THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 21, 1939.
GRAF SPEE CAPTAIN COMMITS SUICIDE
New York, To-day.
THE GERMAN EMBASSY announces that Captain Landsdorp, commander of the Admiral Graf Spee, has committed suicide.
He shot himself dead with a revolver at the Buenos
Aires naval arsenal on Tuesday night.
The body morning.
found was
yesterday
RIOTS IN
N.W. RUSSIA
POLICE IN S. AFRICA RAID NAZIS
It is reported that frequent riots are occurring all through north-west
Russia.
COLUMBUS
INCIDENT
OF
New York, To-day. Mr. Stephen Early, (SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
President Roosevelt's secretary, declared yes- re- complete terday that the more Bucharest, To-day.
received convinced the ports now
the United States Government that A German Embassy communique in
Columbus was scuttled in order to Buenos Aires states: "The comman-
avoid the risk of an encounter der of the glorious crùlser, Admiral
Johannesburg, To-day. Graf Spee, Captain Landsdorp, last
Many arresis have been made, seizure outside the neutrality zone.
No naval action or encounter had night sacrificed his life for his coun-
out especially among troops. The police yesterday carried
therefore the The Soviet try by voluntary self-immolation.
authorities been reported, and military "From the outset he decided to raids on German organizations in
have ordered the suppression of light-question of any violation of the neu-
WHIS not involved. share the fate
gar-trality zone- of his fine ship, and South Africa, seizing a large number ling and are strengthening the only personal influences and due con- sideration for his responsibility for the successful disembarkation of the crew of more than 1,000 men led him postpone fulfilment of his intention until his duly was done and his su- periors fully informed of the situation.
to
"This mission ended he bowed to destiny, a brave sailor who has writ- ten another page to the glory of the German navy."
Before committing suicide Captain Landsdorp wrote a letter to the Ger- man Ambassador to the Argentine, in which he said that when he received the order to scuttle the Graf Spee he intended, after disembarking the crew, to die on board in the explosion.--- Reuter.
HITLER'S DIRECT ORDER
London, To-day. The news that Captain Landsdorp has committed suicide bears out the view previously taken that the scut- tling of the Admiral Graf Spee was directly ordered by Hitler, and that this ignominious end is as great violation of the traditions of the old German Navy as the cowardly sink- ing of defenceless merchantmen and trawlers-Reuter.
፡፡
SHOCK TO NAZIS
Amsterdam, To-day. The news of Captain Landsorp's suicide came as an unpleasant shock to German official circles, Reuter learns from Berlin,
The Nazi Propaganda Ministry has not yet decided whether or in what form the news can be published in the newspapers.
-
Reuter.
CHINESE DRIVE ON NANNING
Kwong Chow Wan, To-day.
The Chinese have started a general offensive north and north-east of Nanning and furious battles are raging.
One Chinese column is striking at Yamchow while others are attacking along the Pingyang-Nanning and the Wuming-Nanning highways.
Last night, Chinese despatches claim Japanese communication lines between Nanning and Yamchow were severed. The. Japanese sent' planes to distribute messages to different Japanese out- posts, instructing the isolated forces to stick to their posts as reinforcements are on the way.
Some 1,000 Japanese prisoners have been taken. Our Own Correspon-
dent.
DUTCH DEFENCE LOAN UNDER-SUBSCRIBED (SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
Amsterdam, To-day. The Domestic Loan of 300,000,000 Guilders issued recently was only sub- scribed up to 260,000,000 gullders.
The Premier, M. Degéer, -admitted that the 'Government wanted to test the possibility of a "free loan.” added that wartime Ioans must [ "half"forced" and announced the flo-
He
be
of documents.--Reuter.
risons.--Havas.
FRIENDS ARE DEAR
Reuter.
CABLES ARE
CHEAP
In whatever corner of the Empire your friends may be,
Via Imperial this Christmas.
greet them by cable ·
is so easy
It
· just hand your message in at the office of Cable twelve words
and Wireless, Ltd., and so cheap, too.
for $4.00 to anywhere in the Empire.
CHRISTMAS
AND
NEW YEAR
$4
TWELVE WORDS.
CABLE AND WIRELESS, LIMITED,
Electra House.
3, Connaught Road, Central,
Tel. 28035.
tation of a new similar loan.—Havas.
: