THREAT TO HONGKONG BY COMMUNISTS AS NATIONALISTS PULL OUT

Wanganui Chronicle, 18 May 1950, Page 5

THREAT TO HONGKONG BY COMMUNISTS AS NATIONALISTS PULL OUT

HONGKONG, May 17 (Recfl. 11pm) —Western political observers in Hongkong believe the Nationalist withdrawal from the Chusans, firstly, spells the end of the coastal blockade, and secondly, brings the Communist attack on the Nationalists’ last citadel, Formosa, much closer, and thirdly, reduces the period in which Hongkong may expect immunity from strong Communist pressure. Observers are sharply opposed in appraising the motives behind the Nationalists’ sudden move, which was carried out with the utmost, secrecy. Some well-informed sources said Chiang had no option but to withdraw. Others said it was either a piece of political blackmail by Chiang to induce more American aid against the Communists or, in the light of events of the past two years, meant the Nationalists had no Intention of making a stand anywhere, not even in Formosa.

A highly-placed American said that circumstances forced Chiang to withdraw if he wanted to retain the 150,000 soldiers and equipment on the Chusans. He said the Chusans are partly ringed by a series of newlydeveloped airfields from which the Chinese Communists’ Soviet-supplied air force could carry out devastating attacks in support of invasion forces from the mainland. Several British and American observers were contemptuous of the Nationalists’ withdrawal without a fight. Chiang had thrown away the Nationalists’ most potent weapon—the blockade—which could no longer be maintained efficiently. The Chusan? withdrawal was a pointer to what would happen in Formosa, which they thought the Nationalists had no intention of defending resolutely. Despite Chiahg’s pledge that he was prepared to die In defence of Formosa, they believed he and his close associates planned to flee abroad when the time came. The attack on Formosa might now come as early as next month. Its occupation by the Communists would mean the end of Hongkong’s usefulness as a blockadefree source of supplies and might mark the beginning of Communist pressure to squeeze the British from this tiny colony.