1949-04-05 — Page 1

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CHINA

No. 34246.

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ESTABLISHED FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS

HONG KONG, TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1949.

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CEASE-FIRE ORDER EXPECTED, Peace Delegates

China Reds Said To Be Willing To Hold Lines

PRELUDE TO PEACE TALKS

Nanking, April 4. The Chinese Communists agreed to the proposal of the Nationalist peace delegation in Peiping to issue a cease-fire or- der to the Communist armies along the Yangtse River line, au- thoritative sources of the President's office cold Reuter tonight. A presidential decree calling on the Nationalist troops along the 1,000- mile stretch of the river to cease fire and hold their present positions is expected to be simultaneously issued tomorrow in Nanking. Formal peace negotiations between the Nationalists and Communists will begin immediately after the joint cease-fire is issued, the sources said. Nows of the agreement is chung, and his first courtesy call Rail Town Taken sad to have been brought to Nanking to Li Tsung-jen lasting yesterday night by his personal envoy in Peiping. Hwang Chi-han.

Me ftwing Chi-wan conferred

wall President to unfil tate last weight

A

Nationalist fiovernment *para may sarit that other sources. tonight cuntmuud to say that the% had no informatiuni To content the theri of the cease-fire agree

An Gileml tourer tokt Unile Piers today that the government twee delerates were still in 3- fumat and preliminary contact with the Communist counter- Larts

opening

1. Tree exchange ophiem" prese entory. formal peace talks,

The

cleration

reported

tex

Plastcant Tat the chief peace de- Begade, Comethi Chang Chila

un Communist leader Mao Tse-

Mao entertained

the government delegates to din- ner last night during which brief speeches were made by General Chang and the chief Communist nelegate, Chou En-li

werk very

No

of cordiality andi felendship to Zalitate the format talk. date has yet been set for the opening of furmal talks.

Speculation?

Luntacia.

Source

The agency sald the National- ists evnenaled Hsinyang on April 2 to shorten the defence line and

was

He added that mosting of military

be Lin PD- attack on

Little Hopes For Jap Peace Treaty

Leave For Peiping

The Nationalist Government peace delegation is pleturad before embarking by CNAC for their trip to Palping.

Mr. F.

Y. Wu, CNAC's Aselatant Manager in Polping, also returned The service between Shanghai to his post by the same ship. and Lanchow via Nanking and Bion has now been resumed. and another service inking Shanghai and Blan tomorrow.

15 co-stort

Master Trapped As

Miss Orient Heeled Over, Court Is. Told

All Kinds of Portable TYPEWRITERS ·

AT REASONABLE PRICE. HONG KONG TYPEWRITER EXCHANGE

V, D'Agullar St.

Tel. 21433

Eight Million Threatened By Famine In China

Shanghai, April 4. Some eight million Chinese face death

starvation this year as a result of a ne seriou, famine threatening the war-di vastal country, according to the Chin Press today, quoting groups of statist cians in the Research Department of: high Government organisation. These statisticians state that a virtual total cess

tion of production on farmlands is the mal cause of the fresh threat to China's wa weary millions.

In this connection, they point out that two-third of China's most prosperous territories hav boon ravaged by war. In the areas South of the Yangtse river which for cen- turies have been blessed with an abundance of rice and other foodstuffs, there had been serious setback in the agricul- tural production, these statis- ticians assert,

A rosult,

present mainly

Rains Due

At End

Bhanghal, dependent

at

on

Of Month

food supplies tram outports for It's moro then Eve people,

million likely to face a cereal orials In the next few months.

