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SPEED

FRANCIS WU'S STUDIO

Speedflash portraits

the only one of its kind in Hong Kong. 2. Gloucester Arcade

CHINA MAIL

No. 34084.

ESTABLISHED FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS

HONG KONG, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1948.

Price: 20 Cents.

TEN MILLION DOLLAR WEST POINT GODOWN Eighteen Known Dead, More Than Fifty Still Missing

As Blaze Continues ALL-DAY FIRE FOLLOWS

BIG EXPLOSION

More than 60 lives are believed to have been lost in a disastrous fire which completely gutted three of Wing On Company's five- storey godowns at West Point yesterday and was still blazing fiercely early this morning. It was the third major fire in a month.

Fire Continues Through Night

More than 17 hours after the outbreak, the Ure at the Wing On Company's Wesl Point godowns was stil: burn. ing furiously early this morn Ing with flames shooting high and lighting up a considerable length of the waterfront.

The Army Fire Services and 50 policemen paulated the re gula fire fighters to prevent The fire from engulting at. Joining bulidings.

At the height of the fire yesterday, n baby was rescued from one of the ground floors.. It had a miraculous escape. It was found among severat dead bodies.

were

Fifty-six parsona admitted to the Queen Mary Hospital yesterday, sullering from burns, exposure, shock broken timbs. Eight died and

Several others

in honpital,

are in a critical condition.

In addition to the eight deaths at the hospital, firemen recover recovered the bodles of ten from thA side

persons

entrance to the blazing

This brought the Hudowit number of persons known ka have, lost their lives to 18.

Residents in the neighbour. hond at the fire estimatorf that more than 50 people were trapped by the fire any burned to death. This could not be confirmed.

Seven, firemen dropped un. C-SLIBUS from Exhaustion after being ол Buty con- tinuously for more than seven hours They were taken to hospital. Three were dly. chargent after treatment.

My night fall Diest of the firenten had been. Jyed green

by yet wathed out from the guduwn.

Russians Attack UN Elections

Paris, September 22. Radio Moscow today broad- cast, n bitter attack against the United Nations for the stinging rebuff administered to Russin in the Steering Committee elections in which all Soviet cundidates were defeated,

Sex-

Hardly was the opening ston of the General Assembly adjourned before Moscow, quoting 4 Tass dispatch from Paris, at Incked its first official netions as sheer mockery.

"The target of Russian denun- elailun was yesterday's balluting for chuirmen of the six mali committees who will have charge over much of the acrimonious debate expected os a result of the East-West cold war.

Radio Moscow sold failure to name' even one Soviet candidate

+

DA' Committee chairman violated the United Nations principle of geographic tistribution of kay posts.

"What The broadrost said: happened In the Generul Assemb ly when not a single post as chairman of any of the leading committees was filled, by a re presentative of the Slav couns tries constitutes a mockery of principle and deprives the Steer Ing Committee of even a 'ahnde at representative character." United Press,

INDIAN ENVOY ON HOLIDAY

Nanking. September 22, The Indian Ambassador to China; Sardor. K. M. Panikkor, necompiled by his family and two staff members, will leave for Polping on

on Sunday for The will

visit

abort

remain in Felping for

Described by Hong Kong's firemen as the worst fire since the end of the war, the, outbreak resulted in on estimated HK$10,000,000

domage.

At least 18 dead were confirmed yesterday. Mora than 50 people occupying the tenement flats ongulfed by the fire have not been accounted for. They are believed to have porished.

Of the 50 detained at the Queen Mary Hospital yester- Ten bodies were day inorning, eight die later in the day.

reinvered from one of the ground floors. They included a couple who apparently were suffocated in their sleep by the fumes. The two bodies were found in bed: Some of the casualties were labourers employed by Wing On Company, The fire, which occurred shortly before 8 a.m. yesterday, followed a terrific explosion on the ground floor of No. 383, Des Voeux Road West.

EXPLOSION BURSTS HUGE HOLE According to eyewitnesses, the explosion burst n huge. hole in the wall. Flames streaked from the hole 50 yards across the street, charred the wooden shutters and window frames of the Hong Kong and China Gas Company's offices and renched within 10 yards of a gas holder.

The last ung more than 30 steel drums through the hole into the street. Many of the drums had their ends blown out. Following the explosion, the street and part of the Gas Company's cool yard were strewn with strips of Bim.

The explosion missed traincar No. 10 by a few seconds. The conductor told the "China Mail" that the explosion bc- curred just after the car had passed the 'building. When he looked back he saw Bames shooting across the street to- wards the coal yard of the Gas Company.

"The whole street appeared to be in flames," he said. "Almost immediately after the explosion the whole building was to flomes,"

HUDDLED ON ROOF

Inspector Mackay of Western Police station, who was the first police officer on the acene, told the "China Moll" that he was there a few minutes after the explosion. He said that between 60 and 70 men, women and children were seen huddled on the roof tops of Nos. 351, 353 and 355 Des

• Voeux Road West.

