Drink
Coca-Cola
Ice-Cold
VOL. IV NO. 44
Lessons By Phone
Dawn Ruth Allman, 13. Bxtens attentively from her sick bed to lesson recitations in the eighth grade class- room at the Gregory, Tex., school. When the young girl was stricken with rheuma- tie fever, school officials and her mother. Mrs Ruth Altman, chief operator at the telephone exchange, in- stalled a telephone in the classroom so
that Dawn
cquid keep up with her studies while recovering From the disease.—AP Pic
ture.
BIT MAN'S EAR
IN HALF
For Ma- Proprietor of MONGKONG TELDURAPH, `
For and on behalf of
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, LEIL, /
Printer" and Publikat
TODAY'S WEATHER: Light or moderate East to Southeast Partly cloudy or cloudy, with coastal for patches. ne- coming overcast this evening with drizzle redeveloping.
winds.
Noon Observations: Barometrie pressure, 1013.1 mbs., 20.03 in. Temperature, 70.7 deg. F. Dew point, 07 deg. F. Relative humidity, 88. Wind direction, East, Wind force, 15 knots,
High water; Oft, Gin, at 6.18 p.m. Low water: 174. Un. at 2.15 a.m. (Thursday),
The ter
Dine
At the
P.G.
Hongkong Telegraph. G
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1949.
Sweeping Economic
Reforms For China
SILVER DOLLARS
TO BE
BE MINTED
Shanghai, Feb. 23.-The Finance Minister. Mr Isu Kan's, new economic measures are expected to be announced tonight simultaneously in Canton, Nanking and Shanghai following their approval by Dr Sun Fo's Cabinet, it was believed here today.
The new programme, providing for sweeping reforms for Nationalist China's toppling economy, will re-introduce newly-minted silver dollars to circulate side by side with the inflated Gold Yuan notes. The Central Mint authorities here announced that new silver dollars, with exactly the same silver" content as the nation's prewar dollars, will be minted beginning early March
new
Other unconfirmed reports concerning the economic reforms claim that they provide for the relax ation of import control and the development of China's export trade, a national budgetary revision, free trading in gold bullion and foreign currencies and other liberal changes..
10
Thr new silver dollars, I was 1:1. would be pegged at one 1.000 Gold Yoan hotes and twn to each United States dollars.
sion of the country, and the Com~ | inunists' insistence on peace for the whole of China.
"Informed business quarters here think it unlikely that the Communists
beyond Shanghai,” he said.
"A. a result the country is expected to be divided, with the Communists holding the largest and richest por-
ion.
Economic observers here express- | will immediately advance southward ed the belief that the Government will, upon the introduction of the new programme, cease the printing of Gold Yuan notes in anal bid to check spiralling commodity prices. Preventive measures to avoid the
"At the moment the Government's Pikeville, Kentucky, Feb; 22. silver dollars being absorbed" by
of retaining were also policy
the British Fart Bingham., 20, Marrowbone, unscrupulous profiteers
been to have to two understood
under Embassy in Nanking is considered Kentucky. was sentenced
consuls are years in the Le Grange Penitentiary consideration by high financial au-approriate and British
expected to remain at their posts. for biting a man's ear in half.
(Conflaued on Page 5)
The formal charge was maiming Execution
thorities.Reuter.
LONDON VIEWS
argur
of rentepee was-de- London. Feb. 22-British business ferred by circul! court jerge circles are prepared Stephenson, however. pearing strongly in favour of the recognition hearing of an appont_of the convict a Communist-dominated coalition tion. Bingham was released under $2,500 bort.
Bill Potter, 27, was the victim of night last the ear-biting during a May-Associated Press.
EDITORIAL
Government in Nanking, a spokes--- man for Anglo-Chinese commercial interests said today in London.
The spokesman said that the main drawback to on inmediate pirace wus The Kuomintang's wish for a div
United States' Policies
DELIST
B that
ส
The correspondents Insist Krowing
stronger
the United States
Inlels to make the North Atlantic Uniont
agreement 2.0
tightl
common defensee
HERTTASAT Is
reactions
that
IF SOVIET ARMY
OCCUPIED PARIS
FRENCH REDS
Married For
78 Years
Mr and Mrs T. D. Cuisinger Inst weck celebrated quietly their 78th wedding anniversary. They believe their marriage is the longest in the United States. Here Cul- singer, 95, Is shown in bed as the result of a recent fall. Mrs Cutsinger, 94, is sitting beside him in their four-room
home at Humphreys, Mo.-AP Picture.
British Army To Be Slashed By 300,000
WAR MINISTER'S ESTIMATES
London, Feb. 22.-Britain's Army will have 300,000 fewer men next year, the War Minister, Mr Emanuel Shinwell, disclosed today. Its costs will be slashed by £300,000. Army Estimates published to- day showed that the maximum number of officers and troops to be maintained in 1949-50 would be 550,000 against 850,000 last year.
Expenditure was estimated at £304,700,000 against last year's £305 million: The Estimates revealed that, in- eluding colonial, Polish and Commonwealth, troops, a total -of-347,000-officers-and-other-ranks--would-be- garrisoned.
in Europe, compared with 452,000 last year.
For
Reservations
Price 20 Cents
Tol: 27880
Palestine Armistice Depends On Egypt's Acceptance Of Terms
ISRAELI-TRANSJORDAN TALKS
TO OPEN SOON
Rhodes, Feb. 22.-The signing of the Egyptian- Israeli-Palestine armistice agreement is held up until the Egyptian delegates return from Cairo with their Government's views on its terms. The head of the Egyptian delegation is expected back tomorrow. Dr Walter Eytan, head of the Israeli delegation told Reuter today: "The draft has been completed and negotiations are at an end. The Government of Israel has authorised its delegation to accept the agreement exactly as it stands in the form presented by Dr Ralph Bunche, the United Nations acting Palestine mediator, at his last meeting with the two delegations.
"If the Egyptian Government agrees, then the con- ference will end in success. If the Egyptians refuse, then it is a failure," Dr Eytan added.
for final agree-
that an
It now seems probable that Israeli- clearing the way Transfordan armistice talks will openment between Egypt and Israel.
The sources added at the beginning of next week as the Jews are likely to insist on a few armistice might be signed within
the discus-24 hours. days Interval between sions.
Saudi Arabia's reply to the in- vitation to open peace talks with Isract in Rhodes Is "almost cer- tainly" acceptance. an informed -source stated today.
pointed
out "closely
Rhodes observers that Saudi Arabia was aligned"
politically with Egypt and was believed to have delayed ac- un Israeli-Egyptien ceptance until armistice was practically sure.
The acting Palestine mediator, Dr Ralph Butiche,
Dr today called Walter Eytan, the chief Israeli de- legates at Rhodes, urgently to his office. The two held a long conversa- lion believed to be concerned with the Saudi Arabian reply.
DOCUMENT ACCEPTED
'The Israelis accepted the fuil
document.
as soon
Israel already has agreed to pro- posals drawn up by the acting mediator, Dr Ralph Bunche.
United Nations officials preparing for peace negotiations between Israel and Transjordan are due to start on Friday, United Press.
Cheque Frees Englishmen
From Gaol
Dieppe, Feb. 22.--A Paris advocate, Maitre Roger Sarret,
drove
A Transjordan delegation is ex-today told Reuters that money pected here on Thursday begin puid by 'two disinterested armistice talks with Israel. minute chances in the draft Israelt-friends" freed three English-
from
a Dieppe prison Egyptian agreement were flown to men Cairo by Colonel Ismul Sherrine of where they had been detained the Egyptian delegation,
seven months pending smug- gling investigations. A Repler dispatels from Beirut, Maitre Sorret
to the quoting usually reliable quarters, Dieppe customs house last night said Transjordan has decided to and deposited a cheque for 10,000,- abolish her military regime in 000 francs (£9,437), but mystery Palestine.--Au-announcement was still-veiled the identity--of-tho expected
as Iraq, whose |
person who actually signed the troops occupy the Samaria district, cheque.
