THE CHINA MAIL, APRIL 3, 1941
ITALY'S APOLOGIA FOR DEFEAT
Eve-Witnesses Give Facts Of Naval Battle Heavy Broadsides Prevent Italians From Hitting Back
(By Reuter's Special Correspondent With The Mediterranean Fleet) EYE-WITNESS STORIES OF THE GREAT #MEDITERRANEAN IN ALEXANDRIA YESTERDAY BY BATTLE WERE GIVÊN REUTER OFFICERS IN THE BATTLESHIPS BARHAM AND VALIANT AND THE
CRUISER GLOUCESTER.
These made clear that the lightning
broadsides from our battleships nipped in the R.A.F.DROPS
bud any hopes the Italians may have had of hitting back.
The Italian cruisers Zara and Fiume re- ceived broadsides from Barham and Valiant within a few seconds of sustaining direct hits from Warspite.
Captain G. C. Cooke, uf Bar- hami, compared the battleships, which used 6-inch as well as 15-inch guns, to "a team of three perfectly trained boxers."
Barham's first broadside scor- ed a direct hit under the bridge of one cruiser, and the second caused a series of explosiona, As this cruiser then began
burning furiously from bow to stern, Barham shifted her fire to the second ship in the line, which was already burning.
She received a broadside near her waterline. The fire aboard hur became so fierce that a fur- ther target was sought but none was found.
No Effective Reply
TEA OVER
HOLLAND
the
"Departing from Italian Apologia
pamphlet policy, the issued by the Ita- R.A.F. recently released An apologia lian authorities, explaining away over occupied Nether- the crushing defeat of the Italian Navy off Cape Malapan, is a naive|lands 75,000 bags of the document which shows how com- finest Dutch East Indies pletely the Italians are deceiving,
THE KING'S LUONGRATULATIONS
TO CAIN C.
King George yes- terday sent the fol- lowing message to Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, Com- mander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet: "My heartiest con- gratulations to all ranks and ratings under your command on your great vic- tory."--Reuter.
TYPICAL HUNNISH TRICK
Seven hundred British officer prisoners of war in have been
or attempting to deceive, them-tea, each containing about Germany
TO REJECT AXIS PROTEST
The United States Se- cretary of State, Mr. Cor- dell Hull, has decided to reject the German and Italian demands for the release of seized Axis ships, it is understood in Washington,
Asked at his daily press con➡ ference yesterday, whether there was any present intention of re- leasing the ships, as demanded by: the Axis protest note, Mr. Hull said he had not heard of it in Government quarters.
to
When the United States replied
the protests, he added, the State Department would probably take up with the Italian and Ger
of the question man Embassies publishing the correspondence. Reuter.
WASHINGTON
selves, writes Reuter's diplomatic an ounce, Reuter learns transferred to camps in DEFENCE
correspondent.
It admits the losses, he adds,
which could not be concealed London.
to
because survivors of the crews are in British hands, but says nothing about the damage the Vittorio Veneto, which may or may not have got home. Indeed, it conveniently over- fast looks the presence of this
other two super-battleship and battleships of the Cavour class and only speaks of light
but much slower craft.
units
from Dutch sources in Poland possessing inferior amenities, on the ground On.a. label attached to cach that conditions in an of- Netherlands ficers' prison camp in bag was printed a flag with the words "The Nether-
Greetings Canada did not conform lands will rise again. [rom the Free Netherlands East to the Prisoners of War
Indies. Chins up!"
-The tea was a present from
N.E., tea plantors
who asked the Netherlands. Colonial Office to pass it on in this way. The Dutch news agency gays:
An cye-witness said the crui-which were out-gunned by heav«Never have the Dutch people so
ser's guns remained pointing fore and at throughout the action. The only fire they put up came from Breda guns with tracer shells from the A.A. armament.
"Important Character"
It somewhat lamely attempts to make capital out of the fact Commissioned Gunner Ed- wards of Barham described the that they did not use their sup-
broadsides 28 "the best night choot I have ever seen."
He told how for many years :the British Navy has constantly
practiced night actions.
Captain Cooke spoke in highest praise of every man in his ship, including the cook, who continued to serve food.
<< Gloucester's Part
Aboard Gloucester I was told how Gloucester, Orion, Ajax and Perth contacted the enemy war ships throughout last Friday while they endeavoured to lure them in the direction of the Bri- tish Fiect.
Officers in Gloucester' and Orion testified to the good shooting of the Itailans. Gloucester is keeping shell splinters as trophies, though these did not scratch her paintwork in When the la lans closed in our cruisers were able to reply. and several of their salvoes Tell near them.
falling aboard her.
་
are
erior speed "for reasons of an important character" which not specified, but is silent regard. ing the British claim that were lamed by British torpedo attacks from the air.
they
The statement also passed over in silence the fact that German aircraft fired upon Bash vessels
gratefully received a gift from the Dutch Indies, especially as it is almost impossible to get an ounce of tea in Dutch shops." Reuter.
SHIP TONNAGE FOR BRITAIN
engaged in rescue work-Reuter.terday
SOVIET'S
President Roosevelt yes- conferred with Rear Admiral Land Chairman of the Maritime Commission, on the ques
GUARANTEE tion of furnishing ship TO TURKEY on other phases of the
THE RECENT TURCO-SOVIET
tonnage for Britain and
$7,000,000,000 British aid
Convention.
