I
Portraits of Distinction.
FRANCIS WU'S STUDIO.
Gloucester Arcade.
For THE
MAIL, LTD
CHINA MAIL
No. 34231.
2000
ESTABLISHED FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS
:
HONG KONG, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1949,
Prica: '20 Cents.
MOVEMENTS OF RED TROOPS Commemorating
Policemen Stabbed
Two constables from the Mongkok Station were stabi bed. by a party of unidenti fted men, who attacked them as they were about to buy tickets outside the Mongkok Theatre, last night,
Tam Kwong who was knit.
ed in the back was taken to
the Kowloom Hospital In serious condition. Hi
다.
col-
tongue, Pul Chi, was wound- ed on the left arm,
Both word In alvvies, being off duty.
Eye-witness reported that about alx or seven inon sur- Founded the constables and
saulted them.
No arrest has been report-
ed yet.
ss. Hanyang
Discharging At Red Port
The British steamer Han- yang is now discharging cargo į at Taku Bor and is expected to return to Hong Kong with passengers and cargo, leaving
tomorrow.
This is the offelul confirmation of prevailing rumours that the Butterfield and Swire Vessel was loading cargo for the Chinese Red port
before her departure
Communists Intensify Try To Close Yangtse
S. CHINA UPRISINGS
Nanking, March 17.
Communist forces were today reported intensifying their prepara- tions to close the Yangtse River, as the official Central News Agency warned of growing Red uprisings in South China. General Teng Wen-yi, Government military spokesman, told a Press con- ference that General Lin Piao has moved 100,000 Red troops of his Manchurian command into the Hsuchow region, 180 miles North West of Nanking.
These troops were reinforcing Red annies already massed along the Yong-
tse River,
were
the
Teng Wen-yi claimed that the main strength of Chen Yi's
China forces Central slowly moving into staging areas on the North bank of the Yangise in preparation for an eventual river crossing.
The spokesman reported Communists were constructing He said boals for the operation. Patern in North Kiangsu towns
carly crossing urge an
of the Yangtse and march on Nanking.
There Communist preparations for *possible renewal of their Southern drive were reported Nanking officials digested a Com- munist radio attack last night on newly appointed Premier,
បទ
heNegotiations for the resump-nerato Vichin. The Pre-
tion of trade with the Reds wore
mier, who is now altempting to carried out by our Tlantain office form a "pesce cabinet to deat and the sa. Hanyang was sent North as requested,"
a senior oflolat stated yesterday.
Another B. and S. steamer, the Hunau, is due to sail today for Tientsin and the company is now
cepting cargo for the Red port,
No bookings for passengers will be accepted for the time being, until it can be ascertained what formalities and require- ments are necessary for their disembarkation there.
converted to accommodate sengers.
was accused of
with the Reds. being merely a front for Gen- erallisimo Chiang Kai-shek.
Damper
Ho
The Communist reaction to Ying-chin's appointment,
about 75,000.
the
Replacing Of
will probably leave for the capital. as soon as General Ho Ying-chin completes the formation of his new Cabinet.
The delegates will also discuss coastal the problem of Chinese
U.S. Marines shipping fights with the Nation-
Bhanghai, March 17. The 700th Marines will sail fram Shanghai tomorrow aboard the U88 Dayfloid far Guam to be replaced with a similar number of the third Tsingtao Marines from aboard the Uss Chilton, The Bayfield Marines
have bzen stationed in Shanghai shoard the ship since Decem- bar when there
Was con. Aiderable
„tenaĵon and much doubt about public order in Shanghai.
1. B. D. naval sources hero said they had no information Marinca whether the Third coming here would be re- placed by newcomers from Guam or other Pacific basos; -United Press.
Consensus
daily
alist Guvernment following ran ent reports that the outgoing Prenler. Dr. Sun Fo, had given versels lu approval for foreign my between Chinese poris.
