THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1960.
THE DECLINE AND RISE...
HAD
AD Hongkong but the wit to realise it, the alarming excursions that took place just across the border in August 1939, were the preparations for the occupation of the Colony two years later.
None believed it, for none wanted to believe it. It was much more pleasant to follow the path etched by the dreary Chamberlain Government back in the U.K..
The
Tho dioulties that lay ahead WETO OVOTWhelming, and are not to this day fully appreciated by many who were in the Colony at
the time.
re-organised, Europeans turned from leave, the pro-
motion backing was made up, and the dismissal penalty was more freely employed.
In the first case, there'sna), Exactly 74 were dismissed the question of morale. The that year, the number including myth of European invincibility six local Sub-Inspectors. had been exploded exactly one Regarding the Police Force hundred
years and eleven buildings, they were known to months after the British had be inadequate in 1941. The stopped upon the island of war years haw them deteriorate. 1940 found them right out of date.
United Kingdom ree Polfer, along with the civilians, celved shook nine months went on to Stanley Camp. later when, Juni as Chamberlafo Thomas Henry King had re- announced "1itler had missil tired from the Hongkong Police the bus," IIiller look a non-slop Forco in 1941, after serving as ride
through
Denmark, Nor its head since 1932. Altogether, Hongkong. Helglum. Holland, and he had served the Colony for way, France.
37 years. Britain rallied under Chur- chill, but it was too late to do much about Hongkong which was right at the and of the tramlines. Major-General C. M. Maltby, C. . M. C. was given the im- possible task of defending Hong- kong, with the further frustra- tion of having nothing to do it with.
Making the best of a bud job, he fell back on an old defence plan of forming a defence line. between Gindrinkers Bay and Port Shelter.
The story of the traple days of the fall of Hongkong has no place here. I began with thy back in England which Altered through to a Maginot Line mentality in Hongkong, a fru lost pages of history which could, perhaps, tell why the 60,000 troops and the bombers promised by Chiang Kai-shek did not materialise, might add some sense to what seemed a senseless plan.
Apathetic
Intelligence was apalling -
if consisted of such stuff the Japanese wanted Hongkong to belleve.
und
Mr John Pennofather-Evons took over the administration of the Police Foreo from Mr T. H. King in 1941, and soon after wards, the events briefly sketch- ed above took place.
Jealous
The Police Officers who came out of camp performed Her- culean tasks, With simple fit. ings, they gut 20 stations going for operational purposes, while tained
were ob-
temporary premises
near eloven unless
stations of Police
The Commissioner was among those taken prisoner by the Japanese, and he was Interned during the entire dura- tion of the Japanese occupation of the Colony.
It was the deliberate policy of the Japanese Occupation Forces to humilate the Euro, peans as part and parcel of the
Asia for the Asiatica" policy.
This situation could But in spite of many irritating be regarded as only a makeshift
and a five year, anachronisms which existed arrangement,
was put into from the last century, and were building plan choriched alously
by many operation. quaint people, real friendships At this time, the population of which were of inestimable value, the Colony was estimated at and which probably saved the 1,000,000, but upon the Japanese lives of many Britishers, had occupation, tens of thousands left been forged through mutual Hongkong for the interior of respect between Chinese and China.
British people.
The Colony suffered much dur- Then the Japanese played Ing the ecupation, but was their hand too strongly. Rather ilberated on August 30, 1945 thon berators of the Colony. following the Japanese uncon- their cruel regime burned its geld ditional surrender.
way across the heart of Asia.
It was in such an atmosphere that Mr Macintosh ret
A brief period of Military ad- ministration followed, and Civil
It led to the pathetic optimism Government of the Canadian soldiers May 191, 1948. their "see you in Cantos.” It led to the equally pathetic postulate that the Japanese would never dure attack Hongkong.
The
Shaky
The earlier stations were ill- designed by modern standards, in some there was no adequate
accommodation for women Juveniles.
and
at
Police Headquarters was Central Station, but moved into
structure rather shaky of the Oriental Buildings on the about waterfront.
HONGKONG POLICE
was
By JOHN LUFF.
restored on recruiting his replacements and
bringing the Force strength.
The years 1941-1945 left their star upon the Colony, and this, Logether with a certain loss of confidence, made the re-start difficult.
Good job
However, with unstinted aid offered by the Royal Navy, the Army, and Royal Air Force, Hongkong began its rapid road
to recovery,
The Hongkong Volunteers on parade at the Cricket Ground, ·
A
the rank and file had only mess of poris et the station, were provided with erocitery, but the men had to find theft. own staff and food,
the shooking crimes Hongkong Police was. Among
mooted, This has led to the necessliy
...
