HONGKONG DAILY PRESS
Prime Minister Explains Move
Continued from Page 1
light cruisers and numbers of des- troyers, submarines and other ves- sels were at Oran and an adjacent ∙military port.
'Yesterday morning the French Admiral recused to see British officer who then handed over a document stat- Ing that the Fleet either con-. tinue to fight against the Ger- 'mane and Italians or gall with reduced crews to a British port THESE CONDITIONS *IF WERE REFUSED THE DOGU. MENT REQUIRED THEM TO SINK THEIR SHIPS WITHIN SIX HOURS.
OPENED FIRE "The British battle squadron. under Admiral. Somerville
who helped, to save 100,000 Frenchmen from Dunkirk, went to Orap with a number of cruisers and a strong Notilla.
"When the French Admiral refus ed to comply." Admiral Somerville was ordered to complete the opera- tion before darkness.
"He opened fire at $.58 pm on the powerful Fench Fleet Protect- ed by shore batteries the British attack was accompanied by heavy attacks from aircraft. from the Ark Royal. By 1.30 p.m. a battle cruiser i of the Strasboung class was dam- aged and put ashore.
"A battleship of the Bretagne Class was sunk and another heavily damaged. Two French destroyers and one aeroplane carrier was sank or burning.
TORPEDO SCORES HIT "The Strasbourg or Dunkerque succeeded in sailing cut of harbour but was pursued by aircraft and
"THEY SHOULD NOT HESI- TATE TO "REMOVE. IF NE- CESSARY, ANY OFFICER OR OFFICIAL FOUND TO BE CONSTANTLY EXERCISING DISTURBING OR DISTRESS- ING INFLUENCE."
Mr.
THE FRENCH FLEET
NO
CABLE
CAPITAL SHIP IN ENEMY'S HANDS
Though Some
Submarines
Now With Britain
1.
LONDON, July 4 (Reuter)-No capital ship of the Churchill continued that French Navy is in German or Italian hands, stated Vice- "the action we have taken should Admiral Museller, who is General De Gaulle's Commander" be in itselt sumclent to dispose of the free French naval forces. once and for all the lles and. rumours which have been so in dustriously spread in the United States and elsewhere by German propaganda which has been foster- ed here by Fifth Column activi-of
tles.
He added that a number of submarines are in British hands, while the French units in British ports have been disarmed.
Several ships in the course been construction have taken away from docks und towed to places of safety, to- gether with. "the necessary. workmen to complete their building.
SAILORS CHEER
ALL RUMOURS ANSWERED "The lies and rumours have sug- rested that we have had some in- tention of entering into negotia- tions with the German and Italian Governments. All idea of that
Details of how French warships should be completely swept out of in British ports were taken under existence (cheera) by the very British control became available grievous and drastic action we this afternoon. were compelled to take.
**THERE IS NO TALK OF NEGOTIATIONS. THERE IS NO TALK HERE OF PEACE, WE SHALL ON THE CON- TRARY PROSECUTE THE THE UTMOST WAR WITH VIGOUR AND BY ALL MEANS OPEN TO US. UNTIL THE RIGHTEOUS PEACE FOR WHICH WE ENTERED UPON IN ALL RESPECTS IS FULL FILLED" (CHEERS).
PREMIER CHEERED When Mr. Churchill sat down the whole House rose and cheer- ed him for several minutes, waving the Order papers,
There were further cheers when
WINSTON CHURCHILL
BRITAIN'S FINE HEAD MAN
Sidi Barrane Again Bombed
CAIRO, July 4 (Reuter) — A GHQ.war communique states that in the western desert. Sidi Barrane and Mersama Truh were again bombed on July 1. There were no casualties and the damage was tegligible,
In Somailland, frontier posts at Bostontimo, near Suramo, held by Italian regulars, were engaged by detachments of the Camel' Corps,
"side.
い
FRIDAY JULY 5, 1940: —PAGE
WHEN ITALY ENTERED THE
EUROPEAN WAR
MANCHUKUO LOST LAST
2
FOREIGN TRADER
SHSINKING, July 4 (Renter)-When "Italy entered the European War, Manchukuo lost the last of its foreign trade outside the Wen, bloc.
