"
Personal Stapler...
for Every one
BOSTITCH
ELEAGENTS NAN KANG CO. UNIGYBLOOM.K
The
For the Proprietor of
HONGKONG TELEGRAVE,
For and on behalf of
SOUTH CHANA MORNING POST, LIEL.
& Mrankl
Rrlong 14 Publieber.
Thongkong Telegraph
VOL. III NO. 59
FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1948.
JEWISH AGENCY BUILDING
King's Theatres Blaze
ONE MAN JUMPS TO HIS DEATH
A Chinese jumped to his death on the pavement of Wyndham Street from the film the King's Theatro this morning when the room suddenly caught, alight.
store
room of
Within a few seconds of the outbreak of the fire, the whole room, stocked with highly in-, flammable celluloid films ex ploded into flames.
The blast was
terrific that windows in the opposite APC building were shattered and a great sheet of flame leapt across Wynd- ham Street and back across the roof of the King's Theatre.
Q3
:
The top floor of Shell House actually
caught fire, but fire- appliances on the building quickly subdued it.
Windows of the Morning Post Board Room
and were, broken
splintered by the blast.
The store rooms were occupied by Columbia Pictures and Eagle-Lion." LUCKY ESCAPE
At the time of the outbreak, which was about 10.40 o'clock, two men, La Hing-cheung and Chuen Sun, film inspectors of the respective companies, were in the rooms which are divided into four stoel-wire cages for the storage of film reels.
there was a burst of and Chuen, who was standing flames closer to the doorway, managed to escape with slight eingeing of the back of his hair.
(Continued on Page 4)
MUNITIONS DEPOT
EXPLOSIONS
Veto Revision
Proposed
on
Lake Success, Mar. 11-The United States proposed, Thursday. drasile restrictions on the Big Pawer vale In the United Nations.
The proposal would exclude
all lasues on which Russla bas used, the velo 22 times in the fast two years,
It was laid before the Litue Assembly as a first move to- wards carrying out the declara- fan made by U.B. Secretary of State George Marshall before last General assembly - the
September.
that Mr Marshall sald on
• accaslatt that the United States was willing to limit the veto to questions of prime Importance if would other big powers the
agree.
the
The assembly referred entire veto question to the Llulle Assembly-Associated Press,
RUSSIA SAYS
"NO" AGAIN
Rejects Austrian Treaty Compromise London, Mar. 11-The Soviet Union today turned down an American suggestion for a com promise that would give Russia 53 percent of Austrian oil pro- duction.
COMMENT FOR THE DAY
Children's Playgrounds
UIERE are no signs of anything
THE
"math-
We
BLOWN UP
Twelve People Killed And Scores Injured
Dino
At the
Ations
Tel: 27880
20 Cents
West European
Alliance Pact To Be Signed Shortly
FIVE POWERS IN AGREEMENT
London, Mar. 11.-A five-power West European Alliance will be signed in Brussels next Wednesday, it was expected here tonight. It was understood that the Foreign Secretary, Mr Ernest Bevin, will visit Brussels for the ceremony.
The draft prepared by the Brussels Conference as a result of its discussions since March 4 will be discussed by the five Governments during the next few days, but the text is not likely to be published until it is formally signed.
Jerusalem, Mar. 11.—Jewish police have arrested the Arab driver of an American consulate car seen in the Jewish Agency courtyard, whore an explosion today blasted the Agency's headquarters build- ing, official Jewish sources reported today. The British police had been notified of the arrest, it was stated. Armed Jews took away
Mr He was ap- the Arab, whose name was given as Anton Daoud. parently the man who had been mistaken carlier for an Englishman, giving rise to the rumours that a Briton was responsible for the ex- plosion.
Twelve people were killed and 89 injured, according to official Jewish sources. Forty-two of the injured are being detained in hospital. The explo- sion occurred when, according to the Jewish Agency, a United States consulate car blew up in the courtyard. The blast rocked buildings a mile away.
Press
Screaming workers fell from collapsing offices into the blazing wreckage as part of the massive Jewish Agency building crumpled under the impact of the high explosive. A large section was wrecked and two floors of the Jewish National Fund building in the rear wings were ripped by the blast.
An Arab was shot and dangerously, posal to have further consultations Rumours quickly spread that the British were responsible as had injured by Jewish snipers In the with Arabs and Jews. If it was in- been said of last month's great ex-western part of Jerusalem on Thurs- tended to bring both parties into the plosion at Ben Yehuda Street, only day, police report eald-Associated discussions, he could not participate
in them, he said. a few hundred yards away and al-
PARTITION PLAN QUERIES - though the stories were denied, anti- British feeling mounted.
Lake Success, Mar 11.The United
to the "Big Four States delegato talks here, Senator Warren Austin, today asked Sir Alexander Cadegan, the British representative, whether, if beth parties in Palestine agreed to settlement, Britain would modify her timetable of withdrawal,
Sir Alexander sald he could not
to
A
'
say "Yea."
bo
the
..
Tentative arrangements suggest that
Bevin will leave London on Sunday in me to reach Paris for
the of opening.
10-power European recovery talks, opening at the Quay D'Orsay on Monday full
It is thought he will deliver a dress speech as head of the British delegation during one of the plenary Besalons which he attends on Monday
afternoon or Tuesday,
He is expected to travel to Brus- sels on Tuesday evening and after. the signing of the Western Alliance, to return to London next Thursday.
SECURITY IMPORTANCE There is particular interest in London in the exact form given, to the security clauses of the alliance, it is felt that on them will largely depend the shape of the security dis- cussions at the six-power German talks due to be resumed In London
in mid-April.
Slovakia
Espionage
Sensation
of
Arrest Of Several High Officials Belgrade, Mar. 11-A series sensational arrests 、om charges of espionage and in- volving high personalities in the The Brussels negotiations are seen M. Gromyko said he already knew here as a link between the two parts Communist Party and in Yugo- the opinions of the Jews and Arabs of these German talks and between slav, economic life were reported un partition, stated time and time them and the Paris 10-nation con-here today from Slovakia.
The persons arrested in Slovakia again, and held that the "Big Four" ference. were not asked by the Security For example, the final terms of the will be tried shortly.
will in the Council to reopen consultations.
The charges against them governing admission of new members include prewar "Infiltration" into the to the Western Alliance must colour Slovene Communist Party allegedly
discussions in Paris. on the nny
widening the alliance.
Senator Austin said he realised this, but that it might be possible get further information from both particu, to complete the report which the "Big Four" must make to the Council.
clause
Brussels
treaty
exploiting of their postwar positions as high State officials for "economio prospects and the timing of the 25 British intelligence agents-and the
It, as the latest reports from
espionage." Brussels suggest, the economic links the five signatories are
coval-'terma.
Government officials refused to The conference adjourned then to between meet again tomorrow at 7.30 GMT worked out in some detail, observers discuss the situation tonight, but it in the offices of the French dele-belleve it must tend to retard the is known that among the accused Is necession of new members on entirely at least one Assistant Minister, e high official of the Slovene Economic gation. Reuter......
ECONOMIC CO-ORDINATION Control Commission, and the Com munist Party secretary of one of the The Benelux countries, whose re-most important Yugoslav industrial presentatives in Brussels have pressed districts. for the greatest possible measure of economic co-ordination between the founder members, are unlikely to
Pearl River Harbour Scheme
nucnt-Bald-the-explosion was caused upçak for the British Government through Canton, according to when the occupants of a car, checked but, personally he thought in the Ministry of Communica through the gates, left two boxes in modifications of detail would make the hallway of the building which the pian ncceptable to both parties. tions sources in Nanking last
night. blew up a few minutes later.
Among the injured was the Honour- able Edwin Samuel, Director of the Palestine Droadcasting Service
MIDDLE COURSE
Reuter.
"DEVIATIONISM" '
All the accused aro Slovenes,
When Router's correspondent passed through the Jewish cordon Jew with a gun round the area sold. The British holted him and are unwelcome here."
The explosive was brought to the Trapped in one of the cages, be-
The suggestion was put forward building in a grey-green American stolen 50 minutes tween the flames and window, Lai, tween the
at the meeting of the Foreign consular car, in desperation, and already aflame
had in-dial who was injured by the blast. leapt to his death from the window Ministers Council of Deputies after carller, according to a Jewish off-
the Soviet representative
The dates of the withdrawal had of the seventh floor.
DRIVER. WELL KNOWN
been fixed and he had no further in- Meanwhile splintered gloss and dicated that he might accept some
The Arab driver was well-known structions.
to scraps of burning Aims and wood adjustment of the current Russian claims against Austria, which include) the
Other. questions put Sir one of -fell-ko hail,
-the nation's oll to the Haganah guards outside the frames
two-thirds-of-
building-which also houses their Alexander were these:-- ignited pieces setting fire to some
Government L own headquarters and was allowed Does the British clothing on the line of a top floor production.
opposite the verandah of a house
through the gates, the off- consider that the partition plan can The American doputy (Mr Samuel
be implemented by peaceful means? Morning Post building.
had The American consulate reported Sir Alexander: It is recalled that First police officer on the scene Reber) pointed out that Britain and cial said.
British Government already was Sub-Insp. J. Hidden, of Kow-the United States previously loon City Station, and, following the suggested that Russia should get 40 the driver, Anton Daoud, left with the
errand before the warned it would be difficult to carry per cent and proposed a
be enthusiastic about admitting other It is understood there are no vague ematical compromise" between the the cur on an
explosion and since then there had out partition without the backing of
forces.
nations Into such a close economic political charges against the group association until the alliance has had such the popular Communist Anglo-American and Russian figures. been no trace of him.
Could partition be implemented it An Arab source stated that Daoud The Soviet deputy (Mr N. P. Kok-
Salvador and
time to be "run in" and to prove to accusation" of "deviationism." was, born in
had the Jews received arms and were The able to
The leading accused aro all well organise д militia? Sir
its economic value. tomov) refused to consider the sug-
The
wording of the clauses known as faithful supporters of the British police said they had no news Alexander Cadogan: It is possible.
Central Committee's Paris, Mar. 11-Twelve workers gestion and stated again that the served with the British Army.
specifying the conditions on which Communist of two-thirds repre
sources in these conditions the Jews might were killed and another was serious- Soviet claim
mutual aid provisions would operate
allegations caused sensation among ly injured when four explosions sented a great sacrifice over previous of Daoul but the Jewish
Nanking, Mar. 12.-A gigan-will be watched closely for their coa and their arrest on such Agency and taken away by armed called an Implementation of parti- the munitions depot at Steinims. Mr Koktomoy again refused sald he had been arrested at the hold their own, but could that
tion? rocked
Jews.
ac-possible effect on the Russian reace their colleagues. tic harbour capable of
not of arrests was The number tion, which will inevitably be hostile which Maurice de Remens, Central France. to supply the other deputies with
Does the British Government con- Soviet It was reported to the British
had sider a modification of the details commodating 30,000-ton ves to the new treaty.
disclosed, but is belleved to exceed Fifty tons of high explosive shella list of physical properties in the German wer would be included
Arab driver police that. an
The technical drafting problem 20. All, except, the Federal Assistant and bombs, former
claim-United Press.
escaped in a taxi just before the of the partition plan might make itsels is to be built at the mouth
runs has been to acceptable to both Jews and Arabs? material, exploded.-Reuter.
defence pro-to Ministry for Industry, explosion.
Alexander he could
visions as comprehensive as posible toniche in die geven, Governinant the letter and spirit of the United menta and, simultaneously, to conform to notably in the economic depart-
The arrested persons are Nations Charter and avoid giving open offence to the Soviet Union. popularly as this "Dachau group, because the Germans interned all of them in 1941 in the Dachau concen- It is estimated that the harbour
tration camp. They were released Has the British Govemment any will take two years to construct and
to make in connection
FIRE DESTROYS during the suggestions
and joined
the Tito libero move- of Viscount
the recent statement by Mr metres of wharfage accommodation. with red included the Presi
The scheme is part of Dr T. V.
