Evening star., 1962-05-23
HONG KONG
Refugees Pose Violence Danger,
Pressures Seen in Red China
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American nations on how many
refugees they would be willing
to accept.
Food and clothing available
in the area of Hong Kong is
being canvaSSed. Senator Hum
phrey added. He said the prin-
cipal problem now is one Of
shelter for the refugees stream
ing into the crown colony.
Consideration is being given,
the Senator said, to possible
direct famine relief to Red
China through the Interna-
tional Red Cross.
Senator Humphrey added he
thinks some study must be
given also to the possibility of
direct sales of food to China
on a cash or Short-term loan
basis. He said he was express
ing no opinion on any such
policy. but believes it should
be explored.
Sees Policy Unchanged
Il don't think this would
have any bearing on our policy
of non-recognition of Commu-
mist China" he said.
Senator Humphrey, the as
SiStant Senate Democratic
leader. conferred with State
Department officials yesterday
about his suggestion that the
food for peace" program be
used to feed the refugees.
Total Of $4,000 Returned
An estimated 5000 refugees
were caught after they got
through the border barricades
into Hong Kong during the
previous 48 hours, officials re-
ported yesterday. This brought
10 nearly $4,000 the number
rounded up and forcibly re-
turned since May /. Another
5000 to 10000 were believed to
have found haven in Hong
Kong's crowded tenements.
One of the alarming ele-
mentS in the situation, as
United States officials see it,
is the danger of an eruption
Of violence in the crowded
British colony where facilities
are already so strained that
British authorities feel it neces-
Sary to turn back into Red
China thousands who crossed
the border.
The danger arises from the
fact. according to reports from
Hong Kong. that the hundreds
Of thousands Of Chinese who
took refuge in Hong Kong in
earlier years are sympathetic
with the needs Of their fellow
countrymen and resent their
being returned behind the
barbed wire barricades. Il
Cause of Flight Is Puzzle
Another souce Of anxiety
here is that the outpouring Of
refugees is only at a beginning
and that every effort to pro-
vide relief may prove in the
long run to be an added in
ducement for more Chinese to
make their way across the
border.
Exactly what is causing the
massive flight puzzles author
tiles in both Washington and
London, as does the attitude
Of the Chinese Communist
leadership. Reports indicate
that Red border guards have
made no effort to prevent the
mass exodus which has been
building up for many weeks
and some reports from Hong
Kong suggest that the regime
at Peiping is actually encourag-
ing the movement.
Britain has been keeping
the United States informed of
all developments and United
States and British officials are
consulting on measures which
could be taken to deal with the
situation, including the relo-
cation of the refugees.
Many Factors Listed
Some clue to the pressures
within Red China may be
found in an Agriculture De-
partment study Of conditions
there at the present time.
The study says "a combi-
nation Of miSnanagement in
the agricultural collectives or
peoples communes,' natural
disasters, and excessive exploit
tation Of the agricultural sector
Of the economy has precipi-
tated a crisis Of major pro-
portions"
The report says that the Red
regime has been compelled to
give priority Ito the need for
food over the need for indus
trial development" At the
same time the report showed
that the Red Chinese are still
using or until recently have
been using food for political
purposes-shipping it to Cuba,
Ceylon, Albania and East Ger
many to fill China's external
commitments