TALKS ON FORMOSA

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27664, 21 May 1955, Page 7

TALKS ON FORMOSA

Menon’s Visit To Peking (Rec. 11 p.m.) NEW DELHI, May 20. The Chinese Communist Prime MinWer, Mr Chou En-lai, said today that Ms talks on Formosa with India’s chief United Nations delegate, Mr V. K. Krishna Menon, at Peking were “going ▼cry well” according to reports received in New' Delhi. In a statement just before the final round erf talks Mr Chou told the Press Trust of India that “one could look to the future with hope.” Mr Menon flew to Peking on May 11 at Mr Chou’s invitation. The invitation followed an announcement by Mr Chou during the African-Asian conference at Bandung that he was willing to have direct" talks with the United States on easing tension in the Far East, particularly Formosa Strait. Mr Menon told the correspondent: “You can say we have invited General Chen Yi, one of China’s Deputy-Prime Ministers, to come to India. He agreed subject to Mr Chou’s approval.” Mr Chou nodded, and said also: "I • shall again invite Mr Menon.” General Chen Yi posed for pictures on the lawn near Mr Chou’s office, and then he and the Prime Minister went in arm in arm for the talks. So far each meeting between Mr Chou and Mr Menon has lasted about three hours. If the talks end today, as is expected, Mr Menon will leave for New Delhi tomorrow. London Landmark to Go.—One of ■ London's eighteenth century landmarks, the Shot Tower, on the south bank of the Thames, which became even better known as part of the Festival of Britain site in 1951, is at last to be demolished. Plans are being prepared for an underground garage for 250 cars on the site.—London, May 19.

. According to military reports reachin £ Saigon today, one man was reported killed and dozens were injured m a battle on the night of May 10. Hoa Hao men, led by General Bacut, also heavily mortared Long Xuyen, 90 miles south-west of Saigon on the night of May 15. Reports said that the small French Naval detachment in the Cantho area did not take part. Military observers believe that the Prime Minister, Mr Diem, is rushing National troops to the threatened area, but army spokesmen would not confirm this. Their reports said: “The, situation over the whole territory is calm.” Tran Van Tuyen, the former Vietnamese Information Minister, who has long been known as an opponent of the Prime Minister, Mr Diem, was arrested as he left his office for lunch today. He is the most important Nationalist arrested so far in the Government purge since the fighting ended in Saigon early this month. It is not known what charges have been laid. As political adviser to Mr Diem’s predecessor. Prince Buu Loc, he coordinated the efforts to remove French control on the Vietnamese press. Mr Tran Van Tuyen objected to the dictatorial powers assumed by Mr Diem. Another important Nationalist leader reported to be under arrest is Ung An, chief of the Imperial Cabinet of the Head of the State, Bao Dai.