HONGKONG DAILY PRESS
PAST WEEK OF CONFUSIÓN: Industrial VOICE OF HITLER HEARD IN Targets In
THE FAR EAST
The past week was described as one of vast confusion, with the rumours. of war almost driving the feal one off the pages of newspapers, by PROFESSOR ARTHUR NEWALL, the prominent Amė. rican commentator, when he broadcast" in London yesterday,
Bulgaria, sald Prof. Newall. was exhorted on every side and seemed to be standing paralysed, while the leaders of" Yugoslavia had gone on the well-trodden path to Berchtes- "zaden to have a talk with Herr Hitler. At the other end of the Mediterranean there was General Franco and one could only guess why he made the Journey and what was really discussed between him and Marshal Petain and Signor Mussolini,
Ruhr Hit
LONDON, Feb. 16 (Router)-It- is learned In London that the RAP last night made a heavy on the other, of walking into an attack on industrial targets in the unwanted war.
western Ruhr.
Prot. the
were
CABLE
JAPANESE TROOP CONCENTRATIONS IN SOUTHERN
PACIFIC
CHUNGKING. Feb. 16 (Reuter) Japanese troop concentrations in Southern Pacific are reported by the Chinese official. CENTRAL DAILY NEWS as follows:
Japanese troops concentrated for the Southern Pacific portion are at present massed. at Hainan Island, Canton. Walchow Island, Speaking of invusion,
The Channel ports were also Spratly Islands and French Indo-China. Newall said that this was
bombed. O installations set on fire and much damage was
There are two divisions stationed hardy perennial of all rumours and inflicted on Rotterdam and Calais, at Canton comprising units belong- the Invaders would meet with such a reception that it would Enemy activity during the nighting to the 18th, 14th and 38th On Hainan Island are mean the beginning, of
from many divisions.
Herr
the troyed in the raids.
4
More Greek
units belonging to the Imperial Successes
FOUR DIVISIONS
Recorded
(Reuter)
More Greek successes in local en-
ATHENS," Feb. .16
gagements were recorded by the Greek High Command in a com- munique issued last night.' dislodged from strongly organised It says that the Italians were
The Greeks took an- many officers, and also captured a prisoners including
great deal of war material.
OPEN TOWN,
positions. other. 300
has been reported parts of the country. Hitler's end.. A high ranking, British official had told an Ame-ber of points, mainly in
Bombs were dropped at a num-Guards, 28th and 11th divisions.
North rican correspondent that instead and East England, in the London units belonging to the Imperiaj At. Haiphong and Hano! are of being invaded. Britain would area, and in one district in North Guards and 28th divisions. Part do the invading in France herself. East Scotland, but no important of these units will be used for the
U. S. UNANIMITY
attack developed anywhere. eventual occupation of Salgon as There was complete unanimity The total damage was slight. well as Camparb Bay, TROUBLE BREWING
in the Américan Press that Three enemy bombers were des- Mr. Churchill's speech was Then there was Japan where
These units are under the com- something was brewing. Admiral Very tonic. The American Press
JUNKERS DOWNED
mand of the Japanese South China One Junkers" bomber was shot Command. Nomura, the new Japanese Ame had become lyrical over it.
There are approxi bassador, bowed
Mr. Wendell Winkle, fresh from down and smiled in
over England yesterday mately four Japanese divisions at Washington when he presented his
his visit to England. had All-morning. The raider was damaged present concentrated in Formosa. credentials to President Roosevelt,
the centre of the page by A.A. fire and could be seen all Besides two newly organised divi- giving the soothing assurance that His testimony before the crowded the way across the Channel states stons, it is stated one division was he was resolved to do all he could Senate hearing clinched all the a London message.
One of the most notable results Four Messer-transferred at the end of last of this operation is the advance. arguments. Then, on Lincoln's schmitts àme out to escort the October from Manchuria, to For! between birthday. Mr. Wilkie met the old damaged bomber home.
Tepelini and Klisura. mosa while T
fifth division was The former town is still in Italian and young leaders of his Party and Another enemy bomber met with transferred early in last November hands, but the result of this ad- At the Press conference im-conquered them by his sincerity heavy gunfire when it appeared from Kwangs to Formosa, vis vance has left it an open town mediately before. Mr. Roosevelt
Everything pointed to Mr. Roose-over London and turned and dis-Haiphong. The fifth division com- some six miles behind the Greek said that war in the Pacific, for immediate aid and the rounding
veit backing Mr. Willkie's demands appeared.
pleted reorganisation early last lines and its fall cannot be long should come, would not curtal!
