1948-08-24 — Page 1

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VOL. II NO. 199

Crimine and Publiskost

The

TODAY'S WEATHER: Moderate Southeast winds; cloudy, to partly cloudy: isolated thundery showETH,

1 p.m. Observations: Barometelo.premure, 1002,5 mibs, 29.00 In. Temperature, 60.3 deg. F. Dow polut, 77 deg, F. Relative humidity, 91. Wind direction. Calm. Wind force, 0 knots.

Low water;; #_ft. 3 in. ai 217 pan. IBgh waler: 5 ft. 4 in. st

Dino

AL tho

Hongkong Telegraph...

TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1948.

STALIN & WESTERN ENVOYS TALK FOR 434. HOURS AT KREMLIN

Not The Last Meeting

Moscow, Aug. 24.—Marshal Josef Stalin and the envoys of Britain, the United States and France ended a record-breaking conference on Gormany carly today after four hours and 45 minutes.

The United States Ambassador (Lt-Gen. Walter Bedell Smith), upon returning to his Embassy from the Kremlin, said there would be other meetings. Tired after the gruelling session, he refused to comment on the progress of negotiations, which are aimed at ending the East-West cold war in Germany, General Smith said: "I am always an optimist—I hope for the best and expect the worst."

At first he refused to comment, but as he backed up the staircase of the United States Embassy, he said Marshal Stalin had provided tea and cakes for the conferees. He then disappeared into the Chancery, followed by an aide and an interpreter.

|

|

From what proved to be the Apparently the first job at hand; newspropermen. longest conference in the tension- for all three Western representatives | speculation an to packed East-West meetings, there was to advise their home Govern- Smith came not a single word as to whether any agreement had been reached."

General Smith's Inconic remark, as well as similar words from others, appeared

earller to conflict with speculation that agreement already This would then And been reached. have made tonight's meeting conclusive onc

LONG CONFERENCE Evidently the talks will be con- tinued for an unstated period and envoys from the United States, Britain and France presumably must

nak further instructions from their capitals.

Moscow time, the p.m. United States Ambassador (Lt-Gen Walter Bedell Smith), the British

At

envoy

t

There WAN Lone wheller General Was simply rhetorical or ments on what had transpired and whether, hound by flie nécessity for lo ask for Instructions regarding diplomalle secrecy, he used the al- future meetings with Marshal Stallnlusion to tell the state of affairs. or Mr Molotov, or both of them.

Behind him Me Roberts and M. Also, there probably will be new Chataigneau had! stood silent talks among the three Western po-rimly silent. wern before the next meeting-CX- Correspondents naked General

Smith whether

communique would be issued immediately, to which he replied. "No comment" that same manotantus "no com- ment" behind whose perdective non- commital barrier General Smith has

refuge from regularly taken inquiries of newspapermen.

AL times. however, General Smith himself his felt the utter uselessness of such a reply.

pected before the end of the week.

VERY TIRED

the

General Smith looked tired and worn upon his return and cold he was very tired. He did state, how

would be other ever, that there meetings. It was not easy to decide wicther his worn appearance was due simply to fatigue, qr to,an unex-, preted turn of events which would indicate whether other meetings would be held..

disappointment. WRE clearly etched on the faces of them not certain, but I do not think Fetish and French representatives To anther question, General Mr Roberts especially who tonight Smith answered: "I am very tired." even attended a farewell party in -- United Press.

the belief Mr Roberts' honour in that this meeting woul be the

Someone asked whether this wis the last meeting and he said:

"I

However, (Mr Frank Robertson) and the French Ambassador (M. Yves Chataigneau) sat down with Mar- shai Stalin and the Soviet Foreign Minister (Me Vyacheslav Molotov) Four hours and 45 minutes later

1. 45 a.m. this morning- tired at 1. looking group of Western statesmen ins in the current negotiations. tonight's Moscow conference up-

the

anil From questions

at reappeared emerged and United States Embassy, where theytle refused to say anything remarks.

