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• GLOUCESTER ARCADE
COMMENT OF
THE DAY
HK At The BIF
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CHINA
No. 35808
Established 1845
WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 1954,
THE-WEATHER: Fresh E winds, moderating. Cloudy, with sunny periods in the afternoon. - Wazzmor.
Price 20 Cents:
Defenders Of Dien Bien Phu
Odent's report on the Arst Reach Their Last Resources
UR London correspon-
day's business st the Hongkong BIF stand made pleasant reading. We hope, however, that he has not painted a picture of bues too roseate. Undoubtedly our exhibitors have learnt many lessons during
the laat aix years, and deter- mined efforts have been made to apply correctives and eliminate shortcomings. The two most glaring min- takes four years ago were the overloading of a small stand with inferior quality goods and the inability of exhibitors to make frm quotations to enquiring buyers. Judging from our correspondent's report there still appears to be room for improvement in presentation of Hongkong's manufactures at the Fair. although this too needs to
thu
be related to the fact that Commonwealth stands strive only to be decorative, "Hong- kong is there to sell." But by far the most significant improvement in the Colony's exhibition is in the quality of the commoditics on dis piny. It has, perhaps, taken
whereas most of the other
to
DESPERATE HAND-TO-HAND
FIGHTING
General Assault
Awaited
Hanoi, May 4.
Recklessly-attacking Communist soldiers drove a battering ram toward the vitals of Dien Bien Phu today despite a bulldog French counter- attack in a nightmare scene of slithery mud and torrential rain.
Rebel Vietminh battalions outnumbering the defenders 10 to 1 seized one more strong point on the westerly face of the stricken fortress. They already held three others taken in weekend
rather longer than neces- sary for our manufacturers, attacks.
appreciate the vital importance of offering high-grade quality goods, and to shake off the tendency to believe that so
The garrison lashed back with a heroic bayonet charge. But after hours of ferocious hand-to-hand combat, the High Command announced the counter- attack failed.
Into Action At Besieged Fortress
Aq
Here is action in the besieged fortress of Dien Bien Phu. Two soldiers inside the French peri- meter dash out of their fox.hole for another posi- tion. The situation at Dien Bien Phu is grave, and it is feared the fortress may fall to the Vietminh rebels by the
of this week, London Express.
(Authoritative reports meanwhile Baid American long as an article is priced planes would airlift another French battalion 8,500 miles cheaply it will naturally
this week from France to Indo-China to help stem the find a ready market. Now this has been done,
worsening Red threat.) the Colony has discovered that world I can compete In markets; can attract buy ors from the United States, Britain, South Africa, Ger- Holland, New Zea- many, land, Italy and India, to
only countries which displayed interest in Hongkong pro- of ducts on the first day this year's BIF.
The abortive French counter- Both The French Union had today allack was swamped under a positions attacked ball of automatic weapons fire already been seized by the Reds which the Reds rushed
end up to over the week-end. They were their new position.
regained by counter-attacks on A Sunday.
The
пате
some
of
position
Casualties were described
on both sides. heavy
The French were crippled by to the west the
for the ring out into Vietminh ter- |
lack
W
of aviation. Thus there
air umbrella was no
On "Huguette" formed a salient
"They needed it to mount another attack whose objective defenders, floundering in
ot the remnants of stinking mud and ceaselessly may well be
choking off by the alleld, thus a maelstrom churned into
French airlifted supplies. shellfire and pelting tropical
REBEL LOSSEN GREH rainstorms.
the authorities for Military French Command be- The
officially Axed attack. loved today's
which first time today
Vietminh losses, including those a.m. local time in a the moonless night, was preparatory who were wounded too severely
After to return
IT is to be trusted (we may
are
as to any
2 started ut
even go so far assumed) that our *x- hibitors
also in position to make available |to| prlee lists tu enquirers.
53 days of almost constant battle to 20,000 men. To which has
Nothing is more calculated
to lose potential business
added.
new general assault.
added
pushed the garrison | "d
to battle, De 10,000
thousands
this must be of lesser
have
been
Losocs at 4,000, including
Collaborated With
Chinese Reds
Ten Years
For
US Soldier
Washington, May 4. An American court mar tial today imposed B sen- tence of 10 years' hard labour with dishonourable 27 miles cart of the discharge from the Army on
to the limits of human endur- wounded troops.
French ance, i might prove to be the
observers estimated Anal agony,
2,000 dead.