During yesterday morning's raid up of merchant ships had already one bomb fell on a school in the divisions are not under the South
month of January. American ald, to Britain,
The Formosa delayed; states a London message. Prof
Stories told by Italian prisoners Newall said he regarded the state-
London area and another demo-China Command but are receiving illustrate the complete, fallure of ment as the most pregnant that.
lished two houses. had issued from the White House.
German planes also appeared orders direct from the Tokyo Im-General Cavallero's plans-(Spe- over
perial General Staff, England.--
to bring about an understanding between the two nations, but Mr. Roosevelt could also smile..
SIGNIFICANT WARNINGS
In Australia there had been significant warnings issued by the Acting Prime Minister and Mr. Curtin, the Labour leader and in all the Far East situation the hand was the hand of Japan, but the voice was clearly the voice of Hitler.
Americans had not failed to observe that in all these rumblings the Japanese had made no men- tion of the Philippines. So Japan warily walks her tight rope. On the one hand, not seeking to arouse the displeasure of the Nazis and,
Dodecanese
Aerodromes Attacked
ed
started.
the east of
There were at present 35 Danish. 37 Italian. 14 French and one German ship in American ports and something would have to be (Special) done about them.
When the Lease and Lend Bill was passed, said Prot. Newall, £125,000,000 worth of supplies would be going over and this would talk as no other language could, not even a Senator's speech,
"I have said it often before, and I still say it, that Britain is the centre of this war. Spread the war wherever you will, Herr Hitler's roving eye will come back to Britain in angered frustration." concluded the speaker.
Big Aerial Fireworks Display
LONDON, Feb. 16. (Reuter)-The south-east coast of Britain was a grandstand last night for the greatest aerial fireworks display of the war
over the French coast Soldiers, sailors and civilians Knec the promenades and cheered as
NEW DECREE IN terrine sheets of flames engufled
RUMANIA
the French coast along a 20-mile front.
clal)
EFFORTS OF NOMURA TO
PRESERVE PEACE
Continued from Page 1
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1941.-PAGE
Peyroutin Resigns
M. Peyroutin, Vichy Minister of the Interior, has resigned and is to
ADVICE TO BRITONS TO LEAVE
SHANHAI, Feb.
16 Reuter)—
be appointed Ambassador to Ar Following the American Consulate gentine, states a London message. advice on Feb. 13 for the evacua- Admiral Darlan has taken over ton of non-essential Americans, the Interior Ministry as well as the the British Embassy 15 issuing a Foreign and Navy.
notice tomorrow renewing the ad- A number of reports, not con- vice of last October that British firmed in Vichy, state that the new subjects, who have no good reason appointment will not be permanent for remaining, should consider the and further cabinet changes are advisability of leaving occupied to be expected.--(Special).
The Latest Communique
The latest communique, from Cairo, according to a London message, states:-
ABYSSINIA-British
forces have occupied the port of Ker- mok, 120 miles south of Gala- bat.
· ERITREA—While the advance of northern column continues concentration of troops about Keren proceeding satisfactor!-
ly.
ITALIAN SOMALILAND Operations continue for the de- velopment of the British suc- cess at Kismaya.-(Special)
China.
The notice states it will almost certainly be impossible to provide special facilities for the departure.
Thai Public Urged To Keep Calm
a
BANGKOK, Feb. 16 (Reuter)-In communique apropos the Far Eastern situation and rumohrs Thailand may be drawn thereinto, the Thai Government belleves no jdevelopment has occurred tending to involve Thailand in any possible confiict and the general public is urged to remain calm and confi- dent to pursue normal advocations in accordance with the progranine" of national reconstruction.
The Government "assures, safety
AN “ORDER OF and glory." The Government also
ARCHITECTS".
