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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (April 14, 1955)
Thurtday, April 14, 1S55 Last Civilians Leave Haiphong as Communists Prepare To Take Over City IGHT MEDFOHD (OREGON) MAIL TRIBUNE Qioemoy-liatsu Befense declared itHost El Dsundersf ood Topic in WorOd Affairs from th editor of the New York World-Telegram & Sun wai filed from Paris on the lat lee of a round-the-world flight of six neeks. most of which were spent in the trouhle spots f the Far East a part of the world with which the writer has been in elose and constant touch for 30 years. By ROY W. HOWARD Editor. New York World-Telegram and Sun Distributed by United Press Paris From SEATO to NATO, from East Asia to West em Europe, the military and po litical spotlights are on Quemoy and Matsu. Even in this glare of publicity, these tiny islands, almost un heard of until the last few months, continue as the world's most confusing, provacative and generally misunderstood topic of discussion. The chiefs of staff as well as the man in the street are en gulfed in confusion. Opinions as to the importance of the future fate of the islands vary widely. To some nothing more is involved than a small real estate deal. To others, better informed, the fate of the islands m&y set up an historic milestone for Communism's drive toward conquest. Meantime, the need for an in formed American public opinion is most pressing. Viewed from either the Far East or Europe, American opinion as reflected in news dispatches of the state ments of public figures seems hopelessly confused over many critical issues with which -ve are legitimately concerned. Paramount Issue Simply stated, the paramount issue is whether, when the Chi nese Reds attempts as it is agreed they ultimately will to sieze Quemoy and the island H00KSTRA 'S A TCP Ik IS I T II S II VV II W II 106 North Ivy - Around the Corner from the Post Office FRIDAY and SATURDAY SPECIALS! EASTERN OREGON ECONOMY BEEF SALE! T;Boneslb.49cGROfDlEff steaks QVC 4 lbs $1.00 BLADE CUT LEAN MEATY BEEF Gfi frftz SHORT n (5c ROAST lb,2S.l RIBS.... lb, U 2 PORK SAUSAGE 3lbs.1 group known as Matsu, the Uni ted States will asist Chiang Kai shek's forces in defending the islands. As a result of congressional ac tion, America's ultimate course will be determined by the Presi dent. It is generally agreed that this is as it should be. America is committed to resist any Red aggression against Formosa and the Pescadores, and believes that if there is a show down Britain will back us up. However, virtually all the Brit ish and probably a majority of the American public do not rec ognize in any Red attack on the offshore islands the same men ace they recognize to Ve invol ved in an attack on Formosa it self. Realignment of opposing opin ions in the pending controversy may be of interest. To take them separately, the arguments of those opposed to American or British assistance in the defense of Quemoy and Matsu are that: The controversial islands are nearer to the Red mainland than to Nationalist Formosa and 1 ave too little strategic value to justi fy chancing a major conflict. The islands are unnecessary to Chiang Kai-shek's defense of the Pescadores or Formosa. Possession by the Reds would not deter any future anti Communist move against the mainalnd since they would be unserviceable as stepping stones or an attack base. A clash with Red China over Quemoy and the Matsus would be another wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time. Other Side of Argument Supporting the other side of the argument are probably 80 to 90 per cent of the top flight American military and diplo matic personnel operating in the Far East. These professionals be lieve that permitting the Reds to take the islands could mean the beginning of the end of Free China. They also think it would topple such shaky remnants of American prestige as still exist in the Far East. In support of this position they argue that: The islands are of great value as a deterrent to aggression be cause, -by minimizing Red ship ping access to Amoy and Foo chow, they retart. the buildup and hamper the support of main land forces opposite Formosa, and since the island inhabitants are fanatically anti-Communist and unfaltering in their support of Free China, thousands would face certain execution if captured. Chiang's unaided defense of the islands would be costly to the Reds. With American sup port the cost of the attack prob ably would be prohibitive. Chiang admittedly must de fend the islands to preserve the morale of his army of Nation alist Chinese who voluntarily ac companied him to Formosa to fight Communism. These men al ready have strategi:ally retreat ed so many times under Ameri can pressure that another with drawal would shatter the army's confidence both in Chiang's lead ership and American support. Nationalists Needed This is important to America because without a dependable Chiang army American troops will be necessary to insure the continuance of Formosa, an out post of America's Pacific defen se. Millions of Chinese reside in Burma, Thailand, Indochina, Ma laya, the Philippines and Indo nesia where they frequently ex ercise great political influence. Many of these people are not en thusiastic about Chiang Kai shek but are overwhelmingly anti-Red and recognize the Gen eralissimo as the only present hope 'for a Free China. They want China freed from Commu nism but know that this is only possible with outside help. If Chiang is forced to defend Que moy and Matsu alone, the lack of American assistance will shat ter the belief of the overseas Chinese that the free world is really determined to block Red aggression. Such a loss of con fidence would be disastrous to anti - Communism throughtout Southeast Asia. There is plenty of legitimate ground for the difference of opinion between the two schools of thought. Neither side has all the answers. Naturally good Pure country honey wholesome graham flour give nabisco Sugar Honey grahams their naturally delicious flavor . . . their whole some goodness, nabisco bakes these grahams golden-brown, tender