You have just about a mori

more to

engage in outdo socials or entertain

under

Wh

N. Chino Shortage Communist-held North China is comfortably, warm sun. already in the grip of a serious Because meteorological fac food shortage and statisticians be and figures are crying out th lieve a famine may well begin in the rains are coming. May in the Peiping-Tientsin aren ir supplies from South China aurt

Spring in Hong Kong whi foreign countries are suspended. begins in March,

The report Hald the South gone and will luat until about West Provinces are farias heter end of this month. than the areas on both banks of

Meanwhile General Lin Pino's army has captured Communist Hsinyang. Important rail station 100 miles North of Hankow, nc- military The Nationalist delegation recording to the officiul ported the Communist delegates news agency today.

polite

und friendly in the preliminary free exchange of opinion which was for the pur- pose of building an atmosphere to ensure the security of Hankow. The Nationalist withdrawal also

understood

London, April 3. prompted by General

Informed sources said today intensifying chen's

Japanese Huayun, 50 miles to the ran that prospects of a town's rear, threatening to Isolate | peace treaty this year would the Inde with the signing of Inyong.

A Chinese report from Hankow Atlantic Pact. sul General Pai Chung-lasi, whe sald no formal hurriedly returned to his buse Sources directly enneernet with proposals were made by either yesterday in view of the tens previous discussions on the peace alde in the informet profiminary military situation. called a meet-trealy safl: "Pre-conditions for chiefs to map the treaty have greatly deterio- of the reports appearing in the out measures to halt the Com rated." Incal Vernaculare

munist Southward drive.

Pact the Atlantic Pelping negotiations were mere

Poi. in a statement General

They said speculation.

issued through the. Central-News had intensified Sayfol, tesguiment. Agency called upon, the Comniun- against the West and they pointed One unconfimed Chinese pressists to halt their attacks to facili-out that Russia and the West, on the German reperi saki the government dele-tate the current peace negotia- still deadlocked gation raiser is mano for a Urns.

He said the Nationalist and Austrian treaties, would be cease-fire and that the Commun- armies already have stopped all even further apart on Japanese ists agreed to consider it. This re- nilitary activities since the end problems. pori, however, was discredited et January in ling with the gov Informants said also that im- by a qualified official source who

of plementation

the Atlantic emment peace policy." said that though cease-fire is one att

that Communist | Pact He charged

was likely to occupy the

At the

time of the explosion of the subjects earmarked for di5- forces under General Lin Plac Western powers for the balance He stated however that there

improbable was

the

General Nigh Yung-chen of this year.

wns

panic whatsoever,the speed of the ship was about cussion it

six knota, The speed of the ship to-government delegates would raise were still continuing

They said inclusion

or of coun- among either passengers this proposal at this juncture in Southward

the tries other than signatories, such regardless of

was not affected by the explosion. disaster was a shipment of sup-to Captain Anderson was crew.

The engine was stopped im- plies from foreign countries, the South as Hong Kong. view of the known

of Communist pent

as Portugal and Italy, had to be rescued Opening peace talks. He said

from the enclosed

report added-Reuter. objection to it.

that 30,000 Communists

were considered and the attendant do, bridge where he was trapped. /mediately after the explosion. He said it is possible the dete-pressing assaults on Anking, river liberations are not likely to pers by members of his crew, 10

mit" discussions so far reaching

minutes after the ship selfled over on her side.

Chou Asks For Total Acceptance

Yanking. April 4. The Mei Jil Evening News, in an unconfirmed report day quoting an unnamed "au- said that thoritative souren," the chief Communist delegate. Genveni Chou En-laf, anked The government delegates for otal and thorough acceptance of Mr. Mao Tse-tung's right terms for peace.

Speaking belose a dinner party Even by the Communist leader, M. Mi Tse-tung, in honour of

about

the

art

to move

Gates might have touched it in- | V" Meanwhile. the military news the Japanese trenly this year.

agency sald that Nationalist rem- tercements have arrived 311 Anking and assisted in repulsing

General

formally in a "free exchange of the current Commurist attacks on the Tongte River part of Anking and the rail town Hinyang and Husyuan North +

North Hankow and

and Communist attacks. suggested these attacks be halted. It also reported that

Meanwhile, a a belated

Inted leakage Chen Yi's armies cuptured the the Government peace delegation, by unoficial but reliable I tuchiatu bridgehead near An- General Chou Was sal to have source of the two initial Com-king-Reuter and United Press.

bitter attack those munist demands made last Febru who were praying for the early¦ary on the government appencer outbreak of a third world war to confirm the widespread belief Caut on warmongers) who plan that the Communists like the to utilise the peace negotiations Nationalists are viewing pence ax to postpone the offensives of the means and not an end. Communist

people's

made R

לונז

liberation ormy in order to give them time to rebuild their own forces.