The
assures the public to devote their best efforts to keep the country out of any international tangle Having fully completed the re- organisation of the medical pro-
NO TRUTH tession in France, the French Gov- Station declares there is no truth Thailand Broadcasting ernment has now turned to the whatever in a foreign radio station architectural profession, which is to be transformed into an "order negotiating with Japan with the statement that Thailand is now of architects." based on the cor- view of a grant to use her naval
The architectural "profession has
bases to Japan in the event of an attack on Singapore.
It adds Japan has never alluded
Thailand.
developments of note has not. Intrality and geographical associa-purauve principle. any way, relaxed the tension. tion, we ought to be on terms of
It is well-known, adds the friendship, has associated itself in been completely free up till now message. that Germany is striva military alliance with the enemy, and a number of so-called archi-to this subject in any talks with Ing, with all her wiles, eurining and Without, however, weakening our tecta took advantage of this situa- propaganda, to create the im- desire for peace, Australia had to tion to place the initials of various architectural societies beside their pression in Japan that she must look upon this with suspicion."
Mr. P. C. Spender. Australia's names although completely devold inevitably be involved in the war
War Minister, announced a special of any technical knowledge. for her own security.
training this month for radio me-
·SUPERIOR COUNCIL chanics, gunners and other tech- nical workers.
Official circles in Britain, in discussing the position in the Pacific, point out that in the event of war, one-third of Japan's merchant fleet will be held up in British and Ameri- can ports,
U.S. PACIFIC BASES®
A decree published provides for. the creation of a Superior Council of twelve members in the order of
Raw Cotton Shipments To China
1
In the meantime, a report from jarchitects. The members will De the United States, quoted in ajappointed by the Secretary Boulogne was subjected to a
of NEW DELHI, Feb. 16 (Reuter)- A new decree by General An-bombardment of nightmare PTC-
message from Sydney, stated that state for Education. Later, ap-The 1939-1940 raw cotton ship- tonescu cancels a previous decree portions which is continuing with
This would seriously. affect the Naval Committee of the House pointments will be made by vote, ments to China were £5,010,000 which made Rumania a legionary full severity after it had been in would check the stream
Japan's economic position and of Representatives had approved, with only the Chairman named by compared with last year £282,000, CAIRO, Feb. 15 (Reuter)-Bri- or Iron Guard State, states a Lon-progress for an hour.
which a programme of over £180,000,000 the French Government. brings her foreign exchange, with-for strengthening American bases tish heavy bombers again attack-don message.
Violent explosions rolled across out which Japan would be econo- In the "Pacific. ed aerodromes in the Dodecanese Political activities of any kind the calm sea in an unbroken rum-mically helpless.
On the recommendation of Ad- en the night of Feb. 13, states an are forbidden. Black-out has been ble as British bombers dropped RAF. communique issued yester- extended to the whole country hundreds of bombs on the Invasion Japan will have economic advan-
(Special)
day.
At Midi Bay, heavy explosiona 'occurred and a Caproni fighter on the ground was destroyed, At Kattavita the aerodrome building, collapsed after direct hits while at Calato many bombs burst on the aerodrome and among dispersed aircraft.
SHIPS ATTACKED
parts and gun emplacements.
British Government's
View Of Present Situation In Bulgaria
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENTS
Fleet Air Arm planes on the." SOFIA, FEB. 16 (REUTER) same night attacked four mer- VIEW OF THE PRESENT SITUATION IN BULGARIA WAS REI- chantships moored by two des-TERATED BY MR. GEORGE RENDEL, the British Minister, m an troyers in central Mediterranean hour's interview with M. Popoff, Bulgrian Foreign Minister, on Fri- and sank one merchantship, day night.
Considerable air support was
It had long been clear that should German troops occupy Bul- given to the British offensive in saria or use it as a base against Greece the British would break Italian East Africa, Gun positions off diplomatic relations with Sofla and take whatever steps might be. on the railway in the Keren re-necessary.
*་
Rumania,
was ap-
proved for the establishment of It is, of course, recognised that miral Stark, £600,000
tages through an occupation of an air base at Guam.. Indo-China, but it is emphasised that she is going to experience considerable difficulty in prepar- Ing a new army for such develop- ments, in addition to having to maintain garrisons in Manchuria, and occupied China.
"Australia will have good friend In China for the de- *Tence of the Pacific, states another message from Sydney. Members of the Chinese GoT- ernment have reiterated their desire to help Britain in every possible way and that Anglo- Chinese accord
had been strengthened by the democra- ..tic diplomats in Chungking.
