1948-12-31 — Page 1

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CHINA MAIL

No. 34167,

ESTABLISHED FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS

HONG KONG, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1948.

ABDICATION OF CHIANG NOW Prince

"VERY STRONG POSSIBILITY"

Market Crash

In Shanghai

Shanghai, December 30,

In a complete erveral of the recent trend, quotations foreign Shanghai's open

on

querencies, gold and commo. dities marketa crashed today An the result of persistent peach romouth and growing tightness of cash.

lacking

was definite nawa from Nanking on the rumour. ed posibility of early peace, black market operaturs today operated cautiously, refusing to make any extensive com.

mitments. either in lung or short positionu.

notes,

American Follar traded at their peak yesterday for QY'S or morr. were quoted today at GY 120, and gold bars, which soared to

around GYR,206 per aunch the previous day, went down to GY6,000, while att commodi. declined

ties, including rico, heavily.

Peuter,

Colonial Governors To Meet

Singapore, December 30, The Bertah Governors in South East Asia are to hold a second teedist next month.

This ww. somonced toring by the Commons wouer-General's fee.

The

discurs perferatives will comam jenistical, economie and die teuer problems. Ebilier repte

had! mail conference would theet at Jeanel- ton, tritish North Porneo. But tony's announcement revealed

the

will be held in Singapore in the

second half of January,

Mr. Malcolm McDonald, Can

Generalissimo Yielding To Increasing Pressure

JOINT COMMISSION PLAN

Nanking, December 30.

Ruling authority in Nationalist China will probably be vested in a Joint Commission representing all major elemonts within the Kuomintang in the event of President Chiang Kai-shok re- signing in favour of peace talks with the Communists. Reliable sources said today that the Generalissimo is yielding to increos- ing pressure and considering abdication to pave the way for negotia- tions with the Communists, and is being held in his decision by the Kuomintang Rightist CC Clique.

The CC Clique, though itself amenable to peace talks with the Commun- ists, is said to be unwilling to allow the Vice-President, Li Tsung-jon, to, succeed the Generalissimo in assuming sole responsibility of Gor- ernment," in which they would have little share of power.

These sources said that

In connection with the President's Mr. Shen said: "I met the Vice- possible retirement and his desire President this morning. When told to keep them in unifled bloeuf this report he was very much Instead of allowing them to foli į surprised and said: 'I share the back into regional autonomy and same thought entertained by Pre- warlordism.

sident Chiang Kai-shek and his incision is mine.

likely compromise is being of t suggested in the form Joint Commission, which will include all important groups within the Kuomintang and will inaugurated with the resignation of the President to opening peace nego- attempt tiations with the Communists. Such a course of events is be- eved in informed

quarters as octieve

Shanghai today expectantly awaited Generalissimo Chiong In view of the vagueness of his asked Kai-shek's New Year message, ply one correspondent which,

informed

hint, him it is confirmation or denial, quarters may reveal his momentous Beet to which Mr. Shen said: "That i slon on peace or war,

what he said. I have nothing to Most observera here, however, add."--Reuter und United Press.

that the President will the strongest possibility at pre-mly begin drafting his message zent in China's confusing poliileal after he has completed his con- picture, which has caused wide- ferences with ti top-ranking spread speculation as to the possi-political and military leaders, ble outcome.

who are converging on the capital

It is believed still possible that front all corners of Nationalist the United States and the Soviet China.

at present apparently

Union, eventually be prevailed to step in as medtators in the Chinese civil

watching disinterestedly may Dr. Sun Fo's

war when the stage has been all Decision

set for pence negotiations after the Farnation of a caretaker adminis-

missioner-General for South Easttention. assuming that Generali These observers Assia, presided over a similar con- filmu Chiang Kai-shek will resign. ference at Johore Bahru, Malaya,

In mid-November

That meeting was attended

by the Governora of Hong Kong, Cornea, Sarawak and Singapore, and diplomatic representatives

President Chlang's resigna tion, which must remain a close ly guarded secret until publicly announced, nevertheless, is now regarded as a practical possibl

ako link

Dutch Seize Oilfields

Batavia, December 30. The Dutch announced today have seized the last they economically important area controlled by the Indonesian Republic, the Djambi oil flelds in Southern Sumatra.