He said they appeared to be occupants of the lower flours. Flames were leaping of them and one man was seen to jump to his death.

The others, on hearing the sound of fire engines, ap- peared to calm down. Most of them were rescued by the fire brigade's fire escape ladders Several unable to move were carried down by Mr. H. Tiplady, Acting Deputy Chief Omeer and by Mr. C. W. Browne. Central Fire Brigade Station Officer.

One boy and a girl jumped from the roof top on the Brigade's Jumping - sheets and were knocked unconscious. Twere treated at the Queen Mary Hospital and dis- charged later in the day,

STREET ON FIRE

Mr. E. M. Norman, of the Sworn Measurers' Omre. one of the eyewitnesses, told the "China Mall" that he was on the scene immediately after the explosion. He said the whole street seemed to be on fire. The firmen struck the windows of Mr. H. B. Gould's residenci, 25 yards across the street, and burnt the woodwork. Mr. Gould is the Assistant Engineer of the Gas Company. Two blocks of buildings were involved in the fire. Onn a five-storey building-Nos. 2, 3 and 4 gotowns of à Ave-storey Wing On Company, Limited-and the other block of tenement flats-Nos. 351 lo 307 Des Voeux Road, West, the ground floors of which were godowns of the same company. The upper Roors were occupied by workers' dor- mitories and rooms of ather families.

was

The two blocks had their backs against one another. The explosion which occurred on the ground floor of No. 363 Des Voeux Road, West, apparently penetrated the ground floors of the godown building behind on the water: front and set that, block alight,

The fire engines arrived on the scene within a few. minutes of receiving the alarm. Both buildings were burn- ing furiously. All the fire appliances were called out. One came from. Kowloon to stand by at the Central Fire Brigade for emergency calls elsewhere. The military authorities scnt one fire tender and two pumps, manned by 10 servicemen. to assist. Help by the naval authorities was also offered.

PEOPLE ON ROOF

On arrival, the Fire Brigade found between 60 and 70 people on the roof top of Nos. 351, 353 and 355 Des Voeux Road West. A few were shouting hysterically, others, were groaning from barns suffered during their escape to the roof. They were brought down to safety by way of escape ladders,

All were sent to hospital;"but-only-29-were detained. Later in the height of the blaze, firemen rescued a baby from the staircase of one of the floors. It was still alive when, sent to the Queen Mary, Hospital."""

The blast from t the explosion tore the overhead tram- way cables apart. The power, however, was cut off within a few minutes. The tram service, was sovered between. Central. Streef and Whilty. Street, Cap

Billows of smoke are teen belching in the top picture as firemen are seen training their hoses on the hole in front of the wall of Godown No. 5 during yesterday's catastrophic firo at The death The hole was blasted by the explosion which touched off the fire. West Point. toll up to press time resched 18, while more than 60 were seriously injured. Damage caused by the fire is estimated at HK$ 10,000,000. Lower platura shows the fire fighters desperately try. Ing to bring the flames under control to prevent the blaze from spreading to adjoining godowns.

"China Mail" Photos.

Lottery Syndicate

In K'loon Smashed

Excellent work on the part of D.S.I. Sykes and party was responsible for the arrest of three man and one woman and the smashing up of the headquarters in Kowloon of the Po Piu lottery syndicate: :

The defendants are Wong Min, Tong Chiu, Yau Pak and

a woman Cheung Ol.

THE WEATHER

A truth of jaw pressure extends from Hlath to e. Carolines 'and's phatta circulation has 'developed within it B of Gunm. A rides of high priosure from uni ani'cyclone over Biberia covers N Chins Gradients are abalio ort and to the 18 it Japan, a

Today's Forecasti-Light viriskie winds beromlar mainly easterly. Early showark becoining "fstr. 2

Yesterday's Weather Maxlonapter 1908) deg.. Fab., Minimumy (114" den: Fabe Sunshinai NiLA

Nafefall: 140,5 mm-0.8 in. Total since

Jan. 1-1167,9 mm÷XK36 in "the average of 1890.9 - 18.1 298.46 Inn

•Readings at

BATO, AL; Int.

29.91 inebes

-22,42

Hil, Humidity, mutt

Wind Diraétion. Włod Freen's

Calm

High

1309

& knota.

24

Lo

•

Thoy, all pleaded guilty and were sentenced, the first to a fine |ɔt $1,000 or six months, the second ind. third $500 or thren. months and the fourth $200 or one month, According to Inspector Sykes,

he ground floor of No. 621 Nothan Road was raided on the afternoon of Tuesday and in the front room. it, second and third defendants were sea'ed round a table check-

ne the teltats.

Forrth defendant, the principa ́erant, was scated on a bed walch. 'ng over the proceedings,

Fir three defendants aceited being the operators of the lotteries and Fald, that the place, was the headquarters in Kowloon with the main headquarters in Macao.

All the tickets seized were of dered to be destroyed.

