1949-05-05 — Page 1

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SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, LTD

KLAMOWALDA

POWIKOR 384.

Today's; Wentber: Llgip or moderate SE winds. Fair.

· Noon Observations: Barometrio pressure, 1018.0 mbe, 29.96- In Temperature, 810 deg F. Daw point, der. F. Relative humidity, 81. Wind direction, East. Wind fores, 10 knots.

The Th

Hongkong Telegraph.

VOL. IV.NO. 104

Commons Questions

Radio Hongkong

On

London, May 4-The possibility' of increasing the power of the Hongkong medium frequency broadcasting service is now being examined, Mr. David Rees Williams, Under-Secretary of Slate for the Colonies, said in a Parila. mentary reply today.

What

Mr Waller Fetober, Conservative, had 'aaked was being done to develop this station and extend His range, particularly throughout China,

Mr Rees-Williama said that broadcasting coverage for the Far East including China, was the function of the Bri- tish Broadcasting Station In Bingapore, not of Radio Hong- kong

Mr Fictcher sald the Malayan station would tako a long time to complete, would certainly not be effective in reachlux North China and would probably not reach cen- tral Chins. Should not Hongkong stations, therefore, be ziven priority?

3r Rees-Williams replied that he did not accept some of those implications. He was informed that the Singa- pore station would be very afective-Reuter,

MPs

THURSDAY, MAY 5,-1940.

Nationalists To Abandon Hankow Says N.Y. Report

NANCHANG IN DANGER

New York, May 5-Chinese government forces were reported on Wednesday to be preparing to abandon Hankow before the grow- ing peril of a Communist envelopment to the Southeast which threatens to isolate the central China fortress.

Seek Assurances About HK's Defences

London, May 4-The British Government is to make n state- ment on the defence of Hongkong in the House of Commons tomorrow, The Defence Minister, Mr. A. V. Alexander, said today that this would be made in the debate on China and the Communist shelling of British warships in the Yangtse River.

He made the statement in repair the runways at Kai Tak. reply to questions put by the Work would start this month. Conservative opposition.

He was not aware of any in-

Mr Patrick Danner had asked adequacy in . exlating alighing whether the Committee of Com-facilit'es for flying boots and manders-in-Chief of the three seaplanes.

Services in the Far East

had Mr Fletcher then asked, completed their recommenda- "Should you not be aware of Hons on measures to maintain

there the very great difficulty

situation in

the New Territories in view of the deteriorating Southern Ching. He asked for the assurance! that action had. been taken accordingly.

Mr Donner

Dought the Rssurance that precautionary measures taken to safeguard Hongkong's frontiers were now sufficient to protect the British Communist Colony armies reach it

should.

the

#hai

matter.-

Mr Williams replied that Wad

Mr Alexander asked hum neuter.

awalt tomorrow's statement.

Admiralty Not Talking

London, May 4-The British

£gures

for

A Chinese Communist broadcast from Peiping announced the capture of Loping, only 80 miles northeast of Nanchang. The Communists said that government soldiers were in flight before them and that most of the Nationalist 68th Army-possibly 20,000 men-was "wiped out."

The fall of Nanchang, Klangs! province capital, would expose from attack the railway Hankow

to

to South Chinn. Nanchang is 105 miles east of the railway and an equal dis- iance southeast of Hankow,

Previous reports had Gald most of the oficials of Klangs! province already had fled from Nanchang.

Reliable reports to Canton sal General Pai Chung-hel, Commander in Central China, would move his headquarters

Hankow Lo from

Changsha within 48 hours. Changsha, capital of Hunan province, is 200 miles south of Hankow,

Hostile Action By Russians

In Berlin

ping was. GARY LEHENGE another in the American sector.

Berlin May 4.-Russian troops today halted all work in Berlin's Teltow Cana! HARD PRESSED the security of Hongkong and is when landing and particularly Admiralty today declined to dis

shipyards and ordered the the taking off of flying boats in close the disposition of the Bri- said the hard pressed Pai had American sector manager Travellers from Changana dismissal of the company's present accommodation, which is well known to everytish fest in the Pacific. sent three divisions of hla 200,- and his replacement by their body who has been there?” ·

Mr John Boyd Carpenter, Op- 000 man forces South to pre own nominee. Commodore Harver said that

position Conservative,, asked in

vent

General Kai-tola WILS an unsuitable the House of Commons for the ove

province,

William Babcock, Colonel Governor of Human Chich, landing field for...any aircraft Ile bad naked nearly three years class:s present and avaliable in

number of British ships by from making peace with the American Deputy Commandan; Reds. General Cheng has been. In Berlin, told Beuter that he go for a completely new air- the Pacife on April 20, 1949, presented 58 Lavouring as was "investigating the position," part for Hongkong.

