1955-04-23 — Page 5

Page

SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL

HENRY MOORE

The worst of retirement is that they'll start putting up statues și nim.

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1955.

Cummings

The mob called the Admiral a coward-but : was the killed to

save the

Government?

THE SHOOTING

OF BYNG

DUDLEY POPE

tells. one of the world's strangest stories

Every Person in the Fleet ernment that they planned who, through Cowardice. Negligence or Disaffection, shall In Time of Action withdraw or keep back, or not come into the Fight or Engagement: or shali

to invade England.

In fact, they intended to (eastern- capture Minorca most of the Balearics and

not do his utmost to take

take of midway between Marseilles destroy every Ship which be his Duty to engage; and to and Algeria) and reduce assist and relieve all and every Port Mahon,

of His Majesty's Ships, or those

of His Alles, which it shall be So, despite reports from bis Duty to assist and relleve; every British agent in the every such Person so effending area that the great French and belag convicted thereof by

con the Sentence of a Court Martial, fleet-known to be shall suffer death

centrating at Toulon-was aimed at Minorca, the Duke of Newcastle's. Government kept the Fleet in Home and Waters. The Duke

-XIIth Article of War.

December 25, 1749.

A

LL England waited eagerly for the ver- dict. On one hand Charles Fox, his Secretary of the mob clamoured State, were convinced that for news of the fate of the the Toulon fleet was destined America or perhaps Cowardly Admiral; on the for

other, the King and his Ireland. Government were confident that the signal from Ports- mouth would say he was guilty. It meant shooting an admiral as a scapegoat, but the Ministry would save its face and stay in power.

Aboard H.M.S. St George at Portsmouth the President of the Court Martial, Vice- Admiral Smith, picked up some papers, looked at the Honourable John Byng, Vice- Admiral of the Blue, some- time Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, and started reading, w

Object: Minorca

Byng murder, or justice?

he was to use all possible means in his power, for its relief.”

THE BLACK BELT OF NEW YORK

By Wilson Ferber

hold

ISASTROUS fres, aver- jealous of each other, especially during their lives, money which in formed the basis of a con- aging five a week where shades of colour re

point. There are some negroes siderable fortune subsequently recently, in tenement in Harlem who would be ac made by their descendents in houses of Harlem, have cepted as white in countries not spopulation on trading. Aftar a drawn attention to the accustomed to blacks. These few more generatops there will grave overcrowding prob- darker persotis, Every year some more from work

themselves superior to grow up a class of negro as re- as any scion of lems of New York's Black of these white negroes cut adrift New York's Four Hunder Belt Within its narrow from their home ties.

and

One more boundaries are crammed familiar surroundings and "pass" problem for Harlem.

Bs whites.

taker. Once nearly $50,000 cullud decision is Ievocable. Harlem, negre of Harlem achieved any- In one thing only has the pussons ranging in shade though constantly mimicking thing balance, and that is from pale coffee to ebony white modes and manners,

is in one are the days black.

Bavagely and vindictively jealous of any negro who "pasies." ·

of

Self-centred

the

aristocracy.

when ecstatic preachers writhed and moaned - in their" sermons, while devotees

them rhythmic

Curiously enough, although rich in all

It is a district

constant sumprises and the first surprise that greets the visitor la that Harken

blatantly more American than even the Bowery. Harlem is practically

that centred negro community, most

This in spite of the fact

Kons

white

mini- The

of

a self sters of today are preaching (

and Yale, nearly one-half of its popula- of its traders and merchants are thoug

discourses to an ion is foreign bom

The average Harlem miring audience, while swallow The numerous types, in Harlem neuro is reluctant to trade with tailed ushers watch the congre ard the despair of the a merchant at his own colour gation for signs of incipient ethnologist. There are repre-

lest the after should grow rich emotionalism. There are still a sentatives from most of Africa's at his expanse. countless tribes, negroes from the Antipocies, from the Carlo bees, from Asia, South America and from every other spot where coloured folk are found. Yet few

Hotch-potch

"

Mareguer, negro consumers do not believe that a coloured marchana can run his business. as well as a white one, and that

and

few weird sets with strange. beliefs, and occasionally there is trouble among their adherents." Cannot Save

Few negroes can save. After payment of rent and living

penses, the average RESTO throws away any surplus in gambling. American Aims ture the darkie in his gambling moments as a fervent thrower of dice, but in fact he falls for any kind of a gamble, from horse-racing to clearing hous numbers.

