Evening star., 1950-01-01
u. ). Vessel LOADING
For Attempt TO Run
Shanghai Blockade
By the Associated Press

<AAA1CA 1So44 4ASAS1lOCA ~ 414S 1A1
row was loading tonight for a
voyage to mine threatened Red
Shanghai amid a variety of re-
ports and denials that fearful
crew members were being forced
to make the trip.
Capt. David Jones of Chicago
was formally notified by Amer
ican Vice Consul Frederick A.
Hill that the Chinese Nationalists
have announced the mining of
Shanghai's approaches. Last We'd
nesday the State Department
warned that any captain who ran
the Nationalist blockade might
lose his license.
Capt. Jones maintained his de-
termination to take the 14,000-
ton ship to Shanghai as directed
by his owners. the Isbrandtsen
Line of New York, whose ships
have repeatedly run the block
ade.
The sailing is scheduled for
Tuesday.
Some Reported Jittery.
The captain acknowledged that
some of the crew of 43 were jit-
terry over the mine announcement
but pointed out that they got
bonuses for the run and declared
none had signed off.
All top officers of the ship de-
MED a published report that the
captain was using force of arms
to keep the crew in line.
Most crew members were cele-
brating New Years eve ashore in
Hong Kong while the ship loaded
Those remaining aboard, inter-
viewed shortly before midnight
scoffed at the report of force but
indicated they were not eager to
go to Shanghai. They said they
had heard "rumors" that some
members had sent messages to the
United States to try to force can
collation. of the voyage.
Vice Consul Visits Crewmen.
Vice Consul Hill said he had
talked with three crew members
ashore but had not heard of any
mass protest against the voyage
or that the men were being forced
to make it.
Jack M. Pattison, the ships
agent, declared he also knew OF
no attempts by men to quit the
ship.
| The Hong Kong Sunday Herald
declared the crew had radioed
the State Department and the
National Maritime Union in New
York that they would refuse to
work if the Flying Arrow at
tempted to run the blockade.
/ The Hong Kong paper quoted
an unidentified crew spokesman
as saying 80 per cent of the men
refused to chance the alleged
mines, but that if they could not
legally quit they, will remain
aboard and will refuse to work .
Wife Tries to Raise Fare.
The paper said First Assistant
Engineer Pierre r. Becker had
moved his belonging ashore. but
his license was still posted in the
engine room late tonight, indicat-
ing he remained attached to the
ship. Mr.. Becker's wife in New
York has said she was trying to
raise $500 to pay his fare back
home.
In New York, Joseph Curran,
president of the National Mari
time Union. said he had not seen
any message from the Flying Ar
row crew but believed they had
the right to demand to be paid
off and given passage home.
Mr.. Curran said. 1--WE consider
it completely unfair for the Gov
ernment to declare the area un-
safe and then leave the seamen
in a position where companies
such as Isbrandtsen hold the
threat of mutiny charges over
their heads"
Hans j. Isbrandtsen. president
of the line. said in New York, I'm
the event the master of the Flying
Arrow considers the mine danger
real one, then it's for him to
handle the ship accordingly"
Reds Are Triumphant.
The blockade question was the
only item of prominence in the
China civil war news as the year
drew to a close.
The Communists contended
themselves with triumphant
broadcasts from Peiping, declar-
ing that during 1949 they had
liberated" all the mainland ex-
cept Tibet and that during 1850
they would take Formosa and
Hainan Islands and annihilate
the last Nationalist remnants on
the mainland.
From his retreat on Formosa.
Generalissimo Chang Kai-shek
made a broadcast attributing the
Communist surge to the Russians.
He declared, II solemnly swear
that as long as the Soviet ag-
gressor occupies one inch of our
territory. and as long as I am
still alive. I shall never stop
fighting"