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Hongkong Telegraph

FOUNDED IN WX+ALANT THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1929.

HOSPITAL DISASTER. CHAN MING-SHU

FOR CANTON?

EXPLOSION, FIRE AND MAY GO ON NORTHERN

POISON GAS.

TERRIBLE HAVOC AT FAMOUS

U.S. INSTITUTION.

CRUISER.

FIGHTING STILL CONTINUES

AT SAMSHUI.

SWATOW IN REVOLT.

日八初月四

3 PM

JAUN

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SHANGHAI COURTS CHINESE MYSTERY BANK & YEO TRIAL.

OF JUSTICE.

NANKING TRYING TO END THE PROVISIONAL COURT.

LEGAL OPPOSITION,

NEARLY HUNDRED DEAD the Government, Civil Hospital

confined in tribunal.

Described as the most appalling disaster in recent American history, an explosion and fire have almost completely destroyed the famous Cleveland Clinic Hospital, with a loss, in terrible circumstances, of nearly a hundred lives.

Dozens of others are suffering agony from the deadly effects of poison gas, which spread from blazing X-Ray filma and the laboratories through the blazing building and into the streets. People witnessing the dreadful affair collapsed, while some of the patients were forced to lie helpless watching the deadly fumes creeping slowly towards them.

The catastrophe commenced with a terrifle explosion, followed with alarming rapidity by a fire, the flames being fanned to fury by the escape of compressed oxygen from burst

tanks,

The scenes were ghastly beyond description as the injured and dying were dragged out of the blazing building by heroic

rescuers and placed on the lawn.

Their bodies had turned a deep green' in colour by the action of the poison gas fumes.

Graphic messages telling the full story of the grim tragedy are given below,

CITY PLUNGED INTO NIGHTMARE:

CRUISERS

YING SWEI & HAI YUNG MR. POTTER COMMENTS

ARRIVE HERE.

DENIAL OF INTENTION TO HELP CANTON,

AWAITING ORDERS.

The Ying Swel and the Hai Yung, two Chinese cruisers flying the Nationalist flag, arrived here

Shanghai, May 15. The foreign legal associations in Shanghat, led by the Americans and the British, regard with the most acute concern the present endeavour by the. Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nanking to in- duce the Powers to agree to the A report from Chinese sources conversion of the Shanghai Provi- states that General Chan Ming-sional Court into a purely Chinese

who has been

The move from Nanking is re- for several weeka consequent on garded seriously in foreign circles late yesterday afternoon from Injuries at the King Edward Hotel in Shanghat, and it is the general Shanghai, their appearance in fire, is likely go to

Canton view that sheer chaos would preport being not altogether un one of vall if the Powers accept the on board the Hai Yung. the Northern, cruisers now in Chinese view,

expected in view of recent deve- Hongkong Harbour.

Crime in the Settlement is worse lopments at Canton. General Chan Ming-shu la a to-day than ever before, and it is supporter of the Central Govern-alleged that the manner in which

With a view to discovering the ment and since the Kwangsi- the Provisional Court is run is mission of the Squadron, which) Kwangtung war his presence in partly responsible for this state is under the command of Rear-- Canton ofty, to direct the military of affairs. operations, has been much need-

It is understood that the Bar Admiral H. Y. Chen, a representa- ed by his colleagues in the Canton Associations are planning to take live of the Telegraph last night Government,

joint action in opposition to the paid a call on the Ying Swel, the The game report suggests that Nanking contentions that a General Chan conferred with high Chinese tribunal could and would smaller of the two vessels, which

Ia being utilised Northern administer justice adequately,

as the flagship į The Bar Associations make the of the Squadron, only to be blandly cruisers now in Hongkong and that the latter were guests of the charge that the provisional Court informed that the cruisers were Canton Governor at a supper in has not lived up to the expocta- a Chinese Restaurant last night, tions and pledges given a year ago being engaged on

cruise, LASITIC CONSUELAKO AZTECTION COLAKTIKANTABACOO

officers of the

two

These reports are Interesting

in view of denials by the Admiral. in command that the cruisers' were proceeding to Canton..

