1955-05-14 — Page 8

וי

Page

T

IT HAPPEN

HE car in my life

will always be the Fold

Chev вода vertible. I bought it for 125 dollars in Buffalo, New York, and drove it

Stutes. across the

My American friends thought this very courageous since it was more than 10 years old, which to them made it

a sort of Genevieve.

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, MAY 14, 1958,

THE EDGE

OF

BEYOND

by Geoffrey

Cotterell

THIRD WEEK of the stories with a problem to solve-are they FACT or FICTION?

EVERY DAY You are given an opportunity to decide: DID IT HAPPEN?

thought of

Drawing by KOOLMAN

thousand

the man, at the where, eight or nine

"Sooner feet up and in a blizzard. In Denver party saying, you than me." He could " say such a moment one thinks with ikat again.

painful clarity: Death Howeve

I had a couple of probable, severe frostbite

carpet, tain. Happy New Year. empty sacks in use as

svold

so. I get out, immediately grab- The

bing the door-bandle to

was cer:

This was it ... I closed my eyes.

An

Chev went on sliding accident somewhere else.

later I was signing the somersaulting, and put a sack with a kind of shudder, and the hour under each rear wheel. After a rear began to swing faster, four book in a small warm hotel at next few efforts the Chey went for- feet away, three feet, two. This Steamboat Springs, the

town. The plump manageress slid was it. I closed my eyes. ward a foot, and at once

was only dimly interested to back. I tried again and made

learn that I had just it I drove very slowly about

through the mountains. twenty yards down the road, a yard

But it looked pretty good to me and seemed to go well enough. There was even a button which started swelching to the hood rolling back, although a demonstration of ahead the spruce trees soared up I had hardly any control. An- side, and put the brake on, The go. The left rear wheel was on

this unfortunately caused a couple of tears in the worn out canvas; the hood stayed up after that.

The couchwork had obviously hot a few knocks and the speedometer had stopped a 65,000 quite some time ago, but you couldn't have everything for 125 dollars.

Snow and Ice

Soon after I set off the great to

winter began

against odd colour effects of purple, green and grey.

Soon, I was on the foothills and my ears buzzed as the Chey began to climb. Things became impressive. There were gorges hairpin bends, sudden glimpses of great heights. Then the snow was piled up 20 ft. on either side, but the road was beautiful- ly dry and the Chey sounded happy, though `a little, breath less.

out from the mountain-

But when I looked, again the Cher was still there.

It had stopped with about 18 inches to

the edge.

Oft told

Come

THERE'S

A GLUT OF GIRLS

_DOUGLAS CLARK

VER the stately homes

of

What comfort is there in that Britain, broods. a for their aristocratic dads?

Lord Consider 53-year-old. sense of crisis. What Hawke, (Family motto: Strikel) is the trouble? A famine of When a sixth daughter was born boy babies.

to him he could still make a brave little joke which would In spite of startlingly have appealed to his great frequent divorces and hope cricketing uncle, the 7th Baron. ful remarriages, in spite of He said it completed his maiden the steady import of likely.

foreign brides, in spite of

over,

But now Come a further

stern encouragement from delivery-yet another, grand you may be sure that a sad their family mottoes, dozens ancestral sigh whiryars") through of blue-blooded lines are the Long Room at Lord's falling to gets · sons.

The efficacy of prayer does extend to the plea of the British peerage: --,

"Let wealth and commerce, laws and learning die,

་

THE DUKES

Soar higher, Go to the dukes, The premier among them, the four Duke of Norfolk has

daughters, no sons His title

may go to a kinsman, Viscount but bis "But leave us still our old Fitzalan of Derwent, nobility."

such as Arundel properties, Castle, may pass elsewhere: The and next Duke of Nortalk might not Instead, while wealth commerce thrive and laws and possess the large territories one learning are in rude health, the associates with the name, Acidi nobility are in a pickle. For what does this crisis among the CCTDEETS Ioant

"All you need is a heavy car, lots of speed, chains and con- fidence," she saick "I go twice a week"

was

I smiled at her gratefully. light car, not much speed, no chains, no confidencee-I already rehearsing my story. "There I was, helplessly watch- ing it slide towards the edge..

