HONGKONG DAILY PRESS
GENERAL WAVELL'S SMASH WAY INTO
SIDI BARRANI
Decisive Success For
Arms: Egypt
British Arms:
Joyous Over Capture
FORCES
GEN. SMUTS ON
VICTORY
General Smuts, Premier of South Africa has also been speaking on the coming Bri- tish victory, states a London message.
He told an audience that he
is much more hopeful than a WIES age that Britain Immeasurably stronger and
year
no longer on the defensive.
Lond applause greeted his remark, "I serve
suffered 40
the country
THE CAPTURE BRITISH ARMS
OF
HAVE
treated
under which I
but JELES Ago,
As
which has Christian
LONDON, Dee, 12 (Reater)-NEWS OF SIDI BARRANI SUGGESTS THAT THE
SCORED. A
DECISIVE SUCCESS WHICH, if" followed up" reso- lutely and, hard, many have tremendous repercussions on the morale of the Italians and on the internal political situation in Italy.
deter-
From bare details at present available this would seem to be the moment to push ahead with the ntzaest vigour and
a view to mluation, - says Reiter's military commentator, with pressing the advantage already gained and obtaining far-reach- ing benefits.
The problem of Libya is not a single problem. It cannot be The two must be consider- divorced from the situation in Greece.
front in
ed together. At all points, the Italians must be given no respité and the utmost pressure must be maintained on every order to obtain decisive results.
of The success
the British around Sidi Barrari was the out- come of well-planned strategy.
Egypt. This smashing Italian defeat removes any possible doubt concerning the safety of Egypt."
LESSON FOR FASCISTS
people."
Geil Smuts' chief 'opponent General Hertror has now ad~ vhed his followers to vote for the Smuts Government can- didate" in the coming by election.
SYRIA RESTIVE UNDER VICHY GOVT.
41
News of the British ruccess in Many Gen. De Gaulle the Western Desert operations has Supporters Arrested
CABLE
Dr. F. L. Fung and his bride, formerly Miss The Sang-woo, pho- iographed after their marriage at the Registry yesterday.— (King's Studio).
British armoured forces first attacked the enemy's right flank and then forced their way to the rear while a fierce British frontal been received with great en- attack was launched against thusiasm in the Middle East and enemy positions at Maktila 15 particularly in Egypt and Greece. miles cast of Bidi Barrani. This The Athens newspaper Hestia frontal attack Was completely yesterday commented that from frontier, the steady extension of WESTERN DESERT OP ERATIONS successful
the bottom of their hearts the the Free French Movement and Greek people
the
۱۰
LONDON, Dec. 12 (Reuter) "— troops While Italian Bersaglieri are policing the Palestine-Syrian
the increased feeling against the
evident CAREFULLY PLANNED
Vichy Government throughout Byria
are
be
:
AND
General de Gaulle's appeal for SKILFULLY CARRIED OUT: finding widespread sympathy de- R.A.F. & NAVAL SUPPORT
co-operation is reported to
desire On anding themselves cut off
that from the rear the Italians became valiant soldiers of the British Em- disorganised when attacked from pire should give a lesson to the ull sides.
Fascist troops. ENGLAND CHEERED
The Greeks are rure of a Bri- The capture of Bidi Barrand was tish victory, the paper mys. FORESIGHT OF ARMY announced at public places of en-
The British bound across
spite severe censorship, but it is: the tertainment throughout Cairo and
"The Impartial critic must agree that the results so to mar- was greeted with tremendous en-roadless track of the scrub-cover-understood that lack of strong
leadership within Syria already Justined
far obtained justify the opinion that the operations in the shal this anti-Vichy feeling is thusiasm, the Egyptians raising ed desert has
the foresight of British army au-
Western Desert must have been very carefully planned in cheers for England.
thorities who for nearly a decade seriously felt
The arrest of Free French sym-detall by the G.O.C. and his staff and carried out with skill worked The
on the adaptation of
pathisers continues and suppor- and daring by the troops concerned," said COL. HAROLD motor transport for desert War-
ters of the movement are being STEVENS, D.S.O., former Military Attache in Rome, when fare.
he spoke in London yesterday on the background to the The story starts in 1931 when replaced by Vichy supporters, S'PORE REPRESENTATIVE of a medley of different types
SINGAPORE, Dec. 12 (Reuter)-success which the British forces have scored in North vehicles were tried out for over 5.000 miles over all kinds of ter-Evidence of the growing strengthAfrica:
of the Free French Movement in rata in North Africa. The ex perience gained then and since the Far East is furnished by the has proved of immense value to the appointment by General De Gauße
of a representative here.
The press features the news on their front pages. newspaper El Abram uses for a headline a verse from the Koran; "Our possession is re- turned to us,” ka
Truly magnificent," was how a high Egyptian Government official described the recapture of Bidi Barrani to Reuter.
