1949-08-02 — Page 1

For the Propoflor")

HONGKONG STELNCELEYE," For mà on behalf of

SOUTH CHINA MORNING PORS LIKE/

The

Today's Weather: Light Southeast winds, clouds. heavy showeTS,

Noon Observations: Barometric pressure, 1007.0 mb, 29.74 -in.-Temperature, -83.4 deg. F. Dew point. 78 der. F. Relatiye

humidity. 94%. Wind direction, East. Wiml foros, 4 knote,

High water: 4 fl. 6 în at 5.04 pm. Low water: 3 ft. 1 in at 0.50 p.m.

Thongkong Telegraph.

VOL. IV NO. 180

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1949.

ESCAPE FEAT TOLD BY AMETHYST MEN

IN FOREFRONT

OF

COLD WAR

Aboard H.M.S. Jamaica Off the Chinx Const, Aug. 1. The Commander-in-Chief.

Entire Crew Willing

To Take 100-1 Chance

Aboard H.M.S. Jamaica Off The China Coast, Aug. 1.—Tho

men of the Amethyst took what they thought was a 100 to one chance of escaping when they made the dash for safety down the Yangtse River. But every one wanted to take that chanco. Far Eastern Station, Ad- And they were ready and willing when they were told only two

hours beforehand that the dash was to be made.

miral Sir Patrick Brind, to- night released the text of a message sent to the Amethyst on July 14.

One of the greatest troubles was the Increase

rats be-

The greatest interest which crew, showed when they the

the Jamaica joined by

second

They

original attack in the Yangtse.

The Amethyst had a weather- beaten look as the Jamaica drew alongside tonight. The hull and superstructure were packmarked with at least 30 files from Communist shells, Some of these had temporary patches, others were stufed with ham- mocks

נום

Dino

At the

For

P.G.

Reservations

Price 20 Cents

· LCC Jubilee Celebrations

32

County Hall in Westminster was beflagged and floodlit for a reception held to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the London County Council. Photo shows fire- floats sending up grent jets of water for the celebration,

Atlantic Pact

Joint

Begin

Defence Talks

Tel: 27880

Mr Attlee Down On Sick List

London, Aug. . - 1.---The Prime Minister, Mr Clement Attlee, joined. two of his chief Labour Government colleagues on the nicle list tonight.

Mr Attice, who is 05, was confined at his offlelal country home near London with "a bad

chill," his wife satd.

A spokesman at No. 10 Downing

the Street,

Prime Minister's residence, sald that Mr Attice was not seriously but gave no further detalls of his ailment.

I

said Mr Attlee is keeping In touch with affairs, and there te no question now of his, delo- gating some of his duties,

The Prime Minister has been Ang in for the ailing Foreign Secretary, Mr Ernest Bevin, and the Chancellor of the Ex- crequer, Sir Stafford Cripps, në well as carrying on his own tasks.

D

Sir Stafford is in a Swiss clinic for treatment of citronic digestion allment. Mr Bevin,--who suffers from-heart trouble and high blood pres zure, is resting in a resort at Evlan, France.

The only one of the Govern- ment's "big four" up and about Is the Deputy Prime Minister. Mr Herbert Morrison. But Mi Morrison himself is not exactly hale and hearty. He was operat- ed on a year ago for a thrombo- tic Icg condition.-Associated

The crew tonight were they had seen us. For half an overjoyed at their success, hour we were under sheil-fire

from both sides of the river. Were In the message Sir Patrick Despite the long period of it by Rood luck they turned was in news of home. Brind tok the ship's company being virtual prisoners of the are on one of their own eagerly received bags of letters It was clear that the Com-

brought north by the Jamaien, tunists had been holding them the Communists, they look- Runboats."

P/O Freeman raid that the | their

since the hostage to bring an admission ed sun-tanned and well. They Communist gunboat caught fro from the British Government admitted that the food and he thought it sank. which would not only be untrue supply was getting short and that they came under ond dishonourable but would

towards the end, that con- are from another fort further barm the cause of freedom.

Sir Patrick nailed; "For the ditions under the blazing down the river but their luck

held and they were not hit. present, therefore; you are in summer sun were becoming | EYES COT TIRED the forefront of what is called uncomfortable without fans Coxswain Leslie Frank was the cold war in which the cause and radiators, and quarters at the wheel for the seven and of freedom to being attacked”.

Sir Patrick

dosh. He said added that no cramped through damage a half hours

The ship is making a little one could say how the matter caused by the original Com- that the shallowest water they

Jour went over was would end, but "one

fathoms water, but there is no danger thing! !

munist shelling.

Frankfurt, Aug. 1.—The United States' three top armed forces and they did not touch um quite sure is flat

any unless the Amethyst runs unte nother

sundbanks.

unexpectedly bad weather leaders today started the historic task of dovetailing the armed might of Press, the British Government, the Amethyst ship's company

Coxswain Frank added; "My the final stage of her journey to Western Europe into a military organisation to support the Atlantic Pact. nori myself wil ever submit to

eyes got a bit tired half way | Hongkong-Reuter-APP. threats, insults or perversion

down. I took some pills to keep

The Joint Chiefscaf. Staff! ship which we can rely on views on organization for the myself awake. Lleutenant-Com- truth, nor shall we do anythin!

Atlantic Pact, which is tile amander Kerans Was

London, Aug. 1.-It was dis-General Omar Bradley, without question." on the to harm our country's honour."

we He then said the Italian Army main reason

came and the closed today that the Amethyst, ¦ Admiral Louis Denfeld and ship's bridge all the way GREATLY ADMIRED

here. United Press. had expanded to 250,000 men, (which is now whole crew was on duty."

on her way to General Hoyt Vandenberg Including 80,000 Carabiniert. Crewmer sald tonight that Hongkong, was hit

FEARFUL OF DELAY when she

Rear-Admiral Francesco Nim- ran the gauntlet of the Chinese of the Air Force-spent the

Washington, Aug. 1.-General. pany

during the three months the widely recognised and greatly

of the Italian Naval George C. Marshal urged the ship was held in the Yangise, Communist batteries.

morning in conferences with bello, admired and that their pligh!

at first engaged. In In

sent to the defence chiefs from Luxem-scal Staff, sald Italy's sca United States Congress today message Petty Officer William Free-they were

was strength

pushing peace was very much in the mind of man, of 28 Balmoral Road, Neware repair. After that they Admiralty

onmander Keraus, Captain of the bourg and Italy. The exact trenty limits with 47,000 tons in quickly, the Government and people at Deighton, Cheshire, caid that home.

their hands. They spent a lot the Amethyst, said that she re-roles to be assigned to battleships and 67,500 in other Secretary

Oliphunt, Italy vessels. He said next year the Acheson, of time sleeping Licut.-Commander

and playing ceived one hit near the water- Luxembourg

navy would again be per-China tombol, lutin aid other fumer lite und damage to her portal under the anti-Communist mitted to build new ships.

is not feasible at this British atom expert, today Food

spoke of new kind of was getting short but when she first came under fire. alliance have not de-

the General Bradley said the rum ration for the

The men of the Amethyst 10-cided.

told the House chemical Gen, Marshall

warfare, the held out.

Chiefs would skip Por of day sent a message to the

Representatives "We have not quite worked

Foreign sprending of hormones, King in reply to His Majesty's

tugal on their tour, but would Affairs Committee that it would that out yel," said Admirat their daring exploit

} men from meet military congratulations yesterday

be a very dangerous thing" to Krowth substances, which to rejoin Denfeld after two cessions. other Allanille Pact untions, elny President Harry Tru-could give out death-dealing

All participants in the two Participants said there was no man's $1,450,000,000 the Fleet".

forein gases and cause "most hor-.. emerges discussion of American arms to arms programme. beaming. Li-General E. Mar- either Italy or Luxembourg.

rible distortions in plants, esse Italian Army Chief of Staff

animals-and-mankind'

of

Sir Patirek assured the com- that their stand

S.

