MANY LEAVE MACAO

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31385, 2 June 1967, Page 9

MANY LEAVE MACAO

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright) HONG KONG, June 1. An increasing number of residents of the Portuguese enclave of Macao are making preparations for a quick departure.

American citizens living in the colony have been officially advised to leave as soon as possible. The United States ConsulGeneral in Hong Kong, Mr Edward Rice, last week sent letters to about 110 Americans in Macao, most of them ethnic Chinese, and advising them to leave quickly because of the unsettled conditions there. A United States Consulate spokesman said today some of the American community in Macao included about 10 European missionaries and relief agency workers. Informed sources said that British authorities were con-

sidering the position of the estimated 100 to 200 British citizens in Macao, but it was unlikely that any official advice to withdraw would be given. The British Consulate in Macao has been closed since last Friday. The consul, Mr Norman lons, who was the target of a fortnight of demonstrations by Leftists, is at present in Hong Kong, with the entire consulate staff.

In Macao, there is increasing evidence of residents making preparations for a quick departure as the town, once bustling with gamblers and tourists, moves more under

the influence of the Leftists. Much of central Macao is plastered with slogans and posters. The S.S. Macao, one of the big ferries which run between Hong Kong and Macao, with a passenger capacity of more than 1000, made one trip to Macao yesterday with only 10 persons on board. A leading hotel-casino in Macao, which is normally heavily booked, now has only eight rooms occupied. Cinemas and restaurants In the town also report a falling-off in business. Regular travellers to Macao are now describing the oncepopular tourist - gambling centre as “a dead town."