THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 24, 1939
MAGINOT LINE EXTENDED ALONG THE SWISS BORDER: M. DALADIER ON MEASURES
Paris, To-day.
FRENCH FORTIFICATIONS on the Western Front HUGE NAVAL have been extended not only to the north, but DOCKS IN also on the Jura front, along the Swiss border, M. Edouard Daladier, the French Premier, told the Chamber of Deputies yesterday during the course of a debate on the war budget.
Not only had the fortifications been lengthened, he went on, but in areas where the French Army was not fighting it was at work constructing second and third linses of defence.
He gave no reason for the exten- sion, but said that "a people is strong enough to resist invasion and diplo- matic action when it has an armour behind which it can flight." The ex- tensions were necessary not only to the profect their territory but for conduct of the war.
Discussing the war effort, he said that France's war material-and especially her aeroplanes (cheers) had proved to be of very high qual- Ity.
Comparing the position with that that by in 1914, M. Daladier said December that year, France had lost depart- 450,000 men killed and 10
occupied by the ments had been enemy. To-day, French casualties to the end of last month
1,130 killed in the army: 260 killed in the navy; and 42 killed in the air force.
were
POLAND'S FATE
Emphasizing the importance of the fate fortifications, he compared the of Poland and Finland, where similar been attended by operations had very different results.
FRANCE'S DUTY
Paris To-day.
HAWAII
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
Washington, To-day.
The Government has placed an or-
der for the construction of two huge docks at Pearl Harbour, the U.S. Naval
base in Hawail, capable of receiving the largest warships including 40,000- tonners.
Work is starting shortly with the view of completing the docks within three years. The total cost is estim- at over $6,000,000.—Havas.
The Premier, M. Edouard Daladier, in the Chamber of Deputies declaredated yesterday that the resistance of Fin- land had already lasted longer than that of Poland (loud cheers).
"It is not enough to applaud this M. Daladier continued. heroism," "One must help it.
"From the evening the League of Nations uttered its condemnation entire have carried out our
Wo
duty in no half-hearted- manner and wa shall continue to do it." (Loud cheers from all parts of the Chamber).
NEPAL PREMIER VISITING INDIA
WARTIME ECONOMIC RELATIONS
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
Paris, To-day.
It is learned in well-informed circles that Belgium, France and Britain have reached agreement in principle regulating the war- time commercial relations of the three states.
Complete agreement will be reached during forthcoming ne- gotiations in Park, London and Brussels-Havza.
NEW NAZI
LABOUR DECREES
London, To-day. "This is the most hopeful sign to come out of Germany since war began," says "The Times,” in a coIT)- ment on the
labour Dew German: decrees.
Calcutta, To-day. The Prime Minister of Nepal ar- rived in Calcutta yesterday.
He is the official guest of the Gov- November ornment of India.
He is accompanied by high officials from Nepal, and semi-official circles say that this visit is further proof of Is the close friendship existing between He added: "The Government opposed to premature offensives in Nepal and the governments of Great the war, and is conducting it method-Britain and India. Reuter. ically and logically.'
BRITISH AMBASSADOR REPORT DENIED
Shanghai, To-day. It is reported that the British Am- bassador to China, Sir Archibald Clark-Kerr, will not visit Chungking before the end of this year as was ru- moured yesterday.
Poland, with no large defence lines, had been over-run in a few weeks. Finland is still strongly entrenched the behind her armoured lines on
It is, however, understood, that frontier. But it was not enough to
British Embas- applaud Finland's heroism; France representative of the had done much towards aiding Fin-sy, will shortly leave for China's war- land in no half-hearted manner "and time capital to confer with Chinese of-
acials. Our Own Correspondent. shall continue to do so."--Reuter.
X'MAS
Christmas Greetings
Reuter.
It is a sign of retreat on the part of the Nazi regime, says the paper, There can be little doubt, that during considerable there was discontent among German- workers over wages and labour còðartions.
The German worker, sayS "The Times," is not propared to sacrifice ta the first few months of the war the results of 30 years of political and social agitation.
Reuter.
FINLAND NORTH'S OUTPOST AGAINST
BARBARISM
London. To dáy.
THE POSITION OF FINLAND and the effects on other countries of the Soviet campaign was discussed in the British press yesterday.
í
The "Manchester Guardian" develops the interesting thesis that even if the far north of Finland is over-ruza by the Soviets, the main defences of Finland would be strengthened, not weakened.
The Finns would then be able to concentrate behind a short line in the north and along the line to Lake Ladoga. It would be similar to what would be the position in England if Scotland and northern England were abandoned above a line running be- tween Liverpool and Hull and if England. had formidable defences running down the coast from Hull to London.
The burden of helping - Finland rests on all those who have publicly condemned the predatory tactles of Soviet Russia, and in particular Scandinavia.
The "Daily Telegraph" tåker the same view, and says: that: Finland is civilisation's outport against barbar- ism. If she falls to Russia, Scandinavia will be threatened by form of slavery. Beuter.
ת
1939
To All Fatrons and Friends
From The Management
The
Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels, Ltd.
Parisian Grill
Extension till 2. ami
OR
December 23rd., 24th. and 31st.
VISIT THE PARISIAN CORNER