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FRANCIS WU'S STUDIO
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CHINA MAIL
No. 34154.
ESTABLISHED FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS
HONG KONG; WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1948.
COMMUNIST COLUMNS WITHIN
FIVE MILES OF PEIPING Nanyuan Airfield On City's Southern Outskirts Taken
Nanking, December 14.
The Government confirmed today that the war situation had turned critical around Peiping where General Lin Piao's Com- munist columns were reported to have battled their way with- in five miles of the main North China city.
Authoritative sources said here this afternoon 'that Communist troops con- verging on Peiping had captured Nanyuan air field, on the city's South- ern outskirts.
Reds Promise Fair Treatment
Shanghai, December 14, Categorically denying
re.
ports that the Communist au thorities in North China are terrorising the people in Com. munist-occupied
the FreAs, Communist Radio in North Shenel this morning called on the population in Nationalist China not to be misled by rusiours and carry on "Business" Normally, pending the arrival the
of the People's Liberation Army,
רטשן
The Radio gave the assur- ance that the Communiste would accord fate treatment to all people. Including mom. bera of the Kuomintang Party and militarists,
citing
the the
example to Tainan, where, broadcast claimed, 90 par cent
of Government employees Ard working for the Com.
now
muniste in private enterprises, which are functioning normal- ly.-Router.
Premier Meeting Difficulties
Loss of the air-strip was confirmed with the failure
of General Kuo Tsan, Commander-in-chief of the army's combined service supply, to land at Poiping when he attempted to supply Gon- oral Fu Tso-yi's hard-pressed Nationalist forcos. He returned here this afternoon without landing.
Informed sources here expressed fears that General
Fu Tso-yi is now operating under the strategy of evacuating outlying points to concentrate on the defence of Peiping and Tientsin and will not be able_to_withstand-a-long Commun- ist siege for lack of both food and cool sup- plies.
It le bellaved here that a de- tween weiying and Kacyu, in- clalon in the North China altua tensifted Communist activities were noted all around the regions
Knupu Lake, close.to the Kiangsu Antwel burder.
tion will be reached within the next two weeks and the out- come may not be altogether favourable to the Government.
It in pointed out that whereas the Government's original plan was to supply at least ten divi- nions under Fu Troy .... with. Amertean arms and equipment, so far only three divisions have been so equipped.
Brighter Spot
Against Fu Tso-yl's inadequate-
ly equipped and supplied troops, the Communist forces under Lin Plaa are believed to have decided Shanghai, December 14.
superiority, following their recent Premier Sun Fo was report-conquest of Manchuria,
tuday to be meeting with increasing difficulties efforts to form a new Cabinet as the Kuomintang peace and dichard clements
continued
of
The Chinese Navy Headquarters today announced the sinking of several Communist craft down river near Klangying.
miles to the East of Nanking-Reuter- AAP.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
CRATES OF MONEY FOR
A SEAT
Unabated inflation in China has set the currency presses in operation again. The Chung Hwa Book Com- pany in Hong Kong which ceased printing Chinese Na- tional Currency notes three months ago has resumed pro- duction-this time of Gold Yuan notes. Yesterday, more than 144 Jarge wooden cases of Gold Yuan notes, scaled by the Chung Hwa Book Company, and many smaller packages in tin casing were sent from Hong Kong to Canton. In the picture above can be seen the many cases, loaded on to a large cargo junk. Hong Kong police constables avere assigned fo, guard the loading--"China". Mail" Photo,
Situation Produces Quiet Canton Trade
Canton, December 14.
Trade in Canton is exceptionally quiot. Authorities attribute this to the uncertain political and mili- In his Down South in Central China, a slightly brighter spot in an
tary situation. otherwise gloomy picture Wos furnished today by the reported
Smuggling of goods from only
3,000
ounces. Further success of General Chiu Ching- Hong Kong vi chuan's Nationalist army group to Kowloon Railway has decreas-
athe Canton- eale may
be possible today for key positions in the Gov-break through the Communist ed considerably, owing, obser
new supply arrives, when Some 400 applications for Im- encirclement North West of
self-provided for- vers believe, to the business ports under Subsien, while the 6th
Army slump. The group under General Li Yen-nien where smugglers used to get 000,000. They are mostly essen- eign exchange had been grant. Shaho suburb. ed to the value of above US$2,- was still making difficult progress off the freight train from Kow-tial goods.
behind the scenes to struggle
erament.
Chinese politient circles said that Dr. Sun Fe would make a final attempt to complete his ministry, following his return to the capital tomorrow or Thur tiny before referring the issue in President Chiang Kai-shek for final decision.
Working from his #lok bad, the Premier thus far is report. ed to have rcaelyed premisas from General Chang Chun; Dr. Wong Wen-hao and General Chang Chih-chung-all liberals and known to favour + com- promise with the Communista that they in principle would Join the Cabinet.
