1948-01-28 — Page 6

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THE CHINA MAIL, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1948.

In This, The Third Instalment of Sir Robert Brooke-Popham's Despatches, the Air Chief Marshal Deals With The Complica- tions Created by the Pearl Harbour Attack and the Sinking

CHINA MAIL of H.M.S. Repulse and H.M.S. Prince of Wales.

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THREAT TO THE POUND

RECONNAISSANCE

PICKS

UP CONVOYS

the Philippines towards the Nether lande Eart Indies, especially eastern islands,

the

"At about 2 pan. on December 6 " met General Percival and we I received information that air re- proceeded together to the Naval Base. coumals once had sighted two Jap-I decided not to order Matador', the

"A direct result of the Pearl Bar. nurse convoys escarted by warships main reason being that at least 24

bour attack was about 80 miles east-south-east of hours start was required before the

to prevent surface Polo Obi Island off the authers anticipated time of a Japanese land ships of the Asiatic feet from Manila point of Indo-China, steaming wEAT. ing and this was most unlikely operating with the British and Dutch be available should the three ships ships in Java and South China seas seen turt out in heart sunditions agreement. This Asiatic Hest was, lev of a jap in accordance with the Anglo-Dutch expedition. Further

Convoys

"One convoy consisted of 22 10,000-es to merchant vessels escorted by uni battleship, probably the Kango, five eraisers ant seven destroyers, the other of 21 merchans ships escorted by two cruisers and ten devroyers

stressed

Further west, one Japanese wins would enwe should we be first in

break Thai neutrality. Sir

for reconnaissance were bad un inorders from Washington, limited to there operations between Sourabaya and formation then available an could be up rertainty that the Jap Fort Darwin."

Reporting the "special fea- are were about to open hostilities, and on more than one occasion the tures" of the operations, Air British Minister to Thailan had Chief Marshal Brooke-Poplar

the serious consequences that

large Buys: "A

number of, changes took place shortly be-ĺ

It is pertinent to record that e..

fore or shortly after yor with | til the Japanese had committed some Japan started.

"These definite act of hostility against the

changes may United States, the Dutch ne urselves, been inevitable and it could not that they dae permission had not been given to at have been foreseen

tack the Japanese expedition at sea. would ruinelde so closely with "Clear evidence that the Japanese the start of the war but they had in

in fact raken the plunge into | did ngid to the difficulties of the. hostilities wa*

forthcoming situation.

and three 18,000-ton merchant had been sighted steering northwest,

consulted with Admiral Geoffrey Layton and Admiral Pal liver, Sir Phillip Chief

Tom

he Stall, and we concluded that

convoy

What

Sir Stafford Cripps has an ability nounced that Britain has no in- tention of devaluing the pound. But be has not dispersed the al-fallow tacking force.

431

יה

WAN

"That the

CONTAC

*

measures "as may prove necessary to limit the repercussions on our convoy, a point which he had already own currency" and on the cur-realised. rencies linked with the sterling bloc.

Good Work

מס

བས

southern

No Surprise

"At 0100 hours on December 8

that

bayr

"The War Council did useful

work in several directions but

as it was nat formed until after war began, there had been no

to work oui ita time

correct functions,

"Actually the composition of the Council led to its landing rather too much with the detalla of wint WAS happening in have while it would Malaya been more useful if I had con- centrated on wider problems.

"Turning to intelligence, per- haps the most serious error

CARNIVAL

By Dick Turner

CELL BLOCK

.GOPP. 1947 KY HLA BERVICE, INC.Y, H. KEĎ, tr 8. PAT, OFF

#1-19

"Oh, stop nagging! They'll tell ya when it's 1957

NEW FEDERATION

OF MALAYA

By MARC PURDUE

On the first of February the are a minority of the popula

nerve

of

not comime

would have brought t which

It would ou to Kra Isths, but that it

the first four vessels and Found Cantadia Point. It was poin. Whatever

the merits of the ed out that there was good anchorage at 0110 hours on Monday, De

cember 8, the japanese started French case for devaluation, the Koh Trn which they might be maki

the west coast of Endo-China and from about ten ships at Kot

Bharu.