Kenus of the Amethyst replied that he could not speak to highly of the conduct, bearing. and fortitude of the remaining ship's company. ·

cause the ship was out of rat abson. The ship's cal, Simun, did excellent work.

Amethyst

crewmen Have

graphle account of the

| 140-ralle flight to safely in a

belet interview tonight.

TOLD AT 8 P.M.

with a dwindling: fuel supply

knew that before long they

would not have enough fuck to reach the river mouth.

"It was after 8 o'clock

Saturday night that the Captain (Lieutenant-Commander John

He said that they had endured. Kerans) told us we were

a long period of hardshipsing that night.“ under most unbearable condi- Petty Officer

tions

Freeman sajd

bind a great deal of time

of the

men

men

Very little sickness occurred. ARTY

amused themselves by growing beards of all shapes.and sizes.

MEN OVERJOYED

AMETHYST HIT

Lieutenant-Com-

on

I thanked the King for his

1.The 13-

with cheerfulness and they skipped In astern of a courage which could have few. Fangtse steamer-There was-a-Leutenant T. J. D. Grantgracious and Inspiring

pale moon, just enough to Ren won! aboard the Amethyst ageReuter. the ouillue of the river.

FURTHER AWARDS from the Concord at the Yong- "Sardenly Boris went ap se mouth. He said h was

London, Aug from the river bank and the greatly impressed by the bearmediate award by the King of steamer answered," P/O Free-ing and spirit of the men after the Distinguished Service Order their exploit. They were over-

to Leul-Commander Kerans, Captain equivalent

equals in time of prace.

Lleut Commander Kerans added, "Please tell the Fleet that we shall keep the old flag Пying, riddled though it may be by gunive and come what i man added.

nay. Good luck to all.”— Reuter.

EDITORIAL

under

"We raced through. Batteries loyed at their escape but they fred ste shells and we knew were very tired, he added,

Amethyst's Escape

an

of

THE courage and daring of the allicers and crew of ilis Majesty's sloop Amethyst in making their danger- the 110 miles down fraught dash of Yunglse River, thus freeing the ship

month!

days' and ten after three detention by the Chinese Communists, have not only brought joy and relief to the people of the British Commonwealth, bu also stirred the imagination liberty-loving people everywhere. The feat is one of which the Royal Navy may well be proud. The planning was the brilliant, the timing excellent, and

of out

act not only carrying magnificent bravery but also a superb demonstration of navigational skill

ndversc

trying and inost circumstances. By such an exploit is evidence given anew of the gallantry and as a whole. vitility of Britain's Navy Throughout the entire period while. Amethyst' was Immobilised, and efforts

made to negotiate with Communist authoritles for her release, the fate of the ship' and the welfare and well-being of the personnel on board had been watched anxiously from the outside. We know now with what patience and sincere resolve endeavours were made the British side to setile what could not, and should not, have been regarded as more than a misunderstand- ing, and to secure a safe conduct for the ship. We also know now, from à joint state- ment lesued by the Foreign Ofles and the Admiralty in London, how normal facili- ties were denied to the ship during her "Internment" and a safe conduct im- ́possible to obtain because of the per- wistent refusal of the Nanking · authori- ties to discuss the matter. It appeare that the local Communist authorities

were

on

the

had sought to obtain from the Com- mander

the sloup, Lieutenant- Commander Kerans, a written document admitting responsibility for the shelling in April-which, in any event, he could not himself have given—and nimo de- Communist manded compensation for

Koldlera killed during the shelling. These circumstances must be viewed in the light of the fact that Amethyst was on a peaceful mission at the time she was fired upon: with permission of the Nationalist Government, which was then in

