Amethyst Captain Would Not Yield

Northern Advocate, 4 August 1949, Page 5

Amethyst Captain Would Not Yield

HONGKONG, Wed. (11.30 a.m.).— Lieutenant-Commander John Kerans. captain of Amethyst, said today that the Communists tried to force from the British Government through him, an admission of invasion, infringement of sovereignty and apologies and compensation. These admissions were the prerequisites for safe conduct down the Yangtse. Negotiations for the release were lengthy and extremely difficult, he added. Eleven conferences were held, some of which lasted five or six hours. Lieutenant-Commander Kerans said the Communists treated him at conferences with formal Chinese courtesy,but Colonel Kang Ma Chao, with whom he negotiated, was prevaricating, vacillating and constantly “making my life difficult.” “He did his best to undermine my stand and force an admission from the British Government, through me,” Commander Kerans said. His decision to attempt to escape was influenced by the dwindling fuel and food supply. STEAMER NOT SUNK. He denied the Communist radio accusation that Amethyst fired on and sank a Chinese steamer. He said that when the Communists started firing shortly after Amethyst started downstream behind the steamer. some passengers may have panicked , and jumped into the water and drowned. “There was no possibility that I hit the steamer,” he said. “When I fired at the Communist batteries it was in self-defence, and only as a last resource. I “The steamer pulled off course in front of Amethyst which missed her by about two feet as she raced downstream.” Dealing with the trip downstream Commander Kerans commented: “From a navigation viewpoint it was extremely difficult, but I was rather lucky. “Now that the whole affair is over the relief is fantastic.” GREAT WELCOME. A tumultuous . welcome was given Amethyst when she reached Hongkong this morning. She was greeted with salvoes of Chinese crackers and the sirens of ships and launches. Planes roared overhead and fire hoses were played • in the air.

Large crowds of foreign and Chinese spectators lined the waterfront, - in spite of rain, as the ship steamed down the harbouf. The Governor' of Hongkong (Sir Alexander Grantham); the Comman-der-in-Chief, Far East (Admiral Sir Patrick Brind); local commanders; and civil administration representatives were present to welcome Amethyst and her company. ’ IMMEDIATE LEAVE. Some of the officials went on board and congratulated the crew. Sir Patrick Brind had the officers to lunch on board his flagship. The men of Amethyst have been given immediate leatfe and many Hongkong residents have opened their homes to them. The men are being provided with free beer and cigarettes, as well as accumulated mail. An unconfirmed Chinese report circulating in Hongkong said a large crowd of Chinese mobbed the British consulate-general in Shanghai this afternoon. The Navy Office in Wellington has received the following message from HMS Amethyst on behalf of the Dominion president of the Navy League (Commander Palmer, of Auckland): “Deeply touched by your telegram. Very many thanks from everyone in Amethyst.”