1949-04-28 — Page 9

COMMONS DISCLOSURE ON YANGTSE AFFAIR

Reds Wanted Amethyst To Aid In River Crossing CHURCHILL'S BARRAGE

London, April 26.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Clement Attlee disclosed in Parliament to- day that the Chinese Communists had been prepared to allow the British sloop Amethyst to get to Nanking on condition that she assisted them to cross the Yongtse River. "Such a condition was obviously unacceptable," Mr. Attlee commented omid

laughter.

These facts, he said, were given by Mr. Edward Youde, Third Secretary of the British Foreign Service, who volunteered to try to reach the Communist forces in the hope of stopping the firing on the British warships,

Mr. Youder, M. Antice said, reached the forward heudeur. ters of the People's Liberation Army in the Pukow arva on April 24 thanks to tus courage and detentar odion.

"He descubind the stualiom as he knew when he left Nanking on Apud l bond, ponuded oul to them the pearefad and humuni- Jacum nature of Dar nussinde velj Amethyst and tregues deất that she i be allowed to paberest to Nanking

Shaughat

Tur: then

LT

molestation."

Walkout

Mr Aither petrženske omplete beak- sputate tools teal line that clear- ance furt nant been retained Trea the People Labatta Arasy and entered the war

heavy

Ah bat

They 1

T

their troop

from Re

.

to mist

defenc

ecompilation of

by

a result of Be They refusi bacation of sett

Fantastic Charges

M Waste Chun chill, leader of the Lippinction, Wanted to kenw how it was that at this time we bave not got in China wenters une,

ships up the Yangtse, Mr. Atticnful occasions and there was no conlilutedt £14- "The other properly with porne asperity! said

thority

British to whom? the Commander in the spot took ne-

Government were under an out- ligation to notify her movement even had they been in a position

uon.

10 k 80,

Mr. Aitles further said that the

1 approve his aetion. I sup- port his action. That does not say that at the time the man un in the exact The spot who conditions should be receiving detailed orders from the Admir-sloop was set up the Yaugise to alty there is no question of Abel- tering behind any euminander on the spot."

10

D

Questions about air cover and the avathality of aircraft follow- ed and the Premier was under- stood to say, amid some disorder, that

British

aircraft stationed at Shanghal

Brigadier Anthony Head, Can- saying that the pervative, was country emild draw only one in- ference frare these answers when

מ

was persistently interrupted

ANN

Nanking 39 lieve the destroyer Consort with a clean 24 hours to gu before the expiry of an ulti- matur to the Government from the Communists, then puked for on attack

the River. The 1:4 ships were so ex- damaged because war- tensively strips are not designed to operate gainst massed artillery and infantry sheltered by reeds and mud banks

"The Communists forces appear to have been concepirated Jay considerable strength and are re- by Labour eries of "The Tories | porteil as being lavishly arquippest with howitzers, medium artillery wand war."

and held guns,“

Earlier, when he was speaking about the Yangtse meident, Mr. Attlee said that there had been n question of a punitive expatti- tion and the British ships' fired only to silence the forcen frios! à against them.

1945 Declaration

Mr. Atlee also told the House that Britain's attitude to the elvil

THE CHINA MAIL, THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1949.

Four Britions Still Missing

London, April 26,-

After the Prime Minister, Mr. Clement Attise, had

an nounced in Parliament today that 12 British saliora are missing in the Yangtze River Insident, the Admiralty gave the fator Information that only four men are now un- accounted for.

There is no reason to sup- pose that they are necessarily. dead, an Admiralty #pokes- man added/Router.

U.S. Navy Secretary Resigns

Washington, April 26. The United States Secretary of the Navy, Mr. John L. Sullivan, resigned today as a protest against the scrapping of the construction

Liner Total Wreck On Maiden Voyage

Rio de Janeiro, April 26. The 17,500-ton Royal Mail liner, Magdalena, to- day broke in two and began to sink off Rio Har- bour a matter of seconds after her crew had abandoned her.

She was homeward bound on her maiden voyage and

t

was insured for £2,000,000. The passengers were taken off yesterday after she had run on a reef. Ufflelal sources said all hupés | equipped with Bir conditioning of saving the liner hud been throughout her passenger accom- abandoned. Crowds watching modation and public rooms. from Rio benches Baw the bows of the ship break off and float away about 200 yards from the rest of the hall

The new luxury liner, badly holed and shipping water, was being towed broadskle on into Hlo Harbour when her end Came, Wireless reports from a tug near the Magdalone said the liner's how is now half sunk and aground and the stern section, drifting to-

of the new £5,000-ton super airwards the beach, is expected to eraft carrier, the United States. sink shortly.

A White House statement on Mr. Sullivan's resignation is un- derstood to be in preparation.

Mr. Sullivan is known to have submitted his resignation in a talk yesterday with President Tru-

man.

Mr. Sullivan's resignation had been expected, It is based on his bellet that the Navy is not helag given proper consideration in the defence policy.

The crew of the Magdalens are reported to be safe. Her captain, Mr. D. R. Lee, of Ramsgate, and four other persons, were earlier reported to be still on board the stricken vessel, but left the ship safely some time later.

