Daily Sketch
17 JAN 1948
CONSULATE DESTROYED IN CANTON: STAFF FLEE
Cmnathic
Planes to save British families from Chinese mob
TH
HE first of a fleet of refugee planes left Hong Kong early to-day to fly about 100 British women and children to safety from rioting mobs in Canton, Southern China.
Last night all British families in Canton sheltered in homes attached to other Consulates while angry Chinese roamed the streets after the sacking of the British Consulate by a mob led by uniformed members of the San Min Chui Youth Corps, a
Nationalist organisation.
Sir Ralph Stevenson, British Ambassador in Nanking, has pro- tested to the Chinese Government.
Mr. Ronald Hall, the British Consul-General at Canton, and several of his staff were escorted out of the Consulate by police when chanting mobs first threatened the building.
Later, the mob-several thousand strong stormed the Consulate, smashed the furniture and set fire to the archives.
Couple missing
Mr. J. L. Murray, the Press Attaché, his wife, and Miss Barbara Rolfe, the Consul's secretary, ran to the home of the U.S. Naval Attaché. They were threatened by the mob, but reached safety.
Mr. John Williams, a British missionary, and his wife, who were at the Consulate, are missing.
The sacking of the Consulate was part of a wave of anti-British feel- ing following the British eviction of Chinese, for health reasons, from slums at Kowloon City.
General Chang Chun, China's Premier, hurriedly summoned Government officials in Nanking last night and warned provincial and municipal authorities to punish severely any persons resorting to rioting.