1948-01-22 — Page 1

Personal Stapler

for Every one

BOSTITCH

SOLLAGENTS NAN KANG CO, UNIOR NOG H.K.

VOL. III NO. 18

HKAA Meeting

Today

. Members of the former Hongkong Automobile As- sociation are reminded that a meeting will be held in the Board Room, South China Morning Post, at 5.30 today, to consider the ques- tion of roorganising the Association which has been inoperative since the end of 1941.

BRITAIN

OPPOSES UN

PROPOSAL

Jewish Immigration

Lake Huccess, Jan. 21.—Britain on Wednesday night rejected the recommendation of the United Nations Assembly for opening a major port in Palestine by Febru- Ary 1 to permit the beginning of large scale Jewish Immigration.

with

Britain's refusal to comply this key provision of the Palestine partition plan was placed before a secret meeting of the UN Palestine Partition Commission by Sir Alexan- der Cadogan.

The British deeforation thus mode it clear that the Commission would be unable to implement the first step In the partitioning of the Holy Land and would be compelled to report its failure to the Security Council.

also

Sir Alexander Cadogan, replying to four specie questions submitted by the five-member Commission, declared Britain and no inten- tion of increasing the present Im

nigration quota of 1,500 a month between now and termination of the British mandate now scheduled for May 15 or earlier.

The

Dine

At the

P.G.

hongkong Telegraph. 0.9

..

Secret Agreements Between Russia & Germany Disclosed

SOVIET ASPIRATIONS IN 1941 LAY TOWARDS INDIAN OCEAN

Washington, Jan. 21.-Hitler and the Soviet Foreign Minister, M. Vyacheslav Molotov, ngreed that Soviet territorial aspirations lay "south of the Soviet Union," in the direction of the Indian Ocean," it was revealed here tonight when the German Foreign Office records of German-Soviet relations between 1939 and the invasion of Russia in 1941. were published by the State Department.

The records cover conferences between Hitler and M. Molotov on the splitting of the world into Russian, German, Italian and Japanese spheres of influence, and discussion of the "division of the British Empire."

Subsequently, though no agreement was ever sign- ed, M. Molotov demanded that the arca south of Batum and Baku in the general direction of the Persian Gulf" be recognised additionally as a centre of Soviet aspirations.

stave no

Office anl

The British Foreign the State Department had agreed to Publish together. in ebronological historic form, alt documents cap- tured from German archives.

A

ودا

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1948.

The State Department

"It was only a matter of having explanation for its publication of the intelligence to admit it." these documents.

memorandum

the State Secretary in the German Office,

Foreign Baron Von Weizsaecker, warned in April, 1011, that a war with Soviet Russin would give Bri- tain new moral strength, and that In today's release, made without a German advance even to Moscow Brifsh operation, observers here and beyond would not bring peace, sure. Aderable

but instead, diplomatic but, denince the timing, because it had

would prolong the war and sacrifice the economic ad- been kept secret as likely to offend vantages Germany Russia.

then deriving from Soviet Russin.

Most of the material texols to the treaties between Ge-in the documents has been published away and Soviet Russia e pin. before in one form or another, some These include the secret alitional in despatches from Germany by protocol to the non-aggression pact Alli

after August, 1939, whereby the collapse. northern boundary of thuandu was established as the boundary between the German and Soviet spheres of Influence,

Cadogan's answer was given great importance because it Involved the first deadline in the partition plan and thus provided the first test of the Commission's ability to imple-of

ment it.

The lex of various geernt

After

hearing Slr Alexander Carlogan, the Commission was to begin discussion on the nature of 184 first

to the Security report Council which probably will be HITLER'S INTERVIEWS submitted late next week.

It provided that the question This report

will include a sunriary whether Poland was to be indepen- of the Commission's difficulties to lent was to be determined later by date and will undoubtedly call the friendly agreement, and Germany Council's attention to Britain's post-declared her political disinterested- tion oniumigation -as well as other phases of the partition plan. Associated Press.

Hearst Very II!

ness

South-Eastern

correspondents

was

contained

the

Much of it was contained in the ook "Speaking Frankly" by the former Secretary of State, Mr James Byme.