The Evening News also quoted General Chou as calling upon the Kuomintang to prove the sincerity for peace with facts and deerla.

The paper also said that Gen- eral Chang Chih-chung, the chief

MISS DE HAVILLAND SERIOUSLY ILL

They said events In China also must be considered before

How Captain Andorson became trapped as the ship heeled over after the explosion was revealed in the first hearing in the Court of Inquiry, investigating into the sinking of the Miss Orient, a British registered ship, in the Elliot Passage disaster of March 24,

Giving evidence in yesterday's session, Captain Anderson stated that the night of the disas- ter was enveloped in pitch darkness and mist and visibility was very poor.

no

Mr. N. Garland, Acting Director of the the Japanese peace treaty talk of Marine is President could be approached. They a Court with the following mem- verted that the outcome of the bera: Lieutenant-Commander J.B. Chinese peace negotiations and P. Stirling, RN, Captain W. Lums- the possibility of Communiat den, Captain R. E. Smith

Captain I. China becoming * Security

Mariners. Council member were factors affecting consideration of the Japanese settlement.

Military sources said Russia Hollywood, April 4.

probably recognise Th criginal

Actress fundamental

Olivia de Havilland's also would

deferment of the that she is the fact that approach of the two warring agents said today

of factions persuaded cautious seriously ill and that her doctor treaty entailed prolongation

military oc- observera to the conclusion that is fighting to save the baby which the United States' cupation of Japan. even if an agreement is reached she expects in August,

That is one probable reason It can only be a truce and not

why Russia would not press for a pance.

Japan peace treaty with year."--United Press.

vernment delegate, in his speech To Cross River stressed the following prerequisites fer a successful pepco:

1. Mutual recognition of each other's position and abandonment of mutual hatred.

2. Mutual discuraton prici no

dictating by

by any side.

3. Mutuai concessions.

4. Mutual competition In

pirit of friendship.

The two demands made by the Communists through indirect channels shortly after President Tsung-Jen took over as head of Slate from Generalissime Chiang Kai-shek are:

the

1. That Communist troops, be

Mias de Havilland, wife of wri- ter Marcus Goodrich, had been confined to bed for two months.

United Press.

now h

the Yantgse River and the Yellow Gene also is the Colony's win River. Hanan und Klangsu Pro- or, us some would prefer to vinees could continue to be self-it, the cold season. And we o supistent this your, but part of now expect the days to get pr Runun produce has to be brought pressively wanner until we hir

to over April and land somewhi to Kwangtung and Kwangsi feed the people there.

in May when our summer

meanwh between, likely to be the Hins. In provinces

threatenedbe (allend or left-over of 11 by-the

Chekiang. cold will continue to nibble at

as It is doing at the present. Kwangtung, Fukien.

which are

The hardest hit

famine are Kiangsu, Anhwei

Honan and Shantung,

expected to lace

a shortage of

| three-and-a-half million

pleuls

100 pounds to the picut in this

Rising Sharply

This is because of the period instance) of rice during the four bursts of the modified polar wit North East monsoon begining of the months from the

the beginning of which have started over the mo wastes of Siberia and which 'vi summer until

chilly tou 4, October.

of averting often bring about The only hope

affect regions even s

The ship began is heel over on The time her starboard side.

ON OTHER PAGES between the explosion and when the ship heeled over was about Page 2

Alleged Stabbing Of Foki Told. three minutes.

