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CHINA
No. 34147.
ESTABLISHED FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS
HONG KONG, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1948.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
NEW GRAVITY IN CHINA WAR ACTION IN AS RED MOVEMENTS DEVELOP
First Bid Made To Broach Yangtse Defence Line
Nanking, December 6.
The war situation took a new grave turn today with the report by unofficial, but highly reliable, sources that elements of three Nationalist Army groups were surrounded by about 10 Com- munist columns under General Chen Yi, nine milos North East of Yungcheng, in Eastern Honan.
1
These army groups ore the 2nd, 13th and 16th under Generals Li Mi, Chiu Ching-chuan and Sun Yuan-liang, which recently abandoned Hsuchow and began moving South.
Brief Government bulletins have daily claimed progress by this force down the railway to Suhsien, but unofficial sources, who may not be quoted, are definite that important elements have moved South-West to Yung- chong region,
CHINA MAY BE UN'S WATERLO0
New York, December 6. The possibility that the coin- plete defeat of the Government forces In China might wreck the structure
United of the Nations is being studied by diplomats in Paris, according to the New York Times' cur respondent, Cyrus 1. Sulzber-
Ker.
.x
ASSUNAD,
This conjecture we postulates, he said, upnu cert
tons: (1) That the Communists over-run Nanking and the Yang-"
That (2)
ise valley:
Moscow
grants dilamagic recognition to a
JICW
These sources state that their encirclement by General Chen Yi's forces now explain the reason for the apparent retreat of the Com- munist North-West from Pengpu.
What was officially published by Government rout agencies as something approaching a was, these sources state, a very rapid tactical move by General Chen Yi's mobile forces.
pronches to the Yangtse, 20 miles. to the South.
At the same time, the Na tionalist General Huang Wei's 12th Army Group still appears to be surrounded by General. Liu Po-cheng's columns in the
of Nanying. vicinity West of Sulsien.
South
Little recent news has been re- ceived as to how they are with standing the pressure.
Goverment," Comarist
(3) That the
Western powers
Logical Move
Safne
unokial circles
state
continue In+ recognise General that Government forces pushing Issinu Ching Kai-shek's Guv- ernment, wherever it might be situated.
“ក such an instance, it is pointed out, the Security Coun. cil could in all probability' nat function," Mr. cent.nue
Sutzberger said.
10
"I future events and diploma
10
These reports said that Com
already munist artillery have levaited
the town's puter 2.000 strongpoints, with about shells, but claimed that the de fenders were stilt clinging the Inner defences. Powerful reluforcements were
Yang satd to be rushing from chow, 30 milles the West, where General Chow Yen, Nationalist Commander for North, Kingst
new head- recently set up his quarters.-Router.
POLITICAL COMMISSION
Noth from Pengpu are opposed Communist by relatively small forces Bghing a rearguard action to prevent reinforcements reach-
Tientsin, December 6, ing the surrounded army groups
After several weeks' discus- In the North West.
of a the ions the establishment described These Communist attack on the Natton-North China Political Commis- overall supreme alists in the Yangcheng region as sion perfectly logical, being an attempt governing organisation in North to wipe out all opposition before China is expected to materialise trying to push on to the Yangtze, shortly.
sources
fis
an
Originally providing for eight
1 bypotheses should prove ne- enute there would probably be and hasailable dispute over whiel i Heavy ghung was today re- The Government of China wauki have the right to appoint a des ported use raging around wel-departments, the project which is Jegate 63 en mi Chma's permanenting, in North Kiangan, as Com minist activities increased North Coumett sets!.
East of the capital.
"With the veto poker resting
In the hands of bath disputing Fierce Battle
Factka25-toned this treblesome situation arises-10 solution is, 167 The Unitel present foresenuladu,
State Department for one is pures fully
action Kudying prasible should this ploutle Gortian knut present itself for unravel). ing."--Reuter.
Censorship In Shanghai
Shanghini, December 1.
in consonance with virtual dicta- torial powers conferred on Gen- eral Fu Tro-yi some weeks ago
Chlang by Generatissimo
Kni- slick, now provides for five de partments.
wiran "on-
The Commission stituted will actually be a sort of North China branch of the Na- Heavy Bghting is reported 19- kay both around ffweising Intional Government, and will leave all five pro- North Kinngs and also East jurisdiction over Taihsien, just North of the Yang- vinces originally placed under ise, as the Communist activities General Fu Tso-yi complete con mcreased North-East
trol over Hopei, Chahar, Suyuan, Capital.