M3

VICWS

DEMONSTRATIONS BY BAGHDAD STUDENTS

Baghdad, Jan. 21-Students demonstrating against the revised British-Iraqi treaty of alliance entrenched themselves in a Baghdad school building.

Steel helmeted and heavily armed police besieged them. Three police were reported killed, This would bring the rloting death toll to 11 since Monday. 10 other persons were reported hurt, bringing the injured to 150.

All schools were ordered closed for a week after an estimated 6,000 students began roaming Baghdad streets this morning, Similar disorders were reported in other Iraq cities. Associated Press.

For Reservations

Tal: 27880

Price 20 Cents

Last Days Of 5 Great Warships

SCRAPHEAP DECISION BY

ADMIRALTY ANNOUNCED

CONSOLIDATION OF Cruisers Also To Go

WESTERN EUROPE

Defensive Alliance May

Be Extended

Landon, Jan. 21.-A vital move in the regional con- solidation of Western Europe was considered in diplomatic quarters in London tonight to have been taken by an Anglo-French decision to approach the Benelux Govern- ments with an offer to widen the 50-year Anglo-French defensive alliance concluded at.Dunkirk on March 4, 1947. Though no oficial conormation was available in London tonight of the reports that formal proposals to extend the Franco-British Pact have been lodged at the capitals Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Belgium, usually reliable quartera in London believe them correct

to

of

be

The unwillingness of offcials here to comment on the news is con- sidered to be solely due to a de- termination not to anticipate the statements, which the British and French Foreign Ministers are to make tomorrow to their respective Parliaments,

Paris

China Centre

For Atomic Research

Scientists' Request

Nanklag. Jan. 21. The establish- ment of an atomic research centre A Reuter

in China to permit the country to despatch from stated that the reports

compete with The United States, were not Russia, France and other nations in denied in usually well-informed: French circles tonight.

the

study of nuclear 11ssion for peacetime benefits is the goal of a group of Chinese scientists,

GROUND PREPARED

Dr Li. Shu-hua, Director of the It was, in fact, strongly rumoured National Academy at Pelping, in London that Mr Bevin

has would make an unexpected announcement requested the Ministry of Education when he opens the two-day foreign to ask government for an initial ap-

debate

of US$400,000 to es- propriation tablish a research centre to build a cyclotron at Peiping Academy.

affairs

in the

governments concerned.

House

Dr Ll has been consulting various government officials on the project.

London, Jan. 21.—Lord Hall, the First Lord of the Admiralty, today told Parliament that four of Britain's battleships will be scrapped during the next 12 months.

The ships, the scrapping of which will mean the disappearance of some world-famous names from the Royal Navy, are the Queen Elizabeth, 32,700 tons, the Valiant. 31,000 tons, Nelson, 33,950 tons, and Rodney, 33,000 tons.

Disclosing the decisions at a specially convened gathering of naval correspondents earlier, Lord Hall had opened with the words "The First Sea Lord and I feel' like padres taking a funeral service for very old friends.”

Lord Hall also announced that the 30,750-ton battle cruiser, Renown would be scrapped, and that several cruisers-belleved to number seven→ will also be scrapped.

the

11

number of

Elizabeth, Vallant, Renown, Nelson and Rodney are likely to be of the teast value as Aghting chips.

**The possibility of maintaining the battleships in reserve was con- sidered, but they would be costly to maintain in this state, both in money and

manpower.

What the future strength of the Royal Navy will be after the scrap- ping is not clear, but Lord Hall told

correspondents: "We have, of "If they were to be of any value course, five modern battleships which in a future emergency, they would we shall retain."

need extensive refits and modernl- They are: Duke of York, Howe, sation, which, in view of the heavy King George V. Anson-all with cost and labour involved, could not standard displacement of 35,000-be justified during the next Low tons--and Vanguard. 42,500 tons.

Lord

ycars.

OUT OF DATE

"Even if the work was done, the Hall explained that the vessels would fall considerably short battleships to be scrapped had be- of the standard and capabilities of come more and more out of date modern construction. in their armaments and fighting

"In particular, their speed could qualities and more and more ex not be increased to such an extent pensive to keep in reserve

in alas to proper state of repair.