In the Red River delta, man with Viet- while, two trains loaded
on the lost supplies were blown
yes- Hanol-Haiphong railway terday, the southern end of
bly unob- said
a trade fair than ex-fort's at hibitors being unable to make firm quotations when they are sought. And the case of Hongkong this la particularly important becauso, as it has been emphasised, the Colony is strip which is the
THE DANGER in The danger of today's
minh stab was that the
position commands a clear feld
of fire on
Dien Bien Phu's wrecked air said there were "several casual-
Tonkin capital. The Frencts Corporal Edward S. Dicken-
tion"
xhibiting at Earl's Court structed French-occupied arca A river boat patrol was am- the Chinese Communists and
for
of
log
the
Vietminh
13
The
bushed by miles northwest of Hanol. French reported and claimed they killed 20 rebels who cut Icose with gunare from villages along the Red River banks United Press,
SEA OF MÜD
son for collaborating with informing on his comrades while a prisoner of war in Korea.
But He Wouldn't Say How
Geneva, May 4.
A Chinese Communist spokesman called to- right for improved diplomatic relations between Britain and China 'but when, asked how this could be done he closed a press conference he was addressing without answering.
The spokesman sai China "welcomed” Britain's recognition of the Peking Government.
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HÔNGKÔNG” TYPEWRITER EXCHANGE 9 D'Aguilar St
PARALYSING WESTERN DISUNITY
Two-Day Recess For Geneva Conference
Geneva, May 4.
The Far East conference, paralysed by Western disunity, voted itself a two-day recess tonight to give the Western nations a chance to line up their policy on both Korea and Indo-China peace plans.
Everything hung fire while the United States and its United Nations allies pressed the South Korean President Syngman Rhee's Governi- ment to agree to a compromise plan for all-Korean elections as one key towards unification.
Lacking Mr Rhee's approval, the West's hands "were tied and it was unable to put forward a plan of" its own to replace the Communist-sponsored North Korean proposals for unification.
On Indo-China, the Western Allies scorched vainly for peace plan that would not in- volve partition or surrender t the Communists, Neither the United States nor Great Britain the lead and the would take
French delegation awaited wor
from Paris.
The decision to recess for two days while the West mended Its own forces was taken after the conference had heard a grim warning from Canada failure
that
Laniel To
Ask Vote Of
Confidence
Paris, May 4a
to ugree in Geneva Premier Joseph Landel might plunge the world into a made the question of post- new conflict that would engulf poning an Indo-China debate
and destroy us all."
and one
has
followed, too, an appeal until a date considered suit. from the Netherlands to putable by the Government a an end to "futile name-calling and spoorhes and get down to question of confidence when real negotiating.
the National Assembly re After seven plenary sessions aumed its session here bo
the night. secret meeting deadlock on Korea was cam- The vote will be taken on plete.
IMMOYABLE.
Thursday afternoon. The Commumist Bloc“ tra**he Radical Party, which behind the holds four posts in M. Laniel's stood immovably North Korean plan. The West coalition Government, unex- rejected this but so far pectedly demanded 盛拉 <early not been able to put up one of debate on the Indo-Chine was.
This was a direct its own
challenge Delaying a Western plan is to his declared wish to post- the question whether free pone a general debate
on the Answering a question the bazes maintained by im-elections should be held only in subject until a more favourable
"After spokesman said:
the perialist
powers" in Asia be, North Koren or throughout the moment. establishment of the People's } withdrawn, he said.
country.
South Korean The Radicals, supported by Republic of China the United
The spokesman Bald
Government thus far has refus dissident Gaulista, apparently this state Pearson's speech Kingdom recognised
was nothing
speed: to budge on its rejection of take the view that a debate of the and we welcome this fact and but defence step
elections throughout the country now, despite its possible con- by the United Kingdom. made last week by Mr John
which it feels would reflect on sequences for the Government, re-Foster Dulles, the United States "After that, diplomatic
is preferable to waiting until Jations between China and the
Secretary
its own legality.. of State.
the the possible fall or Dien Bien United Kingdom falled
In another reply the spokes- achieve any progress. This is man
that once United were withdrawn not because of something on our States forces
This situation should be from Japan there would be no part changed."
need for the Sino-Soviet treaty He was then asked "how." which
provides for the joint pres conference use of Port Arthur Against He closed the
"Japanese
militarist
aggres- without answering.
