1949-04-21 — Page 1

VOL. IV NO. 92

HONGKONGSTELEGRAPII, For end on behalf of

SOUTILCHINA MORNINO FOST, LTD,

„krinesg ̈und Publisher

The

TODAY'S WEATHER: Light or modernio winds, from a southerly quarter. Fair and warm.

Noon Observations: Barometele pressure. 1013.3 mba, 20.02 in. Temperature, 79.5 der. F. Dew point, 73 der. F. Relative humidity, 85, Wind direction, Bouth, Wind force, 8 knots.

High water: 6 ft. at 4.19 p.m. Low water: 1 ft. 6 in. at 12.51 a.m. (Friday).

Hongkong Telegraph.

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1949.

AMETHYST REFLOATED

Burma Govt HONGKONG

Outpost Surrenders

INSURGENTS' COUP

Rangoon, Apr. 20,-Sixty insurgents attacked a Gov- ernment outpost at Katha, a river town 160 miles north of Mandalay and, after a 90-minute siege, the defen- ders surrendered with their arms and ammunition, communique issued here said tonight.

સ

The surgents were led by "White Band" (anti-Govern- ment) Volunteers lender. Itein- forcementa were rushed to Kathn, the communique added.

Burma Air Force planes bombed rebel concentrations in Amherst and Thaton districts of Southern Burma, The communique sold heavy ensual- tles were believed inflicted un the rebels.

Leaders of the three Burmese rebel organisations--the White Band members of the People's Volunteer

Organisation, the Red Flag Communists and the "White Fing-have held Ra Important conference to discuss

extended Joint action, unofficial reports here sald today.

reports, leaders

According to these the three respective Bo Po Kun, Thakin Soe und Thakin Than Tun-met at Frome, a communications centre 100 miles north

of Rungson,

SENDS AID

It was officially an- nounced this morning that an RAF Sunderland left at 7 a.m. today carrying medical supplies which she will attempt to drop by parachute to the stricken ship, Also aboard the rescue plane are two doctors, one from the RAF and one from the Navy.

It is not yet known

if the operation will be practicable, and until

this is known no deci- sion is being made about sending more planes to. the scene,

STOP PRESS

Black Swan Shelled

4

15 CASUALTIES

Casualties Put At

:

17 Dead, Twenty

Seriously Wounded

•

NINE SLAIN ON CONSORT

The British sloop, Amethyst, shelled by guns from the north bank of the Yangtse yesterday, and beached, has been refloated, ac- cording to an official Admiralty statement issued today, and quoted by Associated Press.

The Admiralty also reveals that nine sailors aboard HMS Con- sort, which went to the assistance of the Amethyst, were killed by gun-fire and three seriously wounded.

Although no official casualty figures concerning the Amethyst have yet heen released, Reuter, from Nanking, reports that 17 members of the crew were known to be dead and at least 20 others seriously wounded.

the grounded Amethyst, were at anchor within a few miles of

The reports add that 67 sailors have been evacuated from Yangchung, which is on an island in mid-Yangtse, 15 miles north-east of Chinking. Reuter reports from Shanghal side the frigate Black Swan and United Stater communications that it s understood the the destroyer Consort at Kinng vessel, El Dorado, flagship of British Ambassador in China, | yle.

Vice-Admiral Oscar Badger, Sir Ralph Stevenson, has asked This meant that the three Commander of the United States Shanghai. Apr. 21.Bri-the British Consul in Tienisto ships which went to the ald of Navy, Western

to

Pacific, and a lodge 'protest with the

French sloop, Reds al Peiping regarding the attacks on the British warships, A British naval spokesman in Shanghai sald last night that it had not yet been officially con-

Ileuter in Shanghat reports firmed that the Communists that the departure of the Black were responsible for the shell-Swan and the diversion of the ing of the Amethyst and Con- London from Shanghat has left nort, nor whether the shells the city without a Royal Nava

months.

tish naval sources here, this morning said that a third the frigate Black ship, Swan, has been shelled in the Yangtse River.

