1949-05-14 — Page 1

For the Premiator of

HONGKONG TELEGRAPHI,

For and on behalf of

SOUTH CHINA MORNING FOST, LĪTIL

Prister end.Pabjiak

The

Dino.-

At the

P.G.

Hongkong Telegraph.

VOL. IV NO. 112

Success At BIF

Berliners Benefit Hongkong's From Lifting Of Blockade

FOOD PRICES COME DOWN

Berlin, May 13.--Western Berlin food prices today dropped sharply and the people began to enjoy the first fruits of the lifting of the blockade, Vegetable prices were most affected, spinach, for example, falling over- night from 35 pfennigs a pound to 15 pfennigs. Lecks, cabbages, asparagus and rhubarb also suddenly became cheap.

Fresh potatoes, which were not available in the West sectors during the blockade, arrived in Berlin by train at the rate of 2,000 tons per day. But they were still rationed and price-controlled, although their de- rationing was expected soon.

American coffee, formerly up to 28 murka a pound on the block market, was offered to day at nine und 10 marks. Canned sh and vegetables also fell,"

Another sign of the restored health of Berlin's economy was the continued fall of the occu- pation strip currency on the black market.

An official British spokesman denied that ther was any truth

that the Western Allies had laken no steps lo restare inter- zonal trade or to continue the:

London, May 13.- There was a rush of

last-minute enquiries on the Hongkong stand when the British In- dustries Fair closed this evening,

1 understand the Hongkong delegates were very satisfied with their mission to London, and feel it has been extremely profitable,.-

They will celebrate the success of their mission tomorrow night with a farewell party at the delegation's hotel in, Park Street.-Our Own Correspondent.

Aly Khan

inter-zonal trade agreement and And Rita To

were thereby "torpedoing" the New York agreement.

Nine coal trains took about 18,000 tons of conl to

Berlin

in the first 24 hours after the blockade ended, Mr H. E.

Collins, the British chairman of

Wed May 27

Cannes, May 13-Friends of the combined Conl Controls Rita Hayworth and Prince Group, announced today in Aly Khon have been cent in-

vitations to their wedding May 27.

The airlift would continue to take in 6,500 tons

a day, he sald.--Reuter,

in the Russian allegations that Essen. the Western Allies had falled to Hft the counter-blockade in ac- cordance with the New York #greement.

ALL RESTRICTIONS GO

"The fact is that all restric- THREE YEARS

tions have been lifted." he said

with special emphasis. Inter- FOR TALKING

zonni trade permits can be

On

SATURDAY, MAY 14, 1949.

Move To Restore

Ja Industry

Hotly Criticised

IS SERIOUS THREAT TO

ALLIES' INTERESTS

Washington, May 13. The. United States' move to allow Japan unlimited peace- ful industry was characterised by some mem- bers of the Far Eastern Commission on Friday as "more serious" to the interests of other Pacific allies than the stoppage of repara- tions.

Some FCC members dismissed repara- tions as "a closed matter," adding, "in this we are taking a realistic view."

"The United States occupies a very special position in this respect," they said. "We don't think the U.S. over will agree to any new parations proposal.”

re-

And they also indicated they felt a majority of the FEC nations will accept the new United States position without serious protest.

But on the United *States proposal concerning the level of Industry Japan will be allowed, they indicated they felt differently.

The United States notifica- tion that it intends to do away with the issue of what level of

metter Dr. greater

That morsel of information was passed- out today by a source close to the couple. Be-industry it would like allowed, yond that nothing could be raises learned.

signiiicance than

said one FEC

and

well

issued by the appropriate Ger- Dusseldorf, May 13-Herbert Tita, the Hollywood film star, "To remove - all man authorities as before March Focke, 20-year-old German and Prince Aly Khan, heir to on peaceful Japanese

fabulous riches and the spiritual involves both our industry 1, 1948, for items which hadidelective, was today sentenced appeared on the old Inter-zonal to three years imprisonment leadership-of-the- Moslem re- our future Commercial trade agreement, which lapsed for giving Information about ligious sect, were not at home at being," this member continued. at the end of 1040, or for any the British Black Watch Regi- the Prince's Chateau de l'Hor-"On this I imagine my govern-

to ment

Czechoslovak zon, which overlooks the Medi-

terranean a short distance froment will want to have soma- Connes. They have been divid- thing to say about them," DANGERS FORESEEN between the Chateau and Paris for the past. A representative of a major several months. They returned FEC member from the Pacife

quickly be turned to wartime could at some future date again purposes."

added.

other items."

