NEWS FROM ABROAD

Evening Star, Issue 19800, 25 February 1928, Page 4

NEWS FROM ABROAD

The Sinking of the Emden

A German Version “Bitter and Libellous” Anxiety over Mr Hinkler Fears for His Safety Pr-943 Association —By Telegraph—Copyright

LONDON February 23. Prince Franz Joseph, second torpedo bfficer on the Emden, has published a book entitled 1 Tho Emdeiij’ containing allegations which the ‘ Daily Express ’ characterises ns bitter and libellous, and asks why the Nurse Caveil picture should bo banned when the British are asked to read such libels. With regard to the sinking of tho German ship, the Prince denies that Von Muller surrendered, though he admits the Emden’s ensign was hauled down and the white Hag run up. With Teutonic logic he explains: “One can only surrender with weapons, and as the ship was a wreck, and all tho .weapons were destroyed, Ihcrc could be no talk of surrender. The Hag was hauled down because the ship was a wreck, and had uo longer any right to fly it, and further bloodshed was not justifiable. While running upon the reef the flag was forgotten, and it did not occur to anyone that the flag at the maintop of tho wreck would be taken as a reason for resuming the bombardment.*’ Detailing his imprisonment at Malta, the Prince alleges that the crew of the Breslau were choated_ out of their food allowance by tho_ British soldiers, and their money remittances were falsified to the disadvantage of the Gormans. He says that 150 men of the Emden, with SSO others, spent three hopeless rears in Fort Salvatore, shut in by liigh walls and without room to exercise, enduring a martyrdom to which a number of cases of madness or attempted suicide boar witness. The Prince repeats the old story that lie saw ammunition boxes being loaded into hospital ships. A note in the book states that Von Muller was a foo so worthy that the British Government wished to honor him after tho war. There were, however, difficulties in the way. The English publisher explains that the proposed honor was the Distinguished Service Order. The ‘ Daily Chronicle ’ drew the Admiralty’s attention to_ the statement, and an Admiralty official said that the amazing statement cannot be credited, while the Foreign Office gives it a categorical denial, v WORLD PEACE THE BRITISH PROPOSAL PRESENTED AT GENEVA GENEVA, February 24. Lord Gushendun, on behalf of the British Government, again took tho initiative at yesterday’s Security Committee’s meeting with a definite proposition covering three vital points. This has every chanco of acceptance, since it conforms to the original British memorandum, which Dr Benes, in his opening speech, and the majority of the subsequent speakers virtually adopted. Lord Gushendun proposed that the committee should declare, first, that the League Covenant itself creates a measure of security which needs to be appreciated at its full value, and its articles are capable of being applied in such a way that in the majority of cases they can prevent war ; secondly, the common will to peace of the Council and States members can be exercised effectively within the framework ot the Covenant, especially since that instrument does not provide any rigid code ot procedure far the settlement of an international crisis, and it is therefore inexpedient to attempt to draw up in advance a complete list of measures for preserving international peace; thirdly, those nations which consider the general measure of security afforded by the Covenant is inadequate for their needs must for the present regard the conclusion of security pacts with other States in the same geographical area as the only practical and possible form of supplementary guarantee. Lord Gushendun spoke strongly against what he called the hankering after a general security pact. He continued; “The report from the Prague Committee states that the conclusion of a general treaty would be difficult. Of course, it woulci be, so why in the world should we try to draw up one? Why try to reduce all the. varying types of nations, with their different conditions and requirements, to one type?” He intimated that the British Empire could not accept arbitration without reservations. He was ready to submit justifiable cases to arbitration, and suggested the creation of a commission of conciliation orf the Cana-dian-American model for the settlement of political questions. The Drafting Committee was favorably impressed by the proposal, which was referred to the Drafting Committee.—A. and N.Z. and 1 Sun ’ Cable. INTERNATIONAL FUND PROPOSAL

SUPPORTED BY BRITAIN. LONDON, February 24. (Received February 25, at 1.30 a.m.) Interviewed by a ‘ Daily Chronicle ; representative regarding the Finnish proposal for an international fund tor the benefit of victims of aggression, which Britain alone among the Great Powers is supporting, Lord Cushendun said: “It envisages the sum of £50,000,000, of which Britain’s share would probably be to 10 per cent, of the total £5,000,000 at the most. The money would be provided in the form of an international loan. Countries would know that if they were guilty of aggression the other side would have this assistance. The League Council must unanimously decide which nation is the aggressor before aid is given.” FEDERAL PARLIAMENT ADJOURNED TILL WEDNESDAY. CANBERRA, February 24. ‘After further debate on the censure inotion, the House was adjourned till •UWnfidayi