At the time of the explosion it Page, 3

dark and misty, and Night Landing Training Flights. was very The visibility was very poor. Page 5

There was not much time left to save life until after the ship had and settled down on her starboard Newton,

Master side.

Captain Anderson said he was the enclosed bridge Representing Yu Ping-yung and trapped in Yu

Wo and it was not until 10 minutes Foo-yau, both of the Cheung Fat Shipping and Trading later that he was helped out by Missmembers of his crew on the port Company, owners of the

vide. He saw some of the pas- Orient was Mr. G.N. Cooper.

Formal testimony regarding the sengers, the Chief Engineer, the and some of the chart of Elliot Pussage which was Chief Officer from the Admirality Chart guards, takont was given by Mr. W. Sprague.

Mr. W.R.K. Collings testified to photographs tuisen

at the scene

No Life-Jackets

The passengers had no life- of disaster on March 31. On the this instruction of the Director of saving Jackets with them. The so suddenly Marine, Mr. Collings said that he explosion happened

thut it gave them no chance to went to the scene.

Ulving evidence, Captain Ander- mukes use of the life-lockets. son said that he was the master He got on to the bridge and Engineer and nt the Miss Orient and that all found the Chict

New Australian Trade Commissioner Arrives

allowed to cross the Yangts Mr. Hugh Wrigley, CBE, MC, ED, new Australian

The paper said General Chang| River and occupy Nanking and also touched on the tense Inter-Shenghai, the political, economic national situation and urged that and military nerve centres of the peace be established in China to enable the maintenance of world Reaco-United Press.

AL

The Weather

0500 GMT (3 pm. Hong, kon Funmer Time from a small shiherelon centret over Central China rides extend Fast arrow the Eastern. How to Japan and Beth to the South China Sen.

Today's Forecast-Moderate Faster's

winds. Oloudy with some Train or drisale.

Yesterday's Weatheri Maximum: 07.) den. Fab. Minimums: 04.6 deg. Jah, Hunshi: NII.

Hainfall: Traore, · Total alien. Jan. 1-- 112.2 mm.8.21 inn. sa muralisat un average of 170,0 mm.120.99 Ina,

Nationalists;

Promessive

Kuomintang

lements, meaning President T.. Co-operate military with the

Government Trade Commissioner, has arriv- ed in Hong Kong from Australia. Mr. Wrig ley also represents the Australian Government in the Philippines.

He was previously Commercial

Communista In a joint fight Counsellor to the Australian Mis-

against the remaining power of

the feudalistic forces, Generalissimo Chiang.

sion in Japan.

Mr. meaning

The United Press Informant

Wrigley was born on December 1, 1891at Scandale, Victoria. He was educated at

suid the demands were stomalle Denn's College, Ballarat, Victoria, nd atoutly rejected by President and at Murder College, Adelaide. Li who made it clear to the Com- He is married and has one son.

War. munista that thole troops would During the first World

the under no circumstances cross the Mr. Wrigley enlisted in Yangtze River and that on open Australian Infantry. Force as a Rie between him and Chiang private on August 17, 1914. He was the first ranker' in South

Kul-shek was unthinkable.

In the face

WRE

Ha sald President Ll also Australia to chlist. He served made it clear to the Commun. In Egypt, Gallipoli and France. iste that if their troops oroan Ho was appointed to the river at any point

there Commissioned rank as Second would be no pense negotiations. Lieutenant in 1916 and

of President Li's Rubsequently promoted to Cap- strong stand the Communists Fromelles in July 1918, mentioned

tain. He

was wounded in action at lator backed down, only demand- 11.94 Inèkm. Ing the Occupation

of Nanking in despatches for

Callipell, and Shanghái but this also was

of this Transferred.

Bendthun #12.

p.mi.

10 .01. Barn, at m.)....1017.2· ‚1014,4 m.k. Kqnale 40,00

Tel. Humidity

Thew Point

Wind, Fares

Wind Directkem.

