1941-06-21 — Page 5

So This Was Hongkong

WHEN

Saturday,

HONGKONG TELEGRAPH

June 21, 1941

Spotted The Bismarck

Library, Elpriča

BRITISH

SOLDIERS DIED LIKE FLIES

comm

on

SAD PROCESSION of officers to realise that the situation was des- is the fact that the general health of the and men of H.M. 58th perate. Some clained that the dis- the European population Regiment drew up before an open ease was due solely to the fact that island is tolerably good, and exposed,

en the soldiers were

Imbibing

bad at any rate, to no such hazards o grave in Happy Valley. The confined remains of a comrade were liquor in the Chinese shanties at Tal- those walling the inmates of the to be consigned to their last resting ping-shan, and advocated that a barracks,"

'Finally, the military authorlites, in of good beer place. But the sight of the shallow wholesome supply hole gaping in the damp earth and should be provided in a comfortable order to save their men, hind. to

quarter

them on board slips in the Alied to over-flowing with Althy canteen near the barracks. water was too much for even theso "If this is done," they stoutly de- harbour. One of the craft serving will bo as temporarý barracks was H.M.S. soldiers who, all through the summer clared. "Hongkong: Fever"

of GGO tons of 1850, hud seen constant succes- speedily done away with," and they Coromandel, a hull slon of their number interred amid closed their argument by quoting St. which was described as possessing Paul's admonition to Timothy. no pori-holes, and very poorly ven- the clods of Happy Valley,

The chaplain hesitated. To think Others, and they represented an tilated. However cramped the

emperance clique, commodation might have been, the of reciting the burial service over ever-growing such an evil spot was nauseating, and were irate at the idea. "The very men were free from the menace of no matter how callous man might buseness of encouraging our soldiers mosquitoes, and "Hongkong Fever" become in connection with at these to lead dissolute lives by providing became abated.

Eventually, during the late 'fiftles, deaths from the dreaded longkong becreand wine in the barracks," they

louted. "Liquor will be of no the importance of proper

drainage Fever, it surely wasn't decent earthly use in this connection; for, and the erection of better accom- place a fellow being, who only a short time before

upon the, War was driniting after all, Hongkong Fever is a visita- modation dawned

Office, but only after an appalling Chinese samshoo with the best of tion from God."

however, toll. in soldiers' Byes. them

Hard-boiled statisticians computed of such an ill-prepared sepuldire

The milltary gathering read his wilch pointed out that "out of every the value of each private soldier at thoughts. An offleer barked an order, len soldiers who die......it may be some £138, and the 58th Regiment Buckets were brought and the water computed that seven could have been alone fald under the cheerless sod of Happy Valley about £63,000 worth baled out, leaving a muddy trench

"The story. they averred, "is as of men. barely deep enough for the cold as the War Omce itself. Our But the most poignant testimonial This wan reverently lowered into place,

with moistened eyes the military and ordnance authorities of this Jamentable wastage of human men listened to the intonation of the consider a soldier as a soldier and lives is that un-gapped shaft to be barrack, without seen to this day in the cemetery at chaplain's voice as he read the well- a barrack as

taking into necount any considera- Happy Valley which bears this known words from Book:

the

ΟΙ

10

into the disgusting solitude

and

more sensible,

The with the Loydon Times,

earth, dust to dust, ashes to nshes," ton of climate or service.

As the service closed, the firing

was

party discharge their muskets as a last tribute to their late comrade, and the sodden, sticky earth piled on top of the coin. A private soldier had been consligned to his final homel

One thought passed through the minds of all present: Who would be the next? Would it be as in the summer of 1845, when graves used to

By

T. PAUL

GREGORY

epitaph:

"Sacred

To the

Memory of all those of the

LIX. Regiment, Who died between the

11th June, 1849

And the

18th November, 1858,"

The list of those who dled that the

"Ias it not been ruled and deter- flag of Britain might be kept waving

be dug daily in the morning, without mined long ago that a certain num- over this bit of Empire soil is a knowing who was to All them at ber of inches sufficed for a soldier's formidable one, this monument being night-knowing all too surely that bedstead, and a certain number of dedicated to the memory of: they would not be unoccupied long? square feet for u regimental dormi-

WORL

☆

WERE

tory?

The

21 Sergeants,

14 Corporals,

1 Drummers,

466 Privates,

36 Women and

is

107 Children,

The R.A.F. has put still another American plane to work, this time the famed Navy-type Consolidated patrol bomber. The British call it the Catalina; in the U.S. Navy, it is known as the PBY Tho Catalinos" have hold sway for six years as the best all-round naval flying boat in the business, a highly unusual record in an industry where new and Improved types succeed each other with bewildering rapidity. The Catalina can cruise more than. 3,000 miles, has a top speed of just under 200 m.p.h., good for a flying boat. It was a Catalina that first spotted the Nazi battleship, Bismarck, subsequently sent to her doom by the British Navy.