Shoo Lize, popularly known as the "old man of peace". who withdrew his consent two days ago, has hitherto refused to change his mind.
General
Huang Wel's besieged troops from loon. has been quiet in an effort to reach
the South and East.
the
past week.
for the
An unconfirmed' report stated thai the Chinese Government would use US$100,000,000 to buy The latest reports said that in
There is some clandestine ex-goods in Hong Kong for the Chi- general stalemate In the port of rice, tung oil, local piece nese markets especially in Can- North Anhwel, fighting, Chiu goods and wolfram. Rice is in-ton.-Associated Press. Ching-chuan'e army groupe haḍ
tended for Malayo, whlle wal- just broken through the Com-
fram- and tung oil are destined for the U.S. ring and was
vla Hong Kong, slowly for
Soviet Russia
2nd Southward over weak DUY
is also a buyer of Communist opposition to rellove smuggled wolfram apart from that it gets under a barter agree-
There
been a decrease of
Hung Wel's 12th Army groupment with China. which was reeling from heavy met creualties and compressed into an are only a few square miles. buyers and merchants from Hu- nan, hupeh and the Yangtse
a
Manila Currency
.Reports were current yesterday that Manila cur- rency notes without the Victory stamp will not be accepted as legal - tender after the end of the month.
Officials of the local Philippine Consulate told the "China Dail" yester- day that as far as the Con- sulatte is aware, Phillp- pino Treasury certificates of the pre-war series ceas- ed to be legal tender on July 1 last.
The Treasury's Victory sories were exchanged for pre-war series In May and Juno last.
Confidence In A Nanking Victory
Now York, December 14. ↑ Scripps-Howard writer reports from Shanghai that the Nationalists are wondering how much more is necessary to convince Washington that their cause is not hapolois,
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CHINESE STORY LIKE
A DETECTIVE NOVEL?
Nanking, December 14.
The surge of military and political events flooding one upon another in those critical Chinese days has produced a vast omqunt of specula- tion and much wishful thinking, but few real clues as to how the drama will end." Only super-optimists or the very naive grant the Nationalists a chance of pulling through. But how the cherished goal of peace will be reached, in what manner of government will. next be installed and where it will stand in the parade of nations are pressing questions- still begging an answer.
The Chinese story is like a for whether he will choose those detective novel, where the au-
who are coramitted to continue thority has reached the last
the fight until the last. chapter and is about to unfold the solutions hitherto carefully hidden.
Multarily. the most
More Acceptable
Conlon Lalk is again in the urgent Alr though everyone. acknow- question probably relater to edges the fact the such a gov- North China rather than opera-ernment would be heavily
tons near Nanking.
Agreement
Following General Fu Tso-yl's withdrawal from the Tongshan
relatively easy advance on Pel-
dominated by the Communists. But they also belleve that the Communtats would welcome the liberal elements who would make their government at least on the surface
powers.
HKVDC Bill Before Council
A Bill to provide for the establishment of the Hong Kong Defence Force will be read for the first time at the Legislative Council. meeting today.
Detalls of tie, Bill, were not available yesterday.
The "China/Mail" under- stands that the proposed grdinance will re-consti- tute the Hong Kong Volun- leer Defence Corps to in- clude military, noval and air force sections.
The Governor, Sir Alex- ander Grantham, will ad- dress the Counell on the subject, and will broadcast bis speech from ZBW at 8.10 p.m. this evening.
Shooting Match On Ferry
Canton, December 14. killed, a robber wounded and
A Chinese detective
was
mining area and the Communists Western pour acceptable to the
The
Communists. It b Chilles plug, the feeling, persists in in- believed, desire some form of co- formed circles that this campaign, operation with the West, especia may end abruptly with some kind' y if it will bring economie ald. | European narrowly escaped
ment between the Com of agreement
It is thought that various pres
being shot when a motor ferry munists and General Fu-and sures from outshir Ame bein boat plying between Shameen with the Communists taking overexerted upon the Nationalists and Paak Hok Tung in the the vast amount of American recognise the prosent predicament uburbs was pirated in daylight supplied war equipment
and consider a coalition for the In Central
yesterday. five minutes after the Com-sake of peace and economie re-t had left Shameen jelly.
munists are
the war of 'covery. attrition against the encircled nationalist armies Northward of Nanking and most observers give the Nationalists little chance of saving much from their dilemma.
It lo aver auggested that the Communists had. deliberately)
cand down their activities in this region and that they wal with many others, to she wha kind of war cabinst Dr. Sun namleater In Nanking,
Nure
Rightly or wrongly, this pres- has been read into the words of Mr. Paul Hoffman ECA administrator, in Shangha yesterday, promising continuing ald to Chinese coalition gov: ernment under certain candi. tions.