"On the whole the installations were undamaged." the communi- que said, referring obliquely to Republican scorched earth tactics.

Charles

Price: 20 Cents,

ايا

Reall

All Kinds of

Portable TYPEWRITERS.

AT REASONABLE PRICE. HONG KONG TYPEWRITER EXCHANGE

9. D'Agullar St.

Tel. 21433

1

COOL RECEPTION FOR HOTEL RATES REPORT STILL TOO HIGH, RESIDENTS SAY

This photo, made by Cecil Beaton, shows H.R.H, Princess Elizabeth with her one-month-old son. Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, at Buckingham Palace.

Mr.

Replies

Moss To Criticisms

Mr. A. J. R. Moss, Director of Civil Aviation, at a Press conference yesterday replied to critic- isms regarding the Basalt island crash, and explained the reason for the attitude he adopt- od towards representatives of the Press on the island.

Hotel residents interviewed by the "China Mail" yesterday are unanimous that the rates for accommodation recommended by the Hotel Rates Advisory Committee are still too high. Hotel managements generally decline to comment. "It's all very complex, and we are now only just trying to digest the whole thing," said Mr. F. C. Barry, Managing Director of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited. Several hotel residents who S04 for the Gloucester, $14 to 348 have been in the Colony since for the Hong Kong, and 18 to Liberation say that the rates for $50 for the Repulse Bay Hotel."

Mr. Shaw niided:

the four leading hotels whichi, the Committee has recomiendecl should

be maintained, are the rules agreed on in June 1941 be- tween the managements and Cor- ernment.

These agreed rates, they neki, have been violated sing, and dr

correspond with the calating on July 31 last,

rates

ad

Owners of Chinese hotels boarding houses whose establish ments have been recommended to be exempt from central say they

Agency's Viow

ferred dated

►

The Advisory Committee re

report to an interim Beptember 30. Why haven't the contents of this Mysterious document been re- vented? the bona fides of the Commiten are not to be ques-

tlonad, st should have been published at this

stage.

"The Committee state that part of the delay was caused by wait- ing for Mr. Paterson to come back. I understand that the only

and knows

Not Democratic

are satisfled. They claim that the delay which kept back the Com- the rates they are charging are not mliter was the failure of excessive.

hotels to submit accounts as called Views of the travel agencies for in the prescribed time.

I believe that the responso of vary. Those estering mostly for

residents to the

ques- Chinese patrona said it is difficult the hotel

tionnaire sent

out by the Commit- 11o get accommodation in any case-

tee was good, as mentioned in the nt the big European hotels.

As for the Chinese hotels, they report. But, out of about 90 simi- are lucky if they can get rooms at ur questionnaires sent to hotels nil. Thele patrons generally do tegarding accounts, not one reply not mind the price very much se was received, The Committee fall-

ed to mention that, long as they can get the accom-ed

doubtless modation,

the interim report would have co- "After all, they stay for only a vouled. They may have sent in few days, and being travellers accounts since the interim report: Again I stress that this intering they are, or should be, prepared for high hotel charges and other report should be published as it Incidentals," was the general com-affects the livelihood of so many ment.

of Hong Kong's unfortunate req sidents. It is against publie In- terest that it should be suppressed. A well known foreign travel "While not decrying

the un- agency took a different view. doubted ability of Mr. Paterson, They said it was obylously un- when the Committee state that fair to leave the rates for tren, they had to wall for his retur alent guests uncontrolled.

from long leave, this, to my mind, "So far, most of the travellers is a lame excuse. I think that Mr. from abroad aro business men. Eardley, more than anyone else but we must not forget that, Honk the Government - service, has Newspapermen attending the conference claimed

Kong caters for a very incative his finger on the hotel and board- tourist trade, and It transients are, ing house situation there were inaccuracies in the statement by Marlame Chiang Kai-shek's cal

allowed to be exploited it will far more of the intricacies of this, Mr. Moss, and referred to previous experiences on the U.S. Acting Secretary of

certainly have the effect of driv-

field than anyone else, State, Mr. Hobert Lovett, In "Efforts to set fire to them re- when they were frustrated by the Director in ing away this trade," and one of Washington with her husband's sulted in a few unimportant fires

the agencies. deliberations in Nanking.

their attempts to cover on air crash.

