THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 11, 1940.
Italy's first blows against
H.M.S. Warepite at Malta. The Allied naval forces in the Mediterranean have been at action sta- tions for some weeks now in anticipation of Italian entry into the war. -Britain are almost certain to be struck at Malta.
R.A.F. HUNTING DOWN GERMAN TANKS
-London, To-day. ARMOURED VEHICLES AND mechanized columns which had filtered through the Left Wing of the Allied de- fences south of the River Bresle were hunted and re- peatedly attacked by strong forces of R.A.F. bombers during daylight operations yesterday.
In a series of intensive attacks a large many explosions. force of bombers dropped nearly
a Nine hundred incendiary bombs thousand bombs of various types with were also dropped in the Hirson re- in a period of fifteen minutes. Sever-gion where explosions continued
for
al direct hits were scored, on enemy twenty minutes after the attacks were columns, A.A. batteries and other tar-made. gets. Later still, a larger force bombers successfully attacked enemy forces on the roads near Poix.
of Meanwhile, other formations of bomb- ers were over the Ruhr and register- ed-direct hits on important military objectives. Key railway centres and important tracks in the same areas were subjected to heavy assault · by both incendiary and high explosive bombs. British Wireless.
the Infantry motor, transports on
were move were bombed, and hits scored on a group of small tanks in the centre of a village through which the enemy column was passing.
R.A.F. activities against the enemy the were no less widespread during night.
They ranged from the mouth of, the Somme to Flushing in the North, Me- zieres in the south and throughout the industrial areas of the Ruhr.
More than 6,600 incendiary bombs
STOCKHOLM REPORT
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
Stockholm, To-day.
It is reported here that Norwegian
HİTLER'S MESSAGE
TO KING VICTOR
has
Berlin, To-day. Hitler
telegraphed the "Providence has King of Italy: willed that against our Inten- tions we are compelled to defend freedom and the future of people in the struggle against Britain and France.
our
"In this historic moment we are sure we shall win and then the vital rights, of our two na- tions will be secure for all time."
Reuter.
EMBASSIES READY TO LEAVE
(SPECIAL TO “CHINA MAIL") ROME, TO-DAY. ANNOUNCING THAT A FORMAL DECLARATION OF WAR HAD BEEN HANDED TO THE BRITISH AND FRENCH AMBASSADORS, MUSSO- LINI, IN HIS SPEECH AT THE PALAZZO VENEZIA, BEFORE 250,- 000 BLACKSHIRTS, SAID;
"We have taken up arms against those Western Democracies which tried to deprive us of the right to live.
"A young nation of 45,000,000 can- not live free if it does not have free access to the ocean.
"Our everlasting and profound friendship binds us with Germany."
Among the huge crowds listening to the speech were many Germans wear- ing Nazi uniforms.
After Mussolini had spoken the personnel of the British and French. Embassies hastily prepared to leave for Switzerland.
The French Ambassador to the Vati- can, who only on Sunday had present- ed his credentials to His Holiness the Pope, is taking refuge in the Vatican.
Havas.
U.S. AS ALLY OF WEST
STOCKHOLM, TO-DAY.
THE "DAGN NYHET” SAYS THAT ALTHOUGH THE UNITED STATES IS NOT A BELLIGERENT IN THE TECHNICAL SENSE, NEITHER IS SHE NEUTRAL PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT HAS ALREADY TAKEN A STAND AS THE ALLY OF THE WESTERN POWERS.
Since the German invasion of Nor-- way, American intervention has in- tensified.
President Roosevelt stated after the German commencement of the new offensive that European events direct- ly concerned America and America in an increasing degree is supplying war material to the Allies and American neutrality does not exist even on paper-Reuter.
ALLIED ARMY IN NEAR EAST READY
London, To-day.
REUTER'S SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT on the Syrian- Turkish frontier, after touring Syria and Lebanon, wires:
were dropped over the Ardennes and plenipotentiaries have arrived in Ber- "I saw something of the formidable French forces that are fire after fire was seen blazing fur-lin to confer with the Germans. iously. The flames were followed by Havas.
The Sign of Perfect Drycleaning
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not only waiting but individually are almost hoping for action in the Near East.
NIGHT RAIDS OF R.A.F.
LONDON, TO-DAY.
AN AIR MINISTRY COMMUNI- QUE SAYS THAT IN THE LAST 24 HOURS MEDIUM AND HEAVY BOMBERS OF THE R.A.F. ACTIVE- LY
ATTACKED THE ENEMY'S LINES OF COMMUNICATION. IM- MEDIATELY BEHIND THE FIGHT- ING FRONTS.
"They include besides French con- script troops, colourful Spahis, and dashing Circasian cavalry. A section of these Circasians form the personal bodyguard of General Mittlehauser, the French Commander-in-Chief in the Levant.
"The forces are well spread out in different parts of the country. Some are billeted in the tiny villages, others are encamped. In rocky mountain' ranges, all have been busy since the their outbreak of war perfecting training and completing prepara- tions.
"Their morale is excellent. As one
Armoured vehicles, mechanical trans-Parisian told Reuter, 'We are prepar- port columns and troop concentrations ed for anything, except perhaps were also heavily bombed in the Ab- boredom."--Reuter. beville, Amiens, Beauvais and Rouen
areas.
...
Every crossing, of the Bomme, Alsne and Olse was repeatedly at- tacked during the night, and serious damage was, oguned to ammunition dumps and supplies.
Other formanons bombed a large number of military objectives in Rhenish Prussia and the Ruhr.
Four of our aircraft are missing. The squadrons of the RAF France have been further rel
Reuter.
ITALO-RUSSIAN RELATIONS
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
Moscow, To-day.
Signor Rosso,- Italian : Ambassador
In
to the Soviet, hus-arrived in Moscow, while the Soviet Ambassador M. Goreikin, is
Italy.
Rome.
Havas.
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