O N E o f t h e most interesting areas of the world is the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. I was there some months ago when the Commu nists moved an offensive against the authorities. There were riots which swiftly and speedily were put down. Since Hong Kong adjoins Red China, the insurrectionists made de structive bombs which would blow up easily, which they put in cardboard boxes, wrapped in brown paper with a string around it. If you saw it, it would appear to be an interesting parcel, with unknown contents. These parcels were left on the streets, side walks, benches, in stores, or wherever people might be. Naturally when any body picked them up, they would ex plode causing damage, death, and demoralization among the population. This diabolical scheme fell far short however, for the reverse reaction took place. 1was there the first Sunday a bomb was planted. The harmless-looking and intriguing brown paper parcel was placed in a parking lot. Two lit tle children, a brother and sister about nine or ten years old, saw it. Since it seemed to belong to no one, they picked it up. The horrible device exploded when they opened it and both had their faces blown off. It was a hideous and vile thing to do. The population of Hong Kong rose to gether in righteous indignation. They hated the Communists for doing this kind of thing to small, defenseless children. But rather than apologize, the enemy boasted of their evil deed. They rejoiced in wickedness, and made it known that the harassment would continue again and again. Bombs again were found in stores, on the sidewalks and even in hotel elevators. Rather than demoralizing 16
the population, it caused them to be come extremely angry. A procedure was worked out to handle the menace which proved effective. Coming back from church one day, I noted a large crowd which had gath ered in the street. We were coming up Nathan Street, the main highway in Kowloon and all the traffic was stopped. Since there appeared to be no movement possible, we got out of the car and pressed toward the area of focalized interest. A bomb had been discovered on the sidewalk. Peo ple knew by now not to touch these unusual packages. Policemen soon ar rived to hold back the inquisitive crowds. British troops were rushed in speedily. A large circle was formed around the suspicious parcel which seemed on the outside to be quite in nocent and harmless. None of the police or the troops went near the device, but held the people back. Before long, a little jeep rolled up to the spot the bomb was. Out jumped a youthful-looking British officer, seemed only 22 or 23. Here was the expert. The crowd grew very silent. Everyone watched intently. He knelt right alongside the bomb. His head and his body were right over it. It seemed to be a crazy thing to do. His hands moved very carefully, undoing the wrapping at the sides rather than from the top. His hands felt what was inside while he bent so low that his face touched the paper. It seemed a terrifying thing to do. If it was a bomb his head could be blown off. It was a bomb all right. He couldn’t see it. He was feeling it with his hands.' Here was the expert looking for the fuse. A hush had swept over the at tentive crowd. Then, suddenly, as I watched from a distance, I heard him exclaim, “Aahh!” Quickly he stood
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