Library, Supreme
SCHEMES See
BLASTED INVASION
RICKSHAW
BRAND CEYLON TEA
LATE Page 2 NIGHT
CHINA MAIL
FIRST NEWSPAPER IN THE FAR EAST. ESTABLISHED 1845.
No. 91,979
THURSDAY; OCTOBER 24, 1940'
Price: 10 Cts.
NIGHT FINAL
INSIST ON
Daisy
Brand
Australia's Choicest
BUTTER.
HITLER TALKS ON INTO NIGHT
Effort To Swing Franco Over Into Axis Camp
FATEFUL
DECISION TO-DAY?
-EVACUATION
COSTS TO BE CUT BY U.S.
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
France is nearing a fateful decision to-day in connection with Hitler's comprehensive proposals
for the future of West Europe and the Mediter-
ranean.
As the vanquished nation's leaders debate far into the night, the possibility arises that Marshal Petain himself may soon have an Interview with Hitler.
After a day-long session.yes. terday, during which he pre- sented the German proposals, M. Laval left once 'more for
·Paris, only to return again be- cause of dense fogs.
He plans to leave to-morrow. --International News Service.
-Long Meeting
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") The Vichy Council of Ministers has held a long meeting. Havas. *
In response to the very strong protests from Shanghai, the U.S. Department of State has announced that regular First Class and Second Class rates will be charged evacuees from the Far East.
Even lower rates will be charged 'for "emergency cot ac- commodations.”
The
Government guaranteed to absorb any operating loss sustained by the ship- ping companies. INS.
Strong Arm Policy
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL”)
THE UNITED STATES HAS SERVED NO- TICE THAT SHE WILL DEFEND THE PHILIP- PINES AS STRONGLY AS ANY STATE IN THE UNION.
Two simultaneous moves develop the clear-cut re-affirmation of America's new "big stick" Far East policy.
Air
First, Colonel Knox, U.S. Se has ordered two powerful cretary of the Navy, told his press Corps units, comprising 320 men, conference that the Fleet is ready to be transferred to the Philip- to meet any aggressive threat to pines within 30 days. the Philippines. Second, the
Colonel Knox evinces the ut- War Department most confidence in the present condition of the United States Navy.
JAPANESE LEAVING
BOMBAY
A total of 65 Japanese passen- gers .ure, expected to leave Bom- bay soon in a Japanese ship, ac- cording to the Delhi wireless.
Another Japanese ship is sailing from Bombay later with more Japanese, including, it is expected, almost all Japanese women and children In Bombay, Reuter. i.
says.
Four-Country Meeting Mooted
(SPECIAL TO “CHINA MAIL")
THE HITLER/FRANCO MEETING LAST NIGHT ON THE FRANCO/SPANISH FRONTIER IS IN SWIFT, FURTHERANCE- OF THE DRIVE TO BRING ́ SPAIN AND FRANCE INTO THE AXIS PRO- GRAMME FOR THE DOMINATION OF THE WEST MEDITERRANEAN AND NORTH-WEST AFRICA.
The totalitarian heads of the German and
Spanish states held two talks in a railway car AMERICANS
near San Sebastian in the afternoon.
BERLIN.
An official announcement says that the WARNED IN meeting, held in the presence of Ribbentrop and Suner, started at noon, and that the "talks were conducted in the spirit of hearty and comradely association between the two nations.”
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA (MAIL")
Reports reaching Rome from Berlin state that a significant episode occur-
They mutually withdrew to the with Marshal Petain and immedi-red in the newspaper-
French and Spanish sides of the ately went back to Paris. frontier for dinner, after which Meanwhile, Vichy was natural- men's quarters there. came the night session...
ly buzzing with comments about American correspondents were The momentous · personal the Laval/Hitler talics. which warned by the competent authori meeting of the dictators prom- have assumed a sensational charac ties that they must not consider ises to produce a dramatic turn ter, although rumours about them themselves to the war which some circles have been current for some days. think-may involve à "squeeze -play" to seize Gibraltar and thus bar Britain's western access to the Mediterranean.
It may be noted in this con-
as observers at the service of the Axis enemies. Authorised circles are most The warning was issued fol- reserved, but admit that the lowing numerous hypotheses, conference has exceptional im speculations and forecasts in con- portance for "France's future.”. nection with the Hitler/Laval .con- There is no confirmation of versations, practically tantamount nection that the Zurich, Switzer- various published reports, and to "political espionage," as Berlin
Havas, land, newspaper "Volksrecht" re-newspapermen have been warned official quarters put it. ports that one of the German-pro- to beware of "too much guéssing." posals made to M. Laval calls for the cession of the northern part of French Morocco to Spain-pre- sumably for the "push" to cap- ture Gibraltar.
Serious Split
The whole Nazi programme has evoked a serious split in the Vichy Government, Marshal Pe-
tain and the majority opposing the plan, and Laval, Baudouin and
Admiral Darlan being in favour of
it.
General Weygand, Minister of War, who is now in Morocco, is reported to be among the opposi- tion.
Round-Table Conference?
Events involving the immediate future role of both France and
"We can defend anything," he Spain, appear to be taking shape
rapidly, with Hitler personally di-.j recting the Axis push in south- West Europe in the wake of Ger- man advances through Rumania in the south-east.
He also indicates once moro that the United States is on the verge of acquiring additional Pacific bases, probably British
bases.
No Orders "Now”
Himmler, the Gestapo chief, who arrived in Spain on Sunday, evidently arranged the Hitler/- Franco meeting, Thai--
Asked whether any American
Some reports hint that a round- warships have been sent to Sing-table conference composed of apore, he replied that no such or Germany, Italy, France and Spain ders have been issued now.
to reach sweeping settlements of outstanding questions may result from the current consultations.- International News Service.
THE UNITED STATES HAS He emphasised strongly the FORMALLY PROTESTED TO word "now.” ITALY AGAINST THE BOMB-He added that the same situa- ING OF AMERICAN OIL PRO~tion and time limit applies to re- PERTIES IN SAUDI ARABIA. ported plans for a goodwill voy
The Assistant Secretary of Staté. age to the Antipodes, of the delivered the protest yesterday strengthening of the Asiatic Fleet, to the Italian Ambassador.
and to reports that the Fleet Is The protest did not apply to the already on the way to the Philip bombing of American properties pines.—International News Ser= on the island of Balirein.-Heuler."vice.
Vichy Buzzing With Rumours
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL"). |· After his parleys with Hitler, M. Laval returned to Vichy, conferred
The only definita Indication is | WEATHER FORECAST: S. W. that Franco-German.cooperation
is the leitmotiv behind the par- leys, although, no. detalls ars
(Continued on Page 18)
winds, moderato, probably. veoring to N. and N.E. and freshening; cloudy generally, rain later.
FRIGIDAIRE
THE GREATEST NAME IN REFRIGERATION
Bolo Agents:-DODWELL & GOL LTD" Alexandra Bldg., Tel.”28021-