Page
PAGE 4-HONGKONG DAILY PRESS
EVACUATIONS OF NARVIK, DUNKIRK DESCRIBED AS WITHOUT BRIGHT HOPES FOR
PARALLEL IN HISTORY
MR. A. V. ALEXANDER AND THE HERCULEAN TASK BEFORE ROYAL NAVY: MORE MEN, SHIPS WANTED
:
LONDON, Mar. 6 (Reuter)- The Herculean task of the Bri- tish Fleet in modern conditions-performing the task of the five fleets in the last war-was outlined by the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. A. V. Alexander, in the House of Commons yes- terday when debating the token estimate for the Fleet
in
Itself is no Mr. Alexander declared: "The British Fleet roken fleet nor are our ships phantom ships, though they may be a nightmare to our enemies. Hence I have no hesitation. asking for many more ships, very good ships, greater numbers of men, very fine men, and great quantities of stares of the most "substantial kind."
CHINESE VICTORY
LONDON, Mar. 6 (Reuter)- China's prospects in the WAL against Japan are much bright- er than when the hostilities began nearly four years Agu said the Chinese Ambassador to London, Dr. Quo Tal-chi at the Missionary Society meeting at Westminster yes. terday.
He added: "I speak from the standpoint of internal unity and of the strategic and dip- tomatic aspects of the world situation."
CHINESE TAKETM
GENERAL
"Remarkable" Russian Statement Analysed
LONDON, Mar, G (Reuter) The DAILY TELEGRAPH, in ́s leader "Russian. Oracle," analyses the "remarkable' Russian state- ment condemning the Bulgarian policy of permitting German oc cupation.
The Russian statement, the paper says, denounces the efforts of the Sofia Government to deceive the Bulgarians about the Russians" true attitude, and "for the first time the Nazi pretences of seeking peace are exposed by Moscow
"The hasty semi-official reply from Berlin confesses the broad- cast shows a rift between the Reich and the Soviet, and puts up
BRITONS
a smokescreen of nonsense about ARE ADVISED
the occupation having made it for Bul. technically impossible
garla to become a theatre of war.
"No-one will be surprised at this Shyness or at Moscow's avoidance
of the censure addressed direct to
TO LEAVE |YUGOSLAVIA
Berlin. A Nazi-Soviet pack has VICHY, Mar. 6 (Reuter)-The
HEAVY TOLL OF lases for both parties, Russia British Consulate in Belgrade has
JAP. NAVY
announced
The task of the Fleet had been magnified by the collapse of France which had altered the whole fabric of British strategy. The collapse of France gave, the Germans now a naval Aily in Italy numerically stronger at sea than the Germans themselves.
CHUNGKING, Mar. 8 (Reuter It did more, than turn Mussolini into an accomplice to a pirate-
-Nearly 200 Japanese warships It Have the pirate himself new tairs whence to sally forth.
and merchantmen have been sunk When the threat first loomed to damaging at least two battle in the course of the Sino-Japanese up. the Navy had just completed ships, two cruisers, four destroyers, hostiles.
and 20 a vast series of operations from four miscellanecus craft
The naval headquarters of the the mist-shrouded cliffs of Narvik transport or supply ships.
Chinese National Military Council In addition to disturbing the yesterday
that 19% to the sun-bathed beaches of St. Jean de Luz, of which history enemy's possession of his own Japanese ships have been sunk and has probably never seen a paral coastal routes. British submarines 18g damaged by Chinese shote tel.
have destroyed something like 100 batteries and river mines up to the The Navy bore the part with: the enemy warships and supply ships. end of 1940
tribute to the Navy's
include The vessels sunk Merchant Navy and clvian volun-
nfussiduous and successful clearing medium-sized warships and 26 teers in extricating hundreds
are constantly transports. Damage done to Jap- thousands of our troops trom Nor- jet mines which
fiut
estimated a being sown in many waters... Mr. Janesc shipping is way and France. It was task for which our ships were. de- Alexander said that the Navy's nearly $200,000,000 signed. Considerable losses
After a
were qualities of resource were ex- Admiral Cunning-
expected and accepted, especially jemplified by
ab
predicts a Balkan war. but does addressed a circular to all Britons no suggest one Russian gun will in Yugoslavia advising those who Aver fire therein."
