1947-04-18 — Page 1

Films

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AT

FRANCIS WU'S

'STUDIO

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CHINA MAIL

No. 33642.

THE NEWSPAPER INTE FRISE LTD.

ESTABLISHED FOR OVER ONE HUNDRED YEARS

HONG KONG, FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 1947.

SERIES OF NEW EXPLOSIONS ADD FURTHER HORROR TO TEXAS CITY Devastated Town Endures Second Day's Ordeal

Two Nitrate Ships Blasted: Fire Spreads To Oil Tanks

-Houston, Texas, Apr. 17.

A series of further explosions today-added-new horror to the already de-b vastated Gulf Coast port of Texas City where yesterday two explosions" -one aboard the French Liberty ship Grand Camp (which disintegrat- ed the ship and started the subsequent holocaust) and the other in the sprawling multi-million dollar Monsanto Chemical Corporation plant – caused at least 600 dead.

COMMONS AND H.K. EXPORTS

राई

London, Apr. 17.

the Howar Asked 15 Commons Today why no co!• Ton Horiezy tak being import- Hong Kong and rd from whether he would growlege for * token lugart it order help erlohilitate thin industry. the President of the Hoard of Trude. Sic Stafford Cripps. stated Puit a recent apulien- tione for licenses to import hashyy from Hong cotton Kong, had been received, or had any request been received From the Colony to partíci

in a taken

rangement. question,

To a further

replied that if a request were retrived from Hong Kong to participate in a tokën merunge- Tarot, it would certainly considered Beater,

tee

Charing Cross P.O. Scare

This morning's estimates place the death roll from yesterday's explosions at anything between 550 and 1,200, and the new blasts today are be- lieved to have brought death or injury to many who escaped the first explosions. First of the new explosions today occurred on board the burning nitrate-laden freighter High Flyer, which blew up as tugs were trying to tow her from the dock. The freighter ex- ploded without warning shortly after 2 a.m. near the fantail of the wrecked Grand Camp. This was followed some time later by yet another three explosions in the Texas City area, be- lieved to be the Republic Oil Company tanks lining the city's docks.

the waterfront into residences City, and funk forms. "If the tanks Texas City is liable to go," sald communications,

Whitmore.

--

U.S. WARSHIPS

IN GREECE

Athens, Apr. 17. An American Navy gun- dron the fral to appear fr Greek watern since President Truman announced his policy of aid to Greece and Turkey against Communist_encroachs, ment--arrived in Suda Buy. Certo, and engaged in mal- eres for the teelcoming party of Greek and American oftrials.

The squadron sens led by the light cruiser Dupton, carrying the Hon of: Vire-Admirni Hershard H. Bieri, and the Bircraft CRITICS Leyte United Press.

U.N. Opens Office In Shanghai

office rendy.

(Mr. Janecek, who is

an

British Nurses For H.K.

· London, Apr. 16. Additional staff has been engaged for the Hong Kong Police and additional nursing staff

WINDSOR HOUSE

Price: 20 Cents.

We Buy and Sell

TYPEWRITERS

CALCULATING MACHINES alno Anything and Everything for OFFICE MACHINES

Excellent Service .༥

Hongkong Typewriter Exchange

8. D'Agullar St.

ROYAL RUMOUR COLONY'S TRADE

Ottawa, Apr. 17. The "Oltawu. -Morning Citizen" says that it in wider- stood "an the highest witho vity" that the engagement of Princess Elizabeth to Lient- hunt Philip Mountbatten will be announced on Munday, the Princess's birthday.

The newspaper anid:-"It in expected that the engage- meul announcement will br made by Ha Mujenty the King himself from South Afrir, ponnily following the apeech the Princess is to make of her 21st on the orcasion birthday."-Associated Press.

Truman's Request A Surprise

Washington, Apr. 16. President Truman's re-

ship-

Congres-

CANADA

(By Margaret Bradbury)

Tel. 21459

WITH

A change in the present arrangement of Hong Kong's domestic commodities production due to cost, was forecast yesterday by Mr. Kenneth F. Noble, Canada's Trade Commissioner In Hong Kong.

In an interview on the subject of Canadian export trade and Hong Kong, Mr. Noble said: "This Colony has always enjoyed a reputation as an area in which hand labour was able to com- pete successfully against the machine-made products of the Occidental world. But with the level of wages prevailing today this no longer holds true, and many items previously manufactured in large quantity for export are now subject to competition in the domestic -market from similar overseas products." Mr. Noble suggested that the Linse Was at hand when it would be to the interest of the manufacturer to emphasise the greater use of machinery with the resultant saving in labour cost.