Fifteen casualties are re-

to discuss means for extending ported. their joint activities, and plans for district-wide recruitment to the rebel forces.

her and Indicated that an af- tempt may be made to refloat her at dawn.

The total killed aboard the Yangtze.

came from the north bank of ❘ vessel for the first time in manj

The Indian Communist leader. Goshal, lieutenant" of Thakin Than Tun, also took part in the Consort nine. discussions. It was Heuter.

reported.number of wounded aboard whether

the two ships was 25.- still under fire. Associated Press,

STRIKE TO END

Buenos Aires, Apr. 20.-Strik- ing workers at Salta, the North- ern Argentine provincial capitai, ; where four people have been killed and 30 wounded in riot- ing, fodny decided to end their stoppage at midnight tonight.

The rioting-began on Monday night after the provincial branch of the Argentine General Confederation of Labour had ailed a general strike-Reuter,

EDITORIAL

Dine

At the

For

P.G.

Reservations

Price 20 Cents

The British Destroyer Consort

Tel: 27880

Reds Launch Yangtse Offensive Along A 400-Mile Front

(By Seymour Topping)

Nanking, Apr. 21.-China's dormant civil war erupted yesterday with a furious Communist offensive along more than 100 miles of the vital Yangtse Valley.

The Reds This "pence

The bubble of peace, afloat for three months, had burst. struck after the government rejected their latest peace offer. offer" amounted to total surrender.

the

"Pitisburst

1

Was

BO

On a separate front 600 miles would to munists

the Northwest.

launched their attacks on Ching's the military news agency said.

This is Talyuan, long enciried capital of Shansi province, Red inside the city, causing heavy shells were sold to be falling casualties, The Communists bo- fore have avoided artillery, nt- atacks because they did not want to damage Taiyuan's fac tories,

With the battle raging, out- govern side Nanking, Nationalist Pre- Thore was no mier Ho Ying-chin met with

Nanking, the capital, and Iankow, major supporting base 375 miles to the Southwest, seemed the first objectives of Red armies 1,000,000 strong. To meet this shock the Nationalists had possibly 500,000 men. Nanking shook to artillery attacking the town of Halnokon, Nationalist China and its-armed attacks from three points across 35 miles North of Hankow, the River. Communist veterans

forean, would. not provide a Here the troops of General lasting peace. from the conquest of Manchuria Pai were attacking

Chung-hst, defender of (The Mercury Post in Shang- on the

plains Hankow are

strongly before Hankow.

en-hai said the fallure of peace trenched. The first onset is designed to

But they are out- might force Acting President Li numbered two to one.

Tsung-jen to wipe out Nationalist bridgeheads

down. This be followP un the North bank of the Yang-

by a "resur- the Com-gence" of influence by forces tse. This great river divides the A Reuter message from Communist North

lo "retired" Chiang friendly from Ottawa says that a Canadian Nationalist South.

Kai-shek, the newspaper added.) Navy Headquarters spokesman

The reason for the rejection Nowhere, in the flood of battle sald yesterday that the Royal reports,

more than the one which there Navy had enough warships to of a crossing attempt.

WAS

mention

for has

leaked take care of any eventuality in ment gunboats duelled with Red Govern-

out, the the Shanghal-Nunking area. It short artillery both above and was not expected that the Cana- below Nanking. dian destroyer Crescent, now standing by at Hongkong, would

NO AIR FORCE become involved.