The chwith the French was handed Outside Europe there would be component [01 harbour patrol, fegrees.
over in ant another 171,000, compared with minesweeping ahd anti-pimney duties
quarters said Israel had customs Theat
633 arrangement 265,000 last year. Though the net which were particularly important asked King Abdullah of his views known as a n "transaction." estimate of expenditure was reduced in those waters, he added.
the future status of fervisalem be- A further Englishman, the cap- by £300,000, the gross estimate- Mr Rees Williams said that four fore the armistice talks start.
thin of the British tug. Venture, that is expenses before deduction East African Governments had
involved in the case, and an Hallan Lof varlous assets-showed a sub- agreed to combine in raising and
film actor, who were on bail, were stantial increase. It rose from maintaining a regular full-time Syria had officially protested against also "unconditionally released." The £340,100,000 in 1948-19 to £350.- force based on Mombasa. I would the holding of the Israeli Consti- three Englishmen who had been in 200,000
1049-50-£16,100,000 undertake coastal und harbour patrol tuent Assembly Secre more. This
in Jerusalem and prison were William John Hemsman, was largely due, Mr and minesweeping-
tokl Britain, the United States, Douglas Barton Perry and Cyril French | Shinwell explained. to
on buil Englishman that Jerusalem Smith. The France and Turkey Maurico overseas commitments.
The West African Government had Mr Shinwell maid in a memorandum considered forming
in Arab hands was Ceell James Clark, a similar force should remain
The Venture, impounded months ago, was being returned to its owner, I was understood. A car belonging to one of the detained men · was also being returned. Police conflsented currency found In the tug-Neuter.
WOULD
CO-OPERATE
for
continuing
(11
A Syrian Foreign Oflice spokesman in Damascus told Reuter today that
Paris, Feb. 22.—The tary General of the Communist Party, Thorez, said today that if the neemmpanying the Estimates that but no great progress had yet been Reuter Soviet Army should
that
proposed
#1 water-
far
Mr Royall in a press conference uttered declarations to the effect that America did not intend
to
it N
Paris
against concerned.
any First to ther suggestion 1101 be would America
to guarantee immediate prepared assistance to any one member of the union in the event of being
being d ጀነር፤ ጌሮ are
can be taken
attacked counted. I
Iur granted that the United States means business and that when
Allautle
agreement finalised
the
13
will be binding on all signatories. Best evideuer of the new confidence
Thoroughly
the the and this in the face
t America's good faith is
dreision of Norway to juju alliance
.but for con-
of a hostile uote from Soviel Russia. The Norwegian decision was not that of one man, voted was overwhelmingly · vo by the Government's party
so, a true sign that It re presents
popular feeling. The
way is now open for completing the terms of the allance which should be accomplished without any difficulty now that intending about members are reassured the role which the United States in prepared to assume. To
The Kremlin,
the
Atlantic
дну
North Union is the most direct.
the lng yet elven by Powers. It tells Stalin that the West
for I preparing eventuality and that any aggres- alvo potion от the part of swift, and Russia will, bring
the reprisals.
Through the
united Atlantle
Pact.
European
the
вле
Union
and Marshall Ald. future safety of Western Europe is being protected and
guar-
anteed. In this theatre American bailey is clear and unequivocal
Less certain is United
even
the the
palley Jn thin Parlac, rendered
more confusing by recent dispute between foreign press correspondents Tokyo and Mr Kenacth. Royalt,' U.B. Becretary for the Army.
*
been higher
has
in
emergency
the
Thorez made the statement to anwar Minister added. "that, with the algas
meeting of the French
Com- present shortages of regulars, even Communist Party's Central and
18 months with 18
national Bervice, He said he made it in reply Army is at present stretched to the mifice. to questions asked by "encinies uf
to carry out essential tasks." limit the people, seeking to embarrass us."
Mr Shinwell said that the He said: "Since the question has been put to us, let us reply clearly of the cokl war In
Middle and If the common efforts of all liberty-the loving and peace-loving French de necesitated cuts
The
into the
and
effects
Europe and in
Near
had
East la administrative
not succeed in bringing our country rather than in operational units. of the Far East. Mr
The rate of progress therefore had camp of demoerney
Lien slowing down and
and would have pence; if as a result our people are
10 be continued beyond 1940-50. dragged against its will Into 1910 anti-Soviet war, and if
erm research into the deve these Long-term
Prison For British Arms Smuggler
conditions the Soviet Army defendi-lopment of new weapons and equip-shipbroker
the people's cause and the causement was continuing.—Regter, Socialism was led to drive nggressors from our soll, could
ing
of
hy
out the
COLONIAL DEFENCE BILL
occupy Parliament's decision to increase the nude. A small volunteer force bastion
EGYPT ACCEPTS, REPORT make Japan defence
war it period of national service from one would probably be based on Trinidad
Cairo, Feb. 22.--Informed sources Communism.
in any future Mr. Royall gainst
months would mean that to serve the West Indies, year to 18
sald today that the Egyptian Go- would get the same popular contore national service men would deutes he ever suggested this.