The Hong Kong and Kowloon It is only. Resistance was neglig|b}e," thought here that Madame Chiang

Residents The seizure yesterday marked

Association, the "China wants to make n last effort to part of the Dutch Army's race |

Yesterday's statement by Mr. pleion that the Kai Tak authorl-Mail" learned lost night, will meet

ties had been guilty at the least on Monday to discuss the recom And out the United States Gov- to complete its campaign before Moss follows: trainint's stand in China's civil the imposition of cease-fire or- On the 21st of this month soon of an error of judgment. The facia mendations.

Last night, Mr. Ralon Shaw. ders.

after 2 p.m. a C.N.A.C. Skymaster of the matter ure that in view American policy has always The communique also reported was reported overdue. Alerting of the weather conditions prevall-President of the Association, sald ng Kai Tak had been closed to that the Committee of the Asso- Leon a major contributing fac. the capture of Chief of Staff action was accordingly taken tor in the Gonéralissimo's poltay · Daunjajn

that day ciation is not impressed by the of the Republican fore 3 p.. the same

On

day. traße from 9 a.m7. decisions.

Silwangi Division. It said Daan- Shortly after 3 pan. a member of the aircraft in question had Hotel Rates Advisory Committee's

heen instructed to divert to Can- report. Meanwhile, Chinese reports jaja was responsible for the in- the English language Press, con- Apart

Speaking for himself, Mr., Shaw the fion. growing de here this mang said that Dr. Altration of Republican querillas Area Content room at Kai Tak Safeguard The Wreck raid that the report is not in ne- towed to remain as they were just mand for pence at home. he is Sun Fo's Cabinet unanimously into Dutch areas of West Java.

Control room also reported to be subjected to decided last night to postpone in- The Dutch have occupied all and had to be requested to leave. increasing pressure from Wash- definitely

The necessary preparations to cordance with facts. "In the cast because cities in Java of is major Republican

Later in the day the, nireraft

of the Hong Kong, Peninsula, Re-them? Why should a man-Chin- The US. Agriculture Departington, where the official attitude. polley programme to the Legisla- and have linked up many of them.

was located, assistance from the safeguard the wreck were made

cause he has money? This is not ment yesterday allocated 4,925,- (characterised by stony silence, is ve Yuan for discussion and ap- The capture of Djambi opens, the Pollte was requested and in the by the Police, the Medical De-/Pulse Bay and Gloucester Holcis, ese or foreign-bo robbed just be- 400 bags af nulled rice weigh= |Interpreted here as a do nothing

proval.

way for a similar llak-up between evening, after consultation with partment and myself. It was de- for instance," he said, "they men

tion the rates prevalling at July democracy. The problem of ac- ted that the medical and Police 31 as $10 to $24 a day for the first commoriation is just as 100 pounds each for export poiky se lung as the Preslednt

#trave The Prime Minister was origin-Dutch forces in Northern and me, Mr. E.M. .Allison, the Opert-

to the during the first half of 1949. tays in power.

ally due to outline

C.N.A.C. parties should proceed

two hotela, $18 to $30 for Repulse to the Chinese na to the Europeans The Cabinet Southern Sumatra. - Associated tiens Manager of the

scene. Ds soon as possible

for here and I don't see why our This

Bay Hotel and $10 to $24 brought total export

The arrival here of top-ranking pclicy to legislators tomorrow. No Press.

Issued a statement.

