1948-12-24 — Page 1

Personal Stapler

for Every one

BOSTITCH

SOIE AGENTS NAN KANG CO. UNIÓN BÌÁG KR.

VOL. III NO. 304

The

For the PropTISTOF US HONGKONG TELEGRAFII, For and on behalf of re

SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, LTE

hongkong Telegraph.

Hostilities Break Out Again In Negev Desert

MONTH-OLD TRUCE ENDS

Tel-Aviv, Dec. 23.-Fighting flared up today, in the Negev desert where a shaky truce between the Egyptians and the Jews has been in force since mid- November. An Israeli military spokesman confirmed Arab radio reports that hostilities began again last night in the Negev.

A war atmosphere has developed through Israel, but he said the fighting today had been on a small scale. He announced that Israeli ground and air forces took part' in renewed clashes with Egyptian forces in the Nirim area of southern Palestine during the night.

The air forces on both sides had taken "limited action" dropping bombs on each other's forward positions, he added.

Another Shocking Air Disaster

scat

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1948.

The Editor and his

staff extend ́to their readers season's greet- inga and the wish that one and all will enjoy a Very Happy Christmas

Reds On The Move In Tientsin Suburbs

Tientsin, Dec. 24. Com- munist forces in the north- western suburbs of Tientsin have begun to move to the northeast, Chinese despatches last night said.

At the

For

P.G.

Reservations

Price 20 Cents ::

More Sanctions

Tel: 27880

Wot! At This Time (

Of

Imposed Against The Year?

Netherlands

INDIA & PAKISTAN

London, Dec. 23.-Two more Asian countries—— - India and Pakistan-today imposed their own sanc- tions against The Netherlands military action in Indonesia by banning' Dutch planes from their air- ‚fields."

"The Dutch supply routes to the East Indies were already limited by Ceylon's decision to close its ports and landing fields to ships and planes carrying troops or munitions and the Australian Waterside Workers' boycott of Dutch ships sailing to Indonesia.

The suspension of landing facilities to KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) planes was announced in a New Delhi statement which said that India. regards the Dutch "police action” in Java, and Sumatra Аз a state of war between The Netherlands and the Republic of In- ⚫donesia.

An-

westward offensive from Tangerang, near Batavia,

In the north of the neighbouring island of Sumaira, Dutch troops flown by flying boat to Lake Tobn were reported to have pushed south to occupy Tarooloeng. Earlier they occupied the niracid at Siborongborong, south of the lake.

Dutch troops crossed the former truce line after starting out from coast of Sumatra. Padang, halfway down the

west

In Haifa, a United Nations spokesman said observers on the spot had reported

The Pakistan Foreign Minister, Israeli Navy units shelling the coast at 8 p.m. yesterday. Observers were also said to

Sir. Zafrullah Khan, announced the of the

Arab have counted 16 bombs dropped on Gaza, the Northern Negev

ban in the Pakistan Parliament and "Palestine Government." The spokesman said tonight that observers in Southern

This follows a whole

sold that if the Dutch did not call off week of

their attack soon, Pakistan would Palestine had been ordered to investigate a triple complaint by the Egyptians.

probing attacks around the city,

In the southern district, the des-"act in every diplomatie direction or The Egyptians had complained evacuation of Egyptian forces en- patches added that the situation was any other direction

open to

thee that their Negev pocket at Faluja circled at Faluja (in the Negev).

had to mark its condemna- the emergency ton of the Government to slightly tenser but was under Jewish artillery and "A communication was mede

airport located there has not yet

outrage committed mortar fire and air bombardment that effect to Dr Bunche on Decem-

been molested.

against the people of Indonesin," The Israeli Government

In Holland, KLM officials yesterday, that their airport at Eber 0.

the Egyptina: A high Nationalist officer told nounced that tonight's regular flight that Arish was attacked by three Israeli understands planes and that a camp at Rofa Government has now changed its Chinese newspapermen

that the to Batavia had been cancelled "for and the village of Can Yunis was mind and appears to be planing Communist probings have ended and technical reasons."

The KLM were bombed.

itself to_a single clause in the troop movements from the northern understood to have made plans to The spokesman said the EP council in order to undo the main

resolution passed by the Security outskirts and other localities were operate without Calcutta and tian Government had also sent a

now, expected.

