[Page 4
THE CHINA MAIL, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER · 5, 1955.
GROUP CAPTAIN PETER TOWNSEND.......... WHATEVER HE SAYS, WHATEVER HE DOES, HIS CRITICS WILL FIND HIM WRONG
The
TOWNSEND DILEMMA
W
HO of all
countrymon
our
most
deserves our sym. pathy and pity?
Without hesitation I say Group Captain Peter Town
send.
By Robert Pitman
will be grotesquely unfair.
This reputation, of course,
utili
But it was first planted in the re- public mind by his the Townsend posting to Brussels. And since
Consider the latest ports about
affair.
✡
So marriage will not neces sarily disperse the shadows for But what ir Peter Townsend there is no marriage? What the promised statement tells us that the whole thing is off?
well-earned A long sigh of content will murmur through official corridors. The bishops will nod their mitres in G go- ture of relief.
bed comehow been edged into a form of exile in the hope that her marriage to Sir Acthony might be postponed for ever.
But I suspect that the ordinary Princess Margaret Certainly
will find no reason to 50- people has spread thevitably occupied then
n special post-
They will realles that during two years of tantalising tion.
mt Joico. Certainty.
official obstruction has fulfiled An official announcement, accountably inflicted on him.
Royal Family, she has 911 delay which the authorities have of the
with the unique tics we are told. In now being
You draw only got ready. The text will be The pubile cauld
Prime examined by the Queen at Day conclusion from this banish-
British officialam piki its ment. Hud Balmoral. Then
riery she will hotel at the top of its cultured discuss it with Sir Anthony vowe Eden.
It could
Tore
not have suid plainly This
is a bel show. Let's hope that she for- But, if we run'! Finally any day now--it will as the man.
matriage altogether. be made publie. tow? Say the stop the reporta: "It may come from the wa'll put it off as long as we Court or fron Group Captain terently can
Townsend,"
Townsend,
UN
words, 1
In other may be allowed 10 favour of announcing his own wedding-or of culling it off, a the case may be.
already
Yet what
ever been the Roinst Townsend As 11 Throughout 13 life For betw
Brotzon bravely Paved and well. His noble and pri vate reputation gtens spotless-
13
+1
But the actual announcerpent
have will written for him by the oth nis. After everyone else has had a
look at what he is going to say. be allowed to take a he wil look at it hanself.
His shadow
THE THESE proposals. they are correctly rep, rted, shed a gruel light over Townsend's position in the nation; serne. He stmvis there for all to see àg the aris happiest suitor of the century.
Suppose that the
through.
The divorce
\NLY the two familar objee- ONLY
Townsend's remain divorce (though he was the in- necent parte) utid the 15 years
hich
parate Jum Princess Margaret in nge.
נוויין?
Fe 37
Sir Anthony. Minister he personally
bishops and
Sad-or gay?
scator
shabby purpose Either Princess Margaret, or Townsend himself, will have teed of the whole thing. Orthodoxy will have won,
Was
And perhaps thousands of happy married couples may look back to a moment before sir own marriage—a moment, it may be, when
friendo relations or stirred up a swarin of doubts, TOWNSEND'S move to Brussels but when the man in question
airo imposed another lasting unlike Townsend mow
It was a signal to the able to say: itima.
"Don't listen to whole world the response, If these propic. We're Koing
Bus ben anything
less through with it." Briten than elsewhere-tat Peter Townend was news, не he thus teen made to suffer all the trial of royalty with- out any f the sympathy and restrained
Shattered
of
Townsend's Own future if the nineriuge Tails through?
rutment which WHAT yalty enjoys In return,
Was head? Did he it cut each dance jel 21 Brussela ball? The critics shook their 1s
ends. Ostentation, they com- platneel. The obvirusly he was pining for his Princess.
Or was he say? Did he escort a Belgian counters at a night club Oner again the muttering 11. What, the erflies queried. was Townsend's interest in Countess? And they "What goes on for Princess Margaret's suitor!"
Thes 180 objections have been volemnly discussed up and down the country. Wise sp›imon has bubbled freely But their full futdity can only
be appre stated when we consider thuit
both thev
would hav Istress levelled
cgainst
Sir (V) marriage Anthony Eden's second marriage. Whatever hilles on Peter Town- 'That marcinge fus whatever skill and the triumphum success.
11 has ad he brings to his new life, he ed in every way to the affec-
Bve down will never
the fed and respect which proply of humiliation
hold for the Prime notoriety of the last few years,
are conferred
send.
tawdry at parties.
He will always be the Man whom Princess Margaret ought not เว have married. The Man who cast his shadow over the royal tradition,
Minister.
beyn a
How monstrous if it had been
tritious
Townsend
onve
His career as a Court official He con nlready shattered, barely advance much further in the Air Force. Some firms, ut comirse, may And his present publicity value A temporary awet; but most positions business will be shut to him.
