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"Hongkong Daily Press,” Dec. 18. 1940
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贊錄拾結佰佳仟伍离实第
·HONGKONG, -MOND, DECEMBER 16, 1940.
LAVAL NO LONGER MEMBER OF VICHY GOVERNMENT: NOW UNDER ARREST: FLANDIN IS APPOINTED NEW FOREIGN MINISTER Changeover Probably Made At
Germany Instigation Of
REPORTS FROM SWITZERLAND, QUOTED IN A LONDON MESSAGE," STATE THAT M. PIERRE LAVAL, VICE-PREMIER AND FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE VICHY THE REPORTS: GOVERNMENT, HAS BEEN ARRESTED BY THE FRENCH POLICE. ADDED THAT M. LAVAL'S HOUSE HAD BEEN TAKEN OVER BY THE POLICE AND THAT HIS PAPERS HAD BEEN SEARCHED.
Marshal Petain announced yesterday that he had sent a message to Herr Hitler. Informing him of the removal of M. Laval and the abolition of the office of Vice- Premier and that M. Flandin may be more apt than, his predecessor to promote Franco- German rapprochement.
,"
It is considered in London that this announcement by Marshal Petain must be considered as a mere formality, because it is clear that the changeover was approved," If not instigated, by the Nazis.
NO TEARS ARE BEING SHED ABOUT LAVAL'S DEPARTURE:
GOOD RIDDANCE
A German broadcast states:
that M. Flandin was among
those who remained silent
because he knew the truth
and added that M: Flandin was one of those who had sent Herr Hitler a telegram of congratulations after signs of the Munich erec
ment.
While we are all inspired by the news of the relent- less advance of the British Imperial forces in the Western Desert and the continued pressure of the Greeks on the Italians in: Albania; there has been another sensation by Marshal Petain, who announced yesterday, with great so- lemnity, that he has got rid of M. Laval" said MR. CYRIL LAKIN, news commentator, in a talk from London yester-after the Munich Fact when he day.
"We are shedding no tears about M. Laval's departure and we are certain no others will, certainly not in France For America, who, like us will say, good riddance.
"What Herr Hitler 13 saying and thinking about. it, goodness only knows, but as far as we are concerned it can be summed up by
saying that any change frim the
息
anti-British Laval will! be change for the better-it cannot be worse."
After referring to the brilliant achievement of the British forces In the Western Desert and the consistent Greek successes against the Italians in the fighting in Albania, Mr. Lakin said: "In Sig- nor. Mussolini's. present mess, his friend at the other end of the Axis seems to be doing nothing to help him Hitler cannot do anything to help. farces are playing, an important "The trouble may be that Herrlarly now when the Free French
M. PIERRE LAVAL
LONDON, Dec. 15 (Reuter)-M | Flandin, six-foot ex-rremier of France, who startled the world
sent a telegram of congratulations to Hitler. has replaced M. Laval as
BROADCAST BY PETAIN
Internal Policy Principle
LONDON,Dec. 15 (Renter) M. Pierre Laval Is no long- er a member of the Gayern- ment," drankieslly announé- od Martial Petain tiss message tradest last night by the Lyons Radio
Marshal Petsin prefixed his announcemaji with the words; "Frenchmen, I have just taken a decision which I trust la ta the interests of the country,” and added that M. Flandin has taken the Portfolio and Foreign Affim” The ast which nominated M Laval as Mar- sbal Petain’E: suecemor in Can- celled, Marshal Petain said. ***It is for the high principis on internal palley that I have lake the decision. It has no repercussions at all on guz-ré» Intions with Germany. -1∙rè- main at the holm--national reveintios continues.
in recording, and the “Mar- seillaise" was played at the end.
DICTATOR
Foreign Minister in the Vichy G07 OF DUTCH
erament.
The new Foreign Minister speak English Buantly and had, in the past, many English friends whom be used to join for groase shoot,
ing nearly every year...
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BRITISH ARTILLERY ARE SHELLING HELL FIRE PASS AIR ACTIVITY INCREASED IN VIOLENCE: ITALIANS
PRESSED BACK OVER EGYPTIAN FRONTIER
BRITISH ARTILLERY UNITS ARE CONTINUING TO SHELL HELL FIRE PASS, the name given to the precipi-} tious stretch of road which runs up to the beach from Sollum and which the Italians have got to pass to get back to Libya, stated a message from London.,
An official announcement from London stated: "Bri- tish forces are pressing back the enemy over the Egyptian. frontler and have penetrated Into Italian territory,"
This confirms the previous
VAIN ATTEMPTS report that the retreating CAIRO, Dec. 15 (Reuter)-Der- Italian troops have been un-perate fighting is proceeding be- der continuous artillery fre, while British aircraft attack ed them from the air.
tween British advanced units, and Blackshirts who are endeavouring to consolidate their positions and making vain attempts to counter-
It was reported then that al- attack. ready considerable numbers of
Air activity on both sides in Italians had arrived at Bardia. creased in violence and bombing where it was expected that they and machine-gunning continued would try to put up a stiff resis- tance and stop the rot.
throughout the day.
