HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR PATRONS
FRANCIS WU'S STUDIO
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CHINA MAIL
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HONG KONG, SATURDAY, JANUARY J, 1949.
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CHIANG WILLING TO RESIGN TO OPEN WAY FOR PEACE TALKS
KMT Committee Meets A Happy New Year
On Vital Decision NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE
Nanking, December 31. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek announced in his New Year's message tonight that he would relinquish his 21-year leader- ship of China to open the way for peace talks with the Com-
munists.
An authoritative source sold the Standing Committee of the Kuomintang's Centrol Executive Committee would be called for an emergency meet- ing at 8p.m. to give final approval to President Chiong's action. The announcement was contained in his New Year's message prepared for
delivery to the Chinese people.
The Excutive Committer may make some change in the message but the text of P. silent Chlang's announcement us decided upon last night in conference with lus highest advisers contained these two mam points:
1. Ar tow of past events, analysing the present need for peace and stating that e is the Government's new policy. The section also will explain the Gov- Cent's attitude in its previous campaign against the Communists.
It will
ent the argument that the Government aim in its Communist suppression campaign also was peace.
The announcement that Chiang is prepared to step down to make possible the An authoritative source said the statement originally achievement of peace. contamed a declaration that the Government was determined to hold the Nan- king-Shanghai area but that this was later liminated.
The document was the most anxiously awaited news in the history of the Chinese Repubile, Newspapers heralded the forthcoming publication of the message
tonight with the comment that it contained od news.
Tim 62-year-old Chisor bad) e**
breth President of China since September 13, 1943, but had fed
the
Chinese people
struggle for
democracy
Sur
in
of
their and independence since the death of Dr. Yal-sen, Father of modern China, Surly 24 years ago,
Only one before had he been
Government heal of the Notunalist China yi nome as well
Firet.
1029 That was from through 1931 when he was chair- man of the Nationalist Govern mrat. For the remainder of his enreer as China's "Strong Man" fa ruded through his command of the Nationalist armies and his NPW Lite Movement which was cleriteated to the revitalisa- tion and modernisation of China.
Military Tasks
Next Issue On Tuesday
There will be no further issue of the "China Mail" until Tuesday, but the "Sunday Herold " will be published to- morrow as usual.
revolutionary party
processor
of the present Kuomintang
When the revolution lanke out in Wuchang in 1911 he hurried back to China and
On the military side he was active provided) with ridding Ch
occupation
Japanese and Anally the Com-tenant. He shifted
mais Busin.
forth between military duties in
Chung was born into a farm- China and titu revolutumary
Reds did not become a mater after the menace again until war. Bu Chiang could not far. get them completely.
From 1927 unit the Japanese vasion in 1937, Ching's forces chased the Commimist euants from proviner to province.
The decade 1927 to 1937 ako witnessed a rapid speedup In the Westernisation of China, Chiang himself married Soong May Ling.
Wellestry graduate and sister of Madaine Sun Yat-sen in 1927 after sending his first wife hack to her native village with a pen- sion,
Tries Bargain
He was #Buddhist but under his wife's influence embraced the Methodist Church In 1930.
To Our Readers
THE
AND EDITOR STAFF WISH ALL READERS GOOD LUCK AND PROSPERITY 1949. "
IN
SEVEN H.K. RESIDENTS
GET NEW YEAR HONOURS
Chind Mail Ann Blyth
Britons Look Forward Into 1949 After
NG
Republicans Year Of Achievement
Mass For
London, December 31.
Dutch Attack Fifty million Britons-the biggest population in
Japan's surrender to the Ailles funk an part in the itary-in 1045 agal brought the Com- of the Shanghai-munist threat to the fore. For the Ume Chiang tried to bargain with Best of is feudal warlords, then tankehow aren. Chiang became
Singapore, December 30. The Indonesian Republican The Caumonist armies, next the
Dr. Sun Yat-sen's trustet lica- them at the effort failed.
Cum- With Itussia's help the arid back
radle "Somewhere in Suma- munists natebed Manchuria 51-
literally Most
Chiang's tra," heard here, said today from Then they surged to that the Republican forces grasp,
were massing in South Suma- North Christ.
tra in anticipation of Dutch landings. Their paratroop
were carrying out troops.
tacties fully more scorched earth
the and without hesitation, Radio said.
it family on October 31, 18NG, headquarters in Japan.
