THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 12, 1941.
BRITAIN PREPARED FOR
AIR ATTACKS
HEAVIER
Beaverbrook Says Defences Have Been Improved
HAIFA A.A. DEFENCES IN FORM
A single hostile 'plane which caused on air-raid alert in Haifa on Tuesday night was promptly shot down by ground defences in a few minutes.
the
It was the third enemy 'plane to meet this fate since Mon- day night's blitz. Reuter.
Cripps Gets To London
Invasion
Come
May
At Any Time
“WE HAVE EVERY reason to expect in- creased bomber attacks, but we are prepared for them with increased improved defence."
So stated the former Minister for Aircraft Production, Lord Beaverbrook, speaking yes- terday for the first time in the House of Lords as Minister of State.
He congratulated his successor on the "magnificent" production of aeroplanes and on the record production of engines in May.
Replying to Lord Strabolgi in a Lord debate on civil defence, Beaverbrook rejected the plea to consolidate various defence ser- vices under a single Minister as "there were altogether too many functions discharged by the vari-
permit Ministries to
any amalgamation with advantage to the country."
ous
Invasion At Any Time
in
Replying to Lord Astor's sug- gestions about providing for the civil population after air raids, Lord Beaverbrook Bald that production was far more im- portant than the affect of air raid on the civil population. Production
must continue all circumstances as far as pos- sible.
Military billeting must be the first
civilian consideration over billeting when the military were concerned with defence against invasion which "might come Moscow, who upon us at any time.” has returned to England for con- Soviet Russia, Sir Stafford sultation was met on his arrival A. Butler, Under- Cripps, who recently de- by Mr. R.
Secretary for Foreign Affairs, parted from Moscow by and by Mr. Avor Mallet, repre- air via Sweden, was offi-senting the Foreign Secretary."
| It was earlier announced cially announced in Lon-
Sir Stafford Cripps don last night.
Arrival in England of】
the British Ambassador to Ambassador to
that
was com- ing to London at Mr. Anthony The Foreign Office published Eden's request and after the following statement: "Sir days in London will be Stafford Cripps, His Majesty's ing to Moscow-Reuter.
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KING'S
BIRTHDAY PARADE
Reuter.
The King's Birthday in Hong Kong was observed to-day with the usual Birthday Parade in which about 3,800 troops, includ- ing detachments from the Royal Navy, Army and Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps, took part under the command of His Excellency the Gen- eral Officer-Commanding,
Major-General A. E.
Grasett.
As was the case last year, the parade this time was again held in Hennessy Road where a special Saluting Base had been erected on the the Hennessy Road side of Southorn Playground and it was here that His Excellency the Gov- ernor, Sir Geoffry Northcote, took the salute at the March Past.
Accompanied by a motor ma- chine-gun escort, provided by the H.K.V.D.C., His Excellency arriv- at 8,15 ed at the Saluting Base a.m, and was received by a Guard of Honour provided by the Royal Scots. H.E. Inspected the Guard after which the Royal Salute was given, and this was followed by for the customary three cheers His Majesty the King, led by H.E.
the Governor.
This concluded, H.E. took up his stand at the Saluting Base for the March Past. Immediately before this, however, a flight of 'planes from the R.A.F. flew past along the route,
Later in the day a reception for at the Consular Body was held Government House.
The prefix tapediat” to furegrams to used by the “Bunday Herald", and "China Mall" to Indicate news which is strictly copyright under the previ alona of the Telecommunications Or- dininde, 1936, and may not be reprint. ed under any circumstances, either wholly or in part, without prior, ar
cangement.
1
STOP PRESS
MAJOR BATTLE RAGING IN
Damascus..
:
DAMASCUS REGION
(Continued from Page 1) tack east of Kiswe, south-east of It continues: "According to in- formation received during the day, the enemy launched an at- tack east of Kiswe which was held by our forces. In the Merj Aybum region our advance units have organised themselves in new positions.
"Along the comet our troops, continue to roslat the British; push which is supported by the Britlah' Fleet. There is noth- -ing" to report in the other sec-
tord
"Our
fighter and b bomber formations have been extremely active bombing and machine- gunning many objectives, and dispersing many concentrations."
· Reuter,
Reports on the recent dug- out suffocation case were heard and measures to im- prove the equipment and ad- ministration of the anti-air raid shelters in Chungking discussed at yesterday's meeting of the Executive Yuan held under the chair- manship of Dr. H. H. Kung, Vice-President of the Yuan.
Following the reports, the meeting devoted itself to a detailed discussion of the measures for the improve- ment of the equipment and administration of the air raid. shelters, the organisation and direction of the air defence personnel, and the co-ordina- tion of their work. News.
Central
Maddened with pain, a rat which was drenched in kero- sene and set alight, escaped and attacked its captors who,
two it is alleged, included children, and set furniture on fire at No. 134 Temple Street, Yaumati, shortly after 9 a.m. to-day.
The Fire Brigade and Emergency Police Unit were summoned to the scene, but their services were not need- ed since the blaze was put out by other inmates of the flat
Four, including the two children, have been admitted to the Kowloon Hospital suf- fering from burns and scrat- ches received when the burn- and ing rat leapt at them clambered over their bodies.
It is alleged the rat was trapped by one of the inmates who drenched it in kerosene and then set it alight.
1
and Published
the GORDON CADE
The Newspaper. Windsor HOUM