Manchukuo's foreign trade has been limited to Germany, which, market closed in September on the outbreak of the war, and Italy which is now cut off by the British Návy.
י'
Extension of the European war $11.70 per picul for beans com- on June 30. Casualties were 13-
to Denmark and Scandinavia re- įputed in U.8, currency, which was flicted:
sulted in the loss of an annualja much better rate than can be One Semall was killed
on our volume of 4,000 metric tons of Soya obtained in the United States.
--¡beans, worth 500,000 yuan, Thus a Recently until the Duce, declar- "AT METEMMA" ATTACK
war, despite the non-involvement ed war on the Allies, Italian ships LONDON, July 4 (Reuter) of Japan, finds Japan considerably have been the only foreign vessels With reference to an Italian com-affected.
visiting - Dairen, outside of a "few munique it is learned in authori-
Nor- Japan is sorely pressed by her chartered vessels, chiefly tative quarters in London that the China explofts and is hanging wegian and Danish in Japanese facts of the attack at Metemma grimly on to her economic balance employ, due to the shortage of are as follows: 7
bottoms in Japan." with Manchukuo, and adding on A force amounting to s com-to its little weight.
Since Japan had no ships, pany, with some Irregulars, attack-
Italian vessels did a good deal of The development of Manchukuocarrying. There were heavy orders ed an Italian force of about for a cardinal necessity in the at-for, July and "August, which' will." battalion. Our casualties were one tainment of Japan's economic de- have to be scrapped. killed. 10 wounded and no ma-igns has now become increasingly On the other hand, Manchukuo chine-guns lost.
dificult. Previously lacking in 1s awaiting 100,000 metres of The Italian losses which were foreign exchange, Japan had Italian made cloth for official und about three times this number bartered Manchukuo beans for forms, which all good Manchu- included three Italian officers. German and Italian machines. kuans are supposed to wear. Maa
QUIET ON ALL FRONTS
Now both Manchukuo's much All Italian vessels had cleared NAIROBI, July 4 (Reuter) An publicised trade treaties with the port at the time Italy entered the official announcement states: Axis Powers are nullifled...
European conflict, so there were "A quiet day for ground forces
From September until her entry none to go alongside the six on all fronts.
Into the war, Italy has been Man- stranded German liners. Yesterday our aircraft again chukuo's only foreign customer Caught at the outbreak of the attacked Italian defences at As with the Manchukuo-Reich war was the Japanese-Manchukuq » Moyale, directly hitting gun post- Agreement, the Italo-Manchukua Trade Mission visiting Italy, m Many officers were obviously moved by the seizure" of thetr HEARTS OF THE BRITISH PEO- tions, bombing and machine-gun- Fact was based on a barter system. [return for the Italian: goodwill ships and the circumstances which LE AND OF THEIR INCREASING ning machine-gun posts and also Soya beans, perilla oil, peanuts visit. The Mission was scheduled DETERMINATION TO ENSURE machine-gunning reinforcements and manganese being Manchukuo's to sail from Genoa, just two days VICTORY.
sheltering in a ravine.
|chlef assests, which she traded for after war was declared, but it le There was not the slightest sign. "An explosion suggests that an machinery. vehicles and leather. now returning by the Siberian.
She was able to get a price of route. among the people, he continued. "It is now clear that a concur- The continent, to the people of rent air attack did much to break England, means a part of Europe down an enemy advance in their to which an expeditionary force is first attack on Monday after their artillery had fired 350 shells into a wve no control.
British post."
"The defeat of France was, in- deed, a great blow to the Allies, but It is learned that in the early one of the greatest things I have hours of yesterday. British naval noticed in England today is the boarding parties visited all French amazing spirit of the people to win ships in a southern England port this war." said a foreign journalist as well as other establishments now in London when he broadcast where their men were quartered, from Daventry last night in the and the Frenchmen were rounded Overseas Service of the B.B.C. up.
from Cheering was, heard some vessels.
necessitated such a step.
"THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT THE CONFIDENCE IN THE
་
Admiral's Last of dejection anywhere in England ammunition dump was destroyed.