The Catalina carries its sting in a power-driven turret in the nose, and in a pair of blisters, one of which is shown above, with guns firing aft. The blister guns are rifle-calibre machine-guns; they are not power-turned. This gunner's three chevrons label him an R.A.F. sergeant-gunner. His earphones are part of the intercommunicating telephone equipment with which crew members keep in touch with

cach other...

PORTUGAL

MARCHES

ON

"Barracks, too, for a certain force

HOSE

PERILOUS are set down to cost a certain sum, DAYS, and the returns of and ordered on a certain model. therefore, the Army Medical Department of the that the

officer proceed- perlod

show that the mortality among the troops in Hongkong was ing to the colonies finds, on arriving dvefold greater than it was in other at his destination, that the accom parts of the world. No wonder that modation for the troops is miserably the staid London Times, in its lead- unsuitable, and he receives a report 1850, from the surgeon that it is impos- ing article of September 26, demanded reform, stating that "sible under such conditions to accept serious subject of regret is responsibility for the health of the

So far directly unaffected by

By Joseph Veiga the war against Nazism and all by the report from our men

commander of exceptional

German ruthlessness and ag-

that Hitler's name stands for. tement of Hongkong, We main- tain on this island, a garrison of con eps take upon himself to reform the gression, yet so

and Independence may per-

close to the either side. Our Alliance with the siderable strengths, and greatest

Britain will gain in Although a small nation, Por- auch distant and ups isolated in arrangements provided for him, and European theatre of war, Por- Great attention is due to

save the lives of his men; but tugal is to-day the centre of strength the more those rights tugal has in the past few years thus uncongenial ters. The climate of the island is no so tenacious of its authority is the doubt essent

unsulted to the establisliment at the Horse Guards, much attention. Its importance and obligations balance on each become very conscious militari- As an economic and trading side of the scales. To those ly and evidence of this can be of pro- Englishy

but the habill- and so serious is the risk

fessional discredit in Impugning its

centre and a vital outlet for who ask me if I believe in Eng- obtained from the compulsory ties thus necessarily considerable decrees, that-few-officers-venture-on-war-torn-Europe has increased and-and-in-the-British-alliance

since the outbreak of the war 1 answer frankly and sincerely military training service order modification through the application such an assumption of responsibility,

and the country has proven that I do. In the first place that, came from Macao about of sanitary science. The unheal and must be content to share with thiness of even worse localities is their troops the perils which common

haven of refuge for thousands because I believe in the plighted three years ago and which found to be very sensibly diminished precautions might have

of Hitler's victims. altogether."

word of men and nations so affected many Portuguese (of by good drainage and

sett

clearings, while a skilful adelos.

of

architectural

energy

the detalls to

obvinicd

and a exigencles of the climate,

THE MILITARY BARRACKS supervision of the domestic

IN THE EARLY DAYS OF economy of the

the barracks,

racks, have never THE COLONY were justly condemn- failed tä reduce the risks of sickness ed as the fect for infection. They.

materially. Nowhere very

were were first situated at West Point, but these precautions mare imperatively owing to the fact that so many men demanded at Hongkong. No

died of fever in 1843, they were sooner had we set foot on the island abandoned and transferred to than the hospitals told the tale of our Stanley.

The establishment located at the

resities, and it was at once

ed for

DUT

want of a bet

Medical

Fever"

Press at tho

tropics.

.

for

stated that the

A neighbour to the scene of so long as there are no facts to Macno birth) both in Hongkong much sorrow, horror and differ- challenge my bellef; and, and Shanghai. A race of peace- ing principles of government, secondly, because, even apart Portugal has carried on its na- from our close ties of friend- ful people, the Portuguese are mean fighters tional and economic life out- ship, the community of Por- nevertheless no wardly unperturbed, its people tuguese and British interests is for they are the sons of brave fully trusting their Government so evident that for a long time and strong men-men who have and their leader, Dr Salazar, to come statesmen in both conquered the mystery of the who has raised Portugal'a name countries must be governed by the sea and men who have dis- from insignificance to one of, this fact.” prominence.

mocratic ideals. The import- ance and value of Portugal as

War For Justice

Salazar On War

tinguished themselves in the out to the authorities that latter place was described in the the settlement would become the late forties as being erected on one

Inescapable Fact

As regards Portugal's foreign field of battle.

grave

policy, Dr Salazar writes: "The of the garrisons if sanitary of the most undesirable portions of measures were not adopted forthwith. the settlement. The ground in the

Portuguese nationals in the traditional

of our course Is

in Government Department

Far East, following closely the foreign policy,

keeping The

rear of the barracks was undrained,

It is interesting to note what shirking ia duty, and something and

and the very

soil seemed to breed events in Europe, cannot escape with the true interests of Por- Dr Salazar's thoughts on war must be done."

disense. The mortality continued to

the fact that danger surrounds tugal, is to avoid as far as pos- be excessive. Incidentally, the

the apot

the Mother Country. where the barracks was located is

They sible being embroiled in Euro are. He says, "War is not a know and Hongkong

are proud of the pean conflicts, in maintaining permanent state but rather the NOTWITHSTANDING one of the most healthy in THE STRONG CRITICISM to-day. But this is

digression.

