Page-
THE CHINA-MAIL, JULY 12, 1941.
SYRIA ARMISTICE RIDDLE
Vichy Claim Of
London Doubtful Of Report
THE OFFICIAL VICHY
NEWS AGENCY ANNOUNCED LATE LAST NIGHT IN A STATE- MENT BROADCAST OVER LYONS RADIO: “THE VICHY GOVERNMENT HAS REJECTED THE BRITISH ARMISTICE TERMS.”
Earlier the agency had said that the French Government is believed to take the view that the British propositions cannot serve as the basis for negotiating an armis- tice in Syria.
Reports that the Vichy Government has rejected the terms found no confirmation in London last night. Authoritative circles emphasised that all such reports, from what- ever source, should be treated with the great- est reserve.
The
French Government has news agency, will probably be considered both the British pro-communicated through the Ameri- positionis and its own reply, the can consulate at Beirut. agency added
Authorised circles in Vichy say It appears, the report continues, ! nothing about reports that cer- that the British demands included' tain French warships have taken the complete surrender of arms refuge in Alexandretta hərbeter. and warships, inclusion of the whole of Syrian territory in the sterling bloc and its occupation by British forces.
It stims also that the British terms implied a sort of de facto recognition of the dissident mny ement,
On this last point the French
its viewpoint, government made known in a semi-oficial Note. It cannot negotiate with the dis- sidents,
Consequently well-informed circles believe that the French reply, the terme of which will be published atmost at once, will be negative.
ACCORDING TO THESE RE- PORTS, CONCLUDES THE VICHY NEWS AGENCY. A NUMBER OF SUCH WARSHIPS VARYINGLY STATED TO BE SIX, 11 AND 12, AND PART OF THE CREWS ARE REPORTED | TO HAVE LAID DOWN THEIR ARMS ON BEING DISARMED BY THE TURKS.- Reuter.
THAILAND OFFICERS
IN MALAYA
The gratification of the Thai Government at the British invitation to in-
spect Malaya's defences was expressed by Lt.-Col. Luang Sura Narong yes- terday.
Together with Flight-Lt. Dawee Chulldrupya he arrived in Singa- pure on a military mission.
"Thailand always has been and still is anxious to remain the best of friends with her best friend, Britain," Lt-Col. Narong told Reuter
"It is a long-standing friend. ship and we sincerely hope it will never break."
He admitted Thalland needed inore aircraft, saying "We would like to get some very much,"
In conclusion, Lt.-Col. Narong 'expressed Thailand's hope for an invitation to send a military mis- sion to Burma and India, and ad- nutted the possibility that # re- ciprocal invitation would be ex- tended to Malaya. -Reuter,
THREE
MAIN RED
COMMANDS
EXPLAINING THE APPOINT-
Rejection
TURKS INTERN
PRESIDENT
FRENCH NAVAL
CREWS
Fourteen French warships
have now entered Alexandretta harbour, according to the German-controlled Paris radio last night.
Ankara radio states that all the Vichy warships which have taken refuge in Alex- andretta have been disarmed and their crews interned.--Reu- ter.
00000000
COLONEL DONOVAN'S
NEW JOB
ROOSEVELT EXPLAINS
President Roosevelt
| declared at his press con- ference yesterday he would not be surprised if American steel had gone into 50 British bases and if American workmen the world over were being paid by the British Govern- ment. This, he said, was perfectly legal.
this
The President remarked when questioned regarding the | construction of American bases in
Ireland and Scotland,
When a reporter sald there seemed to be some substantiation from abroad for
Senator Wheeler's contentions, President Roosevelt said that what was being done was being accom- plished either through straight purchases by the British Gov- erament or under the Lease and Lend Act.
THE PRESIDENT WENT ON TO SAY HE WOULD NOT BE IF AMERICANS WORKING FOR THE BRITISH THE WORLD OVER
SURPRISED
President Roosevelt has appointed Colonel W. J. Donovan as Co-ordinator WERE
Information bearing AND THAT AMERICAN STEEL of on the defence gramme.
pro..
WAS BEING USED IN BASES FROM CANADA TO SOUTH AFRICA AND "GOD KNOWS
Colonel Donovan's job is to "col-WHERE."--REUTER. leet and assemble information and data bearing on national security" from various Government agencies and to analyse such material for official Government use.