刊
Secret Order
he rose to move that the House A description of the Anglo-sent and over which the British one torpedo hit her but she was should go into secret session. The French naval action in Oran, given joined by other French vessels, all House ther went into secret
of which reached Toulon before | session. they could be overtaken
"The Dunkerque will be out of The action for many months.
DISTINGUISHED GATHERING
M. Malsky. the Soviet Ambassa- French ships fought with the char-dor to London, was present in the acteristic courage of the French House of Commons to hear the Thivy."
Mr. Churchill said.. he feared there had been very heavy loss of Life among the French and in the harbour, as we were compelled to use the severest measures, immense ..explosions were observed
by Mr. Knickerbocker, the well- known American Journalist, was published in the Hearst papers in
the United States.
""But to speak of an attack on this Island" went on the speaker. an entirely different matter. The strength of the fighting forces Britain learned that important units of French warships intend- has more than doubled not only in ed to sall from French African numbers, but in the spirit to resist. because it is their own homes that Prime Minister make his state-ports under pressure from the
German Government. The British they are now defending." ment
GERMAN SHYNESS Also present were the Belgium. Naval authorities, exhausted with
The speaker went on to make a Argentine and Chinese Ambassa- persuasion, gave the Commander
of the French units in Oran an reference to the heavy bombing dors and other diplomats.
had so far been Admiral of the Fleet, the Earl ultimatum to agree the British attacks which
made on Britain. Throughout all of Cork and Orrey, in uniform, terms by 3 pm..
As it is a matter of the gravest these, he said, the British had was in the Peers' Gallery as was ITALIANS KEEP OUT
French also Lord Croft with a large num-importance that
ships given a very good account of them- "None of the British ships was ber of other peers.
should not go under the German selvés. The Germans had 021 affected in gunpower or mobility Many soldlers helped to fill the command, the British forces had several occasions showed them- by the heavy fire. The Italian public gallery, and as he entered to take this action. Fleet kept prudently out of the the Chamber the Prime Minister way. We shall take the necessary was greeted with prolonged cheers. steps to maintain command of the Mediterranean
A OF
*"IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE FOREGOING EVENTS LARGE PROPORTION THE FRENCH FLEET HAVE PASSED INTO OUR HANDS OR PUT OUT OF ACTION, OR ARE WYTHHELD FROM GERMANY.
"Some other French ships are at large and it is our Indexble re- solve to do everything possible to prevent them from falling into German hands (Loud cheers);
I leave judgment of our at- tion with confidence to Parla- ment (tremendous cheers), to the nation, to the United States. I leave it to the world. THE FUTURE
IRELAND IN DANGER"..
Britain Takes Steps
ENSURING FRENCH FLEET WILL NOT
BE USED.
: NOT FREE AGENT
Mr. Knickerbocker added that the German Government used every means to induce the French Naval Commanders :. to bring their ships back to French ports. They were threatened that female mem- bers of the officers' family would be interned in concen- tration camps If they did not abide by the German orders. Admiral Dalan, just after he had Joined the Bordeaux Government, sent secret messages to his com-
selves not too keen to meet their British opponents on the land and In the air and certainly not on the
sea.
"I AM NOT GIVING AWAY: ANY SECRETS," HE CON- TINUED, "WHEN I SAY THAT "AEROPLANES ARE POURING OUT OF THE BRITISH FAC- TORIES. There are a large number of crews to fly them and the combined efforts of the British Empire were materialising quickly to help
the resistance which the Bri- Hish were organising.
UNBOUNDED TRUST "Why is every Englishman 30 confident that an invasion of the island is bound to fail?
IT IS BECAUSE EVERY- BODY KNOWS THAT THE SPIRIT OF RESISTANCE CAN- NOT BE BROKEN NOW, BE- CAUSE OF THE CONFIDENCE OF THE BRITISH GOVERN.... MENT THAT VICTORY CAN BE WON AND BECAUSE OF THE ADMIRATION THE PEO- FLE OF BRITAIN HAVE FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF MR. CHURCHILL, Under bis leader- ship many great things have already been accomplished."
The Germans had already suffer- led several hard knocks, but they were still able to strike with force. But so was Britain and increasing ly 60, The German people of to- day did not have the necessary stamins to bring defeat to such increasing strength and such, won- {derful spirit.
