Page
** THE CHINA- MAIL,
MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 1954..
The Boll X-1A, built by the Bell Alterati. Corporation, Buffalo, N.Y., for the U,B. Air Force, and which, piloted by Major Charles E. Yeager, Dow at 1,600 miles an hour, thus claiming the unoffelal spend record. Yeager made the world's first: supersonic flight In the Hell X-1 six years ago.-Central Press Photo.
THE WAR IN INDO-CHINA
The Red River Delta
Is The Key
To South-East Asia
Singapore, Jan. 3.
British students of the Indo-Chinese war believe the Viet- minh invasion of Laos is in effect a compliment to the skill of the
TRADE
COMMERCE SECTION
"IT MAY BE More difficult TO EARN DOLLARS THIS YEAR"
A PLAN TO
TO MEET A U.S. SLUMP
Task
Of Commonwealth Finance Ministers
(From Our Own Correspondent)
London, jan. 3.
A
This week's Commonwealth Economic Conference in Syd- ney will be the occasion for stock-taking, rather than for making daring new plans. But the results will not be entirely negative.
For some time now, British ministers have been working out plan of campaign to be put into operation if the present comparatively mild recession in the United States turns into anything more serious. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr R. A. Butler has already stated publicly the British Government have their own ideas of how to deal with such a situation. No doubt other Commonwealth Ministers have their ideas too.
One of the tasks of the Sydney conference therefore will be to bring these ideas together into a definite plan so that at the first sign of real trouble each member of the sterling area will know exactly what it is expected to do.
French commander, General Henri Navarre, and his tenacious HONGKONG
defence of the Red River delta in northern Vietnam.
The delta, which is under strong French control, is regarded as the
key to South-east Asia.
If the delta falls, observers here say, there is no other place in Indo-China where France can make a stand against the she and her allies, the Associated States of Indo-China, negotiate a settlement with the Communist-led Vietminh unfavourable terms.
Such
Vietminh, and would have to forces on very
withdrawal would one of the world's richest ; but they say that they do not place Thailand In very natural resources storehouses. think a spectacular invasion is precarious position, and would At Phoenix Park, Singapore, ja seal danger. provide encouragement for Com-headquarters of the Commis- "Watch the delta,” they advise.
Mr Malcolm "That is where in Malayasiouer General, and Indonesia, and possibly | McDonald, incl Jus military will have to be," open a high way into the heart staff, experts are closely follow- of the Malay-Indonesia region. ing the developments in Laus,
munist movements
Russians Jam U.S. Radio In Berlin
Frankfurt, Jan. 3.
The Russians, using new jamming methods, are preventing many thousands of East Germans
the big battle.
DIVERSIONARY THRUST Some oplatens here hold the fact that Ho Chí-trinh's forces struck across to the Thai border is in itself on, admission, that for - this reror its east, the Reds
have decided they cannot succeed in the delta.
However, there is still a com- paroble dry period left, and observers here hold that the attack op Thakhek, which was made by a comparatively small force of nine battalions, was a
diversionary thrust and might have been staged to draw men
and Arms away from the vital
from listening to Rías, the American High Com-deita perimeter. mission broadcasting station in Berlin.
If this were the Vietminh strategy it has failed,
This German-language station, operating The strongest French Forces with a 300,000-watt transmitter, usually reached are still centred around Hanoi. all parts of East Germany and penetrated to Poland and Czechoslovakia. The East German Communists denounced it daily as a propaganda agency seeking to stir up trouble.
LOST CONFIDENCE There is no doubt here that the Vietminh have won valuable tour in their latest push. propaganda at the expense of
| Right now they can point to the French Union forces have lost
Now, United States High Commission officials | territory they have gained. The report that the Soviet authorities and their East German allies are intensifying jamming of Alas,
confidence
ΟΣ
SHARE MARKET
By Our Correspondent)
Business done on the Stock Exchange this coming amounted to $536,455, Noon quotations and the morning's transactions; SHARES DUYERS SELLERS BALES BANKS
HK Bank INSURANCES
Lombard
Asia Nay. DOCKS, ETC. K. Whart Dock... Provident
(Old) Provident
(Now) S'hai Dock Wheelock LAND, ETC.