Even his hold on society will the be pre trious. An illogical taint implied: will cling to his name.
known
for his seriousness and reserve, even at R.A.F. mess parties. As
Court ofleial his quiet abilit earned the King's respect to a few very degree enjoyed by other people,
In some circles, undoubtedly, he will still be llonised.
Maxwell will Javish Elsa
hini hospitality upon bim. American
And millionaires may charming. He may even get to enjoy the life.
But his old friends will pre- fer to remember the time when Townsend Insisted On Peter of returning to the air war with his
wounded foot still in bandages.
Now, after Iwo years drummed-up exile, he is being
account of the treated as if he were the authen- one objecting which are show the playboy of the Western world. rai ed aiunst Peter Townsend, It is a distinction he will find And new appalling if Lady Eden hard to shake off,
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POCKET CARTOON by OSDERT LANCASTER~
18.1. JORLOWRAL.
OFFICE
HAVY SEIZE ISLAND
"You mark my worde-in a month or two's time we'll be faced with a delegation of dissident complete with archbishop, howling for self-determin
A Sad Short Story Told By
Nathaniel Gubbins
M
R SNAPDRAGON Mr Snapdragon stopped off "I makes you ashamed of had arranged to the bus when it stopped. The your sex," sald a woman, glar-
fact that he didn't know he ing at Mrs Snapdragon. meet his wife Mrs
was Mr Snapdragon seemed of Snapdragon outside
the no importance. cinema at 8 o'clock.
All his business worries dia-
aware he owned a small busi-
As he was about to step appeared because he was not off the bus just outside the news about to be swallowed by cinema a few minutes after a bigger businosu.
8 an impatient young man,
who wanted to jump while No More Worries the bus was still moving,
pushed past Mr Snapdragon
WDS unaware ho on the conductor's platform HE
was and hit him an guillemets,
married or had a boy-crazy accidental
daughter who never came home blow behind the ear with a until the early morning or a sharp elbow.
girl-crazy son who wore hair long with sideburns,
Even more important, he was completely unaware of the exis- tence of Mrs Snapdragon.
ation i"
In the space
of one second Mr Snapdragon lost his memory.
THE HAREM DOESN'T SUIT THE EMIR
They ought to be locked
up," said another woman,
Anging would be too good··
for 'er port," said the first.
A policeman pushed hla way through the crowd.
What's going on here?" he asked,
Sho's been accoun 'Im," said the man
"Disgraceful," and the
first.
woman, "Sho's old enough to bo a grandmother."
"Do you wish to charge this woman with
his dragon
Now that the worries had gone he felt a lot younger than his 60 years. He felt about 35, Looking down at himself, ho saw he was well dressed in a neat, dark suit. In his pocket- book he found plenty of money, He thought: "Splendid Who ever I am I can have a won derful evening."
"Certainly Snapdragon.
accosting?" the naked Mr
Snap-
Mr
sold hot"
She has to carn her living like everybody else. And it must be hard at her age." "We're trying to get these women off the streets," said the policeman, "but if people won't a charge we can't do make erything."
Mrs Snapdragon was crying now.
she "George,"
pleaded, "George, do come home"
"Is your name George?" asked the policeman.
"I don't think so," sald Mr In his
expect she breast pocket there Snapdragon. "I
boy were some envelopes that night calla al her have ruined his evening. They George" £400,000 bill for
were addressed to George Snap- "He's my husband," sakt Mrs dragon, Esq.
But
before he Snapdragon. could look at them Mrs Snop- "Is this woman
asked the policeman. dragon approached.
In front of him Mr Snap-
large, dragon
Alerce, over-dressed woman wearing | small hat filted over features so strong and masculine that she looked like a female imperson-
By John Stopford
THE Foreign Office in London has been asked to
interfere in a dispute over
L
the white marble palace and harem built for the Emir Abdullah, uncle of King Saud of Arabia,
The 30-room palace and harem, with suites for Work 40 wives, has been built by a British firm. finished six months ago.
But the Emir says the wants them. He is insisting tions, including a completely
system.
buildings are not as he on extensive altern- new air-conditioning
The British builders say that any must be paid for.
additions
The Emir has refused to pay anything until all the changes have been made.
His decision was upheld by an Arabian court. Foreign Office spokesman said: "This is a very tricky problem Harems are not really in our line.
"Now that the Arabian court has given its verdlet 1; do not think there is anything we can do."
companies Mr Harold Drayton, head of investment worth more than £80,000,000, who represents the builders, said: "We are still negotintlig. We have not yet drelded what to do."
Mr Alee Anderson the arbitrator and former President of the Architectural Association, has already made three trips to Riyadh, the Arabian capital.
A
The harem is separated from the palace by trees and The palace is forbidden to the women. a flower-lined walk.