friendship that exists between friendship with Spain, in de- collapse of peace; hatred can- of the Press at Home and in the The interior of these old-time bar Portugal and Britain and more veloping the possibilities of our not be eternal since the heart of

over, they realise the value of power in the Atlantic.” Colony, nothing was done; for the racks was badly arranged, practically

man longs

love and is for military authorities were frankly baffled by the visitation which corro facilities existing for ventilation. freedom and the worth of De-

easily amenable to goodness; terror does not always paralyse To-day Britain is determined will; a paroxysm of fear can a naval base for operations in a ly fighting a war of "Justice beget contempt of life and deeds

despite the world-wide conflict is a fact that Injustice" and has been appreciated for many tremendous hardships the coun- of heroism. years and with this asset to her try and the people are facing, "Portugal ́is a state which name, many wonder how long the name of Britain holds the loves peace, possesses the spirit Portugal can remain free from admiration of the whole world of civilisation, collaborates in German demands.

of free thinking people. In the the strengthening of order in Portugal has always been a face of arduous difficulties Bri the world, stigmatises wars of peaceful country and will retain has emerged, and will ambition, advocates arbitration main so. But should it ever be emerge, proud and free. If the

to Bettle questions between necessary for the country's question "How and Why?" States, ats its public law into honour, rights and freedom to need over be asked the answer the scheme of the higher aims be defended this will be done is perhaps contained in what Dr of humanity, and seeks the har- and its nationals will be found Salazar has said: "The man monious, pacific, productive de- fully massed behind the Por who possesses pride and self- velopment of the faculties of tuguese Colours. Portugal has respect only feels real joy when its citizens with a view to the been linked with Britain in an he overcomes great difficulties. improvement and progress of allianco that

has survived Little difficulties do not affect a the internal and external rela- through everything in the past; man's life and cannot give him tions of the Nation. We are it has not proved to be a "mere the consciousness and true joy pacific, but not pacifists; we are scrap of paper."

of having fulfilled his duty.”. pacific collaborators with all If any should doubt Por-

good of tugal's sincerity 08

Portugal's Prime Minister nations for the regarda is Intolerable; the frame becomes

this Alliance, one need only to bas. also said that every com- humanity." weak and enervated, and the patient

have must alwaya ENOUGH, revert to what Dr Salazar has batant

Portugal has been and always finds himself unable to assume Επ.

→ THESE CONDITIONS PRE himself written. On the ques- present in his mind, so as not will remain erect posture whilst the fever is

an old and free to an Incredible degree: the VAILED for & considerable period; tion of alliances in general and to go aatray or fall, that he only country of deeply religious raging symptoms. Increase hourly, and the for as the Times said, "there is little

that with Britain in particular conquers who conquers with nationals. It is a land of Epatient usually sinks under its hope that the regulation Idea of bar-

honour, that la to say, with colonisers, Progress has left violence about the third or fifth racks would be departed from, for ho has said;

truth and justice. the sake of a few hundred soldiers."

its marks indelibly on the his- day,

British Alliance And, then it damned the whole pro-

The truth of this atatement tory of the country, and Por ceedings by declaring: "What ren-

#Thege (Aillances) involve will be fully borne out when tugal will never turn back. ETUIE LAMENTABLE MOR-ders the shame and folly of these

TALITY forced everybody arrangements-still-more-conspicuous rights and obligations on Britain emerges victorious in Portugal "Marches Onl

The buildings seemed to been erected according to a fixed set of ed off the troops like flies. The Scourge was, of course, malaria, but plans that might have served In those days, from lack of informa- Labrador or Hudson Bay but cer- tion regarding the real cause of the tainly not for the mosquito-borne disease, it was term- A reporter, writing in the local

ilme, of a very nomenclature dormitories were "close and crowded Medien books of the period were to an incredible degree. In a climate filled with lengthy descriptions of where breathing room is of the first the malady, depicting it as more necessity the cots of the soldiers are deadly than cholera and more in- placed only six inches apart, and in

the plague. sidious than

So fear- such a

a chamber and under such con-

fatal fully

of course, in- ditions was it regarded that contagion Hongkong was called the "peat- ceasantly generated." house of the Far East" the "Sierra luxuries, and one can imagine how Punkaha seemed to be unknown Leone" of the Asintie Continent.

One writer, narrating the horrors much the poor soldiers suffered from

ndapted of the disease stated that "the prickly uniforms

to the temperate and the intemperate alike tropics as part of the equipment of become the victims of this dreadful la noldiers, and the men were

commences fever, which generally

to their ces martyrs

unwholesome with a

slight headache, gradually in- environment. No one could say creasing until the whole head is so the troops In the Hongkong Garrison

વા વા that no part can bear its own at that era:

"How happy the soldier that lives on his pay,

Who spends half-a-crown out of sixpence a day."

tender or pressure on the pillow

without agony. The eyeballs are in such extremo pala. that light can be ill endured, yet the suffering

doned by the closing of the TS.

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