Britain is the only bigsion"-Reuter. Western power which recognises the Communist regime.
to
When pressed by Journalisti he repeatedly denied that Com- munist China had intervened in the Indo-China war.
Forty Feared Dead In Mine Disaster
a rosson more funda- to receive parachuted troops mental
prestigeit and essential supplies. than
rebels have already The
"China has made no interven- urgently needs, and Is
mounted a searchlight on the
tion of any kind in the Indo- seeking. expanded exporta of its own manufactures,
north side of the drop zone to
The discharge carries with it China war," he said, spot nighttime supply planes.
NOT CHINESE SLOGAN Thus merely to boast *LTI
forfeiture of all pay and allow- The positionin
a tangle
Ho ances.
described as purely
Romo, May.
4. attractive looking stand is barbed
minolickds, wire,
The case
gues now
Ro an hypothetical a question asking if
Forty miners are now Bot sufficient: our ex- blockhouses and zig-zagging
Paris, May 5. Army board of review which is Communist China would regard
reported to have lost their hibitors require to be in a trenches, also looks down on
The fortress of Dien Bien Phu, expected to complete its study it as an act of aggression, if any lives in the fire damp ex- position where they can the command post of Brig.-Gen.
forces reached the
plosion in the Bolls Christian de Castries, the steel- where French parachute troops of the record in about a mouth. French
and Foreign Legion battalions answer any questions about
The verdict was returned by China-Indo-China border.
Ribolla Mine near desperately
off a board fighting
of eight high army The spokesman earlier Buld
Gromelo, today. Twenty- he are prices, quantities, qualities orved garrison commander.
Without fresh supplica,
China had Communist
five were missing after dates, and and delivery
has only three days ammunition attacks by Vietminh forces, has officers who had deliberated 103 that
the roll-call had been willing and able to accept to stand against a full-fledged become a sea of mud in the last hours believed to be the longest nothing to do with the slogan
24 hours, the French High Com-in military history.
"Asia for the Asians.
taken, and they are now orders on the apot. It in Communist general
mand announced in Hanoi today. The maximum sentence under He was commenting on to
thoughs to be entombed noted with satisfaction that officers said
While torrential rain grounded such a charge is life imprison- tiny's speech at the Korea
in the gallery where the a wide range
French fighter protection lastment.
explosion occurred. · Litils of new pro- Maj. J. Rousset, French mili
Inteligence director
night, French troops fought the ducts are on show for the tary
Dickenson, 23, was the first session of the Geneva conference
by Mc Lester Pearson,
hope is held the
of rescuing first time, and that all of Baigon, sald he believed the vietminh with knives in slippery man to be tried under » new
External Canadian
Affairs thezni alive, particulasty
Bre Bispe
has Minister,
been dis- The
covered to be raging in spokesman said: "Ap- parontly this is a slogan of Mir
ussault.
at
them have won approval | "one way or another” sometime main water. for their high quality, this week. Therein lies the secret of
successful exhibiting. And the west side of the camp with ground, the Command said, now. tion that leads to mistreatment Pearson himself. It has nothing
While the Reds battered at
if too, the separate display an
served its purpone. The soldiers broke through the 1964 BIF, so far as Hong- barbed wire guarding "Elaine," bayoneta And trench knives, they were
kong. In concerned, has got But in a nightmare of bad Strikes In The
off to a good start. There hand fighting
i, evidently, a sufficiency
in quick repulsed
counter-
Argentine
.11
la a Com.
ht
Attack On HK United States Launch Sequel
of
dead is fifteen,===
So far the number known
France-PressR
and
JOURNALIST'S
10-DAY FAST
DOT
The Dien Bien Phu battle-which makes it a crime to sup-
part of the gallery, ply the enemy with informa resembled that of the Argonne
rst of fellow prisoners of war. three battalions at its worst during the estimated
to do with us at all." Ho He spent holding world war.
21⁄2 years
The Asian people demanded one company of Hongkong knitted gloves against
General de Castries, the for- munist prisoner-of-war op 1 that the military forces strongpoint on position does anything to put a stop the
of "Huguette," another Vietminhtress commander, in his daily North Korea. He was one to the calumnies which battalion jumped
against radio message to his wife in 23 prisoners of war who at first
Tafused have been directed. In "Elaine on the southeast. Hanoi, last night asked for
repatriation but Britain against these manu-
screaming black pair of Wellington boots to be and another maan later return- Twice the
ed to the factures, it will have amply and are
Vietminhdropped by parachute-Reuter. grey-green clad
Genova, May 4. Reuter.