* Pare &

CEST

Aperitif

POIT

BON

ETRE BU TRÉS ∙FRAIS

17

& Raphael

APERITIF

the negre consumer patrcrises immigrant negroes fail to ape is own race he will be fobbed their neighbours' imitations of off with an inferior article at a white manners immediately superior prica. The total value after landing. With truly mar- of businesses owned and oper- vellous facility they develop a ated in Harlem by negroes is pride in their fester nation and put at the comparatively small strive to be all-American.

sum of one million dollars, **

The wealthy negroes of Har- lem live very expensively ostentatiously. They have maids.

The latter game is based on Drink it by itself served cold Quick emotionalis.n of the negro y, en urs, entertain Invish-

sund their children to the figures issued daily by the with a slice of Lemon- that's is responsible for many sudden the universities. They patronise Clearing House of the Stock flare-ups.

real American

the arts and

collect antiques. Exchange. Bets of one cent and how they enjoy it in France; or negro looks down on the im- Their clothes are made on Fifth upwards can be made, and the have a Cin and St. Raphael. migrants as trash and there are Avenue and they frequently adds paid are about 540 to one. Inevitable clashes between these make trips to Europe.

chances of picking the right. NOW IN HONG KONG Probably two sections of the community.

Their immediate digits But the true-born American ancestors were Puliman porters negroes arc almost equally who. saved

CALDBECK.MACGREGOR & CO.LTD.

This hotch-potch of negroes is never quiet, never peaceful, The and

The

so that the only real winners а little nest-ege are the bankers.

Death- under the 12th Article of War.

for

Tive court martial went cal even if the crime" should be When Byng, in fact, arrived but it was not producing the committed by error of judgment at Gibraltar

and the French had resuils that Fox and Newcastle, only;

therefore, already overrun Minorca and anticipated. Rear-Admiral West, cur own consciences cake, as 16,000 men were laying siege to for instance, might well have well as in justion to the prison- given danning evidence against er, we pray your Lordships, in Fort St Philip.

But, he spoke in his the most earnest mandits, Byng. favour.

recomanend him to His Majesty's And public opinion was plemeney!

cut:

to

On May 19 he was of Port Mahon and sent in three frigates to get in touch with General Blakeney, besieged in Fort St stend the story came Everyone was appallet. The Government was shaken by astead of continuing Philip A French squadron hove

shout for Byng's Life rear-acquittal of Byng and the in sight before they could get

some they aimed

their strong plea for clamency. Byng's -near enough and Byng, fearing they would be cut off, recalled age at the Ministers especially, friends were cutraged because Newcastle, Fox and Hardwicke to them an error of judgment

was not a criminal offence Then came the court mar- tal's verdict,·

them

The ever-fickle wind dropped away and the two fleats could not get to grips until next day. The French, adopting a defen- sive role, had left Byng to wind- ward; and at 2 pm. he had made the signal to bear down, Several of his chips. did not get-or ignored the signal.

Into Confusion

of

An immediate appeal was made to the King questioning In the hushed cabin, on a the legality of the sentence.

Smith -read the &y January day, Vice-Admiral George II passed it on to a panel court's of 12 judges who pronounced it findings...

legal

They found that Byng di He Refused

cat do bis utmost to relieve St

Philip's Castle, and also that

during the engagement between the time had come for Byng His Majesty's Fice under his

ecmmand and the feet of the to die. But the law required The van under Rear-Admiral Perch king on the 20th May that the warrant for the execu West, did in fact bear down as last, he did not do his utmost to tion had to be signied by the ordered and engaged at very take, seize and destroy

Lords Commissioners of the thu

One of them, close quarters; but the rear under the Commander-in-Chiet, it was his duty to bave engaged. He wrote: e ships of the Freich King, which Admiralty.

Admiral John Forbes, refused. had been thrown

such of His confusion after the Intrepid lost and to assist.