Sa with the passing years, pa eedure and scientific Investiga- science has aided Police work, tion. so branches have grown, unti How far is HongkongnwACO the Police, as with other ser er concerned about that?” vices, have bad to call upon the specialist-the one expert, one- too lype of man, who charac- terises every form of organised public activities today..
WEDNESDAY:
of this period was the shooting but It is not until very recently of recruiting against fierce com- of Sub-Inspector Farquhar óa that this idea took concrete petition, your specialist .ablo
1940, who was killed forms, June 1,
To appreciate criminal DID- white courageously engåstage tome armed robbers, The rob- It is true that everything was bers were caught and convicted. in short supply In 1946, from uniforme down to the smallest A rather strange affair hap Before the war, the Police piece of equipment. Mr Mac pened during this period to Training School, as earlier men- Intosh up
addressed himself to business woman, her father, and tioned was at the corner of
every detail of his task, and it is two assistents were taken by Prince Edward and Nathan due to his foresight and exacting some persons unknown, and led In taking the long view, it Roads. This block was now standards of efficiency that the into a backroom of their pro
present Police seems to the writer that Mr Mac- rehabilitated to house the Kow Intosh's Success W09 duc to loond New Territories HQ lendership. In short, he fought the Emergency Unit, Tramc to secure for his men conditions Branch, and flats for 18 inspec long overdue, and a status with- tors. in the Colony that was their right. His muccess was their con-
Mr Macintosh believed that
Force has at mises.
tained so high a standard.
Communications were also in a general state of inefolency in
I 1940.
recall one classic occasion when an emergency
A
fidence, und. their confidence the biggest single factor milita- piquet had to proceed,an foot was gained because
of his ting galost emelency in the to a robbery. There was not Interest in them.
establishing of morale in the truck available. ..Vacancles at the top were Police Force, was the absence filed by promotions, while 1,002 of living quarters. Chinese, 30 Northern and 11 recruited.
Well, they did attack, in over- whelming strength. They attack- ed in a manner never anticipated. The huge guns and underground passages, from which the enemy was denied a seu approach, were merely ornaments. And in Hong- kong itself the Chinese quisling Wang Ching- Wel aided the Japanese by spreading alarm and
Mr J. P. Petunefather - Evans, despondency, aclively aiding the
who was honoured by His enemy by signalling positions, Majesty King George VI with
Portuguese and even firing upon his kins- the Order of Commander of the folk.
The Government of India had In the end. cold courage alone British Empire in 1948, retired
Colonel banned recruitment of Indian re that same year, and offered resistance. With nothing .. Sanson, C. M. G. C.B. E. placements, and there was also to gain and a life to lose, will need as Commissioner of Police, the question of whether the Just sheer pride and self-respect.
held out for that minute lie left the Colony on November Indians on leave would be allow Jonger which meant the 17, 1940.
тел
difference
between surrender
and annihilation.
Chinese,
were
ed to return to the Colony,
Slack
$CAD
อส
In assessing the magnificent task undertaken by the Police the dangerous The story has been told, but Foree during
years, it is best put this way for not as it yet can be. Nor is the
Nevertheless, discipline world yet ware
herole the line being. of a
During the actual eighting, stack, and. à, close enquiry encounter in which all races and
missing, revealed the following conditions all creeds, formed themselves casuailles, killed
of the Police which, stated concisely, show the into a gallant band of hoidiers among members
Force and Police Reserve source of the weakness. to defend their homes, and kith and kin, agains! a ruthless in- vader.
The Boot order sent out on Christmas Day, 1041, concludes: "The order of the day is Hold Fast."
The flood
worej
• Asiatics
• Europeans
or
€1
13
$5
nor
+ Police Reserve The decorations for brave conduct are too numerous to mention here, I select therefore, for special. mention, the two winners of the King's Police Medal for Gallantry; Mr David Lole, Assistant Superintendent,
Reserve, Police
(Posthumous Award) and Sub-Inspector D. G. MacPherson.
That they did, cut off from ali uld, with hope all spent, everything but honour lost. And by they, I mean, I emphasize, I include, all the multi-national people, who
It fell to Mr Duncan William fought to defend their homes.
Macintosh, CM.G. O.BE. the The Pulice were caught up in lask of restoring the Hongkong the tidal flood of war, and with Police Force to an efficient dis- that the blanket of the dark ulplined body. Mr MacIntoshi falls upon humiliation, torture, assumed command on
and Al Lise as the British ber 22, 1846.
Trenditor
7.25
short and medium
The
Government, soon approved a transport programme which
They were all tied to chairs, and shot through the back of the head, after the fashion of legal execution in China.