CONTROL TOWER men Slovakia the arrests sAYS Others injured
One version of reconstruction any c dent of the Jewish National Fund, Dr Creech Jones that the British would
effort even at this late-Soong's welcome
programme
Shannon Airport, Eire, Mak, 11the men were deliberately released Imane Ben Zvi, the Director of the hour to find a bridge between the for Kwangtung, and more than Jewish Agency's public Servico
The 74-feet high control towar at by the Gestapo who knew they were egants under a have beca set aside for the the Eireann Government's £3,000,000 British would while for the College, Dr Walter Eytan, and Mr two communities in Palestine?
Sir Alexander: No one would be 500,000,000 of the American Hi. Kirsch, the Agency's official pross better pleased than
the British work.
was destroyed promise they would airport at Shannon spokesman.
Government if a bridge could be
But they betrayed" the Nazis and Preliminary work on the harbour by fire today and crashed down Germans. found as the Government confessed
through the roof REMARKABLE. ESCAPE
of surrounding
continued working for the British. 'bridge) and the salvaging of sunken stips
offices. Miss Eva Scheer, a Norwegian its I own failure to find such
Most of the operational dopart-
Two new questions on the Go- Jewish newspaper woman from Oslo, a year ago when it turned the pro- is expected to begin early next
month...
ments were also destroyed but a vernment employees questionnaire hod a remarkable escape. She was blem over to the United Nations.
the on the roof of the Agency building. Asked whether the British Govern
When completed the harbour is skeleton service will be operated are purported to ask whether the position re- when the explosion occurred, but ment could clarify its managed to run to safety.
garding acceptance and implementa-expected to replace Hongkong and from a ground control and a mobile employee was interned during
releaseReuter, 17 waya-Router. that black tion of the partition, Sir Alexander Macao as the chief ports of the South van situated on one of the run- war and the circumstances of his An eyewitness sald smoke, laced with swirling flames, said: "It is difficult to and a general China trade-Reuter-AAP. billowed into the air after the ex-rule for my Government's conduct. plosion.
The British Government is trying
a middle course, On the British Tax On U.S. Films. To Be Removed. Jows crowded the rooftops of to steer
wants to avold
The saying programme. heighbouring houses watching as fire other hand. it
These permitted uses would be fighters brought the fire under con- obstructing the partition plan; on London, Mar. 11-Britain dollar trol. There were between 400 and the other hand, wo do not want in and Hollywood today ended Americans replied with barming the under the supervision of a joint con- Under the new agreement, $17 sentatives of the British Government 400 people in the building at the take an active part in implementing their
seven-months deadlock *xport of new films to Britain trol committee composed of repre-
(£4,250,000) a year, has and the American film industry. time.
over the import of American million
Finally, Mr
the agree. "British troops and police, held up outside the Jewish road block at the Senator Austin asked whether the films, Mr. Harold Wilson, Presi- been fixed for the remittance
from the showing
of, dual balances, hot eventually dis entrance to the Agency, took up revenue of the Jewleta i State would demo tize Bolda of Trade an- the first two years of the clinings ment contemplated that any re posed of by the means he had pollions nearby their guns 60 yards be enough to maintain a militia,
Mr Fletcher Cooke, Sir Alexander's nounced in the House of Com-American films, Mr Wilson said. *
This amount would cover not only already described, would be cleared away and kept the guns trained in the direction of the Jews.
