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THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 20, 1940
SUPREME TESTING TIME: WHY HITLER DELAYED SO LONG
London, To-day. “IT IS THE SUPREME testing time”- that is the consen- sus of the week-end British newspapers. There is gen- eraly agreement that, while the situation is crucial be- cause of Germany's years of preparation, the whole Nazi regime is now being tried in the fire. For Hitler, it is now or never, domination or defeat.
It seems impossible that we have a four years' war before us, says the "Spectator." Germany is staking every- thing on a concentrated assault. We may have to give ground for a time; we have the power to endure, but we need all of it.
Commander Stephen King-Hall, in
his weekly newsletter, deals with a GENERAL
question many are asking: Why has Hitler not struck before?
It is known for certain, he writes, SIKORSKI'S
that Hitler believed he could make peace after the conquest of Poland. When that failed, he wanted to launch a blitzkrieg in November, but his generals persuaded him to hold his hand.
They hoped that U-boats, aircraft and mines might be successful against Britain's sea communications, and they hoped, by skilful propaganda, to detach France from Britain,
The Choice
was been
By the Spring of 1940, it evident that these hopes had in vain, and Hitler had to make up his mind to choose one of two
courses:-
To remain on the defensive, in a state of siege;
in
To launch a general offensive the hope of winning the war this
year.
chosen
MESSAGE
Paris, To-day.
In a message to the Polish nation, General Sikorski said that the battle for which they had been waiting was now joined in Belgium and part- ly on French territory.
The Allied armies are opposing an avalanche of steel and fire, he went on. Behind them are the wealth of their countries and empires
What struck him more than any- thing else, however, is the deep sense of patriotism they have.
This is only the first phase of a great battle, which would fluctuate
it.
He has
the latter, and one way and the other and it would chosen badly, says Commander King-be as erroneous to exaggerate the Hall. It would have been the cor- significance of a local success as rect course in September, 1939. Our minds, resolutions and courage must be of the quality of granite coasts:
High Stakes
.
The "Economist" says that there is no reason for optimism-because the stakes are too high. But while we are waiting for the great clash that is coming, we can reflect that our position is more favourable than in 1914 and we are ready.
aro
The Catholic weekly "Tablet"
We looks into the future. watching the disappearance of the whole order of Nazi-ism, it says. A. Europe. restored will
be
a Europe united and, the dream of centuries absolute. sover- eign independence. must yield to something bigger and stronger. The first links are already in existence be tween Britain and France and they will have to be extended-Reuter.
would that of a provisional retirement. Just as in 1918, the Germans had found the battle-ground of their de- feat.
He added: "We are only in the first phase of a great battle which may have
It
many varying fortunes. would be dangerous to exaggerate the significance of local success as to ex- aggerate the provisional retirement.
"Victory will be, as always, the result of moral and material superior- Ity. These two factors the Allies both
possess.
"Thus, calmly, with resolution and steadfast faith, we must await and aid victory in the struggle."--Reuter.
AID FOR THE ALLIES
EARTHQUAKE CONTROVERSY SHOCKS IN AMERICA
San Francisco, To-day. Several towns in south-east. Cali- fornia and Arizona were wrecked by earthquake shocks early yesterday and communications have been broken,
Five have been killed and many others injured..
Several houses collapsed at El Cen- tro (Calif.), and damage is reported from other damage is
SHOCKS FELT IN ENGLANDA
· London, To-day. Severe earthquake shocks were re- corded on the seisomograph at West Bromwich yesterday-Reuter.
ITALIAN TREMORS
Rome, To-day. Earthquake shocks were felt in Italy yesterday. There were no cas- ualties and no damage is reported.- Router.
New York, To-day.
A vigorous controversy is arising over the question of giving all possible.immediate support to the Allies.
Indicating a big swing-over in op- position opinion, the "New York Times" reports that .50 Republican leaders from the Middle West States told Mr. Taft, the Republican presi- dential candidate, that if he submitted to a popular vote in their regions a proposal for direct aid to the Allies, short of entry-in to the war, it would be passed by a decided majority.
On the other hand, prominent Americans still express strong isola- tionist views. Reuter
les of shocks,-- euter.
ELCENTRO, SHAKEN- (SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") San Francisco, To-day. Many were killed, and, injured when a violent, earthquake shook, Elcentro, 20 kilometres from the Mexican, fron- tier.
BERING/OF-SHOCKB%2
New York, Tonday, At least five were killed and many Telephone and; telegraph communi- injured in an earthquake earlyo cation with the city is disrupted" and ushed there.----- terday morning.... in Imperial ( Valley, | ambulances are being southern California. There was a ser- | Havas
P
P
THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 20, 1940
Page
German Light Tanks Reach St. Quentin
GREAT BATTLE STILL RAGING
NAZI MURDER
RAID REVEALED
Paris, To-day.
(SPECIAL TO “CHINA MAIL?!)
PARIS, TO-DAY.
THERE APPEAR TO BE TWO MAIN "ZONES OF FIGHTING" AT THE MO- MENT, FROM MONTMEDY TO THE WEST OF LAON AND FROM LAON TO THE NORTH SEA.
In "zone one" the Germans are making great efforts to drive in a westerly direction, but not towards the east. A German attack on Rethel was un- successful.
