1949-03-26 — Page 1

Page

CAMERAS & FILMS

FRANCIS WU'S STUDIO

HK

Gloucester Arcade

CHINA

No. 34238.

MAIL

ESTABLISHED FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS

HONG KONG, SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1949.

Ship Sinks Near Canton

Miss Orient Hits Mine

While

Dancing Goes On

100 PASSENGERS KILLED

An estimated 100 men, women and children lost their lives on Thursday night when the British-registered 1,200-ton luxury river steamor, Miss Orient, was sunk, as a result of on explosion, at the bottom end of Elliot Passage about six miles from Canton

7

The explosion which preceded the sinking is believed to have been caus- ed either by a mine planted in the water or by a bomb hidden in the ship's hold.

Stories of the disaster, related to the "China Mail”

by survivors yesterday, brought back vivid memories of the ss. Titanic tragedy in the North Atlantic in 1912, the casualty list, however, being considerably smaller.

The mine ar bomb exploded One Guatamalan

1 h {krn when mnt of the younger passengers were dunc- ing and singing in the vessel's spacious, luxuriously equipped ball room.

An hour after leaving Canton shortly after 0 p.m. on her return trip to Hong Kong, an explosion on the port side rocked the Miss Orient

ent violently,

Dancing couples were thrown off their feet and unle-stricken

passengers screnined stampeding to the upper decks as the vessel look on w list and began to slnk.

more

They estimated that at least than 100 person were trapped below the decks.

Survivo, had to take of shoes and socks to elimb on the hull of

the capsized ship.

It was not 'until dawn

rescue carne,

Chinese Navy

On The Job

Canton, March 25.

The Chinese Navy Loday sent an armed party ashore near the wreck of the st. Miss Orient 10 Bourch for the pirates who were responsible for the mining of the vessel.

There was no attempt to pirate the stricken VCBEOL. United Press.

conference is due to be convened

When the Sing Hing arrived, | today. three Canton-botind ships from

Hong Kong were

already there HK $3,000,000 nix rescue work. The three were the ms. Mong Kong, ms.

The master attempted to Kwei who, and my, Shih Men. Asked Awerve the shilp shorewards The three vessels took some sur- the hope of benchlag her.

butvivors to Canton.

about 50 feet offshore she keeled over on her starboard elde.

In Three Minutes

Flist Officer A.E.P. Speurs snid The Woo Chrung Fat Steam- that he saw about seven bodles ship Company of Hong Kong-a lying on the decks of the wreck-Tiritish - registered

company. ed ship.

owners of tar Mis Orlent was

He added that the Miss Orlen of the many shipping companies had on the port side. Just below which have recently received de- In three minutes, the Miss the bridge, a hole about seven manda from protection money, Orlent was submerged lying un feet by four feet

adds Reuter. her skie, with most of her 400; Among the casaulties was on The total sum demanded from

und crew passengers

who suffered armell transport companies was about members Gunnamalan either thrown overboard or trap-injuries.

HK$3,000,000. ped below.

According to, the agents of the Mr. Spears said that he beveel, there were no foreign Iloved the explosion was caused |

All the six dancing within the ship's hull rather casualties.

girls aboard are safe.

the partly prevent looting.

Hysterical SCTEVITA fur help were still audible one krur later when the ss. Sing Hing, which left Canton at 19 pm, reached the wreek. At first fenonts were i lowered, they were later recoller because of the possible danger of attack from the shore by ban- elits.

Distress messages sent out from the Miss Orient a she was stoking were apparently weak as there

was no resprise.

Urgent messages wreiested to Conten by the ss. Sing Hing.

than from outside.

THE ILL- FATED SHIP

Some of its Burvivors who arrived in Hong Kong.

Moscow Plot To Torpedo Marshall Plan A Failure

Washington, March 25.

Senator Arthur Vandenborg, Michigan Republican, told the Sonote yesterday a Moscow-dictated conspiracy to torpedo the Marshall Plan for European recovery has been "all but stopped in its tracks.”

Guards have been posted on

osted on Pleading for extension of the multi-billion dollar

About three hours before the accident happened,

the ss. Fat shan passed the spot without In- cident.