the north and beyond the other side of the south in along, noble line with road there was a sheer drop. glimpses of row peaks. Directly

The road was so ley now that other bad skid, just righted. Chev stopped I I got out again then a sharper bend and this to go back for the sacks. time I'd had it. The Chev spun

was almost impossible to walk completely round and slid fast for the ice was terribly slippery. This would be where the route and backwards inte the snow-

I made my careful, tease way drift on the mountainside. The card

had jokingly referred to engine cut out All round was the spectacular view of the back with the sacks I had to dead silence. There was

valley thousands of feet below. get in and I was only too con- weight might cramp in my fingers from grip- The snow fell down thickly into scious that my

the emptiness. I reached the start the slide again. This me She would be the Arst to hear it. the Chey would have me as a ping the wheel ughtly.

up and sacks, picked them

it crashed down turned.

passenger 29 into the valley. I haver prayed so hard as when I opened that door. Gently I eased myself across, released the handbrake and the Chev moved forward

At the next bend it slid into the bank again, which was all right with me. I was limp and

went

The fairyland scenery on and on, up and up to Bert houd Pass, which was 11.3154 high there are almost as many notices in the Rockies 43 in Tottenham Court Road,

Home from home

American nudge me. There was snow all through the Mid-West, a bliz zard in Detrolt and the world's lciest breeze came off the lake at Chicago. But the Chev be- haved splendidly and it had a efficient little heater. In very

Here was. 1. ski lodge, Nebraska the weather im-

and extremely proved, the anti-freeze alcohol crowded, gay, burned out and I was glad I pleasant. It was the real jingle had resisted all those men at

nt bells atmosphere. I stayed gas stations who had tried around for an hour or so and

the

to sell me chains for the tyres then drove down to the valleys in the centre of the. Rockies. This was an equally attractive un, and at dusk I came to Kremmling population '585, where I decided to stay the night:"

I spent Christmas in Denver, the bustling, thriving, Mile High City and, as it untiringly pro claims, the climate capital of the world. The sun was dazzling. the air was wonderful and At

the end of the long straight "I ate at the La. Casa Restau- streets you could see the rant Cafe, and at the Kremm- of mow upling Club, a small bar, I saw a there, but

pin-

Rockles, Peunately. In spite man win sixty dollars at 3 of the Crosby family singing table. Everyone looked

very white

Christmas in all tough and cowboyish, the men the shops and drug stores, none wore their hair

about

1

the

long. down in Denver. At one party woman behind the bar swore I remember the hostess was in like a trooper. They might have

#

ΣΟ

No...no

1

was sliding sideways

Slowly, celiberately, the Chev towards the other side.

EXTINCTION?

Ta

Some lines Arc threatened WORLD ·COPYRIGHT "RESERVED | with outright extinction

DID IT REALLY HAPPEN?

YES

NO

I lit a cigarette and tried to calm down. My luck had been terrific. But it wasn't easy to look at the emptiness beyond the other side of the road and feel happy. Moreover, with the engine off the heater was off to so it was getting cold fast t had been

quite snug coming

"Oh, no!" I exclaimed, and I

Put your Hck to the long and had nothing warm ert My overcoat, sweaters and can bear the ludicrous sound of slaphappy, and, I didn't care if. above and keep this panel, till so on were all packed in the my voice now. There was no I froze. At least I'd be sitting Monday when the answer will boot, wihch

be given together with another at present barrier to stop it going over down. was

story by I was impossible to run down Armly pressing the snow.

the ley road. I stood there

Ia button paralysed.

couple I touched the starter

of seconds I was going to be left this tremendous silence. After R without a car, without even a couple

and found that the Chey was still in action. The wheels, of course, churned helplessly.

EDELMER

Vienna, May 1.

I

TE has been standing here in Schwarzenberg Square for the last 40 minutes, the young poker-

despair, for she had arranged to been ham actors doing faced lieutenant in the black supply Tom and Jerry" Western, It was very enjoy- drink for a strictly Dickensy able. Outside it was ten below, breeches, grey-green tunic, Christmas

egg yolk

and but so dry that you could walk and flat grey-green cap of whisky, mixed and served warm round in your shirt-sleeves the Red Army Intelligence ---and there were all the hired without noticing the cold.

