THE HONGKONG TEA, FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1951.
WORLD WAR NOT INEVITABLE Commonwealth Prime Ministers Agreement. Constructive Approach To World Problems
London, Jan. 4.
The British Commonwealth Prime Ministers, opening a 10-day con- ference on the world crisis here today, were in agreement that war is not inevitable, informed quarters said.
It was made clear in the preliminary talks that the conference is not to discuss preparations for war but means of preventing it.
of Communist China, and her right to a seat
Strong emphasis was laid on a constructive approach | recognition to world problems, and the necessity for seeking to im- prove living standards.
The importance of the free world holding together at this critical juncture in international affairs was fully appreciated, and there was general agreement on the ütmost importance of maintaining the authority of the United Nations.
A communique issued after The Indian Prime Minister the meeting said, "The first was reported to have reminded plenary meeting of the Prime the conference that in consider Ministers' meeting took place ing the problems facing them at No. 10 Downing Street this. they should not lose sight of morning. The Prime Ministers their main objective-the pro- of the United Kingdom, Canada, motion of world peace. the Commonwealth of Aus- Mr Nehru tralia, New Zealand, India, most nations -were spending Ceylon and Southern Rhodesia | more and more. of their re
in Donges-representing sources
armament which the Prime Minister of the could, and should, be used for Union of South Africa-were the betterment of humanity. present.
and Dr
"Mr Attlee, who is host to the meeting, was in the Chair. He welcomed the other Com- monwealth representatives on behalf of the United Kingdom Government.
the
་
regretted
that
He is reported to have men- tioned that against the interna- tional background of piling up defence costs India was almost the only country cutting down her expenditure on armies by 15 percent.
India's
de-
"Mr Attlee recalled that since This did not mean that they
weakening last meeting of Prime | were Ministers the Commonwealth fences. Instead, a real effort had lost three former Common-was being made to turn more wealth Prime Ministers-Mr of her resources to the better Mackenzie King of Canada, ment of her people. Field Marshal.Smuts of South Africa and Mr Peter Fraser of New Zealand-and tribute was paid to their distinguished ser- vices.
"A discussion took place on procedure and agreement was reached on the business of the meeting and on the manner in which it would be conducted,
THE NEW CHINA
Mr Neliru is believed to have declared that it was idle and irrelevant to talk of China as a satellite of Russia though it might be that she was a friend- ly ally of the Soviet.
The hard reality was that they had to work with the new China, a major power in Asia and the WORLD PROBLEMS
world; and that her voice should "The Prime Minister of the be heard in the councils of the United Kingdom then opened anations of the world discussion on the general inter- Mr Nehru is said to have told national situation in which all the other Prime. Ministers that the Commonwealth representa- the carrying on of
a "limited tives took part.
war" or an economic boycott of "This discussion was continu-China would keep the world in ed in the second plenary meet a state of tension and could only
hold up progress. ing held in the afternoon.
The other statesmen attend- ing the meeting also spoke.
their morning session statesmen lunched
After
on the United Nations.
Australia, New Zealand, South have not Africa and Canada recognised the Peking Govern- rent while Britain, India, Ceylon and Pakistan have.
UNIQUE CEREMONY After the first session of to- day's meeting of Premiers, the six Prime Ministers attended a meeting of the Privy Council at which King George presided,
Mr Don Stephen Senanayake (Ceylon) and Mr Sidney Hol-
(New land
Zealand) were sworn in as new members of the Council.
The King has never before presided over a Council attend- ed by six of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers.
The Prime Ministers were stars of a television programme broadcast to England and Wales today.
Viewers saw the earlier "shots" of the leaders arriv- ing, the crowds and then close- ups taken in the drawing room of No 10 Downing Street.
The Prime Ministers were able to see themselves on the television screen for a monitor set was specially installed in the room where they were being televised.
Short speeches made before television cameras by the statesmen at the start of the Commonwealth conference were broadcast here today.
MGM actress Cyd Charisse poses beside the swim- ming pool of her Hollywood home. Miss Charisse finds the sun a bit strong and has to apply lotion to keep her eyes beauty-bright.
Korea War
(Continued from Page 1)
forces by sea from coast is taking place."
the west
Meanwhile, the last civilians who streamed out of Seoul de- scribed how the Korean Com- munist flag was hoisted in the centre of the city.
*
HOPES FOR PEACE
The Reds conquered the city Dr Theophilus Donges (South
that had been abandoned by Minister of the Africa's
who is representing which was scarred by fire.
most of its population and one Interior), Dr Daniel Malan, his Prime Minister, said "At this time we The Allied casualties in the the battle of Seoul were said to be feel it is necessary friends of peace should confer less than had been anticipated.
exchange ideas Red
told United prisoners together and and attempt to devise ways and Nations intelligence officers that they had been issued five days means to stop aggression.
Mr Nehru was heard to say, rations on Dec. 31 to carry them
that
"I hope we shall reduce the through the battle. The Chinese tension of the world and con- Commander attained his objec- tribute to peace."
tive one day ahead of schedule.
Mr Attlee said, "We meet from time to time, and this time
"The meetings today were devoted to a general analysis of world problems, Tomorrow, par- ticular aspects of these problems today the will be considered in greater with King George and his we are discussing the general
detail,”
whose
Prime
family.
One member of the Common- Earlier reports about the wealth was missing-Pakistan, Premiers' meeting said that
Minister, Mr they had
the following rough Liaquat Ali Khan, has declined heads on which to plan, their to attend unless the Kashmir programme over the next 10
dispute between his country and days: India is collectively considered by the statesmen.
FIVE POINTS
(1) The situation. in Korea
One of the first acts of the and its implications for the Prime Ministers today was to Commonwealth, and policies to send a telegram to Mr Liaquat be advanced in the United Na- Ali Khan, asking him to change tions. his mind.
RUSSIAN THREAT
In his situation
survey of the today, Mr
(2) Commonwealth policy to- wards Communist China.
world situation.
"I have with me the Foreign Secretary-Mr Ernest Bevin- and the Minister of Defence Mr Emanuel Shinwell.
"Our discussions will be very general, and we hope that there will be an important contribu- tion to peace.
"Today, the conference will be concerned mainly with speeches and with the object of obtaining a general idea as to procedure."-Reuter.
(8) Rearmament of Ger- Sign Of Better
Relations
world many
and the possibility of Attlee high level talks with Russia.
commitments referred to the threat to world (4) Britain's
Of the North peace posed by present Russian as a member
Treaty Organisation policy, the part Britain would Atlantic play in defence of Europe by and their implications in terms tion arrived here today to help her membership of the North of
manpower, money
Atlantic Treaty Organisation, rearmament.
Belgrade Jan. 4.
A Swedish Red Cross delega-
-United Press.
PART OF STRATEGY
London, Jan. 4. The evacuation of Seoul was expected as part of the overall Korean strategy and came as no shock to British military men, authoritative sources said today.
was
The quarters foresaw even- tual withdrawal to the Pusan bridgehead, although it believed that a stand might be made in the Taegu area. United Press.
French Attack
In Tonkin
Saigon, Jan. 4. French troops plunged into Communist-held ter- ritory outside the north- eastern port of Tienyen today,
hunting some 10,- 000 Reds whose four- day siege of the vital port was broken yesterday.
A late communique from French headquarters said field artillery and the big guns of French
а
warships laid down heavy barrage to pave the way for the advance. French troops met no re- sistance in the early hours of the attack and up to 1 p.m.--the latest hour mentioned in front linė reports-mot a shot had been fired, the com- said. -munique
Press.
United
Smuggling Gang Surprised
Rome, Jan. 4. Italian frontier patrols last night surprised a gang of about 20 smugglers, who dropped cases containing over 300,000 black market cigarettes and fled back onto Swiss soil-Reuter.
The
Ships Hongkong Telegraph
Japanese Ships
In Distress
San Francisco, Jan. 4. Pacific Far East Lines said their today that two of its freighters
and the Yugoslav Red Cross to
identify and return to
to bé
Morning Post. Building, Hongkong.
Published daily (Mid-Day) except. Saturdays & Sundaya.
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and his recent talks in Washing- (5) A Japanese peace treaty, parents in Greece, Greek child- were still standing by a pair of
and the American suggestion ton with President Truman.
ren who were brought here Japanese ships in distress in a to have that Japan might be rearmed during the civil war.
typhoon 600 miles east of He is understood
One subject likely
News contributions, always wel◄ surveyed the position of Ger-
come, should be addressed to the According to the Belgrade Japan. up is the suggestion many and the progress made, brought
Repeated efforts to get lines Editor, business communications and towards a Japanese peace treaty. by General Douglas MacArthur radio tonight, the Swedish dele-
Telephone: 26811 (5 Lines). Mr Attlee stressed the urgency that Japan might be re-armed gates will be given a free hand aboard the two Japanese vessels. advertisements to the Secretary.
and all materials will be placed have failed, the skippers of the to defend herself against the of Far East problems....
at their disposal.
Pacific ships radioed to theirZENIMUI MEINDELIKEMISTOTELE VALUESTON Mr Jawaharlal Nehru, India's threat of Communism.
The arrival of the delegation home offices. Both the American Australia and other Common-
Printed and published by Prime Minister, made a speech
Matthew Bock in which he deplored, the general wealth countries will urge that is seen by Western observers as freighters, the
China tendency becoming evident of strict limitations should be im-a Yugoslav concession to alleged and Edward Luckenbach, said William Alick Grinham for and
"mad race of rearmament." posed in any Japanese rearma- Greek requests that a neutral they would stand by until the on behalf of South
Morning Post Limited at 1.3 Red Cross body should arrival of the Japanese Coast
Wyndham Street, City of This could only tend to in- ment.
the repatriation of Guard some time today. One of the most difficult supervise
Victoria in the Colony of Hong crease rather than lessen the
number of crewinen
kong present tension of the world, he problems of the conference will children, and reflects Improving The said, according to usually re- Table sources.
be, if any attempt is made, to relations between two countries. aboard the two Japanese vessels secure general Commonwealth Reuter.
was not known-United Press.