Shunai and Jehol-Reuter.,
of the
OI
Reports from the Kiangsu Pro- vincial Government Chłukiang sak that following the Govern- ment's voluntary evacuation Hwelying "for the deployment of froops in more favourable rain
ter-
the Communists are push- further South along the
The local city government hus Grand Canal and are engakert by
circularise all newspapers and
Rerce fighting with Government
news agencles, both foreign and troops ut Pancha, throe miles Chinese, today ordering the sub- South-Eust of Hwelying.
mission of all news material to
the police authorities for censor-
ship before publication.
The order, which is said 'to have come from the Ministry of the Interior, threatened cancella- tion of Hcence to operate in the event of non-complianco,
The heads of the foreign news agenics will meet shortly to con- sider the order.-Reuter,
On Other Pages
Pago 2
From there, the Communista In undetermined strength are dxpected to force a crossing of the Grand Canal to continue a
"Food rlote" and a
EXERCISE
FULTUM
"atrike" in the Colony yesterday,
were successfully dealt with by the police and military, in their "Exercise Fullum." The picture above shows troops rushing to ald the police in dispersing "violent strikers" at a Wanchal cigarette factory. China Mai! Photo.
MOCK STRIFE
HITS COLONY
Hong Kong's Combined Services Operations Road- quarters was "blown up” at 2.15 p.m. yester- day by a "Fifth Columnist" who got past a sentry on the pretext of delivering a suitcase of clothes to a Naval Operations officer. The wrecking of the Headquarters was the only major "damage" suffered at the hands of "subversive elements" in yesterday's phase of the Colony's combined Police-Army-Naval-Air Force exercises,
"Sabotours" set the Army, Dotantion Barracks on
fire, throw "hand grenades" into naval estab-.. lishments, and planted a "bomb”, underneath HMS London.
the
Army units manoeuvring in New Territories came across real bandits and had to interrupt their programme to allow the police to deal with the situation. Two of the four armed robbers were eventual- One possessed a y arrested. hand grenade.
the "Food riots" occurred at Kennedy Town Fish Market and outside the Shamshuipo Military
which "violence" was used, oc- Supply Depot, and a "strike" in curred !! cigarette factory at Wanchan:
many
Police HQ Captured
According to unconfirmed .... reports, Police Headquartora were captured by the "enemy" shortly before 6 p.m. yesterday, terrific battle.
after
a
Latest Information received was that the exercises were to continue until expected 4 o'clock this morning, and that the "enemy way plan. In the ning disturbances
100 Keon Chung (Yaumati), area. This 15
district Was heavily patrolled by Royal Air Force personnel in full war kit the whole of yesterday evening and late last night.
In addition to the "riolers" arrested by the police.
Army caught at least "boleurs" **Fifth
or
Column-
the
Gts,"
Violant Strikers The four-day Exercise Fultum started at 0.30 a.m. yesterday when the Combined Operations Room, in which the Police, Army. Nivy and Air Force have their linison officers, received, meg- sage from the police asiting for military assistance in dealing with "violent strikers" at Wanchai.
Japanese Miners Threaten Strike
Tokyo, Docomber' 6.
|Japan's 400,000 organised coal miners voted today
Southward advance but reports The
Indicated that the Government de. troops had set up strong fences оп the Grand Canal front near Hwalan, Bouth Pancha.
Court Confiscates $3,000 In Gold First Major Bid
PAGO 3
of!
to strike unless thoir almost 100 per cent wago increase demands are met at once. decision of the three big national coal, miners' ⚫ unions to strike came, as the nation suffered from the crippling seomen's union strike that has, halted shipment of vital food, coal and other supplies by tying up 420 vessels in 35 Japanese ports.
No Warning
Price: 20 Conts.
GRENS
All Kinds of
Portable
TYPEWRITERS
AT REASONABLE PRICE.
HONG KONG TYPEWRITER EXCHANGE
1. D'Aguilar St.
Tel. #1433
ONLY 536 PASSENGERS
POSSIBLE 4,000
OF
RESCUED FROM SHIP
Shanghai, December 6.
The death roll in the loss of the China Merchant's Ningpo-bound steamer Kiangya, described as one of the world's greatest shipping disasters, was still uncertain this evening,
There
The only figure so far announced was that 536 pos-
sengers and crew have been rescued. were an estimated 4,000 persons on board when the vessel sank at the mouth of the Yangtse on Friday night.