Currency Rule

or-

The Import and export of Chinese currency has been (restricted not then 201

Gold Yuan. 3.AnVoMoiál | order" to'- this, jeffdet wan made yesterday by Mr. D..M. ManDougall, Aofing THỦ ĐỨC VÀ Hàn Kính.

THE STILWELL PAPERS

The commander of a war theatre is one of the most lonesome of men in what- ever areu ke serves. He has

no intimates or friends to share his fears and worries. siruins The pressures and that bear upon him are un- relenting, and he must re- solve them all

The quality of introver sion that such responsibili- ties bring found its release

in General Stilwell in

series

All Kinds of. Portable

TYPEWRITERS

AT REASONABLE PRICE.

HONG KONG TYPEWRITER EXCHANGE

21429

9. D'Aquilar St.

„Tal

FIRE DISASTER Russia Angling

For Mediator's Role, Reports Say

Washington, September 22. |Diplomatic reports today indicated that Russia is trying to get an invitation to mediate in China's civil war.

Sources in China, according to these reports, have overheard that Soviet officials are dropping coreful hints that Moscow would welcome a

• mediator's role.

It was said the feelers are calculated to determine whe ther Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist Gov- érnment would

consider n formal offer of Russia's goudi offices. There was said to be some indication of the Chin- ese not being receptive.

8 Companies

Take Taxis Off Roads

Nevertheless, the reperis prompted official speculation over the reasons behind the apparent

The owners of all eight Soviet interest working out "egular taxicab companies in truce between the warring Chin-

ese Nationalist and Communist Hong Kong withdrew their cars forces. Those familar with the from the roads yesterday. Chinese

military political and Rituation hazarvi the guess that by these Russia is motivated factors:

They issued the following atement yesterday through the Hong Kong Government Pubile, Relations OMee explaining reason for their action.

ית

the (1) fruce in the long civil

"Since the strike against A war would give legitimacy to the Star Taxicab Company, Linted, cause of the Chinese Communixis. started, the receipts in all the

companies, They presumably would be in other taxicab cluded in the new Chinese gov-operation have been greatly re

1803 iv ernment if the Soviet plan for duced, in some

much as 50 per cent., Conse- mediation goes through.

quently, they are running at a lose (2) Once inside the govern-

the "Tbls is entirely due to ment, the Communists would

instituted the ismine time.

nction control of China and establish against the Sint. Taxicas Com. regine which would co-operate pany, Limited, is, in foot, an with Bussia' enthbr

stan Western' powers.

have a better opportunity to win low-down strike The

More Support?

the

Action-neainst all comanian, but- he method adoptét: malim the trike to be profanand at the ex- Doner and Inconveulence of the Dublic.

(3) If an affer of mediation is Therefore, whil the owners made and rejected by President on the taxienh, cuando, pos Chiang, Russia could claim that tret the inconvenience which is The Nationaliste were not in-hound to be caused to the nuhlie, terested in peace. It then might'n order to avoid further s they are reluctantiv commelled to And it practicable to give more with leaw all the cars from the

support to the Communist force.

(4) Such an appeal undoubtedl="^"" ly would gain "the approval of

any Chinese who are tired of the civil war. ----

ON OTHER PAGES

On the negative side, the in- of papers, letters

formal feelers are not regarded Page 2

and journal jottings which were found, after his death, among his effects.

THE

New Traffic, Regulations..

as a sign that Russia belleves the Chinese Communist armies are Page 3

battle in wlew that new United States military Page aid is assured the Generalissimo.

f vaging a losing STILWELL PAPERS, which the "China Mail" will publish exclic sively in Hong Kong, com mencing next Monday, re- presents σ collection of these papers covering three years in the history of the last war from the attack on Pearl Harbour in Dec- ember 1941 to the final relief of General Stilwell from command in China in October, 1944.

The United States Congress TC- eently authorised $125,000,000 for the Nationalist forces, and $50,- 000,000 already has been allo- rated.

THE STILWELL PAPERS were written "for himself alone they are presented in this series of articles, raw and unformed, from the privacy of his emotions. They were writ- ten in the sharp, hard lang- uage of command, and bit- terness they present oul one side of his many-sided character: and they printed at whatever nea- ally the result may sufer of bu peacetime canona taste and convention.

"Vincġar Joe", as he was popularly known, in these PAPERS giver his picture, of the China Theatre dur- ing the critical years 1942 to. 1944."

(173

THE STILWELL PAPERS will Ug muhlished in the "hind. Maill”: ex- clusively, copiluencing on Monday next.

NO EXTENSION FOR SURRENDER

Shanghai, September 22. A Government announcement from Nanking stated today that the deadline of the surrender of privately held 30°for) September sold and sliver bulltorr and foreign currency to the Central Bank of China and their authorised ́ögents. will not be extended the Chinese

Anyone

press Wor

these nasute after the deadline-wül face a maximum penalty, of seven years. Imprlebninant and confiscation of shit, assets, 11 was addel-Reuter:

.

British Industries Fair Peport.

US Instaty Cerman Industries.

Must Remain. Page 7

United Nations Assembly

Paris.

in

Engineering "agt. Page 9