A False Alarm.

Canton, May 15. There is no definite news, re- garding the Kwangsi ndvance on Canton. Perfect quiet continues in the city, though there was a New York, May 16. most busiest periods in its history, moment of alarm inkl night when The great oily of Cleveland, on when it was crowded with patients, it was rumoured that the Kwangsl the banks of Lake Erie, has been The nurses and the doctors, im-forcen had occupied Faishan, only plunged into an appalling night-mediately they had recovered from ten miles away. This rumour, mare as the result of a terrific ex- the first shock of the explosion, however, proved to be entirely plosion in the X-Ray Room of the rushed into the wards, amid stilling false and all is going on as usual famous Cleveland Clinic Hospital heat and suffocating fumes and to-day, without A thought of on Euclid Avenue,

The horror of the affair was in-of whom were already dead.

I carried out scores of patients, many military activities.

A The Cantonese authorities claim tensified by a devastating fire, which number of the members of the staff a victory near Samshui and state speedily enveloped the building, dropped down sulfering from the that they are driving the Kwangsi threatening hundreds of patients.

fumes and had themselves to be troops back on the West River. Already it is known that 66 per rescued.

A certain amount of fighting has sous have been killed and 40 serl.

taken place around Samshui, but sly injured, and it is feared that

no news has been received here to the final casualty list will show a greatly increased death-roll.

indiente any change in the situa-

Polson Fumes,

Lion.

THE MOTOR TAXATION QUESTION.

Committee's Proposals Not' Yet Accepted.

OPINIONS INVITED.

$

a training

The presence of 28 cadets on board was pointed to us corrobora- tion of the statement."

One a Training Ship,

ON INTEREST TAKEN.

FOUR "VITAL" POINTS SUBMITTED

FINAL SPEECH.

IN

TSANG NO CRIMINAL.

The momentous importance of the issues to Mr. Messer and to Mr. Black, whose very honesty, he said, had been called into question, was stressed by Mr. Eldon Potter, K.C., when he addressed the jury this morning on behalf of the Government in the action being brought against the Hongkong Bank for re- crediting of the sums involved in the Treasury frauds.

Mr. Potter also made a passing reference to the great interest taken by the bunk, rightly or wrongly, in the trial of Carvalho Yeo, to the extent that the handwriting expert: re- tained by the Bank, gave evidence în Yeo's defence.

Referring to a disputed telephone conversation between Mr. Grayburn and Mr. Messer, which the former denied, Mr. Potter said that if a man could work himself into the mental attitude of believing he had such a conversation, he might not be dangerous, "but I think someone ought to keep an eye on him."

GOVERNMENT CONCEALS NOTHING.

Mr. Jonkin had spoken of Teang's slienco and had described

Mr. Potter opened his address fence? Mr. Jenkin's speech had A reference to the "China Year by congratulating to Special bean described 08 a brilliant Book" confirms the use to which Jury on the patience it had dia- | analysis and counsel was inclined the Ying Swei has been put as a played in listening to his cross-to agree with that description. training ship, but it does not examination and anid he hoped for He did not want to detract from establish a similar role for the further patience while he made his the brillianco of that speech, but Haf Yung. The latter, as one of final address to them on behalf it was a fact that it left the four At this afternoon's meeting

the Hai class of cruisers, con- of the Hongkong Government. points outlined untouched. of the Legislative Council, in

stitutes an important unit of the The jury, he thought, would re- First Nationalist Squadron, and Cognise the momentous importance answer to questions by Mr. J.

the fact that such a formidable of the case to the Ilon. Mr. fesser it as the silence of the tomb. H, P. Brago, it was announced that the Government does not

craft should accompany the Ying, and Mr. Black. The Importance Mr. Potter, would not put forward intend