Next morning it Corps.

W39 bright and He has been standing here

sunny.

A2

I checked ERY route card,

An

AFTER' the success, is best-

saltlog novel, Rondle Springtime, bubilshed 190. GEOFFREY

want-se a long trip to America. New 15, o bachelor, and said to look like film stor Dona Andries. He studied economicz under Mr. Wagh Galtake at Lander University, and became a major in the RA during the wor

and

below

space

other cases the title may have to pass to a distant relative while daughters gather in the family fortune.

The Duiven of Newcastle "But hope A undaunted"), Beaufort, Rutland, St Albans "A pledge of better times"), Sutherland, and Portland can not boast a son among them. The Dukes of Westminster and Aboll are unmarried.

The Duke of Leeds, 54, has In turn a Yugoslav married

dancer, a brigadier's ballet daughter, and two months ago 23-year-old Jersey, painter.

For here is a strange thing. He inherited the bulk of Everywhere in Britain's ribbed £738.000 fortune, and misses and voulived baronial halls high taxes by living in the They are Channel Islands; but though he daughters abound busy with their needle and good has all the money in the world works, learning the violin, riding it has not so far brought him a to hounds growing up to the male heir. exquisite moment of fulfilment The output is little higher

and among the when they "come out" LOUIS GOLDING

being and barona. presented-batore swallowed up in the shorthand of hours a breakdown

at the roreign Yesterday's story by Emma (typing, pool coat on, 30 miles from any truck came by on its way to an Smith was FICTION.

Office.

A

That's, all there is to it. The

w23 snow went on and there

0.00

WARNS: BEWARE POLITICAL JU JUISVE

TERROR WALKS WITH PEACE

From

SEFTON DELMER

A RETREAT

to re- the

It is a retreat like that of a

He throws Japanese wrestler. himself on the door,

dragging his opponent with him. The- "zoomph" kicks him over head.

ninong morrow.

like to they will not be able to

marquiser, earls,

NO SONS

No son is available to succeed the 70-year-old twice-married- Marquis of Tweeddale ("Spare nought"). The Earl of Clan carty, 63, has been to the altar twice too. His issue? Three daughters

A

son died in infancy in 1926. The Earl of Fitzwilliam, who s comes from 'a pre-Conquest family, is unmarried. The Earls

get out of their commitments. of Leicester ("He is prudens Public opinion in

Clanwilliam

their own who is ready”), and

countries will not permit them." "Alp¤ys

Cavan

Yes, they are great respecters ("Prepared on all sides"). can and evaluators of public muster eight daughters alto

these Kremlinites for gether, but no male beir. opinion, countries other than Russia,

Right here as I am standing beside the young Russian leu tenant a banner is being carried past. "America, keep your pro- miss and sign the treaty!“ it Śay*.

I see kicks coming

the

the

of the United States

And the rancher-baron Lord Cheylesmore, whose wives have been a Tasmanian chorus giri and a Canadian nurse-it is not uncommon in the best families to marry one's nurse has no children at all,

NONSENSE!

That, however, is an assur- DOES it mean a first victory

Of course, a few peerages get beside me watching, as I ance from which the Commum for the decision of the North

From the Russian proposal double chance of continued of factory ists are unlikely to draw much Atlantic Treaty Powers which said: "There am, groups COTTFRELL

that the Four Power, existence through a special re- 15 *

I met one high-up arm West Germany under spectacular workers marching behind comfort.

