1954-02-11 — Page 4

THE CHINA MAIL, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1954.

GIBRALTAR HAS BEEN OT BRITISH LONGER THAN

IT WAS EVER SPANISH

G

By Peter Lovegrove

IBRALTAR, that rocky "entry-box" guarding the narrow seaway between Moors wore back in posses- Europe and Africa where sion 24 years Inter, and it the Mediterranean and the was not until the end of the Atlantic meet, which Her

fifteenth century that Majesty the Queen is Lo

Spain regained control. visit on May 10, will com- under plete its 250th year the British Crown on July 24.

It has recently been the target for threats by General Franco and hysterical de- monstrations of nationalism

by Spanish youths in Madrid

and other cities, but in actual fact this naval base of vital srategic importance has been British territory longer than it ever Was Spanish.

Known to the Greeks as the one of Kulpe, it was Pillars of Hereults of anti- quity, and the Phoenicians were the fir-t to found

settlement there,

atruck back to such offeci that all the "floating batteries" 'were blown up or burned out and the whole offensive collapseit

siege in 1726,,again made disastrously. a "l" renunciation of their claims in 1729, and fifty years luter launched, with the help of the French, their most ambitious effort to reduce the fortress.

This was Spain's lost throw, and the 1788. Peace of Versalles confirmed, for the third time, Britain's right of possession of the historic rock. Soon after, Spain and Britpin were allied against Napoleon, and Gibraltar This was Gibraltar's greatest censed to be an issue, between nations until recent lege, the small British garrison the two holding out indomitably against years. vastly superior forces for three years and seven months. The Chief was the dagged and ex- perienced

In 1704 it fell once more, this time to the combined British and Dutch forces

Rooke after under Admiral Sir George three-day siege. The War of the Spanish Succession was Governor and Commander-in- are now more than 10 miles of

A

then in progress, with Bri- tain supporting the claim

In World Wor

One, when Spain remained neutral,--there

70-year-old manpower

had

were

Most Loyal

subterranean corridors and ott, and he only

strengthened against a possible attack. but of the Archduke Charles of

though men under his command. There Franen.

co-operating Austria to the throne of

were tour British Infantry with the Axis PowerS

on the prudently rên Spain, and the original aim realments the 12th of Foot (the Russian front,

the Suffolks). f Rooke's expedition had

1st frained from 39th (the

commiting him- Dorsets), the 58th (2nd Essex)

self against the Allies, heen to seize Barcelona. and the 38th (2nd Northants). When this was found to be all of whom wear the ensile of loyal to the Archduke's Gibraltar on thelt cap badges to

their Rooke

at commemorate

gallantry ruuse,

struck Gibraltar instead and, ap v lunteers,

and endurance--the Manchester

Gibraltar today

civil дая Hanoverian. three Im strategic preciating

23,000, of Marines population of some egments, a hory ot

mixed Mediterranean and value, promptly huisted the 424 Get Ma

Spanish origin who count amoun Queen

Elizabeth's most loyal subjects. Some 12,000 Spanish workmen cross the neutral zone every day to work for the British authorities.

The Rock of Gibraltar, photographed from the air.

It was un important harbour under the Carthaginians; it be- came the first Roman colony

the eighth century

seized

In

Royal Standard of Anne.

Queen

the

When the war ended, territory-it is only 3 miles in length,

terms

Carler

Under

0

NEW

+

Constitution

promulgated by 1940. ine Governor is nasisted by a Legis- lative Couneli and an Executive Council. The Governor presides the Legislative Council, over

which has three ex-officio mem- bers, five elected by the popular vote of the Rock's Inhabitants, and two nominated members (of whom both may, and one must be unafela!).

A free port, with an extensive shipping trade and tourist trame, it derives most of its revenue from port ducs, and duties on variety of commodities. It has virtually no home production, und depends on Spain for it fresh food and on rain storage for drinking water.

There have been two previous Royal visits by King Edward VII in 1993 and King George V

in 1012. George VI hart also n visit for 1951, but planned was prevented by Mness.