OBSERVERS SURPRISED London, Aug. 23--The fact that

answersparently does not mean conclusión! of the latter thrown at the of the talks care as a mild surprise but brict conferees at the United States Em-to Western observers, although some Lassy, some crumbs of information of them later indicated that they believed Further meetings At the Embassy, a corps of aldes, were dropped. For instance, it was har

that, stenographers and

except for sat revealed

a brief probable,

host the break in the talks for the

In view of earlier reports build- about during the long hours into the Marshal Stalin to present teoing up the issues of tonight's meet night, awaiting the atatesmen's and cakes, the statesmen pored over ing as largely up to Marshal Stalin return. Whitle they Immediately

this appeared to indicate began preparing dispatches about problems between the Soviets and hinseif, the meeting at the reappearance of the West for uninterrupted periods. that Marshal Stalin may have offer- envoys, There sppeared little NEWSMEN PUZZLED

secretaries

likelihood that any announcement General Smith's cryptic remark ou regarding what actually

had the staircase-to the effect that he transpired within the blenk Kremiin was always optimistic, yet prepared walls would be forthcoming tonight. for the worst-puzzled Moscow's

EDITORIAL

A

ed new proposals.

It also appeared to Indicate that

the Soviet positive my have changed somewhat since last week's session-United Press.

Palestine

Prefab Housing Scheme Peace Hopes

aro

NOTHER housing scheme Intended to help relleve Hongkong's accommodailon problem has been pul forward- this time of prefabricated houses. Several of fin conditions embodied in

In earller schemes, such ss Government land at cheap rates and a co-operative organisa- tion operated either by Govern. ment or by private Interests not seeking profits. The two essen- tlat distinctions

THAL are

the buildings are prefabs in design and materials, and they can be built cheaper. From the point of view of speed in construction, utility values, and comparative cheapnem, prefabs have rained conspicuous popularity on the Continent and today form a substantiai part of Britain's rehousing plans. They have been tested and found not to be want- lax. To Hongkong, where the urgency of providing accommoda- tion la paramount, prefabs would appear to offer an opportunity for vigorously lacking the housing problem, for prefabs constructed and made ready for habitation in three weeks, saving considerable lime on the normal brick, mortar and conorata buildings. Even more attractive is their relative cheapness. the smaller and more simple houses being placed within the means of salary carners, whereas the thirty and forty thousand dollis re- quired for dwellings under schemes built according to sian- dard methods make them

nem pro- hibitive to

the

vart majority

desperatel

50

can

other

of those who need homer, One weekend re- port

that no official

stited objections had been raised to the proposal to erect profabri- eated bouies in Hangkang, which I welcome news becauSO. some time ago there were some very definita offefal objections voiced

relating to the Insecurity of auch buildings in typhoon weather ant our tropical rainstorms. Similar objections have been mentioned regarding

Nasen huts in this

Colony, although Interestingly

enough some of these huis have been in existence at Kal Tak since the reoccupation and

have sue- cessfully

withstood All the

vagaries of our weather. We bo- Heve that a full-blooded scheme to Import and erect prefabricated houses in Hongkong should be riven the fullest official encouragement

In one of two directions. Ellher Government whould adopt the propenal for forming a co-operative society and Initially financing the project,

or

if it still feels this should be left to private interesis, then fi could reduce the cost of the houses still further by allocating building ailea free of charge. With such an Incentive it may be possible to entice disinterested partles 10 organise and run a co-operativo

Ha

housin nociety on non-profit making lines. We fait to see how Government, eventually. сап avold taking a full sharo

·of responsibility in making a sound building scheme effective. At the present Government