Among the 22 survivora lakenttings, to Hong Kong by the ms. Sing Hing, two were women. Some of the survivors managed to salvage A few pieces of luggage.

however, brought three Chinese Estimated

Maritime Custonia eruwers to the scene. They were strumental in rescuing a number of survivors, inust of whom later went back to Canton.

22 Come To HK

In the morning. the ss. Sing ing picked up 20 men and twn

who were Women

anxious to come to Hong Kong. They ar- rived here yesterday evening, barefoot and badly shaken up.

The blowing up of the ss, Miss Orlent may have been the result of the owners of the vessel re- fusing to comply with demands for money by Pearl River ex- tortionist organisations.

the

Chief Offeer R.A.P. Spears of Sing Hind estimated the number of survivors nt between 200 and 300 persons. The owners sold the ship carried between 300

and 400 passengers, and a crew

Casualties

Π

submerged

aid programme through another year, Mr. Vandenberg.declared that "current Moscow hysteria toward ERP is clear proof of its suc-

cess.

that we are

At the end of the war Misa Orient was a derelict looted of woodwork andi other moveable items. She was pur- chased by the Woo Treung Fat Kong and rented in the Colony of liberty", Steamship Compary cl Hong "It was fresh air in the lungs, thing, Communist, Mr. Vandenberg trying to destroy." at a cost of $2,000,000 early last cried dramatically, "It drove

"The best way to assure peace." Renowned for her speed be- despair from the souls of men." he said. "is for this nation to re-

Senators James Kem, Missouri main strong." fore the war, the former Lee

Republican, and William Jenner, But Mr. Vandenberg contended Hong made her millon *oyage from here to Canton on October Indian Republican, objected that that Europe's achievements dur- American funds are being used ing the past year, bolstered by to finance socialistic experiments american dollars, have written in England and other nations,

totally affirmative answer to Referring to Britain's socialized the question of continuing U.S. medicine

programme, Jenner utel

your.

4.

Dancing Aboard

pro-

Price: 20 Cents.

All Kinds of Portable TYPEWRITERS

AT REASONABLE PRICE. HONG KONG TYPEVÆRITER EXOHANGE

Tel. 21433 S, D'Agullar St.

WITH MAO'S ARRIVAL, PEIPING NOW BECOMES RED CHINA'S CAPITAL

Shanghai, March 25. The Chinese Communist radio announced today that the Chinese Red foader, Mr. Mao Tse- tung, arrived in Peiping at 4 p.m. with other Red leaders. Broadcasting direct from Peiping instead of North Shensi, the radio said the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Chinese Commun- ist Party as well as the headquarters of the Chinese Liberation Army had moved into Peiping on March 25.

ja

the

Mr. Bevin Sails For New York

Southampton, March 25. Foreign Secretary Ernest Bovin salled for New York today abcara the liner Queen Mary after suf- fering slight attack of what ha

Queen

Arriving with Macao Tse-reporters that he was not op-called "asthmatic condition" last lung were the Red comman-imistic but stressed, at the same night.

Irne, that he was not pessimistic. The liner la scheduled to ar- der-in-chief, General Chu Teh, and deputy leader Chou En-He said she peace is now the rive at Cherbourg, France, utis universal elamour of the people, afternoon to pick up the remain- an honest attempt should be made der of her passengers including The Communist radio also ar-

Mr. Andrei Gromyko, Deputy nounces that the Party's Central at reaching settlement. Committer has voted for the Mr. Chang Shih-chao arrived Russian Foreign Minister. Belgian Premior and Foreign Minister govern- today from Shanghat to join other creation of a coalition ment of China, excluon "reac-members of the peace delegation Paul Henrt Spaak also, will board hegary counts" but including to discussing the peace proposals. the ship at Cherbourg along with "democratic" non-Communists. Mr. Chung also participated in Luxembourg's Forel Minister,

this morning with Mr. Joseph Bech. This evidently would exclude the meeting

Diplomats aboard the military commanders on the the present Nationalist govern problem of military reorganisa- Mary will attend either the inent, which is seeking to nego

United Nations General Assembly tion. iate a peace with the Commun-

Mr. Chang recently went to Ression at Lake Success or the ists.

member of the Atlantic Pact signing ceremony Velping of a Shanghai unoMetal peace mission in Washington-United Press, and his knowledge of the Com- munist attitude in considered ea-

Communists, 16 miles recally helpful in making pre- North of Nanking.