No Intention

is returned to Spain, he

yard and other military installa-

in

no

And

B

'LET'S GET OUT OF SUEZ' -Says Nye

Cummings

"We must invite Senor Bevan to Gibraltar without delay"

DON MORE

London Express Service

IDDON'S DIARY

PUSH-BUTTON

FOR MRS AMERICA

New York, Tuesday.

money

people Bre total of $2,500,000,000 tied up in because In surplus foodstuffs, and another now $3,000,000,000 in loans to farm-

ers on crops,

And it daren't give the stuff, or rather foodstust, away.

He adds that

worried IG business is obviously getting

to pick up out to save the New order

you have to bend, World for prosperity by electronica, autronics, hydromatics, and several American billion dollars of expendi whether you see any

ture.

kit-

is

A barometer

all the wealth and

success

Pedigree For 18 Pence

By J. W. Taylor

THEY are expecting an-

THEY

other busy year at Somerset House, dealing

with the hundreds of en- quiries, aome by post, others personally, from Americans anxious to trace their British ancestry.

Remarkable research re- · aults are, often achieved by the Somerset House experta, sometimes on the flimsiest of clues, although there are seems times when defeat imminent from the start;

Typical is the request from an American called Smith who to establish the

818

genealogical details of a grand- father born "somewhere in the Midlands, England, round about 1805," A common name calls for essential data as the precise date and place of birth; less is needed for a rarer name.

Cost of the search can be modest or very costly, accord- A ing to the work: Involved. sifting of records

covering a

of five years at Somerest se costs 13. Od, if made in

person, and 3s. Dd. If consueted through the post, in which caso the applicant must take up a cartiică copy of an entry at an additional charge of 3s. 9d. An extensive search in person costs 30s. for six consecutive hours.

COLLEGE OF ARMS

• The Society of Genealogists, a non-profit making concern, is also available for additional The help at appropriate fees. College of Arms, too, will help at charges that can be high, for the fees expected for private genealogists are appropriate to the high professional skill or the researchers engaged. Л long

and protracted search. much of it perhaps involving

much

wasted time on fruitless enquiries, can mean the expenditure of hundreds, perhaps thousands of pounds, before before a pedigree can Anally be established. The

College E concerns itself only with

milim families who boast a crest or coat of arms,

The experts do not agree that snobbery has made Americans so ancestor-conscious; they say.. cames of a very natural pride in one's origin. Somerset House have the impression, however, that sodal-climbing may have but something to do with it, admit that with many there are for the very practical reasons quest.

Some

seek

to establish hereditary right to an estate. There are those who are Latter Day Saint devotees wishing to baptise their ancestors into their faith by proxy. Somerset House records each month regularly swell the posthumous roll of This conflict

this sect by about 20 a month, Then there are Americans who can trace their descent to the of nearly SEE that the United States Mayflower, and have through News, which has great in-these researches been able to go fluenec, злуд that. Sir Miles back in their ancestory to the Thomas and all Britons "were" Middle Ages in England. proud of the Comet, What does

mean-“were"'?

that Anyway, it is plain

pre- industry

Despite I don't know pared to bend.

of of the power

this country. 1 American

but if sometimes think there is a Jurk- maguzines, do you will notice that ing inferiority complex in 'some East side, West side. Bil you they

on the are carrying more ad- Americans. Such stress around the town there are ex verlising than ever before in word "imported." such pride in hibitions

by dominated

the their history. Newspapers are

"European styling." push-button. The latest In

printing a record volume of

Brilish The Navy was represented by

motor-boats,

with motor-cars,

jet a 80-gun ship, three frigates and

During his recent compaign chens,

airliners rather irked the aviation and household equip- advertising too. one sloop of war, and at the

industry and provoked opposition among Congressmen. British outset there were less than five co has said that if Gibraltar ment are on display near the

will sidewalks of New York.

bad luck lately with the same in the whole herinn penin

months' supplies of basle foods, lease back to Britain the dock

reinforcements Included

I could not help thinking as

jet gave Drew Pearson and other three the 71st of Fout (Highland tions. But there is sua; and it was occupied

inten-looked at the "Kitchen of to-

of this advertising is columnists an opportunity to say MUCH [ quarters

mile EL

in Light Infantry), the 97th

MUCE (2nd tion in Whitehall to countenance morrow brought to you today by the motor-cur by the Goths after the fall

Arms. that Americans were right in West Kenta) und a

in the territorial breadth, and 1,396 feet high Royal of the Roman Empire.

any change

the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel: The motor-car industry is the refusing to grant certidentes, midshipmon who was status of Gibraltar.