He said that the news would
cause B
serization
throughout Army in Egypt.
Compared with the campaign
He is M. Guy de Schompre, for
a
man
He
Col. Stevens said that, operations across the desert. were made of, they could permit of a rapid advance on the Suez Canal and that this could knowing the stuff their troops must have thought that it would well realise that their spirit be attained with some success.
COL Stevens referred to Marshal In Albania, distances in Egypt are mer consular official in Tientsin, must have been excellent,
notwithstanding the ups and Graziani's capability as a soldier account enormous. Taking into
of determination downs of a soldier's life, and
· SHANGHAI RICE both Libya
Marshal Graziani. and Itallar. East Africa, the front extends 3.500
PRICES FALLING These troops had been wait- and iron wil, miles, or longer than the Cana- dian-American frontier. Present
The rice price is still falling inng and working for months he said would not have allowed operations from the viewpoint. of Shanghai although some dealers and must have been only too Continued from Page 1 the mechanised army
most are stating they have no stock eager to show their mettle in The reputation of play its part. Both heavy and timely as the sand is much harder for the purpose of extracting cum- action.
time of shaw and illegally increasing the their Commander-in-Chief in light naval units are continually now than of any other
Egypt was a guarantee of price, says Reuter.
their spirit.
Continued Pressure
"
harassing the Italian communica
tions by sea.
A tribute to Gen. Wavell has come from an unexpected source, says the London message, A day or two ago, a German paper stated
that no surprise attacks were possible in this area by either. side owing to territorial difficul- ties.
The fact the British forces have achieved the Impossible is A 1 tribute to the speed of the attack And the brillance of the Staff work,
the year.
are
AUSTRALIAN INTERESTS DEPEND ON PACIFIC
Latham Interviewed In Shanghai
SHANGHAI, Dec. 12 (Reuter) --.
SIR JOHN LATHAM,
the first Australian Minister to Japan, "held à Press con- FRESS WARNING ... ference here on his way to take up his post, and em- The Press at home however, phasised that Australia is purely European but her interests warns against jumping to con-depend on the Pacific and cannot be indifferent to the clusions about the extent of the changes there.
He considered that the in-
British ofensives. The view of the EXPRESS is that Signor Mus- solini's complex structure of pro-terchange of Ministers with paganda and les has falled at the Japan is calculated to im- first test.
Italy has now become a pro- plem to Hitler: and has con- siderably weakened the mill- tary prestige of the Axis.
A Greek communique says that nowhere are the Italians given any chance to organise lines of resistence.
prove relations between the two countries. He under- stood that Japan is to make: a reciprocal appointment in the near future.
known.
#
Must Abolish Snobbery
Eton-on whose. playing" nelds the Duke of Wellington said the
Battle of Waterloo was won has observed its 300th anniversary, and
In the meantime, the Italians are continuing their retreat in Questioned whether an Austra- the editor of The Eton Chronicle Albania and the Greeks are stiilian Minister would also be ap jaw fit to read to the puplis of pushing into the interior in the potted to China, he said that the that accepted symbol of British face of ferce Italian. resistance. matter has received considera- snobbery a lecture on its future.
outcome la not "We are considered exclusive, The Italians launched a violent tion, but the
selfsatisfied and snobbish, and we counter-attack yesterday but were
In answering the questions he do little by our actions to refute repulsed with heavy losses.
stated that he could see no legit these charges," The Chronicle said. mate reason for the non-main-"Eton is forgetful that we are. tenance of peace in the Pacific nghting for democracy and what and added that a possibility extat democracy must imply. When this ed of divergence of views with war is won we must not relax into Great Britain on Pacific questions, four old isolationist prejudice, for but it was only a contingency as préjudice la not the same thing as yet. He stated that Australia in tradition. Tradition cqnfirms pre- common with all other countries, judice and cramps opportunity, The ss. Hellenic Trader was re-except Japan only, received Con- Eton must not be confined to leased by the. Japanese Navy on suls from the Chungking Govern- Etonians alone," Wednesday evening after having ment. been detained at Holhow "verify its nationality" for five the local to days, according agenta
HELLENIC TRADER
RELEASED
to
The ship was scheduled, to leave for Hongkong yesterday morning. Owing to her damaged condition
she will not arrive in the Colony until tomorrow morning.
Although Australia was ex- porting much munitions, it was not likely that any was avail- able for Chungking over the Barma Road, under the new Briush credit.
ITALIANS OVER CONFIDENCE
"It may be," went on Cal Stevens, "that the Italian Com- mander-in-Chief
star and bit
himself to have been beaten by arst dimculties He had ability and force of character.
