Malaya The Last Bulwark Against Communism

Chronicle (Levin), 1 September 1948, Page 5

Malaya The Last Bulwark Against Communism

Received Tuesday, 1 p.m. LOXDOX, August 31. Aceording to tho Xews-tTironicle 's Rangoon coiTespondent, docunient.s sei/.ed in Burma (lisclose that a general stratogie pbm exists directing all t'omniunisr sictivities in Soulheast Asia. Anglo- American obsorvers in Hunua belie\ e Bangkok is the centre of the Southeast Asian ('uminforin and that ihe directing niind behind the ('omniunist orgitnisMtion is ti loading Burniese ( 'onniiuuist muued Gosluil whose noniinal position is political adviser to Thakin Than Tun, the insurgent Bui'r incse ('ouimunist leader. Bangkok ( 'omimi nists, says the correspondent, have been found in possession of an onlcr of the day which lays down the fotiowing targets for Comiuunist activity in Southeast Asia: In Burma— Activity against British investinents and Thalcin X'u's Government. fn Malaya — Activity against British planters and dredge managers, against all loeal .Sultans "ooperating with the British, and against Alalayan Federation as a form df Government. I11 lndonesia — Activity against Dutch and British plantations, oil iields, shipping and all liative headmen who coojiertite with the Dutcli or British, and opposition to any form of governine'nt whicli might lead to a peaceful .settloment witii Western European Bowers as trustoes. J 11 liido-China — Activity against all ; Annaniese collaborating with Erance and against the Kings of Cambodia and Laos. In ('hina — Activity against the Chiang Kai-shek Government and measuro.s to cletir the way so tliat Ghincsc Coinniunist forces can Jink up with tho ('oniiininists in Yietnani. In Jlong Kong — Measures to disrupt trade and local business and to establish Gommunist prqpaganda newspapers and radio transinitters. In India — Measures to increase politi cal strife betwecn India and Pakistan aii.il the promotion of riots. The wartline Governor of the Strait.s Bettlenients artd High Cominissioner for Malay States, .Sir Slienton Tliomas, exjiressed the opinipn in an article published this weeke'nd, that' the present target of the Alalayan Communists is the dislocation of the British-owned rubber industry. "We are up against a big thing'aud wliatever happens we must see it through, " he said. "When this is over we must see that it shall never hajipen again for Malaya is Britain 's only bulwark -against eonijnunigni in the Far East. It is ceitain that if Malaya goes Communist, thc Vvhole oi" Southeast Asia will follow. The British policy is elear: Coinplete suppression now and a relentloss watch in. future. ' '