"But can you bell an egg?"

borometer of the American at its highest point was rotund The

Franco's

Impertinent warning Ovens, grills, ranges appear- economy that's why I write Berbers and the Araba ceded to Britain under the later to become William IV.

unequivocal

The Franco-Iberian investing of the "resentment" the Queen's ed, disappeared, slid sideways, about 11 a good deal. It cm- it when they in- most

visit will cause In Spain has backwards and forwards at the ploys one out of every seven

the pressure of a lever. There was American vaded Spain: they

called under the Treaty of Utrecht forces tried a variety of tactics:

wage-carners long-range blockade and hard- been firmly rejected by This

not the treaty 1713,

slightest resemblanco provides Foreign Office, ruck the

out Gebel el Tarik of

pressed slege; continuous bom-

between the old kitchen stove every 14 dollars bardments by land and power- (Mount Tarik) after

fd seaborne attacks. Their January 25, Mr Selwyn Lloyd and the gleaming white labora- spend. name of their leader, and "The Catholic King does determined venture this eventually got deform hereby

was stated that Mr Eden had in- tory on show before the gaping for himself, his pressed by no less than 40,000 formed the Spanish Ambassador ed into Gibraltar.

47 ships of the that he was heirs and successors

not prepared viek troops, 200 gu

guns, 47 The Spaniards first come to the Crown of Great Bri- line, a multitude of mall vessels discuss the Queen's visit to any and landing craft made of one of her territories and that into the

picture in 1809 tain the full and entire pro- hinged planks, and tea formid- in no circumstances could he when Ferdinand II of priety of the Town and able but unwieldy "Boating adopt a representation on such Castile captured the Moor- Castle of Gibraltar, to balterles," each carrying from a tople from any foreign Power. ish castle-fortress, but the, gether with the Fort, forti- 10 to 20 guns with crews of 250 And Mr Lloyd added that Bri-

to 700 men,

tain would take a serious view deations and forts belong-

The garrison suffered severely if any hostile demonstrations ing thereto. And he gives and great material damage was were organised during up the said propriety to be caused, but the fortress guns Queen's visit. held and enjoyed absolutely with all manner of right for ever without any exception whatso- impediment

» Bayer's « TONIC

the

states:

or ever.

It was

not long before the Spaniards dishonoured their signature. They made an attack on the Rock in 1720, undertook a fruitless

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KOWLOON

most

In the House of Commons on

The Port Serjonn! marching away after

the Water Gale of the fortress at Gibraltar - part of the weekly caremony of the Köym. The custom dates back to the daya of the Great Blege of 1779+17880

and was revived Fini: 193: ELA PAR

to

the

women.

one

and

Americans

Life magazine asks; "Did the jot age come too soon?", though it answers "No, even though the British are going through a painful time ironing out the famed. Comet's bugs,"

Other giant industries-steel,

CHURCH RECORDS on the

Somerset House Everything, appears, is to oll, rubber-depend

records in be automatic, and maybe motor-car. When the motor-car

the Strand, London, are chiefly coughs the United atomic, in the mechanical world industry

confined to births, marriages of the future. Perhaps the States is sick.

and deaths In England and housewife is becoming super- In the hope that the cough

Wales since 1837; Scottish and I will not Become Influenza or

Irish records are filed in Edin- pneumonia, the motor сак

burgh and Dublin. They also

records Include magnates

raiding

kept

by treasure chests to

sell their which incenses the high-tariff them going back to the middle churches prior to 1837, some of products,

duous.