Tam therefore, wondering how much foundation there is in the rumours which are 'now - current that he has resigned," sald Col Stevens. "So long as he is in command he can be trusted to put up a really good show.
we can say.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 13, 1940. PAGE 7 BRITAIN ACCUMULATING PLANES FOR A RETURN "BLITZ" IN SPRING
LONDON, Nov. 29-American-built fighters and bombers siready in restricted use by the Royal Air Force will be relied upon for an important role in Great Britain's own serini Blitzkrieg which is promised to break over Germany some day several months hence, it was reliably stated today.
The present RAF ralds, although increasing in scope osch week, are said to be only a curtain-raiser to the real offensive which new heavy bombers and long-range fighters will bring Into the realm of possibility
The weather and the demands Particularly in the case of the of production and training the latter, German designers seemed dules
will probably delay the to have relled primarily on speed offensive throughout, winter, and for defence.
the best bet hereabouts is that It is realized here that Germany. some balmy ring night will undoubtedly has obtained now, It start"
BUILDING RESERVES
improved planes from her assem- bly lines, but it is also believed. retooling of Germany's entire aviation industry would be a be building up reserves from its colossal task.
In the meantime, the RAF will
¡own new
models and adding to- the formidable "park" of American planes already on hand. American .planes continue in service
ghostly warfare over the North Sea and in a campaign against i night bombers,
Several American types of air- craft, including some ut the fastest and highest-performance machines ever developed, are at present based in British air fields, some of them in considerable
"
Englishmen think they are able to keep a qualitative edge - while slowly closing the rap in
numbers of aircraft,
SOVIET UNION AND BULGARIA
numbers. Easily the best known Passage Of German
the
is the Lockheed all-purposes - ree connaissance bomber which British call “Hudson," but whose i elder brothers are in service in dozens of airlines as Lockheed
14's.
Troops To Greece
LONDON, Dec. 12 (Reuter)
If Bulgaria grants free passage to German troops going to Greece, the Soviet Union would occupy.. 3 FAST & EFFICIENT
the Bulgarian seaports of Sugas Fitted with a power-operated and Varna, the Secretary-Gen- turret, which has been the secreteral of the Soviet Commissariat of hundreds of British air vic of Foreign Affairs, M. Boboles, tories, the Hudson is a fast and told King Boris during a recent efficient machine, well able to visit to Sells, writes the Istanbul take care of itself and above all Correspondent of the Free French amazingly capable of absorbing agency. punishment.
King Boris confirmed to M. Bo- Another United States machine. boler that Hitler had asked Bul- the Douglas DB-7, imported more garia to adhere to the Tripartite ments continue, step from its direct reply, asking. Bulgarian ad- recently may. If present develop- pact, but the King had avoided a normal dive-bombing role into that hesion dependent on the adhesion of a fighter. In addition to other of the Soviet Union. good flying characteristics, it has German propaganda, says the a tricycle landing gear ideal for correspondent was immediately pam- night landings.
distributed in numerous
to British experience against" phlets, the aim of which was the Luftwaffe seemed to in-
compromise the Soviet Union. dicate that quality to a large, extent should be preferable to quantity.
British experience -
has also shown that the three most important qualities of a military plane are armament, manoeuvreability, and speed, In that order.
that
The Bulgarian Police establish- ed that the pamphlets originated from the propaganda. section or the German Legation
LORD LOTHIAN DEAD
Continued from Page 1
RECENT ARRIVALS had talks with Gandhi in which he
Monitor.
ir
GEEMAN MISTAKE The Germans were believed to have made a mistake when they standardized their machines "two years too early" with the result Franchise Committee which went both their fighters and to India to advise on the nature bombers were under gunned. of electoral constituencies under
the federation scheme,
On avait to Indila in 1938 he "But what about the troops un
expressed the view that federation have been over confident about der his command? They set out,
IN COLONY was the greatest boon ying with- their strength. It may also be no doubt with full courage and that the long period of idle wait now, after having been in action
Arrivals from Manila by a Dutch in the Indians' grasp.
Lord Lothian was a frequent ing had made some of the enemy for three months, for reasons vessel yesterday wele Mrs. E. G. de troops slack and generally fed- which, to them, must have been Chair and daughter, Mr. J. Hoker, contributor to the press, notably. up, while the offensive spirit of incomprehensible, they and them- Miss B. M. de Sousa, Miss T. E the Round Table, the London Ob our own troops had been steadily, selves forced on the defensive. So Oxford, Mr. A. Feres, Mr. H. Hal server, and the Christian Science
wishful without
Lord Lothian's heir presumptive gave our soldiers con- thinking on our part, that their tori, Mrs. T. Dulley and infant, Mr. R. E Baskerville, Mr. W. A. O'Neil, Adence in themselves and in their morale must be causing anxiety Mr. B. S. Lovett. Mr S. Howard, is his Cousin, Feter Francis Walter leaders.