WOB control at Nanking, she proceeding up-river to deliver supplies for the use of the British Embassy and foreign the British colony-and the community in general-in case normal channels for obtaining supplies were closed because of elvil war conditions. With regard to compensation, there was also loss of valuable lives on the British side. The official statement explains that only when efforts at negotiation had proved fruitless, and conditions for the crew had become intolerable through extreme heat, shortage of supplies and Jong confinement on shipboard, that nuthorisation was given for Amethyst to take the initiative and make a bid for the open sea. The British Government makes It clear that it is still sincerely. seeking to arrive at a settlement of the April incident "on an appropriate level." In the meantime, Hongkong awaits the return of Amethyst to harbour tomorrow with pleasurable expectancy. She can be sure of a hearty welcome. The endurance and fortitude displayed, by her personnel have earned high admiration, and Hong- kong Is proud and pleased once more to have them in the Colony.

the field.

of the Amethyst,

io a decoration on

Usually the

nward of the Distinguished Service Order

tales two ur

and

morning conferences

summed it up for the Italian de- lexation:

months three

to be promulgated."

The Admiralty sent an Im- mediate signal to the Com- mander-in-Chief, For Easteru Station, who passed on the signal to the Amethyst.

It is understood in London that Admiral of the Ficet- (Coulinued on Page 5)

FIRST SIGN

OF BREAK IN

Joint

Admiral Denfekt-explabied Neither of them brought it up. There was only a very interest-

DVCI

Hormone Warfare Horrors

to send arms to Western Europe but agreed with the

of Siate, Mr Dean fessor that similar ald to

Sydney, Aug. 1.--Pro-

Marcus

or

fearful of delay very When Representative Chester He told a meeting of tho Federal Merrow,

Hampshire Re- World Movement for New

that I have discovered a friend-ing discussion and exchange of publican, asked him why non-[ Government

scientists could see

mastery of nature. Communist China should not be Included in the programame, Gen. was leading to this type of

warfare. Marshall said that question was

It would be "criminal folly" weck answered last

by Mr Acheson, who said it is not

which no thinking man could possibly view with equanimity, feasible at this time.

Professor Oliphant said,

Security Council To Consider Bunche's

Report

A man who knew, the effecis

Gen. Marshall characterised the complex Chinese picture as of modern warfare would enter nmosi puzzling situntion."

ARMS RACE

Rep. Merrow wanted to know it the programme would start a i world armoments race.

Gen. Marshall said he did not Lake Success, Aug. 1.--The Security Council will think so.

"Such a race, if started in meet next Thursday to consider a request by the acting the future, could only be be United Nations Palestine Mediator, Dr Ralph Bunche,tween Durselves nid Soviet that the truce in Palestine be terminated as it is no longer necessary.

into war with a feeling of depression and a full under- standing of what it meant the ¦ wiping out of practically every thing mankind now cherisnes.

He suggested that the Eulusion world peace Iny in the Nations Organisation by some replacement

United

form of super-national govern-

to

of the

Russia," he added.

The object of the arms pro-nent elected by the ordinary

men

world. and women of the gramme, he explained, Is not

Selentists could see where the The meeting has been is expected when the Council aggression against Russia called to consider Dr considers Dr Bunche's report on to get "the respect of

Thursday. Reuter.

sin.

Other Committee asked what Cen.

Bunche's final report on the

Palestine armistice negotia-

tions and the acting Media tor's future.

but

fus-

mastery of nature was leading but they did not

make the wea- pons for the destruction of man, members: "It is the militarists and poli- Marshall Heians in ruthlessly aggressive

FAST TRAIN thought was Russia's attitude countries which look only"

DERAILED

COAL STRIKE

In his report, Dr Bunche also Sydney, Aug. 1. The asked that the post of Mediator first sign of a break appear- cease to exist and that all Pales

the ed tonight in the conl strike,ne questions be given to

Palestine Concillation Commis- Milan, Aug. 1.Italy's | which has virtually para-sion, which is meeting in Lau- fnatest passenger train, the lysed Australia's economy | sanne.