A NATIONAL HERO MR HINKLER'S GREAT FLIGHT TO FLY TO MELBOURNE DARWIN, February 21. Mr Hinkler resumed bis journey to Bundabcrg at 7 o’clock this morning. Ho will stay at Camoowcal to-night, and finish his flight to-morrow. Subsequently ho will fly to Melbourne, via Canberra. Negotiations aro proceeding for a visit to Sydney, en route to Melbourne. Interviewed, Mr Hinkler slated that ho mav take up commercial flying in Australia if an opening offers. ANXIETY FELT. NO WORD OF AIRMEN. \ SYDNEY, February 24. There is anxiety regarding the whereabouts of Mr Hinkler. At 9.15 this morning he passed Katherine, where he dropped a message: “Good-bye, Katherine, sec you again.” Ho expected to reach CToncurry, not Camooweal, as previously stated, before dark, but since he passed Katherine nothing has been heard of him. It is feared that he may have met trouble or have been compelled to land when flying over the difficult and sparsely-peopled country between Darwin and Cloncurry. Among the congratulatory messages, received by Mr Hinkler, is one from the King. DEMONSTRATION OF ECONOMY. WASHINGTON, February 23. Mr Trubeo Davidson, Assistant Secretary of War, says that the economy of air travel is demonstrated by Mr Hinkler’s flight. ‘This courageous, skilful British airman flew 12,000 miles in fifteen days at a cost of about 2c a mile. There is really nothing further to say ; the facts and figures speak for themselves.” SUBSCRIPTION LISTS OPENED. SYDNEY, February 24. The newspapers have opened subscription lists towards a fund for the recognition of Mr Hinkler’s achievement. It rs reported that a Melbourne theatrical firm offered the airman £IO,OOO for his services for six months, and he has also received other offers. THE GOVERNMENT’S .RECOGNITION. CANBERRA, February 24. In the House, Mr Bruce, amidst applause from all parties, announced that the Government had decided to invite Mr Hinkler to_ visit Canberra, and there present him with a cheque for £2,000 as well as a memento of his great flight. The Prime Minister paid a glowing tribute to the achievement, which the I/eader of the Opposition fully endorsed. AEROPLANE PRESENTED “AUSTRALIA’S BRAVEST SON.” WELLINGTON, February 24. The following is a copy of a cable message from Sir Charles Wakefield, head of C. C. Wakefield, Ltd., to the head of his firm in Sydney:—“ Advance Australia. My heartiest congratulations to Australia on Mr Hinkler’s epoch-making flight. I shall _be delighted to present an Avro-Avian airpiano to Australia to mark this historic occasion, and in honor of her bravest sou.” HINKLER’S START A NEW ZEALAND STUNT. (.Special to thb ‘Stab.’]

WANGANUI, February 24. A Wanganui lady who was at the time on the nursing staff of the Auckland Hospital, supplies the following particulars aneut the early career of Captain Hinkler, who has arrived in Australia after a wonderful solo flight from Croydon:—“About fifteen years ago a man named Harry Stone arrived at Auckland with an aeroplane. He advertised himself as “ Wizard Stone,” and his machine was a monoplane. He took it to Australia in order to give exhibition stunts, and while in Melbourne picked up with a man named Percy Cornwall, the latter having a racing car capable of doing 80 miles an houre. They made a tour of New South Wales, holding races between the car and the ’plane; and while in Bundaberg met a boy of about_ seventeen years of age, named Bert Hinkler, then trying to make himself an aeroplane. Harry Stone was impressed with this boy, and brought him to New Zealand as junior mechanic. They had the ’plane and car in Cornwall Park, Auckland, and they had ‘ stunts ’ advertised, but the ‘ stunts ’ never came off. The idea was to race the car against the ’plane. In the course of a trial both Cornwall and Hinkler were thrown out of the car, the latter having some of his ribs broken, while Cornwall escaped with minor injuries. Hinkler was taken to the hospital, where be remained three weeks. Stone took his machine to Napier, where he came a crash, and that was the end of his New Zealand stunt, which was a financial fiasco. This was Bert Hinkler’s initial start in the flying game.” PRINCE OF WALES MASTER OF MERCHANT NAVY LONDON, February 23. TheJntense popularity of the Prince of Wales’s appointment as Master of the Merchant Navy was demonstrated when 750 guests at the Chamber of Shipping banquet stood and rfeningly cheered him before he was able to proceed with the toast of the shipping industry,