Mr. Chester Fritz, Mr. G. Monzen, Herr, who is 18 years of age. It must be remembered to the Commander-in-Chief and subordinate generals. The that operations over 70 or 30 miles his
Mr. A. L Ybacho, Mr. B. de Guz-The late Lora Lothian, who was must of desert has many difficulties, death of General Maleti chief of which are that any move make Marshal Graziani feel that man, Mr. J. Purisina, Mr. A. Tu- the 11th Marquess, and succeeded Rents would give the show away, he has lost a leader he could bine. Mr. M. Reyes, Mr. J. Lazer, his cousin in 1930, was Chancellor Mr. A. Monsalud, and Mr. N. LI of the Duchy of Lancaster In 1931 and Parliamentary Under-Beretary to the enemy and, in such er- have trusted.
Cal. Stevens next went on to
of the India "Office 1931-32. cumstances, the advance of our
Arrivals from Batavia by the troops could not take the enemy talk about the country in which
the present: operations are being same vessel were Lt. Col. H. de la by surprise..
conducted emphasising particu-Panet, Mr. and Mrs. Hoe Ngan larly the dificulties of transport yoeng, and Matr. Hoe. Through of vehicles during the rainy sea-passengers for Shanghai were Mrs. at the Country Hospital, Shangani, son and declared that the present K. K. Riko, Miss I, Ankadinoff, of Carol Vivien, infant daughter of Iwas a dificult time of the year Mrs. W. Lutowicz, Mrs. A. X. Key-¡Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Gazeley. The ser and Mrs. C. J. W. Brunner, Alfuneral (cremation) service was for military, operations,
held in the Bubbling Well Ceme- Referring to the part played by through passenger for Amoy
tery. Chapel, ón. Déc. .7. the Royal Navy and the Fleet Air Miss H. T. Ayock
Increasing.
**This
"Secrecy was essential to these operations and it shows that the Italian sir force was unable to put a stop to the work done by the RAF. in the primary" air operations, which have proved no invaluable to our troops. The early attacks · of the RAF were directed against aerodromes" on
the frontier between » Libya and Egypt and havoc was caTUSSÜ to the Italians main air force centre which Hes to the west of Sidi Barrank which have all had on the present, operations influence, the value of which can hardly be exag-. gerated.
Col. Stevens paid a tribute to the brilliant tactical co-operation which the RAF had given in the operations now in progress, which, he said, went to show that they had benefitted from the lessons learned from the Germans in France..
· CLASS SYSTEM The youth who wrote the editorial may, of course, be ostra cized by his schoolmates tomor
The speaker next turned to the row. But the fact the newspaper of the school, which is the peak and allan position. He said that symbol of the British class system, when Marshal Graziani moved his
He emphased that he will work would so write is perhaps one in- forces to Bidi Barrant he must close co-operation with the dication of what is happening in have felt that it was an objective of some value to justify such British Ambasador, in Tokyo.
in
Britain today."
Arm by harassing enemy lines during the last three months. The
Navy's' support, he said, was more
bunao.
The death occurred on Dec. 8,
indirect, because it had prevented TANGIER ISSUE DISCUSSED
supplies from reaching the enemy
and had increased the burden of IN COMMONS
the Italian Navy in dealing with this question, particularly after it had been so much weakened by
the Fleet Air Azza in the action
at Taranto.
"It looks as if the fanda mental errors made in the Italian conduct of the war are now coming to the murface" said Col. Stevens. The Its- Hans in Africa are now cut off from their homeland and the position of the Italian in the Dodec
Is most pro- carions: *-*-* * position mude
-by-Signor Mussolint
Greece, which has Sour, Navy, and air "buren which will be Invaluable for fubura “Letión,”
force
GOVT WATCHING SITUATION
worthy state" and the Spanish Government has given them a further period to complete re- patra
Ambassador has put the Britian
In the meantime, the British
case regarding Tangier in a very strong and definite light to the Spanish Government,
LONDON, Dec 12 (Reuter) The British Government's watch- Dealing with a suggestion that fulness on the situation at Tangier the Spanish authorities are trect- where the Spanish authori me permanent, fortifications at ties, i have taken over the ad- Tangier, Mr Butler said that bia ministration, was again måde AD- information, did not indicate such parent in answers to questions in
development, the House of Commons yesterday. The British Government,
The Under Becretary of Foreign watching the situation very close- Affairs, Mr. R. A Butler, statedly and the Bpants Clovernment that the two Italian submarines has been left in no doubt as to which arrived in Tangier, some the importance attached to the weeks ago are not yet in a sea question:non