Pat On The Back For Wallace

London, Apr. 17. Henry Wallace was given n

proximately

100 Members of he was

With regard to Canada's s is being engaged, the quest for authority to

munitions

plies to Hong Kong, Mr Noble Colonial Secretary, Mr. halt

said that in the main these were Arthur Creech Jones, ments to nations consi- traditional items for which the House of dered the United States derannd continues and can be said in the

potential enemies today expected to do so. The limiting testimonial letter signed by ap Commons today.

fuctor in the ense of these items

included Other measures to cope with caught most

--which

newsprint.

Kong include modernisation of

clarettes, WILM generally. from. Imports police equipment and intensive prise.

Although many considered the javailability, training of new recruits:

request to make the long-standing Canada Were arriving in Hong establishment of temporary hos Neutrality Act valid, they wanted Kong at about the same rate airways'

George Mathers, High Commis. pital; increase of facilities for more time to study its implicans before the war, the reason

Bartel the tions. public Inoculation; setting up of a social welfare department. Reuter.

the Increased palation of long sional leaders by sur-tumber: flow, motorcars and Parliament today as

about to leave by air for a four-

training.

Ground

the

Director of Medieni

executive officer of the United laid for other been

advance,

haa. been

(Continued on Page 2)

Hong Kong As Carson

Chang

Sees It

of Scandinavia,

The letter, presented at the terminal here by

уси in

are

our

The felter's, signers-mostly Left Wing Labouritas-called Wallace the foremost advocate of one World and continued "We

All united with belief that the future of mankind les in, giving to the United Nations Organisation real and effective [life one world organisation, With you we are all convinced the pursuing any policy in either

countries of our two which would divide us from one another or from the USSR would be fatal to world peace.' -United Press.

the "aincere thanks and warm Seliate Presklent Arthur Van-being, said Mr. Noble, that they rioner for Scotland, expressed

the well-

of the contribu- and soppreciation denberg declined to comment: say. wore items basle to Long liner fitomobiles, ing's explosions, which rocked

ing he was not informed of it in being of any country

not able to the usual. irade ion you have made to Anglo- American understanding and Being Recruited- poured from the city as thou- the entire Galveston area, whs

interests of world peace." the disaster telephoned through from Gal-

Trained nurses are at present Senator Glen Taylor, outspoken market flexibility.

The Future sands evacunted

veston by an operator who said Lake Success, Apr. 17.

Graeco-Turkish and

it raid Wallace, in his speech- being recruited in Great Britale for of the jaren.

Questioncilus to Canada's

es in England, had been able Officials are worried lest the that the new blasts shook the

The United Nations' to serve in understaffed Heng programme, said the request wa

"unassailable and I will vote for future trade views, Mr. Noble to "recapture some of the spirit. Selwyn it wind shift back to the south. building in which he was sit

told me: "Canada looks to the which

soul friend from 1g. fifteen miles from Texas Secretary General, Try-Kong hospitals, Dr.

Senitor Alexander Smith, memfuture with every confidence Franklin Delano Roosevelt was sweeping Names Inland

gve Lie, today announ- Clarke, The new blasts occurred at 1ced the opening "within Services, told the "China Mall" bor of the Sennt, Foreign Rent based on her present industrial able to infuse in international

tions Committee, said in the light start, we can't step them. All a. and inuidiately disrupted a few weeks" of a UnitedSelwyn Clarke said the of world developments "complete plats and capabilities and the alfairs. Dapuly.. County Constable. A stale Highway, patrol office Nations Far East office present staff of nurses are not, review of all export laws may be water power which

at Lamarque, however, reported in Shanghai.

for the most part, completely, in order."-nited Press,

Additional trained A special commission hended trained. The initial blast wreeked the that one of the two explosions

of nurses will fill the gap until the by Mr. George Janccek water system and practically was caused by an oil tank.

supplies of gas Czechoslovakia

been влд Meanwhile.

ap-colony's quota of probation destroyed the city's Fire De-

have received proper partment, which congregated at masks have been rushed to the pointed to go there to get the nurses

of the ine pier fighting the fire. Many tricken city becaURE

been has already Bremen ware among those kill-danger of poison gas from the

menaures an-.) ed. Twelve pieces of equipment chemicals of the Monsanto plant

depart-nounced by the Colonial Secre were wrecked, which coustitut. which. it is stated, has een major part of the depart- eompletely wrecked.

centre A new inoculation ment of the city..of 15,000. Barge Hurled Into Townment. left San Francisco by the lary, he pointed out.