The Nationalist Air Force, which had helped before, was purpose of the for away on the Island of Crescent was to protect Cann- Formoso, a last ditch dian nationals in the Hongkong ment redoubt. area, the spokesman added,

hint

battle of the Yangtse. Were any Canadian nationals It

apparently was in one of endangered by the fighting along these

Fie told them the government duels the Yangtse..

the British had rejected the latest Com- Amethyst sloop

hit by munist peace offer because it Ho said the government re- Red shells 00 miles down river was drawn in the harsh terms Jection, sent to Pelping, also from Nanking and

and went aground of a victor.

earried a request for reconsidera- with

a number of casualties. One legislator sald I felt on, Arilllery fire appears to bo The British destroyer Consort the Communist plan, which the Red also

· answer,-Associated was hit trying to go to, would let the Reds swallow Press. the sloop's old. Both warships may have been mistaken by Red gunners for Chinese

to

The

the Amethyst is officially The spokesman conarmed, The only British worship in given as 17 and on the however, that the Consort re- | port serving as protection

The total turned the tire directed upon British nationals in the event of

it. He said R

possible was not known

disturbances. urising The Amethyst

from Was

increasing Communist pressure is the Australian sloop, Qualified sources told Heutera Shoalhaven. that efforts were being made by the Royal Navy to contact the Communists with a view stopping the attacks.

In

to

There are also several other foreign worships including the

main

was that the government could legislator added. Thia reason not agree to a Red demand for unopposed crossing of the Yanl- tsc. The terms of the Red posal were viewed as a whole. pro- Ho said. These terms called for of punishment

government leaders as "war criminals,' con- Ascation of estates "coalition" government by May

of the

He did not think that there it would be thrown into China's Parliament in secret wealthy, and the selling up of a

its statement regarding Official Version Of The

the Amethyst.

the Admiralty

said: "IIMS Amethyst has been refloated, using her own re- sources. The number of casual- ties is uncertain, but are Bghter -than-first-reported.

An earlier message annctraced that the heavy cruiser London, ying the flag of Vice-Admiral Madden, had anchored along-

Maintaining The Dollar GOVERNMENT today has issued

2111

statement flatly denying the mis- chievous rumours, which have become widespread during this week, that it is intended to devalue the Hong- kong dollar. With this denial goes explanation of how the Colony's currency in financed and an unqualified assurance that every single note circulated by the note-issuing banks is backed by a full surrender to the Exchange Fund of sterling. This official declaration should be sufficient to allence those who, for reasons best known to themselves, originate and stimulate rumours des signed to undermine public confidence in the Colony's currency. And if, after this categorical statement, rumours of devaluation continue, it is suggested that Government sets about discovering their source and taking action of a type that will provide a salutary warning to others who might feel disposed to indulge in this form of mischievous amusement. Admittedly, it is no easy matter to trace the origin of street rumours which are figments of some perverted imagination, but undoubtedly stories of devaluation spring from the tongues of speculators who belleve they can reap monetary profits by creating mild panles. their operations become vicious they 2013 persuade sections of the vernacular Press to publish the rumours in such a way as to suggest they are based on authoritative knowledge and fact. Also it is of some point to observe that the rumour-mungers never talk

And when

about the devaluation of sterling: only the devaluation of the Hongkong dollar, when good sense tells that there could bo

no change created in the value of

Meen

local currency without first some altern- tion in sterling, And Sir Stafford Cripps has time and again declared that the British Government has not the slightest. intention of devaluing the Pound. We welcome Government's straightforward statement on the maintenance of the Hongkong dollar ai its present value, but In view of the fact that its action in applying new restrictions to gold dealings in the Colony was partly res. ponsible for the renewal of devaluation

should like to have rumours, we Incorporated in this statement a fuller explanation of Government's intentions about applying the regulations. It is presumed there will be no confiscation of holdings in safety boxes, though an outright affrniation of this presumption by the Authorities would do away with any nervousness which still exists, And In view of the almost slanderous. suggestions about Government's ulterior: motives in Introducing these regulations, which have made their appearance in some Chinese newspapers, we feel thpt the Authorities should come out with à complete and unequivocal. statement explaining the buckgroundì and the for the restrictions on gold dealings. Fublic memory is notoriously short, and experience has shown that iL is only too willing to believe the latest variations

any subject, forgetting

Attack On Consort

Shanghai, Apr. 21-A statement issued by the British naval authorities in Shanghai at 7 o'clock this morning said that the shelling of the Amethyst and the Consort yesterday was done by Communist medium artillery. Casualties were about 17 killed and 20 wounded,

The statement saki: "At 10 p.m. last night the Amethyst came up again on the radio to report that those on board were attempting to make good the vital damage and ro-

ensualties Included nine and three seriously wounded.

dead "She replied effectively with her entire ornament.

