1949-02-28 — Page 1

Drink

Coca-Cola

Ice-Cold

VOL. IV NO. 48

Trapped Men

Rescued

Benton.

Wisconsin,

Feb. 27. Fifteen miners were removed safely today from a zine mine shaft in which they were trapped 167 feet below the Surface when fire destroyed the mine building at head of the shaft.

Rescue, crews found men and brought them to safety on an The improvised hoist.

the

the

miners were working in the drift of the main shaft and were prepare ing to leave when fire broke out,

was

After the fire put out, the mine super- intendent talked to the men through the defare. and assured' them they would be rescued won.

-United Press.

MAN AND WIFE FOUND SHOT

Geneva, Feb, 27, Two Swed- ish visitor, man and wife, we found shot dead in the holel roum here today while the puller waited at

our to 43;lt :

question about an allested un- j paid bill.

They were 51-ydareald Turniti Bogmann, neminiant of Stock- holm, and Mrs Hogmann, alar aged 54.

A police inspector, who was ! waiting to enter their m when the shots sing out, suid] afterwards *Bognann had asked me to wait while he | dressed. I had called on the Hogmanns at the request of the Lucerne police, who were in- vestigating an unpaid bill of 2,000 Swiss francs."—Reater,

SUN FO FLIES TO NANKING

For Use Proprietor of

HONGKONG TELEGRAPIT, Fur and on behalf of

SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, LTD.-

-Pinler and Publisher

The

TODAY'S WEATHER; Moderate

or fresh winds. Cloudy with scattered drizzle at first; fine.

Northeast becoming

Noon Observations: Barometrie premure, 1022.4 mbs., 30.10. Temperature 55.0 deg. F. Dew poiní 57 deg. 1'. elative humidity 76. Wind direction East, Wind force 13 knola,

High water: 7 16. 1 In. at 9.59 p.m. Low water: #

Hongkong Telegraph.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1949.

Arthur May And Kwok Kwong

Stand Trial

ALLEGED THEFT,

FRAUD

AND CONSPIRACY

Crown Case Against PWD Employees

The trial opened this morning before Mr Justice Williams of Kwok Kwong, 47, former foreman, and Arthur Frederick May, aged 11, electrical inspector, grade 1, on three charges of larceny by public servant, three of falsification of accounts with intent to defraud and one of conspiracy to defraud the Hongkong Government of money. Kwok was not represented by counsel while May was defended by Mr A. J. Clifford instructed by Mr J. C. Stewart. The prosecution is being conducted by Mr A. Hooton, Crown Counsel assisted by Mr J. Johnston, A.S.P. and Mr D. G. MacPherson, A.S.P.

The jury empanelled comprised five men and two women. Before opening the prosecution's case, Crown Counsel laid be- fore the jury plans of the Hunghom workshop, where May was in charge, photographs of Pokfulam, Tokwawan and the workshop and blank forms of PWD estimate sheels and daily labour reports. Mr Clifford said he had no objection.

Explaining the larceny charges, Mr Hooton said that on or about July 23 last year about 1,000 yards of electrical cable was taken up to certain houses at Pokfulam and it was the Crown's case that the cable was stolen and wrongfully used. The second charge concerned three electric...

And Co., fluorescent lamps installed at Messrs Lowbridge, Shackleton Prince's Building, Ice House Street. The third theft charge related to further 400 yards of electrical cable being stolen on or about July 30 last year and also taken to Pokfulam.

were

a

had the intention of defrauding the Government of the monies which they would get for their

"They made false returns in do it and see that these men "Members of the jury, the

order to rover up the labour they t their pay from Government third, Bfth and gisth counts are

using to steal electrical sharing that tane. Therefore, the Calsification iconits of

of do-

the accused Feb. 28-Sona Foruments and that hold down to material which they were putting Crown says that Canton,

4 at Pokfulam. Din the preseeution allegation China

The last count is a count of Premier of National

that the two men aditiere Telt Canton for Nanking at 9.45

Ure...account... of certain labour cotopiracy between the two me. this morning-by-mpurestal požarome

showing workroen The alteration-there-i talpa... He won accountantst fax tea reprats.