Thic Admiralty would provide verament had accepted the terms Unfortunately nothing has-
operation as it did in Poland, be available. It would be posible, equipment on indefinite louts and
of the truce proposals for Palestine, from диу forthcoming level to diperse
would approve all officers who were Rumania and Yugoslavia. doubt which the
100, to employ them further afield.
"But it must not be forgotten," the to be instructors.--Reuter, the
story correspondents' created. But there are that General MacArthur lop Washington officlats are some conflict over future policy. and there is
la reason to belleve Dat the United States is concen. frating chief attention on safe- guarding, the West, even though this may mean neglecting interests Menzies, the leader of the op-
in Australia, has position
party suggested that there should be a
the Pacific version
North Atlantie alliance an attractive proposition, but clearly present- ing certain diffleulties. The malu of responsibility one the degree which must be assumed America If any such pact a to amount to som
something more than Biece of
American commitments urt alread
STAND ON FACTS enormous and It Is by no means
Tharez sald afford
the Soviet Union mons today, when speaking on the certain she can physically to Increase them al stage.
never would nor could be found in British Colonial Naval Defence Bill, Nor has Mr Menzies attempted to the position of an aggressor against, which provides for improved naval Wales."
British give any
Indication of
"A country of defence arrangements any other country. what
colonial territories, Gould
particularly be Australia's contribution Socialism cannot by definition prac to a defenalve alllance in 130 tise the policy of aggression and Malayan and East African waters.
which is the deed of im
It is propght jointly raise
that Paclio:
whether
colonies perialist powers. We lake our stand the signatories could shoulder a fair
on facts and not on hypotheses. The naval force which could form part of proporilon of responsibility. On
present facts are: active co-opera- the Royal Naval the face of If the United
United States would have to carry the main burden, and !! is recognlilon of this which appears to be making. Washington hesitant about com- mitting herself to a definite polley In the Pacife. It may well be that the United States Intenda in Arst to consolidate her policy the West, and then wait to sto China how things develop
Batavia, Feb. 22.--A British of Singapore. Mr Carlton A. Hire, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment London, Feb. 22.--No ships would by a Dutch court on Tuesday workers and the people of France be safe in the China Sens, the Indian at Tandjoeng, Pinang-the re belave differently toward. thear the Pacille Cecans If the Royal Soviet Army than the workers and Wayy did not give protection against sult of an arms smuggling at people of Poland, Rumania, Yugo-uliates. Mr David Rees Williams, tempt at Airabu Island, north- slavia and so forth?"
Under-Seerotary of State Idr the east of Singapore, on Septem- Colonies, told the House of Comber 14, 10-18.
ง
пок
рарег.
tthes
01
other
before grappling with the prob- tem of the future safety of the Pacific. It is a reasonable line of action.
war
In
in
He is 35 and comes from Cardiff,
op-
Hire and three Americans were arrested by British and Dutch police while the Americans were delivering $340,000 worth of sub-machine guns a number of from Manila allegedly for the Indo
nesian Republic. They used Cata- Reserve or the line flying boat.
The three Ame
Americans wors sen- tion of the French government in Royal Naval Volunteer ReTVU.
tenced on January 4, 1849, to four In the Far East, it had been the aggressive polley of the Anglo- Saxon Imperialism, the presence of agreed that Singapore would assume years, three years and 18 months
for the gaol respectively. They have responsibility foreign general staff at Fontaine- the main
apealed to the Dutch court, bleau, the transformation of our naval forces but "undoubtedly
During his trial, Hire pleaded country and French, overseas ter large number of Malayans would be cilorins into basea
of aggression attracted.' said Mr. Rees Williams, not gulty to two charges of illegal- launches, smally importing arms into Indonesia Minesweepers, against the USSR and countries of
and to enticing popular democracy."
craft and possibly frigates would without authority
out the The Central Committee session form the main body of the force, the Americans to carry
would functions
Include import. and Thorez' whose was held in secret
When they made the arrests, the statement was relensed in the form piracy control.
Approval had been given in Hong- police clalined to have smashed one of a com- of the most bizarre gun-running- kong for the formation
of a communique by the Com- munist Party, No further details
of the meeting were disclosed bined Volunteer Force of all the three attempts in the history of Southeast
Services. This included a small-naval | Aala-Associated Press.
}United "Press.”
That's a
seven
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