Meanwhile, the Communter Radio announced yesterday that the B. & S. steamer, Nan- yang, arrived at Taku der an March 14 from Hong Kong sha unloaded a large consignment of supplies, including shemi- cals, Industrial raw materials, machinery and rubber tyros, totalling 650 - tons.
Commemorating St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick's Day was commemorated in the Colony yesterday by the St. Patrick's Society of Hong Kong. A wreath was placed at the Cenotaph by the President of the Society, Mr. D. J. S. Crozier and members of the Committee in memory of Irishmen who died in tho two world wars-China Mail" Photo.
(Story on Page 3)
Fall Of Rangoon
Gold Yuan Drops Expected As Govt
China's
which
Loses
Mandalay
London, March 17,
Tho fall of Rangoon, capital of Burma, is believed to be inevitable today now that the Koron robols have taken Mandalay.
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Nations Four More
Invited To Join N. Atlantic Pact
Washington, March 17.
The Atlantic pact powers today invited Don- mark, Iceland, Italy and Portugal to join in signing the proposed North Atlantic security treaty.
The Governments of all those countries have been considering joining the alliance and it is ex- pected here that all four will do so.
The State Department issuad this statement on
the bids:
"Invitations have today been Issued on behalf of the Gov- ernments of Belgium, Canada, France,
Luxembourg,
the
the
Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom and the U.S. to the Governments of Den- mark, Iceland, Italy and Por- tugal to join in signing the North Atlantic treaty during the first week in April."
It was understood here that each of the Governments to which the invitation was sent also was being provided a copy of the text of the treaty. The invited coun- tries are those which drafted the text. It is to be mage generally public tomorrow.
In Rome meanwhile screaming Italian Communist and Socialist; deputies fought an "Atlantic pact battle" with rival groups on the floor of the Chamber early today and then opened a "Alibuster" to delay a vote of confidence on the Premier, Mr. Alcide de Gasperi's policy.
Afler kicking, punching and struggling with Christian, Demo- crat and other deputies in a near riot during their debate on the Atlantie nack, more than 100 cx- treme loft deputies 'tabled "do- clarations of vote" afterwards to explain their attitude.
Labour Wins By-Election
London, March 17. Labdur won the Bowerby by-election. The figures were: Douglas Houghton (LA. bour) 18.005.
Lieutenant-Colonel P. Byran (Conservativa), 10,454,
The Labour majority was 2.152.
Väters) thronged the polis
In an unexpected last-minute rush which Goosted balloting In the by ofaction to an es timated 00 per cent of tho electorate.
Millworkers flocked, to the poils after work to make up for light voting under gray
klas explior in the day,
After the polls alowed, the ballot boxes were sealad and delivered to the town police station-Router and United.
Press.
Gustav In Copenhagen, Mr. Rasmussen, Danish Foreign Minis- Ministers took it in turns to ter, sold today on his return by Government benches air from his Atlantic pact talks Occupy
In Washington, the vate, which was not| 0
that no plans ment of more United States bases in Greenland.
pened until this afternoon, or were under way for the.catablish-
HOUTE
[12]
Fighting
later than first thought
broke
Chamber when
out in the Mr. Rasmussen's return caineld- the Presidented with the receipt by the Danish (Speaker) gave the word to Pre-Government of the official invita- inler Gasperi to wind up the de- tion to take part in the pact dis-
cussions, bate,
Gold highly inflated Yuan currency tumbled moro than 20 per cent in value in termant gold bullon and fut currencies today, as the result of plus the absence of any definite Communists, well-informed what Bnantial operators describ
ed as worsening political and Communiat move to open peace sources said today according to
United Press.
military situation. negotiation has put a damper
Opening around GY7.700 to the The on Nationalist peace hopte.