TALK OF THE TOWN EX-KAISER'S BROTHER-IN-LAW ARRESTED IN CAFE. . BERLIN, February 23. Germany is shocked by M. Zoubkoff’s attack on a page boy in the newlyopened Caso Nova bar in the fashionable.west end. The newspapers and the public are angry, and describe him as a barbarian at the bar. They demand jus deportation: He arrived at the Caso Nova at midnight, drank heavily, and danced with professional dancers. At 3 o’clock he staggered into the lobby, and resented the offer of help by a page boy, whom he ordered to make himself scarce. The page boy’s explanation was met with a blow, which knocked him over, after which, it is alleged, M. Zoubkoff proceeded to kick him. The manager and various people joined in a general tussle till the police arrived. Dr Stresemann’s nawspaper says it is “ positively intolerable that one who contrived to force his way into the Hohenzollcrn family should continually ho the talk of the town. _ The sooner ho is under stricter supervision the better.” FINED FOR PASSPORT IRREGULARITY. BERLIN, February 24. (Received February 25, at 8.20 a.m.) Zoubkoff was lined £lO for passport irregularity and not for the calc incident, in connection with which ho has nob yet been charged. The police revealed that his Russian passport visa expired in December.—A. and N.Z. and ‘ Sun ’ Cables. BRITISH INDUSTRIES FAIR THE MANCHESTER SECTION VISITED BY KING AND QUEEN, (British Official News.) Press Association—By Wireless—Copyright RUGBY, February 23.

Sir William Seager, president of tho chamber, occupied tho chair, and among those present were Mr W. C. Bridgeman, Sir Austen Chamberlain, Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, Admiral Halsey, Mr F. G. Kqlleway, Lord Kylsant, and the Lord Mayor. The singing of' sea chanties enlivened the programme. The Prince assured his hearers that the King was delighted with tho manner in which all sides had received the compliment to the merchant ■ -y. He facetiously quoted Marco Polo’s dictum that “ persons frequenting tic sea must be people of desperate fortunes, whose testimony in the court ought not to 1 admitted.” However, maritime customs had changed since then. The Prince emphasised the fascination which ships possessed for him. but he declined to make a long statement he ' d prepared regarding tho shipping industry, because in the presence of so many exports he “ was taken flat aback, and his timber shivered ” to such an extent that he felt the audience would let him off from a discussion on the evolution of ships from the coracle to the oildriven liner. Though 7,775,000 tons of shipping were destroyed and 15,000 lives lost during tin war, the shipping industry was holding on, and, despite the past seven years of depression, the British shipyards were building 50 per cent, of the tonnage under construction. In 1927 Britain had a supremacy of 15,000 tons of the biggest ships. The Prince concluded: “May tho shipping industry, however crowded bo tho fairway, steer into tho harbor of active and permanent prosperity.” Sir William Sengcr, in responding, testified to the service’s pride in the Prince’s appointment. Ho was not only a Royal ambassador, but a Royal commercial attache, visiting the dominions and foreign countries to expand Empire commerce. In his service to the countr- ho was living up to the'reputation of his great predecessors, particularly tne Black Prince, who adopted fho motto “I serve” on tho field of Crecy. “The shipping industry,” Sir William continued, “ will bo placed in tho forefront of national assets. We co . 22,000,000 tons, compared with 20,000,000 in 1913, and the British ship owners’ treatment of sailors is an example to all countries.” After appealing to British youth to ion the mercantile marine, Sir William urged his hearers to take in conjunction with his Majesty’s call of 1901, “ Wake up, England,” tho late Earl Haig’s appeal the day before be died —namely, “ Stand up for England.” Lord Kylsant, in proposing the health of tho Ministry, said that shipping would be greatly stimulated if the Government reduced national expenditure and relaxed local rates. Sir Austen Chamberlain, in responding humorously, observed that bo was astonished that the health of a Government so little deserving of confidence should he drunk at all. This was probably not duo to gratitude but to hopes for the future. The war had taught all peoples that uo part of the world could suffer without injuring all. Only international goodwill could promote international prosperity, and tho spirit animating the mercantile marine would secure for the Empire its share of whatever prosperity attended it.