117
Fenghwa, 20 miles South West
of Nuogo in Cheklang Province.
But his interests early turned to Goes To Moscow
military and political affairs.
received high marks China's Panting Military Academy but he was better known there! as the oily student who did not! wear a queue-at the time a sign
Sent radical tennings. of
10
Japan to study military science Chiang Joled! Tung Mong-hul,
Rising Sun To Fly Again
With Shanghai and Nanking Again threatened this time by the Communists instead of the Japan- ese, Chiang sent his wife to the United States to beg for help. Her mission is generally be-
failure. leved to be
In 1923 he went Moscow to study Russian military or
On his return to 'ganisation.
China he organlaed China's Military Academy. Whampoa After Dr. Sun's death in 1925 Death Blow
Chlang led
the Kuomintang Army North to overthrow the Government at Peiping
The Economic Co-operation Ad- Skilfully Chiang disposi of ministrator, Mr. Paul Hoffman, the feudal warlords by playing dealt what probably was a death
the nation's history-gazed forward thought- which they fully this wook-and into a new year know would bring the same old shortages, the some old queues and the same meagre rations. But they viewed the uninviting prospect with less grumbling and less heartache than at the beginning of the other years since the end of the wdr.
see the long, They could weary road with its milestones Busterity of rationing and
fast. leading somewhere at
•
Seven local residents, including five Chinese,
are included in the New Year Honours. They are:
Utar Kenniff, Director of Public,,
KO
Richard Charles Lee, former Ric MLaw Yan-pak, of the Edu
ea Sergeant-Major M. F. de of the Hong Kong Volunteer MAP/Lo Tok-cheong, of the het; Mr. Ho Kwai-fong of Department; Mr. To King-s Toon-Canton Railway.
The citations follow:
GBE
Mr. Mr. L
Mr. Victor Konniff, Mr. Kenniff, after 23 years' ser- vice in the Public Works Deport Pollee meht of Fiji, Cyrus and Palestine. Assislar was appointed Director of Public Deaths Work, Hong Kong, two years 'Yaumat
rehabilitation
Mr. L ago. With all the and reconstruction work necensi- tated by war damage, he has haal Serv and has a very onerous task, which he t rarrying out with marked empartmen ciency. Mr. Kenniff will be leqv- (Ships) 25 years ing the Colony on retirement In
Registrar & March next..
or twice has reperiata” pro- Mr. Richard Charles Lee OBE vedure and act ons boen queation- (Civil): Mr: Lee, a Hong Kong-ed by the Registrar-General Ship-
learned yes born Chinese, has given his serving and Seamen' in London. vices to the Colony very
freely terday since the reoccupation at con- of Marine, present on the oc- siderable sacrifice to his own in ension on December 27, 1941, terests. His work as Rice Con-
troller,
The Jolly, Director
when Mr Lo refused to serve and of under the Japanese Naval Har-
given in a voluntary capacity, was outstanding,
the utmost value to Hong Kong. hour Master
Mr.
sense.
Cisco
Dc
und long
in particulas
He gave his full time to this most Mr. Kwal. Ton, MBE (Civil);
For responsible work for two years.
exceptionally, loyal Law Yan-pak, OBE devoted Bryover (Honorary): Mr. Law's work for period of yea
in Hong Kong com- for his outstalling work after the education menced 35 years ago. In its perreoccupation of the Colony, when, formance he has shown a strong ofthugh suffering privations, re sense of duty and a high order of sulting from the Japanese occupa moral courage. Neither friendship tion he immediately reported for nor other considerations have duty, and undertook with com- been permitted ever to Influence mendable real and energy the 're- bis opinions, which have been al- establishment of the clorical for- Ways
those of one devoted to vice of the Public Works Head- education in its best and widess quarters..,
All records, regulations, and Company Bergeant Major Mar precedents had gone, and most of clerical-staff were Paul Baptista. MBE the pre-war (MI): Since be joined the Corps missing. Mr. Ho, drawing on his 21 years ago, Mr. Baptis'a has memory, and past experience, rendered most valuable and de- threw himself into the task and his emitting zeal, and voled service to the Colony both by In "peace and in war. He was in energy, built up a new clerical His unaoish de- responsible for establishment. a large measure the building up of the Portuguese votion to duty was an inspiration
to his fellow officers. Companies.
