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BAO DAI
VOL. IV NO. 45
STOP PRESS
Plane Crash: No Survivors
Latest reports state that there are no survivors from the CPA Dakota which crashed near Shaukiwan this morning.
It has been ascertained that there were 19 passengers and a crew of four aboard.
For the Propertelor de HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, Yor and on behalf of
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, LIKE
The
TODAY'S Weather: Moderato ESE winda; widespread fog ar mist again tonight. Becoming fair temporarily during the day, but for persisting on coasta with a BE exposure.
Npon Observations: Barometric prosure 1014.5 mbs., 29.90 th. Températuro 64.3 dex. F. Dew point 06 der. F. Relative humidity 08. Wind direction East. Wind force 11 knots.
4.
High water: G ft. 9 in, at 7.17 p.m. Low water in at 2.47
(Friday)...
Hongkong Telegraph.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1949.
Bao Dai To Return To Indo-China Next Month
TERMS OF AGREEMENT WITH FRENCH GOVT.
Paris, Feb. 23.-The French Government, after several years of negotia- tion, has reached agreement with Bao Dai, ex-Emperor of Annam, and he will go back to Indo-China before the end of March, according to a joint communique issued today by the French Premier's Office and by the Cabinet of the ex-Emperor in Paris.
Minister
The agreement will be confirmed by an exchange of letters shartly, it was learned from the Miniatry of Overseas Territories. It was reach- ed at a luncheon yesterday given by the ex-Emperor to the French for Overseas Territories, M. Paul Coste Floret, who gave de- talls to the French Cabinet today. The terms of the agreement are being kept secret for the time being but will bo submitted to the 11. National Assembly on March which
date has been fixed for n debate on Indo-China. This debate iA Intended to end with voto ratifying the terms of the agree ment, and in particular recording the assent of Parliament to rescind Ing old French treaty rights Cochin-China-the ripo-bowl of
In
Vietnam State.
Despite the official agreement, After the aircraft had hit
to be settled some matters remain the hillside it burst into flames between the French Government and and was still ablaze this after-Bao Dal. According to usually, re
liable sourus, oue of the points of noon..
the
Cochin-China be included in the So far only eight bodies have let Cement is French assent to Vietnam Republic" the Cochin- been recovered.
China population opts for this union."
Cathay Pacific Airways hope to issue an official statement disaster curly this about the
but evening.
they will not release the names of the pas sengers until the next of kin have been notified.
A second CPA plane also left Manila for llongkong this morning, but diverted course Land landed safely in Cunton.
This, it has always been foreseen in the long drawn out negotiations by a referendum. Is to be settled
at present not clear But it is whether the ex-Emperor is prepared to return to Indo-China before this referendum has been held.
UNOFFICIAL FORECAST
If, as the French Minister of Over- seas Territories said today, the ex- Emperor will return to Indo-China before the end of March. It seems that he will return before the re- But on ferendum can be organised. officlat attached to the ex-Emperor was not prepared to commit himself i on this point in Paris today.
At the same time this official said he was optimistic about reaching an agreement on all outstanding points of procedure, which apparently in- clude the exact date of
· BRODICIONANNI DIED? Emperor's return.
EDITORIAL
Communism In India
the ex-
IT is not surprising that the such loczi hardship and prevent
Government of India has been forced to take measures agatru.t Communist attempts to disrupt the life of the country. Such an attack upon the National Gov- ernment
expected. was to be Before Britain withdrew fron control of the sub-continent favour of the Independent states
ism in India Ávas more
In
Commun-
of India and Fakistan, national- Fan Now ist than tho nationalists.
the Nationalist
been
if plots against Government The pattern is familiar. It has already seen in action in Burma, where the National Government, formed originally by Aung San on pro nouneed nationalist
list and "Left" lines, was promptly assalled by force of arms, In India condi- stable and arms tions are more less enally come by, so lenge to the
freely-elected au- thority has been slower In reach- ing fruition, but the aim remains that constant. It is to craite chaos in which starving people can be induced to embrace Corn
Icast
to abeinin
or at
Chal-
LO
for
from native opposition because they have been reduced to such strails that any clange must be regarded holding
AA
for hopes Improvement. The timing of the Communist campaign In India careful planning. It is betrays reported have been Intended tha to open with an attack on transport system
on March 5.