The King and Queen, who on Tuesday visited the Loudon section of the British industries Fair, to-day made the journey from Loudon to Birmingham to see the section of the fair in that city. Sir Austen Chamberlain (Foreign Secretary), who is member of Parliament for West Birmingham, and Sir Phillip Cunliffe-Lister (President of the Board of Trade) travelled in the Royal train. Upon arrival at Birmingham the Royal Party drove in motor cars to the Exhibition, being enthusiastically greeted en route. Their Majesties were welcomed at the Exhibition bythe local authorities and prominent industrial ists. After spending the best part of the afternoon inspecting the exhibits their Majesties returned to London. RUBBER TYRES MANUFACTURE Hi ENGLAND IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS. (British Official News.) Press Association —By Wireless —Copyright, RUGBY, February 23. Further important developments are to take place in the manufacture of rubber tvres in this country. It is learned that both the Firestone and tile Pirelli Companies, who have hitherto supplied this market from their factories outside this country, are building new works here. They are preparing for a large output. There are now three linns who have taken this step, since Mr Winston Churchill, in the last Budget, included tyres in the same fiscal category as motor cars,- and imposed on them an import duty of 33 1-3 per cent. The third is Messrs Goodyear, who announced last July that they were establishing a iactorv at Wolverhampton, where they would employ 1,000 men on tyre-mak-ing. • IRISH LOYALISTS COMPENSATION FOR INJURIES LONDON, February 23. Mr L. S. Amory, in presenting the Supplementary Estimate of £525,000 on account of damage to the property o ex-service men in Ireland, pointed out that the Government had already paid out about £8,000,000 in compensation with respect to injuriees suffered before the truce. The total awards of both Governments to Irish loyalists before and since the truce amounted to £lO,000,000. The Irish Grants Committee was investigations urgent cases of hardship. It was hoped the necessity for a further grant would not arise, but the subject could be reopened.—A. and N.Z. and ‘ Sun ’ Cable. WIRELESS AND CABLES SPEEDING UP CONFERENCE LONDON, February 23. The Wireless Conference is sitting daily for the purpose of speeding up a decision to enable the delegates to return. The evidence has been completed, and the sole remaining task is to agree to recommendations upon which the conference is at present at variance. The Australians and the New Zealanders are unitedly insisting upon two main principles—first, no increase in the rates; secondly, the maintenance of Government supervision. It is understood that Britain sympathises with this attitude, but the others are not certain. Meanwhile the Marconi and the Eastern Companies are negotiating ’independently.—A. and N.Z. and * Sun ’ Cable. TOWARDS PROSPERITY BRITISH TRADE REVIVAL (British Official News.) Pres* Association—By Wireless— Copyright. RUGBY, .February 23. Sir William Seager, |ri his presidential address at the annual meeting of the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom, said there wore signs that a revival to comparative prosperity might be expected before long, if the heavy industries were moving out slowly towards prosperity tiny were, none the less moving; while the expansion of tlfirty-four new industries, involving the additional employment of 874,000 people, was a most encouraging sign. The outstanding fact to-day was the great improvement in shipbuilding, and whereas at the end of December, 1926, there was under construction in this country 760,000 gross tons, to-day there was 1,500,000 gross tons; and what was particularly hopeful was that foreign nations who had been good customers for ships in the past were maintaining and ever increasing their custom.