པ the The next and most, natural Intelligence Service. step to expect, the spokesman His wife, Kveta, found guiltying their time

wis for Enstern

and on the same charge, received Western traders to get together 18 months' imprisonment. to work out trade exchanges. The original charge of es- No Western Military Govern- plonage was dropped because ment restrictions whatsoever the material Focke communicat- now exist.

ed to the Czechs was generally The official Soviet newspaper. known and accessible to the Tageliche Rundschau had alleged publle.-Router.

EDITORIAL

Policy

from Parks carlier this week.

All sources- who are usually familiar with the couple's acti vitles and plans refused to com- ment--Associated Press.

Statement Could Help

to the role which Hongkong imposed Tupon itself in September, 1010-to

War

make the quickest and most thorough recovery possible from itu

and occupation wounds-looms now the possibility that it must shoulder wider and more important responsibi lities: defending its Integrity so that those post-war-achievements, which have earned the acclaim, and admiration of the democracies shall

not have been made in vain. No estimate of the position as it is today could ignore the fact that Hongkong is delicately placed, What- ever happens in Chinn must, of necessity, have repercussions in This Colony, whether good or bad. On balance China's civil war is a decided disadvan tage to Hongkong, for, apart from its adverse effect upon legitimate trading between here and the hinterland, it has created,

least or at

made more complicated, a number of domestic problems auch As overcrowding, a wollen surplus of unemployables, increased dangers to public health, and an acute nervousness about our internal security. And today, Hongkong suffers not only from the impacts of the civil war, but has to consider the Impon- derables associated with its present trend which la finding the Nationalists- hopelessly, outclassed in the military field, and their Government gradually, but surely disintegrating. And because the final defeat of the - KMT-controlled Government now. appears to be n certainty merely a matter of me. Hongkong's future position vis-a-vis China has to be: conaldered in the light of dealing with a Communist-dominated": administration, bearing in mind, that Communists the world over are the avowed enemies of the Western

democratic way of life which Hongkong follows. From this Colony's point of vlow, therefore, one of the most urgent needs of the day Is a firm statement of polley designed to make it clear to any futuro Chinese Government (a) that no attempt to undermine the authority of

this Crown Colony will be tolerated: (b) that normal diplomatic procedure shall Kovern relations between China and Hongkong. It will not afford Britain par- ticular pleasure to have to give de facto recognition to a Communist Government In China, any more than Britain felt happy about accepting the Communist coup in Czecho-Slovakin; but if circumstances so dictate this course they must be accepted and the opportunity utilised to make the best use of the new situation. But if there is an obligation on the part of the British Government to take a realistic view of near future developments in China, there is an even greater responsibility resting on the Chinese Communists to clarify, without delay, their Intended attitude to Hong- kong and the relations they intend to establish between their country and the Colony. While we are entitled to warn the Reds that we shall fully resist any attempt to overthrow the sovereignty of, Hongkong, this is no reason why we should not also display a willingness to win and Hold their confidence. The history of 100 years has proved beyond argument that Hongkong, under British rule, is a commercial · advantage to China; that its Chinese residents wish. for no change in its status; and that given" continued goodwill' between the