Bigh

11

TESS..

154:00, 26.

1-knota,

Time

2,4

1310

awarded and

Cservices in

the Mi

MRI H. WRIGLEY

balked at by the President. He tary Cross the hutan turned to Australis In background" that

the ship's papers were lost. Miss Chief Officer. There were giving Orient arrived in Canton at 8 a.m. assistance to the passengers. en March 24 and by on that ter he was helped out, it was

Al-

not

day she had discharged ail her possible to give further pasistance fo effect further rescues. There passengers and cargo.

was no panle whatsoever amongst the passengers or the crew.

Captain Anderson said Mr. H. surveyor of Abbott, chief tide the Chinese Customs, organised the removal of the crow, and pas- sengers of the Miss Orient.

In the afternoon the ship load ed the general cargo, which in, cluded. 20 tons of tin ingols, un- der the supervision of the Chlet Officer and the compradore's staff.

Embarkation of passengers was

Mr. S.E.M. Haslett, Chief Onicer crumplated by 9 p.m. that night. Captain Anderson said that the sold that he was not on duty at compradore told him that 293 the time of the explosion. At 9.40 tickels were sold by their agents. p. when the ship was at Nom He said. that he had no nieans of Shick Tau he issued arms to the checking the number of passen-guards and Captain. The arms xers as many of them boarded the included rifle, revolvers and two

Bren machine guns, ship and then bought tickets.

.400 Passengers ·

the

No vessel

Immediately after the explosion the engine stopped and the vessel began to heel over.".

Shell Osman Bux, Chief En- gineer, said that he was in his cabin when ho, heard an explo-; slon. There was a commation and he rushed down to the engine room and before doing so he hat to open the grilles to the engine

He estimated there were about 400 passengers on board. search was · mado an prior to her sailing.

Miss Orient lett Canton at 9.20 pa, and on the bridge were two quartermasters, two pilots, four ship's wards and witness his room. well. They sailed to the quaran tine anchorage and later proceeded

Before he had the grille' pro- down the river by Elliot pRISNYA.

50 minutes to perly opened, he was knocked Ukunily It takes

ile walted R the ship was pro- pas, through the rench.

Captain Anderson, sald at 10.00 down when the ship heeled over. p.m. they were approaching. Deni perly settled. When he was near 1022. Point Buoy when he heard an lie bridge he saw a shadow and

Knocked Down

1 dllded that it is eqtent cir- 1Army, Mr. – Wrigley. look part in | following a few years · né explosion. The explosion was not the Captain who was trapped. He

vies here are expecting the Cam-operations In Afghanistan in 1919, ler, the accepted. An executive heavy but it shook the ship. The shouted to some, of the crew. to munists to Aik again in the cur-Mesopotamia, q'indi 1920-21, and pealtion with the Vacuum Oll tearing gear! went out of action give a hand and the Captain was

and the ship Inclined to its helped outs rent negotiations for the occupa-Waziristan in 1922. He resigned Company, Ply., Limited.

leit.bank. tion of “lliè two ellies.

(Continued on Page:14)

(Continued on Page 14).

{From "the "Indian" "Army" und re-

No Deolalon Yet On ERP Ex.

tension. Page

Plan For Aria-An Editorial. Page 7

*Izrael, Transjordan Bigs Armila-

.tice. Page 8

Burma

Mandalay, Page 10

▸

Troops

Bevin, 9forta

Colonies.

.

The average temperature March und April is about 68 to br degrees rising sharply to about the Summer from May August-with average tempe tides of about 80.5 degrees.G

There is little to fear about the rain during this month, you, can put in as much ten excercise as you wish. The av age amount of rainfall modați during this period is about f inches.

come In M Heavy rain will and continue throughout the agi ner with its greatest fury be Occupy spent about the end of Aur when it begins to drizzle da gradually to on inch average Discuss Italian December with a lot of wer

grumpy days in between.

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