69 ABSOLVED
A Vietnamese journalist, who London, May 5 Washington, May 4. | | - The
supports neither his own gove Queen's commendation
Ho Chi-minta The American Air Force an
emment, brave conduct has been Vietminh cabinet, last night for nounced today that it had given to a Flight-Sergeant Aying
bes
a 10-day fast here to absolved of all charges 00 mem
up the work of the of workers on the stand thrusts.
bers of the Air Force who had an unarmed plane who attracted "peed Buenos Aires, May 4. prisoners of war in Korea are from a Communist gunboat Canova conference." (which has not always TANKS IMMOBILISED
#Tho "jkarnalist Vo Thanh
• Spreading Wildcat strikes and who were accused of having to himself to save a naval
Has been given apač years); the goods on show Pau were immobilised by the crippled several industries and collaborated with the enemy launch, the London Gazette an- Bainh,
nounced last night. during their
perifiésion"to camp in the Uni services today.
captivity,
The Flight Sergeant, Patrick Nations Park are attractive; they boast mud, military authorities said,
More than 300,000 workers Fourteen other airmen, non quality and good anish About half the French artillery were estimated to be involved commissioned officers and om Keras, was leading a section of and they are being offered had been zileticed earlier.
in Argentina's first major labour cors who were prisoners of war two Hornet aircraft on an un- reconnaissance E in an French aviation blocked by
trouble in throe years. The will be discharged as a
REPORT DENIED as a result of armed, at competitive prices. With
to their actions or attitudes in ares southwest of Hongkong all these favourable in- bad weather from Dien Bien Phu stoppages were designed
2. prisoner-of-war camps..
Last September, says the citation. fluences, there is good wung into action against Viet exert pressure for higher wages.
The British Nine of them had been a Diregarding his own safety he
military bend/- Some hospitals limited their the minh supply roads. Dozens of
surgical services to emergency cused of fasely having con- carried out a number of dummy quarters in the Stadle Colony's exhibitors
on Yorbay and Provin cases. Milk was
was becoming
to participation box, which broke baile attack had win killed, p
in attacks on the Communist gune has denied that, a British 23 de warture. enjoy their most successful
No mention, was made of the Pop was, mufcient for Hanoi. Enormosis craterm "were The inret, represented at the aww and the Trenched children Only's and there were former prisoners of and Karmant Kerra, who is 38. captain sported to have an of watered, been sindled by a commiation of come from Belfast, Northern wounded in Egypt, Frenome Britlen Industries Fair in Dinge was blocked for at least many complaints
34 hours.
mikk- United Press, darboj
been the case in past
The French tanks at Dlen Blen
reason to believe that will dropped bombs
boon
year since Hongkong war Sal Route 13; 100 mlios east of creasingly souros in some places the reach of the 63 on the noval- launch.
records
Frosse.
The
Raibor than show up
Wert's disunity publicly, the 10 United Nations have preferred
Phu.
M. Laniel
The
the
demanded should be
postponed
to let the Korean debate drag debate
ro until a more favourable moment without out
any concrete pro- posals from their side while a and sald the question of post- nine-nation drafting committee poning. It would be put as a tried to iron out their disagree-voto of confidence.
CABINET DECISION MA ments and the United States
Radical and others worked on the South.
demand, made Korean Government, United during a brief debate on Indar China lo the Assembly tonight, Press,
1o a cuddón : adjournment. ・caused a cud An emergency Cabinet meeting then authorised the Primb Minister to make the issue the subject of a vote of confidence. All parties had earlier ap peared to agree with M. Laniel that this was not the moment for a general debate.
But when
Soviets Dumped
Guns, Radio Set
the earliest compatible
Canberra, May 4. Australian officials sold today that six pistols and a powerful
ho asked for radio transmitter, found in the port for a motion that the de- Molonglo River near here, may bato be held at have been dumped by Soviet possible
a Radical Embassy officiais shomly before with the they left Australla last week. spokesman asked for a debate
The police said today that on May 14. He insisted M. more articles may be buried in | Laniel had agreed to this during the river mud. The radio trans-behind-the scenes talks, mister is capable · of meriding. Non Radical Goverment meeges anywhere
the leaders were trying to persuade world,
sald United the Radicals to withdraw their Prest.
officials
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