[lier binder them capable of taking

in a modern fleet." Explaining the

afford the of a number on to diapose

"

"We have been forced to concludo that even if we could

and manpower and money to keep them ships which were obsolescent or of smaller in reserve, they would be of very little fighting value, the statement little value in the future," he de-added:

not re- netion does Lord Hall, however.

present tiny shook his continuation

new departure but is

V lead when asked by correspondents has been going on since the hostili

of the process which whether the decision was made ba-ties ceased, under which redundant

ม cause it was felt that battleships and outdated

clared.

and

might be obsolete in otomie warfaro.

"We still retain battleships still think they are of great fighting vniue," he said.

this afternoon.

story

scruppe

warships have been or sald if a market could

The Admiralty is satisfied that these reductions do not reduce the below that required to elective strength of the Royal Navy emergency which is likely to arise

meet any

of Commons tomorrow.

There is every reason to believe that the ground has already been carefully prepared by formal pre- paratory talks between the Ave He says that both men and materials The full official

are available in Chinn for the pro- scrappings was disclosed simultane

of the Jeet and with an adequate appro- As long ago as last March, when priation organised studies could be- ously in both Houses of Parliament Mr Bevin

hours in Kin almost immediately

in e foreseeable future". in atomic spent a few

COMMONS STATEMENT Belgium on his way to the Moscow energy and nuclear fission.

A Government statement said: DISTINGUISHED SERVICES Foreign Ministers session of the

He said Dr Chlang An-chiang, "The useful life of a battleship is Conference after signing the Anglo-former student of Madume Curie, normally

Two of the four battleships to be reckoned to French Pact at Dunkirk, the possi- has been asked to direct the project. ximately 20 years. This period is wars. this

he appro-scrapped saw service in two world bility of a similar alliance with the Other Chinese scientists who worked calculated on normad

Government

The Queen Elizabeth was Belgian

peacetime at the Manhattan project would be usage and is greatly reduced when missioned in discussed.

December. 1914. asked to return to China. Among the vessels are subjected to arduous was the flagship of the Eastern Since then, the conclusion of the these are Dr Jen Chin-kung and Dr war service.

Mediterranean squadron in the 1014- customs union. between Belgium, Tseng Chao-lun, both of whom are "As A result of review, the 1918 World War, taking part in the the Netherlands and Luxembourg on the staff of the University of Admiralty has come to the conclu- Dardanelles has drawn these countries closer California atomic Inboratory, zion that, of the capital ships rc-

of the German The surrende paign. together so that an extension of the United Press.

maining in the Royal Navy, Queen fleet was negotinted on board the alliance, not to Belgium alone, but

vessel in November, 1918, when she to all three states, appears a logical

was the flagship of Admiral Beattie, development.

Commander in Chief of the Grand Navy

SECRET PROTOCOL

There was another secret protocol whereby Germany and Die to the treaty of friendship of 1939 Soviet Union agreed to suppress Polish Europe.

agitation against either power In The documents include memoran- da on Hitler's interviews with re-

their respective halves of Poland,

Baron Von Weizmecker, in his presentatives of all the Axis powers,

mentorandum, sinted: "I

Can sum- including Japan, in so far as these marise i one sentence affected Soviet-German relations.

on German-Russian conflict: If A mer

memorandum of an interview between her and the Japanese very Russian city reduced to ashes were as valuable to us as a sunken Son Francisco, Jan. 21.-Mr Foreign Minister, Matsuoka,

on { British

should advoc I William Randolph Hearst, the noted March

warship, ៖ ខៀវ ៖ . 27,

sald: "The the Cerman-Russian war for American publisher, was reported Fuehrer then spoke of his convie- summer, but I believe we would be here today to be seriously tion that England had already lost victors over Russia only in a mili-

tary sense and economic sense."

German attempts to rain Russian participation in the Tripartite Pact came to a head with on invitation which was necepted by M. Molotov to visit Berlin in November, 1940.

Tiller told the Soviet Foreign Minister of the imminent "defeat of Britain and sought the creation of

coalition of Germany,

Russia, Italy and Japan, "all of whom want to be satisfied out of the bankrupt British estate."