COMPLICATED CASE their heads together they put other members of the Cabinet, being employed on vvatain pane

and sed to each other, or coppe

The of

jury. and it is reported they are tes per Governtent jobs when they

We will do

do the Pase is :omewhat work turning to the epital to her knew, and well kuw, that to thing like this,

HIKE with acting frosnient Li Tsong- įren were not workunt on these stu jon the Cannast pre progole. but were worketh in Pok-, Governmend material

farizu," said Mr Houtem. insals-Reiter,

EDITORIAL

2424

private

with

and we

will are Government Inbuur to

Hongkong Reform Club Tasks

The Hongkong Reform Club got away

members of the public attending the first meeting. Future progress will be watch- If. interest. the keenest ed with through energetic example and fender- ship the Club can create a lively public consciousness, of civic responsibilities will have and duty in Hongkong it hchieved a great deal. Certainly the inaugural speeches produced a more de- finite programme and policy than out- lined in the original memorandum and realisation of the alms and objects expounded by Mr Charles Leseby will bring about a new era in the conducting of the Colony's publie affairs. Much will depend on what extent the reform attention of the movement etches, the Imperial Government and its Opposition. Constitutional reform in a Colony such na Hongkong is particularly influenced by the attitude adopted by those in authority at Honie. The Reform Club therefore, not only committee must,

obtain strong local public support for its agitations, but also the sympathetle ear of Membera of Parliament. To this end well consider enlisting the Club might the services of a liaison officer in the House of Commons through whom the gospel of constitutional reform in Hong- kong might be spread in the Jabbles. The public's most crying need is direct, elected representation on the Legislative Council. Until this has been conceded by Whitehall, tackling of the many urgent social problems which confront Hong-

the Irgistature kong through tinue to be featured by procrastination And comparative indifference. It

that accepted

Government han the general welfare of the Colony at heart, but

the its recognition of

relative

will

con-

la

urgency

IN

Can

of the community's needs often open to dispute and criticism. llest judges would he the public's own repres sehtatives, for to them would be given the popular mandate. If the public cares to give the Reform Club the support it requests, it will not be very diflicult to of the convince the local government

But that is sincerity of the movement. not the biggest hurdle. Whitehall Bas to be equally convinced, and this best be done through the medium of the Commons lobbies, A triple House of

Reform campaign is demanded if the Club is to advance beyond the status of a debating society. It must obtain the confidence of the public; the respect und and the sup- attention of Government; port of British MPs. The sponsors of the Reform Club are not asking for more than what the taxpaying people of Hong- kong are entitled, and which they have for so lung been denied. This theme should be developed to its fullest through The Club's representatives'in London. Government, on its part,, has ensy

of testing methin

and the validity Itunesly of the Reform Club movement by on ati- members to serve inviting its visory ani investigating committees appointed from time to time to deal with various local problems. The Club has to prove itself by deeds as well as words, and unless it is prepared to do No, it cannot expect to be officially nc- cepted as a medium of public opinion and popular will. The club has assigned to itself a difculi, and what. at times will appear to be a disheartening task, but so Its long as remains steadfast in honesty of purpose and endenyour, it must eventually succeed in its objectives. will not be And by the same token It

Incking sympathetic support,

And Sailors Soldiers And

Fight In Streets Of Bangkok

Bangkok, Feb. 27.-Soldiers fought sai- lors in the streets of Bangkok today after unidentified plotters had seized the Govern- ment Radio Station and claimed that the Siamese Premier, Marshal Pibul Songkram, and his Cabinet had resigned.

Dino

At

the

For

P.G.

Reservations

Price 20 Cents

Army

Tel: 27880

To Revamp Peiping Ban On Foreign Pressmen

Acting

Shanghai, Feb. 27.-The Communist Radio said to- day that foreign corres- pondents in Peiping would be go

to

longer permitted gather and transmit news. It was not certain whether the correspon- dents would be allowed to move elsewhere.

The bronienst did not mention carlier regulations banning the departure and entry of foreign nationals In Red territory. The Communist authorities in Pelping suld that foreign nationals would not be allowed to publish news- papers or magazines in the city and the feds asked the United States

Information Service to stop distributing newn there.

The broadenst did not ask the President Li

USIS to ccase its other activities. Tsung-jen (left) is reported Tho radio said that all foreiga to have launched a military news agencies and foreign cor- reorganisation in National-respondents in Peiping would be from carrying en ist Chinn. Two

of his prohibited

their activities "because of the friends, General Pai Chung-present state of war"",

hsi (centre) and General Ho

MAYOR'S ORDER Ying-ching (right) are The order was signed by slated to handle the army General Yeh Chien-ying, Com- munists Mayor of Pelping revamping which, it is be- whose troops took the city lieved, may offer President without struggle from the

additional bargaining besieged Nationalist garrison.