Austrian official who was, mort Paris agreement? view, of the wide their red banners.

and His U.S., Britain, France

the.mainder clause in the letters Soviet Union shall each guaran-patent, which create the title. undiplomatically cutspoken in valley thousands

foot

How much I would like to be of

the

We shall have to watch out fee, the political and territorial Under this remainder a daugh- from Rabbit's to be a great triumphant Com-

This was originally intended his interpretation

Austrian Minister's promise.

able to report to you that this most carefully for that kick in integrity of Austria.

ter can succeed. Earl Mount- "The no-victimisation assur- is my view,

the negotiations that begin Mr Molotov admitted in his batten and Viscount Portal are CURAJO BADAK TESI KOMENDRAS Ear Pass," and munist May Day demonstration.

the anec," he told me, is not going drove off expect

ambassadors to-- conversations

Aus-favoured in this fashion, which trians that this might provide | has brought into being petresses cups with "Tom

Jerry" antly. For twenty miles or so the I don't KEOW what the to save denunciators, and spies printed on them. Ought she to scene was pretty bare and rug-lieutenant is going to report.

from the wrath of those whom

Mr Mikoyan, Russian Deputy dificulties for the other Powers in their own right get in something else? She did, god, often with a curious black I can only tell you that to me secuted for

they have betrayed, and per- Alas, after hearing a full ac Prime Minister, made that clear in view of the traditional reluc not and, naturally, it did not and white colour scheme. Small

years."

count of the secret negotiations enough Moscow when speak- tance matter. The room was packed hills rose up ahead like charcoal most of the plodding men and

Yes. I feel that the Soviet of the Austrian and Boviet ing to Dr Bruno Kreisky, the Congress to give blank cheques with people who refused to

a sad contrast leutenant and I are getting drawings. There seemed to be Women made

Ministers in Moscow from the Socialist in Austria's two-head- of this kind.

But almost invariably. such'a with the bright gay sunshine most significant taste of history most qualified of sources, after ed Foreign Ministry. I myself, the lone traveller, no one else on the road..

** VASTLY MORE concession has been limited to and brilliant green of the was able to sizzle with

in the malding.

studying the subsequent activi "The Americans, the British,

Britain's glittering wartime Then my cars began buzzing budding frees. talk. I had reason to be in

It is a foretaste of the pass ties of the Soviet authorities and the French," said Mikoyan,

heroes; to great Service leaders that are going to be here in Jans

Austria and

Britain also, he thought, might of lasting renown. after "had become so convinced good mood. I was in the middle and here were the mountains

I mention Many faces look ured, glum, aroused by this first Russian assessing the first reactions to would never agree to get out of not be pleased by the proposal, one curious exception. Lady of a wonderful trip. I liked again, and after a few miles the

snow, and it all looked mar-spathetic, wezried.

conquered the Soviet manoeuvre in Ger- Austria that they have agreed In that case, Mr Molotov suge

Rhondda's father, the first vellous in the sunshine. I hoped couple of months a novel of there would be another ski

And

so would you look country which everybody had many and elsewhere, I am con- to

all kinds of things they gested, most amiably, the Soviet

viscount, was Food Controller mine was to be published

would never have considered Union would be happy to give from 1917 to 1918. at the top. A few more

if you were in their come to assume they meant to vinced that this retreat is more worried

well hold and occupy for ever. New York. Someone asked me miles of climbing and a notice thick-soled but none too

mest subtle and successful plece otherwise.

Austóla a unilateral guarantee where I was off to now.

DOES Russian retreat informed me that I had just

from of political and strategic

"Now we shall hold them to Austria mean a Russian defeat? Jitsu.

all this Much as they would the great continental] divide. "Atlantic Ocean

Small

America and Americans. In

"Salt Lake City."

La

made shoes

For most of these men and women are the employees of

pad. Soviet-managed

"What kind of car have you shed-Pacifle Ocean Watershed." Austria's numerous Soviet-

go!?"

To Everest!

I nodded through the window with a practised nonchalance.

It was a conversation for which

I had had several rehearsals in the past half-hour,,

"There she is."

ki

and up, at nine owned Further on thousand six hundred and eighty factcries. feet, I learned that I was

D835. approaching the

The

mountain slope had receded, the read was crossing a plateau.

Suddenly I I realised that the

NEW WORRY

They have to turn out for Fan had gone and it was get- Commmist parades like this. If ting quite dark. It was af they don't turn up they fall sinister transformation.