The troops, on reading pantions for the peace negotio- P: 1.5.

The. Afth member of the peace pamphlets which urged them to Bhao-return and warried them against delegation, Mr. Huang

defecting, left their revolting hsiung, is expected to return to commander, General Wang Ylen- Nanking shortly from Hong Kong ching, with his divisional chief of

and six 201

In 110- six follower to Jout the other members.

man's-land on the North bank, of the Yangtze River and returned to their stallon at Tanchlan, e- cording to General Chin Ching. Vice-Commander of the Nanking garrison headquarters.

The new government would be mapped at a politieni consulta- for which no tive conference, date or place were disclosed.

The broadenst said the Cenint Committee also called for all-out efforts

to learn Communists by to administer the cities of China. It reviewed the necesalty of hav ing depended on the countryside previously, but said now that big ellies have been won the rentre of gravity of party work must be placed on

on the cities."

The

Reds Attack Anking

The omelal Central News

thot o

to the

.

►

the

River traffic on the Yangtse be tween Nanking and Pakow, 01 the North bank, was

stopped four hours today during the tense period while the troops made up Nationalist Folaters with fixed. South bayonets patrolled the Bank of the river. Unconfirmad reports said that the abortive re- volt followed the regimental pay the soldier- parade, in which

Meanwhile in Nanking Premier Ho Ying-chin and the newly ap- pointed peace delegates met this Agency today reported morning with 400 military com- force of 20,000 Cornmunists are manders for preliminary discus- assaulting Anking, which is one slon of the military reergantka-of the tow remaining major Na- North of the tion, which is regarded as the tonalist bastions inest knotty proutsin in the pro- Yangise River 145 miles South

West of Nanking. jected peace talks.

If true, it would be the first their minds, meeting was held behind closed doord and no details were major Communist attack abice divulged. But it known the the Hsuchow-Pengpu... Battle In Nationalist Tenders are making an January, effort to thresh out some pro- The Central News Agency said posals on military reorganisation government troops, in conformity the dual with the government policy of which would possess teature of being acceptable to the peace, have been falling back were given 100 Gold Yuan for a

before the advancing | month's pay. Communists and, at the same gradually time, capable of inaintaining the Communists.

Chiang Holds Money entily of the National Army, The despatch said the govern- 4 Reliable official quarters said which Generalissimo Chiang Kai-ernment forces are now making shok laid down as one of his ru- A stand at Chihlenkuan, alt today that the financially hard pressed Nanking Government is quirements for a peace settle- miles North of Anking.

Anking is the temporary sent being denied access to the use of about US5100.000.000 In Chinesa ment.

of the Anhwel provincial govern- |

ofissime Chiang Kai-shek's loyal subordinates

Warn Against Optimismment But due to the Communist asury funds held by Gener-

Meanwhile, two peace dele

today openly warned gates against undue optimism in the pence prospects.

Mr. Shao Li-tze said he him self cannot be optimistic of peac shouted, "They couldn't furnib The Republican foreign policy long as the Communists insist their original eight demands toupees to the baldheaded gentle-leader sald he would oppose any tie said he wanted the govem men of England if we weren't "arbitrary attack" on the

across the ment to relieve him of appoint- suckers enough to sponsor such a gramme or "straight

such as the ment as a pouce celegates but his Board reductions" damn fool programme.

made earlier in the request war refected and he has suggestion any by Senator Robert Taft, Ohio now agreed to carry on.

Mr. Li Cheng the latest addition Republican, for chopping off one billion dollars-Associated Press. to the peace delegation, also told

Crew of the ms. Chi Men, of the Ming Sung Industralial Com- pany, said that about 40 persons were killed and 100 were injured.

of this deluxe river About one-third of the first-class Features

passenger molar vessel include a passengers were casualties.

Owners of the Miss Orlent said large dining room, which can be,

floor, that after the explosion the cap- eonverted into a dancing frin attempted to back her. He spacious dormitory-like accom- Jenner also protested that for modation on he lower deck, modern furnishings and a honey- moon suite, sprelally reserved for newly-wed passengers.

falled and the boat capsized.