CERTAIN REALITIES
are certain
"There
realities
Another message from New York, quoted in a report from Sydney, declared that Ameri can production of planes, was 1,000 last month and that "it was hoped to increase this by 60 per cent.. next month.- (Special)
Australian Minister Sounds A Warning
SYDNEY, Feb. 16 (Reutery Sir Frederick Stewart, Australian Minister of External Affairs. de- clared yesterday: "We should be deluding ourselves if we fall to appreciate the realities of the pre- gion received direct hits and! In diplomatic eircles here, it 13 German aircraft in
sent position. serious fires followed.
"It is unfortunately true that a said that the newly-mobiilsed Bul which until recently have been which Australia has to face," sald British fighters machine-gunned garian troops are being sent to the malply fighters, have been, re-the Australian Minister for Ex-nation, with whom by all the rules the aerodromes at Zula and A-only frontler where Bulgrala is not inforced by formations of heavy ternal Affairs yesterday.
of mutual interest and geogra- mara and shot down two enemy threatened, namely, Turkish. This, bombers and troops carriers in the
"It is true that a. nation, with phical association-to say nothing fighters at Asmara. Many bombs on the face of it, would appear to past few days. The most conser whom, by all the rules of neu- of the traditions of past friend- were dropped on the enemy camp be a move in favour of Germany. vative estimates place the number
ship-we should be on harmonious at Danghila
terms has associated itself in a
alllance with
Pl
CONCESSIONS. TO YUGOSLAVIA
Meanwhile, there appears to be of German machines now. in the
at
450
no doubt that German prepara-country
distributed tions bere are almost complete. throughout Rumania but there
Bridges have beer mined, food bave been movements towards the
BRITISH ARE A TOUGH CROWD
military
enemies."
OUT
STATE DEPARTMENT.
shipments of gunnybags £1,350.000 and cloth £37,000; imports from
Portuguese Military China were £1,951,000 compared with £1,297,000 and exports £6,- Mission For U.K.
382,000 compared with £1,850,000. LONDON, Feb. 16 (Reuter-A The improvement under exports Portuguese Military Mission 01 is largely cotton piecegoods and seven officers is expected to arrive also twist yarn, while imports of in England at the invitation of raw silk rose by £75,000 and silk the British Government.
piecegoods to £15,000.
They will study the progress of
the British war effort and observe A limewasher, Chan Tak, 28, was at first hand the working of the admitted to Queen Mary Hospital air defence of the United King-yesterday suffering abrasions sus- dom, particularly London, it was tained when he fell down a learned in official circles yester- scaffolding, while on a repair job day.
at the Yaumati Ferry Wharf.
ACTIVITIES OF BRITISH NAVY: DECREASE IN SHIPPING LOSSES
"It Is much too early to think that we have got the better of the U-boat menace. In a struggle like this, the results of a few weeks might be most misleading," said a well-known naval cor- respondent, when he broadcast from London yesterday on the naval situation in the present war and referred to the decrease in Britain's shipping losses In recent weeks.
now and he has failed complete-
The speaker referred to the activities of the British navy in the hatile they were waging against Nazi U-boats and sur- face raiders who were doing their best to enforce blockade of Britain.
A THIN TIME
the
"It is of course, not possible to see why our losses have been sq low in the past few weeks. The weather might have something to do with it. Whatever the cause for the better results, from our
supplies organised and barracks eastern and southern frontlers,
Mr. Harry Hopkins arrived back prepared. The Germans already On the Yugoslav frontier at in New York yesterday after his
CONFERENCE have made appalling inroads into present there are only At the interview between Herr the nation's food supplies.
three stay in England as President Roose-
"For some time now the enemy point of view, it is too early to say German divisions
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (Reuter) craft have had a rather thin we have got the better of the U- but on the velt's personal representative in The situation in the Pacific, it is time," he said. "Stace they sank Hitler and the Prime Minister and
QUIETLY CALLED
Russo-Rumanian frontler barracks London, states a London message: suggested here, was the subject of 100,000 tons of our shipping over
Boat menace. Foreign Minister of Yugoslavia, it' Various Bulgarian classes are were being taken over by German He said, "I don't think Hitler can a conference at the State Depart-six weeks ago, for the four weeks Hitler's submarines being rein- "There is every chance of Herr is reported that Hitler offered cer- being quietly called up for train- troops all last week. tain concessions to Yugoslavia, ining and a number of buildings re-
llek the British-they are a tough ment yesterday. Other German troops were mass-crowd."
in January they have only been forced by mcresurface raidera cluding an outlet to the Aegean quisitioned. This step is described ed at Constanta where troopships
The conference was attended by able to sink no more than 34,000 and so, while we may be thankful Sea and certain bases in Albania, in local political circles as purely are lying with steam up.
