VOL. IV NO. 80
For the Proprietra of
HONGKONG TELEORAPIL
For and on tehtuff of
SOUTH CHINA BRUMAIRO PÜST, LTD.
Prinkets,and Publisher
The
Today's weather: Moderate, locally fresh, East winds. cloudy.
Noon Observailons: Barometris pressure, 1020.4 mba, 30.13 in. Temperature, $3.8 deg. F. Dew point, 57 dog. F. Relativa humidity. 79. Wind direction, East Wind force, 18 knots,
High water: 6 ft 7 in. at 1.36 p.m. Low water: 1 ft. 7 in. at 11.54 p..
Hongkong Telegraph.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1949.
DISASTROUS FIRE AT
Karens Agree To Surrender
FIGHTING ENDS
AT INSEIN
Rangoon. Apr. 5.-Saw Ba
U Gyi. President of the fighting Karen tribesmen who have been in revolt against
Government the since the end of January, went to Rungoon under protretive escort today to sign surrender terms, a pro- Government report stated.
A cease-fire was ordered at Inseln. Karen-held railway town 10 miles north of tangoon, after Saw Ba U Gyi's uncondi tlonat surrender offer, the re- port added. The tribesmen took over the town on February 2 and have fought off repeated all-out Government attacks.
Last month, the Government offered in amnesty to the Karen-Burma's bargest ma jority-If they stopped Bghting by April 1.
the
Burmese
Volunteer Organisation.
The
1
TAIKOKTSUI
Over 50 Buildings Destroyed
SQUATTERS' HUTS AND SMALL FACTORIES
Over 50 structures, including squatters' huts and small wooden factories were destroyed today in a disastrous carly morning blaze at Taikoktsui, in the vicinity of the Cosmo- politan Docks,
One Chinese was slightly injured and was sent to the Kowloon Hospital, but there was no loss of life.
The fire was in a confined area, densely populated with squat- ters, and with a profusion of miscellaneous factories containing rubber, hydrochloric acid, and printing ink all of which contributed to the rapidity with which the flames spread.
Scattered
et
Intervals
nature.
A
The Premier said he refused
Shortly after 5.30 o'clock fire to "acquiesce to political
broke out near the Tong Mei dacoits who attempt to wrest | Market and
SODN became a power by force."-Reuter.
which could be raging inferno seen for miles around.
I
und
Dine:'
At the
For
P.G.
Reservations
Price 20 Cents
Tel: 27880
RUSSIANS MASSING TROOPS
IN POLAND May Be Preparing To Attack West
Washington, Apr. 5. Two recently escaped Polish officials said today that Russia has massed more than 300,000 troops in Poland for an attack on the West "which may come this year."" The two Poles were presented at a press conference by the former Vice- Premier, Stanislaw Mikolajczyk. They said that Russia has been intensifying military preparations in Poland in the past six months.
They said that the Soviet troops in Poland six months ago totalled 300,000 and have been "increased considerably" since.
10,000
Chinese Reds
Threaten
(Axis Indo-China
Mildred E. Sally) Gillars walks from Federal district court in Washington after being sentenced to. 10 to 30 years in prison for
Judge treason. Edward M. Curran also fined her $10,000-AP Picture.
CHINA PEACE
Muss evacuation Was B001 Bnd being Lung machinery shop,
men, women In a nationwide broadcast to
children rushing to and fro with night, the
Prime tween the factories were timber while at the far end the Yan under way,
amid much Minister, Thakin Nu, promised yards and places for the storage Kee metal works factory that elections would be held of lime and other goods of a the Hongkong Shipyard Limited their belongings
small were threatened with flanes for excitement, while fakis worked dangerous
retrieve printing feverishly to within a month it the incur
complicly several hourement, immediately destroyed. rections stopped
alv. cracker shop was
Fanned by a strong easterly machinery and drums of wood
oil. carried Govern- Besides the Karens,
The
Clogs scattered here and there area involved comprised wind the flames were ment troops
from are fighting
structure to structure-with
of the loud crackling sounds emanating were clear indications alang Boundary Communists, the Mons tribes about 400 feet by 600 feet and
(Continued on Page 5) men and
as the Police rushed into door- "White Band" was oltuated members of the People's Street, between the Tang Mei
make sure that there Market and
WAVE to the Cosmopolitan wa
were no people about. Dockyard.
were ham- The Fire Brigade pered in their work by the fact of them that the lanes, some
too narrow very muddy, were for appilances to get to the front of the fire. Assisting the Brl CABINET CHANGES
Military fre BLAZE SPREADS
Kale were the Rangoon, April 5.- Lieut-
service General Ne Win, Commander-in-
Fir call for assistance was
which ran its hoses Chief of Burma's armed forces, received by the Mongkok Fire
despatched ap- the Hongkong Shipyard. Burma's Station which became yesterday
Divistonal-Oficer- Deputy Prime Minister, it was
pliances santier“
BOY SCOUTS ASSIST-'- V. C. Seymour and the "third oficially announced.
Boy Scouts Several Chinese He will also be in charge of alarin," indleating that the out- Defence and Home Affairs. The break was severe and spread-Ir. uniform also helped, while a Portfolio of Foreign Allairs ing, was sent through to the gang of about twelve fukis play- passes into the hands of another Terminus Fire Station, Kow-led fire extinguishers onto an These com- new Cabinet Minister, Supreme tuon, Unier Divisional Omcer acid factory as the flames came
appliance was steadily towards it. Court Judge Lee Maung, who is it. Tiplody, n
efforts pre- bined fire fighting charge of Judicial sent to the scene of the fire.
the centre of Close to the
vented the blaze from develop- Rehabilitation. Health and Rural,
mure serious propor- Tacking into outbreak were the Kin Administration.
(Continued on Page 5) jmchinery factory and the Waltions,
also
EDITORIAL
and No. 2 Breftoal
Britain's Budget Pie Prospects
SIR Stafford Cripps presents his second
22
budget to the House of Commons today, and it can be expected to range, not only over the financial situation of the United Kingdom, but also over the economie outlook as described in the
Survey for
lately 1943 Economic published. The Chancellor of the Ex- chequer may well feel encouraged with the accuracy of his estimating for the
Last April he forecast past year.. surplus of £330 million, which is now likely to be £350 million; and which ex- penditure was £200 million, more than the anticipated,
surpassed revenue. estimate by £210 million. But while to the taxpayer at Home Rwell balanced budget represents good housekeeping, his chief interest. In Sir Stafford Cripps* House of Commons statement today will centre on whether or not there can be any lightening of the current taxation burdens. The prospects are not bright. It is reasonably certain that Sir Stafford will again cmphasise the necessity of combatting inflation, which
means res-
traint on the home demand for consumer- goods in order to maintain the export drive: allied to which is the process of reducing the nation's dependency on and of climinating the foreign ald balance of payments deficlt of last year. The Indications are that little relief is to be expected from any Increase in the national income. But for the Chancellor to announce that stringent measures are to be continued for another year will not bo enough. It will be for him and his colleagues In the Government, to secure their acceptance by the people. So he is that the evils of likely to reiterate Inflation, so far avoided with considerable success, can-continue to be kept off only
through
if the nation as a whole is ready to co- Both by operate with the Government. direct control and by keeping prices on essential. steady through subsidies
goods the Government is doing its part. Further, it is saving by the budget surplus. The call, therefore, is likely to be renewed for employers and workers to hold back their claims, reasonable though they might be in cauler times, for higher wages, prices and dividends. And there is almost certain to be another call to the people to save more, though it must be admitted that recent experience does to the not encourage confidence as response to gny such requeal. It will be observe whether the to interesting
pressure will yield to Government recently applied by the Trades Union. Council and other quarters to lighten the cost of Uving by reducing, for instance, the purchase, tax on a wide range of essential and near-essential goods, Tho prospects are that Sir Stafford Cripps will attempt to reach a compromise, før It is supremely an economic argument, and economic arguments are against reductions. Closely allled to the financial and economic aspects of today's Budget is the intensifention of the dollar export drive. Up to now progress in this lifeline of Britain's prosperity, though encouraging, has not fulfilled expectations, and it is now admitted that. exports are harder to make and that a new effort is the almost assuredly riceded. This, Government will request, but that It be heeded by the men and women upon whom the Government depends, is probably 'contingent on whether they are personally
encouraged through the medium of taxa... tion concessions.
|
TALKS DEADLOCKED-
Nanking, Apr. 6.-The peace negotiations hetween the Communists and Nationalists, which started yesterday, were deadlocked to- day after the Reds handed out a new demand that a satisfactory solution of the student- soldier clash in Nanking on Friday must be reached before any talks would be resumed.
The official Central Daily News, reporting on the negotiations, said that Liu Chung-hua, one of the four members of the government delegation who made a sudden return to Nanking late yester- day, reported to Premier Ho Ying-chin that the Communists broke off the talks and refused to meet the government peace delegates again until the Nanking government could announce a settle- ment, in which leaders of the soldiers responsible for the clash are properly punished.
Hanoi, Apr. 5. Some 10,000 uniformed and well- armed Chinese Communists arc massed on the northern frontier of Indo-China await- ing the order to attack a highly French positions, qualified French source said yesterday.
on
These Communist forces in- thio clude 10 battalions
on Lookay-Hoangsuphi sector
and the Northwestern frontier
15 battalions on the Northeastern border between Langson and Moncay, the scene of a recent the "feeling out" assault by Chinese,
are
This source revealed that the French High Command expects astrong strike" at any mo ment in the Northeastern section
the Chinese where
more numerous and where they can count on the support of Com- munist cells among the local population.
All these Chinese troops are under the command of Com- munist General Tchou Kla-pt, Commander of the Yunnan and Kwangsi regions, occording to this some source.
Two
wo Chinese Communist re- giments--the 20th
thu and
in the 21st-are concentrated region of Moncay, according to intelligence reports. Recent at- tacks on Monday were led by two battalions from the 20th regiment said to be commanded by Colonel Sam Ong Dhow.
This source sold the Chinese Communist troops were wearing khalel and helmets bearing a red slar.
TONKIN SITUATION
The clash occurred on the day | There was no confirmation of that the *peace talks opened the purpose of their fight back when students marching towards to Nanking, but it was be- tho Presidential office encoun- lieved elther for consultation on
The situation of French forces tered
of deactivated certain important phases of the in Tonkin the Northern section a group soldiers. A fight broke out when negotiations or else brought of Indo-Chin-was described the soldiers were angered by the possible new Communist de-"unfavourable" because of the
manda students' chanting of Communist
lack of manpower. This has songs and slogans dancing in the streets. One student was fatally return of the four members the defensive against attacks by injured and more than 60 others was not a pre-arranged plan." the rebel Việt Minh Judo
suffered various degrees of in-
Jury.
A responsible source said the forced French troops to go on
Chinese Nationalist-forces.
NO INKLING
This source said that unless Premier Ho Ying-chin was re-
There was no inkling of the an "urgent remedy" was applied, ported to have cabled General subject discussed when the Pre the position of these French Chang Chih-chung, chairman of mier called on the Acting Prusi troops could become "perilous."
said that French cources the delegation, for a full report dent.
of the Red demand regarding This development occurred al-week ago the commander the clash. There
was no in- mot an hour after the Chinese the Chinese Nationalist Ninth formation here on what kind of Communist radio let loose an regiment stationed at Tongking, a settlement the Reds were other blast at
a Chinese town facing Moneny, the Nankingent a message to French of demanding regarding the sub-government, In which was in-
cluded Chang
cinis admitting he was unable Chih-chung, chairman of the peace delegato prevent Communists tion now in Peiping. The broad passing Wirough his lines to at-
French Informed cast said, "The Nanking Linck the French. Tsung-Jen-Ho Ying-chin govern-
Ject,
п
the Chinese
from
military
DELEGATES RETURN Four members of the govern ment peace delegation returned ment, including Its Chang Chih-sources predict a joint assault Communista unexpectedly from Pelping to
chung delegation, is essentially by
coupled with Nanking secretly late yesterday
the and Premier Ho Ying-chin mixed composition" following from the North
Viet Minh guerillas from two policiesStanding closer shortly after paid a call at the
to the Chiang
on French posts-Asso- Kal-shek war rear. residence of Acting President Li
criminal bloc and their master clated Press. Tsung-Jen.
American imperialism" on one All
pointed to some band and on the other "vaell- signs development of extreme Impor-lating its crossroads without a oficial clear direction. They want to tance but responsible
with both sides sources, approached for infor- have dealings
were and get along with both sides." mation, repiled that they
---United Press.. instructed not to talk.
•
One source, however, revealed retnured that one of the four was Liu Chung-hua, adviser to the delegation.
Girl Quads Born
Colombo, Apr. 5.-Quadruplets, all pris, were born to 23-year old Mrs A. W, Martin, wife of A labourer, in the Kandy Civil 1Tolbal today, according to tho Manchester, April, 5-John Ceylon Observer. The weights from Russell Scott, Governing Direc- of the children ranged The other three- mombers for and Chairman of the Man-two pounds 12 ounces to three
five were not identified, but
and Evening pounds werdchester Guardian
In good balloved to be secretaries of News, Limited, died yesterday. mother was reported the dolegation...”.
He was 60-Associated Press,- health-Reuter,
ounces.
The
One of the two nien, Stanisław Banczyk,,vice-choli- of the F'ollsh Peasant
Fewer People Dying
Geneva, Apr. 5.-- The United Nations World Health Organisa- tion today reported that deaths throughout the world reached 'a record low in 1947 and added that the 1948 figures will show another de- cline. It said that 'all
but
three Europepan countries which sub- mitted data had a lower death' rate in 1947 thần In the 1937-38 period.
The Netherlands had the lowest death rate in the world-only 8.1 per 1,000 in 1947,-United Press.
ELECTION
said he personally wit- DEFEAT FOR
War
mall Party, nessed large scale Soviet manoeuvres un the Baltic coast ຕະ recently, in which tanks planes participated.
Both Banczyk and his com- Wojcik.
Stanislaw
panion. secretary-general of the Prosani Party, were underground workers
LABOUR
in Poland throughout the last war Conservatives" Claim
and are well known for their intelligence activities on behalf of the West.
The
London, Apr. 5-Conser-
vative Party Headquarters Poles sald the Polish today claimed sweeping vic Army has been newly purgentories in the first round of "unreliables" and Increased numbers of Soviet commissars the County Council elec brought into its ranks. They Lions. said the Polish Air Force has been subjected to a particularly exclusive purge
and that, not only Soviet officers but also, Soviet soldiers are being in stalled there.
Army
Seven counties in England and Wales voted yesterday for new county governments, 14 were voting today and 41 other through counties will ballot the remainder of this week
A Tory spokesman sald Con- yesterday gains servative
for Mr pointed to a triumph
in Winston Churchill's Party the general Parliamentary elec tions next year.
WAR "NECESSARY" They said the Polish was accumulating medical sup- plies, buying them from Sweden und Switzerland, and that new
"It is impossible to separate barracks were being built, and
from the old ones rebuilt. They said that
1948, political the county elections
general elections because the since spring. commissars in the Polish Army same voting register is used,"
the soldiers have been telling
ere he said. that a war with the West "la necessary."-Asked if there was any indication when the re- portedly planned attack would be launched, the Poles said it was their feeling, and that could happen this year.
Banczyk and
Wojcik they escaped from Poland two two months ago and
!
LATEST TREND "Lālest returns showed the increased had
counties Conservatives their control in five it which they held before the elections but had not dislodged sald the Labourites from control of other Counties both arrived here located in Welsh industrial dis-
trlets. last week. They would not re- veal their route other than to indicate that they had passed United through Germany. Press..
of
results in six out of Final seven countles showed that the Conservatives won 95 additional seats while Labour lost six seali and other Parties lost 29 seats. Labour Party Headquarters reported earlier today that it.
London. Apr. 5.-Princess had suffered a not loss of 13
and Elizabeth
the Duke
seats.. The guests of Dr Edinburgh were
the Cheng Tien-hs),
Chinese Ambassador in London, at a dinner at the Embassy tonight. -Reuter.
Conservatives claimed Labour had a net loss of 18 Beals with the Conserva- compared
nct gain of 28 scats- Lives' United Press.
MEN-ABOUT-TOWN take their choice from
BURNETT'S
LONDON
DRY GIN
in the
original square bottle
WHITE SATIN
GIN
Smooth as Satin in the
round ringed
bottle
A. S. WATSON & CO., LTD.
WINE & SPIRIT DEPT. Alexandra Bulldings. Tel. 31261.