Js only offering a geniure and apparently feels this is à full redemption of obligations. But livior ac- commodation is a problem of the many, not

few, whitch Iz consequence demands the follest Melal efforts to are that every- thing possible is done to

make good the tinstag defleleney. If, through a combination of Govern-. ment, private enterprise and prefabs, dwelling houses.can bo made available to those who so Krievously

neod

them then Government should not heslinte- to throw its full weight of anais- Lance Info any el project, it en be done without any crippling east to the taxpayern. `-,

Jerusalem, Aug. 23.—Count Felke Bernadette will offer peace propo- sals for Palestine to the United Na- tions General Assembly next month. Itis announcement In Stockholm that the proposals will be included in his report

on his activities as meilintar between Arabs and Jews in the Holy Land enme amici now

nce overtures.. Israeli pence

Kowloon Godown

Loan Sought To Support Currency

Nanking Disclosure

Nanking, Aug. 24.-China has made an application to the International Bank of Recon- struction and Development for a monetary loan to support its new currency, it was learned today.

The Chinese request for the loan was transmitted to the Bank nutho- rina ky Mir Ko Yi-chan, anthi representative in Washington.

the

In applying for the Joan, Chinese Government cited the prece dent of the Netherlands, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, which were cald to have all been granted financial loans by the International Bank when

new currencies were intro- duced in these countries.

The Chinete subscription to the Bank is reported at 3000,000,000, which is the maximum limit of the less if granted.--Reuter-AAR

HOLDINGS SURRENDERED Shanghal, Aug. 24.-Although the An Israeli Foreign Office spokes- exact amount has not yet been re- mun In Tel-Aviv mald Israel is pre-vented, large quantities of foreign currencies, gold bara, allver, bullion pared to undertake

ake "separate pear and allver dollars were exchanged talks with each of the Arab count the Central Bank all day yester- tries" and in Jerusalem, the Isac day for the new gold guan, Prime Minister, Mr David Gurion, told the Inner Zionist Coun- cit that "we hope the present war will Anish Boon with a peace con- clusion with the Arabs. They need

and wo need them."

OVERTURE REJECTED

Ben-

A previous Iurnet bid for pence talks, transmitted through Count Hernadelle, was rejected by Egypt.

A majority of those seen at the banks' enunters, however, appeared to be from the middle and white collar classes.

Their holdings are said to have have ranged from one tenth of an ounce to 10 or 20 ounces of gold, and from US$5 to $100 or $200.

The Central Bank announced that

A source close to the Arab League all holders of foreign currencies, aid the Lengue also had rejected the gold, silver and silver dollars should

in on the ground the Arabs convert them into the new legal

do not rregulse "any such gang os tondor before September 30,

the pando-overnment of Izracil Meanwhilic, commodity prices wgh has my international status." reacted with

Π

downward. trend

King Abdulah of Trausjordan, yesterday, declining 10 percent un declared at that time, however, that the average-Reuter, possibilities of punce between Jews

and Araha should be considered.

The Isrnell Foreign Office

apokes- man unld L. separate peace talka jake, place, Transjordan". would be most likely the first country on the list. He would not disclose whether Translardan or other Arab countries

VISA REFUSED

“RED” DEAN

London, Aug. 23--The

Evening

nlready had been contacted. As Standard today announces that the sociated Press.

TRAPPED IN MINE

Holenu, Montan

Dean of Canterbury, Reverend How lett Jolinson, was informed by the United States Consul in London that he was not allowed a vien to enter USA. August 29,-

authorities disapprove of In- Follco tonight et fet lust, an un-viting, an organisation ...of an determined

of men are American-Soviet friendship society. trapped in a goldmine which caved Tho. Dean is due to fly to the In 20 miles northwest of lelena, United States on November 1 Associated Press.

{ United, Prose.

Hun

27880

Price 20 Cents

WHARF AND GODOWN COMPANY FIRE

Blaze

ONE MAN DIES FROM BURNS

Revised Estimate

Of Losses

One pedicab driver died from his burns in the Kowloon hospital last night, a victim of the disastrous godown blaze in Canton Road yesterday, while another badly burned man is not expected to live.

