Revolution in Clubland

Behind Britain's front against Communism in Malaya stand British colonials, whose stiff-necked disdain for Malay and Chinese alike has made the struggle harder. Last June, the Selangor branch of St. George's Society, a British get-together club, sent out dinner invitations to the Sultan of Selangor and other Malayan dignitaries. The dinner was to take place at the exclusive Lake Club in Kuala Lumpur, but the club committee refused permission on the ground that a half-century-old custom prohibits Asian guests. The club's action enraged Britain's dynamic new High Commissioner Sir Gerald Templer, charged with conducting the war against the Reds. "Men who have come thousands of miles to fight Communism in Malaya," said he, "British boys, Rhodesians, Gurkhas, Africans, Fijians, are all risking life side by side with Malay, Chinese and Indian lads. These men . . . know that the things which they are fighting for transcend the differences there may be of skin, color or custom."

The committee of the Lake Club resigned en masse. A new committee held a referendum. Last week the Lake Club's 1,200 members decided unanimously to open the club's doors to Asian guests.

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