I received this news at about a free market in log for as setting up of

the докт sip towards 200 hours in y

office at the Naval cold can hardly fail to exetta Sid

Base, Singapore, and necessary steps "Bearing in mind the policy of heavy pressure upun sterlingvoiding war with Japan if possible were at of likes, inc

to put everything highly critical juncture in Bri-policy which had been reaffirm

on a war fooling, including the in tans planning for balancing her by the Chiefs of Staff as recently of Japanese.

"Later reporty were received international payments.

as November 29-and the situation

that the Japanese were landing The Chancellor does non mini-jin the finited States with the Kara large fofees at Singora ami Patan

the wise the seriousness of the threat. talk wilt going on in Washington,

part of Kra decided that I would nat he

that On the contrary, he says quite

Justified in stdering Matador" ຕາlາ frankly that while giving every this information, but orders were

easonable

tid

France To

int | Joured to being all forces to first, Le. achieving a new level of currency the highest degree of readiness.

was the опс Involving the new Federation of Malaya will. They are outnumbered by stability, Britain must take such a pressed upon the Air Officer Singapore was attacked by japantat broadest aspect, namely, the in. be inaugurated under British Chinese and Indian residents.

Commanding the urgent necessity bombers which in all probability

Singapore, with

center for maintaining contact

tention of the Japanese Govern- protection. the came from southern Indo-China.

It in the direct culmination of Malayan economy and a major "For some reason that 1 never ment ascertained, the headquarters of the "From a tactical point of view more than two years offort to military base, is Bo pre- Air Raid Precautions

no nur get in step with postwar poll- dominantly Chinese that it was organisation in Malaya, there was had not been manned and it

wprise, but from a wider Point tical trend of Southeast Asia. withheld from the Federation. "Lacation of these forces by Hud-

only ⚫ few minutes before bomba of view, there was.

Friends of the Federation call It will continue as a Crown Nor is he quite happy aboutons af No. 1. Royal Australian Air were dropping on Singapore

"While in general we have al-it a step towards "e.entual aelf Colony of Britain. Kuta were the outlook. In his report to Force Squadron, based!

contaci was made by the Fighter

British Mai- Suspleton and jealousy among Parliament on his visit to Paris, Bharu, was a particularly good piece Gr

Graup Headquarters and sirens Ways realised the possibility of Government" for of work in view of their being at sounded giving warning for black the extreme military party in ayn,

the three racial communities for instance, he reveals quite the limit of their patrolling range out.

Japan forcing their country into Creation of the Federation, confronted creators of the frankly that the French Govem over 100 miles from the Malayan

"Apart from this failure in civil war, we did not belleve, until and its future, are complicated Federation at every turo, A bent were prepared to make no coast. This same factor of listance, air raid precautions there was no the end of November, that because the Malays themselves new Left Wing element added concessions to the British point however, made impossible for

ractical irprise wince, as has been Japan might actually be on the of view, much less to the stric-them to remain in contact until re-stated above, troopk were all

verge of starting war. lieved, but a Catalina flying beate

readiness and a blackout was carried

Union Replaced despatched to shadow the out at oli naval, army and airforce

Under-Estimate been able during the night. tary Fund. The reaction of the che Air Officer Commanding also

The Federation will replace Stock Exchange to the newя---

"As regards mere local intel mechanical transport than our the Malayan Union. The Union sharp break in British Govers ordered reconnaissance by Hudsons, aerodromes, coupled with fresh land-ligence, the forces that the Ja- and so wna less dependent on

roada. Their whole organisa- was conceived in 1945, imame. went securities

ning out from Kota Bahru on 10 th to be the main feature of Japanese ning for an atrack shares-reflects gold

general

last known bearings of the convoy.

voy operations for the first two days of opinion on the state of jeopardy No signal was received from

It was born in in which sterling resources are Catalina and from information

"(c)-The individual initiative April, 1946, welding together ceived latey, it is

is almost certain it placed.

n'ne Malay protectorate states— second Catalina

December 9 our aircraft were the Japanese to attack several of the Japanese soldier.