crisp. Per fect between meals because they digest so easily ! Be sure you buy nabisco graham3 you'll like them best! NATIONAL BISCUIT COMPANY if Kept freih In IN-m-SEAL wax packets -k Now each cracker breaks Into perfect size for easy eating. NABISCO Sugar Honey GRAHAMS Rats Scurry Along Streets, Gutters; Explore Rubbish By ERNEST L. ZAUGG United Press Correspondent Haiphong, Indochina U.R) The bell in the . tower of the French Chamber of Commerce is tiny and cracked and it tolls the hours with an empty and mourn ful sound. This is appropriate. The bell is ringing out the French empire in North Viet Nam. On May 18, this city which Frenchmen built half way around the world from their homeland will be thrown open to the Communists. Ho Chi Min's forces already are at the gates, ready to take over as agreed at the Geneva Conference last summer. The last civilians to leave were packing and heading south today. They must be out by to morrow. A token force of sol diers will stay a while longer, but already Haiphong is a city without a master. The rats seem to have taken over. They scurry along the streets and dive into gutters. They explore heaps of rubbish left by departing refugees. They clamber aboard houseboats which squat in the mud flats of the canal. Cats Watch The cats watch and doze, too lazy to interfere. A pig has planted himself squarely in the middle of a once busy street. He seems to think he is boss here now. He might as well be. The mayor of Haiphong, Pham Van Dot, has bravely tried to hold together a disintegrating administration. His chief job was to get as much equipment and as many people out as possi ble. French businessmen, who weathered many a storm in this inflamed appendix of Asia, tried to muster their traditional high spirits for their painful depart ure. Many said they were sure that merchant ships flying the tri-color would some day nuzzle into Haiphong's dock again. The French are not the only ones going south. About half the native population has gone, too Many Vietnamese who once de nounced French "colonialism' have chosen to go with the French rather than face an aus tere and brutal Communist re gime like the one they have heard about from the north. Priesi Ready A Roman Catholic priest moves about ... the emptying streets of Haiphong with a pistol in hand. He shoots mad dogs that prowl the alleys. This keeps his eye sharp. The Reds have al ready tried to kill him -three times. Haiphong is an Asiatic Dun kirk for the Catholic faith. Of the half -million refugees' who have passed through here en route to the south, ' 90 per cent are Catholics. When the Communists arrive, Haiphong will get a face-lifting to make it look like other cities under Red rule. The city will probably be cleaned up. "The rubbish will be picked up, a longtime French resident said, "picked up off the street and put into people s heads. Several Feared Dead As Bridge Collapses Woodville, Miss. (U.R) Rag ing flood waters of the Homo chitto river today halted rescue attempts to reclaim uncounted victims in cars that plunged into the water when a bridge col lapsed. Authorities had no idea of how many persons died late Wednesday when two center sections of the 100-foot bridge caved in. It was feared that at least two or three vehicles top pled 30 feet into the water. Radio Station Dancing Declared Not Unusual Atlanta U.R) The Georgia Supreme Court holds that danc ing in a radio station is not "unusual, unnecesary or un reasonable." The Supreme Court reversed a lower court decision in favor of Trammel Chitwood. of Cal houn, Ga.j who had complained that stomping square dancers in the radio station upstairs were ruining his shoe business. ZUD DISCOLORATIONS lm COPPER POTS i PANS cir l IT 1 The tunc can remove rust and atalna IS I 'rom bathtubs, sink, auto bumper l trim, dlirolorat'ons from til floor, tri, mM ntfUMfti afrL 2U0 toU at Gracart. Hardware. Dapl, 10 Sara - SUSTAIN K0DUC1S P.O.BOX 502 Fill IAWN, I.L Nuclear Production In Washington Eyed Washington (U.R) The Atomic Energy Commission said today it has approved . a study by the Puget Sound Utilities Council to determine feasibility of nuclear power production in the state .of Washington. "The purpose of the study," the AEC said, "is to determine the nuclear power system of sys tems most practical, technically and economically, for future con struction and operation in the areas served by the member uti lities and to estimate when such construction will prove economi cally feasible." Members of the council are the department of lighting a! the city of Seattle, the light division of the city of Tacoma, the Pugct Sound Power and Light .Co. . of Seattle, public utility district No. 1 of Snohomish county, and pub lic utility district No. 1 of Che lan county. Senior CAP Members Slate Meeting Friday Senior numbers of the Med- ford squadron of the Civil Air patrol will meet at the CAP building at the Medford airport Friday, April 15, at 8 p.m. The senior program and the classes for all new probationary members will be discussed. The asistance of all members will be needed on May 22 f or "the" cele--bration of Armed Forces Day, and the program for that day will also be briefly outlined at this important meeting, officers Good Buys at iMiffli 11th and Oakdalt Start saving two ways Shop Oakdale for quality Get valuable premiums free with Northern Stamps . . . See the display at Oakdale. Spring Fresh Produce TENDER GREEN-NEW CROP ASPARAGUS 2U.25 JUICY NAVEL ORANGES CELLO BAG 5 $. 49 2 J9 0 CARROTS FANCY SNOW WHITE CAULIFLOWER GOLDEN RIPE 8-LB. MESH BAG BANANAS 2 lbs. 290 GRAPEFRUIT 490 lb. 10 Sliced Pineapple 2 , 25" Crushed Pineapple no"'.'. 2 , 45" Derby Potted Meat :.:' 2 19 Lumberjack Syrup .'.'29' Strawberry P rCS6rV6S Standby Jar u 29 Fisher's Cake Flour S ' 3 ,25 Strykers Soap &29? $00 25 Freestone Peaches 4 Sweet Peas MARKET BRAND 2 for No. 303 Cans Meat Features 1 ka Swift's Premium Skinless FRANKS 45 CELLO PACK POUND ARMOUR'S BANNER SLICED Bacon ,45 HAM and VEAL Patties .49" GROUND BEEF PORK CHOPS Fresh, Pure Rib or loin End Cut 401 South Oakdale ppgiiimi Fred Bartlsil Manager 1 said. 1