Between Rethel and Sedan, the French have attack, ed with success, in local actions. It is signifi- cant that the Germans here are organising their defences.
Oise/Sambre canal.
Centre Shifts
(SPECIAL TO “CHINA_MAIL").
West of Laon to the North Sea, operations are very
mobile and a battle is in progress.. According to a communi- Fighting has been very flerce be- que issued by the Dutch Le-tween Landrecies and Guise, on the gation here last night at least 100,000 people were killed not been attacking so fiercely, and one-third of the city de- stroyed when the Germans Light German Units Reach bombed Rotterdam.
Two squadrons of German bombers flew over the city in close formation dropping delayed action bombs that "ploughed a veritable furrow of de- struction." The bombs, weighing 2,000 lbs, were dropped from a height of 4,500 feet.
After passing over the town once, the planes returned and repeated the operation again and again.
Scenes reminiscent of Dante's inferno ensued, with fires and ex- plosions everywhere.
South of Guise the Germans have
Havus.
St. Quentin
Paris, To-day.
The latest news received here shows that the battle between the Sambre and the Meuse continued all day yes- terday.
ed.
The situation is stated to be confus-
Light German units reached St Quentin, but the French are carrying out many counter-attacks,
Rumours that the Germans have taken Peronne are denied by the French military authorities.
Houses and buildings over an area of 15 to 20 square kilometres--one- The War Ministry spokesman adopt- third of Rotterdam-were completely ed the same tone in commentary: "The destroyed, adding to the moderate situation is grave but there is no rea-
son to regard it as catastrophic."
estimate that at least 100,000 people must have perished in this "monstrous work of destruction, horrifying as a nightmare and absolutely without precedent."--Reuter.
WEYGAND TAKES SUPREME COMMAND
Paris, To-day.
General Maxime Weygand, France's 73-year-old mili- tary genius, has been ap-
From Basle, it la learned that the French Army Command In ̈ ̈Alsace has blown up all canal and railway bridges on the line from St. Louis, the French suburb of Basle to Leo- poldshoche, a few miles to the north, finally Interrupting railway com- munication between. France Switzerland vir Başlı-—Router.
Belgian Withdrawal
and
Paris, To-day.
forces
In the organised withdrawal in northern Belgium, the Allied are reported to have destroyed all important military works.
in Zeeland, all military and na- val works were destroyed by the Dutch, including those at the Im- portant port of Flushing, and also petrol and réservoirs and dockyards.
naval
The Dutch contingents have now
fight at the side of the Allies,
Reuter.
www
pointed Commander-in-Chief left Zeeland and are continuing to of the Allied armies in all theatres of war.- -Reuter,^.
General- Weygand arrived in Paris on Saturday by air from the Near East, where he had been in command of the French armies. He is con- sidered one of the greatest strate- gists alive,
Armoured Car Attack
Berlin, To-day.
ar-
An attack by Allied armoured cars south-west of Brussels on Saturday night was repulsed, according to com- General Weygand entered the Great petent quarters quoted by the official War as a lieutenant-colonel, Chief of news agency. It is claimed 20 Staff of the 9th Army, then com-moured cars were destroyed during manded by General Foch. General the operation and it is stated anti- Weygand closely co-operated with the aircraft artillery was used against the future Marshal, throughout the war armoured cars-Reuter. and in 1917, with the rank of Lt.- General, became the French repre- sentative on the Allied Supreme War Council.
In 1918 he became Quartermaster-. General of the unified÷Allfed-Com- mand. In August, 1920, when Rus»
battle line and stopped the Reds three miles from the, sh÷oagital; throwing them back in. | a defont which proved deginiketan Seventy-three year old he hag
slam troops were at Warsaw's very 'been maintained on active duty de- doors," General Weygand was sent spite the fact he has passed the age to Poland where he reorga lsed the limit..
difficult to supply motored units with oll.
Heavy lorries carrying gasoline can- not follow the caterpillar tanks over
the rough terrain. Havas.
French 75's Exact Tremendous Toll
London, To-day.
The news from France indicates that the battle resulting from the Nazi thrust still continues with great intensity and that enemy light motoris- ed detachments reached a point some- Paris, To-day. Military circles categorically deny what to the east of St. Quentin dur- tin, Laon and Soissons German radio assertions that St. Quen-ing Saturday night.
taken.
have been
Meanwhile, while the
general battle continues to rage, Its centre
has somewhat shifted as the Ger-
mans have apparently concentrated their main efforts in a western direction and have-advanced to the Landrecles and Gulse areas. Despite extremely heavy losses the enemy is attacking there with power- ful means, a French General Staff communique declares.
French 75's have been in continuous action against the German heavy tanks and have exacted a tremendous toll from the advancing enemy forces. Informed London. quarters regard serious and the situation as still consider a correct appreciation of the strategic affects of the German ad- vance will not be possible for some days to come. British Wireless.
10,000 CHILDREN
The German onslaught was less LEAVE THE EAST COAST
furious than on previous days, pro
London, To-day. bably due to the effective Allled
Ten thousand children were trans- bombings of German communication terred yesterday from East and South Iines and to the fact that the enemy coast towns to new reception areas, is now fighting in territory where | The children travelled in 16 special the retreating Allled troops have through trains and each carried hand destroyed all highways, rendering it ! luggage and a day's ration.-Reuter.
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