Reuter,

EDITORIAL

To

the war.

Freedom Of The Press

O mililoas lying in democratie. countries who luve lang ene Joyed berfles of thought, speech AIR writing, it may come As Home surprise that the United Nallons have found 11 desirable to establish a special commission ta define the rights and obliga – tions of these privileges. But the final recommendations of this commission will be another ail In the coffin of

Totalitarianlam which always demands elimination of Individual thought and its sublection to. conditioned forms of expression. In Japan, until the end of the war, freedom of speech and writing was can- demned

Produced because "dangerous thoughts;" In Ger- many the same privileges were denied the people on the grounds that they were superfluous unnecessary. To some this

the

and

derres

atitude still persists in coun- tries such as Spain, Russla her satellites, and is now recog nised as: belak one of the chief causes for International mfaun- derstanding and illwill. A people fcd

one-way propaganda

"Angled" version

on

and

events

of

which happen bath Insido abil outside A country must be expected

develop dis- tarted ideas of how the rest the world is behaving and think- ing. On the question of freedom

the of

nation was mobilised under System of state control,

British press preserved much 11% freedom. Censorship Was voluntary and made nó attempt to interfere with editorial com- ment, with the result the news- papers were able to deal with the progress of the war, whether in defeat or success, objectively and unhampered by tendentious and conilleting

The propaganda.

zealous manner in which the Press of Britain endeavours to protect its freedom is at present being illustrated by

by the sittings of the Royal Commission Inquir-

Ing Into certain alleged practices

of the great national

the

from

In

war

would lose In an

RUSSIA'S ASPIRATIONS

In the secret protocols apart from Europe, Germany only wished to regain her former territories Central Afrien.

centred in

Was being

The first reaction to the news of the offer in diplomatic quarters here was that assessed both a formal and a toelical significance.

REINFORCING SECURITY

*

Self-Supporting Policy For Japan Announced

Washington, Jan. 21.-The United States government pointed its Japanese occupation policy toward making' Japan self-supporting "at the earliest possible time" and disclosed to other allied powers that funds for that pur pose will shortly be asked of Congress.

The

burden of

cóm- and

**

During the Inst World War,' she was seriously damaged by human torpedoes in Alexandrin Harbour in 1941, but after repairs she served against the Japanese in the For East.

ranean,

ut

Taken at its face value, the ex-

The Vallant was the first battle. tended alliance in the Anglo-French

ship to be launched in the 1914 War plan If it meets with the approval

and went undamaged through the of the Benelux group, will reinforce

battle of futland. During the last the security of the Western victims

war, she served in the

Mediter- Jong- of German invasion by Italy's aspirations

where, liko

Queen the North and North-Eastern

treaty. period Africu,

defensive

maintalning | entail money "for the procurement be

Elizabeth, she was damaged by a The Low By bringing

Countries Japan's in East Asia, and Russia's into the Pact,

human torpedo the traditional and Japan's civilian economy at a cost of such imports as industrial KAW

attack "it the direction of the

Alexandrin. After repair, she had Indian long neglected security requirements of around US$350,000,000 a year, materials and spare parts." Ocean."

notable are of both France

McCoy smaller policy statement declared, must be and the

ald General

in the campaign Douglas

hus against Italy, both at sea and by tax MacArthur's administration states to her northwest.would be met. removed from the American It was further agreed to fry to

inten- säyera, and Japan must be enabled | made

progress...In bombarding Italian positions ashore, "exceptional wean Turkey away from her links But the proposal, whether

The Nelson was commissioned in with the Allies and reach an agree-Lionally or not, has another signi- "to make its proper contribution to establishing political and economic

and Use Rodney was com- ment with her, replacing the Mon-Deance. The successful extension of the econamle rehabilitation of the institutions which, will permit the 1927 treaux Convention by another giv-the Anglo-French Pact would bring world," the United States Informed development of a Democratie and pleted a few months later in the ing Russia

11 "Western bloc", based on military the Far Eastern Commission.

peaceful Japan capable of assumingame year, unrestricted passtipe

the responsibilities of a member of Badoglio signed the Italian Armis

General Eisenhower and Marshal treaty, commitments, so often CUM- through the Dardanelles.

pronouncement appeared the co

of community nations." "However," he told the Commission,tice on board the Nelson at Malta generally to bring American, policy

in September, 1943, Two years

by Soviet pro- demned in advance Into. being pagancia.