"The British Ambassador Slr Ralph Stevenson has passed a message to Peiping Some 60 of the ship's com-

endeavour to contact the Com- pany, including four wounded, munist commander asking him. were reported as making their to instruct the local commander way to the nearest large town not to impede further rescue as they could not return through operations. the Innd-mine field at night.

In

"The Communists had fred AID FROM HONGKONG

+

מת

"Arrangements are also being

at the ship with medium artil- lery until noon. Sniping con-made to send medical assistance tinued during the afternoon.

"Curunities were

about 17 killed and 20 wounded.

FORCED TO EVACUATE

must

gunboats.

that

W15

The per to Nanking great. At least two Red divisions

were reported driving on the North Bank opposite Nan-

king.

Red

tra

With the capture of Pukow,

artillerymen could their guns directly on Nanking. Red advance guards were al- tacking a town four miles North of Pukow. This apparently was their closest approach.

But Rted artillery shells, some bursting in Pukow of large calibre, were already

session.

1.

Telephone Co. Wins Point

In Arbitration Dispute

A decision in favour of the Hongkong Telephone Company Limited was given by the arbitrators on a preliminary point in the Telephone Company-Hongkong Government arbitration in the Board Room of the S. G. M. Post building this morning. The decision was read by Mr John Mc- Neill with whom also sat Mr P. D. A. Chidell.

The decision means that when Groves, Secretary of Telephone it comes to the question of whe- Company, was also present. Observers on the South bankther the Company can raise its could see the flashes of the shelt rates of subscriptions for tele-announced. Crown Counsel re- After the, decision had been bursts. Wharves of Pukow shook phones all that the arbitrators newed his application for an to the concussion.

can take into account are the Investigation of the accounts and A number of Ares broke out amounts payable under Part A said that in a matter of this West of Pukow.

of the Schedule of the Telephone nature it was necessary to have Oidiunnce and cannot take into information independently. Parts B and C. account any funds payable under: Mr Chidel!: We

certainty would like to have o look at the accounts. Are they being nudited now?

SECOND ATTACK

A second Red' attack rolled up at Kiangpu, seven nttles South- west of Nanking. A spokesman for the Minister National defence sald

of

Mr McNeill said: Our decision on Question 1

were forced to evacuate the ship hospital at Chinkianderburn. cast of Nanking. A number of ment for our award and Qual Ike to see the accounts the Com-

temporarily to avoid casualties but all who could returned in the evening.

"A inter report received at 6.15 this morning said that the Amethyst was refloated,

сол

Dr

And

subseri...dinances.

Mr Groves: They are being audited now in the form as t quested by Government,

Mr Chidell: Wo would also pany publ'ches. A copy of the 1047 accounts would be useful, seen the audited accounts the Mr Melmoth; I have already night before last.

WC

by Royal Air Force Sunderland Dying-boats from Hongkong."

The Amethyst's 17 dead in- clude the ship's doctor.

Kunboats were which, under the Agreement Heuter in Nanking reported blazing away in support of the between the Hongkong Govel "It would thus appear that last night

ment and the Hongkong Tele- wounded garrison. of the ship's company men of the Ametyst were

in The third attack brake East phone Co., Ltd., dated March 21.

of Chinkiang, 45 miles North-1940. is referred by Govern I. G. well-known

Shanghai

determination, is as follows:- Nationalist gunboats joined in doctor NE former Royal Air Force the battle here, it was in this Medical Officer, flew yesterday run that the British sloop was whatever may have been the We are of the opinion that, evening to Nanking in United hit The

streets of Nanking her own efforts, late last night,

States pavy plane to be on hand were filled with troops mating objectives in view at the time In case casualties, should

