THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 18, 1939
ITALY WAS NOT READY FOR WAR: DISCLOSURES IN
INS SPEECH OF COUNT CIANO
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
Rome, To-dav. AMERICAN.
COMMENTING ON Count Ciano's speech nolitical
quarters emphasise that the Foreign Minister TRADE
clearly stated that the outbreak of war was 'con-
trary to Italian intentions. since the Italo-DRIVE
German military treaty provided that the signa- tories did not provoke `war for three years at least.
Italy was therefore surprised when Hitler provoked war by declining a compromise with Poland.
fession that both Germany and Italy agreed to pursue a common policy of minor aggressions until they feel powerful enough to dominate their principal opponents.-Havas.
Count Ciano's utter silence over Finland is widely commented on, and is interpreted as indication that Italy does not wish to "tread on Germany's toes."
It is pointed out that Count Ciano refrained from direction mention of the Allies or the new blockade of German exports, merely stating Italy
protect her was determined to terests and prestige.-Havas.
GERMAN PRESSURE
DETECTED
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") Washington, To-day.
in-
The absence of reference to the So- viet-Finnish dispute in Count Ciano's speech is attributed here to German pressure.
It is also believed that Moscow re- quested Germany to make such pres- sure on Rome.
Count Ciano's assertion that Italy had decided to refrain from war for three years is interpreted as a con-
GERMAN PRESS VERY RETICENT
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
Washington, To-day.
NAZI PLANES NEAR THE EAST COAST
London, To-day.
The Air Ministry has announ. ced that enemy airoraft' appear.
ed yesterday at several points off the East Coast during the late afternoon.
The anti-aircraft guns along the coast fired for a short time In the Humber District.
Fighters engaged the enemy and pursued them out to sea.
No air rald warning was sound. ed.-Reuter.
An important step towards SOVIET
has been DEMANDS
the development of inter- American trade
reached by the Sub-Commit-
tee of the Inter-American DENIED
Trade Conference, which is sitting here.
The
Sub-Committee has decided that each member should study a particularly commercial problem.
OF exhibition
The Brazilian delegate is thus study- COPENHAGEN, TO-DAY. ing the organisation of a permanent BERLIN CORRESPONDENTS
in New York of Latin DANISH NEWSPAPERS STATE American products for United States THAT THE GERMAN NEWSPAPERS buyers.
THE ARE RESTRICTING
SPACE GIVEN TO COUNT CIANO'S SPEECH TO THE BRIEFEST EXCERPTS.
and
The Chilean representative is en- trusted with research work on the of development and organisation South American industries mineral resources which do not compete with American Interests. The Cuban delegate is studying the extension of trade agreements and the im-lowering, of tariffs; and
No comment on the speech made in any section of the German press and no paper published that part of the speech alluding to friendly Italo- Turkish relations.
This neglect is attributed to an pression in Copenhagen that Turko- Russian relations will soon be taking a turn for the worse.--Havas.
Austin
Alex. Ross Motor Co.
WISH TO ANNOUNCE THE
OPENING OF A KOWLOON SERVICE STATION, AT THE JUNCTION OF NATHAN ROAD & BOUNDARY STREET, WHERE ALL FACILITIES FOR SALES, MOBILUBRICATION, SERVICE REPAIRS, STORAGE, ETC. ARE NOW AVAILABLE.
GARGOYLE
SOCONY
Gasoline
Mobiloil
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") TALLINN, TO-DAY. RETURNING FROM MOSCOW COMMAN- GENERAL LAIDONER, DER OF THE ESTHONIAN FORCES, DECLARED IN A BROADCAST THAT THE SOVIET HAD NOT MADE ANY DEMANDS ON ESTHONIA IN CONNEXION WITH THE FINNISH AFFAIR.
He added the Soviet leaders had assured him they would respect the terms of the Soviet-Esthonian mutual assistance pact.
General Laidoner concluded by that Esthonia expressing the hope would be able to remain outside the
The Nicaraguan delegate is devot-European conflict.-Havas. ing his attention to competition by
belligerents and trying to find means CHINESE
to protect Latin-American products from them.-Havas.
RUSSIA'S
LACK OF OIL
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
OFFENSIVE SUCCESSES
Fancheng, Hupeh, To-day. Chinese drives in central and north Hupeh continue to be crowned with success.
In the Suihsien-Yingshan sector, the Chinese have regained Kucheng,...
AMSTERDAM, TO-DAY. RUSSIA IS NOT ONLY UNABLE TO EXPORT OIL BUT MUST EVEN Huangchiachih, Slanhsiachi, Sanyang- IMPORT IT. THE "NIUEWE ROT- TERDAMSCHE COURANT" RE- PORTS.
The newspaper points out that the last Communist Party Congress in Moscow urged serious economies in fuel, the use of ersatz and disclosed that the Foreign Trade Commissariat was trying to Import oil from the Unit- ed States. Havas.
LEADER OF BRITISH JEWISH BOARD
London, To-day.
Professor Zelig Bordetsky, the
shan and Kuenshan.
The Japanese communications are cut. On the north Hunan front, Wulipai and Yunchi, southwest of Yanglowsze, on the Canton-Hankow Fallway above Yoyang, were recaptured yesterday morning. The Japanese retreated to Lingsiang.
To the southeast of Yoyang, Chinese forces regained Tsikiapu and Tang- aipailou. A Japanese company was wiped out.-Central News.
L.C.C. WAR COSTS
London, Yesterday.
Civil defence expenditure of the Zionist leader, has been elected Pre-London County Council for the first sident of the Board of Deputies o six months of the war to March 31st British Jews, in succession to Neville next, is estimated at £6,000,000.~~~ Laski, who retired recently.-Reuter. British Wireless.
The crew of the 2,000 tona vessel "Dalryan", which sank off the South East Coast nu Deo. 1, were rescued and brought ashore by life- boat. Photo shows the lifeboat, fully loaded with members of the crew,
(Copyright, Fox). and survivors of the sunken ship, coming to port. Fox).