with

with the Communists but that United States action deal comparable

similar to that by which-Pa-was unlikely unless the change January 1, 1947, another

affected the Canal's property. Shanghai Mr John Dugdale, Financial | He replied similarly

Secretary to the Admiralty, de- irritable day of waiting for. un Commodore Arthur Harvey who RICH GOLD VEINclined on the grounds that to indication as to when the Com-

give this information would not muniats Menado, Celebes, May 4.-A accord with Government policy, city. another goki vein. discovered оп

He told Commander Allan Conservative, had earlier asked mountain slope in the Merado Noble, another Conservative,

In view of the Increas- Residence,

The whole of the American whether, ing gravity of the Chinese situa- the Netherlands East Indies, that an aircraft carrier was last

sector portion of the Canal, in- tion, the Colonial Secretary yielded gold valued at 2.500.000 in the Pacific in October, 1947.

cluding part of the shipyards, would ensure carly inprovement mulders (about £250,000) dur- It was withdrawn because it

handed över by the Americans to Hongkong's airfields

anding 1948, it was disclosed here was felt that the number of

RED AIR FORCE

to the West Berlin City Govern- seaplane bases.

hundred claims are vessels on the station was at that

ment on April 30. Mr Dav'd Rees-Williams, Par- being worked by Indonesions, time in proper proportion to the

Shanghai, May 4.The Com-

Russlan iamentary Under-Secretary for who are extracting the gold by total avallable for service abroad munis; Peiping radlo sald today Soviet zone German police, who tommy-gunners and by and sumclent for Far Eastern that formations mostly the Colonies, replied that con- primitive means,

of Communist had occupied the yard, left later waters-Router. tracts were already being let to panning-Reuter.

Aighters and bombers "madu

after ordering the re-

of placement

the

מאים to

to Air

asked if specific reference would!

be made to air defence.

Mr Waller Fletcher

EDITORIAL

BEC

Five

Celebes Island, in

Another Reform

ECAUSE the election of any future members of the Unofficial members

of Legislative Council will, if the proposed constitutional reform is op, the proved, depend very largely on

the voters' register, this aspect of franchise assumes important proportions. Superficially the Chinese, by virtue of their preponderance, as Hongkong residents, can sway, if not dominate, the vote. Bu! the Imponderable is to what exten). they will register their names when it comes to a point of having at their On disposal the use of the franchise, the assumption that British nationality is the primary qualification for the vote, hundreds of thousands would be able to register. And If this were the only qualification, it would be a, matter of some conjecture as to what proportion of the Chinese populace would claim their right to vote. If a number of other conditions are attached, such as know- ledge of Engilsh, or merely iteracy. minimum number of years' residence, and

មក

on, this total would appreciably shrink, but would sill be formidable, and overriding. If we are to have Unofficiatu elected to the Colony's highest legislative body it would seem to be a maxim that not only are thoso legislators the most competent Tepresentatives of the electorate, but that those who use the vote shall, themselves, be wholly Hong- kong-conscious. Divided loyalties unacceptable, and because of this it seems. logical that the vote should be exercised by those who are willing, not only to regard

British by themselves ny nationality, but Hongkong... in 'spirii: that the future electors of this Colony : are not only British by nationality or

are

an

Problem

He explained that the com- on the pany's headquarters were in the Russian zone and that half its chares were held by that zone's Economic Commission..

would move The Communist radio report ed-further victories on the front west of Shanghai, but the Reds apparently still were no closer

Shanghai thart 25 miles.

to

Assocrated Press.

eir first appearance" at the today

May Day celebration in Mukden, sector Canal chief. American

It sold the planes were acquired from Nationalist pilota and crews who defected to the Keds with their planes.

(This is the first mention of anything resembling & Chinese Communist Alr Farco).

OFFICIAL'S STORY.

to allow

commentator The American-mads B25's and 1'51's Blew over the huge crowd while leave. ground forces displayed rows going on" of guns, tanks and mortars, mosty American-made."

Dumbo Makes Her Debut

Dine

At the

For

P.G.

Reservations

Price 20 Cents

Tel: 27880

13 GIRLS DIE

INM BLAZE

Glasgow Drama

Glasgow, May. 4- Screaming women leaped from the blazing roof of a Glasgow fashion store Loday to escapó a blaze in which At least 13 sale girls died. Two girls jumped 50 feet to their deaths. Three others who jumped with them Cs. caped.