There was heavy swell at the time when the vessel was be- ing towed Into Rio Harbour, after being refloated this morning from a reef on which she had ground-

Later reports tonight said the Magdalena is a total wreck, with her bows half submerged and slowly drifting towards the shal- lows.

Radio calls brought Brazilian naval craft and salvage tugs, the 0,131-ton Brazilian steamer. Gola | Coide and several other craft to her assistance.Reuter,

Hong Kong Haven Of Refuge

The

in-

London, April 26. British Government tend to maintain Hong Kong as a peaceful haven of refuge from oppression, as a great centre of trade and us cultural and

ཕ་ educational beacon, Mr. Davis Beuter: "The Magdalena's post-Rees Willems, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, said today.

Last Saturday, Mr. Louise within sight of Rio. Johnson, Defence Secretary, gave Earller oficial sources orders to stop work on the $180 million carrier.— Reuter,

Cairo. April 20. Syria today requested Egypt. The Lebanon, Iraq and Transjor- dan to send buck to Damascus a number of lending Syrian poll- ticians to stand trial for alleged "abuses" under the regime recently overthrown by Colonel Husol Zain, the Syrian Comman der-in-Chief-Reuter

tion is extremely difficult."

Big Insurance

told

The colony, he Fail is the In addition to the £2 million clearing house of commerce and Insurance on the VEREC her the shop window of democracy

East. Despite the Far

self, nubeldiary Insurances on in

and amount to about £500,000.

freight

other Interests greatly increased population, it is

still providing the highest stan The Magdalenn was launched turd of living in in May last year at Belfast. She for the

the Far East general population. was the first British. vessel to be

Mr. Rees Williams

was wel. coming the Hong Kong trade mission to the British Industries Fair at reception at the Colonial Office.

Admiralty Tells Story Of Heroes

London, April 26.

war was governed by the Museow Individual acts of heroism and devotion to duty by

Declaration al 1945-wher

Br

Mr. Attlee added: "British Con- sufar oficials

China yainlyam, Russas and the United States tried to get in touch with the aruramced a policy of non-inter- IT no Fais aircraft carriers eng Communists, both locally and in

vention in China's toternal af- atle of affordinat paroleelion to our their North China capital of Pei- tairs, national who might be increas-pg, to halt the shelling of the ingly involved in peril atud mis-British ships trying to rescue the fortunes tak capable of affording sloop Amethyst"

The cruiser London suffered that prolerhom in the only way

must severely during the rescue! which is understood by Biose at

sing and sulting bit and was holed repeatedly in tacking, murdes i

effective her hull and upper works, he us, namely,

suidh, power of retaliation?

1V

Mr. Churchill, spening TIL

strong

fermy.

asked

this question after Mr. Attire hast told a packed Home about the selling of British worshipes on the Yangtze reerntly,

esc

diplomats One of the many who heard both Mr. Attlee and Mr. Churchill speak was the Chinese Ambassador to Londen, Dr. Chang Flen-hat.

Mr. Attlee sau that with the

Thi position still

Brain re- serves her position on the Chin- Comment shelling. with heavy casualties, of four British warships in the Yunglse, Be dis- missed Communist charges that the warships were directly par- ticipating in the rivil war as "fantastic and unfoundedt."

Mr. Churchill followed up his question by asking for an asstir- ance that the British Government would face this matter in a robust spirit and make sure that the British flag is respected.

To this Mr. Aftfce replied that the situation is still Bald.

ever, the Government will make

a statement later.

Not Warfare

Clear 24 Hours

M

Reviewing the incident, Attlee sadi. "When the Chinese Government decided to move to Canton it is true that a warning was issued about worships in the Yangise.

"Nevertheless since that time the movements of our warships in the Yangtse have taken place with the full knowledge and Gov- consent of the National ernment of China."

Taking up the Airethyst issue, Mr. Churchill declared that "who- ever was responsible managed to send this ship up the liver al- Inost

exactly at zero hour." To this Mr. Attive

answered: heen "The voyage

would have

#mpletet ja 24 hours before zero

Τσι

members of the crew of the British worships involved in last week's Yangtse river shelling, were described in a statement here today by the Admiralty.

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"The

All thoughts of world are now turned to China, There we are a great people in disorder, great cities in chana: millions of men, women children homeless and In went," he said,

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"Against this background, we find Hong Kong, a rock and a tiny plece of mainland, a haven of prosperity and peace."

Mr. U. Tut-chee, replying to Mr. Rees Williams' welcome, spoke of the wonderful welcome A Marine, aged 21, Bernard to leave his ship until he was re-given last

British Maurice Bowe,

year by the on board

the lieved of his command after some people to the Hong Kong Mit- cruiser London, went for 24 56 hours.

510. hours with only temporary dressing before

for asking medical treatment for a hole right through his shoulder.

Bis ship-mate,

an Opposition suggestion that it would have been better to have withdrawn British no- tionals earlier, Mr. Attlee said that the decision not to withdraw them was announced-n Parlia- | ment niunt. He thought it right that they should have remained in Narking

Mr.

