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THE CHINESE PUZZLE

When the People's Govern- ment was formed in Péking last autumn, one of its first acts was to ask for interna- tional recognition. Different obtained among the idcas ruling Party not only on this but on a great many other

THE CHINA MAIL, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1950.

WINSTON CHURCHILL'S WAR MEMOIRS: THE THIRD BOOK

they

THE GRAND ALLIANCE

The tragedy at Singapore

our meagre

By Winston Churchill

|

Lord. His voice sounded odd. He gave a sort of cough and gulp, and at first I could not hear quite),

cod Borning

At a confest in Now Zealand, a fowl was.plucked in 36 seconds, Can any Taxation official beat that?

clearly. "Prime Minister, I have Titts joint Sino-Soviet oll to report to you that the Prince company was apparently formed of Wales and the Repulse have with the Idea of Sinklang wells, both been sunk by the "Japanese

—we think by aircraft. Tom Phil- lips is drowned."

"Are you sure it's true?" "There is no doubt at 'al}," So I put the telephone down,

were disembarking. At д moeting of his senior officers all agreed that it was impossible for the Navy to stand out of the bat- dle at this critical stage. Ho re- Le ported his Intentions to the Ad- mirally. Ho requested the Singa- I convened

move ceived one hit from a bomb which Air at meeting, mostly pore

Command to War Aghters to our Northern airfelds, cause a fire, but this was soon Admiralty, in the Cabinet Room at 10 o'clock on the night and requested the utmoet help, under control and the ship's speed of December 9 to review the from

Air Force was not impaired. In the second naval position (two days after namely, reconnaissance 100 miles the Prince of Wales was struck cem simultaneously by what seemed to on Pearl North of his squadron on Decem the Japanese attack Harbour). We wero about aber 9, reconnaissance off Singorabe two torpedoes close together, I was thankful to be alone. In dozen. We tried to measure the from daylight on December 10, which caused very severe damage consequences of this fundamen-

fighter protection ver and flooding. Both port propellers tal change in our war position Singora on the morning of De- were put out of action, and the against Japan. We had lost the.cember 10. This last all-impor- ship was never again under com- command of every ocean except tant aid could not be given, first picte control. The Repulse was not the Atlantic. Australia and New beca

attack hit to this attack. Zealand and all the vital islands, on Singapore, and in their sphere were open to af-"

CAUSC The Northern airfelds tack.

were already untenable.

We had only one key weapon in our hands. The Prince of Wales and the Repulse had arrived nt Singapore. They had been sent to these waters to exercise that menace which kind of vague

the highest capital ships of quality whose whereabouts 12 unknown can impose upon nil calculations. How hostile naval should we use them now? Obe issues. Nevertheless the Comviously they must go to sea and mon Programme, with its pos-

vanish among the innumerable

There sibility of co-operation with Islands,

was general the West, was put through agreement on that.

should and malcontents rebuked. No thought myself they

go ncross the Pacifle to join what sooner had Mao Tse-tung left was left of the American Fleet, for his ill-fated negotiations It would be a proud gesture at in Moscow than the extrem- English-speaking world together: this moment, and would knit the ists began to reassert them- We had already cordially agreed selves. Their vigour at home to the American Navy Depart- and the long deadlock in ment withdrawing their capital Moscow combined

ships from the Atlantic. Thus in put

a few months there might be them firmly in the saddle.

fleet in being on the West coast The ultimate agreement in of America capable of fighting the Soviet capital, which was

decisive sea battle if need bc. The existence of such a fleet, and undoubtedly a sore disap-

of such

a fact would be the best pointment to the Chinese

possible shield to our

brothers negotiators, confirmed the in Australasia. We were all strength of the pro-Russian much attracted by this line

thought. faction, but not their popula- tate we decided to sleep on rity. But Communists rule by and settle the next morning what Wales power from above and not by to do with the Prince of popularity from below. The and the Repulse. position today is that the people as a whole are disap. pointed and disillusioned and probably often hostile, and that the ruling faction are more firmly in control than

ever.

to

of But as the hour was

at

Within a couple of hours thoy were at the bottom of the sea.

Tragedy told

which Chance played so fatal

a

5

and

because of the expected at be

'all the war I never received a more direct shock. The reader of these pages will realise how many efforts, hopes and plans foundered with these two ships. As I turned over and twisted in bed the full horror of the news A few minutes later another sunit in upon me. There were no wave closed in on the Repulse, British or American capital, ships and again she escaped damage. in the Indian Ocean or the T'aclile

become except The ships by 'nów had

American survivors of somewhat separated, and Captain Feari Harbour, who were hasten- Tennent, having made an emer- ing back to California. Over all signal 10 Singapore, this vast expanse of waters Japan

The Admiral had salled at 5.33 p.m. on the 8th with the Prince of Wales and Repulse and the destroyers Electra, Express, Vam-gency

Cui!

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PHILIPPINE

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THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

FLOREK BEA

CAUSTRALIA",

pire. and Tenedos when this "Enemy aircraft bombing," turn-was supreme, and we everywhera signal reached him. It added the ed the Repulse towards the Ad- weak and naked.