Mr Groves: It is only a ques- "Further Information

be to the front. Earthworks were of the enactment of the Tele- inken there.

tion of drafting them In ine belp dug along the South bank, phone (Amendment) Ordinance, cerning the Consert says that after leaving Nanking at 11.50 Attache the North China Daily king, however, appeared to be the

Quoting the British Naval The greatest that to a No. 9 of 1930 and other relevant form requested by the Govern

the words ment. yesterday morning she passed News sold that the Commander on the Wuhu front, 60 miles

for Mr McNeill: We must see the charges Jor town-river at full speed and of the Black Swan, which was couthwest of the capital.

in The first and accounts first. Any information encountering no serious resis-

Government military quorters! rushed from Shanghai yester-

second incs of the second which is to be used In this lance until within sight of the day morning to the rescue of raid heavy lighting han ex-

must be in- Amethyst

paragraph of section 10 of the arbitration

(in

its formed of. ship the Amethyst, had recommend pluded on the North bank op Principal Ordinance signalled her to turn back owing ed that an attempt be made to te Wubu. A

Mr Lonsdale: There will be top ranking prezent form) are unambiguous to opposition.

someone drop medical supplies to the General expressed

the "The Consort tid its best to Amethyst from the air.

at the Company fears that and refer to

of

reting information the Reds would rays there.

from a subscription se! out in section and when speed

This may be done Bring died down she turned RAF

by the The Yangtze, two mites wide of the Schedule to the Print of accounts for the Govern- You and tho ment's guidance, transport plane which at most points, narrows to cipal Ordinance ( its present other side will be supplied with back from a position two miles normally shutiles on a diploma-mile neor Wuhu.

nud include The South forın) below the Amethyst and closed the mission between longton. bank Is a bald pinin, hard to

no ather

ropics. earlier officini

to tak her in tow.

charges.

Mr Sheldon: The Accountant- and factual announce.

Shanghal and Nanking-Reuter, defend, "On approaching ments,

Appearing for the Cavern-Genera! is already in the Com- the Amethyst An official version of why and

Severe Bghting also broke out ment second time she again como WOUNDED FOR S'HAI

A. Lonsdale puny's oflce taking extracts. how the gold-dealing restrictions are to

under

of Anking, North bank (Crown Counsel) Instructed by fire and

Mr Lonsdale: Yes, that is no. heavy

city 150 be applied would

Shanghal, Apr. 21.-IIMS Con-bridgehzad forced to withdraw, serve the purpose of

miles Mr L R. Andrewes, Crowit Bir Wadeson: It might be sort la arriving in Shanghai this Southeast of Nanking,

Solicitor, and Mtr C. G. F. Frecessary to go into the history discounting wild and harmful Inter-

"Stenming down-river she

morning bringing back the The military news agency Melmoth, Assistant Colonial of the encountered

brisk Are pretations which can be heard

Company from on the

that the preliminary Secretary, while for the Tele-beration of Hongkong. wounded men from the Amethyst reported Low Island as a result of which and her own wounded ratings. battle for streets and which are appearing in the

the Central she sustained the majority of A full st of casualties is ex-

Chinaphone Company were Mr Eldon Mr Melmoth: Yes, It might vernacular Press.

bastion of Hankow had begun. Folier, K. C., Mr H. G. Sheldon,

te. her casuallles. The coxswainpected to be issued later today General Lin Pino'n Red R. C. and Mr D. A. L. Wright, Air MeNeill tr adjourned was killed and the steering gear either in Shanghal or Nanking. armies from

Manchuria, esti-instructed by Air R. A. Wndeson, the hearing to a date to be fixed temporarily disabled. Her total-Reuter.

are of Messrs Dencoin. Mr S. later.

rensons

on

continue

nt

when that

Was

Eart

mated at 400,000 men,

wns Mr

rates

sinco

ex→

the