IS IT TRUE WHAT THEY
SAY ABOUT THE RAF?
By W. A. WATERTON
former squadron leader and top test pilot
Chicl
to
alor alar.
Sw
As it was an evening out, after the cinema, with supper Mra Snapdragon WOTE jewels. On her fingers,
scarlet
at the lips like the blood- stained claws of a man-eating tigress, were diamond and ruby rings.
frienda
your wife?"
"Don't make me laugh," sald
növer Mr Snapdragon. "I've seen her before."
"Well," said the policeman. "I heard her Ask you home. And you say she's a stranger. That's good enough for me,”
Always The Same
A with placards bearing
inscriptionS
THE
the OF
WILD-EYED sandwich-man,
DAY "You're late," said Mrs Stamp DOOM IS AT HAND and RE- PENT YE BEFORE THE COM- dragon.
to an ING OF THE WRATH, pushed Mr Snapdragon came
about his way through the crowd, unfortunate conclusion
Rpent 20, Mrs
O woman Snapdragon. This gaudy
who Bellat,"
Mrs Snap he yelled at creature was
a stranger
"Abandon ye the evil had walked
after dragon, up to him
ways of the wanton, for the Day seeing him count his money.
"Women
he of Judgment is at hand," of your sort"
"There you are," said "usually call a customer
the first woman. "A judgment on
said, 'denr.'" Mrs
Snapdragon also came to
un unfortunate conclusion, bbout,; Mr Snapdragon. Years ago she had changed his habits.
Now
said. to
he had broken outagain.
"You're drunk," abe "Just when we were going have a good time.”
"Good Home with you?" asked Mr Snapdragon. "Don't be silly. I don't know you and don't want to know you."
No
1
11
of
po er mere good if she 'nd the cat," said the socond
Move along there," said the. policeman to the sandwich-mon. "A minion of the law shalt not prevent me from saving soul from hell,” the sandwich mart shouted, rushing at Mra Snapdragon.
. She was so frightened, of the mad eyes of the sandwich-zhan that she book drastic Debion. She grabbed her husband fran-
Laughing Matter only
MRS Snapdragon found it ail hard to believe. Her husband had never been as bad as this, even when he arrived home to and poured dinner intoxicated hot coup over her mother's grey
Imagine a Hunter trying catch the latest Russian tactical fighter-bombers!
That is something the Imag-head. nation boggles at, for it is ask- ing the impossible.
"You'd better come home" she said
"You'll come home now if I have to carry you,” she sald
"She's runnin' orf with the pore little midler," shouted the Arst woman,
In the scramble that followed Mr Snapdragon was hit under the same car by another sharp elbow.
"You'd better come along quietly," sald the policeman to Mra Snapdragon.
S it true what they say Thomas Pike-is 49. And he is about the Royal Air the only one who flew opera- Force?
Is it true that lonally during the war.
In one second hle memory All the others are old-time the men who decide
came back. He remembered his little business fighting a losing the shape of tomorrow's Air Regulars: Marshal of the RAF.
Sir William Dickson was in the We must face the truth, as "Oh, ho," sald Mr Snap battle, his son, his daughter. He Forco are a collection of Royal Naval Air Service in the Sir Basil Embry faced it. For dragon. So that's the lock is also remembered Mrs Brap- chairborne senior
officera first world war, he is 57: Air years Britain's xir umbrella has 113 I go home with you
and dragon. Marshal Sir Francia been frame without any what do I And? Your accomTI- who are more skilled at play, Chief
now 50, joined the covering. ing politics than at flying
Ln 1918; Air
No R.A.F. chief has told the piles with a camera and ideas
Fabout blackmail," aircraft?
Marshals Sir Donald Hardman country this. They have play-
"Come home Ivelaw-Chap-ed the hush-hush
at once," she and Sir Ronald
game in the
sald, gripping his arm, that what man began flying in 1917-they name of security. Is it true
Chief
"Take your dirty daws 56; and Air
off counts, if you want gold are both
Is that why they didn't want
men
shouted Mr Snapdragon, "or I'll call the police." leaf on your cap peak, is not Marshal Sir John Baker will be Sir Basil Embry around? what you know about super-
His loud voice attracted small crowd which gathered sonic flight but how you
round them. get on with the business of "getting on" with senior A.F.CS. civil servants?
Those
the sort questions that have been raised by Alr Chief Marshal Sir Basil Embry.
The trend of what he has said, publicly and privately, is
to answer: "Yes, it IS
58 this month.
Between them the six have collected one D.S.O., six D.F.C.S, one M.C.. three
ND
The men
the
men of the Against that Sir Basil Embry ARAW hat is happen. alone has collected four D.S.0.s, ing to them? tone D.F.C, and one A.F.C.
The policy
AO when it
comes to talk of And look what has happened nirborne versus chairborne, to him. He has been, politely, between men who fly and men retired from
This
his key job of who ponder. Str Basli is entitled Commander-in-Chiet Allied to be heard.
