FRANCE GIVES DUE WARNING
(SPECIAL TO “CHINA MAIL")
Paris, To-day
THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 11, 1:
The Foreign Minister announces that the French Government, in the answer given to President Roosevelt on September 1, 1939, assured him the French air force had been ordered to refrain from bombing civil populations and to limit bombings to military objectives.
The French Government now wishes publicly to proclaim that they reserve the right to resort to any action they consider appropriate in the case of civilian po- pulations being bombed by the Germans either in France or Britain or in coûn- tries assisted by France. -Havas
SEVERE PUNISHMENT OF NAZI RAIDERS ON R-A-F. BASE: MANY SHOT DOWN
London, To-day.
IT IS LEARNED AUTHORITATIVELY that quick and BELGIAN
severe punishment met squadrons of German aircraft
which yesterday made their first attempt to bomb aero-
dromes and other objectives in the zone of the ad- CHAMBER
vanced striking force of the R.A.F. in France.
main attack occurred soon after dawn and its effective GRANTS FULL
frustration was due to the smooth and rapid co-opera-
tion between the British and French air arms and POWERS
ground defences.
No serious damage or casualties were reported from any of the R.A.F. aerodromes. Many bombs were drop- ped but were mainly of small size.
During various engagements five Dorniers were shot down and an- other four so broken with machine- gun fire, with members of the crew killed or wounded, that it is unlike- ly they were able to return to their home stations.
also French fighter patrols were
claim a total equally successful and
as
It la understood that as far can be ascertained, the places which have been
Northern bombad In France can be regarded-though in
gination-as
military objectives.—
Brussels, To-day-
AND SO DOES BRITAIN
London, To-day.
The British Government pro- claims they reserve to themselves the right to take any action they. think appropriate in the event of bombing by the enemy of civil-, ian populations, whether in the United Kingdom or France or in countries asslated by the United Kingdom.
A communique to this effect, in similar terms to the French statement issued earlier in the afternoon, was 'issued by the For- eign Office last evening-Router.
PROCLAMATION TO PEOPLE OF NETHERLANDS
The Hague, To-day.
The Dutch Prime Minister, Jonkheer de Greef, has issued the following proclamation to the nation.
"The Government ask the popula- tion to keep calm and remain indoors if possible, and to continue their usual occupations.
"The population are urged to obey The Belgian Chamber of all regulations laid down for obser- some cases by a stretch of the ima- Deputies has given full pow-vation in the event of air raids. ers to the Government vote of 154 to 1, with no
sentions.
Reuter.
British Planes Attack. German Troops
London, To-day. Air Force planes Royal have played a prominent part 18 Nazi Bombers Downed in the events of the last 24
of six "killed."-Reuter.
Paris, To-day. The French shot down at least 18 German bombers during yesterday morning's air raids over France.
hours.
"The consumption of alcohol is for- by bidden temporarily.
"No information must be given to ab-the enemy and no work done for him. no right to compel you The enemy has to do this.
Henri
Denis,
told
Lieutenant-General Minister of National Defence, the Chamber that the Nazi
Be Confident
advancé "The population are also urged not was halted at all points. All defence to try and reach friends and relatives in other parts of Holland, otherwise the preparations were working perfectly
become involved in they may the British The headquarters of
and the first hours of the war had fighting. that
"Remain at home and be confident justified every hope that it could be Air Force in France announces
opera- in the course of yesterday's
the Dutch army will protect you.
"It is no longer permitted to listen tions, the R.A.F. had been continous-prosecuted satisfactorily.
The bombing of Belgian aerodromes to the German radio programmes. Bel- Our reconnaissance aircraft
had not succeeded; for the Belgian gian, English and French programmes, been operating over a wide area.