The

brondeast Usted 17 power in the pence talks The with the

Li

Communists correspondents for foreign news

nowspapers and agencies, Al' Picture.

magazines known to be in

BIG BURMA

BATTLE

Pelping

The

heard foreign

in

Communist broadcast Nanking notified correspondents that they are not being recrived "nt present" in Red areas.

The United States Embassy in Nanking had no comment on the ban on USIS news. The Inst message from United Press cor- Michael Keon in respondent

IN MAKING iping was sent on Saturday

The Radio went off the air during this an nouncement last night. When it resumed broad- casting, it said Marshal Songkram was still Pre- mier and the interruption was not authorised.

A dawn battle between Army controllest armoured vehicles and Navy-maned anti-tank guns

evening and received in Shang- was fought near the Premier's residence, close, to

Rangoon, Feb. 27-A big at 12 hours later. It described the British Embassy. One witness said that he

the arrival In Peiping bf an battle was developing in anti-Kuomintang group headed later saw lies being loaded into trucks.

central Burma today. Gov- by Marshal Li Chái-sum.

AB earlier broadcast #12- Radio and air communications officers arrested by the Siamese ernment troops have open-

4 last, on el a

nouncing that correspondenta counter-offensive to from Bangkok were suspended, pelice un October

have been arred from gather- Marshal Songkrant's sucres-allegations of having been in

ing--

and transmiting.. news so was named by the rebels givel-in-a plot to overthrow.recapture the North Burma Nai. Birck dayanion.

army headquarters at Meik effective on Sunday said the former, the Government, Some Ambar Soder in London

tila and the railway june order was issued by the Com

Com- are a member of the wartime! "It was organized largely, 17 tion at Thazi, 13 miles for munist Military Affairs shake That"

It did not mission. under-ub re of Our "Free Tha"! (Sitan)

say whe to be as brief as I

Movement, whose object was to ther east, it was officially ther the han was temporary or ground movement.

Conflicting can and to give you mulcient,

permanent.United Press. bulletin were boring hark to power the former stated. details as for as I can to va

roadcast to the eny's 680,000; Premier, Fridi Panonyong. They plain to you the system of that inhabitant by the Army-nerupied the Defence Ministry Tropy bear the Shun states Public Woks electrical de controlled and Navy-controlled without opposition but were swept into the eendent plains to partment, and secondly the facts radio stations. The Premier's trapped there and surrendered and the counter-offensive. Me Wants Foreign

known as they are

and will appear from the evidence of the actual stealings and falsifications. "At the time of the arrest of these turn men they were hath employed in the Public Works Department.

"Members

the

Any resume claimed to

evall of

have without a fight. "dissident

!

fila ami Thazi were occupied by

the rebel Karens last Sunday.

021

Aid Cut

elements." Meanwhile, the Na Direk Jayanam was

Chicago, Feb. 27.-Republican Navy radio declared there had: Minister of Justice in the Wall The military communique to- been "brutal Adding" after Thurwi Banyaket

Cabinet Inday reparted widespread Karen Senator flomer Capehart today Government-held announced that he would lead troops opposed Navy then trying | September, 1015, and was ap-attacks May was employ- to "do their duty to the tation." pointed Foreign Minister in the positions in Henbaga, a district the Senate fight to cut foreign ed as electrical inspector grade

Priti Punomyong Coveraman 80 miles trihwest of Rangoon aid spending in half.

He said in a broadcast that he STREET CLASHES

The communique claimed that one and was in charge, in sole i

April, 1946,

were benten off would offer an amendment to cherte. of one of the two eler-

Clashes between soldiers and ; He went to London as Am-there attacks

trim perhaps US$3,000,000,000 trien workshops of the PWD.

his with heavy losses licted en after started Sailors

main bassador in the

from the $5,500,000,000 bill to the Karens. This w

workshop is situated ETS

keep

the European recovery streets soon after the seizure of Ministerial post Kuwloon and is known as

There resignation from his post of It also claimed that a pitched programme going until June 30, the Hunghom electrical work- the Government Radio.

March was battle had broiten out between 1050. was heavy fire from artillery, Ambassador last In that workshop there w shop.

the the Karens and Communists in Faid to have were employed at the time about mortars and machine guns at 80 daily paid workers.

The the Arsenal, the Grand Palace Siamese Premier, who said the the Pegu district where the two

home Siamese Government and near is Premier's

wished factions are quarrelling between bath of these were electricians between midnight and day-him to remain In London-themselves.

(Continued on Page 5)

in

There were other people like blacksmiltis, carpenters, welders

tina

shop.