among these On her arrival here, the as
officiul circles is said to be that U.S. dollar, it climbed to the all- Hanyang will go into dock and
Neutral milltary observers said the Communists virtually have time high of QY9,500, while gold Fighting for their long-sought autonomy, the Karen
He was expected to lose no kne "Down With Pact" will be replaced by her sister their only sketch information violated
in reporting to the Government. entirely the
from GY388,000 per Peiping spurted
insurgents now control the Kiplingesque road
A meeting of the foreign affairs ship, the Pakhol, which formerly largely confirmed by Teng Wen- agreement since it was signed ounce to GY470,000
Communists and Socialists im- committee has been The latest Gold Yuan nosedive
called for operated on the North China runyi. They said four Lin Plao more than a month ago.
to Mandalay and the old. Moulmein pagoda
mediately began a barrage of Monday and the Danish Parliu- as a cargo ship but was recently columns, have been Lehtatively These circles are now watching occurred in the midst of a sovere by payroll
of Kipling's poem is ringed by barbed wire
the pact," shouts, "down with cash famine, caused
ment is expected to hold a forcin Communist pas-tentifled in the Hsuchow region.closely the
requirements,
jumped and machine-gun emplacements.
"down with the government of affairs debate later next week, in This would Place
total broadcast for the Red leader, Ma
war
which Denmark's final decision on Meanwhile, It was learned that strength at the smaller figure of Tse-tung's green light to begin more than 100 per cent, following
Unable to control the situation, Joining the past is expected to bo theas. Talkinshan, which has
The palace was destroyed dur- the President left the Chamber, taken. negollations but with increasing the announcement of the March Communist forces meanwhile, been diverted from her regular
15 cost of living Index. columns apprehension for the future.
have taken over the adminiatra- | ing the Japanese bombing of automatically suspending the se3- Two of Lin Plao's
tion of the sacred city of Manda. Mandalay in 1942, Hong Kong-Bangkok run, is due
In Brussels, the Premier, Mr. were reported to be moving West,
sion. After 15 minutes the aes Paul Henri Spauk, today rend the Ons
Today's to leave for Welhalwel,
official, source said if
lay, which fell to the Karens on near towards Kaifeng, indicating the
states communique
sion was resumed. Chefoo. This could not, however, possibility that the Manchurian
execution of the Palping agrea,
Sunday, I was officially stated that the Communists are
Pact to the foreign. 'affairs )com- ch. When the Premier continued mittece of Belgium's Chamber and be confirmed officially yesterday, forces may attempt a crossing in
mert wore to be accepted as
here today.
couraging open looting and ex- his nates has
speech, The shortage of cash notes
there Up to date.
Mandalay is 500 miles North tortion of
more Senate, meeting behind closed Ave Hong Kong the Hankow
the pattern of Communist at- area, leaving the
mettin. towards futura titude steamers
business, in of Rankoon.
In a larg thy people. have cleared
given rise to new
action between scenes of confusion, shouting and o offelally Shanghul-Nanking region to Chen
ments, prospects of for the Chinese Communist ports. Y
durable which curtain shops are accepting The Communists
He also reported on the recent. are led by Government forces and Karens yelling, which almost assumed the
bf peace in China appeared to be cheques for cash at a discount of No Yan Aung, one of the The Hanyang salled on March 5
rioting. "30 in the fella district of Maubin, proportions
meating in London of the Western Everybody in Nanking is only with Inchon and Pusan (South quessing as to what the Commun-
He was constantly interrupted Union Consultative Council, Tho extremely slim.