TOE BANNED FILM FIERCE CONTROVERSY RAGING LONDON, February 23. The actual act of banning ‘ Dawn ’ has been responsible for a fierce controversy. A notable contributor, Professor J. H. Morgan, of University College, London, in a letter to the ‘Evening Standard,’ says: “The tone of Sir Austen Chamberlain’s letter leaves a chilly impression that he regard’s Nurse Cavell’s execution as a kind of unfortunate accident, no blame being attachable to anybody. I suggest to Sir Austen Chamberlain that a little gesture on the other side would do more to improve Anglo-German relations than all his lullabies—namely, secure a public admission from the German Government that it regrets its predecessor’s treatment of Nurse Cavell.” M.' Clemenceau has sent a message to the ‘Evening Standard,’ saying: “I cannot see why this or any other film dealing with actual facts of the war should bo banned. If Anglo-German relations are so delicate that a film based on the reality of facts can strain them, they are not based on sincerity.” Tire whole question of censorship is expected to be raised in the House of Commons. [Sir Austen Chamberlain’s letter referred to above was written in reply to an invitation by the producer to witness the screening of the picture. It read as follows The story of Nurse Cavell is a noble one, and her memory will be reverenced not only in friendly but in ex-enemy countries by all those admiring selfless devotion,_ duty, and serenity at the hour of trial. It may be possible to present the story without the loss of its beauty or the danger of controversy when the lapse of years makes it history; but personally I feel it is more beautiful in my mind than any picture could make it. I in no circumstances, therefore, care to sco ‘Dawn,’ however the stqry is treated. If, as I presume, the Press accounts of the picture are correct, I am even less willing to attend the performance. I. know of no authority to justify certain incidents presented therein, and their representation can only provoke controversy over the grave of a woman who has become one of the world’s heroines. There arc war films which, whilst recalling heroic deeds of endurance by Britishers, call forth no bitter feelings elsewhere, only serving _to unite all men in admiration of heroism and fortitude; but ‘Dawn’ is .f an entirely different character. I must say I feel the strongest repugnance to its production.”] RED ARMY FESTIVAL TENTH AHNIVERSAIV RIGA, February 23. The Red Army’s tenth jubilee activities have commenced with grand parades at Moscow and Leningrad. Sixty new military .aeroplanes raised by a fund are inscribed “ Our Answer to Chamberlain.” The festival includes sports tournaments, excursions, military and technical exhibitions, and inspection of munition and other factories, and will last four days. It is exclusively a military festival, and not a public holiday. AMERICAN PRESIDENCY THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE NEW APPOINTMENT POPULAR. NEW YORK, February'23. It is reported from Washington that, despite the La Follette resolution, a decision has been made to nominate President Coolidge at the Republican National Convention. It is reported that many delegates will be sent to the conv:ntion uninstructed, which amounts to a discreet Coolidge boom. A secret meeting of Republican Senators and "party leaders at Washington this week is taken as a sure indication of President Coolidae’s nomination.

ELEGISOMS ill JAPAH

FINAL STATE OF PARTIES TOKIO. February 23. The final state of the parties after the Japanese elections is as follows; Minseito 218, Seiyukai 217, Labor 8, Kakushin 4, Jitsudo 4. and Independents 15. The elections were remarkable for tho unexpected proletarian vote, totalling 9,000,000. Tho Government is disappointed with the results, and is relying on winning tho support of the minor parties before reopening, the Diet. NATIONAL DEBT REDUCTION FURTHER GIFT OF £I,OOO LONDON, February 23. Mr Winston Churchill (Chancellor of the Exchequer) announced the receipt of a further anonymous gift of £I,OOO in 5 per cent, war stock towards the reduction of the National Debt.—A. and N.Z, and 1 Sun ’ Cable. AIR MAIL SERVICE . TOULOUSE TO MONTEVIDEO LONDON. February 23. The Paris correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ states that a public air mail from Toulouse to Buenos Aires via Senegal, Fernando Noronha, Pernambuco, Rio do Janeiro, and Montevideo begins on March 1. Monoplanes with 350 h.p. engines will cover tho section to St. Louis, Senegal, flying boats vith two 350 h.p. engines to Cape Verde, a fast steamer to Fernando Noronha. and land machines thereafter. There will be one mail weekly" each way, and the journey will occupy seven and_ a-half davs. It is hoped to make it in four and a-half when night flying is practicable. —‘ The Times.’ EARL 0F ERROL FUNERAL AT COBLENZ (British Official News.) Tress Association—By Wireless—Copyright. RUGBY, February 23. Tho funeral of the late Earl of Errol, the British High Commissioner on the Inter-allied Rhineland Commission, who died suddenly on Monday, took place at Coblenz to-day. Baron Langworth Von Simmeru. the Reich’s Commissar for the occupied territories, represented the Gorman Government. Amongst tho telegrams of condolence received by the widow was one from the German Government. SHOT BY BURGLAR MAH CHARGED WITH MURDER LONDON, February 24. (Received February 25, at 1.30 a.m.) Frederick Stewart, aged thirty, a bookmaker’s clerk, has been charged with tho wilful murder of Webb. [Returning with his son to his Bayswater flat, Alfred Webb found a burglar ransacking a room. A struggle followed, in which Webb was shot in the head, suffering a serious wound, from which he died. The son and a crowd pursued the burglar, who threw away the revolver and escaped.] SMUGGLED ARMS THE ST. COTHARD MACHINE DDRS GENEVA, February 24. (Received February 25, at 1.80 a.m.) The Secretary-General of the League of Nations has cabled the Hungarian Government that the destruction of the St. Gothard machine guns should be suspended. Count Bethlen replied that he had known for weeks that the guns must be rendered useless and sold unless claimed by the legal owners.