American forces in Japan to be toughened.

As an occasional movie patron I would ask: is this possiblet,

Gee quiz.

Correspondent · sends. 1:3 "A Gallop or opinions in Taiwan."

Appropriately enough, from a race which-la-currently- shouting- - itself horse.

Goering's silver-plated bathtub has been unearthed.

The overweight general had the idea that every clown should have a silver lining.

I cannot find the necessary

To pay my electricity. My bill is such a ghastly levy, How can light be so very

hoavy?

Trade unionists in the British welfare state want even bigger and better money-losing motion- allsed industries, more extensive social

services, even shorter working hours, and carller and greater pensions-end reduction in taxation.

Malice in Blunderland?

S •

*

"Czech premier attacks girl Ice skaters."

Apparently he made Ice at them but received the cold shoulder.

·

"The Imperial Viceroys were ricky and sinister,”

Something tricky about this,

It seems someone had the idea it was time bombs went off t Communist aircraft, making it à plane case of sabotage.

"Americans can marry cheaply." And, divorce.queockly.

The tragedy of these ships, in

part, must now be told, This is at least one explana-

The Prince of Wales and Re- tion of the apparent inconsis-Pulse had reached Singapore on

December 2. On December tencies in statements over the Admiral Tom Phillips arrived in week-end about the situation Manila by air to discuss possible in

"Trouble brewing in Belgium." China. Travellers who joint action with General Mac

Arthur and Admiral Hort.

Sounds like another export have recently arrived from Admiral Hart agreed that

Southern Indo-China. As the four

All plans were now being made opportunity for the Colony, if we and low Shanghai are quoted as say. American destroyers should join frequent rain

in secret for my starting for the can cloud were unfavourable for air ing that Communism is in

Phillips's fag.

At 12.22. p.m. another attack United States on the 14th. The China to stay, that the disap; Manila could at the moment be

felt that neither Singapore

on. On the evening of the 9th After successfully avolding a ed. On the 12th I had to make a pointment in urban areas and a suitable, base for дл Alliert the

nor

warning that large Japanese miral. bomber forces were based in

Fatal attack

ex-being shadowed by enemy air-do wrecked

get in before our water

*

Both admiralsnction, Phillips resolved to press proved fatal to both capital ships. intervening 96 hours were crowd shortage becomes too acute.

unrest in rural areas are of Fleet. Next day news came that weather cleared, and he soon number of torpedoes the Repulse full statement to the House upon had reason to believe that he was

wus was struck amidships. Soon after- the new situation. There was "Three APL ships said 25 per

much anxiety and not a In yet another attack

little cent finished." дет

discontent with the long-drawn | This should be of interest in steering- gear, and then in quick succession battle in Libya, which evidently some quarters. three-more-torpedoes found their hung in the balance. I did not af mark, Captain Tennant realised all conceal the prospects that that his slip

was doomed. He very severe punishment awaited promises of early success.

the us at the hands of Japan. On on promptly ordered all hands deck, and there is no doubt that other hand, the Russian victories House was very silent, and seem- ed to hold its judgment jin 'sus- fatal error had revealed the

of this Umely action saved many Hiller's Eastern campaign, and pense. I did not seek or expect lives.

was still to assert winter

and

Enterprise dropped

will have to take the round that his farce, last sighted by the

miral Phillips thought it unlikely attack, which scored

about trip via Tientsin to get

а

mike no

moru.

The

(To be continued) World Copyright reserved. - Ra-

production, even partially in any language, strictly pro- hibited.

Exclusive rights in Hong Kong

by the "China Mail?

REGULAR

SERVICE FROM

HONG KONG

little real significance, and a large Japanese sea-borne

pedition had entered the Gulf of craft. The hope of surprise was that the Nationalists have no

Siam, It www clear that gane, and heavy air attacks must hope of returning, since decisive events were at hand. be expected the next morning Russia is co-operating with Phillips got back to Singapore near Singapore, the Chinese Communists in on the morning of the 7th. Soon defence plans. On the other after midnight on the 8th it was hand, there is a picture of reported that a landing was ac-

tually in progress at Kota Bharu, At this Admiral Phillips Kwangtung Province given and later that other landings were luctantly abandoned his daring over to guerillas and other being made near Singore

enterprise, and after dark turned At 1283 p.m. the Repulse turn- power. The U-boat war was at anti-Communist or bandit also at Patani (see map). A homewards. He had certainly ed over and sank. The Prince of the moment under 'control, and

najor invasion of Malaya groups, while a prominent

had done his best, and all might have Wales had received two more tor- begun.

our losses greatly reduced. Final- American banker of long ex-

yet been well. About midnight, pedo hits at about 12.23 p.m. and Admiral Phillips judged it his

now fighting on our side. Ulti- perience in the Far East has duty to strike at the enemy while however, by a hard mischance another shortly afterwards. Hery, four-fifths of the world wera

another enemy landing

re- speed was reduced to eight knots, mate vistory was certain. In this emphasised the general dis-

Kuantan, more than 150 and she too was soon in a

a sinking sense I spoke. appointment over official

South of Kota Bharu. Ad-

condition. After another bombing I used the coldest form of bungling and over the results

one ΠΟΤΟ factual narration, avoiding all hit,

and sank she capsized

at 1.20 of British recognition.