The Motorama

are

their

Perhaps its this

crowd.

conflict

THERE was everything In the brought to you today" except thousands of millions "into also not being given a fair Clues

was

1954 cars are on exhibition.

drastic tariff reduction.

of the 18th century; Census I find it strange that so many "Kitchen of tomorrow

Complaints from British show-returns since 1861, and military busincammen, so ready to pour men that our shows and films are records for about two centuries. tood. A demonstrator said this "souped-up" selling, are so wary chance don't,

sometimes take the however, seem searchers to the Somerset House an oversight, and gulded about reducing tariffs, Henry valid to me.

Probate

the me to the "Motorama" (thest Ford is an exception, but most

Registry; to

over diocesan repositories strange new words) where the big executives shy away from

If American exhibliora believe the country; to mediaeval re- our pictures will make money cords and land deeds housed at for them they will put them on. the Public Record: Offico In Dollar-carning capacity is the Chancery Lane, finally to parish one test.

churches throughout the country detalls of births, and denihs from registration was or that the "Buy American" Sherek hopes for a triumph with 1830, when "No depression is programme will be waived. T. S. Ellot's Tho Confidential introduced by law, to 1837.

called on me The Society of Genealogists

Impressive? Very. The auto- mobile Industry, stung by talk

of

The report of the President's a recession, is obviously, commission on trade policy has betting on boom. General' been received frigidly here, Motors president Harlow Curtice There's hardly a chance that Our plays have had 4 poor containing is wagering $1,000,000,000 on American tariffs will be slashed Broadway season, "but expansion.

He says:

in my vision."

Young cautious,

about

Henry Ford, more ta slightly uneasy. rising unemployment, but he also la spending several hundred millions on now models and selling them to the public.

There is something ironical about

the America

about a

Standing fast

Henry

marriages

apri Sherek

said he was delighted at not only fiave an index, of tho advance bookings. Alec Guin- Dorish registers covoring

whole

country, but, blher ness, Ina Claire, Joan Green- wood, and Claude Rains should research olds such On tho make "The Clerk" a bil, }

passenger lists of early emigrant ship.

CTUALLY.

American tariffa wore, scrapped entire- y.. I don't think the overall Hollywood actor Robert Ryan volume of US. business would is

memorable in: "Coriolanui.”

be affected much, Small sections, He has been wasted in reveral સપના 右臂

the watch Industry, trashy lms, would possibly be hurt.

customer's WUITY

slump,

strangest One of the

alghts of 1954 is a prosperous

Yet most of Congress, and

allizen having his super car particularly the Republican

equipped with ampliñers so members, aro standing fast

sion cati carry passengers,

Farewell party

that his forecast of a depres against tariff reform. The best HALF of Broadway turned

to all his we can hope for is another

out for the party for modest

expansion of the re- London' Slogy Scealer, given by ciprocal trade programme,

Earl Wilson.” : I “saw" Dolores. Special interests here still have Gray, Sir Cedric Hardwleke, Eva Gabor, vast influence. There are only Gloria Swanson,

Dorsey; Robert, 20.000,000 people in agriculture Tonimy out of a population of 160,000 Lewis, Lauren Bacalf. HEAR mon almost every 000, yet one whisper from the Sessler, who returns to I day, while ordering meals farmers has Washington turning on today, has been feted

Humorist's view

which cost £2 or Ed, asking, handsprings, the walter: "Do you think the

recession is going to get workethe farmer has been pan

The humorini, H. 1. Phillips per polled, supported, and subsidised - for years. His high *The well-heeled: Ameri- prices ars, propped by the Cours Slump when he ernment, which means the tax- put poodle Dalt

has

from here to Hollywood

..

Scotland's Maty, Garden, says; "Marriage is all right for soniv opora singers, but if you have a great career why do you want a

Martini;, and make the French . Tas result is that the, Glove / manitrafing You Obey

through

the ment hargy lit of food on a lend awaited Her hands**: 900,000,000,0g af butter Baggy author-compon

POCKET CARTOON

| by OSBERT LANCASTER