Pan-American-clipper "Courser":{ London, Apr. 17. Bouton Police Captain Yol- All persons approaching the

for Shanghai. He said in an was set up last week in the tuber- -rescue worst frens are asked to interview before, his departure Harbour Office nud The police reported ney Shown, directing

ten culosis hospital was established cannister work, said just before the High back unless they have today that a

Flyer blew up he had ordered for there is not only danger that 35 delegates from

Asiatic countries planned to at Pokfulum several-months ago. I ́ further ex possible

sald Dr. Selwyn-Clarke about ten inches by two 400 workers from the harbour from inches with fuse attach-aren, probably saying additional plosions but also from chlorine asemble there in early June for ed was found shortly af-hundreds of lives as the freigh-fumes and fumes of other burn- Far East conference. He also special Social Welfare Depart- plans tu go to New Delhi and ment should be in operation la

to Hut permanent Hong Kong by late summer.. ter noon in Charing and tank blasts were both ing chemicals.

in the sector where rescue work Doctor who have examined Calro Cross Post Office, in the has been concentratell,

¡Bodies Any that most of the United Nations quarters.)

Dr. Lic's announcement said deaths hitherto were caused by heart of London."

New Blasts

Shonghai offee would the explosions.

Some indication of the force function as a United The mysterious cannister was third explosion at 3.15 n.m.

rocked the harbour again, but of yesterday's explosions can be taken away by, the police,

Post Ofeisis said they are there was no explanation im-gauged from the fact that the not curtain whether the can-mediately what it might be, wreckage of a huge oll barge United

Newamen sent to check failed which was gear the French ship ovonomie commission. United mister was a bomb.

The crowds inside the Post to return and their condition is was blown out of the water and Press.

rash unknown. A photographer takandlett streets away across a

hour were not aware

passes,

Nations. Information

the

up

Nations

a

The Spider

information centre for the Far? Behind

East and would serve as the Nations' Far Enst

Office during the noon of the ing pictures of the wreckage railway track, where it les discovery. The cannister was arrived back at his the seamong heaps of twisted debris. No

found by a cleaner.

No evacuation of the Offee was ordered.

Press.

-

dazed from the blasts that he

Russian Haters In U.S. Embassy?

He said they effectively scuttled

of Information and

Moscow, Apr. 16.

and initial blast

Berths

For Troopers

Liverpool, Apr. 17. A "no berths to let", notice was posted at for troopships Liverpool docks today because

The Scenes

Nanking, Apr. 17. Britain's colony of Hong Kong will gradually re- vert to China, declared Dr. Carson Chang, head of the Democratic Socialist Party, at a press conference here last night. He believed this possible in view of Britain's voluntary re- linquishment of power in India.

re

Paris. Apr. 17. Generalissimo Calang Kai-four half of the Chinese

Approximately 50 Frenchmen shek. Baid Dr. Chang, hnd najsidents of the United States are

Chinese members, while the Shanghai have so far been killed a the sured him that the Government will approach the enrolmera, estimated at 30,000, couras of fighting in Madagas- Communists for a political is as large or even larger than car, It was stated senil-offletally

here today.Reutor. settlement when the Peiping-the Kuomintang."-Reuter. Tankow and the Tientsin- Pukow railways $11 operáting along their lengths,

agam entire

But, he added, it will be a long time before these primary conditions enn be met. He gave no indication that an early end Max Intrator, who is in will come to China's civil war. Sante Prison, Paris, accused of

Alfred

London, Apr. 17.

Elkan,

When his party enters the

to-

re-

¡bership of the Democratie So- cialist Party are inconclusive.

He added, however, that over

HENNESSY

The disaster is described as Post did not know what he had taken the greatest calastrophe in the

international currency offences, Government, Dr. Changed, it COGNAC United States in ten years, United and where he had been.

was described by counsel at will support the foreign policy being cannot The first news of this morn-causing damage which

Bow Street magistrate's court of China as it is now yet be computed in dollars,

in London today as "the spider conducted. Ile psserted that in is n behind the scenes," during the foreign relatione there apart from the appalling death

hearing of a currency case. roil. When the final results are

mowing derive in China kuwa, it will probably rank as

40-year-old warda "greater balance," the worst tragedy since the San of the large amount of cargo London company director, was ferring to the nation's dealings Francisco earthquake in 1906, tonnage and ships undergoing fined *200 with ten guincas with the United States and So. Reuter and Associated Presa. repairs at the port.

costs on a summons alleging viet Russia. Two large liners have had to that he issued Blazing Furiously

on Aug, 23 It was hard to believe, he

there--can be turned away-Britain's larg-cheque for £100 "eo that the janid,

im. be any Texas City, Apr. 17. Fire-fed explosions ripped jest permanent troopship, the

right to receive payment in the mediate Improvement in China's the troopship sterling

Aren was created in economic condition as long as through this teeming industriai Georgic, and

Franconia, Mr. Armond D. Willis, Director of the United

Port for hours yesterday, klifing The Georgic had to leave the favour of Max Intrator in Lan- the civil war continues.

don in association with pay. Dr. Chang said that the exact States Information Service here, today alleged

hundreds of persona and Injur-Mersey for Southampton after ment to Elkan, of 48,000 francs figures of existing total mem- that "career Russian haters" dominated the

ing an estimated 3,500.

disembarking troops and civil-in Monte Carlo." The waterfront. blazes stian, passengers on Monday. American Embassy in Moscow.