In

of

tho

The

the

of

the

newspapers. The demand for this inquiry. It should be noted, came first working journalists, who felt that there was danger of Britini

4 Journalism falling into disrepute It newspaper combine's were. per- mitted to dominate the metrope- M. Molotov signified his agree- litan

amil suburban press.

ment to this provided German

fact, the conclusion of a de./townrd Japan into Hino with United "the establishment of a self support later, at the same table on board, troops were withdrawn Immediately fensive treaty system in the West.States aime for Western Germany Ing economy in Japan, without which the surrender of the Japanese in the Australia, where Newspapermen are sensitive for the good kame from Finland and Germany would formally directed against a revival where also the announced objectives the achievements of the occupation Penang area was signed. of their

the craft,

"Journalists" sign a treaty of mutual assistance Association

of German aggression, comes after are to make the people self sup cannot be consolidated, has not ye and

with Bulgaria, and also newspaper

provided the still-developing network

porting and able to contribulo to been accomplished." proprietors during

FOUGHT THE BISMARCK economie that Japan would

He added that "economic chaos In renounce her

recovery of other alliances in Eastern Europe with the claims agreed on a code of ethics design-

to coal and oil concessions

nations.

Japan has been prevented only at

Most of the Nelson's war service sume avowed alm that has been in Northern Sakhalin. ed to safexuard the prestige and

expense

was In the Mediterranean, but sho developed from Moscow and Bel- Major Generat

American Frank McCoy, liberty of the benefit of those

The code is This agreement was never signed, grado.

people,'

also took part in the bombardment American member". of

who have financed tho For

vital and within less than a month, Willer operating to the

preceding the Normandy landings It remains true that a link be- Eastern Commission, presented the food and other importa. who produce the newspapers and issued from his headquarters a dir-tween the Eastern

"Greater efforts by the Japanese and later fought in die Far East. Western policy statement at today's Commis- and cetive to staff chiefs on "Operation treaty systems is provided by the slon meeting to provide basle under- with such assistance as the United on war service. public which reads them.

people, McCoy declored, "coupled

The Rodney steamed 150,000 miles. With the freedom of the press

Barbarossa” which began: The existence of the 1942 Anglo-Soviet alanding on the part of the other States government may be able to

She was in the German armed forces must be pre-Alliance and the 1944 Franco-Soviet Congress for funds to finance res- should eliminate the burden of the during the chase speeds which had bound un is intexrity, and

nction against the 45.000-ton Ger- one

of the army's request to be cannot

claimed

pared to crush Soviet Russin In a without

a temporary period, man battleship Bismarck, achieving guarantee of the other. This is a

quick campaign, even before the the former, which were undertaken toration of "peaceful industrien" in American taxpayer of supporting the been thought impossible and after- consideration which the United

conclusion of the war against in Moscow Inet spring, have, in the Japan.

Japanese economy."

wards scoring the first hit on the England." Nailons Commission should not

meantime, lapsed. It is assumed in Thus far United States polley has The following weeks brought fre- reliable quarters here that news of been to spend minimum funds In Commission

The United States plona to ask German vessel. Jenore when it frames Its Bill of

She took part in quent Soviet expresslons of concern

approval later for the North Africa landing operations Highla for the freedom of

the Anglo-French move had already Japan to prevent "disease and un- over German troop movements

specifie slops in line thought, speech and writing.

been communicated to. Washington, rest.” The objective which McCoy general

with the end bombarded Caer during the Bulgaria and Rumanin-Reuter.

policy laid down today, Normandy campaign. -Reuter.

described, however, also would Associated Press.

(Continued, on Page 4)

of

the

of the press, the British delegate sorving on the UN commission is particularly qualided to express opinions, for in Britain aroso

I

the ploneers who fought for freedom which has Jealously been guarded to this day. 'Even dur- ing the last war, when the whole

in

Alliance, though attempts to revise

provide for