Milan to Rome "Rapido." for six weeks.

De Bunche, belleves that al- though

the rails about 125 Miners

the

on

The

et

Newcastle

сл

Counell

toward a "hot war. *

He replied he did not know. "They are unpredictable," suid.Associated Press.

MEAT FOR

BRITAIN

he

world domination," he declared.

Reuter.

HUSH HUSH JET

・・・ / WINS'AIR RACE

1

Birmingham, Aug. 1-Squad-: non Lender T

S. Wade, flying

one of Britain's latest. "hush

of the

Lodge Unión

a truce is no longer leaped delegates in Northern Australia necessary, it would be best for miles south of Milan today, Buenos Aires,

Aug. to re-affirm its and first reports said that Argentina loaded 29,000 tons of hush" jet warplanes, the Haw announced they would defy the Communist. ban against union cease fire order to all pártica at least 20 persons were meat for Britain during July, ker P-1040, today won an air meetings and hold a conference and to re-state its plea for no

hurt.

the first month of the new five race, billed as, the fastest ever the more military action. whether to continue

held, from two others Four conches overturned, the year meat agreement between world's fastest jet planos walk-out

and .ARMS EMBARGO reports added. The locomotive the two countries.

pilots. Wednesday.

and two other coachos left the Argentine is striving to load Coalfold observers said they Dr Bunche's report suggested tracks, but did not overturn. jas much as 40,000 tons thias

In the climax of the National believed this might be the be that not only the truce but also

Air Races at Elmdon Airport The site of the wreck was month, and the British author here, the Hawker's aircraft test ginning of a backt, to work movement in the north and the "accompanying conditions" placed about one, and a halt titles are understood to be do pilol won the Society of Bri-

Laid down by

everything the Security miles from Reggio Emilia. At ink,

possible to Wales. New

They South

Aircraft Constructor Council should be abandoned. least six persons were reported make ships available to carry Challenge Cup at an average of pointed out if the northerns

These included the arma em-In hospital there.

510 miles workers return it would mean bargo, by which the Council The cause the wreek could i The pact calls for a mini-won the Geoffrey de Havilland that the Communist-controlled sought to forbid the importation not be immediately determin-mum of 300,000 tons a year, or Trophy for his fastest lap of "stay on strike" movement in of arms in the Middle East. ed. Workmen have been re-an average of 25,000 tons 603.05

other fields

crumble would quickly for lack of support.

The Communists

countered

this amount.

List

an hour. Ho also

hour-ho miles an fastest of the three-day meet.-- Reuter.

Mr Aubrey Eban, Terock's re-pairing a section

of the main month.-Reuter. the United line near Reggio Emilia. presentative at Nations, last

week expressed

Tho

electrically powered Gen. Frank Howley the Intest back to work move

his Government's concern over lightweight "Rapidos" nre by calling meetings in western possible repor

from reporcussions the among Europa's fastest trains. · Rosigns

Comedian's Death and southern coal folds. These ifting of the arms embargo.

than 60 They travel at more conferences are expected to vole

Frankurt, Aug 1-The United Mr. Eban said that Britain miles an hour.

Oakland, August 1.—George States Military Governor, John Moran, 07, to continue the walk-out, had already announced her in-- The nows agency, Ansz, sald McCloy, announced tonight that of the famous atago and radio Burviving member Meanwhile, Australian troops tention of selling small arms to that a preliminary Inspection ho had accepted the resignation comedy team known as

Ino working in open coal cuts at Arab countries and that several Indicated that the 'accident was Miami are prepared to have the of Israel's Arab neighbours caused by a broken axle on one as American. Commandant la in a chorlty ward in hospital. of Brig-General Frank Howlay Two Black Crows," has died coal moving to Sydney by dawn were engaged in on arms race. of the "conches. ---- Associated on Tuesday, -United Press,

Berlin-United Press, A full debate on this matter Press.

hora-United Press. -