Fifty years ago

MANILA (June 22): The Manila Times has criticised the British proposal that the United States aid the defence of Hongkong if the Crown Colony is attacked.

The paper stated: 'Every nation which shares in trade going to Hongkong should also share in the task of fighting for Hongkong . . . This is the kind of white elephant the United States is being asked to help defend - which means sending planes and naval units.'