to
ол
with sabotage to reinforce a strike. In a country like India where
ars always ross on the verge of grave food short- ages, if not famine, transport is of very special imperiance to the public. It is one weapon by which the Government can meet
nereaze
it from turning lato disaster. In recent month the Government of India has been working hard on in- plans to bring about a big
production. Int in food crease order to provide
food for the people the Government Decil considering various large Bahomes
Irrigation of
And mechanical cultivation to increase food crops and under Field from agricultural land, It is true that it will be years befero any projects undertaken any can make a real contribution to the well-being of, the Indian peoples: but the fact that National Government showed clearly it appreciated that greater. production 1720 real problem.
danger signal to
to the Com munists. Any increase in stand- anda of living would automa
have
now
the showed
01
of
It is not
nothin
take.
It might easily be in the form of stimulation of comintin sitife. There is nothing
According to unoMelal reports, the agreement with the ex-Emperor provides for:
1-Freedom for Cochin-China to opt for unity with the Vietnam Re- public.
2. Full administrative autonomy for the Vietnom Republic.
3. The constitution of a Vietnam Army,
4.The appointment of Vietnam diplomatie agents in the countries of South East Asia
6-Military bases for the French Union in Vietnam controlled by the French General Stat.
6.-Representatives of Vietnam in the Assembly of the French Union→→ the "Parlament" of the French Versailles Empire which meets in and whose elected deputies represent all French overseas territories.
According to the same unofficial reports, economie questions remain to be settled. These include the control.at the custorus and of Issuing the currency.
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Six Killed In Explosion On Junk At Aberdeen
Six Chinese were killed and three injured in an explosion aboard a fishing junk at Aberdeen early this morning.
The cause of the explosion is unknown, but the Junk is believed to have had on board a large quantity of detonators and dynamite.
The explosion occurred at 6.15 am, when the junk, No. 1470a, was lying alongside the wharf opposite the Tai Shing paper factory in Island Road.
The three survivors Chau Fat Lee. 51-year-old master of the junk, his son and daughter-in-law-were taken to Queen Mary Hospital. .
The bodies of Chau's wife, a fokl, and his four grandchildren, were later recovered from the water near the junk.
werd
Junk No. 4657a, lying nearby, was damaged in the explosion, but there
по casualties among the occupants. A man walking along the wharf at the time had part of his hand blown off.
House Of Lords Anxious About
Situation In Malaya
MINISTER OF STATE OFFERS REASSURANCES
London, Feb. 23.-Lord Listowel, Minister of State for the Colonies, gave an assurance tonight that the total strength of the British forces in Malaya- would not be reduced. Replying to a House of Lords debate on terrorist acti- vities in Malaya, he said that he did not agree that the position there was worsening.
The High Commissioner considered that further military reinforcements were not at present required. He regarded the co-operation of the Chinese as the most important immediate step.
A British Government contribution to-the- "extremely heavy cost" of security in Malaya was being considered very carefully with full realisation of its weight and importance to Malaya, he added.
reuson
when
for the
DR. HO'S POSITION French policy is based on the expectation that with the ex- Emperor assuming the role of hend Viscount Elibank, Conservative, planters would be able to go on of the Vietnam Republic, including who opened the debate, said con- They were sitting waiting to buy up
with very
large ditions in Malaya had deteriorated plantations for a song
the Cochin-China,
of self-government measure
and
One
was probably the British planters left. independence within the framework Communist
advance in armies
LISTOWEL REPLIES French Union. the big China. "There is little doubt that of the
Lord Listowel, Minister of State the success of the Communists in for the Colonies,
replied majority of the population will rally to this regime and will thus enable
China will have its repercussions Government. About the future of the Vietnam Government itself to
throughout the Far East.
the Guards Brigade, he said it was pacify the country and break the
"These repercussions Malaya is
undesirable to divulge the disposi- power of the Nationalist partisans hardly likely to escape,"
he sation or movement of British troops led by Moscow-tralued Dr fo Chi-
It was exceedingly fortunate that overseas but could give an assurance the Dutch had "tackled their own lain
the total strength minh
of the problem in Indonesia with deter British forces in Malaya would not mination, since the propinquity of
be reduced, Sumatra to the Malayan coast was
"The High Commissioner -a matter of constant-danger,
the view that further military rein-- MORE TROOPS NEEDED
forcements are not at present re- Lord Ellbank suggested that armed quired. He regards the co-operation patrol motor launches should be of the Chinese as being the most
slep," obtained to guard the west coast of important immediato Malaya from Infiltration by canoe prListowel said. other means of terrorists and sus- Sumatra. Each launch pects from should be fitted with a small gun and small searchlight and should have a well armed crew recruited, he sug- gested, from the Malayan police.
(Continued on Page 5)
PALESTINE
ARMISTICE
IS SIGNED
Rhodes, Feb. 24. The follow ing general armistice agreement between Egypt and Israel was signed here today:
were needed than
More troops were now available, he said. He was advised of the serious shortages of experienced police officers for the newly recruited police and special constabulary,
The
for
was
not
takes
ཛོ།
Tel: 27880
HONGKONG PLANE DISASTER
Machine Crashes
Into Hillside
SEVEN BODIES RECOVERED
A Cathay Pacific Airways C47 Dakota, carrying an un- known number of passen- gers from Manila, crashed into the hillside above King's Road, near Shauki- wan, about noon today.
So far seven bodies have been recovered, but reporters are being kept away from the scene, and up to the time of going to press information about the disaster was meagre.
The plane, which was ex- pected to arrive from Manila reached the this morning, Colony about 11.30 and re- quested permission to land on one of the Kai Tak runwaya.
The request was granted by the control tower, but soon afterwards another signal was received asking to be allowed to. land on another runway.
This was the last Kai Tak heard from the aircraft.
4
First report to the police of the disaster came from Mr AT an increasing co-operation between 1. Cash, Waterworks inspector, the two countries and Governments," who reported that he had seen he said.
a plane flying low in the area Lord Listowel said strong measures
reservoir above near the had recently been taken against those suspected of assisting the Health Village, (south of the bandits. The Malayanı Govern- Taikoo Sugar Refinery), then ment had taken power to deport en suddenly he heard a crash. masse inhabitants of certain areas
Cathay Pacific while acknow- who had persistently declined to co-operate with the security forces ledging that one of their planes was due to arrive from Manila ngainst the bandits.
These operations and subsequent this morning said they did not repatriations had been carried out know how many passengers with humanity but with extreme were aboard as the manifest thoroughness,
was on the aircraft.
the
Wu Teh-chen Off
To Nanking
It has been estimated that protection money extorted from Chinese, particularly the well-to-do, by the bandits amounted in October Lord and November last to as much
ST$250,000 a month apart from pay. The Government Production
falling.ments in kind. monthly
had
taken resolute action against Figures showed that the
Canton, Feb. 24.-Mr Wu Tch- output of rubber and tin increased persons known to be persistent in
chen, deputy Premier in the Many ar- paying this blackmail. in 1948 as compared with 1947.
A contribution
more Nationalist Government, left Canton Brilish by the
rests had been made and would be made. heavy woul
The Government by air this morning for Nanking. Government to the extremely
It was also announced in in would be no respecter of persons
hero that cost of the security measures
this matter. It was encouraging to the Finance Minister will this after- Malaya was being considered very
know that various Chinese associa- noon at a press conference announce the new economte and currency rom carefully and with a full realisation of its welight and importance to tions were making a resolute stand
forma. against this practice.-Reuter, Malaya.
"The parties to the present agree- ment, responding to the Security Council resolution of November 16,
Lord Listowel did not agree that 1948, calling upon them as + further provisional measure under It was also alleged that many of the general situation in Malaya was Though the situation Article 40 of the Charter of the the British sergeants sent out had worsening, United Nations and in order to proved to be very raw material, he was still serloun, there were some The number He
more encouraging features. suggested much the transition facilitate
from the said.
attacks had sloadfly of 278 in present truce to permanent peace in should be done to make use of picked of bandits
fallen from the penk Palestine to negotiate an armistice. Malays and other local material to
November to 232 in Deccinber and to enter Into provide leadership
that con-190 in January, "Having decided negotiations under United Nations stabulary.
Malays have behaved
FEWER MURDERS chairmanship concerning the Im-
Murder of civilians of a races plementation of the Security Council splendidly throughout, recognising it resolution of November 4 and 16, is their own fortune which is at had dropped from an average of 48 1048:
stake," he added. "In spite of almost a month in the period June to "And having appointed repre- dally murders of Europeans, morale December last year to 31 in January.
but .wonderful
the strain After n special tribute to the Mula- sentatives to negotinte and conclude on armistice agreement.
tearful."
yan pollee, Lord Listowel said police Urging the use of strong measure arms, wireless and transport equip. to deal with the situation, Lord mont were being brought up to the Ellbank said; "Our whole position most modern standard as rapidly as "The undersigned representatives and prestige in the Far East are at possible. In the full authority entrustexi to stake
One of the most satisfactory them by their respective govern-
OBSCURE SITUATION features was that the authorities were ments have agreed upon the follow- Lord Mancroft, Conservative, now getting word more often of id ing provisions:
said: "It is not clear what Is bandits' movements and plans. This "Article 2. With a view to pro- happening in Malaya at present, enabled swift counter-action to be guring the return of permanent peace except that we are not winning." taken.
thousand Gurkha troops
THE PROVISIONS
was
in Palestine and in recognition of He hoped the Minister would con-
Two
week
17 sixteen
question shall henceforthis costing us enth," he said, "forcements reaching Malava. There
their -tically reduce
achieving
Dower. So
Ahopid without reason that they
before planned to strike
the importance in this regard of tradict the widespread rumours" would shortly arrived in Malaya to steps to that end could be im-
mutual assurances concerning the that the Brigade of Guards was to reinfoce those already there. plemented. If the prompt action
future military operations of the be brought back to Britain in April, In the week ended February 10 of the Indian Government brings
There was too much about ad- parties, the following principles Ine there the present plot to Ing them
which shall be fully observed by ministrations in Malaya, he said. The thirty-two enemy camps and in the
ended February is no telling what form the-
JRUEL
both parties during the armuslice police, instead of fighting the ban-camps were located and destroyed. Communist attempt may
hereby affirmed:
dits, were checking up dog licences: 1. "The injunction of the Secu-"We are losing rubber at the rate The Navy and Air Force had given by preventing rity Council against resort to mili- of 10,000 tons a month at a locs of valuable assistance
of Communist rein- the possibility tary force in settlement of the US$4,000,000
a day to fight | **** Palestine
are signs
the main bandit this
ho addedi. battle in Bialaya," be scrupulously respected by both
Lord
ord Airlic, non-party Peer, said: forces have been unable to continue
some areas," the fight in
Lord parties:
2. "No aggresive action by the "We are making very little, if any, Listowel said. armed forces by land, sea or air on headway loved It
in Malaya.”
Two conferences between Slamese olther party shall bo undertaken, generally believed it was no longer and Malayan officials had resulted planned or threatened against the a military problem. An entirely in a valuable exchange of informa- people or the armed forces of the new approach to the situation was tion and the establishment of con-
needed.
cutting
the tacts and a joint plan of operation "It being understood that the use terrorists supplies and Information had been carried out during the past of the term "planned" In this context about British troops.
fortnight by forces of both countries had no bearing on normal staff | Ono plantation manager had in the frontier area. “ planning as generally practised in written him saying many rich This marks, an important step "military, organisatious.”—Reuter." Chinese did not think the British forward in what we trust will be
About Communist intervention in racial or religious differences so long as such intervention
likely to produce disruption. would not be the Erst country in which
Communists
India
have woord believers in "ro- actionary" faith in the confidence that the disharmony they would be able to encourage would weaken the country that their self-appointed task of securing domination would be made easier,
other;
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