Ife

man

mar

break today,

and clerks. Kwolt was at the In the dawn battle, direct hits foreman of the work- were scored on some armoured icht vehicles and guns. By noon, the was May's right hazu!

ant 60 at that opposing units had ceased fight- workshop we Ket #

khud ing.

When Beuter's correspondent at the top, under May

We immediately streets

with cartridge have Kwok and

of shattered branches underneath one gels

three ense charge, hands and under them trees and other signs of battle,

ان

heirarchy.

Counsel.

We have Mayet the area later, he saw

kram

strewn

announced

that

Reuter

resigning

in 1947.

"surprised"

asserted

that recent Ho

reports showed administration

that production in Western European countries "had reached prewar levels."-United Press.

MPs Dissatisfied With Answers To

Questions About Radio Hongkong

station

London, Feb. 27-Em-sirength of the Hongkong Radio Malayan broadcasting the electricians, welders, cooliesThe fighting flared up less than pire-minded MP's, notably is only 21⁄2 kilowatts; that thin will be heard in South China.

The Colonial Secretary sald station cannot possibly be heard? and

athers," said Crown 18 hours after Marshal Song Captain L. D. Gammans and in Canton or even in some parts that what he was saying was

had

totally Mr Walter, Fletcher, both of the New Territories. had Mr Hoolon next referred the prompt action Jury to the plan of the Hung-smashed" a plot to overthrow Conservatives, have been hom workshop and described his Government. the various offices situated in them.

On Thursday

whole that the

broadcasting polley in that part of the world that is now under close examination

of

He said he was aware bringing pressure to bear

kom broadcasting station pay greater attention to not given fully effective servico

may

The store of the work- energency had been procinim. upon the Colonial Office to /the present power of the Hong- by the Government.

shop was normally locked, heed.

was,

zlato

Twenty-four- suspects

source authoritative un Bangkok stated.

Interests

The Colonial Secretary wai

sakd

and the kid

so far as the three retired Army officers and Hongkong Radio, more es to the whole of New Territories then naked why Hongkong fadlo Prosecution

uscertain, Chinese described as Com-pecially in view of present at all times and seasons. He continues to be under the control

were arrested

of setting up a special In events in China. The Secre-added: "the possibility of an in- of the Postmaster-General in-

Is already stead crease in power were normally held at any rate munists-

radio department In Malaya. examined." during the day time by Kwok, ralds on Thursday and Friday,tary of State for the Co-

He replied that he was con- workshop. At the Hunghom

inonies, Mr Creech Jones, has

Mr Gaminans was not satisfed sulting the Governor of Hong-. May and his staff were responsi- Reform

A former Defence Minister, been repeatedly urged to with this reply and he asked the kong. ble for doing all Government

This reply did not satisfy Mr electrient work in Kowloon. Lieutenant General Luang Chir improve the coverage of the Colonial Secretary to state de- There

Vichit Songkram, Crown Counsel sald,

was among Hongkong Radio, and, in the finitely if the Government in Gammond, who then asked if Secretary was a separate workshop at Wanchai the arrested officers.

of efficiency, to tended to set up a broadcasting the Colonia

is great dis- OCT. 4 UPRISING tor doing Government electrical

heard throughout Soulli intisfaction in Hongkong about Marshal work In Hongkong.

control the

Postmaster Chinn as well; or were the Gov- this arrangement, for people do TO DESCRIBE SYSTEM gained power after a military

ernment going to neglect this not see why they cannot have of set-up as in Mr Hooton sald he would coup in November, 1947-said General.

The plot has

Colonial Secretary has opportunity of getting in touch the same sort call in evidence the chief electri- on Friday that the

The from time to time given these with a large number of Chinese Malaya.

The Colonial Secretary replied cal mechanical engineer of the been much exaggerated,

was "supremely MP the usual teplies that the people?

The Colonial Secretary made he was aware of this dissatisfac- PWD, Mr Brown, to whom May Government

directly responsible. Mr confident" of maintaining order matter was being considered. Brown

would tell the Court the and safe-guarding the country Finally, Mr Gammana decided a vague reference to the broad-on and that because of this he station In Malaya, was in contact with the Go- of system

whereupon both Mr Gammans vernor of Hongkong to discover getting this electrical from the "machinations of dis to raise the matter in the House casting

of Commons; work done. In order that the ruptive forces"

Fletcher wanted to whether changes can be miide- Nal

Was Direk understand

Jayanam

He asked the Colonial Seero- and Mr Jury might botter

if ho meant that the Our Own Correspondent, (Continued on Pare 5) among 70 politicians and Armytary if he was aware that the know

be Songkram-who remove it from its present station in Hongkong that could aware that thero

Was