There were about 110 members af the crew ou board 'neluing three European officers.

Late last year as a rúll of an abortive pirvey attempt in differ. ent river vessel, two gun turrets deck.

The muster of the Miss Orient Is Mr. W. Anderson: and the Chief Omcer 2 Mr. S.E. M. Haslett. Mr. S.O. Bus is the Chief were erected on her top Engineer. They were not inuen. Eight armed guards keep vigil-

The Chinese Maritime Customs ance on board.

The Miss Orlent can

Associated

at Canton told ine Press there that the mine, can- with her diesel engines trofied en share,

knows. detonated an

entertain hour and 15 minutes after Dr.

***O

passengers

erules

ut 12

the

of more than 100 men. Three of T.V. Soong, former Governor Miss Orient usunily carried six

the passengers were anid to have | Kworktung province, has passed been Europeans. Ne names were through Elliot Passage va anether available in the passenger striver steamer. was aboard the sunken ship.

dunce hostesses aboard and there was dancing from 8 p.m. and auidnight.

She flew the Chiese flag under her former name.

Survivors, brought to Threatening Letters The streamlined river passen-

Kong by the ss. Sing Hing sald

that

at about 10.30 p.m. an ox-

plosion was heard on the port At once the lights went elde. out and ship started to list, to starboard because

everybody 'rushed in that direction.

In three, minutes, she capsized on the starboard side,

THE WEATHER

··

Wits R

ger vessel, the aluminium super- structured Shih Man, was re- cently a near victim of an ex- plesion which except shaking the vessel, did not cause any damage.

eign aid programmes, on top of

Miss Wyman, Sir Laurence Win "Oscars"

Hollywood, March 26. Miss Jane Wyman and Bir Laurence Olivier wore named the best actress and actor of the year at the twenty-first annual Academy Award vera. monica today.

Mix Wyman Woh her "Oscar" for her performance as the blind farm girl in "Johnny Belinda," while Sir Laurence won the award for hin brilliant portrayal of

They added. 11owever, that it

"Hamlet" near coincidence as the

Misi Orient ha ownert of the

rceived threatening lellers from exfurtionists,

The ill-fated craft carried 400) prengers and of the 500'stir- viver, many suffered from won- cursion and injuries.

Among the survivors were Mias Edon Lowrey, aged 55. of College Springs, lowa, a teacher of the Union Middle School in Canton. She stepped from a rescue ship

At 0400 GMT (1 p.m. SIXST) the onli eielone continues to dominate Chins, dapen and the neighbouring sewa, bui mall trousha have developed over BE China and Y. of Paretos

Today's Forecasts Moderat, ne trials *Winds, lowercast and cool with drissio ( 1...

* Art,

Yesterday's Westhers ** Maximum: 65.3, der. Yah, ·

Malmum $40 dog. Fah,

Bunshiner NIL

Rainfall: 1.5 mm.10.06 inch. :. Tota) since Jan. 1-130.4 mm.28.14. inches auteinat en average of, 1819 mm 0.48 Inches.

Finding

10. p.TD Maro, ut mal. ...17169 (nida m.b..

Zuste 26,06 21.77 (asben,

fil Hamkifte 97.5. Der Polai Wind. Dirmesión

Wind Foros

stat day.

10

14 knots.

2017

here without her shoes.

"I was awakened in my cabin

Russian Manoeuvres

In Germany

Berlin, March 20.

by an explosion," Miss Lowrey The Berlin press today reported

Technically. Bir. Laurance gained the US$100 gold star. Hlu "Hamlet" won another award as the best ploture of the year.

Watter Houston,

the grizzled prospector in "Trea› sure of Blarra' Madro" wàn the "best supporting" award. Misa Claire Trovor named the "best supporting actress of the year United Proan.

WAL

Bald. The

noise, was not very russian tanks being concentrated increased spending programmer terrifle. I found passengers fight=| in Saxony and old German air- ing their way up on deck."

folds are being reopened in pre-

at home, are piling up such a heavy burden on American tax- Second American surviver was puration for Russlan spring Mrs. Barah M. Chuck of San manoeuvres in Eastern Germany,

payers that we will kill the Francisco and Honolulu, we of Unconfirmed reports reaching goose that laid the golden egg.”