His Forces in Central Europe under
criticisms are valid too
the North Atlantic Treaty for the Alr Staff, on which the
hus
Не Organisation.
been, less politely, sacked.
No chairborne warrior is Sir Basil. At 63 he knows at deal about modern flying, AL 41, while an air vice-marshal, he was dying fighters under the Desumed name of Commander Smith.
Wing
The ages
WHAT of the Air Council, the R.A.F's own board of
directors?
six atr vice marshals are not listed as having flown opera- tonally since 1941.
At the end of the war the RAF lost many
of its most brilliant operational commanTM ders. Fighter aces like Stan ford Tuck went into industry; others like Robin Johnson went
The RA.F. did not seem to offer them much. So they left. And so di many N.C.O of long standing. They took with them their Irreplaceable skill.
The R.AF. was weakened in those years. It has never fully recovered.
ground
For years the vital oide of the RAF-the technical section has been in a mess
National Service produced the produce
"I do nothing of the kind." sald
Mrs
Snapdragon "This man is my husband."
Patiently the policeman again asked Mr Simpdragon: "IS this woman your wife?"
"Yes," said Mr Snapdragon. "Come along," said Mrs Snap- dragon.
The policeman dhrugged his shoulders.
"What's she trying to do to you, chum?" asked a man.
"She wants me to go home "It's always the same when with her," said Mr Saapdragon. you try to arrest these women," "Don't you do it, chum," said he told the crowd. "The man the man. "If you went along of, says he's for husband and you 'cr she'd skin you alive, You can't do a thing. Chivalry, I
Fave your fare suppooc." wouldn't even
(World Copyright). back 'ome."
PACIFIC OCEAN MYSTERY
From Ronald Singleton
In the Home Commands of the R.A.F., seven sir marshals range from 47 to 58 years old.
New York. breaking on it 400 miles north- Not until you get to group commanders and below do you "bodice." It did not, ut cHAT is the mystery of west of Honolulu but there was And then who flew operation in such a short time
nothing on their the Pacific? Why does identify it. keepYV Such to skilled tradesmen to ally throughout the war. men do not make the policy planes in the air. Shortage of the sea sometimes steam decisions that determine the Factor and electronic tecluni-
The cargo ship August 20 clans hus "bottlenecked" opera- and bubble?;; Will map pioneer Tide steamed througli
fallen makers find new islands yellow wayes nearer Hawall the risk of accidents have been born?
way the R.A.F. develops.
How is the R.A.F, develop- tions. Maintenance has είνα Ing? The mon at the top no hint of, anything wrong.
mops to
Sepniisty say it is Volcanio: On air exercises the bombers On top of all this, the RAF. Many shops in, recent weeks eruption, but there is no proot islands with Nine men make up this policy always get through. By a strangs cannot get all the aircrew It have reported, strange plumes of of whether new
of lowered
steam, or smoke rising from the foaming mountains are to emerge state of affairs, Fighter Com- needs in spite making council, Two ΑΠΟ
easter?com water.
from the sEHEN. mand always manages to defeat standards and politicians, six are RAF senior the attacking, bombers accord missions. It all adds up to +
It happened...ben - August 14 Volcanic experts in Honolulu officere, ono is a permanent
pretty low state of morale. to what we are told.; civil servant.
Way hayo we heard so litle Can you wonder at it--when when the British vool Orion said it was possible that now And hero is an odd thing' of the
remote Comet was ralling near the north ́ volcanic Life, was coming to the fallure of the RAF's the loudership is no
of the of Formosa,
stretching from Hawall for a chain the problems
of roots and shoals The politiciane aro younger absolcent fighters to reach or from than the sorving officers,
entch
Jet bombers!
Service; when equipment is in
thousand miles Lord De L'Isle and Dudley,
when there has been activity: Why Have we heard no outery ferior
August 3: The ship Tops Tops the Air Minister won the VC. from Service chiefs that their so little in the way of a cleare
Once pire the ploughed through light-brown
"It was thought" to be with the Grenadier Guards in latest equipment leaves Britain sighted policy to inspire t the lost wait. Ho is 10. His laging
ash 450
miles southeast of volcanically dead. Gordon behind America, and men
A Commenting. No. 2, Mr George Ward, who. Itusedni
Many of my old frienda still Tokyo.
States MacDonald of Honolulu yasid captain in the wa
Imagine a Hunter trying to In the RAF now thru their August, 20: Undbed shoot down a Supersabre carry-whoulders and say: "Heaven military and kemamports that deed volcanoes could, be
dangerous But the youngest of the Ingatom bomba ataupun onto holp us if we had to fight the dearwch radio mower of of filma resurrected into
Marshal Bir spendi
Battle of Britum today!” diy
..