December 21 and that I would Gloucester Hotel. quotas for the rice marketing year vegional

Association should.not co-operate commanders and Bro-

was carefully follow reason in given for the Cabinet's

This statement ending next June 30 to 9,218,000 vincial governors on the Gener-action, but observers here say that

with Chinese residents here with Interim Report prepared to avoid unneccessary morning of the following day.

similar problems to our own. lissimo summons, including: men it is probably prompted by the

distress to relatives and to ve I had many telephone calls on "These rates, were in fact, $12 The Jummary to June allen-like General Yen Hsleshan, Dr. desire to await the outcome of the

at the same time an accurate ple- the subject of the air crash to $75 for the Poninsula, $18 to to included:

TV. Soong. General Lu Han, President's

GRAVELY ILL present conference

tue of the accident so far as throughout the evening of the Chhin, 992,100 bags; Trulonesia, General Pai Chung-hsi, General

London, December 30. was then known. Unfortunately, 21st but I am aware of no attempt 480,000; the Philippines, 220,600, | Etu_Chung-nan and possibly Gen-

The top level conferences with The film actress, Ann Sheridan, when published in one uf the

by any journalist o reporter to --Associated Press,

eral Fu Tau-yl, is believed to be several newly arrived field com- is so seriously I with pleurisy, English language

papers nex. mike contact with me by tele- manders participating continued in her Savoy Hotel Bulte morning this statement WIS -

phone or otherwise during that in Nanklag foxlay.

that she cannot be removed to companied by a further statement night regarding either the details hospital.

attributed to Mr. Alli on to the of the accident or of the posalbiil- Miss Sheridan collapsed on the effect that the Control Tower at ty of press representatives accom- set during the filming of "I Was Kal Tok had given the plane the panying the official parties to the A Male War Bride" ten days ago. | "green light" to come in.

Scene of the disaster. X-rays show she is suffering Mr. Allison had in fact made no Thus for. It is reliably ascer- lained that no definite decision from pleurisy with complications such statement. Its publication has been reached,

in one lung-United Press. and confer- ences are sill! held in rotation át the efficial residences of the Gen. eralissimo and the Premier.

1 BI Rangoon. Saigon and Batavini

tity.

The cameng conference will be Pressure From

offendert only by Goverters in

pspot Past Asha and not by con- zele representatives,-- Reuter,

U.S. RICE FOR

THE ORIENT

Washington. December 30.

bags.

America,

from the

war.

presentation

with top-ranking military leaders.

Yen Hsi-shan Has No Decision Yet

Plan For Crisis

Nanking, December 30.

A national conference to decide what should bost be done for the future of China was suggest- ed today by General Yen Hsi-shan, Governor of Shansi.

General Yen says that he has say he thinks all sides should be long cherished this proposal, but represented at, the proposed na- claims that he has not made it to tional conference. Including re-

The Government spakeaman Mr. Shen Chang-huan, says the field commandues, are høre för consultation but will not say on what specifio question though it is general knowledge it is on a now policy of peace or wari Asked whether the report that

ANN SHERIDAN

To

them at 7 a.m. on

the

On the morning of the 22nd two foreign newspapermen approached may have given rise to a sus-police officors about to leave for and

the scene of the accident jasked to be taken to Basalt Island. They were allowed to board the police inunch on condition that they reported mmediately on ar- rival to the senior police officer in Basalt Island.

A Good Briton Orch

Yankee Would Do

Shanghai, Dacomber 30,

the President. He declines to dis-presentatives from all provinces the Vice-President, Geneal LA good English or Yankee lieutenant" is all China's

cuss rumours about the Gener-und educational leaders. alissimo's stepping dewa, and an- He describes the Nationalist notures that the Central Govern struggle against the Communists hment has promised to supply fond as a war for Ideals that aro, unti-

By air to his beleaguered Talyuan aggressive and International. Karison.

"We should have sympathy and General Yen, who is known to help of our friends and Allied

gur, a new spelat and political countries," he adds.

amme for China, baked on

Asked what he thought would Points from the British

If the Nationalists got Party's social platform.