Mr. by
Secre-
This was revealed Richard Law, Financial tary to the War Office, in Commons yesterday.
CONFERENCE
IN ORDER TO ACCELERATE PROGRESS WITH THE NA TIONAL DEFENCE AND FOR- EIGN AID PROGRAMMES, PRE- SIDENT ROOSEVELT YESTER DAY REQUESTED HIS SECRE- the TARIES OF STATE FOR WAR, NAVY AND TREASURY, AND Mr. Law said enquiries had MR. HOPKINS, WHO IS IN shown that
re- allegations
CHARGE OF AID FOR THE DE- garding "the Canadian camp MOCRACIES, TO CONFER WITH were completely unfounded and HIM IN THE AFTERNOON. "that the camp had been:favour- ably reported on by the In-
The three Defence Chiefs-Gen- ternational Red Cross.
eral George Marshall (Chief of Strong representations, Mr. Law Staff), Admiral Stark (Chief of added, had been made to the Naval Operations) and Major- German Government, which he General Thomas Holcomb (Com- hoped would result in the return mandant of the Marine Corps)— of the officers to their original were later asked to attend the camp.-Reuter:
conference.Reuter.
IMPERIAL WAR
COUNCIL SUGGESTION
DECLARATION CONTAINED programme.
FORMATION OF AN Imperial War Council, THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE — Later Rear-Admiral Land. told "SHOULD TURKEY IN FACT BE reporters he discussed with the consisting of the Prime Ministers of the United THE OBJECT OF AGGRESSION President two categories of the Kingdom, Northern Ireland, the Dominions and AND BE INVOLVED IN WAR IN programme, namely, a $629,000,-- DEFENCE OF HER TERRITORY, 000 appropriation for ships, and Southern Rhodesia or their representatives, a repre- TURKEY COULD THEN, IN AC- $200,000,000 for an appropriation sentative of India and representatives of the colonies CORDANCE with thE TURCO- for repairing warships. SOVIET NON-AGGRESSION The taking into custody of and protectorates, was suggested by. Lord Elibank in PACT COUNT UPON THE FULL German, Italian and Danish ships the House of Lords yesterday. LUNDERSTANDING AND NEU - in United States waters was TRALITY OF THE SOVIET:GOV-not discussed, he added. Reuter. ERNMENT.”
Battleship Appears. *Shortly afterwards the Italian battleship Vittorio Veneto was in giving this Information in the sighted approaching at full speed Commons yesterday Mr. R.A. with a tremendous bow.wave Butler, Under-Secretary for For- *All her guns were soon trained eign Affairs, said that he regarded
OLD MAN AND A
ong our craiser squadron, Afies this declaration by the Soviet WOMAN ACCUSED
the battleship had been aring for Union In regard to Turkey Fas gome time it was noticed that her eminently satisfaftory. range was lengthening.
To other questions Mr. Butler
KWAN KAN; 74," AND LI AH-.
This was when torpedo homb replied: "We always hope that FUNG 31 A MARRIED WOMAN. vers from the aircraft-barrier such developments, will, draw re- WERE CHARGED BEFORE, MR. formidablewaresmaking their lations with the Soviet Govern-H. G. SHELDON, KC, THIS sydrippling eattacle on her 1 simenticloser."-- Reuter.
With our Battle skiest, combing! up the four cruisers were Lagalii Bent ahead to try and contact the enemy. They suoceaded towards waning, when the Air Arm was carrying out their dusk attack. ¦
After: njähtfall (oury-trulsera hongmued" the funt for theilta
Hon
Lord Cranborne, Secr the Dominions, intimated Gov ernment opposed the EUR as it was not at pres able or possible.
be of the utmost valuo,
FIREWOOD DEALER
CAUGHT
for $1 in
On failing to appear balora Mr.. He added there were doubt. D. J. N. Anderson this morning, kosa.aledumstances and situations, Chu Lun-heung, 43, mistress of at -In which a conference of: Do firewood shop at No. 34, Sai Kung. minion' Prime Ministers might Road, had her ball of 325 estbeat- ed. She was charged with selling A point might be reached in firewood at a price higher than which we might be able to look that axed by the Store Controller:: MORNING WITH UNLAWFUL more into the future than at pre-She sold 86 cattl POSSESSION OF FORGED sent and at such a moment an stead of 10 catles BANKNOTES,
It was alleged that the man had Imperial Conference might be not only important but essentialstat a five-yuara forged note of theIN THE GOVERNMENT'S Bank of Communications, while [ÍPECIAL TO "CHINA HAIE”).
the woman had alx forged notes VIEW THAT MOMENT SHAD Mr. Matsuoka, the Japanese purporting to be of the Bank of NOT YET COME BUT SHOULD
No:119, orign Minister, Yesterday ac- China, at No. 188, Johnston Road. THE SITUATION ALTER SO ASLI Chung.): 47.
TOMAKE IT POSSIBLE TO at kasaldia, gift from Msissolini of a second floor, yesterday, cimotórþökk sætter lunching formal-Defendants were remanded for HAVE SUCH A CONFERENCE, fnet:850)
GOVERNMENTS AW/O ULID dørsón At Kowloon Armed further anciuiries.
for wallating for. Gulve Sergeant V-Morrison: HEARTILY WELCOME
REUTER. arge of the case.
"IL DUCE'S GIFT. TO MATSUOKA
forces. Club in Rare. tional News Service,
PEAK