adviser, sald on May 15, there would mens today, when he reported
volving any strain on the foreign of Britain: or Six hours after the expicalon, the be a sizeable deficit in the Palestine that an agreement had been the earnings of new American films, by an agreed transaction, not in anti-partitionist Hebrew Union" bank account, inrgely due to the reached with the Motion Pic but also those of such films already change position
maintaining the
the Cyprus imtures Association of America in Britain. Party, hended by Dr Magnes, Presi- cost of
Additional remittances in dollars creating a further claim on starling Buch transactions might take the dent of the Hebrew University of migranta
Austin
of sums equivalent to the earnings d whether providing that Jerusalem, issued an appeal for
Including the from the Cyprus defelt, The 75 per cent ad valorems tax of British Alms shown in the United form of charitable or
declared August to save dollars will be with Wilson milllia, pa t Mr Fletcher Coolon replied that depended on the extent of the der can be made, seneng security measures,rkezi Onneks
being done about children's playgrounds in Kowloon, although the subject was aired in this and other papers a full three weekk ago. This is about the simplest of all the rehabilitation tasks,
Yet
it is thrust into the background and
Ignored, despite quietly
protesta and pleas.
tion expenditure., Very well. insist that Government allocates a few thousand from this loan to rehabilitate our pre-war children's Chathaoi playing grounds
Road, Balisbury Road and Cox's Road first-rate job on all
three could be done for an outlay of about $18.000 and the result would be to give a great deal of pleasure to children, and at the rellave parents of much same time of public
anxiety on the score of whether or not their youngsters were en- themselves in safety. There joying
Is it because the authorities do not consider there is sufficient weight opinion to
on to make it worth while If this should bothering about?
be the cake, perhaps the all-too. extessent Kowloon Residents' Association might bestir itself and lake an energelio interest in the restoration of these much needed amenlifes A $50,000,000 loan haa been subscribed,. the funds being earmarked solely for rehabilita-
is no excuse for any further dolay In restoring the playing grounds: materials for swings, see-saws and sildes are available, and so piso is the money. Somebody should be Instructed immediately to get on with the job.
Report On The Colony's Trading
TE, as one.speaker suggested, the Hon R. D. Gülespie's report to the General Chamber of Com- merou was not very exciting, it did" at least possess the merit of being neat summary of the Calons' trade and Industrial pro- gross! for 12 months, and at the same time put into perspective the urgency of some of the birrer problems calculated to affect the future prosperity of Hongkong Mr Johannessen in his speech whe Inclines to adopt mtilludert tá, the Colony's trade-f the lamediate future, basing hila caniiqueness on the continuance of China's Aivil War, her; enonomia. Instability: rather a currency, In- fiation: A Undoubtedly ho diver
kong has become embarrassing to. merchants here, and their position Is not helped by the difficulty of anding alternative outlets for these surplus Imp
Imports. debatable, however, whe
whether the Hongkong consumer has bene fified to the extent he should have Im consequence of the glut of cammodities. Retall prices of mottie luxury-koods have fallen, but there are no signs that the cost of Hilng generally ja on the decline, and merchants' might stils, find Blake Lock market, if they showed
reduce some of their prices. It is Bossible): / täy, stimulate, demand which would produce a quicker and bigger turnover by riving the FARMERS IN THE BENblit of the lowest www
autor:
ount Samuel.
ប
.
Senator
when completed will contain 800
Ioan
Britain
encourageme
| Peace.balween. Arabs, kad Jews' revenue could support #inposédion/American / filmm2;last | States would, bo. permitted. Ms and bend that the minin:
It per-
→ BRITISH SOLDIER KILLED -
The ogreement provides for Jerusalem, Mar. 11, One British
American.
an Bime which are in last four years, with a provision for woldier was killed and five seriously Injured on Thursday when their vehicles were fired on by Arabe GROMYKO'S STATEMENT. — wil be resumed as soon as possible, excess of the amounts that may be a review at the end of the first two,
14—–Router near Jerusaleman official source, M.-Andrei Gromyko: (Russia)-an-ane) tack wall imposed under Sir, remitted across the exchanges, Mr. It would come into force on June nounced that he rejected: aby pro Blafford. Crippe" "super austerity” Wilson added pati
that drawnỄ KH:BOON:Se the necessary emitted sterlingyuses of the rovopues} structure,of, the, agréement should..
Normal-importy of American filmda