing on the crowd at Jallianwala Bagh and the brutal treat- ment of Punjabis, the British Government be requested to relieve him of his duties as a member of the Esher Committee as a pre-

Hminary to legal proceedings..

LATEST SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

(From Our Own Correspondents.)

THE WEISS MURDER.

TWO CHINESE IN CUSTODY.

ཟས་

Shanghai, January & Two Chinese are being held in connection with the Weiss murder last August.

One accuses the other of pulling a ricksha to Yangtszepoo The Police are investigating details and ebecking up the accusation.

THE S.S."NIPPON".

ASHORE NEAR SINGAPORE.

Singapore, January 9. A large steamer having gone ashore 25 miles from berama Tree Island, between Raffles Light and Pulau Pesang the Harbour Board tug Veruna was sent out and identified the vessel as the Swedish steamer Nippon.

4.000 tons.

The Agents lighters have been sent out to unload the cargo of The Nippon was on her way from Sweden to the East and was not expected to call at Singapore,

THE SHANGHAI TAXES.

WILL THE CHINESE PAY?

Shanghai, January 8. The latest decision is to start the tax collections on Thursday morning. The Police are to escort the collectors.

Indications this afternoon forecast a refusal by the Chinese

to pas.

CHINA'S FIRST AERO CLUB.

Shanghai, January 8. The first Aero Club in China was formed here to-day.

EARLIER SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

(From Our Own "Correspondents.

ANYO MARU SAFE.

Singapore, January 7. A wire received from Saigon says that the Anyo Mara, which had been reported overdue, has arrived safely there.

H. M. S. HAWKINS AT PENANG.

Singapore, January -8.

H. M. 3. Hawkins beat the Malakoff team in Penang by two goals to ope in football, and also the Cricket Club by three goals to

The Hawkins left Penang on Wednesday,

Dil.

→

RAFFLES COLLEGE.

Singapore, January 8.

A meeting of Raffles College Committee held yesterday accept- ed the donation of $150,000 by Mr. Oil Tiong Ham of Samarang. The chairman announced the receipt of $917,000 in individual donations and $810,000 of annuities, a good deal of this money being earmarked or scholarships.

REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.

THE RAILWAY SITUATION.

SOME GOOD OMENS.

Eondon, January 7.

At the Railway Conference the election of Mr. Abraham as Chairman was a success for the Moderates. This is regarded as a good omen.

Indications of to-day's meeting confirms the summary of the situation cabled on the 5th inst., namely, that a hasty rejection of the terms is not anticipated, that a strike crisis probably would not follow rejection and that a ballot of members may be ordered,

The delegates to-day showed a general desire for further informa- tion as regards the grades which are still the subject of negotiation and more adequate explanations of the terms from the negotiating committee. Furthermore, it is stated that there is no intention of forcing the hands of the Executive.

Meanwhile, the statement by Mr. Thomas, foreshadowing how a settlement is possible (cabled yesterday) is interpreted as meaning that further negotiations with the Government are possible.

WELL-KNOWN PHYSICIAN DEAD.

London, January 6. The death is announced of Sir Thomas Richard Fraser, the eminent physician. He was is his 79th year.

FRENCH RAILWAY COLLISION,

TWENTY FERSONS INJURED.

Paris, January 6.

Two trains on the Paris-Versailles Railway collided at Bl Cloud- Bridge where a single line was working owing to floods. Four coaches were splintered. Twenty persons were injured and sent to hospital.

A SUDAN MISSION,

Ouite, January 5, Field Marshal Allenby left for Sudan to-day, via the Rođ He meets King Hussain at Jedis

1

日九十月堂十

SINGLE COPY: 10-0T3.

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EARLIER TELEGRAMS.

THE RAILWAYMEN'S DISPUTE.

London, Jan. 4. After lengthy negotiations the Government offer to ‘allwaymen is announced. It provides that the lowest paid workers, receivs 56|- weekly and a large section of portara receive 53 as against 22- pre war. The new rate continues until September when revision will take placs based on the cost of living but whatever happens wages cannot be brought below 100 per cent. over pre war #gures. There is little doubt but that the railwaymen will accept.

London, Jan. 4

Mr. J. H. Thomas, addressing a crowded meeting of rallwaymen at Birmingham, said the Governmert's offer was not all that was wanted and was unregårdable as a final aim but in view of all difficulties It was the best settlement possible. It was an honourable settlement and would bring lasting benefit to railwaymen. There might be anomalies but they could all be rectifed later (applause).

Landon, Jan. 4.

Hass meetings of railwaymen have been held at Northampton, Cardiff and Bow, all important centres, and they have rejected the Government's offer for standardisation of wages.

London, Jan. 5.

The Newcastle, Carlisle and York railwaymen have joined the branches which turned down the Government offer, nevertheless confidence prevails that the Con- ference of delegates of the N. U. R. on the 7th will agree that the terms are acceptable though it is possible the extremists may press for another strike to enforce their claims.

DENIKIN'S ARMIES IN PERIL

London, Jan. 4.