Swel on the present trip, in such was such that it needed no com- another adjective to describe this to proceed imnie-

ment, Ho had to refer momentous times as these, natural- fact, however, as it seemed to him four points.

to the learned friend's silence on those with diately

legislation;

the the lines of

ly arouses some suspicion, 1'0-

that after listening to the Anal commendations of the Cam- Ushered into the Rear-Admiral's speech for the defence the very mittee appointed to advise on stateroom, the pressman put a honesty of those two witnesses had the taxation of mator vehicles. |definite question on this point to been called into question.

011

It was further stated that the Government is prepared to receive representations on the subject H.M.5. Moorhen will be arriving

from interested. in port this evening from Sum- shul, and 11.M.S. Cicala leaves to-

orrow to replace her at Sam-ARMREIG

shui.

Parties.

a Commander, an alert-looking In connexion with the case; & officer, who looks very young for great deal had been said about the hia. ránk.

Government. Its name had been

here

·

Here, for a Week.

Counsel had left thom untouched and had not attempted to recon- efle them with his cans.

Gallant Rescuers.

Prosumption of Forgery. Meanwhile fire-engines, nurses,

Continuing Mr. Pobter put it to doctors and ambulances from miles around, escorted through

freely bandled about, but the fury the jury that the mere fact that the busy streets by

would, of course, pay no attention the three disputed cheques were on police Euclid Avenue with its beauti-ears with screaming syres, dnsh

to things which it might have stolen forme would in itself be a He replied: "We are staying heard. ful winding walks und flower-bored at full speed to the scene of the

When the Yeo case was presumption.of forgery. dered drive-ways ́ presented

for a week or so, during coming up for trial, it was obvious It was an amazing position that an Inferno. amazing spectacle as hundreds of When the efforts of the staff had

A letter dated yesterday even-when the Rendition Agreement which

time we shall wait for to the Government that the Hung-counsel for the defence had left people rushed to the scene, on hear had almost been exhausted firemen ing received from Sanshui states was drawn up and the Provisional instructions from the Admiralty at kong Bank, rightly or wrongly, that alone. He apparently could Ing the explosion, and fire-fighting carried on the work of resette in that fighting is going on there and Court supplanted the Mixed Court, Shanghai."

was taking a very great interest not devise a single answer to it the equipment from all over the city frightful conditions, carrying out that the Cantonese troops were Our Owa Correspondent.

But are you not going to in that case, so much so that the which would fit in with assembled in spite of the extreme patients through the widows in expected to evacuate at any

Canton? What of the report of expert retained by the Bank gave genuineness of the cheques. The danger from the poisonous fumes

moment as they were not strong

point was put to Professor Shell- maval reinforcements sent by evidence for the defence. sprending in all directions from the

enough to hold the place.

Marshal Chiang Kai-shek for the

shear and he, too, was unable to . blazing building.

provide an answer, Our Own Correspondent.

campaign by Kwangtung against Kwangsi?"

scores.

A passing forry-driver, seeing a Early spectatora dropped down-un-hand, seized it and dashed into the firemen with a gas-mask in his conscious in numbers, but, as soon flames, and rescued twenty people, as the danger was realised, they immediately afterwards collapsing. were shepherded to safety by police A passing taxi-driver then in- tervened, and went into the blazing

building, rescuing thirty.

sunds.

Later.

י

Cruisers to Attack?

Canton, May 16, Northern cruisers have arrivd nt Swałow to co-operate with Gen- eral Chiun Tsing's Fukienese troops In an attack on the part.

The death-roll is mounting, and it is now officially stated that 91 Patient Marooned on Roof, bodies have been remoyed from the raging inferno.

A dozen patients were cut off Ever since the first shock of the through the collapse of a staircase explosion, there has been the and, the blinding fumes from the ghastly spectacle of the injured and X-Ray room and laboratories, andtives to visit headquarters and dis. the dying being dragged out of the they were hoisted by doctors and elinic and placed on the lawn

nurses through a skylight, to the roof.