Colombo but would have to re- letter to the Security Council ask-purpose the Security Counell bad. ing for "prompt and immediate mind-the conclusion of an armis- This meer said the Nationalist consider their whole position if Madrid, Dec. 23.-Twenty-action In view of a new violation tice as a first step towards peace, claim to have recovered Nantsang. Karachi could not be used. Pakistan's

"In view of the foot that the in the northwestem suburb, followed decision was unexpected, seven persons were killed when of the truce by the Jews on De-

Egyptian Government

done a Communist redeployment, an Iberian Airlines plane crash- General William Rey, the United achieve a peaceful settlement even nolliing to indicate a desire to ed into & mountain near Barce- Nations Chief of Staff in Palestine, after the Israeli Government's ex-

"LOCUST" ARMY lona today, First reports said had Intermed the Jews that Egypt pressed readiness in response to army continued to throng Tientsin Meanwhile, a "locust" Nationalist there were no survivors. was now. demanding that brops Dr Bunche's appeal to release by despite the overcrowded conditions

be withdrawn from the Negev before The plane,

route from

armistice negotiations were opened. stages the Egyptian surrounded at Barcelona to Madrid, crashed in the The Ismaell Goverment replied to Faluja, the Government of Itrack the metropolis, They are accu- Pandola Sierra mountains in the General William Riley that the Go- feels bound to reserve its freedom pying all available accommodation. province of Tarragona.

vernment of Israel felt bound to of action with a view to defending The Municipal Government reserve its freedom of action to de- its territory and hastening the convealed that 50,000 labourers The bodies of the 24 passengers fend its territory" since the Egyptian clusion of peace."-Reuter.

were being Immediately pressed into ser and three crew members were scat- | Government had "changed its mind

vice for assisting the city's defence fered over a wide area.

and was not now willing to take

works. practical steps in the direction of peace "e

en

The crash was said to be the most serious in the history of the Iberin Company, which controlled by the Spanish government. The plane was believed to have crashed be cause of poor visibility.

receue

Heavy rains drenched workers carrying bodies down

the mounin. All the victims were be lieved to be Spanish and included four women and one young girl.. United Press.

EDITORIAL

cember 22."

ISRAEL'S "CONCERN"

GAZA SHELLED

Hala, Dec. 23,-United Nations observers. reports. from............ Gaza, -reveived at. Halfa truce - headquar- ters, on Thursday stated that the "The Government of Israel," sald Gaza coast was shelled on Wednes- a letter to General Riley, has been day evening by units of the Israeli watching with concern the steady

deterioration of the prospects of peace with Egypt. After the visit

Next Issue, Monday

"GOOD PROGRESS" ·

A military spokesman at The Hague said today that troops were despite bad roads, boggy land and making good progress in Indonesia the "scorched earth" tactics of the

Indonesian Republicans.

had

"MOPPING UP"

London, Dec. 28-Br mak- ing habitual topera bluth every time they swallow a glass of wine, beer or spirits, Dx 0. Martensen Larsen, of Copen- hagen. thinks he has found a cure for alcoholism,

Tho bluch, as deep as ono which might come to teetotaller caught drinking on the sly, is caused by the drug antabuse, an Article In the Lancet sald,

De Larsen treated 83 pallents with this drug last year and got promising results in 74 Cases, Besides the. blushlig the drug CAUSE palpitation,

natthca and P

#hangover

headache." But Qiesa Arc claimed to be only Iranzient -and tho patient eventually loses all desire, and tasto for alcohol.

So far, sald De Larsen, it is not possible to tell how long the results will lact or whether Ill effects might follow the con- tinued use of the drug. So ho La Investigating further Reuter.

Madame To Stay On In U.S.

Washington, Dec. 28. Madame Chiang Kai-shek, who flew here early this month on The only mention in the Dutch | an urgent mission to obtain help communique of the operations in for her husband's Chinese Na- Central Java-where the "police action" started on Saturday-wos of tionalist Regime, has taken up lip operations around quarters in Washington for an mopping Surakarta.

Indefinite stay. The Dutch review of military Reporters found her on Thursday operations reported alight road established at the Washington home block resistance in many areas, the of her brother, Dr T. V. Soong, one- and some destruction by Republican Government.. uncompleted destruction of others time Finance Minister of the Nanking forces evacuating towns.-Reuter.. SOVIET CONDEMNATION

Mrs George Marshall, wife of the Sceretary of State bad · disclosed carlier that the Generalissimo's wife Paris, Dec. 23-The Russian dele moved out of the Marshall Leesburg Advancing Dutch 'columns gaus, Mir Jacob Malik, today asked home on Monday after a three week linked up on a 65-kilometre wide the Security Council refront in Central Java at the Im- the Dutch attack in Indonesia as

to condemn stay. Mr Marshall said she is closing portant Republican, towns of Mega- "unprovoked

up the Leesburg home and moving lang

aggression" and

and Into Walter Reed Hospital to spend Bojalalt and Semerang.

and Jogjakarta, Surakarta, "breach of international peace." the holidays with her husband, who

"We, consider the Security Counts recovering from an According to observers in Batavia, eil must order

operation. the Dulch troops "Madame Chiang's mission to -main-Dutch strategy the

clearly back," said Mr-Malik The Soviet Washington has not been som alms at pushing the Indonesians In- Unlon suggests a Security Council pleted and she hopes to Anish it to the mountains of Central Java.

committeo

consisting of all mem after the Brat of the year" a In North Sumatra, Dutch forces bers. This commitice would have person close to her said, have landed seaplanes on Lake Toba, the task of observing.

Dutch tho south of Medan, and occupied an retreat.. It could also co-operate to pirfield south of the lake.

regulate the conflict as a whole The Soviet Union will present draft resolution on this matter."

As the debate continued, th10 days' fighting said heavy Republican Dutch spokesman, Mr J. H. The Bureau of Social Affairs hus resistance had been met at only two Royen, said in reply to a question Egyptian military authorities. on

Prior to Mudame Chlang's taking Thursday complained to the truce received orders to organise and train points, one in Southern and one in about complying with the ceasefire: residence at her brother's hom headquarters that Falufn was un-regional first-aid and stretcher bear-

Central Java. der, artillery and mortar fro

In a fashionable part of Washington, "We and ing corps, besicles the collection of

have already taken all-im- Reuter's Batavin correspondent portant objectives we want to take."parently in preparation, for her ar- the house was newly furnished, ap- had been bombed from the air. The comfort articles for troops "at the

cabled that reference to the capture A United States observers

delegation is rival. arc Investigating the front."

or surrender of Republican troops working behind the scenes to per- complaints.

A copy of a letter, sent by the

The Chinese press admits fighting has been notably absent from all sunde the Dutch to release the im

prisoned Republican leaders. Egyptian Government to the Security continued yesterday to the north of Dutch communiques, so far.

The Some well-qualified independent Dutch said they would not release Council asking for "prompt and im Tangky, following a vere battle medlate action" In view

rendy of the throughout the day, during which observers who were in touch with the prisoners until they were "new truce violation" by Jewish General Lin Pla's forces were the Republican Government before to do so. troops on December 22, has been alleged to have suffered consider the Dutch action started believe The Council session adjourned

casualties. There received here by Brig-Gen. Willlom able

wan

the Republicans had a plan to main at 7.30 p.m. until 10.30 am. Friday Nationalist E. Riley, UN Chief of Staff in mention of

losses. fain their forces intact as for as United Press. Palestine. Associated Press.

Reuter.

possible and that they had. even

TOWN DESTROYED with Madnine Chiang, are. De and sacrificed their much publicised

Paris, Dec. 23.-Indonesian Re- Mrs H. H. Kung. Madame Kung is scorched earth policy, for this pur publichn sources who heard, the Madame Chilang's, sister. Dr Kung pose.

secret Republican radio in Indo- is a former Premier of the Chinese Dutch troops today advanced 20 (nesia reported today that Dulch Government. He is temporarily in miles and occupied Moock, on Java's bombs have completely destroyed. New York: on businessy for his north coast in the first day of their Bukittinggi, Sumatra.--United Press. Government-Associated Press.

Navy.

Gaza itself was bombed by the Israeli Air Force early on Thurs-

The next issue of the Long kong Telegraph will midday on Monday, December

•

be at

27.

the

to the Middle East by Dr Ralph day morning and observers counted

Bunche, the United Nations acting 18 bombs dropped-one near Riediator, the Government of Israel air-field. was propated as.a loleen of goodwill

to order a start to be made in the

High-Hatted Nonsense

WE lave several times com-

ht

plained about the tendency in certain Government departments to treat the Fress as though were an Intolerable nuisance and unft for human contact. On the one hand Information, when given at all, is offered reluctantly, and qulie often has to take the form of a written reply through the PRO which prevents the reporter from Asking supplementary question. This is but a mild. form of obstructionlam. Much more serious is the determination on the part of some officials assert an authority with which they are not invested and en- deavour to intimidate preasmen from carrying out their duties. This is not only abaaxlous, but should be the subject of a defeito Instruction from tho Colonial

to

Becretary that the praoties must. Cease. An example of the autocmile manner in, which some Government officials attempt to deal with the newspapers given this week, in connection with the air disaster at Basall

Was

Island. The Director of Alr

apparently

Services

became Incensed to pressman, at the scond of the'-'accident the day after it had ́ocourred and express- ed the opinion that he would and out how they managed to

get

of.