Majesty's ships, which it was

her topmast and fell back

The 12th Article of

his duty to have assisted and War, upon which Admiral the ships astern. They hauld do therates manimously ages, Bynge sentence is founded (ac- back their topsails collisions, thus separating West that he falls under part of the cording to my understanding of and Byos.

13th Article and as that is meaning) that every person Article positively prescribes who shall in time of act

action This had left West's few sitips death without any alternative withdraw or keep back, or not unsupported and they were left to the discretion at the come into the fight, or shall not riddled with shot, By the time cart the coht

do therefore do his utmoet, etc. through Byng had sorted out the con- bereby unanimously adjudge the motives of

shail. disaffectioaice However, Fox caused fusion among his own ships, said Admiral Joon Bydg to be or

2

death: the court martial does, in small squadron of reputedly West's vessels were so pattered shot to death,

express words, acquit Admiral the worst (and far from that they exuld not continue the

of cowardice, and dis- action; and does not name the word negligence, Tele

fully-manned) ships in the

Recommendation

fight. John Byng, son of Ad- Fleet to be sent out to the wind stu very light the two During the night with the mira! Viscount Torrington, Mediterranean. Byng was opposing squadrons separated. Their verdict added that by

"Admiral Brug, therefore, of Land Robert does not, as I conceive, was a round-faced, untidy given the command.

Byng spent the next four days the evidencT man. In 49 years of Starting on December 28 of war of his captains.

refitting, and called a souncil Bertie, and other officers of the under the letter, or descriptiop, ship who were near the person of the 12th Article of War; it spectacular; steady service

of the Admat that they did may be said," that négligence is in the Royal Navy he had the four admirals and nine

They discussed the Admiralty's not perceive any badewartiness Implied though the word is not their unanimous in him during the action, or anal would not have brought this risen to the rank of admiral captains forming the court orders and

otherwise the court mar- resolutions seemed to warrant mario of fear ne confusion but lar As a sailor he was a capable martial heard the evidence.

In London the politicianshira eiving Minorca to its fate. that he spened to Live, his offence under the 12th Artigle of and cautious man, short of

him gossiped at their clubs and in self-confidence but not cour the House, Charles Fox-run-

Admiral West and every cap. crders pogily and dispnetly, and War having acquitted

Shed of ying with the hounds at last

taip greed with Byng's decision did not en wag per cowardice or deafection, and he and trova father. Expreply acquired Broth years in Opposition his dispatch.

Back in Gibraltar

These crimes, besides crimes cincumstances, the gourt do not. A quarrel between Eng-ter

his miscondunt which are implied only, angi are. land and France had been openly forecast the verdict. It

At that time England had believe that was easy for him since most of

or not named, may indeed justify

and building up in America: the blame should have rested on born waiting for great vice either from ca

Government both countries had been his shoulders, Newenstle felt fory Newcastle's

In case of blood. Bending troops and materials there was nothing to worry exceded #though it was too

aberat,

But at dawn on Merch across the Atlantic in readi- The court martial heard the refused to end langs fleet that they were dist

Byng was led out

HMS, Mo aboar ness, But even before the

Adinice

instructions to to

outh and shot: outbreak of the Seven Byng the danger was in

Years War on March 17.

1756 the French succeeded

stupid to bring it shout, Having

They the vote to the

waited hear that Byng bad sity, oA DOBREG of the French pass. doce the

the French of Jesign, finding ourselves unde

of the Moultore

the Straits. But

in fooling the British Gov- affect was made co Gibraltar

con

with which be met his unded even thom that,

This game is illegal and therefore the more popular. Bets are taken secretly by runners. who earn a commission on what they receive. Sometimes nobody finds

the correct number and then the banker pays nothing. On other occasions numerous chents discover the magic rem- bination, and

then the banker is to disappear with celerity. liable to

Probably Harlem's most char acteristic feature is the house- rent party. Rents are high, and although tenants let off

every available inch of bed space, many are still unable to find the rent when it is due. To raise fundas

podg" - they arise as house-rent (Continued on Pare 19, Col. )!

MOUSON

IN FRANCE THEY DRINK MORE

ST. RAPHAEL THAN ANY OTHER APÉRITIE

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