•

WHEN SINCLAIR COMES OUT OF GAOL.

RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF OIL CORPORATION.

New York, May 15. The Third Division, under Chiang Mr. Harry Binclair, who is now Kang-nni yesterday attacked Walserving the term of imprisonment chow, and General Hau King-tong's to which he was sentenced for con- cotamanders delegated representa- tempt of Court, arising out of the Teapot Done scandals, was to- day re-elected chairman of the Consolidated Oil. Corporation Reuter's American Service

cuss terms of surrender.

A report which has since, ar- rived saying that Walchow was Their bodies have been colour- Their position here is still ex-captured yesterday at 4 pm. is en- ed and stained a deep green by tremely precarious and frantic firined. Canton Publicity Burcan. the fumes of the poison gas efforts are being made to reach escaping from the laboratories. the marooned people by means of

inddera. This dendly jas has being spread--

Later. ing into the streets, and numbers Firemen have succeeded in reach- of redestrians have fallen on the ing the doctors, nurses and patients pavements anconscious. The fire-marooned on the roof of the Clinle men and the police are equipped Hospital, and they have all been with gas-masks.

The Cleveland Clinic Hospital is one of the most famous of such in- stitutions in the United States, and its staff comprises many physicians and surgeons of International re- 'putatiori.

I

brought to anfety.

Wurst For Many Years.

Later.

The explosion and fire nt the Cleveland Clinle Hospital is one of the most terrible disasters which has occurred in the United States for many years.

Most of the victims of the

Famous Surgeon Escapes. The medical officer in charge is Die world-famous surgeon. Dr. catastrophe are patients, but it is George W. Crile, who was one of believed that among the dead, and the original founders of the Clinic, injured are a number of doctors which was opened to publie for the and nurses. first time In 1921.

While the pro-Kwangsi troops on the East River at Sheklung and Walchow continue

retreat further towarda Swatow, i understood that yesterday after- noon the Canton troops under General Taol Ting-kai captured Walchow without serious position.

PRINCE GEORGE. IN EDINBURGH.

op..

OPENS NEW UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT, ›

London, May 15.

Every Facility,

That fact, sald Mr. Potter, was At that time, there was no men- tion of any possible action by the the start of the case for the Gov- The Commander denied that a Government against the Bank. Cramer, and he was going to sub cruise to Canton was within their The Government, however, placed mit that it was a case proved by immediate view. He further de- at the disposal of Professor Shell- overwhelming evidence. precated the report of their bring-ahear every cheque he desired to He naked why, If Tsang On-wing ing troops to help the Cantonesc.

In the windle, were the ask for, for the purpose of was Nor escorting any troopship?" establishing the defence, Yeo cheque forms stolen. He suggest. "Not one."

was brought down from Shanghaied they were stolen for one pur- and stood his trial, counsel ap- pose only-to forge the signatures pearing for him was granted of Mr. Black and Mr. Mesaer. He... facilities to examine any vouchers could find no other answer. Ho A group of personalities dressed he wanted, and more no Govern-nd thought over it, worried over whisked past on their way to the

long coats at this moment ment could do..

it and stil asked why, if Tsang wAA Mr. Potter submitted that the a criminal, he should steal the accommodation ladder, frclining three main issues. in the present cheques. their heads in deknowledgment of case were whether the cheques. the respectful salutes accorded were forged or not, the alleged them by the officers...

in

"Personal Friends,"

·Circumstantial : Evidence,

participation by Tsang On-wing, The case for the defence was "Important officials? Delegates and, thirdly, the question of that Tsang's writing appeared on from Canton paying you a call?" whether Taang and Cheung knew the body of the three cheques and asked our representative."

of the cheque boing fraudulently that he had presumably triekel taken out of the books at the timo. Mr. Messer and Mr. Black Ints