The armed robbers posed as passengers and exchanged fire with a defective nboard. 10 Jei clive wounded one of the
before robbers
being shot to Heath
One of the European passen- gers, Mr, A. Miguel of the Portu- guose Consulate fo.t a bullet sear
Hoffman tonight dines with his back. The spent bullet was Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shekaler found in his jacket, Petit Tow think it likely that the The pirates bunched the boat President could be influenced to and robbed the majority of the well beyond the harbour limite change his previously uncompro passengers before decamping.
assuming A similar piracy occurred in December last year when several Europeans were robbed-Reuter.
It k 10 days since Dr. Stin Fomising attitude, even accepted the post as Premier but that the subject was raised. he has just left the hospital in
President Chiong will have no Shanghai and is expected in Nan- truck with the Communists and if king tomorrow.
and
THE WEATHER
Observers, it is suggested, which Nun when the Communists enter he af least will not re- Include Communists, wonder main. But there is a gathering whether Dr. Sun Fo will name the feeling that comparatively few. eclleagues
known to will follow him and that attempts tropical depression was centred over Lests who are favour some form of a coalition to set up on effective government moving W or WHE at 12 to 18 knots, A government with the Communists elsewhere will be futile. Rester.nasplex depresalon over Japan iclebe.
Allied Sectors To
Be Merged?
Berlin, December 13.
The United Statesy British and French sectors of Berlin may soon be merged into one under the city's legal governmont, British occupation officials said tonight.
At 1600
GMT (1 μm, HKST) 0
sifying and moving NE Beblad its associated trough, 'which extends ACTORS the Eastern Sea and along the Calon coast, pressure le plaing rapidly,
Forecast-Moderate N winds, Birone at times in exposed places tending NE later. Fine.
Youtshiny's Weatheri- Maximum: 28.7 'devi Fak, Minimum: 02.2' dvd. ‚fah..
Bunstner to hour.
Ite❘nfall:
1
NI. Total pince Jan, 2478.8mm.07.65 Ino, es egalact an Average of 2145,0 mm.89.61. Jan.
Berdin 10.1.
100. 1919.0 mb.
Baro. at m...
Rel. Humidity
דס
NNE
4 p..
10.05 inche08.
NNE
Equal
30.ta
A
Dew Point
46
56 deg. F.
Wind Direction. Wind Fores
14 anot
Tid
h
Time
11
49215
2004 8.1
1.2
This would be an answer by "Even this is not enough, but the Western Afiles to Russia's It will considerably improve our action in setting up a Commu- position," he said.-United. Press Low nist rump regime in its sector and Router. of the city,
■
The official British spokesman said the whole question of a merger of the Western sectors is now being discussed. Dr. Ernst Reuter, new Lord Mayor of
which legal Borlin government now has its headquarters in the Western sector, said he had been
The
Yer-Nien's 6th Army group was
Up to noon today, General Li Valley. As a result the Canton-
Hankow Railway is muttering reported to have gained ground decrease in revenue, but was still three to four miles The reported agreement of from Huang Wei's rmy group, from
A plan to have a through train A General Chang Chun and Chand now almost written
Canton to Shanghai and Chih-chung to join the Govern- and believed at most to be able cause passengers
as lost, Nanking has been concelled be
ld not buy! ment would suggest that theto hold for one or two tinys.
llekets so long as they could! mora iiberal alements within the Kuomintang
fight their way into the coaches. will have a South of the vital railway town Some who bought tickets could voice in tha administration. Pengpu above Nanking, gov- not board the train, especially
The Nationalist; have con- vers, the despatch added, the mili- Chinese political circles said ernment troops were reported to-between Shangyao in that Chang Chin-chuang was one day to have successfulty clearod and Chuchow in Hunan,
Klangst founded 'the pessimists for a tory contest in the Yangtse River Sta of the few top-ranking Kuamin- the Communists from both sides were too many refugees, soldiers, and if the Chinese, war reaches ultimately will give victory to However, he added, "as e mat-
There month with the Nanking battle Valley will be decided
Nationalists' generalship which tang leaders who advised the of the railway Une and were still stragglers and others who did stalemate stage, United States Nanking. Government, following the fall of extending their mopping Mukden, to study again the ques-operations. tion of resuming political, con- Communist columns were said to sultations with the Communists. have been sent across the North But the refusal of Shao L-ize, Kiangsu region into the area be- elder Kuomintang leader,
who low, Lake Hungtse, presumably took an active part la former to reinforce the Reds in harassing
up not pay fare.
At the sam Uma,
peace talks, suggested that the activities between Pengpu moto Uberal Kuomintang ele. Nanking.
end Below Nanking
ments still were dissatisfled 'with tiro "ight to the bitter policy of several potential mini- ters----Houter,
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