1936-09-25 — Page 18

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1936.

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PAUL ROBESON Hongkong Telegraph.

Deep River; I'm Goin' to tell God All

Mammy is gono; High water

B-2619

B-3033

Oh I rock ma, Julie; Oh ! didn't it rain

B-3663

B-3664

Old Folks at Home: Poor old joc

B-3956

River stay 'way from my door; Rockin' Chair

B-4396

Since you went away; Wid de moon, moon, moon

B-4421 B-4499

In a Narrow Street; Piccaninny's Shoes

B-4309

B-4352

Pilgrim's Song: Roll the Chariot Along

Mah Lindy Lou; Ma curly-headed Baby

FRIDAY, SEPT. 26, 1936.

EDUCATIONAL SECRECY

One of the Colony's advisory bodies concerning whose acti- [vities the public knows practic-

ally nothing is the Board Education. Its stings

of

are

held in private, and the only means through which ratepayers

Round the bend of the Road; Take me away from the river can gain any knowledge of the B-4354 Hush-a-bye, Lullaby; Got the South in my Soul

Snowball; Fat Li'l follar: Short'nin' bread.

the

matters it discusses are official reports of meetings per- iodically released for publication.

Little man, you've had a busy day: I ain't laxy, I'm just It would, however, be difficult to dreamin'

Swing Low sweet Chariot: On ma journey

B-8018

Blue Prelude: Swing Along

B-8060

B-8202

B-8372

D-8423

B-8438

C-1585

C-2517

C-2621

Paul Robeson Medley, Part 1 G 2

Gloomy Sunday: Honey

Shenandoah; Jes' mah Song

Plantation Songs, Part 1 & 2

There's a Green Hill: Nearor, my God to Thoo

S. MOUTRIE

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conceive of communiques less in- formative in character than these reports. The latest to hand, dealing with the meeting held last Monday, is a typical docù- ment of kind. It bears much closer resemblance to agenda of a meeting issued beforehand to members than to record of proceedings which have taken place. In brief, il states that the

an

Ltd. Board "considered papers remit-

ted for its consideration relative Chater Road. to the filling of the vacant post.

of Senior Inspector of English Schools." and then gives a list of papers laid on the table with regard to four specified matters. What action, if any, was taken on these subjects is not in any. way indicated, nor is any actual information relating thereto dis- closed. To take the question of the Senior Inspectorate, what the public would like to know, and what it has a right to be informed upon, is the nature of the steps being taken to fill the vacancy, and, in particular, the financial aspect of the proposals before the Board. A scheme for eye inspection and provision of spectacles for pupils attentling Grant-in-Aid Schools also figured amongst the papers laid on the table obviously

most im- portant matter. Yet the public) is not vouchsafed even an out; line of the proposals and is therefore kept quite in the dark on a subject which is of vital concern and interest to parents who have children, at school. the

$13.50

$1500

In other matters before Board, it is impossible to ascér- tain from the official report of the meeting details concerning | any of these things. Whether the ncci- secrecy is deliberate or dental, the fact remains that the public, after reading the report, is left in a state of complete ig-

on the subjects

norance.

to

men- tioned. The Board of Educa tion, as we understand the position, is an advisory body PE somewhat similar in its functions the. Urban Council. It may not have power of decision on matters. affecting education, but ------ ea. lit cun und does proffer advice to the Government. There would thus appear. to be no adequate reason why its meetings should pr. not, as, was formerly the case, be open to the Press, with a proviso that, on purely confidential mut- ters, it could sit in committee. Were this procedure adopted, the

$2,00

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD. public would be able Intelligently

to follow its

existing conditions, this is utterly impossible.

SPAIN Is The

WENTY years ago the Great War was raging. Mothers' sons from nearly every European country were on the battlefeld, or on the high seas, or on the air. Women were doing men's work or eating their hearts out at · home. The people were pre- pared to pay the price of per- manent peace.

+

It was said to be a war to end war," and a war to "make the world safe for democracy." It was fought through to these ends. It culminated in a disastrous peace. which bore within it the seeds of further wars.

Not least of the results flowing from the Peace Trenties Was Fascism, unscrupulous in opposi- tion and ruthless in power.

Democratic Europe has watched. the Jack-boot of Fascism stride across Europe. It has witnessed the Italian conquest of Abyssinia; Germany's repudiation of Treatics;. and now it sees an engineered re- volt by Fascists in Spain, against a constitutionally elected Govern-

ment.