have.

there. He then proceeded to deny press photographors access to the scene of the crush. . As to how the press representatives and -- the photographers arrived" at Bazalt Island wo full to

see what business it la of the Director Air Services, "They, may rono, by private launch, walla walia, or even fu a... Government Isundhi. «K^ls the first Kiniowa Wern: AWATO that the DOAS. control.or Authority over harbour craft, nor do we appreciate whero las, obtains: the right to any

any

visit

that pressmen should not Basalt Island, or, for that 'matier, any other Island in Hongkong waters, without his permission. As for preventing press, photo- graphers from taking pictures of the wreckage the Director of Air Services is obviously exceeding

his duty and his authority. If appreciated that the DOAS has work to perform when an air crash occurs within the borders of Hongkong: so too have 4120 Press. The Director's task is Lo Investigate and submit a

report The

and

воле

Jews Sail

For Israeli

no

can

SUN FO CONVINCED

24. "China Nanking, Dec. not rely on foreign aid "to obtain the goal for which the government is fighting," Premier. Sun Fo Thursday night fold the first scs- sion of his new cabinet. He said the "ultimate aim of the war 1s peace.

on

Shanghai, Dec. 24-Eight hundred and fifty-six Jows sail- ed this morning on board an reneral

Dr Sun mentioned no peace efforts International Refugee Organisa- and reminded his cabinet the tion chartered

but vessel, the government tried

failed to the Com- Wooster Victory, for Palestine negotiate peace with trained

munists after the Japanese, war in the first mass Jewish exodus ended. from China, the

the

to his oficial superiors: Pressman has to investigato submit a report to the public. And the sooner. Government officials realise that newspapermen are trying to do kab for which they are and paid, and for which general publio purchase papers, the sooner there will be more harmonious relations bc- tween the Press and · officialdom. Newspapermen are not assigned to jobs for. the

of purpose obstrucling

Intimidating officials, and by the same tokon they should not be subjected to these humutasing experiences at the hands of individuals who are quick to allow senso, authority to go to their heads. Neither the local Press nor the agendy and foreign correspondents in Hongkong are irresponsible in the fulfilment of their

duiles, but when they run up against-high- fatted officialdom attempting to Impede them from dolad their job bo properly, they are not to blamed if the pubile have to go whort of all the facts. With now your approzaliing, to time seems appropriate to have settled once and for all the rights of local prezimen in the carrying out' of their duties, and thus avoid "tm- pleasant repolition of the Basalt İsland nonsense,

of

The ship's destination is Italy, where the evacuees will preceed by other means to their new homes in Israel.

A second vessel; the Castel Blanca, Is expected to arrive here to lake another group of 800 Jewish settlers on or about January 2.

rom

"It takes two alder to make war and the government alone cannot Rive up the use of military force," he said-Associated Press.

Your Holiday

Weather

the

Poignant scenes were witnessed na families packed the wharves to bla Roodbye to sons and daughters, ond relatives. Approximately 6.000 Jews, or almost 00 per cent of Far

· Weather prospects! Eastern Jewry, is reported to have

kollday week-end appear favour- registered for resoltlement in Israe

able, said the Itoysi Observatory- and they will be evacuated as ships

this morning. become avaliable.

the Pointing out

dimeulty of Sincera

thanks to the Chinese forecasting for more than 24 hours Government for the hospitality ex- at this time in this part of the world, tended to the Jewish people was ex- the Observatory sald, nevertheless, prosses by a spokesman of the do- that indications are that the mist and parting ovacuees today,

drizzio which have been hanging

He said: "The Chinese Govern-over Hongkong are likely to disappear ment welcomed Jewish. displaced and we may see a bit of the sun.. persons escaping from the horrors Tho temperature is likely to bo

of Hitler's Germany and gave them lower For the past three weeks, sanctuary and ́n châneo. to: re- the temperatūro establish themselves-anów, horo, o normal, and the unen above. period described "Jewry will not forget China's by the Observatory as "excep kindness at fir ume of need. tional," is likely to change, cooler Rouler.

weather, 'boing anticipated.

FIGHTING REVIEWED

A Dutch review of the first four

Grenleys

:

van

1

FURTHER DISCUSSION

Ho indicated she hopes to have. further discussions with Government offlelals about aid for China, but declined to indicate with whom she hopes to talk.

A second source said that wlien the Generalissimo's wife) came to Washingten hoped her stay here would be short." on: December 1, "sho

Asleed when she might be leaving, this person said "she may be home. by Chinese New Year."

That is during the first part of February

New Spending the

holidaya

Greetings

for Christmas and New Year

Year