Perak, Selangor, Negri Sem- The danger does not stop there. was shut down,

make contact with

Zero Fighter she forced to vacate Kuantan ewing to places simultaneously.

bilan, Pahang, Johore, Kedah, If worst fears are realised, the convey. On the morning of December enemy bombing, though it was stil "There was also an under. "(d) The performance of Perlis, Kelantan and Treng. efficient working of the Marshall visibility east and northeast from used for refuelling. Already by this estimate of the efficiency of the the naval single-seater fighter, ganu, and the British Plan may be gravely affected, a Ka Bharu was good.

date it was clear that the success of Japancae Army and Air Force, known as the Zero type. Thla ments of Penang and Malacca. "Reconnaissance found no ships in dale general scramble

the enemy's attack on our northern particularly in to re-organise

the following had a detachable petrol tank the area between Kota Bharu

considerably points: aerodromes would monetary inter-relations may de- the swathern end of Indo-China, thus han

(w) Their disregard under the fuselage and the signed up for the Union did they handicap our own air action and velop, and there will be started confirming the supposition that the that this in turn would unfavourably of weather conditions, especially Japanese got much value from discover they had signed away something suspiciously like ecuno convey had raunded Cambodia Pola prejudice our fortunes in fighting on their ability to land on beaches long range thus given to it. almost all of their powers. The

and had followed the four leading land.

fla bad weather. Also they up- "Its speed and manoeuvrabi- "rulers" were to be merely a have ships north-north-west into the Gulf "By December 10 it was evident peared to have been but little lity at heights of 10,000 feet Council of Advisers on Moslem

of Siam, In this gulf doubtless been the dominating in- very bad and no positive in that the enemy's primary object was hampered by the flooded state) and over were remarkably good, affairs. The Sultans boycotted

"the establishment of air superiority of the country in the southern and

in northern Malaya, whilst at

the first Governor of the Union, the end of the Kro Isthmus;

"(e) The rapidity with which Str Edward Geni, The Ma dr. same time he was testing mur

"(b)-Their mobility. This repairs were carried out, in par- lnya formed their own group-- fences on a wide front.

way due to several causeS, The ticular of bridges and nero- the United Malays National Or. Japanese Army seemed general dromen. This last affected the yanisation under the leadership ly to depend less on mechanism strength of the Japanesse Air of English-educnted Dato Onn than ours and to be dependent on Force in the Singora ares at the Bin Janfur of Johore. Its job u smaller proportion of artillery. south end of the Kra Isthmus was to campaign for a square Its men needed only simple in the early days of the war.

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Daily Service Except

Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Sat.

Saturday

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FOOCHOW KUNMING

Tues. & Thurs.

LIUCHOW

Tura. & Thara.

SHANGHAI

Daily Service

SWATOW

Wed. & Bat.

TAINAN

Monday

(FARE)

tures of the International Mone

mic warfare.

Ja

establishments,

"Broadly speaking, assaults on our

"The Japanese Army has to operate with legs

to the complex pattern.'

and a rush for starting early on December 7, fawings in Siamete territory, continued panese would have at the begin- tian could be kept less compli./ diately after the end of three

These considerations

failed

כו <

on Malaya

cccupation. war. The enemy was greatly helped were estimated with a fair decated than ours and mure flex. and a half years of Japanese

ce-

in them by the prompt use to which he, pur Siamese aerodromes,

20

informier

fluence in British Cabinet distion was received from this area russions, leading to the decision til evening when a report was to attempt to accommodate ster-erived that a Hudson had seen ling to the new situation without through low clouds three small Jap

anese ships which were then passi employing any further counter-singora and heading south. This in: | treasures than are

dictated by formation reached me at about

a'clock in the evening.

events,

In any case, the disadvantages a cut in the value of today of the pound would almost certain- fy ontweigh any advantages. The costs of Imports would inune- diately be increased by, approxim ately fifty per

cent, involving further internal inflation against which Britain is already battling, and while British goods exported could be sold more cheaply, this would hold good only as long as our present stocks of raw materi- als lasted out.