Shot dead
The suspected motive was col- laboration with the Japanese, No
In the New Territories,' aix
from
prewar polley was to amounted to $80,000. By 1917, prrests were made. quarter a number of Gazetted the transport situation wap villagers abducted three Offers above Police Stations: much relleved.
their village in a boat, shot them to provide accommodation for
But in these modern days, the at sea, and cost' their bodion European Non Commissioned
One survived. A Officers ért a very sparing scalo rerelving of dial information overboard.
a mimimbim of delay is Elx criminals were arrested,
A
robbers gong of armed et u very low standard, and with
equipment plentifully for single essential. But radio Europeans at a barrack-room was not to be had. The Royal travelling in a shuttle train be
Navy stepped in here with the tween Fanling and Kowloon, held loan of several pieces of equip up traffic. ment so that by January 1047, there was a limited radio car patrol service.
more
standard.
When the rank of Local In- spector WAS established, the local officer was given no quar- ters, and what is worse, was grunted no rent allowance,
One naka in exasperation, how could you possibly expect an eficient Police Force with
The triads
Telephones were at a premlum because of short supplies, The
Conclusion
Know Your Dog
By H.M. HOWELL
THIS is Dog Show weekend and some 140 rogistered THIS
La pedigree canines will bo competing at the Racecourse on Sunday for trophies. Some, hoping to finish as Best in Show amongst the 30-odd different breeds to be soon. Some hoping to win best Novice or best Chinabred; and a fow yappy little fellows who will have aspirations regarding the cup for best puppy.
The most popular breed for the second year, In, succession, Is the Pakinese, known by the Chinese as the ""Squirrel "with" thà
A Goverment official, Mix | Hon's heart."!". Sidney Charles Collins, resisted and was shot dead, while three
The Judge, Mr Cartledge has arrived from the United Kingdom other passengers were wounded. end. proceeds from Hongkong to judge the Ceylon Dog Show in
Two arrests were made, but Colombó on April.1. the suspects had to be released when identification failed,
!
ing (3 months) was inadequate men scattered all over the Cit3" "group call" system just could established undor most unsatie. were 'manufacturing' a brood such as the Bull Terelan for lighting
פא
emelent.
The short period of train- the training slaff
The shortage of European- trained officers, most of them on furlough.
•
poorest
lold in the
Triads" movement.”
Hardly seen locally and on show tomorrow are an Elkhound,
and miniature Greyhound, Boston Terrier, Sealyham, Dobermann Pinscher, Pad --Schnauzer. ; Strangely enough," an. English-brod Chow will be there just to show us what can be done (in a colder climate) by selective breeding with the common canine type, ap pratifio. In Hongkong. Also to be soon will be the Tibetan Terrier, an Indigenous breed which might well become more popular here.
There is one breed he will know little about, because, it is So the untasy years of rehahl-surely local and unknown in England namely the Chiness Fighting, Dog. Funnily enough at the same time as the British Iltation passed. Records were
or killing rate, the Chinese were alan gambling on dog's gameness circumstances. Ufines What right had you to expect not eperate until with the pass factory an honest Force when
spproaches to the "and" courage," and "they also found that a bulldog type (doubtless local Police had to live in the began to take up back-log.
your ing of time, the icephones Harbour: took their toll, while carried on some East India merchantman, moored off Whampoal the wide distribution of witapone had the essential qualities, and used it for breeding a fighting stock. of the City?
There was a terrifle amount following the Japanese collapger
• The chortage of Non Those est
To my mind the grandest of dogs, a combination of: grace scrupulous made of crime in the Colony due to provided the Police with a most and power le quite wall represented the Great Dane. Commissioned Officers.
their DWIL arrangements, and
• A local Inspectorate with while by no means condoning the fact that persons could fearful hazard.
enter, make a raid, and get And no usual, Johnny New-.} [
The Cocker, gesond most popular in our Kennel Club repletra- insufficient training.
corruption, commonsense must back over the border before come was, in his ignorance, the lone and the subject, of our Illustration today, le well represented, accept the premise that if a The difficulty of imposing man is under-paid, then he is anything could be done about it continual critic and strongest much as usual, as are Boxers, Duchabunde and the Increasingly дл adequate delerrent other
halfway to dishonesty. than dismissal, because of the
With the confusion that fol- pleader for "let's be kind to the popular Poodies low payment made to the Police, So in 1948, the conditions for lowed the end of the war, arms The Tranie Branch is just one which again was on Inducement local recruitment curried the were easily obtained, no one to corruption,
promise of tree quarters, but knew where anything was, and of those things that has grown However, towards the end of ereumstances forced
this to this confusion was exploited to up with the Police.