are not kept on urgent business to
One purpose of the Russian de-leave the country, according to nunciation, the Telegraph says. Is dispatches to the official French to tell the Eulgars supraheads agency. that their Government in Russia Most women members of the opposes the
Geman staff of the British Legation and.
the Consulate in Belgrade and families to the Legation staff are already preparing to leave.
troops.
entry of
the the
YUGOSLAVIA'S POSITION "Another is apparent in
Sir Ronald Campbell, the British position of Yugoslavia. With
the Axis Minister to Yugoslavia, returned occupation of Bulgaria,
on Tuesday from encircles almost all the land fronto Belgrade tiers of Yugoslavia and simultane. Athens where he went to see Mr. ously an intensified war on Yugo- Eden, the Foreign Secretary. slavia nerves.
It is learned in London that the "The German and Italian Pre-s British Minister in Belgrade has are vying with each other in or sometime been able at his dis- threats of instant doom unless jcretion to advise British subjects Yugoslavia joins the Nazi-Fascis: with no urgent reasons for stay- league.
ing. to leave Yugoslavia as soon "Familar methods are being used.las Germany started occupation, of
and Ministers. Immense efforis If some British subjects are now have been made to establish a leaving Yugoslavia, they powerful fifth column. The prize is doubtless acting on his advice. worth the great pains, since com- of Yugolavian territory mand would ease. some of the worst dim. culties of a Nazi attack on Greece.
HATE MILITARISM "The Yugoslavs, however, have CHUNGKING, Mar, 6 (Central
damage to destroyers By ham's recent operations against GERMAN TROOPS to work upon the Prince Regent Bulgaria.
skill, seamanship and devotion to the Italians. duty, the Navy deprived the enemy
With limited
forces Admiral. of anything like the toll that n Cunningham's staff had to provide had confidently anticipated, but movement of supplies, to Greece, and the main bases in the Navy was seriously depleted Malta
at the very mcment when the Egypt. addition, they had to whole problem had become more dovetail into their offensive opera- complex with the exit of France tions against the enemy dank and the entry of Itay,
POSITION IMPROVED
IN MOROCCO
GENERAL CHIANG
ENTERTAINS
are
REVELATION MADE IN COMMONS LONDON, Mar. 6 (Reuter)-The Libya the business of a veritable
of German troops A world transport agency in carrying presence
was good reason to hate Gernian mill--Members of the 2nd People's troops and stores to newly-con- Casablanca. French Morocco,
doctrines. Political Council werd entertained By swinging strides, however quered beaches and barbours, revealed by Mr. R. A. Butler, Un-tarism and its racial
en. at dinner given by Generalisslin we have immeasurably improved transporting great crowds of Ita-der-Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Russia's condemnation of the our position. With forces initially an prisoners and even
pumping in the House of Commons yester-try of Nazi trocps to the Balkans Chiang Kai-shek yesterday even-
was meant for the ears of aliing. It is learned that altogethe much inferior, Admiral Sir Andrew water ashore to the thirsty troops day. Cunninghani and Vice-Admiral Sir
In reply to a question he sala. Slav peoples."