NIGHT BAG OF 51
Weygand Puzzle
The official announcement stat- MENTS OF MARSHALS VORO-led that Colonel Donovan's work [SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL" SHILOV, TIMOSHENKO
AND is not intended to supercede International News says the BUDENNY AS COMMANDERS- duplicate or involve any direction arrival of General Weygand in IN-CHIEF IN THE NORTH- of or interference with the ser- One of the Royal Air Vichy from North Africa 13 WEST, WEST AND SOUTH-vices of the Federal Bureau of In-
fighter night linked in some way with the | WEST SECTORS, RESPECTIVE- | vestigation or
other existing de- Force's Syrian situation but In pre- LY, THE OFFICIAL SOVIETpartments or agencies,
squadrons has become the cisely what way is unknown. NEWS AGENCY REPORTS:
Colonel Donovan, described as first to have destroyed A Vichy communique Says:
Roosevelt's "In view of the fact there are "President Further discussions between "The British have not yet ans-
now three main directions of the observer," paid
many visits to more than 50 enemy air- Admiral Darlan, Vichy Vice-Pre-wered the French request for a fence Minister, took utziger, De- truce. The British and Imperial Committens, the State Defence European cities last year and this; craft by night.
Vichy Parleys
took place yester- forces have Intensified their at- day afternoon,
tacks on all fronts."-International France's reply, states the Vichy News Service.
unofficial
has ordered headquar- conferring with personalities and ters to organise three main com- subsequently reporting to the Pre- mands as above."-Reuter.
sident.-Reuter.
MODERN HOMES USE GAS BATTLE
GAS COOKERS
A
- give scientific oven-heat control
make every dish a success
cook a whole meal without attention
make meal-times more punctual
reduce the cost of cooking
Write, Call or Phone
HONG KONG & CHINA GAS CO., LTD.
Kowloon Showroom-246, Nathan Rd.,. Central Showroom-Glaucostar Bldg.,
Telophone 57341. Tolophone 24704.
CONTINUING
ON SYRIAN FRONT
THERE WAS STILL no reply last evening from General Dentz to General Wilson's appeal in order that Beirut may be spared the distress inevitable if it becomes the scene of fighting.
Meanwhile the Imperial troops are steadily closing in on Beirut.
The Vichy troops, stated the spokesman at General Wilson's headquarters yesterday, are sta- tioned in some strength. at. Aid Drafl, about one mile north of Abey.
U.S.
The squadron, whose score stands at 51 now, yesterday re- ceived the following message from their group Commander, Air Vice- Marshal Sir Quentin Brand:- "Keep up the good work. look forward with confidence 100 up."-Reuter.
BRITISH 'EMBASSY
DESTRUCTION
I
na
+
A China League of Nations Archibald Clark Kerr and con- Union representative called on Sir veyed sympathies over the com- plete destruction of the "British Embassy and severe damage to his residence during last Monday's Japanese air raid- over Chung- king-Central News.
TAKES OVER AXIS SHIPPING
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT announc-
Homs, the vital road and railed yesterday it has waived its belligerent simultaneous advances by rights concerning Italian and German ships
Junction, is now threatened by
column based near Nebek threa-
tening the city from the South, seized by the United States.
and a column from Palmyra ad- |-vancing from the east.
Rapid Push
In a rapid push forward the column from Nebek reached Sadad, 35 miles south of Home. Reports that Homs had been evacuated by the Vichy forces are stated to be untrue.
On the Damascus-Beirut road, which is being pounded by artil- lory from the commanding Jebel Mazar Ridge, the situation is ob- scure.-Reuter,
The announcement, which was Majesty's Government in the. made by the Embassy in United Kingdom announce that to which Washington, will enable the, U.S. to in view of the uscy operate 28 Italian and two Ger- these vessels are to be put they man vessels which the Maritime entirely approve the steps now Commission are already repair-being taken by the United States ing and reconditioning to bo Government to prepare for sea used in place of U.S. ships which the Italian and German ships in were turned over to Britain, and the United States. to make up for some of Britain's His Majesty's Government gratefully recognise the assistance. The waiving resulted in a which they and their Allies will series of conferences /batweden | recalve from the service these, Mr. Sumner Wetter, Under vessels are to render and they Secretary of State, and Lard accordingly have waived the Halifax, the British Ambosna-exercise of their belligerent rights,
as far as those vessels are con- The announcement said: "His cernod,”—Reuter.
losses.
dor.