I suppose the present Com Novem- 1040, things improved when, rend in the case of a married
the
our maximum by
old missioner of Police could say he tho Training School
man with ten years' service. friends the Triads,
has about three million critics, Tho figures governing in- all of whem know better how to
There will, baja-running" commentary on the show for the eldents are unrellable at this run the traffle than be does.
The Traffic Branch has never period because the Military been given the credit of do- benefit of onlookers; a well illustrated programme should help to first established themselves, veloping some sort of system in make the competition interesting exciting it always will be as Married Indians were given then handed over to what was
a quaint Hittle one seen the growing strength of competition knock out one fangled quarters, but the unfortunate the Police, However, when Colonial town designed mainly competitor after another. Chinese had none and only 10 It is thought proper to tell the as a trading post. per cent were given rent full story of the fall of Hong- Victoria City was built in the will have his day!"
kong and the miserable years of days of sedan chairs, the coach occupation, It will probably and horses boing the excep Further disadvantages must surprise quite a few people to tional
transport of the Taipan be apparent. There was no learn that the so-called Trinda class supervision of health which re- were the people who supplied sulted in a high loss of man the Japanese with most of the hours through slekness and in information which led to shell- attention; there was no welfare; ing of vital spots in the Heng no education, in fact there was kong defences. nothing at all to develop that esprit de corps so essentitial in establishing an efficient force.
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High loss
ai
allowance of $7′′ a month.
However, Government #2′′ proved a live-year plan in 1948 to belter house the whole Hong- kong Police Force.
.
But this is much worse. Many loyal Chinese suffered a lonely and 'għasily death because these parasites, whom we still tolerate within our midst, informed., at a price.
They
The population of Victoria is reveral hundred, Umes that for which it was designed. A large part of this population consisted of Biliterate Chinese peasants fo whom footpaths had no signië- cance, and whose individital Instincta jed to such activities as poultry Keeping, on the main streets, and so on."
Specialist
WAS
came right out in the It seems ludicrous to consider open in 1914060 Bure were that the Gazetted Oflcers, that they of their ground and power. Another dimculty operational administrative cadre. They clashed with each other added congestion immediately should have no premes where over territorial rights. They after the war when saine 25.000 they could meet socially, ar established themselves the rei sireet hawkers set could offer hospitality as a cor appointed protectors of pro- where they chose, unmindful up shop ziliutes, sly-brothels, dope, entirely of the requirements of
the public.
porate unit,
....
Few of the Gazetted OMeera houser, and so on. were in a financial position to New legislation was sought keep up with the commercial to combat this movement which the anxious task of keeping Nor were the Police, helped in residents, and as a consequence threatened the Colony's very they were reluctant to accept ite
them, down by the first- tourists' after the war who spoke of horplatty they could not rō-
i Colonlit when the Police anticipated today's flimay siruo-- rights.
torri.
.....
Merals were very low, as 1 The essential weak about usual following one great dis
aster. And even looking at it ne that is, it prevented · any, ex- change between civilians and the a mere matter of hygeno, tho elvillem Police Force, and no V.D. rate was alarmingly high,
་་ཉྭ Police Forca can work efficiently
fure as tomorrow's squatter
The yours 1940/7 BOW 102 fatal accidents on the streets of Hongkong, with 258 serious BIM cidents, and 9,000 Bught ae- cidenis.
In a democratic slate unless it It was following One terrible enjoys the confidence of the week when I made the fug
gestion that the girls be round- people.
ed up and placed under medical In addition to frame control, The European Inspectorate supervision, and moth girls be the Police were responsible for did get some kind of canles profceted from their protec censing all vehicler running through elected com- torp" that I was told the story drivers. Co mitions, but the local Inspectors of Spring Garden Lane and the
•had siwolutely nothing while lady polificlan
·and
As early as 1940, the idea of hair-transport,ma, an, arm of the
A
As Shakespeare ́himusif remarked -in-"Hamlet"—"The "dog
THE COCKER
The most popular of the Spaniel breeds and for 20 yours this essentially: cobby, dog was the fender in registrations-in 15 London, Expected to reiziere as well as find me, hence 11 somewhat bigger,ihan 50 years. navi nåsh ifronger and longer in the faw, A ploneant house companion, should always be PERRETERIA HAave, allow carried tall: thus:signtiles lla oharacter. Innllaed to be "hall-follow-well-mot" wih, svaryono... Bucke and join should be immensely strong and compacts Chest deep," "Legs: well-boiled, fekkhored and straight, feet firms and * round) 16kull and forehead well developed will distinct spölk..
square muzzle. Ears lobular sud well set, Cost nakikind miky (not curty), Height about 10 Inches, welɛkt. 26 10:28, 15m