There

foul of their, Communist bosses, was no sign of any ski lodge they lose their privileges, per- and still no other traffic. Though haps even their jobs. there was very little gradient • That is bad enough. But their "You're not going in that road well. My carefree

was not gripping the worry today is that by parad Sooner you than me."

ing here right now they may disappeared. thought un-

be getting themselves into the black books at the men who

the Chey

mood

I was used to this reaction easily that this was no place to and quite Battered by it. You have an accident.

might have thought Í had just

announced that I was joining

an Everest expedition.. I looked

out at the Chey again. It cer-

rounded it..

Skid

.skid

will be their masters tomorrow.

Right here in the big build- ing that overlooks this square, the ambassador of

and the All at once I felt the Chev United States, or lain, the

tainly did seem rather small and battered against the enormous tremble and it was difficult to Soviet Union are due to meet this year's models that sur keep straight. A wind was the two Foreign Ministers of howling and sending clouds of the Austrian Government-to- snow blowing about. I could morrow in order to put the But they were all gleaming in see only a flat white surface on final touches to a peace treaty. the afternoon sun and there was either side, like an Antarctic And that peace treaty as

a wonderful blue sky. No, I szene. This went on for a mile already agreed in Moscow In could not feel any concern. or two. The Chev was swerving the talks between the Austrians

And a

day or two after quite badly. I wondered if and the Russings will mean Christmas, when I went to the

aught

to

stop, but the best thing not only the withdrawal of the American Automobile Office to seemed to be to go on and get occupying Red Army from get a route and weather fore out of it. Then the road was cast, there was no suggestion again following the side of a

retreat

from

4

THE LAND IN CHAINS THAT WAITS UNEASILY EXPRESSMAP BY JOHN BODLE

Russian Zone] CZECHOSLOVAKIA

American Zone!

MILES

80

GERMANY

SALZBURG

KLAGI

North Sea

AUSTRIA

SWITZ

French Zone

British

ITALY

YUGOSLAVIA

Zone

Mediterrane en

JOHNNY HAZARD

„JOSHNY, I'VE SEEN THE

ICMAN IN THAT CAR: BEFŐRE.

BUT WHERE

WO

of its own. It is not very hard What will comme out of this to see where that one might | dearth of boy-babies? One A lead to

thing is certain. It makes non- BERSA of Lord Samuel's recent

2

In the draft treaty to which statement that at the present

the

we agreed way back in rate of new creations, "1949 there are many vaguely preserit total of 663 peers may

worded stipulations which shortly rise to 1,000, would give the Russians an ex-

cellent pretext for Intervention That would be a number un- In Austrian affairs whenever paralleled for an Upper House they seek it out,

These paragraphs will have to

in the history of the world.

It is true that when Queen

number of peers was only about

be most carefully revised and Elizabeth I died in 1603 the clarified.

"We are giving, up Lower Austria," said at one of the very banquets with

a lot in 70a ratio of 14 per million of Mikoyan the population. But it is still tree-and-only 16 or 17 per million. And the Aus expected extinctions may well

reduce the ratio once more. "But the Americans, poor That is a sad business for chape, are having to give: EP Britain's stately homes. But

trians.

vastly more in Western Austria,

It is a worthwhile bargain providence, seems to work to a

motto of its own) are

"Moderation in all things.”

THAT'S HE

BUT GAAT EWITE *IMPOSE

Cmin(London Ezyrans Service)

By Frank Robbins-

tuation

will mean also that I had anything to worry moundain. I was through the Russians will hand back to the about,

pass and the decent had begun. Austrigns the-

that

the

Foll

"Do 1 waof: chaiffs?”.

"Istiquldn't bother."

I was glad about that, The, that every few seconds theres Moscow by the Austrian- de- less hand currency spent the was no visibility at all At the legation that there would be no better. T. lett Denver in sun- next bend I had a bad alia, but kind of victimisation of em- wipe, bresthing the mile-high- I pumped the footbraion madly, ployees when this” take-over

Now it wasBording whetyly, svalleworshipping and dockerade and this meant another dis- they seized in 1945 by way of advantage. My windscreen wiper reparations, we worked, but rather, fitfully Bo ABRITANCES

were given In

San Miguel