LONDON: July 4 (Reuter)With manders saying. "This is my last BROADCASTING MESSAGE TO the obfect of ensuring that the order, as any further orders, even
French Fleet would not be used though signed by me should be AMERICA WICKHAM STEED SAYS against Great Britain, steps were disregarded by you, for I am no
more a free agent.
taken early yesterday morning to
"-" MY INSTRUCTIONS. ARE THAT place all French 'men-of-war in British ports under British control, YOU WILL NOT SURRENDER says the Ministry of Information. YOUR SHIPS TO THE NEW
The operation is said to have FRENCH GOVERNMENT.”
TAKE EVERY STEP
Just Making Certain
BRITAIN, THE CITADEL OF
PENINSULA HOTEL AS RECEPTION CENTRE
1)
|65 refugees for the three ships
concerned, while altogether nine". nationalities were represented in the number of evacuees who paid for their own passage.
(Continued From Page
food On prepared milk board, the evacuation au- thorities have decided to allow each such woman to. take an extra package not more than 3 feet square. containing such food.
It is emphasised that the extra
parcels must be brought to the receiving stations in the morning and these will be dealt with in the same way as suit- cases, and delivered to the. evacuees on board.
At the registration cen- tres on both sides of the harbour great activity was witnessed yesterday as lug- gage of the evacuees leaving today poured in.
From early morning a steady stream of vans and transports arrived and as quickly as they discharged their loads these were marked and labelled. For the storage of cabin trunka and suitcases the ground floor lounge of the Hong- kong Hotel was converted into a reception area, as was also the space on the Gloucester Arcade between
WORLD FREEDOM, READY TO the reception desk and
CRUSH NAZI TERRORISM
The American Republio is supporting our fight for the free- dom of the British Commonwealth of Nations which the de- claration of Independence of July 4, 1776, helped us to create,”" said Mr. H. Wickham Steed, in the course of a broadcast ad- dress to the United States of America on July 3, the eve of American Independence Day.
Mr. Wickham Steed stated that he was in Paris last year when American Independence Day was celebrated. On that oc- casion he saw how strong the English sympathies were with the American cause.
It was his good fortune now to send a message of goodwill and brotherliness to the English-speaking democracy of the west. Democracy today meant more than it did in the easter days of peace The declaration of the British
recently was that the man of England had set for ever.
Hongkong Electric Com- pany's showrooms.
Tabulated according to nation- alities, the 105 passengers, consisted 38 British, 30 Dutch, 10.Portugese 10. U.S.A.. seven British Indian, five Filipinos,, three Belgians, one Danish, and one Spanish....
BORDER REMAINS VERY QUIET Inquiries at Military Headquar- ters yesterday revealed that the situation along the border was un- changed. Conditions are normal at all points, team
It is also reported that there is no unusual Japanese, activity - on the other alde of the border.
SENATE TO MEET
LONDON, July 4 (Reuter) Havas, in Clermont-Ferrand," said that "authorised sources" state that the Chamber of Senate will be convoked at the beginning of next week.
This meeting of Parliament will be followed by a sitting of the National Assembly, "On arrival in Vichy, deputies and senators will hold a semi-official meeting as they did at Bordeaux,
Government services still in Clermont Ferrand
On the mainland the scenes |
are slowly were duplicated and at the Penin- leaving for Vichy and they wn sula Hotel the spacious lounge has split up the districts been cleared of tabies for the Vichy storage of the baggage.
Today's embarkation is expected
to be handled without a hitch and evacuees are reminded to be in at tendance at their proper places with, their passports and vaccine- tion certificates.
SHORT, SHARP SKIRMISH
LONDON, July 4 (Reuter)De tails of a small but successful en- At the reception stations their agement between the British and suitcases will be taken and labelled Italian forces on the Kenya and snd corresponding labels will be Abyssinia frontier which has just handed to them which they must reached London show that an Ita attach to their arms. Following an attack in a British, post wa medical examination they will, in repolsed and four Italian guns. groups of 25, be transported by were destroyed, bus to the wharves.
"I turn now to the immediate future. We must of course expect been "carried out successfully with to be attacked, even invaded: We a few casualties "which occurred are making every preparation in owing to a misunderstanding.” our power to repel the assanlts At the same time, the announce- of the enemy whether directed ment says, vessels in ports in North. upon Britain 'or Ireland.