'Daily Mirror' Fined, Editor To Be Detained

London, March 25.

The High Court today fined the proprietors of the "Daily Mirror" £10,000 for contempt of court, and ordered the editor, Mr. Silvester Bolam, to be detained in Brixton prison for three months The contempt consisted of published in the an article "Daily Mirror", held to pre- Judice the trial of John George Halgh, 30-year-old company with the director, charged murder of Mrs. Olivia Dui rand-Dracon, rich, elderly widow who disappeared from her London hotel.

Lord Goddard said that tha "Daily Mirrot's" article violated of very principle of justice and fair play. It was not an error Judgment, he said, but a "matler of policy, pandoring to sensation- allem for the purpose of incrogs- lur circulation"",

He added this warning to the Company The Daily Mirror

"Lat the Newspapers Limited): directors beware! They now Justice Goddard | know the conduct of, which thefr Lord Chief said: "There never has been employees arò capable. Lane approaching such gravity fa':, "It again they venture to pub- this. It is of a scandalous and ish such mattery as this, they may wicked character"".

and that the arim of this court in long enough to reach them" Heuter,

Mr. K. Chuck, Amoriedi, Vico- Berlin from the Soviet Zono sald | North Atlantic Pact The loclared,

the manoouvros would involve the He said the proposed North

On Other Pages

At an earlier hearing, the Judge said that the "Dolly Mirror had alleged that Haigh was guilty of

murder after murdei"..

With a man held on one mur- der, the most horrifying sletails nra elven of other murders, which are said to have been committed",

Sir Valentine Holmes, appear- She was amunt nina women greatest concentration of Bovies Atlantic Security pact, with "ing for the editor and proprietors, Page 8plen'in ¡U.8.8. representatives of

the Canton, troops in Germany sincw.the_war. | price tag that could reach, five to suld be desired to repeat on behalf Page 7-Another Shuffle YWCA who boarded the ship for Red Army troops are being moved en billion

Kremlin... dollars a year,”da 31-Use proprietors: what he had YWCA, conference in Hong out of winter garrisons all overcoming along

Page 9--U. To Stop next and already said previously for Mr. Bolam, Kong, Five of the representatives, the Soviet Zone, according to the there are hints it may be fol- At the last hearing, Sir Valen-

Ald. all Chinese, are still missing, | British-licensed "Telegraf”,- lowed by a Middle Tast pact, ating utpressed the editor's "416- Page 10%-British Retail tidn added the Associated Press.

The former German Nicker Paclite and more kid.

care and unqualified · regret" for

Against Czechs? The result, Jenner mid, may “his grave error"

Page 11 Ghinese. Delegata'e

Consul at Canton,

The Hong Kong YMCA told airfield near Breeden has been re

the "China (Mail" last night that opened apparently for use in joint * Canton mesinge said that five air-ground forces manoeuvres of the delegates are safe, The United Press,

be a crash of the United States Bola rose Brown his sent attm

| economy and "a springing - ur] the barring list, was takess-Into

right in our midst of the, very custody,

@kandallój,

China

1.

most of the government the headquarters of organs and the pacifcation commander have moved to South of the river.

The Central Nows and an artil fery duel is in progress di Chih- mienkuan at present, adding that government warships have been dispatched to Anking to assist the ground forces fighting of the Conimunist assault,

Chinese officials are privately admling Chiang Kai-shek is retaining control of at last one- third of the Government's hard specie assols. The assets are in feseign currencies, silver dollars, silver and gold bullio

Most of the funds are held in the Fuklenese port tit Amoy. Formosa and other South China points. Another portion of the Dofection Checked

essets are aald tied up in foreign Nationalist planes, sont partly tenk acounts that the Govern to drop pamphlets, today stopped ment cannot drawn upon.-United

of the 07th Na- Press. Associated Press two regiments tionalist Division from deserting | Reuter.

For That "Second Wind”

-Pause for Refreshment

Coca-Cola

Authorland, Bogglern & "HONG KONG BOTTLERS

and