Fortunately the sterling area} third quarters of 1953-the Arst is now in a stronger position to fall of any quarter since 1949. defend itself against a fairly
Apparently it fell again be- tween the third and Onal
mild recession in U.S.A. than at any time since the war. There are excellent reasons for be-quarters; and this trend is ex-
the pected to continue this year. leving that a disaster on 1049 scale will not occur again In 1854.
American production too was on the down-turn in the closing months of 1933. From February to June it was running at 241- 243 per cent of 1936 -39 average, but the index was down to 231 cent in October (provisionally)
The decline in America's in- dustrini production in.1949 which led to such a sharp decline in Its imports
the sterling area was followed by a strong per speculative
against November. sterling.
from
movement
228 to
in
This does not mean America American manufacturers were
is heading for a depression ur able to delay their purchases of
even a bad recession-it prob- raw materials because they had
But it is reason 1533 atmermally high stocks to fall ably is not.
back on.
But today, stocks held enough for the Commonwealth Finance
Ministers to take by American industry are said | 55*
procautions. The least that can to be not much higher than are
600 115 needed to maintain the present be expected is that the sterling
"
1600
I 19
001
1.13
level of output.
13
31.50
Again in 1949 there
1,700 13
100 1.30
10
12.20 1.00 8.03 8.10,800 @ 2.03
24
7312 76 2,200 $ 70
1,40
IIK Hotel HC Land S'hai Land.. Humphreys 10.00
..... 1.02
Tram
26.30 40
2. Trom 10)
Tram (NI 33 Star Ferry
C Light (0) 13.00
148
200 : 20.30
a new
U.K. Shares Make Good Start:
Bank Div. Raised
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT
London, Jan, 8.
The London Stock Exchange began 1954 in high spirits. The uranium boom carried golil development shares to their highest level since 1951 while the announcement of the higher dividend of Martin's Bank focussed attention on a group of shares that is seldom, in the news.
The star performer in the uranium group was again Randfontein. Shares in this company which has a £6.5 million plan for uranium produc- tion closed at 68/- after touching 70/- earlier in the week.
Tea
Dearer
In U.K.
A few months ago, Rand- fontein shares could be bought for 27/-. Shares of other pro- ducers and potential producers of uranium were in demand and prices advanced accordingly,
On January 1 came the sur prise announcement that Martin's Bonk had Increased its dividend
London, Jan. 3. Britom grimly drained their morning cups of tea today reading noWB that by 2% per cent to 17 per cent.
their
national drink will cost fourpence
more
#
pound on next Monday.
Priven of better quality to have risen 1/2 a pound since Food Minister Major Gwilyn Lloyd George lifted the Government subuldy in June 1982. Tea now is self- ing for around five shill- pound, United Press
A
NEW YORK
STOCK MARKET
New York, Jan. 3.
Here was evidence that current
views on dividend policy had at
into last penetrated
the ultra- conservative board rooms of the big banking houses.
A rise in bank shares was therefore based on hopes that other banks will follow Martin's icad when they declare their dividends this week. Lloyd's, Westininster and Provincial were all up nimos: three shillings while the £1 fully-paid shores Martin's Bank gained 0/0 to 80/-.
in
National
This week Government issues were frm with old Consols up 3 shillings D pence to £04-3/10. Buying of Dunlop Rubber, In hopes of something handsome in the way of dividends, lifted the price 3 shillings
to 3 perce 60/0. Woolworths and Unilever gained 2 shillings, Lancashiro Courtaulds, I shilling,
others aboui
area will find it more difficult to carn: dollars during the next few
A hectic anal session on the Cotton months. But though there is no New York Stock Exchango did Rolls-Royce and was a widespread belief later, of reason yet to fear that this will not materinily lower prices. In 6 pence.
into
In- course, confirmed--that sterling develop
dollar fact in heavy trading the devaluation.crisis, If it does the sterling area dustrial and
Hopes of handsorne dividends wns heading for
utility averages be
with ready The situation la much different will
closed with small net gains be- drew buyers into oil shares with today, Spot sterling on the last mensures.
Cause demand was sufficient Royal Dutch up 12/0 to £34 1/2 day of 1053 was almost ane per cent above the official rate. The three months rate was only fractionally lower.
counter.