Awaiting the captain's report, the company said a great many people were believed to have bean rescued independently and landed at remote points. Hardened as it is to disasters, Shang- hai is nevertheless stunned by the nows to- night.
Officials said the sinking of the ship was not due to an explosion of the ship's boilers as a result of the vessel's overloading.
war
They claimed that prelimin- on the crowded air, land and sea ary investigations proved that transports, as the population of the blast came either from a Nationalin China continued their
the civil Imad flight from mine or from hidden explosives threat. on board, and suid that a full enquiry would be carried out when the vessel is salvaged.
Today, three ships are standing by the wreck and reported that
could
still be countless bodies Been floating around.
More Disasters
The sinking of the Kiangyu was the first of four disastrous mishaps which occurred within 48 hours
PLANE FORCED DOWN WITH 37 ABUARD
Johnston Island.
December 8.
Two of the fatal acoldents were directly due to the donas colliston nosr ́fog---bus-train Wusih, about 90 miles West of Bharghat that killed eight and Injured 25 yesterday morning, and an air crash-involving a
Air Service Suspended
Blagapore, December 8. The British Overseas Air. ways Corporation weekly fiy- Ing boat servico between Bingapore and "Hong Kong by way of Bangkok will be un pended from December 14 wo the aircraft can be used for evacuation purposes Shanghai. it was announced, by the raprenentatives BOAC here today.
nt
of
The twice-weekly direct servise between Singapore and Hong Kong will not be affected, the announcement added-Router.
Engineer Dies In Fire At Sea
Central Air Transport plane (Exclusive to the "China Mail") yesterday evening, in which 12 Mr. W. Toftesund, Norwegian people lost their lives and sight chief engineer were injured.
of the Pana- manian freighter San Antonion, when his cabin The fourth accident occurred at lost his life
a Chinese Air caught fire while the vessel Taiwan, where Force transport, fying CAF, was nearing Swatow en route dependents from Nanking to Kee-from Hong Kong to Hungnon, lung, hit a mountain
it Korea, at 4 a.m. yesterday destination, killing 25 persons,
morning: 12-year-old boy
the lone survivor.
was
nodr
Families' Demands
A
The San Antonion, formerly the Chinese vessel Kwok Sing, has 100 tons of cargo, about 1,000 tons of bunker cop! and 12 Astalic deck passengers aboard.
The Ministry of CommunicaShe left the Colony last Sunday. tlons have designated -special officials to Shanghai to invest Kate the causes lending Kiangya disaster.
to the
A search plane reported early today it had sighted survivors of a C-54 transport plane fore- One company official admitted ed down at sea yesterday with a total of 2,007 tickets had been
sold for passage aboard the ves-
of three European ofleers and a Mr. 4. Johnson is in command crew of 50 Astutico.
The vessel arrived here from Shanghal recently, as the Kwok slag, in ballast. She had then
37 men aboard.
The search plane radioed: sel, but said the actual number of nine Asiatic cabineisss passengers.
be higher be- i flares, dropped boat. travellers might
Wallem and Company are the
THE WEATHER
"Sighted Boat landed about 100 yards cause children under the ago of owners.
Do not from survivers.
know six, accompanied by parents, cus- tomarily were allowed to travel not." whether they saw it or
Captain Allen H. Slotts, free. piloting the search plane, mess- ged his petrol supply was run- ning low and started back to Johnston Island-base of search piones.
Stotts did not report how many Aurvivors he could see.
He placed the spot where he about 52 discovered flares at miles South, West of the point where the transport reported it was landing on the ocean be. cause of engine trouble. The Pacific Air Command re- ported the plane belonged to the 374th Troop Carrier Squadron. of five ferrying 155 Incidentally. the establish ground personal of the 98th Bomb ment of the Combined Opera. Group from Okinawa to Spokane, Washington, after three months tlona Room in which:Intelligence reports from the Police and the special training. threa Services are co-ordinated.
It was one
The
command reported it was
in the first of its kind since "ditched" after radioing that two Liberation.
of its four engines had failed.
An extensive search was or- On arrival of the army unit, the "strikers" were subdued and the ganized immediately from John- "unruly crowds" were dispersed. ston Island, 340 miles North East
While the Army was helping at at the
plane's last reported posi- The Wanchai, Combined
four, planes Operations Lion.
urgent ferrying group with the ditched call for military assistance from craft, three navy ships including the, police at
Room received another
Kennedy
Meanwhile, the familles of paasungare sent alx demands to the-Ningpo-Residents Guild They were:
The formation of a com- mittee to handle rollef to affected families:
2.The registration of affected families.