Elkan admitted the offence. Mr. Willis said they prevented

could not accom-

In the second case heard at hours after the malate her for the fortnight attempts to improve the oxchange, him from reporting directly to burned, furkanaly this morning. Liverpool

Bow Street today, a Londoner. cultural re-his ehlet, Assistant Secretary of almost 18

property essary for her to be in portr Marion Lorimer. Was State, Mr. William Bentch lotlong with the Russians,

He said he frequently protest damage was estimated as high and she is now aniling for Bom:fined 430 and ordered to pay buy from Southampton Oave guineas costs for making he left for Washington to reported against his treatment by Em.us $75,000,000.

Fire and the wreckage made April 28. * bassy officials. In March, he mid,

out cheques for 40 and £30 in The Franconia, was due to

favour of a Swiss jeweller for tomorrow, He sold foreign service officers Ambassador Bedell Smith inform-It Impossible even carly today surrounding Ambassador. Bodelled him he was being transferred to count the dead with precine berth at Liverpool

assistant in the accuracy, but early estimates by but has been diverted in mid repairs to a watch and for the Smith deliberately prevented him to Budapest as

Mra, Lorimer also admitted from doing his job for the State United States Information office state highway crowe of 1,200 occan and will dock at South purchase of two-otbera.

killed appeared to be high. ampton instead. Department's Office of interthere.

There has been no turning the offencca.-Router. Mr. Willis added he refused to Mr. Brad Farker. Toxas City national Information and Cul turnl Affairs.

go, whereupon his resignation was embalmer, had counted 124 away of cargo ships.-Reuter. bodies by 11 p.m. et hastily im requested United Press.

Today's ForecastModerate winds provised norguojat a garage in the huge all storage tanks

Lending to veert cloudy generally.. where the dead were taken, along, the waterfont early today.

Yesterday's Weathers, Directors of carch parties on A two-mile stretch was ablaze:

London, Apr. 17. Maximum 75.7, deg. Yah n basis of bodies found in areas and a black pall of smoke.

Removal of some of the in-Minimum: 65.9 deg. Paki cleared compared with argus stretched out over the bay as habitants of the Cocos Islands in Nit, remaining estimated the death for na Galveston,

miles “In their own Interest und an a tom: would reach 700.110 nway.”

relief to the overburdened rẻ- [3,811,2 mm, Mayor Curtis Trahat Are The huge $10,000,000 sources "of the inland," is under ported that 3,000 injúrpa ways. Mósanto Chemical Company consideration, the Secretary for taken to hospitals in Goaton, plant, where; the fire and ex-Colonies, Mr. Arthur Creech- Houston and other nearby plosion on nitre-loaded Jones, revealed in the House of Bare at malz 1,10184, iblas m.b. cities while the Coast Guard French frighter touched off the Commons today

Mr. Wulis made the charges as

and to resign.”

He said these officials broke off all information

even slightly favourable to the Russians by con- trolling the Embassy's "channels"

and directing full communications to go through třemi

ON OTHER PAGES

Thwill not let anything | Pado Two

out of here that would lot pnybody Slap Happy Trial. think we can get along with the Page Three Stumsiana."

"They built their reputations jurydi careers on bung: Russler-haters

Budget Debate.

Army: Drafts Oversoas, Page Four IGR

Ching Goat: Editorial.

Our sperations are denied Page Eight an

to find a way to improve Ameri Boechastot --Application

can-Riyalan, friendship," he paid, flavin Reinstatement...

ant that impurile everythink | Pans Tent P

for

they mand for VAGTAARE MAY A Bit Football Game,

10

DEPOPULATING COCOS

THE WEATHER

A moderate' anticyclone, routalno over Japan and the weak. "The Fouthward: Ridges extend to the X, Chlsimsonal and the Pacific E of the Bonine. A vikor. was low pressure, trough extends from BW China to Manchuria. Pressure la alis- low B of the Philippines and in a trouch nxtending, E iberefrom.,

uthful!!

Total sites J

10. 109.☎ ́inmm, w

against; qn KværsME

· Renditrita' mh,

.m.

estimated the total of injured chain of blasts, was 'e amosider Detailed proposals ebayO BRE, Dew-Paint-

12.19 0.19.91 inches.

at 8.600, MATALKO SUng hulk. All bundlage scross, yet been submitted by the Goy Wind Dirwellen av BIER

Kiron gall Yared uncontrolled me (Cant wed on Page 101, 15 letnor, lip ridded – lieu

BRANDY

LRONDON