HONG KONG WORRIED

Chronicle (Levin), 30 April 1949, Page 5

HONG KONG WORRIED

C^.Z.P.4-

-Reuteri

Potential Communist Danger Feared

CQvyrigfyt)

Received Friday, 10.15 p.m. HONG KONG, April 29. Hong Kong has been shocked into a feeling of inseeurity by the events on the Yangtze involving British warships and subsequent Communist truculence toward Britain, says William Parrotl, N.Z.P.A.-Reuter correspondent. There is no panic, but some peopie are aiready making tentative plans for evacuation. The regular defence services say they are not worried about playing their own part within the means available m the defence of Hong Kong but feel that the public to date have not puiied their full weight. They say, too, that manv people are still interested in making proiits without worrying about the'future of the eolony. One of the principal eoncerns of the defence services is Communist infiuence within the trade unions, particularly the public utility unions. The police and army have long feared this potential danger from within which at a sign might aft'ect the colony's electric power, gas, transport, water and dockyard service. There is no doubt that the regular forces appreciate the capability of the Communists as tough fighters, bui neither high officers nor leading civi. officials believe a conflict with the Chinese Communists will come, if itever does, until they are in occupation of most of China and particuiarly neighbouring- Kwangtung and its capital, Canton.