It sees a bitter and remorseless civil war being waged in a land

which has suffered already from 'internal strife. But this war is one

in which all the modern apparatus of war is being used, and in which the rebel side is being given ex- ternal assistance.

How does the situation prestit itself to all democratic people? On the basis of n "Popular Front," a Government was returned to power. by constitutional electoral methods. Like all such coalitions, it-consists of diverse elements. Its "centre of gravity" is broadly Liberal and Republican, though R includes "left" elements.

But it is not a "Red" Govern- ment; nor can it be so described by any stretch of imagination. It represents, for the time being, the people's will; and it is being, welded into a greater unity by the impact of rebellion against it.

The Spanish Civil War, there- fore, is not one between Reds" and Fascists for mastery. It is a war in which a normally elected -Government is fighting to main- tain its rightful authority against a highly organised and carefully prepared Fascist coup d'etat, utilis- ing disloyal elements in the fight- ing services, employing coloured Moorish mercenaries, and .recely- ing, directly and Indirectly, help

EMBARGO Right?

by the Right Honourable ARTHUR GREENWOOD

Acting Leader of the Opposition

and succour from at least one Great Power..

It has been a generally accepted canon that the internal affairs of a country are nobody's concern but its own. And in normal circum- stances no one would question this.

Since the War, however, a new situation has arisen. From the U.8.6.R. there has radiated foreign propaganda, More recently. Fas- cist Imperialism has poured its in- fluence into non-Fascist countries; and now, Italy, flushed with victory in its Abyssinian adventure, is gly- Ing ald to armed insurrectionaries, in a non-Fascist Stato.

What is to be done to meet this situation? It is clear that, sooner or later, the rule must be enforced that no State shall be permitted to Interfere in the internal affairs of another State, especially on the side of minorities. But the en- forcement of such a rule depends upon an effective League of Nations, or at least upon a pact between nations prepared to re- spect national integrity and to net in common against aggression such as Italy has committed.

The stark and unpalatable fact is that, at the moment, action' on these lines is out of the question.

It

suld have been right and proper in the first stage of tho struggle in Spain for friendly Gar- ernments to have come to the ald of the Spanish Government by means of arms and supplies; at any rate, pending any interna- tional agreement.

France, like Spain, has a Popuin: Front Government, composed of 'diverse elements, united on a do-

Aned and limited programme.

Who can be surprised, if this Government, faced with

the possibility of far-reaching reper- cussions, had grave searchings of heart as to the line of action to be pursued? It was of vital import- ance that the democratic Govern- ment in France should, preserve unity in the face of the Fascist menace. It was, indeed, vital to this country that democracy should maintain itself in France.

In view of the immediato dim- culties, inferent in the situation. Franco came to the conclusion that a neutrality agreement was the best practicable solution. Britain agreed.

Personally I do not regard this as a satisfactory solution. It is what I would call "second best."

No reasonable person wishes to precipitato an over-widening war, if it can be avoided. . At the same timo, I do not think it can be denied that neutrality implies that a member of the League, a friendly Power, is to bo left unaided to cope with a formidabis rebellion, led by men who have betrayed their alle- glance to their Government.

-But at this stage let us, if we can, got a neutrality agreement, all. nations standing aside. For I am convinced that, if the rebels were loft to their own resources and de- prived of all external assistance, the Spanish Government magnif- cently supported as it is, would re- assert its authority and quell the rebellion.

The noutrality agreement, how- over, is hanging fire. Italy and Germany appear to be playing for time, as both these Powers have done before, They find the filmsiest pretexts for delay. It is essential that Britain and France-

I regard it as unfortunate that, at the outset of the rebellion, when it was realised that Spain had to face, not a sporadic revolt by dis- gruntled opponents of the Popular Front, but a military coup, backed -by disloyal elementa and well-

equipped with the means of war,should sweepaalde their pretexts. Britain and other like-minded countries did not render the assist- ance of which the Spanish Govern- ment stood in need.

Unfortunately, as I say, that course was not taken. Instead, an attempt was made to secure a neutrality agreement.

One can understand the difi.cul- ties of the French Government.

A CATHOLIC Looks at

The Telegraph" has received a number of letters from Catholic readers who say they are disturbed

by the allegations of ill-treatment of Catholics in Spain. Below is a survey of the position by Mr. Bernard Sullivan.

T

HE Spanish revolution das presented a problem to the Catholic workers of Great Britain that will not be solved by taking the advice of their new- found friends of the Press.

The stories being circulated of atrocities are reminiscent of the early days of the Great War, and generally come from the same sources,

Tho truth of the burning ef churches

and the mutilating of priests and nuns will not be found until the country is calm again.