Some of the girls, who were trapped on upper floors, climbed to the roof of a next-door cinema and were saved by masked fire- men with turntable ladders Others and rescue sheets. from Calcutta. She was soon spotted, and within two minutes was surrounded by excited children. London Press

Service.

Out of quarantine and into the Zoo limelight goes 3ft-high, five-month-old Dumbo, baby elephant who flew to London 10 days ago

"Big Four" Agree To End Berlin Blockade

All Restrictions In Germany

To Be Removed

New York, May 4-The "Big Four agreed tonight to end the 10-month-old blockade of Berlin and call a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers. The agreement to lift "all restrictions imposed in Germany" was announced after a 95-minute meeting-of- the representatives of the four powers in the skyscraper office of the American delegation to the United Nations.

A communique, issued after the meeting- the first at which British and French dolegates have joined in the secre: Soviet-American nego- tiations--reported agreement on all main ques tions of principle, though certain details were outstanding.

could not escape the billow- ing flames and died in the bodles building. Twelve have been brought out of. the debris so far.

Ambulances phuttled to and from the fashion store, which was in the heart of Glasgow'" shopping centre, taking injured lo hospital,

the Where

at least 20 people were treated for burns. All Glasgow's Bre- brigades turned out to fight the blaze and brought it under control soon after the building collapsed.

FINE RESCUE

At the height of the fire, a policeman dashed into the store and rescued five girls who were trapped on an upper floor.

Most of the bodies recovered huddled together were found on one of the upper floors.

""People in the store and the cinema next door became dif- cult

to control when densa the smoke billowed through buildings," a a police official said. Somb of the stora employees made their way to-the-roof-of- the cinema and jumped 30 feet tu the ground. Several wete picked up injured.-Reuter and Associated Press.

Newspaper

Offices Raided

Paris, May 4-OMeers of the Surete Notionata (the French national police force) today

Franco

If these are speedily settled to the question of currency raided the offices of the French

new communique, giving in Berlin. details of the four-power agree-

learned

thoi

asked

its editor,

the sald

tho

Communist d'Abord, and det "The four representatives are M. Yves Morcau. An offelal at the shipyardsment will be issued tomorrow.

No dates were mentioned in hopeful

that the remaining A

from communique told Reuter: "Russian troops, headed by an officer, came into today's announcement,

matiers of detail can be ad- Ministry of the Interior but it

that dusted in a very short period tonight that M. Moreau had to rellably the American side of the yards, was

to give sclosed all entrances and refused Russia accepted May 12 for the of time. If these details are day been

of the restrictions in speedily arranged, it is, the in- Surete Information about "cer- or ending anyone to enter

that

A communique, tain They stopped all work Germany and May 23 for the tention

Indiscretions concerning the ngreement meeting of the Foreign Mini-embodying

national

defence." The Ministry simul- added that reached, will be issued

three sters,

French Army "We do not know the reason

taneously in the four countries officers were questioned about The Council of Foreign at 13 GMT tomorrow, The crowd, estimated at 170,- for this, but yesterday Soviet Ministers, assembling for the divided

with the paper. Mations 000, heard speakers denounce i controlled polles, accompanied first time since its fruitless

M. Moreau was released un the Kuomintang and "American by East Zone economic offelals, London talks

November, have

in- turther discussion of provisional liberty during Halined, that 1947, will consider questions the remaining detalls, such a vestigating, magistrato Imperialism."

came here and

last month by the in- Another exhibit on display the entire shipyard was situated relating to Germany and the discussion will be held in the was the flag of the former Nain Russian-occupied territory problems arising out

Parts Military Tribunal Into a tionulist cruiser Chungking and therefore subject to Russian situation in Berlin. Including

case of alleged espionage. The which defecied to the Com-

the question of currency in Shortly after the first com- Tribunal announced on April 20 and was subsequently

laid had been Berlin," the communique said, muniqué, a second one wus that a charge bombed and sunk by Nationalist

issued, which said: "The flaw against him and three other men warplanes.-United Press.