Mr. Attlee did not reply when Thomas Scollan, Labour,

that asked

the Government should not be stampetted into "intervention In this elvit

War

When Amethyst was fred on that might lead us into war."- she was proceeding on her law. Reuter.

Arabs And Jews

To Hold Talks

Lausanne, April 27.

How A preparatory _Arab-Jewish, peace conference will open in Lausanne today but the Arab and Israeli delegations will not negatiate directly at first, UN officials said yesterday.

Mr. Church then added: +% would like to make it absolutely elear that whatever criticisms we may take on what I might call the unfortunate handling of difficult situation, this in no way detracts from our resentment atʼ the atrocious outrane of which we

have been the victi

Victims or

or our de- termination to press the Govern

GBS Plan For Commonwealth

wright.

London, April 20,

The conference is sponsored by the three-member UN Palestine Conciliation Commission, which comprises Turkey, France, and the United

Bed States.

The talks were originally due

to open yesterday but were post-

ponect because some delegution.

were delayed by bid flying wea-

ment to take effective steps to Mr. George Bernard Shaw, the ther. Syria, Lebanese and Egypt. make sur that

we are treated world-famous dramatist and play-an delegations have now arriv- with res

respect in future."

today suggested that ed. The Israeli and Trunsjordan In the subsequent barrage p1 aliens residing permanently in the delegations are expected to arrive questions, Mr.

Altice said that Commonwealth should, as guest early today.

wants to take citizens, have the rights of and step to protect Bri-the

responsibilities of

the

CAMS in china. This

every

tish

ink

"natives."

the

The talks will

open with Commission and

The Navigating Officer, Lleu. "This year promises to be even

P.E.C. Berger, although more

encouraging. We have seriously wounded, ordered much

tenant

the

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to learn from Britain in that he should be carried to many fields. I am sure this close the bridge on a stretcher each contact with the mother country Marine Ro- time the vessel moved.

will help us to develop and rus- bert McCarthy, aged 20, had a Surgeon Lieutenant J.M. Al-tain Hong Kong In these dim- piece of shrapnel the size of a denton attended

wounded cult lines. We have received large cork embedded in his neck under fire until he himself was much

Assistance from Govern- but did not seek medical treat- killed.

We know that support ment. ment for 24 hours.

The statement added that we can give now will not only |_ The

The First Lieutenant on board more cases of bravery and de- help to develop Hong Kong but Amethyst Lieutenant G.L. Wes-votion to duty woul

render great service to China. ton, holder of the Distinguished when final reports are available, and world trade." Service Cross, although suffering All had acted in the best fra- Among those welcoming the from dangerous and exceedingly titions of the Royal Navy, It said, guests was Sir Thomas Lloyd, HONG KONG TO MANILA ....... painful shrapnel wounds, refused' -Reuter,

Permanent Under-Secretary.

60

meeting of the the Arab delegations. In a letter published in the Later in the day the Commis- London Times, Mr. Shaw also sieri will meet the Israeli delega. suggests that the application of] tion, which is expected to this principle in the case of Ire-headed by S. Sassoon, chief of the land, and perhaps India, is urgent Arab Affairs section of the Israeli The distinguished dramatist Foreign Office. All the meetings points out that of his 03 years, are to be held in strictest secrecy. Mr. Atlee 30 have been spent in England.

has to be borne in mind in deal-

with the Yangtse incident. At one time no fewer than nine Opposition members rose simul- taneously to catch, the Speaker's eve for a chance to question the Prime Minister.

Το To one que

question

answered: "I am quite wellRouter,

aware that aircraft are used

warfare but this is not a matter

of warfare at all. There is no

suggestion of making an attack

PRAGUE PURGE

The Arab and Jewish dele. gations will not mest directly for the time being, Commission officials said.

The major Items of discussion London, April 20. are expected to be the fate of anywhere at all. We were on- The Free Czech Information an estimated 800,000 Arab re- Kaged in the peaceful process of Service here suld today that the fugees from Palestine in the Arab bringing supplies up the River." Czechoslovak Ministry of the countries and the definition of the

He said that he could not Interior has ordered the arrest Israel frontier.

.....

or

Make Any further statement of Czechoslovak officers who The four Arab delegations will about protecting the Damon served in the independent represent all the Arab countries still on Amethyst-stranded up

Czochoslovak Army, and the bordering

Taraoli-occupied the Yangtas behind the Com-Royal Air Force during the war territory. munlat lines except that posible stops are being taken, after the Communists took in Lausanno are hended by Ad- There can be no possible ques power,

nnn Atasoy, Syrian Minister to

tion

al' and were dismissed na unreliable The Arab delegations already

of apologising to the Cott If quoted a reliable repert | France, Abdel Chani el Abane, munists.

which has just reached London head of the Pölitical section of After # clash between the for this information and added the Egyptian Foreign Once, and Prime Minister and Mr. Churchill that the arreste are to be made Fund Bay Amoun, General Secre- about the responsibility for the towards the end of April || tary of the Lebanese Foreign

Office-Associated Press.

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