-Twelve men were admitted to hospital-all Chinese- and seven are still detained suffering from extensive burns.

This morning fire brigade officers Offlee workers had to leave buses Impreted the scene of the fire try-- al. the bottom of Nathan Road and Ing to determine. Its cause, but walk the rest of the way, to the could trace no evidence to warrant ferry. any definite conclusion.

to They refused speculate on what might have been the cause.

Mr C. E. Terry, general manager of the Kowloon Wharf and Godown

Company said this morning that the estimate of the damage quoted in the morning press was grossly exą:perated.

The insurance company ten

tatively estimated the destroycel goods to amount to about $10,000,

Mr Terry alco disclosed that Godown "C" contained dyes and chemicals and Godown 46, paper.

He said that quite a bit could be salvaged.

The Grafic -departmenk took ete zalieval precautions this m.nia, diverting all vchleular tude away from the Star Ferry appiconchi,and, Chunjon May, G

Three vivid pictures of yesterday's destructive blazo at two godowns in Canton Road. Top shows the immense column of smoke which followed the outbreak of the fire. Centre, firemen fighting desperately to put the flames under control. Above, part of a still-burning godown in which were stored drums of bitumin. Photos by Staff

Photograpliers.

The police did not lift this restriction until 10 o'clock, when it was then decided that all danger of further explosions had passed. --

However, Canton Road remains closed to traffle throughout the day. Ofeials said that this morning's night's work of the fire brigade in rain helped to consolidate Jäst

making the area rate from furthe explosions and fres.

SEAL BORDER

REQUEST

London, Aug. 23--Britain f ashed Shim to seat her frontier with East Malaya in an attempt to Hall the movement of Com. Umvaist-led . Kurrillas: un'infürmed

Whitehall source tald fnday, Whitehall.ofleinis paid at least five tamed groups of querillas have been mon mangçuvring few miles -aeroj; The Stainese border where it fringes the North Kelantan province.

Thy my fliny fear an invasion by laer formation whore juimbers rang: from 30 to 400 men sach..

The British military authorities in Sim are considering Intensifying their patrols along the frontier: to stem the ebb and flow of querilla groups, according to the Whitchni Louces,

TE

find

they decide to do go, they will til it necessary to call for more. Utroops. reinforcements... from Britain over and above the Guard Brigade which leaves hero Dext month.

The British Government will cer- tainly accede to a new appeal for more menpower If the situation in Europe permits, informants nailed. -Associated Press.

Aust. Arms For Malaya

Canberra, Aug. 23.-Primo Minister Chifley said today Australia has shipped weapons and ammunition to Malaya where British authorities aro fighting a Communist uprising, Mr Chifley said: "Supplies of automatle weapoos and ammunition (required in Malaya for the mainten- ance of law and order recently, hava been dispatched by the Australian authoritles by air and have been fully delivered"

that

at the request of the British he could not announce & st of the equipment. He added: "Cer tain other types of equipment, which are being tested and examined, will also be supplied to the extent avail- able if they are found suitable for the purpose required.--Azociated

Press.

Arab Commander

Killed

Chirà. Aug. 21.—The Commander Inf the Egyptian troops in Jerusalem, Dikbasid Ahmed Abdel, Aziz. has been killed, the Defence Ministry Jannounced today,

The announcement did not give any details of his death, bat zafil that King Farouk was "deeply af fected by the lon of this hero," The King hinn conferred posthumous- ly the rank of Colonel, and title of Ley

Press

on

Abdel Aziz-Avaoclated

EIGHT KILLED IN

AIR CRASH...

Kinrose, Mernyshire, Scotland, Aur. 23.-A Royal Air Force' Lan caster crashed on Landing "at, this RAF slation today, killing eight nir- hichi

All bodies were recovered.---\6819- dinicu Press.