THE NEGOTIATORS

details are clear. A communique of having divulged national do- The negotiators of the agree will

not entitled to know--Reuter. Ambassador Dr Philip Jessup,

Execution May

Cause Repercussions

British by birth-they are Hongkong, and they must, by virtue of their powers as voters, essentially think in those terms.

fatroduced the complex Thus, is

and perplexing subject of dual nationality, which inevitably Involves loyalties. Taken to its logical conclusion nobody should be permitted a vote unless he or she (in Hongkong) is prepared to think and act only for the furtherance of the Colony and the Crown under which Hongtang exists."

mualsts But as neither national, political nor social philosophy can be put, into mental chains (except under

this absolute dictatorship) gospel of perfection fa impracticable. There is an alternative: a system of naturalisation, under which allegiance cannot be in doubt (if it is, it is able to the laws of the community). And if, for the purposes

the of (a) 'having on electoral roll the people best fitted to use the vole, and (b) 'the best guarantee that the most fitted people will be elected to the Legislative Council-it naturali- sation offers itself as a sound answer to this question, then it should be seriously considered as a prerequisite (where necessary) to registration on the electoral roll. The Inescapable thought is that, no matter how appealing the iden of an unfettered form of democratic election, here, in Hongkong (more particularly in its first attempt to apply the popular voto) It is necessary to "arrange" that the result of an election shall be to the general benefit of the Colony, How this best be accomplished without violating the fundamentals of the free vote is one of the big problema connected with constitutional reform.

can

Landan,

May

4.-Political developments arising from the execution in Malaya early this |

control."

Lust week, British troops were called out after Russian offlcors had made two attempts

"If it proves

of the

near future."

the

to interfere with traffic through ment were the American roving Reuter.

bo Issued tomorrow."-tence secrats to French citizens

the canal locks in the British

the

sector. The dispute was settled peacefully on Saturday after and Russia's delegate on

Security Council, Mr Jacob British

Malik, whose two-months*

conference between the

Deputy Commandant, Brigadier bilateral talks naved the way. Famous Football Team

E. R. Benson, and the Russian with Sir Alexander Cadogan Trame Administrator, General and M. Jean Chauvel, the British and French United

Kvashnin-Neufor,

marting of A. Ganapathy were PACKERS TOO,

being watched with close In- | terest in Whitehall today.

Ganapathy,

24-year-old

Tamil and former President of

GET NASTY

States delegates.

The communique stated: "The

of representatives

the four powers have discussed problems arising in connection with the situation which, as is known,

has been under dis-

the Pan-Malayan Federation of Buenos Aires, ·~Máy 4 cussion Agreement has been Trade Unions, was found guilty Sources close to packing houses reached

revolver and six ammunition.

On

i

Wiped Out In Air Disaster

Rome, May 4-Twenty-eight people, including 18 members of the internationally known Turin football team, with its British trainer, were killed when their plane crashed on the outskirts of Turin tonight.

Italian football selectors' have The trainer, Leslie Lievesley. who played for England many always drawn heavily on Turin teams. details years ago, brought to Italy the for their International

ull Che main

are certain

to

The footballers Included four " The plane was reported Internationals and there were have struck a church', tower on also on board five team officials. the eastern outskirts of Turin two trainers and three journ witch coming in to land in bad vicibility. It crashed in Aames.

and sentenced to death by the today claimed that the packers questions of principle.

"There Selangor. Assizes on March 18 were planning to cease produc on charges of carrying a 45|ing meat for United Kingdom still under consideration, but it "English system" of play, as #The other passengers on board to have included rounds of shipment on May 50 and all ex- con be said specifically that is known here. He was engaged are believed

bren reached by the Turin Club about (in ceveral journalists who went port killing will cease on June agreement has Colonial experts here anti-1. Pocking houses currently that all restrictions imposed in years ago to give expert advice with the team to Portugal. elpated that there.

might be were functioning very slowly, Germany, which have been the to the Italians. far-reaching developments fol- accomplishing only the United will be mutually lifted.

subject of these conversations, lowing the exccution. Legal States Army and certain

CURRENCY QUESTION experts on Colonial matters are penn contracts. It was undor- Investigating the constitutional stood that the government still "After an interval,_a_meel- | allata. Issues involved in the carrying how not paid the promised ing of the Council of Foreign The eling was, bringing the The captain of the team, out of the death sentence, and subsidy to the packing houses, Ministers will be held. The football test-an easy len ler Valentino Marzola, is reported niso the question of jurisdiction wherefore, the latter plan to Council will consider questions in the Firat Division of the to be safe. Owing to ill-health, governing the many appeals pass over the decreed wage relating to Germany and tha | Hollan Zootball Lesgun-back (he apparently left, the plane at that were made on behalf of | rises on May 3 as they did on problems arising out of the from Llabon, where they yester- | Barcelona, where it stopped-bo- Gonopathy--Houter.?: April, 20-Unlied; Press, 2007 [eituation In Berlin, including day met the Denefica Club, 'fore Aying to Turin-Reuler.