Behind the British advanced
KING'S MESSAGE TO WAVELL
"Empire Will Be Proud"
LONDON, Dec. 15 (Reutër)—- His Majesty the King sent the following message of congratu- lations on the British “victory in the Western Desert" te Gen. Sir Archibald Wavell, C.-in-C.: of the Middle East.
*Please cotivey to all ranks. of the force under your com- mand my heartiest congratu- lations on the victory in the Western Desert.
* The skill in -planning this complicated operation.— for which the greatest: "credit is due to yourself" and · to the commanders and Staff of all the three. Services—was equall- ed by the efficiency and dash of the troops in carrying it
out. British Ariny 18
The London announcement now confirms that these counter-at-positions: the tacks which the Italians attempt dealing with masses of captured ed have failed, and it may be as- material and prisoners who are sumed that the British forces got now estimated to number about the better of this fighting as they 30,000. have driven the enemy back to his own territory.
Enemy Air Activity On Small Scale
LONDON, Dec. 15 (Reuter) Enemy activity over Britain during daylight yesterday was again ma small scale, states a joint com- LONDON, Dec. 15 (Reuter)-M. munique issued by the Air Minis DUBOIS, National Socialst has try and the Ministry of Home been appointed dictator of all Becurity...
Dutch wireless stations, according to Dutch circles bere.
A single enemy aircraft dropped
.. SATISFACTION IN U.S.
a number of bombe late in the WASHINGTON, Déc. 15 (Reuter) -M. Lival's dismissal has caused The change will make little afternoon at a place in the West nothing but satisfaction in the difference to news and speeches Midlands. Shops and houses were capital for of all doubtful elements broadcast which the Germans damaged and a small number of connected with the Vichy regime dictated since the invasion, but people killed and others injured. he has been regretted in the United Dutch organisations sometimes Other bombs fell hear a farm States us most inimical to the best have been able to express their in the Home Counties but did Interests of the French.
teelings towards the German in-uttle damage and no one was hurt.
M. Laval has long been regarded vaders by music and other means. here as a dangerous intriguer ho
was willing to go the whole hog.
with. Herr Hitler against his old GREEKS TAKE
ally partly because of his Nazi
leanings and partly owing to his IMPORTANT
pronounced anti-Brush sentiment. SERIOUS DISSENSIONS LONDON, Dec. 15 (Reuter)The
replacement of M. Laval by
tation of the French Government
Hitherto, there has only been
a short night alert in London and the situation after that has been quiet."
Cont'd Page 7, Col. 4
LI. G. On Long
War
LONDON, Dec. 15 (Reuter)
is useless to talk about a long war
→
"The whole. Empire will I am sure, be proud that con- tingents from the Dominions and India, as well as those of our Free French allies, played a distinguished part in this `supremely successful encoun=" ter with an enemy vitally superior in number *
Menzies Gives Lie To Nazi Propaganda
MER G. Menzies, Prime. Min- ister of Australia, gave the He direct to a recent German broad-" cast which stated that he was going to London to voice dissatis- faction with British policy, sayE A Landon message.
This is typical of German pro- paganda and the answer to it was given in the Australian Farlia- ment when all Parties approved of.. the country's war budget, of
£270,000,000.
Mr. Menzies said, "Herr Hitler can be assured that Australia is Indissolubly bound up with Bri- tain in this struggle.
いざ
BANGKOK DEC 15 (Reuter)
NO BRITISH PLANES unless more food is got out of the soll of this country" deciated MR.
The report of a further clash on GLOST IN WEEK
LLOYD GEORGE in a speech at
the Thailand-Indo-China frontier LONDON, Dec. 15 (Reuter)-No Carnarvon yesterday.
is given in the latest Thailand British aircraft were lost over and He stressed the necessity of a communique which says that over around the coasts of Great Britain complete arvey of the land in 100 French Irregulars violated
HEIGHTS: MORE PRISONERS ARE CAPTURED
It is true that he can attack dur part in our victory in the Western Mandin does not necessarily mean? shipping, but he knows very well Deer. This has had a marked any change in the political orien that this cannot be decisive. So effect on the French and there is
ATHENS, Dec. 15 (Beater)-- perhaps, Herr Hitler feels that he doubt now about the revival of although it does show that serious
public opinion amongst the French dissensions have now come to the Greek offensive activity continnes la in a bit of a predicament too.
capt.
surface.
successfully and important heights "He is now probably going to
MADE ODIOUS
The fact that Marshal Petain has have been: occupied, according to have another shot at France.