The sort of doctrine likely to emerge from the Commonwealth therefore Economic Conference
the lines will follow along 1 P.C. BELOW PARITY already indicated by Mr Butler: "Wo cannot forecast with But most significantly of all certainty what trends, winds to 141,000 14
sterling-once the currents we may have to 2,000 13.00 transferable C. Light (N) 10.5 11 2,500 * 10.00 "cheap sterling" that provided good or bad. But we can Bectric .... 29.2020.40 700 20-20 most of the opportunities for ourselves ready to profit by them Macho
against the pound or speculation
counter them. or meet and Telepluste
27.20 200 # 37.20 has steadily increased in value great thing is to keep up our INDUSTRIALS
unill now it is less than one per strength so that we can weather cent below parity. This does not the troughs which are more 1 indicate any lack of confidence likely than the tempest."
In the present 133
Cinent
Hape
Elec.
10.70
500 4 20.30
18.00 19.10 500
[fi]; '
Metal indus. 1.55
1000 G 10000 4000 STORES, ETC.
Dairy ...... 23.30 27.302;700-9: 26.30 Watson ...... 21.00 Crawford
COTTONS
25
Texilic Corp. 71% 7.30 2.000 € 35% 3,500 @ 3.30
MISCELLANEOUS
Yourglaze ... 0:13
negotiations Volume Of
a big industrial centre, and there creasing the power of their own portant mitly the only im-
are four or Ave more in
into
action
im- radio stations
esent
markably good.
heard
Wesi
no more power than an electric East German radio stations
bulb. One alone can blot out
few months as the
urta,
this is
wet: season
MELTED AWAY havo impoved their programmes Rins broadensis In a town of since
when the might have some effect of under- the summer 10,000 people.
Government
its mining the recent treaty be announced
transmit
by
In 1953
exchange rale.
sterling-dollar
All this is extremely hearten- ing and it will certainly make easier to weather any ill winds that may blow from the other, side of the Atlantic. But before they can plan their defences the Commonwealth Finance Ministers will have to size up the problem Gold they are likely to face.
U.S. IS DEADY.
mako
Tho
New U.K. Capital
to absorb the offerings.
the
For the week as whole industrial average lost
two cents; while utilities were down down 14 cents and 65 stocks, 42 cents. The rails lost $1.10.
the Rails also were
heavy losers for 1953. They closed the
-recent peak was £35-while Shell gained 3 shillings, Burmah 011 2 shillings 3 pence and Anglo-Iranian about 2 shillings. TREND IN 1853
Last year, Government securi- at 94.03 off 17.24 points. ties rose by six per cent, Indust- year Industrials lost 11 points to riol ordinary shares by about 13 close at 280.90.
Utililes again per cent, gold developing mines were the best performers on the
These rises largely con- moreover that because of wido declino centrated in the second half of in Natural Gas sho
shares
the year and so far there has The market declined on Mon-been no sign that this recant day and Turaday with the trend to higher price levels is Tuesday session leaving the rails about to end. nt a new low since Del. 6. There
rise cn was a sharp Wednesday and irregularity Thursday.
were year, losing only 56 cents and 24 per cent.
Ono reason for the rise in on industrial ordinary, shares has been the general “unfreezing" of
Issues Amount chips early in the week.
Proit-taking hit the "blue dividends after years of artificial
To £396 Million
and
As in 1952; issues by public bords again sccounted for over one half of the total.
given
CX-
restraint. More and more The
market was influenced companies are declaring higher
wide adversely by
publicity distributions end with pronts th- ven to a
this movement is series of predictions creasing of an "orthodox recession," in pected to continue and grow store for 1954. Wall Street had this
Indeed with the end this year. been saying that right along of excess profits levy as from but when it came from a group (January 1, many companies will
be nblo
increase thetr of economists, traders sold more heavily-United Press,
dividends even more than they would otherwise have done while tax relief thus afforded should enable others to maintain distributions at their
present level even if their profits decline.