..on

two governments, vast mutual, benefits can be derived. In indicating a long- -term policy in the event of the * Communists becoming the accepted, national Government of China, Britain does not need to adapt a line of appease mente supplication. But overtures, based the traditional 'friendship between Hongkong and China and.. recognition of their mutual Interests, may do much more than a display of bristling bayonets In- winning from the Communists their respect and their willingness to live in peace with this Colony, In any event It would be Interesting and informativo to obtain the Communists reactions to any such

arca said that "such industries

Another representative

Britain

Swings To Right

Cheering Results

For Tories

London, May 13.-The Conservatives had BOMG- thing to cheer about to

municipal night as the results of the

elections in traditionally Labour Lon-

"If all levels of industry restriċ-

sald, don and throughout Eng- tions are removed we again may land and Wales confirmed. face-Japanese--commercial the swing to the right first dumping and cutthroat competi-shown in the County Coun» | tion of pre-war years"

This representative is from a

before the war.

to

never

lives holding 11.

gains the

Price 20 Cents

Tel: 27880:

Pickets At Phone System

Ford Plant

UAW-CIO strikers picket Ford's Rouge plant in one continuous line. Some 65,000 workers began the second day of the walkout idling production‘at. the Rouge and Lincoln plants in Detroit.-AP Ple- ture."

Burmese Troops Make Another Effort To Recapture Insein

Rangoon, May 13.-Government troops early today launched an all-out-offensive to recapture Insein, the Karen insurgent strong- hold 10 miles north of Rangoon, a Burma Army spokesman announced tonight.

Widespread fighting was in progress and Government artillery had shelled Karen concen- trations, causing huge. fires in the town, which was captured by the Karens on January 31, the spokesman added.

Over 200 miles to the north-

were

Fails In US

Truck Blows Up

In Cable Tube

Now York, May 13. The worst, telephone, ser- vice failure in communica- tions history occurred to- day when a truck blew up in the Hudson vehicular tunnel beneath the Hudson River. Much of the no- tion's communications sys. tem was paralysed.

The tunnel carries cables on which power is provided by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company for press association wires, radio notworks and long-distance. telephone service.

Sixty other trucks and cars pulled up telescope-fashion be side the exploding truck and caught fire is turn. Drivers and passengers scrambled, choking und panicky; out of the, 8,200- foot New York-New Jersey lube.'

Bent buckled the tiled walls, the intricate ventilation system stopped and the tunnel was plunged into darkness and filled with poisonous fumes.---

The American Telephone and Telegraph Company side of 0,000 long-distance circuits

going south and west out of New York was about half lost,

The 16-ton

trailer which

truck exploded was heavily loaded with a highly inflamma- ble chemical, carbon disulphide,

TRAFFIC

BLOCKS

Both east and westbound traffic lanes were knocked out.. of-service and vehicles, which pass through; at a rate of 100,- 000 per day.. backed up for blocks at both entrances..

The westbound passage reopen- in the afternoon, but officials sald It would be late tonight before the debris, could be cleared. from the eastbound section and ex- amination runde to ascertam whether it is safe,for usc.

pro-

cil elections last month. country heavily engaged in While industrial Birmingham shipping and other commer and the textile city of York cial activities which

felt were among the famous

pro- Japanese competition severely vincial cities to come into the Conservative fold, the most "The Japanese have

Conservative striking adhered to international agrees were in London where munts governing such matters" citizens elected Councillors' for this representative continued. The city's 28. boroughs,

"Ashore, their

An insurgent attack on cheap labour With one result outstanding east, the Karens have seized Government outpost in the income by. fumes and 14 other At least 30 firmen were over- may return, and afloat, they late tonight, the Conservatives Lolkaw, capitol of the semi-seln district, 22 miles north of persons, including the driver of never pald their seamen com-had wrested six boroughs from autonomous parably to other nations.

Karennt States, Rangoon, Was repulsed with the trailer truck, Edmond Tyn Wo labour. Labour, however, still where havey fighting between heavy casualties, the communt- dal, 38, were taken to hospital. don't intend to face such com controlled 10, with the Conserva-rebel and Government forces is petition again.

que added. "Therefore, we intend to have

now going on, a Government A spokesman of the Karenni

Radio

networks had Affairs Ministry here sald programme delays of 10 minutes something

say About On the basis of these results, communique reported.