OTHER PAGES

..

Year.

happen

no help, General Yan said that

} Tsung-jen, favours peace is true,

THE WEATHER

novy needs to stiffon its defence of the Yangtso

趄 theory that

faulty appointments

were A

against a possible Rod assault on Nanking.

Ho voiced One who should know--a At 00 GMT 1 pm. HXAT). The anticyclone which durinates China and former Rear-Admiral of the Japan la losing Intenalty. Pressure in Chinese Navy-anys effective relatively Juw over Indo-China,

Today's Forecast Moderate ESF id, leadership is lacking in the ser- vice. He says Admiral. Kwel tour with occasional drlayir,

Chung-si,- Commander-in-Chief, is an Army general.

Yesterday's Weatherin

Meximii 15,5 deg. Fab

different tactice would then Minimum: 42.0 dest. Fah. have to be adopted.

Bunshine; 0,9 hour,

Rainfall: 0 mm.8.01 in. Total alara

Jun. 1-2481,8 - mm.=07.28 ins,

84.52 in.

to do This they proceeded

they had but met me before made contact with him. in my

as inspector of Ac- capacity cidents have the duty and responsibility of ensuring that the accident area remains closed except to

until protimthorized official

investigation.

have been completed. This conforms

of course with source of weakness in China's The accepted procedure in investi- defence forces.

gating and reporting air disasters "The Nationalist armies are in the United Kingdom where no a. Communist unauthorised person is permitted crumbling before army that was originally much to go within close proximity of inferior. This is because the the scene of the accident.

The reasons for this restriction selection of commanders has not "This is the one country in the been consistently good. The ranie are obvious since it is possibla world where a general can get may be proved of the Chinese that vital pieces of evidence may

Navy

when the moment. now be taken away or destroyed. In sait. He complained that all experienced "Coating offleerd its mettle", the source said.

Berita #verse af 1139.3 mm, appointed head of the. Navy", nominent. comes for it to show the case in point. It was known

'Reading at

10 x... 4.M.

He told correspondents that he came to Nanking to solve the food puso: Investiture, problem for his armies. He will take care of the civil food short-

additionally that the plane had tage by using civil air lines. About

aquantity of valuable 100 tons are daily required,

General Yen clalousellers. s. 1017 1018. 27.6 had been sent off to leach He added: "Chinese Ballors carried

the

10.04 29.93 inches. 1avigation at the academies and have little faith in the ability of Jewellery.*-

that Army chums fill the high their

Odaly commanderą, places in the Navy. That's why enough, I believe one good Tag- I questioned the two newż- he resigned, he said.

Lish or Yankee lieutenant given papermen as to their authority to Tho

Rear Admiral,command of the Chinese Navy be on the scene of the accident former who told the Associated Prean he would be the fleet's salvation at but us they were already in the is a loyal servant et Generalla- well as the means of saving the vicinity of the wreck there was capital." Associated nothing for it but to let them stay. aimo. Chiang Kai-shok, asked for national

Equals Communists have 100,000 troopstel Humidity.... Around Talyuan city. Their losses Dew Poist

Wind Direction.. in qix months' fighting have been

Wind Force 200,000. The Nationalista lost C0,000. In the last three months | Tigh of the alege the Communist Josses have been heavier than the Na- Low tionalist conuities)--Reuter-AAP.

IT 01

A G 4'de. P. KNA E by N

18 Time

18 knots.

139

4.4

[答]

1491

D.B

1400

1.3

Prezs:

Authority Questioned

̈ (Continued on Page 3)"

ORANGE SQUASH

"The raport is ambiguous. In the case of some hotels it 'given., the management the option of charging for double radm from 312. to $20, just to cita one. instance.

Thle gives the hotel owner the chance to continue his exploitation, Mr. Eardley's rates ware exact to every room and were scientifically worked out. "Why should two hotels be al-

wealthy Chinese we

(Continued on Page 9)

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