LESS CHEERFUL
U.K. Shipbuilding
Fall Off In 1953
for
da
Bri
1953
totalled
This
factor outweighs
other considerations in forward-looking, surveys,
all
most
But
Ewo und the important ruute to Laos. supe efect of this on a shaky
The Tho broadcasts aro being grammes at different times. If
French Parliament is probably jammed in about half of East listeners are jammed out of one
be able very great, particularly with the Germany, whose total popula-¦ programme, they may
issue of present tion is 18,000,000. A powerful to pick up another later.
with Ho Chi-minh. new jamming apparatus has
GOOD RECEPTION
Catting off of the supply route The Communists are also in- bem installed cast of Magdeburg,
They will not lack forecasts. to Laos is
One of many. which have been
London," Jan. 3.. objective that
New capital issues in Britain in what looks the thrust has accomplished.
published in the last few days is New York, Jan. 3. portant industrial areas in ke a new propaganda drive
The world volume of precious the end-of-year review of the in 1953, as compiled by the While strong Vietminh forces
Bank, amounted to Thuringia and Saxony.
against West Germany, Ameri-
metals and gold totalled about American economic situation. by Midland In the romain United
States officials say can officials say.
$13,000 million In 1933, accord- the US. Commerce Department 2396,031,000, £25,800,000 more that the Communists have also
than in 1852 and higher than Most Corn
Communist radio stations bound to create some hardships
ing to Pick's World Currency Secretary, Mr Sinclair Weeks. in Laos. But supplies will prob- brought
new, at
in any other year since 1919. only ably start moving present
report issued today. ogain in a
There is little in this to cause portable
jamming apparatus weakly In
Germany,
Tho
year-end review by
Offers for sale by iron resembling electric refrigerators. though in some areas, such as begins and the Vietminh troops
Franz Pick, international econo-alarm... "Known conditions and
and realisation Orders These can be plugged into an Frankfurt, reception is re- will return to their bases.
mist and publisher of the report foreseeable prospects offer sound steel holding
realistic agencies of shares In United ordinary lighting circull and use
Bald the world-wide decline of reasons for continued
Politically in Laos, the drive currency develop celine
gold prices featured the year's optimism that 1954 will be among Steal: Companies were not in-
the better years of U.S. economic cluded in fast year's figures. was history," says Mr Weeks. The gold price
Russia
London, Jan. 3. by Soviet
The best days of the American accelerated Another. Soviet trick is to polley at better living conditions. tween France and Lang
The President of the UK. thero is cause for optimism too sales of the yellow metal. henation, he adds, are yet to come.
Mr in several other recent trends. signals Much Jamming
more llaht muste and which France guaranteed Laolian
Bar-gold prices dropped said.
Shipbuilding Conference, PRONOUNCED FALLO
JW. Elikt, suid Loday new. Production has fully recovered through town lighting circuits other entertainment is heard territory.
from six to nine per cent, agreement, could have
Vessels from the setback of 1952 and the new orders propaganda,
whereas gold coins, nomluntly
analysis of the on the Rias troquency, making and loss political
mettant Mr Weeks does not exclude: The
shipyards recession in consumer goods in to pick up fins though this still creeps in be-boen a a mode for similar treatios it impossible
hoarding objects, dropped bo
the possibility of "abort-run dituen shows. a pronounced fall, placed.
the previous in with
500.000 dustries has faded into the past. between France and the other with a sot lacking a high-tween programmes.
tween 10 and 10 per cent und
torts, for home CES
which is closed the sear at a premium of ficulties" in America's attempt to compared frequency Alter.
only In fact, in the cotton textile in- During the summer, the chief Associated States.
production, but an increase, third of the tonnage ordered industry production now appears "HATE PROPAGANDA” commentator of the East Berlin But the invaders have shown only 20 per cent above official maintain the balance between
production and consumption, but According
socond year running, the previous year and an eighth to be limited by deficiencies in van Schnitzler, France was powerless to prevent prices, as against 35 to 40 per he points out that if such tom for the to American radio, Eduard
the labour force rather than in officials, the now jamming cam-admitted that Communist ndio a large part of Laos from being cent a year ago, it was said.
Diamonds, an old illusion of porary difficulties do arise, the for trading companies, including of that ordered in 1931..
for the 'Anglo- ]: ". This was a sharp warning demand. patge was ordered by Moscow programmes were a stinking overrun.
will not be £19,750,000 Meanwhile
Iranian Oil Company. bore." Kurt. Helas, chairman of after the anti-Communist riots
troops
both to work people and to the experienced US Government the hedging quality."
New York,
taken by
but, will on surprise.