Government Japanese Industry levels, al Conservative. Party-supporters

guerillas Government troops today at-harassing the rebels in the Press main trunk circuit was out to half an hour, The United though we have virtually writ- thought their hopes of sweeping tacked Taungoo, the Karen north-east and that Government 27 minutes. ten off reparations."

away the Labour Government at headquarters: in Central Burma, planes had carried out "leadet But some

other FEC mem-next year's general election to according to pro-Government

Tyndal's truck was carrying ralds" throughout the Karanni 80 five-gallon drums of chemi- bers, notably from the Philip the House of Commons looked reports here tonight..

States, calling on pines, continue to say they were rosy.

the local cal used as a solvent. This was population to remain loyal and in violation of port authority expecting further reparations Since the Labour Government

The Government communi- promising Government from Japan.

came to power in 1945, the Con- que cinimed that the Karens forcements to crush the robels

rein regulations. One drum explod- Brig-Gen. Carlos P. Romulo servatives have been dogged by suffered heavy casualties a.

ed and set off the others- Router. will have more to, say about an electoral

and have clash at Kunhsa, six miles north

United Press. this in due course before the been unabio to, win a single of Loikaw, and reported several Commission," said the Philip House Commons. bye-election other clashes in the Sagaing pino's Minister, Mr Emillo in constituencies that voted La-|Hills in Upper Burma. Abello.

bour in 1945." Gen. Romulo Is the chief Philippines delegate to the FEC

Mr Abello thus far is the only FEC delegate who heard tho The turn of the tide appear- American delegate Mr Me-jed to have come when the on Thursday announce Conservatives scored big gains the new U.S. position, who was. In April's County Council elec- willing to comment for quotations. Now Party, officials say lion Associated Press.

that the trend in the munici- pal elections this week shows that, the swing, to thị right continues.

Coy

15 FILIPINO

OUTLAWS KILLED

*

TURN OF TIDE

Government, troops had cap- tured arms and ammunition and killed many rebels at Shwebo, west of Sagaing.

Barricading

S'hai City

wire

The standing of the parties

Shanghal, May 14 With the throughout England and Wales steady approach of the civil war Manila May 13-Fificen of af 7.45 p.m. GMT was: Con the construction the outlaws, believed to be nervatives 1,820 seats, Labour works in the heart of the city of defence Hukbalahape, who ravaged 1,669 Independents 938.

38, has begun with barbed Sibul Springs, a health resort Liberals 167, Communists 11. north. of Manila, on Tuesday All the Communist scots were mushrooming all over the metro

11: barricades arid sandbag redoubts were killed yesterday In an won in London, nine of them polls. Such points as the North encounter with special Bulacan in the East London borough of Rallway Station and the Klang- policemen headed by. Lieutenant Slepney Pablo Marquez, It was reported

wan Road, leading to Shanghai's Countryside gains and losses airfield, am thickly studded with today,

were: Conservatives 012 gains, barbed-wire obstacles. The retreating dissidents, the 27 losses; Labour 64 gains, 777 report added, were surprised on losses; Independents. 121 gains, wille, are appearing in

Sandbag redoubts, mean- front Wednesday morning at the 184 losses; Liberala-19 gains, 40 of all important bulidings in- village of Akle, a few miles losses Communists ane gain, cluding from the health resort-Reuter.nino losses:

Shanghal Municipal Government offeos and The The standing of the parties Asiatic Petroleum building. Destructive Fire in London was Labour 621 The construction of defences

reals, Conservatives 091, Comare being Kingston, Jamaica, May 13.-munists 11, Independent ona, growing, Fire today destroyed what was Liberal hil

carried out Dinid audible Indications that the war. Is approaching

to have beeri - the biggest Ice The polling, though not ap- rapidly. But, Shanghai general- factory in the British West In-proaching the strength of a ly appears resigned to whatever dies. The factory, being rushed general election, was in some may happen and, there is

Ad

to most an heute ice shortage, cater exceptionally heavy for fresh rush to evacuate,by ship jwas nearly finished:Router. municipal elections.Heuter;":"

or blene. Ileuter; a

“you: palala..

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DE WINE O SPIRIT DEPARTMENT Alexandra Bldg.

Telephons 31