It is therefore necessary for Catholle workers to ask themselves if the laste of the struggle means anything to them. The Church may be persecuted if the Government wine; on the other hind the Catholic worker in Spaina will certainly lose his liberty if the rebels win.

The persecutious of the Church will be less likely if Catholic democrata in this country stand by democratic insti tutions and prove to the Spanish Government that the Church, repre sented by the ordinary worshipper, is not an cuemy of the State.

It is not the function of the Catholic Church to defend the rich landowners, financiers and manufacturers, even if some of them are Catholica.

It is the duty of the Church to, pro- tect the poor against, oppression, and

the WAR

ost Catholic workers in this country have no illusions regarding what is in store for the workers of Spain It Fascism triumphs.

They have the examples of Germany and Italy before them. There the buldings of the Church were not destroyed, but the bodies and souls of men were,

In the great dock strike of 1880 Catholic Cardinal stood beside the dockers in their great fight for justice, und his name Ands. an honourable place in the history of the Britiah workers' struggle for a living wage. The Catholle Church grew rapidly following that event, until to-day it is one of the great institutions of this country.

* *

Catholic, workers in the distressed areas are suffering intensely through. the failure of the present system to employ them, and the Means Test has added a burden to the families who never knew sufficiency.

Many courageous priests have spoken in condemnation of the poverty of the masses, and Cathollo organisations have bravely assisted, their unfor tunnta brethren through the St. Vincent De Paul and other societies. The Catholle Social Bulld has gath. ered studious Catholles together in groups to study the causes of poverty Catholics and inequality of wealth.

are more socially minded than ever betare.

They are in their Trade Unions help-

ing on the organization of the workers to fight for living wage and more leisure. Under Fascism those organ- isations will be suppressed an they were in Germany and Italy. -

The Fascists said that Communism - was the enemy they were out to pup- press, but they never ceased to perse- cute until all other organisations had been closed except their own Fascist Frost. Even the Catholle newspapers that are urging Catholic workers to withdraw their support from the democracy of Spain will be suppressed in due course,

The trak of Catholic democrats. them, is to trust to the Church our- viving the changes that are taking place, and so to mould the new world that it will give to every man and wonan the greatest freedom both spiritual and material

That can only be accomplished when Catholics identify themselves with democratic Institutions and are trade prepared to strengthen the unlons by their membership and: democracy, by their votes.

Our pastors will remember that Christ chose the humble fishermen to bo, his apostles, and, denounced the rich Pharisees who gave misterial sup port to the Church, but who falled to practise that humility that distin- guishes the common people,

The meek shall inherit, the earth.

☆

The poor pensant and the city worker have been weak for centuries. and when they awake to their power, 'the' Church should be in the front guiding them in the use of that new- found strength. That strength will never be used to destroy the Church under such circumstances.

I began by saying that the Spanish

·· Revolution had presented a problem to the Catholic workers of Great Britain. The solution ites in the stiltude of the

· leaders of the Church-during' tie coming struggle for Democracy or Fascism,

and excuacs for delay and insist on an early understanding.

When, however, such an agree- ment is reached, the fundamental question will arise as to its enforce- ment. I have no doubt that Britaln and France would' honour the un- dertaking.

Could the game be said of other Powers? Everything hinges on this. It must be clearly laid down that, should the neutrality agree- ment be broken by one or more signatories, the loyal Powers would be completely free to inaugurate a now policy.

I do not wish 'to 'go farther at this stage. Every peace lover is anxious to avoid war. Every demo- crat is anxious to see the Spanish Government maintained and safe- guarded, and its authority upheld. If the neutrality agreement. which must be negotiated quickly. or not at all, does not came to frui- tion or fails in its operation, then clearly democracy must assert it- self.

And here I come to the root question. Is democracy conscious enough of its responsiblities and its latent powers to take a firm stand? Does it realise the inexora- ble driving force of Fascism, which must either expand or die?

Many proposals have been made, such as the assembly of Parliament and monster demonstrations. They may be the right things to do. But they must be directed, na every effort must be, towards the crucial: task of fully rousing democracy to its grave and high responsibilities. The Great War of 1914-1918. 'failed, in its primary objects of "making the world safe for de- mocracy" and establishing world peace. To-day the same problems confront is. War is with us. De- mocracy is challenged.:

If the spirit of democracy and the love of peace are truly alive in the hearts of men and women, they will see the tragedy of Spain as a call to action and service.

Today's Thought- FREEDOM in a democracy is

the glory of the State,

FLATO: