1946-08-20 — Page 1

Portraits

of

Distinction

FRANCIS WU'S STUDIO

Gloucester Arendo

CHINA MAIL TYPEWRITERS

No. 33441.

ESTABLISHED FOR OVER ONE HUNDRED YEARS

HONG KONG, TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1946.

Dollar

EXCHANGE RATE ALTERED SHANGHAI'S Devaluation Of The

Causes Excitement

VARIED REACTIONS

Shanghai, Aug. 19. The reaction of local financial and business circles to the new ex- change rate has, on the whole, been favourable.

The optimists feel that thin

step (which tends to

increase

Thousands Buying U.S. Dollars

Shanghai, Aug, 19.

Establishment of the Chinese exchange rate at CN$3,350 to US$1.00 sent the black market rate soaring to CN$3,700 by mid-morning and stimulated a quick jump in prices.

the cost of imports) together Many businesses caught with huge amounts of

with the abolition of export du-j

ties and the prospect of a good

harvest, will help to restore the

CNC took more than a third loss.

Businesses which operated in offering $15.54 for the former

and $12.52 for the latter.

balance between imports and ex-United States dollars enjoyed a porta-the main object of the temporary advantage until prices Chinese Government's measure.

adjust.

The old

official rate WAN

CN$2,020 to US$1.00.

On the other hand, those more cautiously inclined point out that commodity prices have al- ready started to rise as a result, The black market for several Labour and transport costs must'

weeks Auctuated between 2,400 therefore go up once more, in-ni 2,700. creasing the price of exports possibly offetting any advan- The official rate is applicable only Lage forseen by the optimists. for the purchase of inited States

dollars for impos

Shanghai Exchange

Shanghai, Aug. 19. Closing quotations were:-

Buying Selling CNS CN$

234,000 3,400

900

TRAITOR TO HANG

The "China Mail" under- stands that So Leung, sen- tenced to death on July 20 for High Treason, will be execut- ed at Stanley Prison at dawn today.

So is the third traitor to meet the supreme penalty in Hong Kong since the libera- tton.

Latest Leak In Washington

Price: 10 Cents.

CALCULATING MACHINES also Anything and Everything

for OFFICE MACHINES

Excellent Servico-

HONGKONG TYPEWRITER EXCHANGE

9, D'Agullar 8t. Tel. 2144

| Calcutta Tension

Easing

Calcutta, Aug. 19. Communal tension inTM Calcutta was reported to be easing today. A few hawkers appeared on the streets with morning, newspapers and there were signs of a slow return to normal life. Some shopkeepers began doing business with their doors ajar in Ballygunge and Bhowanipore two predominently Hindu re- sidential areas in the south of Calcutta.

Amid ghastly scenes of rioting and arson there have been a few happy instances of intercom- munal comradeship and cooperation. The Moslem inhabitants in a largely Moslem locality gave shelter to many Hindu men, wo- men and children fleeing from their homes in panic yesterday. In one Hindu area, the Hindus formed themselves into a "safety cor- don" to protect Moslems from attacks by hooligans.

British and Indian troops were continuing to patrol the strecta of Calcutta today-the fourth day since the riots began. No disturbances were reported up to 11 o'clock this morning (local time).

Bands of volunteers have been touring the city since yesterday, inscorting panic-stricken people to comparatively safer places. The military authorities have opened "a central army rescue atatien" whose members are clearing the corpse-laden streets while val tures swoop down from the skies to feed on the bodies.

London, Aug. 19. Gold per ounce 232,000

The latest leak #.300 US. Dollars"

Washington of a British Hong Kong Dollars 700 -

the Asso- official document *Unofficial market.

"top secret" text of the Anglo American plan for Palestine is not ex- pected to be the subject of a British approach to the U.S. State Depart ment, a Foreign Office sokesman stated today.

The exchange rate, they say. could only really be successful

The increase is aimed at stimu.ciated Press," in fighting inflation and bring nating exports by giving the ex- ing down the high cost of living porter more CNC. for his United if it were combined with a price States dollar with which to buy contrul over essential commodi-, and produce exportable goods, ties.

Some quarters expect the Cen- tral Bank of China to curtail yet further its allotments of for eign exchange in order to eli- minate the import of certain unde- commodities considered sirable.--Our Own Correspon dent.

"Sold-Out"

Shanghal, Aug. 19. withdrawal of imported The goods from counters and general price mork-ups from 50 to 100 per cent followed today's Central Bank announcement of its official rate on the Chinese Dollar at NC- $3,350 for US$1.

Observers agreed its success was dependent on whether prices and wages can be controlled.

News of the new rate sent tens of thousands storming around the money changers, mostly convert- Ing CNC. to United States dol- Járs.

Others were obviously holding off, expecting the to go higher.

Bill To Cut

American

Immigration

Washington, Aug. 19. Representative

to

news.

The Indian language paper "Bharat" estimated today that "100 persons died and 400 were injured yesterday as a re- sult of stray assaults and by military and police firing,"

the black market

Utter Confusion

The open market rate for Unit ed States dollars at 11.15 am. was CN$3,300 buyers and $3,600

sellers.

ward Gossett, Democrat from Texas, announced today that he would in troduce a bill calling for

The Foreign Ofco apokesman said that since the British Em-

1

GOVT. TO ARBITRATE IN. STRIKE

а

Government took hand in the ferry strike situation yesterday when Mr. R. R. Toud, Acting Colonial Secre tary, presided over a employers meeting of and strikers in the La- bour Office yesterday afternoon.

The Yaumati Ferry Co. wV08 represented by Mr. Lau Tak-po and Mr. Yeung Taun-tat,, and the Star Ferry Co. by Mr. D. F. Landale and Mr. J. Moodle. The workers were represented by four men front the Yaumati Ferry Co. and three from the Star Ferry Co.

the

Mr. Todd explained to

SHOOT AT SIGHT? meeting Government's proposal

Calcutta, Aug. 10. Troona and police have received orders to shoot at sight any unauthorised person on the streets during the eur- few hours, it was reported here tonight. No official con- Armation of this report in at present availabla---Beuter.

Women Stabbed

A British police officer stated today: "In the past 72 hours, women and children have been chased into houses and stabbed by hooligans. Houses have been raided and the occupants pulled; out, stabbed and flung into the streets to die."

that the strikers should return to work as early as possible on the understanding that a Board of Arbitration would be set up immediately to adjudicate on the matters still in dispute.

The meeting lasted from 5 to 7 p.m. and the workers' represen- tatives said that they would give a definite reply by 3 o'clock this afternoon, when a further meeting of both parties to the dispute will be held under - the chairmanship of Mr. Todd.

The strikere will be holding muss meeting at 10 o'clock this morning to consider. Gov- ernment's proposal.

Navy Stops Running The Star Ferry

A serious food shortage threa- The Anglo-American plan was tenx Comilla in east Bengal, apparently distributed by a repre- where the police had to clear a sentative to journalists in photo-

Another police officer said:, El-stat copies through the agencies railway track, which had been of the United States columnist, blocked by a crowd as part of

"At the sight of patrols, the Drew Pearson, who has disclosed "direct action" day disturbances. many secret documents

In Sylhet, Assam Province, mobs take cover in bylanes, re- two Mosleni groups, one belong- merging into the open as soon public in the past.

ing to the Moutem League and, as they find themselves out of the other said to be pro-Con- danger. This game of hide and gress, clashed near a mosque in seek went on in many places."

Stray assaults and looting Transportation across the centre of the city last Fri-

(Direct Action Day) were reported in Calcutta this the Harbour by the Star day.

injured. morning. Some Calcutta streets Thirty people were

today still littered with Ferry ceased completely were dead bodies. In one place in just before noon yester- north Calcutta, vultures had al-day. ready picked the bodies clean to i Reason was the withdrawal of

a 50 per cent cut in all bassy in Washington had no copy of the document in question, United States immigra- which had in comntquence obvious tion quotas when Con-ly been obtained from the State Department, it could confidently gress reassembled,

be assumed that the State Depart Trouble started again on Satur- Although the Mayor, Mr. K. C.

This announcement followed ment would itself wish to inves-day and yesterday the situation Wu, has appealed to business men Meanwhile, it seems the Cen-

was unofficially reported to be not to allow mark-ups in local trál Bank of China is endeavour-President Truman's plea to per-tigate and eliminate the source of

European refugees, the leakage.-Reuter. price mit more products, the latter were signi- ing to stabilise the gold

Lo enter the ficantly lacking in shops under around. $270,000, which is appro-Including Jews,

United States. the pretext of a "sold-out" con- ximately US$80, per ounce.

Representative Gossett said that dition

The United States dollar rate fs While the Central Bank's action now exactly 1,000 times the pre- he had "widespread backing" for

is aimed at encouraging exports, war rate. checking over imports and stimų- lating domestic production, well- informed

Heavy

his proposal, odding that a simi- lar incasure was defeated by only business was done in' two votes in the Immigration circles believe that gold burs

this morning at CN- Committee this year.

"To admit additional refugees should local products follow the $265,000 an ounce, but there was

and very trend

these uiter confusion

ttle in the name of Christian charity of imported goods,

of

economic upheavals and a wave of labour troubles.

aims will be frustrated and may business in United States dollars, or for the sake of appeasement is Instead precipitate n new surge owing to the great disparity be a dangerous policy from which tween the buying and selling rates, only harm can come." Mr. Gros-

At noon there were buyers of sett said. United States dollars at $3,500 Representative John Rankine Hence, the next few weeks con-

from Mississippi said stitute the critical test of the Gov. and sellers at $3,700. ernment authorities to

Hong Kong dollars had buyers Southern and enforce Armly their avowed designs at $750 and sellers at $800. Reuter.

MUFTI WORKED

FOR NAZIS

now

There were buyers of geld bars at $270,000.

Sterling buying rate was $13,000 and selling $13,800.

Logical Step

Observers believe today's Government currency action i entirely logica).

that most many Republican members of the House would sup- port the measure-Reuter.

Mr. Strachey Justifies Bread Ration

Speaking

"atill tenne."

New Situation In S.E. Asia

London, Aug. 19.

t

the bones.

Naval personnel, who have been Hindu and Moslem organisa-cperating the ferries since the tions continued removing people strike began on July 20, to safely zones. Three thousand Hindu refugees have been pro- vided with shelter in college buildings-Reuter.

Earlier reports on Page 3.

Great Britain is facing in South-East Asia an en-

tirely new situation, writes J. H. Horrocks, the JEWISH RADIO

THREATENS TO

Singapore representative, in today's "Sunday Times."

The situation, he says, is new in individual rela-

tionships between Europeans and Asiatics, "FIGHT AGAIN"

new in political parties and movements, new in the problems of defence.

They point out that the Chi- nese dollar, hitherto, had been over-valued, which fact effec- Minister of Food, Mr. John tary in it. On

Frankfurt, Aug. 19. The Mufti of Jerusalem, Eheltered by the Egyptian Govern- ment, participated for

at least three years in Axia plans totually trade.

Jerusalem, Aug. 19. The radio of the Jewish terror ist organisation. Irgun Zvai Leum, last night broadcast this warning. following the death sentences pro- nounced on 18 members of the Stern gang

"The world remembers what we did to save the lives of our two comrades. We shall fight again to save tho lives of theso 18 Jewish soldiers, sentenced to death with complete disregard for the laws of war."-Reuter.

The official statement tersely states "In view of impending movements of H.M. ships from Hong Kong. is regretted that It will be necessary to withdraw all Naval personnel operating the ferries from noon, Monday, Aug. 19,"

No indication has beer given as to whether the ferries will be operated by personnel other than Royal Navy crews.

Chief effect of the stoppage, which took the public by sur- prise, was the increased demand for motor-boats, long queues forming on both sides of the harbour.

2

Press Message Embargo

"To meet this situation new product of the Japanese pacudo- machinery and new men with policy of 'Asia for the Asiatics new idena are required and a and of Japanese politics, mili-, beginning indeed has been made tary training and the training with the arrival of two men of of willing elements during their | experience and energy, Malcolm period of occupation. MacDonald and Lord Killearn.” The article adds: "The new

Defence Problem relationship of Europeans to

New York, Aug. 19. Dundee. Aug. 19.

here today, the Asiatica has much that is salu-

A six-day embargo against the "The defence the one hand

problem of

transmission of interiational South-East Asia is indissoluble consideration.

press messages by members of choked China's export Strachey, said 109,000 tons of there is the bsychological legacy from political

Communications the American flour saved in Britain during of British defeat and humilia Whatever the outcome in India,! records disc ded.

Association, (C.IO.)' was indicat- weeks of the tion in 1941-42, which the vic- the first three

the developments there must The Government's declaration bread rationing scheme was history has not effaced. This has involve the shift of tho centre

Famagusta, Aug. 19.. ed tonight when the Association The Counter

Tho Liberty of its intention to

sharpened the Asiatic national sustain answer to his critics.

ship Empire signed an agreement with Press many's Counter-Intelligence Ser domestic value of the currency

Commonwealth Rival", carrying 542 men, Consciousness and

of gravity of individual

Wireless to submit to arbitration vice described Mufti Hal Amin through gold operations is taken cent achievement on the part Describing this as "a magni-

South-East self-appraisement. ... On the defence towards

women and five children; put el Husseini in its Becret reports

Asin. It is too clearly obvious ashore peacefully the first batch the disputes about which a strike concerned in to mean a vigorous and dynamic of the British people," Mr. tendships and loyalties born that the shape of this defence of 185 persons; mostly Poles and was called

rather than passive polley.- Strachey anid it represented Reuter, and Associated Press. something like 33 per cent as of common miseries experienc policy. In terms of basca and Germans, carly this morning. The against un estimated saving of od in internment or imprison groupings of land, son and air "Empire Rival" arrived here to day escorted by a destroyer- Local Reaction

ment or of common organisation foreca, will affect Malaya.

The role of Australia in re- Router. or moral or physical resistance Intion to South-East Asia, is to the Japanese oppressor.

sabotaro the Allied war effort in the Near East, captured German

Abwehr--Ger-

aa being innamitings |

planning

and revolts in Arab lande.

These reporta said the Moslem Jeader conferred personally in Berlin on July 13, 1942 with the highest officers of the Abwehr.. Associated Press.

On Other Pages

Paga Threa

Savagery in Calcutta (carlier

reports),

Page Four

Govt. Plan to Overcomo PassaPT

Problem

$

Pano Five

Trapfe Figure Said to Have

Worked for Jopancre Japancso Sergeant to Hang. Pago Sin

P

- Natural Awakening

new

also a matter for discussion bo- tween the governments,

In Cyprus

Court-Martial

T

237

The strike was called only

against Press. Wireless but mem-

bers of the Association docided to embargo international press traffic as a measure of sympathy_Rey- fer.

seven per cent. Quotation for Chinese Na- Mr. Strachey said it was tak tional Currency on the H.K. ex- ing them all their time to sup- rations, change followed the new offelal ply the present tea rato announced by the Central which constituted 90 per cent Bank of China yesterday morn-of the tea used before the war. Ing. Futures opened at $1.40 They were buying all the Indlan to CN$1,000, dropped to $1.34, and Ceylon tea there was, but to $1.34, and once more raliled Java, Sumatra and the Dutch tions but also the immigrant | are also paramount factors, the other, detachments patrolled the Japan and over Bornou. It is rallied to $1.37, again dropped, they were missing the ten from to $1.38 at the close. Spot opened, East Indies-Router.

at $159, and moved within very narrow limit during the day, cloping at $1.62.

"

tr

the

"The development of a de-

Jerusalem. Aug. 19. fence policy in the framework British troops carried out

THE WEATHER "The political, acene is of re- of the United Nations and the Identity check of passengers surgent nationalism affecting shaping of Anglo-American ro- omnibuses and private--cars ---General situation:Pressure not only, the Indegenous popila, lations in the Western Pacific, throughout Jerusalem today white remains high, to the cast of communities. This is partly the full import of which is still to streets in armoured cars.

low over Ching generally. The result of a natural âwakoning; be determined.

Sand-bagged machinegun posts

typhoon is situated about 400, to to covered all approaches of the peoples whose political

460 miles cast by south of Jeru rallitary court building in consciousness has been roused

Shanghai, moving north-west.

Forcast:-Light variable or south-east winds; cloudy, with scattered phowers, particularly in the morning.

Yesterday's weather:- Maximum:-82.8 deg. Tah Minimum:-76 deg. Fab... Max. Rol. Humidity:-97

percent.

and developed By an increasing,

Focal Point、

today whon the trial opened

gonoral', court-martial

Wellington, Aug. 19. Gold reacted sharply to the All recoverable remains of New contact, with the occident by a "Singapore; however, is Lieutenant Benjamin Woodworth, change, and almost immediately Zealanders who fell during the steady influence of the middle emerging as the focal point of of the Pioneer Corps, accused of after the opening at $365 a tael war in the south and southwest! and higher educational schemes, Great Britain's machinery of murdering Antran Rosenberg,

Jews.nt Tel Aviv on the night of it jumped in one spurt to $390. Pacifs have been concentrated and the creation not only of a co-ordination to deal with this Then it moved between this: into two milltary cemeteries at 'student class' but also in some vast area. It is now the hond

June 19 this year.

British troops stood guard Le Migure and $381, closing at $384. Bourull, Now Caledonia, and cases of that modori phon- quarters of

the Governor hind sandbag emplacements erect- Attempt to Blow up Immigrant US dollars also appreciated Buva, FUL At Bourell 240 are omenen the unemployed Intel General of what may perhaps ed at the windows of the court- properly be terrged the British room and on the roof of the and had strong barers at $4.52/- buried. The cemeteries will be lectual class." pe $4.68. Sterling And, Australian handed over to the Imperial Page Fight

"It is also and there is no deponetinoles of South-Eust building. Lieutenans Woodworth The Test Match (full report),,pounds werd steady, with buyers. Graves Commission-Reuter, blinking the fact-partly the (Continued on Page 8, Col. 2) # pleaded not gulity, Rauter.

Steamer..

Rainfall:-0.4 Inches. Sunshine:0,9' hours..