Enemy troops have been attack-planes had been removed some hours including news bulletins, may, how
before the raids. Only one or two ever, be listened to. ed by our bomber squadrons: Wherever German bombers
'planes had been destroyed and
At Lyons, 15 people were killed and 30 Injured In the raids. A blockly in action.
of flats was destroyed and a number of workers' homes hit.
At Nancy, 16 were killed and 30 injured, mainly civilians.
German 'planes were over Paris for
have
have
શ
"The utmost economy must be ob- served in the use of gas and electricity. until been encountered, our fighters have few others had been damaged.-Reu-Public amusements are closed
further notice."-Reuter.
two hours in the morning and met with intense anti-aircraft fire. They drop-engaged them. ped no bombs, but there were a few casualties from shrapnel.
One report states that Calais was bonbed.
Over Paris, four 'planes flew so low that the Swastika design could be picked out on the fuselages.-Reuter.
Casualties In Many French Towns
London, To-day. Reports from the British Embassy in Paris show that casualties were suf- fered at most of those French towns which have already been bombed.
At Nancy, a garrison town, about 16 were killed and 30 injured; they were mainly civilians.
Parla was raided and there was Intense anti-aircraft fire. There were some casualties in the capital from shrapnel but ng bombs were drop- pad, according to latest reports.
The reports indicate that in theter. course of their combats, many enemy aircraft have been destroyed.
Several of our aerodromes have been bombed. Little material: dam- age has been done and no lives have been lost.Reuter.
Stout Resistance By Dutch Air Force
London, To-day. More news is trickling in from the Lowlands about the air raids.
Antwerp was attacked by 40 bomb- ers and the Belgian Embassy in Paris says that a military hospital was de- stroyed.
In southern Belgium,'à railway sta- tion 25 miles south-east of Namur was
SWISS WARNED
TO BE READY
BERNE, TO-DAY.
THE PRESIDENT OF SWITZERLAND BROADCAST YESTERDAY AFTERNOON ON ALL NATIONAL: STATIONS CALLING ON THE COUNTRY TO KEEP CALM BUT WARNING THE PEOPLE THAT THE SITUATION WAS DANGEROUS.
bombed in the morning and it is said The war has seized upon new and pitiful victims,
to be in flames.
There is little fresh news from Hol- land, but a Brussels report states that the Dutch air force is putting up a stout resistance. Every precaution is being taken in both countries to pre- Reports reaching authoritative mili-vent sabotage from behind the de- tary circles in London state about 200
fence lines.-Reuter.
· parachutists” in British uniforms land- ed at the airport of The Hague. Others in Dutch uniforms descended at Dor- drecht.
Calals Bombings
U.S. TO BUILD MORE “FLYING FORTRESSES”,
Washington, To-day. Owing to what is considered the There are reports that the uerodome impressive showing of air power in at Calais and some of the aerodromes | Norway, the United States Air De- occupied by the R.A.F. in: Northern partment intends to seek a special grant of 500 now four-engined "Fly- France were bombed.
he said. Three friendly countries have been
dragged into the war.
Switzerland is at present still safe, but he emphasized that the situation. created by the invasion of the Low- lands. was serious.
"We must be ready," he said.
The entry of foreigners would be. more strictly watched, passenger and goods traffic would be strictly con- trolled and the Swiss army on the frontiers would be placed on a war footing the next day .(Saturday). .
"You will understand and appre- diate: those precautions,” he said. They are absolutely indispensable.
It is also stated the Dutch Friesian ing Fortresses" costing £80,000 each, The troops will do their duty, what- Islands were bombed and that para-according to the "New York Times."--ever happens, and the civilians will do
Reuter. chutists landed there.
theirs."-Reuter.
DUTCH CHAMBER MEETING
The Hague, To-day. The Dutch Parliament met In short session yesterday afternoon.
The President of the Second [Chamber declared the Netherlands,
which everywhere was known
3
a nation that promotes perce," wa attacked with merciless violence.
The "We protest this ntrocity.
less courage."Reuter. army and navy will resist with fear-