"M. Laval made himself odious now dismissed Laval both as Vice-last nigist's communique issued by But if he thinks, that M. Flandin
going to help him more than to all Frenchmen and reports Premier, and, as his personal suces the Greek Headquarters M. Laval did I think he is back-now speak of his having been sor suggests that the leader has ing the wrong horse. M. Flandin arrested on
The communique also records
the eve of his de-had his trust in Laval completely that numerous prisoners were taken and more than 60 automa- will not be able to persuade the parture for a conference with Herr shattered..
M. Laval has been losing ground tic weapons, mortars etc. fell French to do more, to help Ger-Hitler. "
stendily in French public opinion. Into Creek banda, many than M.-Laval did, particu-
Prince
Liner
Cont'd Page 7, Col. 1
r Torpedoed Off The Irish Coast: Canadian Minister Munitions
For
And Supply On Board
NEW YORK, Dec. 15. (Bentor)-MR. C. D. HOWE, Canadian Minister for Munitions and Supply, on board the British Uner WESTERN PRINCE (10,928 tons) which is reported to have been torpes doad 460 miles north-west of the Irish count yesterday. The fact that he was a passenger has been confirmed by an official of the Furness Company
N
station at Port The Mackay Radio reports that it intercepted a message from the radio, Patrick, Bootland,-relaying the news that the Western Prince had reported that she has been for pedood.
The finer had a narrow escape on her last trip out to America when her skipper, Captain John Reed, la that she just missed being bombed.
With Mr. Howe were Mr. E. P. Taylor, Director General of munitions, production, Colonel W. 0. Woodward, member of Mr. Howe's Department, and Mr. Gordon Scott, financial
Howe's: Department.
The Western Prince left New York on Dec. 6.
Fighting in the region of the im- portant Adriatic port of Chimarra is announced in reports from for- eign correspondents at the front, according to the Athens radio
- ⠀. COMPLETE FAILURE The Greeks are continuing their advance in this sector with the aid of tanks recently captured from the Italiaris. All entorts of the Italians to stem the Greek advance and prevent the capture of new important positions, failed completely
Particularly heavy fighting took place for new heights near Pogra detz These were captured by the Greeks and the Italians fell back suffering heavy losses
The Trimshatsul Police Station are waiting a claimant for an Imitation peazi neckla found or the person of a Chinese arrested in Hankow Road yesterday:
during the week ending Dec. 14. order to ascertain its possibilities Thailand territory at two points The Germans lost 12 planes and how It can be improved and and fierce fighting ensured unth the same period.
how labourers as well as farmers |the French retired. There were no could be kept on the land, 2.7 (detalls of casualties.
-On Other- Pages
Pare
2 Race meet results; Associa-
tion hockey; Week-end soc-|| cer; Softball scores; 302 3 Radio programmes; Coming events; Cinema notes; Crossword puzzle,
4 British
forces mopping up" RAF devastation in Reich, occupied countries; King thanks Roosevelt, Greek guns shell Tepelini. 5 New Baptist Church open- éd by Governort Airport news, Urban Council meet
6 Leader Mass Hysteria of
Germany, e
Round the Police Courts: HKJunk's pitched battle with pirates.
Meat rations to be cut! Japanese want mão-China rice US defence produc
Finance and Commerce. 1 President Jackson here
maiden voyage”.
Today's War Summary
M. FIERRE LAVAL IS NO LONGER A MEMBER of the Vichy Government and la now under arrest. The French Police have also searched his papers M. Flandin is appointed Foreign Minister, Mar "ahaj Petain remains at the helm and the national revolution-con- tinues. It is probable that the changeover was instigated by Ger
AS THE RESULT OF "BULIB” SCORED by the Royal Air Force, the famous Dortmund Ems Canal, a vital Junction in the German canal avstem, is practically useless and is unrecognisable, Fifty-three at- tacks, it is revealed, have been made on rail targets in the course of 35 raids on Berlin
THE TTALIANS ARE MAKING A DESPERATE STAND in an en- deavour to prevent the British Imperial forces from sweeping them off Egyptian soft altogether but the morale of all ranks of the Im- perial forces is tremendous and Marshal Graziani's task will be grim one, The King has sent a message of congratulations to Gen- "eral Sir Archibald Wavell on the brilliant victory in the Western Desert
IT IS REPORTED THAT REQUESTS FROM ALL quarters of the community in Shanghai for higher wages are being made. This Is explained by the tremendous increase in local currency cost of living brought about by the fall in value of Shanghag dollar and lack of supplies through the war in Europe a
ENEMY AIR ACTIVITY OVER BRITAIN ON BATURAY night waE - slight and in the early evening bombs were dropped in a town an the Thames Estuary several houses being damaged and a few people killed