All these aspects of the out, and will first have to go would be expected so far South officers and men out of nearly

Northerly course, p.m. The destroyers rescued 2,000 enemy on

3, present position are founded through the whole official by daylight on the 10th. After 000. The Commander-in-Chief, on fact. The power of Mos procedure again, from new all he might achieve surprise. He Admiral Sir Tom Phillips, and cow over the regime is again exit permits to new ship accepted the risk and turned his his Flag-Captain, John Leach,

ships towards Kuantan.

were drowned. demonstrated by the Sinklang | bookings.

Japanese records agreement, whereby Russin This is not bungling-it is claim to have sighted the British is accorded

In reply to certain question of unprecedented sheer ill-will. Most of the squadron trom the air on the 6th, rights in that reputedly rich victims have disposed of all but a submarine reported them the Chiefs of Staff about why no province. Half the oil and their household belongings anese 22nd Air Flotilla, based Singapore to aid the squadron,

t2 p.m. The Jap fighter aircraft were sent from steering North at 2 minerals, and other resources and accommodation; and it is near Saigon, was loading bombs was confirmed that Admiral will go to the Russians. As easy to imagine the depth of for an attack on Singapore. They Phillips did not signal his change one comment put it, this type their feelings. There has, too, immediately exchanged bomba tor of plan on the 9th, as he was

silence. His torpedoes and decided of generosity would be called been a palpable effort by sight attack on the British ships. tion on the morning of the 10th

wireless keeping

posi- the vilest of economie im- some of the Communist au-They found nothing, and perialism if any. Western thorities to evade the embar- to their bass by m

midnight. Before

and restore Bingapore till Captain Tenant's Power had the audacity to rassment of an offer of famine dawn on the

reported that the noon. Fighters were then sent at British were steering South, and once, They arrived only in time example of what Peking pre- the Government has more at 6 a.m. a searching force of ise toce of Wales.

witness the sinking of the fers to call the "spirit of in- than enough grain to meet Japanese aircraft set forth, zol- ternationalism”. Mr. Dean all requirements, that food loved an hour later by n

In judging the actions of Ad- Acheson sees this agreement prices are falling rapidly ful striking force of 84 bombers miral Philips during these caln be em as part of the process of de- and that all is well.

and torpedo bombers, organised in mitous days it should Waves tachment of Sinklang, on

of about nine aircraft each phasised that there were sound The

for. his belief that his report of the landing at reasons which he had spoken before. | network of Sino-Soviet Kuantan proved false, but as no intended attack at Kuantan would A Sino-Soviet air agreement Friendship Associations has amending message had been sent be foutside the effective rango has also been signed.

failed in its job of cementing from Singapore the Admiral re- of enemy shore-based torpedo

mained expectant, unt!

until soon artar bombers, which were his chief

would destroyer Express anxiety, and that

only ple's Government goes out of directive makes this clear.

the harbour

and found have to deal with hastily organis- its way to flout opinion Russian power over Chinese no sign of the enemy. Before bombers during his retirement. Qued strikes by ordinary long-rango abroad by its attitude toward policy has again been de-suming their Southerly course, The distance from the Salgon the evacuation of foreigners monstrated. The power of the squadron spent some time from Shanghai. It refused to the People's Government to in searching for tug and other airfelds to Kuantan was 400 miles, and at this date no attacks craft which had been sight by Torpedo hombres had been let the two American, shal- impose upon the people the But now the crisis attempted at anything approach- low-draughtships go up to policy imposed on them a came and fortune was hard. The ing this range. The efficiency of Shanghai. The United States growing. But the popularity Japanese air flest had ranged as the Japanese in air warfare war Government has got around of the Sino-Soviet regime is far South as Singapore without at this time greatly the pretext raised about the falling. It is in the context of sighting anything. It was return estimated both by ourselves and status of these craft by these conflicting movements which by chance

ing home on a Northerly course, by the Americans. - thorn, straight chartering two Philippine that the Western Powers to their commercial ships and one have to determine ticis Acting badowing ses RITA Panamanian vessel to convey policy toward China. That wales, and soon after 11 film, the

Grace www

to make

was not therefore known in

propose it. It is just another relief aid. They claim that anese submart, another Jap- emergency signal was received at

Meanwhile the nation-wide

At the same time the Peo- the alliance. A new Peking daylight the

emai

under-

Voice sounds odd

the passengers down river. tank is difficult enough With art wave of bombers appeared, "I was opening my boxes in the Now Communist Press re- out sabotage at the rear as The enemy attacked in successive 10th when the telephont at my ›ports indicate that evacuces well,

waves. In the first the Repulso res i badaido rang. It was the Wirst Boa

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