NATIONALISTS IN MACAO

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25954, 7 November 1949, Page 7

NATIONALISTS IN MACAO

PORTUGUESE DISARM GUNBOATS FLEEING TROOPS SEEK REFUGE (Rec. 10 p.m.) HONG KONG. Nov 5 Portuguese authorities in Macao today disarmed a number of small Chinese Nationalist gunboats and armed junks which had taken shelter from Chinese Communists in Macao waters. The action followed a Portuguese ultimatum to the ships’ commanders this morning that they must enher leave Macao waters immediately or be disarmed. The ships had moved to the Portuguese siae of a channel one-third of a mile wide between Macao and the Chinese island of Lappa when they were menaced by Communist guns on Lappa. The channel forms the inner Macao harbour, and some Communist shells actually fell on the Portuguese side of the harbour, but no Communist shells actually landed on Macao soil. Almost all the Nationalists in areas adjacent to Macao have now withdrawn. although the Communists have not occupied the customs post on the Macao border. Hundreds of retreating Nationalist soldiers streamed into Macao yesterday. Thousands of peasants seeking escape from the battle zone accompanied the fleeing soldiers. Portuguese guards at the frontier gate disarmed the soldiers and divested them of their uniforms, but allowed them freedom of movement within the colony.