While the report of the "coup d'etat" at Denikin's Headquarters is regarded as dubious, it appears certain that Denikin's armies are in a position of imminent peril. The Bolshevista are only thirty miles from Taganrog, which was recently Denikin's base in the Loea Donetz coal basin, and also the centre of all railway communica tions-between his two armies.. It appears unlikely that be will be able to prevent the Reds reaching the sea-board thus dissecting his forces. The Bolshevists claim the capture of an entire division and enormous booty, also Tsaritsin the most important and strategic point on the Volga. Refugees are crowding into the ports in South Russia whence they are to be evacuated in accordance with the Supreme Council's decision. French critics attribute Denikin's failure to inability to organise the occupied territories and to his entourage upsetting the peasants and to lack of agreement with the Poles. The Rumanians urge the Allies to take steps to remedy these defects in the Spring. Meanwhile it is significant that a North Russian "White" newspaper hints that if the Allies forsake Russia, Germany might be asked to crush Bolshegism and reorganise Bussia.

Copenhagen, Jan. 5.

An official message from the Lett Bureau, dated the 3rd says the Lett army, supported on the right wing by the Polish army has begun an offensive against the Bolshe- rists in the direction of Dvinsk. This is developing The Letts have reached a point a few favourably.

The operations aim at libera- kilometres from Dvinsk. ting East Lettland from the Bolsheviks.

A message from Kieff says the Denikin Government has resigned owing to collapse at the front.

J

THE BOLSHEVIK MENACE.

London, Jan. 4. Mr. Churchill, speaking at Sunderland, said the con- dition of Europe and Asia was desperate. Nobody could tell what would emerge from Russia but it would be some- thing very menacing to civilization and especially to the British Empire. New forces were springing up in Asia Minor. If the Russian Bolshevism and Turkish Moham- medanism joined hands the situation for Britain would be grave.

Koltchak and Denikin had protected British interests in the past but the armies of Koltchak were almost gone and the armies of Denikin were in jeopardy. If they disappeared a serious danger would immediately arise. If Germany collapsed a serious situation would arise in Europe. We must be careful not to push Germany too far. The present German Government on the whole had met fairly the conditions of the Allies in the past year. We must prevent a possible combication of Kaiser militarism and German Bolshevista to destroy the German Republic. We could not get indemnities unless we traded with Germany as France and America were preparing to do.

THE SPEN VALLEY RESULT.

London, Jan. 4. The Spen Valley result is generally regarded as a damaging blow to the Government in view of the fact that the free Liberals deliberately challenged, the ----Coalition by putting up Sir John Simon, which challenge Lloyd George accepted by inducing Colonel Fairfax to stand as a Coalition Liberal although the local Liberal Association was solid for Simon. Labourites are elated at the result, They did not expect such a victory though prepared for a big poll after the recent elections. Myers. has declared the electors voted in favour of nationalisa tion of the mines and a capital levy.

Wather Telegrams on Pages 2, 8 and 8.3:

SHERWA

PAINTS

ANDERSEN ME

-TO-DAY'S EXCHANGE.

The closing rate of the dollar, on demand, to-day was 5s/-44d."

THE WEATHER.

Forecast-fine. Barometer,-. 30.09. Temperature 2 pim. -59. Humidity 2 p.m. ---32

HONGKONG'S CROWDED GAOL.

TEMPORARY PRISON AT

LAI-CHI-KOK.

GAOL IN NEW TERRITORIES

LIKELY

The increasing number of pris oners has produced congestion in Victoria Gaol and the first step towards meeting the demand for more accommodation is the trans- formation of the Lai-chi-kok | Quarantine Station into & Prison,

where some 200 prisoners are now - lodged, pending the scheme of building a new Gaol

The question of erecting a new Prison is now under consideration though no definite scheme has Ak yet been advanced. It is thought that the New Territories will offer the best site, but before any actual scheme is put into practice surveys will be necessary to secure a locality which offers the necessary conveniences of water supply, sanitation and, what in most important, rapid communica~ tion with other parts of the Colony.

THE STRANDED

KAIFONG."

. FIRST ATTEMPT TO

REFLOAT FAILS,

Our Haiphong correspondent writes as follows

The salvage party on the tug Taikoo arrived here on January 1st from the wreck of the Chind Navigation steamer Kaiforg for stores, water etc. The vessel lies on the reef which is off the north-west end of Siong Lai Tao Island in

rather exposed position, being open to the sea from the north- east.

An endeavour was made on December 27th to heave the ship off, but the tide was scarcely high enough and the attempt had to ba abandoned. It is thought, how- ever, that the salvage party may be successful in moving the ship about January 7th, at spring tides, provided the tea is then fairly calm."

The salvage propie do not con- sider that the ship is "badly shore," although she will probably need quite a big overhaul to put her in running order again if she is got off. The salvage party is "% returning to the vessel to-morrow.

[On enquiry at Messrs. Butter- field and Swire's this morning. we were informed that so far no news of the refloating of the, vessel has been received, their latest intimation being that it was hoped to get the ship off when the tides were bigher.]

DON'T FORGET.

-TO-DAY.

Theatre Royal Russian Opera Co. present "Aida".

Coronet Theatre-5.15 and 9:15 p.m.

Victoria Theatre-9.15 p.m.

TO-MORROW.

Coronet Theatre~~5,15 and #^5.

Victori's Zhasť