HK$180.-

35,-

300,- 250.- 400.- That does not mean, however. 200.-that Britain's hand could not be forced by conditions created in

100 Years Ago

(From the files of the "China Mail")

Q

gree of accuracy but there was An underestimate of the power of

in

*17

food.

"Prince of Wales"

"Complication of the situation, which gave some anxiety at this date, wean that our efforts might be peded by the lack of support, even actively hostile measures among native elements Native labour teat- ed to disappear for days after the bombing 20 non-British railway way employees, including engine drivers, Targe deserted temporarily on scale; the army was able to replace drivers to some extent.

"His Majesty's ships, Prince

ut

be-

Jeft

in the afternoon of Mon-

ible.

(To Be Continued)

BARCLAY ON BRIDGE

By SHEPARD BARCLAY

Settle.

Only after Malayan Sultans

dent for Maloya In their own country.

The British administrators were forced to try to deviso 'a more satisfactory Government. A working committed represent- ing the Government and the Malayan organisation drafted the Federation plan by the end of 1946. After consultationa with Malays, non-Malaya and aid of East's double, however, rulers, the revised constitution- he could hardly fail to make ial proposals finally emerged. contract, and a later fortuitous guess! Location

honor card in clubs gave him an extra trick. of your

British Control whether to the right or to the left of

Wee took the titat trick with the the hostile honors-decides to a

spade

"THE AUTHORITY ON AUTHORITIES”

LOCATION IS DECISIVE

the

.

an uncontrolled financial market position, so as to show his ar- SiDecember 8. Early on December the other felt. You get lust whack nt cause of the double finessed the dia, Britain surrenders all jurisdic-

350.-

120.-

in Paris.

-360.-

FREE BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE 30 KILOS.

OFFICES:-

KONGKONG

Shell House

Telo:-23278-27811

27835

lee

the

KOWLOON

Panlasala Hotel

Lobby

Tel. 58943

"General"

Апопле

idea

now

Undue Leniency

rangements and movements in day,

tried with success on Woolwich Marshes.

are

Wales and Repulse arrived in Singa- pare on Tuesday, December 2, 1941, Admiral Sir Tom Phillips having ar- He rived by air two days before, and had no opportunity for a full Captain Boxer, of the Royal consultation over the situation Horse Artillery, has inventer afore war broke out,

J and South ruled the 9. Under the new constitution lightning carcase to be fired "Prince of Walce and Repulse, a large extent bow potent they are as Declarer led to the heart A and be into the air over an enemy's companied by four destroyera trick-takers.

tion over internal affairs. The forces, your own mond 8, then the Q, and cleared out

East British in return control ex- pure can be quite powerful. But if he can East's K with the A. Knowing East the darkest night. It has been 10 a signal was made a Singapure have the last say in playing on your as a wild doubler and also that comternal affairs, defence and ap-

indicating that the ships would re-

rare, peal to the Privy Council. tura earlier than originally planned. big cards with his, yours may be re-pletely trickless hands

luced to inepiness, That factor

of South now decided to count on West "The ultimate and supreme The common carcases pre "Except for this no communication location should always be considered for the clubs Q. He bottled up that aim in this country." Governor projected about a quarter of a was received and their position re carefully in deciding whether or card by leading the 10, finessing the General, Malcolm mile, and they burn about 10 minutes on the ground: they mained anknown until shortly after to double an opposing contract, rulf and laying down the club said last October, "is Govern. Mr. Justice Williams was ex-may be

the 12 noon on extinguished by

from

'Repat Captain Boxer's shell a signal was pressing a widely held view enemy. when, in the Criminal Sessions burns aloft in the air at great that she was being bombed in

position about 60 miles east south- Last week, he commented adverse-altitude. A description says:

"At the highest point, an ex-east of Kuantan. On receipt of the |ly upon the tendency towards plosion took place similar to message fighter squadron was

leniency in the lower courts, and the burning of a rocket in the once despatched and reached the S. J 9 6 1 upon the occasional wide disparity and feet in diameter, and quick time, but only to ace Prince 1.10 6 5 2

air, out camo parachute, position of the ships In commendably in sentences between court and about 3 feet in depth, suspend- of

of Wales down. No Ro

enemy .air Uniformity is obviously ing the brilliant blue light. btainable. Magistrates must "The apparatus floated to the craft were spotted. Fighter cover, al- he given full liberty of discretion south-east, Illumining the whole though only a weak one, was provid- el for the destroyers that, pleked up and deal with each-case on its around it, with light nearly the crews from the sunken ships.