Africa were offered certain condi- tions designed solely for the pur- "All Irishmen, without distinction pose of keeping them out of Ger- LONDON, July 4 (Reuter) The of creed or Party, should realise man hands.
Ministry of Information, in a that Ireland is in imminent dan-
communique, stated that it will ger. These are again matters on It was erplained to the French be recalled that the French Gov- which we have clear views and I Officer in command that Ifname ernment, replying to promises by call on all subjects of his Majesty of the conditions were accepted. Germany and Italy not to use her and upon the Altes and well "Britain was prepared to take every Fleet against France's former ally, wishers on both sides of the Athin-step in order to ensure that none undertook, by terms of the armis tic to give us the utmost aid. of the vessels would be used tice, to allow their Fleet to pas
"In comity with the Dominions against her for the future prosecu-into the hands of the enemy
Majesty's Government, we are moving through a period of tion of the war, extreme danger and splendid The announcement, adds: “Ella having lost all faith in the pro-resolve never to surrender was not hope when every virtue of Majesty's Government deeply re-mises made by the Governments cry of despair. It meant that THAT WAS ENTIRELY CON- our race will be tested".
gret that the French Admiral Com-lot Germany and Italy, felt that there was no shadow of despair in TRARY TO THE FACTS, AS Mr. Churchill then read a mes-manding at Oran refused to accept they were compelled, not only in their hearts-nothing but certain- HERE HITLER AND SIGNOR MUSSOLINI WOULD FIND... sage he had sent to those in post any of the conditions proposed, their own interests, but also inty of the triumph of the princi-
with the inevitable result that sc- the hope of restoring the inde-ples which they all held so dearly It had always been difficult saying of authority.
tion had to be taken against pendence of France and the inte- and which the forefathers of the for her enemies to find out "On what may be the eye of
French vessels in that locality.grity of the French Expire, to American people had proclaimed the British measure. That was an attempted invasion or bat-
The preceding statement was take steps before it was too late in July 1776, ye
the position today, to which tle for our native land, the
made in Parliament last night by to ensure that the French Fleet
must be added the wonderful Prime Minister desires to
LESSON FOR BETTAIN the Prime Minister.
would not be used against them
devotion and loyalty of the press upon all holding respon
Oran is the French naval station by a common enemy,
The American war of Indepen
people to the supreme cause sible positions their duty to
ini Algeria,
"With this object in view steps dence had taught the dull-witted
CITADEL OF FREEDOM maintain the spirit of alert
were taken early on the morning rulers of Britain in the early days confidence and energy,”
The German of July 3, to place all French men a lesson that had borne fruit later. Today, Britain was the citadel
children evacuees and passengera lasted recently LONDON, July 4 (Reuter) of-war in British ports under Bri- in the creation of the British Em- of the world's freedom. Brital can be landed in Britain, either M. Ivan Maisky, the Soviet Am-tish control
pire and in the resolve of other defences had been organised in fert on three Datch there, since Germana This operation was successfully nations to help Britain resist the depth and width and their citadel July/2all bound for southern 10 and Tune from the air or across the sea, bassador in London, was received
would be organised to than can be destroyed or captur- by the Prime Minister yesterday carried out, with only two casual threats of Herr Hitler,
lerism. That was the spirit the
statistics reveal that ed by the strong forces at present evening and remalbed with Mr. ties which occurred owing to mis
British Commonwealth of Nations, the number consisted of 19, 21 and are under arms
Winston Churchill for some time, understanding.
tions of
k........
There are no grounds for sup posing that more German troops
One of the Illusions of the events which had taken place.
The British troops were assiste The same procedure applies to by the RAF and the South Afri Island evacuees who will addition- |can Air Force. ally be transported to the Star. Ferry and must make the crossing together and afterwards to the ships. Husbands, relatives and friends may take the same ferries but may not Join the conducted parties.
DEPARTURES ON DUTCH BOATS
A total of 105 men, women an
GERMAN WAR LOSSES
LONDON, July 4 Heater
estimated in authori quarters in London today that German casualties between May 10 and the end of the war in France totalled 400,000.
ément 10,000