3.The acceleration of salvage and rescue operations.
4. The recovery of corpses. 5.The registration of luggage carried by the passengers,
0.The salvage of the luggage, Reuter,
Todays Forecast: Light or moderate- ly variable ind, Bouth Easterly predo minting, fair with nominal base,-
Yesterday's Weather-
Maximum: 19.2 deg. Fab.
Minimum 5.1 deg. Feh
| Buschines 10.2 hotstukj
Rainfall NHL, Total since
Jan.
-1
2478.8 mm.=91,4), (ox, ma againot mo average of 117.8 mm.253.87 Ins.
Readings st
10 m. 4 p.tn. Baro. in.l.1018.7 m.b.
Equal
net. Haldity Dew Point
Wind Direction. and Wind Fores.....
Tides
It
in the
་་་་
Town the escort aircraft carrier Rendova
where "food riots" bad broken and army and navy planes from
this area joined in the hunt.
out,
There, the "rioters" were dis- Associated Press.. persed and the situation was un- der control within an hour.. Al- the most`.`simultaneously with
the "disturbances" on
Jsland, "food riots" "broke out outside the Army Supply Depot at Shamshut- po. Army units were sent to the district but did not go into action. The police. had the situation un- der control by the time the mill- tury arrived.
West Coast Strike Ends
San Francisco, December 6,
Work will be resumed in all Detention Burracks Fire West Coast ports on Monday.
maritime 2
employer on- At' about midday, a "nboteur"
the West Coast ports and a total
Further down, near the North bank of the Yangtze 20,000 Com-
set the Army Detention Barracks, nouncement said on Sunday munist are operating Eastward of
The biggest of the coal min- The spokesman for the joint in Garden Road, on fire. "Dam-night-ending the 95-day old Taibsien, equipped with heavy
is the All-Japan Struggle Committee of the three age" suffered, howover, was slight water-front tie-up.
The joint announcement of the artillery and are reported to be ers unions striking. South at the neighbour-Coal Industry Labour Union unions said the unions were lasuus the Army Are engines arrived)
sociation and the Waterfront Em- ing district of Klangyen,where which has 225,000 members ing standby strike ordors to mem-within four minutes of the fire Pacific American Shipowners Ass
hers before going into a final nego- | alarm. Government reinforcements, rush and which is Communist-ations session with mine owners!
All naval personnel were "mo- ployers Association here sald work, "resumed neverywhere' Ing from Yangchow, are expected dominated.
bilised" from 9.a.m. Personnel would be representatives, to arrive at noon today,
1lving ashore were recalled to possiblo, depending upon the ex- SCAP Watches ships and other officers and ranks tent of readiness of men and ships.
were, confined to their respective
About 188 ships are tied up in
"trike
Officiels of General Douglas establishments. The naval estab The miners voted to without warning" in order to bring MacArthur's headquarters watch-ishments were protected by their
as a result of the Western strike. Following up the occupation of about speedy settlement of their ed the tense situation closely since own staffs. The only "damage"
How many will have steam up North Hwelying. N
they consider coal production the suffered by the naval establish. Klangsu protracted wage dispute,
was caused by hand by Monday morning remained un- Wage contracts which expired key to the Japanese economie ments Clash With stronghold, which the National- Troops
grenades thrown on to verandahs certain. How many workers could Queriliak
Ists evacuated last week, General last October granted underground situation.
The strike by the All-Japan and through windows by "Fifth be reached with, the back to work Li Yui, Commander of the Com-workers 7,580 yen per month.
call' also was not known. munist forces in North Kiangau. They want. 18,390 yen-about Seamen's Union already was hurt Columnists."
Naval partios were sent from The Longshoremen's Union and last night hurled 10,000 troops US337 per month at the military ing Industry, by delaying ships to "Investigate sabotage re- the Waterfront Employer Asso against Klangren, 70 mila to the exchange rate of 270 yon to one ment of coal. North-Eail of Nanking in. what American dollar.
ports on board a warship. Other clation lasted a joint request to parties were sent to dive for an radio stations and newspapers to pro-Clovernment reports describ-
unexploded" bomb' underneath urge all stevedores to report to HM8 London.
their hiring halls of Monday, --- Associated Prom. "(Continued on "Fage 2)."
: Chinese Return From Tahiti Pago's
Dutch
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