Mr. Hopkins declared that Br- Mr. Cordell Hull, Lord Halifax and tons of our shipping a week,
that our losses, have been so low, in return for which Yugoslavia a defensive measure against attack quantities of material are also be could give her and he added that and it is understood that all as-ber, the enemy sank more than
Large tain needed all the help America Mr. Casey, the Australian Minister. "In the second week of Decem-I don't think this is one of our We must not shout-and anyway, will have to hand back to Hungary from any quarters,
ing brought to Danube ports along he felt sure she would get it. and Bulgaria the three provinces! The mobilisation of a division the Bulgarian-boundary.
pects of the threatened crisis were 100,000 tons of British, allied and
characteristics," "With the help of this country reviewed. which were taken away from these stationed at Bofla has caused some
NAVAL OPERATIONS LINE OF TRANSPORTS there is no question that England
neutral ships. Since then the countries in the lase wur, states a dislocation in local business and
Lord Halifax also saw Mr. Bump-figures have been much lower. But speaker dwelt on the technical de
Earlier in his remarks, the New Austrian mountain troops will win the war and it will not ner Welles. message from "Saigon.
terision in the capital remains high, were still arriving at Bucharest on be a stalemated war."
even the large figure of last Details of the work of the British German troops are also to be al-Although for the moment there Friday and Reuter's Special corres-
cember will not satisfy Herr Hit Navy, and described the various lowed passage through the coun-are no uniformed German troops pondent saw from the air an inter-report to President Roosevelt last Mr. Hopkins planned to make his
EVACUATION IN ler's desire. He wants the war essentials of training "and prec- try.
in Bulgaria and no confirmation by minable line of transports moving night.-(Special)
against our shipping to reach sion which has to be perfected in CALCUTTA Official circles in Belgrade do responsible circles of the arrival south.
600,000 tons a month, if he is to not think that these proposals wilt
CALCUTTA, Feb. 16 (Reuter) cripple if in the few short months even the most minor naval opera- Buffering severe burns, & be accepted(Special)
tions, con-Premier Fazlulḥuq, stated that the which he thinks the war will last. struction foreman, Kwan Tin, 28, Government will certainly make Herr Hitler ordered his U-boats to positions are not carried out, on "Nasal bombardments of shore was admitted to Queen Mary Hos-arrangements for the evacuation of exceed sinkings by twice as much the spur of the moment, because pital yesterday. It is alleged the women and children from Calcutta as the Kaiser's U-boats did 23 someone thinks something ought burns were received when some in the event of an enemy attack. years ago. Jeyes fluid was thrown into his
Cheung Kam-mul, 26, a coolie employed at the Kowloon Godowns, had his left big toe, crushed when a bale of cotton yard fell on his;
foot during unloading operations at the godowns yesterday morning
of German warplanes on Bul- garian aerodromes, preparations for the plow appear to be practically complete.
While German preparations are being completed In Bulga ria some 30 German divisions, reported here to total over 600,000 men, are in control of Rumania,
Kumanian hospitals bave been taken over by German medical staffs and it is stated · that schools would shortly be requisitioned as military hos- pitals;
An assurance was also made that Large quantities of Rumanian eyes on his intervening in a fight adequate measures will be taken to oils are arriving at Varna while between coolies at the AR. P. protect lives and property through Rumanian oll is being rushed to tunnel under construction opposite out the province in the event of an Guirglu.
the Chartered Bank.
enemy, attack.
12
to be done to speed up the Blow SILLY AND FOOLISH progress of naval warfare," he marine methods were primitive out in advance and every detall "At that time our anti-sub said. They are all well thought and It was silly and foolish of the considered and studied before the Fuehrer to think he could do so action is carried out.”