equal to that of a full moon on Pearl Harbour merits, as they see them.

a clear night,"

court.

test.

of the

common

under

and

5. AK 10

D. K J 2 C. 9 3

MacDonald

ment of the peoples of Malayo, If East had kept his mouth shut for the peoples of Malaya and after the opening bid, South should by the peoples of Malaya." have finessed the Q on the first round The stumbling block is that of diamonds, Later he might have "the peoples of Malaya" insist played East for the club Q. Who

en being "the peoples" and not knows? If he did both of those the

things, his contract would have bech beaten. Instead he got a swell mess of extra paints because of largesse.

December

not

A

-

J. scoring the K, returning with a 10

but plenty of otherwine fair players heart "seem to pay no attention to it.

5. Q 84 11. A K 74 D. 8 5 4 C. KJ 8

N

5 2

D. 7

C. Q 7 5 2

WEHO

S

3

9, 7

H. J 9

C. A 18 6 4 Bout.

South

East-West vulner:

Went

Z D

. Pata

North 2 H

C

Pan

Pan

3 DIS. 2 6 5 Pas H. QJ97

65

of the existence of

D. A Ɑ 10 9, 6·3

28

people." Cleavages but netween Malay, Chinese and In

communities remain East's dian

wide as ever.

Apparently des. pairing of an early solution of this situation, the Government resolved to set up the Federa tion as soon as possible...

Tomorrow's Problem

9. AK 10 7 2 H. A 43.2 D. AK 4

C, 5

N

9. 3 H. K 10 WED. Q855

8

c. a J973

2

(Dealer: "From the point of vid of de It was, nevertheless, surpris

fence of the Far East as a whole, able.) ing subsequently to note the im

Some French seamen belong-what was more serious was the East position of fines of $5 only on'a

attack on the United S ing to the "St. Michael" sold || Japanese group of pedicab drivers, who some gold to a Chinese bum-State Pacific feet in Pearl Harbour.

Раз of and were not only causing obstruc boat man, receiving $10

Pay "In appreciation. the situation making

from purchases tion, but openly challenged à

the we had always relied on the deter- Dbi same man to the amount of $5. rent effect

You will seldom see a more un D. J 6 police officer to effect their ar- Upon coming ashore the next feet, even if the United Stater were sound double than that sime East C. KI

day, the whole of the dollare not

tell from the bidding that | in the war from the start, It was could Next time, such a challenge were discovered to be counter-expected that this deterjem, would South had very few carda la the

being might well be successful. If such fol the date on one

1870

prevent the Japanese front allotting majors and also held considerable

C. A 10 6 4 2 is the support which Magistrates search was immediately more than a limited number of war diamonds to the left of the K-J

(Dealer: South, East-West vulptr- lend to the police in the perform-made for the boat, but without ships for escort duties, which fact Bouth could have made his contract

hadable). of a difficult duty, why success and 1980 mou probably would limile the number of convoys against

The camp. Will remedyo mantsa Bouth Chinng and that ift guessed club and, diamond plays jus What mistake is ■ careless North should they hot throw up their mut those who ta ideals would he was chromating right, though he could have been set in danger of making after East leads Settlement Coutella Associat: hands and call it a day!

'hìm have left...

an expedition round the same side of Fif he gurned them wrongly. With the club Q against hiá 6-Spades;

HUDDE

defense,

8. Q J 94

D. 10 9 7

The now Government will con sist of a High Commissioner appointed by the King of Eng land, B Foderal Executive Council, and a Federal Legisla tive Council. Executive au- thority in each state will be held by the ruler,, assisted by State Executive Councils. Each State also will have a Couricit of Stale with local legislative powere

The settlements lef Penang and Milates will bavi.

ADIPARTIA

ed Press

?