But against these happy h on: June 17. The Communists the state radio committee, said "Laos Liberation Army," as the price, declines in
tho contrary, "take necessary Borrowing for British Industry's suppilors that changed their
niter. the gurles must be set a number of most important market,
world conditions claim that these riots wore that the new programmes would invaders have been referred to,
timely action
the to cope with
countries, oVOTIONE he said.
were Korean war and the fall in less cheerful factors. party inspired and directed by comply with the listeners wishes calmly melted away
for
mated at 250,750,000, higher freights and ship values meant entertainment,
Observers relaxation, propaganda."
bellove that the Four cart geme declined situation.
Nothing in Mr Weeks! state than in recent years, over two-h service joy and humour.
Ho Chi-minh forces have accom- eight. per cent, one carat stones
seven per cent and, the smaller ment however alters the fact that thirds boing for countries Meanwhile, the city of Wast plished, their objective in Laos
sizes cheapened about nine to America is now experiencing a Africa-France-Fresse, this In September 1946, it introduced Berlin is to have its own radio
year. ✯ 1,000 wait tɛanamitter. In the station, "Radio Free Berlin," They predict that the rebola: ten per cant since the end of minor recession which may or may not deepen into something 1932. rears since years seven
then, it has which will also broadcast to might use the rest of the season
a worse. The year 1953, which saw a In similar efforts to retain the become the most powerful non- East Germans,
national world-wide chaugo from boom
America's The city authorities want the initiative they have so specia Communist radio station reach-|
British to
negotiate
to recension was a rather, dim- product Le.. its total: output of with the cularly won from the French.
But strategists hero, admiring cult period of capital conserva- goods and services-in 1983 was of constant: Jumming.. Falle
tion and, as a rule, showed 387,000 million dollars the American, officials admit that can secure control of the Soviet-the position of Navarro in: his
larger losses than gains," Plek highest in te history and tr the answer to the now jamming held Radio Berlin building in the Dolta dotelen, my that the wily.
French
was four Press, concluded=nited: worth general is, yat beam British sector. campaign has, mot
por This building, with more than watching found.
Larger by
by volume than has bom empty Bias is meanwhile trying to
offices.
Some maintain that Navarro 1,000
enisions. Riss: transmitters inaince June 1952, whoo the to strike against the co Berlin, and at Hof, In British Annty" forord" out the try and, solze thể l aitt Bavaria
facing the Last Gorman German Communist statt in res Vietminh, used as bas state of Thuringia, as well as tallation for the imposition of drive,
Navarrá
"pinte
Rias began a
in
Wen
Berlin in
February 1846.}
In the ogns of the East Germanalo so, that the GermanA |
in
of
1
counter it by stergering except for 4, Bow, Soviet sirds should use his whiplash roy Exchange.
Rims short-wave and frequency dew Boylet controls-round, West modulation, trailamitters, broad-Berdin's borders. Citiba cut, nowe and perparinds prov Special
Mall end tilin
on:
+
འ་
___your__
year, in the issues
U.K. Notes In Circulation
in
London, Jan 3. The Bank of England stats ment for the work ended Dec. But those Okurse mask the de- 301. reads as follows terioration that has taken place Sade in recent months, The US. Not inter grom nailócial; product, according a "zivnie
idollars to, one of. 269 DIT: katillion
TANKERS NEEDED
orders shipbuilding
at Competition in Britain's over- virtually any price wore a thing seas markets is growing stronger and the only way to overcome of the past, he said,
this is by ensuring that costs Only by increased output and do not rise. Unfortunately how- by more coonomical and ex-ever hopes in this direction aro peditious disposal of existing overshadowed by the engineer orders would further orders be claim for a 15 per cent wage law Their threat to bah stimulated, particularly cargo crease. ship replacements for the Bri- overtime and pleee-work unless Lish merchant foot.
this claim is met may thereforo Firms building tankers which have very serious consequences made up more than half the indeed. total order of 6,750,000), grosa 120* tons, are aptured of work in
markal
forconst of Any some cases for two to three prospects must also take tocount 84 yoursinhend, but, a large member of that great Imponderable the of Arms Building many other trand of United States businoss clames of tonnage were anxiours betivity. Any deepening 172 pocidng nawɛ, orders store, thoi presonte miich recession
hand U.S.A
could
markets, bright hope
T