between 10 and 15 per cent. Comrades" who went to Japan the communique continues, the He pointed out the most
Commenting on
from the extreme left wing ben-meeling lasted an hour, Mém- Korean poris) as her destinations.at time-table may be for a possi-
the chaotič in 1940 with the Inte Aung San. Karens fired on naval boats and situation
one here,
ches by deputies chanting. "fool," bers of the parliamentary com- According to today's statement, other river craft but suffered 200 The first ship to leave here ble river crossing, if Red oblec-ingrant Communist violations of monetery
are grouped inside casualties
"llar" and "get out.",
mittees and that there would be when their fire Was marking the official resumption tives cannot be obtained by nego the Pelping agreement are the banker said that it seemed the the Karens
printing press is falling to keep the
Mandalay Fort returned,
Women screamed insults. They no communique. Associated gold yuon cur- of trade with the Reds was the tlation, Government military men banning of the
and the puce with the Jet propelled in which, before
the war, Eastern Trader, which sailed on incline to believe that the Com-ency from circulation
housed Karone trapped at Inidin, 10 were among the most militant of Press, and Reuter. Palace of the old-time
Interrupters. Finally the Premier March 11. The Grand, Esang and muntats will cross,
-If at all, uspension of several newspapers, flation.-Associated Press, United the
miles North of Rangoon, have cut short his speech to about half (Far Mora News On A Centro Daviken cleared for Tientsin. The
which are clearly contrary to the Press and Reuter.
Burmese Kings.
not yet replied to the Govern la original length.
Part Beo Page, 7) Lady Walmer left for Weihaiwel.
provisions of the 13-point ugrse-
ment's amnesty offer, the As- meni.
Boclated Pross was told official- ly today.
Match Factory Workers Walk Out En Masse
About 200 workers of the Hong Kong Match Factory walked out en, massa yester day when their 24-hour ulti- matum was disregarded by the management.
cor-
about the end of April.
Neutral observers alsa roborated Teng Wel-yl's reports of other Communist preparations
to cross the Yangtse, including Just A Ruse
that of the propaganda poster campaign.
The military spokesman. Gen- While Government com eral Teng, asked for comment manders watched Communist at the press. .conference movements North of the Yang morning. said the Pelping local tae, they have begun throwing settlemen! was just a ryse la- nervous stances to the
read vented by the Communists to de-
In North China,
Local banks today United cash withdrawals to between GY5,000 and GY10,000 per account-the price of a dinner.
Inmous
More Than 100 Unions, Associations Register
this By the end of last year, 97 labour unions and 17 employers' associations had registered under the Trade Unions and Trade Disputes Ordin- anco' which came into operation on April 1 fast, according to the 1948 annual report of the Hong Kong Governmont.
areas. Central Nowe dispatches elmate the government strength fram Kunming reported rebel activity on the increase In Yunnan.
Central News sald fear was be- The fatriko began at 10 nm. sharp the deadline of three doing expressed that an attack may mands made by the workers on be launched on Kunming, which March 10,
Is the provincial capital,
1
Other
It started with the dismissal of despatches aald telegraphie con
with the Southern part of Wong Sau-ying on March 1. The tact management claimed the woman the province has been lost
had committed many offences and that she was irresponsible.
The workers, on the other hand, claimed that she was dismissed because of higher level favouri- tiam in favour of a certain Genlor employee's friend who wanted a
General Fu Tso-yl, the North China commander who signed the agreement is now considered a Communist captive by the gov-The
erament..
The spokesmah said the gov-1 rank and his headquarters. ernment last week abolished his
report said that for a Colony, even with the population of Hong Kong the number of unions is exceedingly large. It is partly at- tributable to the excessive duplication of General Teng said General Fu [did not obtain the prior approval
small unions jealous of their own interests. of the government la concluding the local peace with the Com- There has, however, been arent year progress can made be munlata
and the North China number of amalgattations and in this direction. corimander only reported the 13. many of the unions are now At the end of 1948, the regis Dispatches from Changsha in-point agreenient to the govern working more closely together, tered labour unions included 21 dieated. по let-down In the ment after it was signed.
Industrial unions are mak- with a membership of at least Western spreading, rebellion In
He said the joint administrativo ing strong progress. In this 1,000, and 86 with a smaller
membership. The
union with the strength with agreement, has never been no-
No Let-Down
job.
>
no decurrence of similar incidente, growing in
full-time wage be given workers arsenals. injured in the course of employ-
ment.