1

"Well, no. Just personal friends," the Commander replied. Aboard the flagship there reign-

¿

It is reliably learned that it H.R.H. Prince George visited ed an atmosphere of tense expec he wanted to impress upon the is the intention of the Canton Edinburgh to-day to open the new tancy. Offcere were striding rest-

(Continued on Page 8.)

signing them. Thirty cheques Four Vital Points.

were stolen from the Novembe Counsel said that at the outset book for the purpose of forgery. submitted. Thirty cheques Department of Zoology at Edin-lessly to-and-fro, keeping always Jury four outstanding facts of the were also stolen from the Decem burgh University

near the gang-Indder, as if expect-case-facts which went to the root ber cheque book and it was ad- Afterwards, the Honorary deing the arrival of important of the cast. There was the theft mitted that the three diaputel of the sixty cheques, and it was cheques, were on three of those tissues of the mouth, nose and gree of Doctor of Laws was con- visitors.

admitted the three disputed "ches, forms, ferred upon him-British Wire.

H

from uppeurs

á Atate-

Could the jury imagine a stron- Junge, causing the victims to

ques were on three of those less. bleed profusely from eyes,

ment. Inter communicatedl

by stolen forms. It was also admit der piece of circumstantial the Commander, that news had ted that there was

evidence, than that? Was thero nose and mouth.

fourth

than been recplyed that two warships up cheque, the Sang Cheung one, also any explanailon other. at Canton still proved recalcitrant. purporting to be signed by Mr.

forgery? Surely

Trang W&B In tho 'swindle this Mouser and Mr. Black. That

nt Lima.. was ' pilnowaste News Wanted,

was admittedly on one of the

Mr. Potter quoted the numbers stolen forms. Again there was on the three disputed cheques and The arrival of the Press repre--the combination of three points in also that on the Sang Cheung sentatives created quite a stir on Mr. Black's signature which ap cheque and showed that the num- board, and a request was made for peared, on the disputed cheques bers were not consecutive. They news of the war situation. but it and which could not be duplicated know that the cheques wero in must be "red-hot news," the by a single genuine cheque out of the books in threes.

the whole 18,000. The jury must

If Tsang On-wing had set down were vital to the cage.

Icheques, having stolen them for But had those four points been some reason which counsel, could dealt with by counsel for the de-l

(Continued on Page 11),

out all over the State of Ohio for

Emergency calls have been sent GOVERNOR-GENERAL

OF PHILIPPINES. every available tank of oxygen,

APPOINTMENT.

Washington, May 16..

The explosions occurred among which is the only remedy. Dr. Crile, who le a leading au- the X-Ray films stored in the base.

Scenes after the explosion are MIL DWIGHT DAVIS OFFERED thority on surgery, and did wonment. The opinion is officially ex-almost too ghastly to describe, The derful service in France during the pressed that a number of tanks of patients screamed with fright as Great War, himself had a very compressed oxygen blow out, The they saw the deadly gas slowing narrow escape, but it is learned explosion of the oxygen made the creeping up to them as they lay unaided.

alty of the flames,

that he managed to get to safety heat terrific, adding to the inten-in bed helpless.- Reuter's American Secretary for War in the Coolidge officers stipulated what be clear that those four points to mrlie the bodies of those three"

The tertible disaster evoked the most herole response from the staff of the

hospital. great

The catastrophe burst at one of the

1. Service. Bromine gas from the films was released in dense brown clouds, which burned out the sensitive

Mr. Dwight F. Davis, who was

Cabinet, has been offered the post Later. of Governor-General of the Philip piner. Mr. Davis has not yet de cided whether he will accept Reuters American Service. So

Two victims of the hospital dis aster have died of their injuries, The death-roll is now 98-Router.

The pressmen gave them they knew of the situation on the West River and at Samshul, and later left, being politely seen to the elde of the ship.