Το Mr. MBE
King-shun, MBE Tak-cheong, Mr. Lo (Civil): Mr. Lo Tak-cheong has (Honorary): After the reoccupa- been clerk in charge of the Ite-tlon Mr. To King-shun was res- glsier of Ships (a post which the ponsible for the re-opening of the Director of Marine describes as Railway Accounts system, draw- Deputy Registrar of Shipping) for Ing up all the necessary forms.and ledgers from memory Ho was in years. Mr. Lo was the hero of a scenu charge of the Accounts work of.
September, in the Harbour Office on Decem- the Rallway from ber 24 1941 when in the face of 1945, until the appointment of, a Chief Accountant in October 1940. urmed threats he steadfastly re-
2 1948, fused to work for the Japanese,
25
(Em).
the words "Ind. Imp." peror of India') disappeared.
In Home affairs, a summer high- South Sumatra, a rich oft und
light was the launching of the
Krent coal centre, also produces 80 per The signs were plain that aus-Government's
National
pro- cent of the World's pepper.
Health Insurance scheme, terity was paying its way.
world viding free medical services and 'The broadcast said that South The year saw. Britain's Sumatra has been declared a mili trade increase and her dollar te social security for every ellizer tory area under military governor Belt halved and a substantial start from cradle to the grave"
Early in the autumn session, the. Dr. A.K. Gant, former economic made in the recapture of invisi-
Government introduced its most ble assets. one off agafast another and some blow to Chiang's polley of refusal head of the Suton Start cabine
Most of the export turgels were controversial socialisation measur times defeating them in battle. to deal with the Communists no ad Inter the Indonesian delegat
achieved-or,even exceeded.
the Bill for the nationalisation He won the confidence at matter how much of Chinn they to the Havana conference of th
Some of the biggest political of iron and steel. bankers.
have conquered. Mr. Holtman said Military Administration. He took
linked businessmen and
During the summer recess, events of the year were
mension two-week. the Commonwealth, the spectat In July, 1928, Chiang trump-continuation of American ald to
The same clandestine radio salt with hantly enteret Peiping and China Ching after next April night Hep the reins on Christmas Day.
having a that the Republican emergency Dominion Prime Ministers Con- Parliament pushed through a Bill resistance. The government representative of the Government under Dr. Sharifuddir ference in London providing the which, by restricting the House of Prawirangegara-not to be con- climax. The Conference, the most Lords' power to delay legislation. had started out as majority of the people.
will ensure the Steel Bill becom- Mr. Hoffman ruled out
Prenler historie of its kind. was held at a the fused with the former
Rioment of world tension. It pro-ing law. Amil ese would be allowed unrestricted allies of Chiang in his march to
all-Communist who turned Communist,
recast In Defence plans were North but the Kremlin possibility of an use of their national dig in Japan. the
government being eligible for aid Sjariffudin issued a statementqured a large measure of acre-
the light of the continued inter- In a New Your message to the changed their minds.
nullonsl tension. Compulsory Mnc- Japanese people, General
Communist and that left only one alternative. yesterday censuring the Securityment among Dominion leaders on Learning of the
conlition regime. United Council for is flabby action over vital matters of common concern.
the first military service was extended change of heart, Chiang scatter-→
Indonesia! United Press.
It also gave Britain
Prime from one year, to 18 months. ed Communist strength and the Press.
opportunity to greet the Ministers of the new independent
(Continued on Page 14) member nations-India. Pakistan and Cuylon.
Tokyo, December 31.
General Douglas MacArthur, was his
the Supreme Allied Commander, of Commet for a few pockals pend on that country
announced today that the Japan- Communists
Arthur Bald restoration of the right to fly the Bug was made "to enhance the spiritual strength necessary to carry on the general pattern which your general wel- fare now demands."-Reuter,
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