In a letter to the 16-men Com mittee, formed by the workern, the management explained, the circumstances which compelle them to take the decisive mBASUCO to dismiss Wong,
pro
On Monday the Burmese Gov. ernment promised a full amnesty If the Karens would lay down arms by 8,00 a.m. on Thursday.
thele
Pamphlets setting out the am- nesty terms were dropped from planes over the Inseln area. The Government denied that the offer covered the Communists-Asso- ciated Press.
PACIFIC QUAKE
Berkeley, March, 17: The University of California recorded a moderately strong
10.28 a.m. GMT earthquake, at an estimated 3,200 mics 'away, the possibly in
South West Pacific" area. “
The quake Insted one hour. Associated Press.
THE WEATHER AL 0600 GMT (2 xm, HKST). » Biborläu China and, to anti-cyclone dominates spreading, slowly HE across the cool. The demands wens that there bó / kkunan. Rebel forces were said to Mee, which was provided in the field, promise of good 'organitzrgest membership-7,131-- was whilat mother, auch wenkez, is moving that Wong be reinstated and that weapons taken from Government fually established. General Tensation is more readily show the Hong Kong, and Kowloon is a devening depresioni "which is ap- E from Hosahu. Beparating these kystema said: "This Is another Commun- now be possibia to go ahead with Gene
The report said that it Restaurant and
Cafe Workers proaching the sea, of Japan from Booth ist violation of the agreement.”
General Union.
Manchuria. Its, trough extende serosa the 1m other parts of South The spokesman added the gov plans for trade union education,
"The Chinese Engineers Imlituto. | Eastern Bew and Formoss in Tenkia. development of collective bargain-
Today's Forecanti--Moderate Easterly China, mainly Kwangtung and crnment was not planning to prosting machinery, and construction craft union, and one of the Huldan (aland, about 70,000 test to the Communiata · arninet
longest established hero. was wihda. "Cibudy 'dissident elements of varioua] live vialations because a protest of a sound, democratic and
Yesterday's Weather- second with gressive uniton movement. **
membership' of: Maximumsi 11.0 deg. Fah. typos have been continually would serve no useful purpose,
Minimum 513 dom. Pal. A series of trade union classes 6,200. activo.
-In Shanghai, Chinese shipping
Total memberships of register, Bunchines MIL interests were today arranging to has already been held. On this
workers' unions is about Rainfalls Tracy. Total nincs Jan," La Only large-scale fighting now send a delegation to Nanking to experience, a new series to being ed
The gure la probably 120,0 mm.q.8.06 fun, an meninos an reported North of the Yangtse is press the Central authorities for drawn up in consultation with the 71,810.
average of 118.6 mm.4.67 · Ini. on the high side as there is'n in Shenti Province. Teng Wel-yl an early decision on the proposed Falucation department.
Lending Thoro La said Communist forces have cap-resumption of navigation-servicea
a long way to go bo- tendency among unions to ex- tured a number of towns North between Shanghai and North fore the unions can be regarded aggerate their membership, saldar m
as in any way comparable to the Government report. of the Provincial capital of Sian. China, it was learned.
There were 18 Communist adors are said to those in countries more advanced
employers' el. Hamidily The way the Communists have carried out the 18-point Peiplog have already given permission socially, but a start has been federations registered as trade Daw. Feint.
Wind Direction. local peace agretain omelpi vices in
funions at the end of 1940, is now for the re-opening of such Bar madto, added the Report..
Wind Fores The Trade Unions and Trada Employers are also being asked being studled by
to consider the advantages of Disputes - Ordinance, has given | stigh quarters for some clus to deter- Pelplin recent negotiations in mine prospects of an Overall No spreiño, departure date nos collective bargaining machinery the labour unions and employers' Low settlement with that yet been fixed, but Rip delegation | 11 is hoped, that during the cur-associations a legal status,
·ON OTHER PAGES: Page 2
Electric Company's Raport,