149 proposals have been submitted SHIPPING LOSSES
broadcast, the for discussion. Twenty-three were James Somerville not only kept the
"A representative of the German The Ruestan Up to May. 1940. losses of B-Armistice Commission had been in paper says, implies an admonition discussed at: yesterday's meeting Italian fleet cooped in the Medi-
even tish, Allied and neutral ships from Casablanca 10% some terranean but neutralised it
months. to the Balkans to resist the Ger- and resolutions were passed. Italy specially enemy action averaged 40.000 tons Early in February a considerable man drive southwards, and though
The next seven months number of German officers
and Russia may be unwilling to encounter, crew remained obstinately at an average men are reported to have arrived the task, she frowns
our had shown sen superiority that just under 90,000 tons. During the there in uniform and bearing gressor and those units of the Italian Navy scarcely last 11 weeks, losses averaged about venture to dispute even the waters 51,000 tons. around their bases
in waters which claimed as her
In every
ja week.
.
arm
f
their "Estimates of The First Lord did not attribute vary," he concluded. During winter gales, British coi. the diminution entirely to the l voy escurt forces paid the price, of proved measures of protection but to thought that they were justified in all navles whost tradition is
among other
posal-by enemy action.
numer
him.
share
en the ag.
MOSCOW, Mar. 6 (Reuter)-Sir.. not opposing Stafford Cripps, British Ambassa- dor to Russia, arrived back from "They are no crusaders at the Turkey by plane yesterday after- Kremlin and the tortuosities noon. of their real-politik do not always show impressive foresight. Rut their tardy realisation of the dan-
it
keep the seas regardless of wea-counting them as at least one cer- the tonnage of British ships lest ger to Russia from Naziism in the
Balkans is plain enough and ther if there was duty to be done. tain, reason
In addition, we had the advan- gives Turkey assurance she is free Enemy communique claims would bilties.
lost that we had
"We must expect the enemy to tage of chartering ships of States to defend her own interest, seern to show
"The hurried message from Hit. may overrun by the enemy. roughly twice the number of capi. make heavy attacks and we
and receive grievous blows. The enemy On the other hand, the enemyler. which Herr von Papen deliver- tal ships, aircraft carriers cruisers with which we
entered has used every conceivable means had lost over 2,000,000 tons sunk,ed to the Turkish President is the-
Spot-captured or stuttled, and over one Faehrer's confession of his more than all tha to attack us in this vital
lurking mines, submarines (Laughter).
powerful raiders, million tons were lying useless in of the consequences."
the war and
In fact the daily work of
the aircraft.
at- Ark
Fleet and such outstanding blevements as those of the
stealthy B-boats and neutral harbours.
submarines.
Thanks to the Admiralty pälvage Counter-measures to long-range jorganisation, total tonnage rescu- Royal, which bat many times aircraft attacks are being develop. jed and saved up to the end of answered the German questions ed though he would not reveal last year was over 1,000,000 tons. concerning her whereabouts, proveir nature.
As our resources grew, so would opportunities became
ed that the great body of the Fleet of August, 1939, remained raiders' Intact.
azo
. Alexander would say to
"We the German Navy: quite prepared to take you on with only the ships which you profess to have sunk."
FORMIDABLE FORCE
lewer.
U.S. DESTROYERS
Of the 50 destroyers which the United States had transferred to us, some have already delivered U-BOAT ATTACKS
attacks on enemy submarines, and As for U-boat attacks, the ex- others, in the course of their es- pansion of serial reconnaissance cort duties, have shared in the will becoine progressively more rescue of victims of enemy at- difficult for the enemy to avoid, tack.
Emergency Meeting Of Japanese Cabinet
fear
TOKYO, Mar. 6 (Reuter)-Prince Konoye, the Japanese Premier, has decided to call an urgent Cabinet meeting on March 6 as the French
while the R.A.F. will continue to The peoples of the British Com- dislocate the Organisation of U-monwealth have given unstinted have again falled to hand in their The number of ships in most boat patrol by attacks upon their support in the war at sea classes, especially the destroyer bases.
reply to the Japanese compromise Cunadian destroyers have taken formula for settlement of the class, now at sea or instantly ready At sea the increased number of a share of the destroyers' task Franco-Thai dispute, says an offl- for the sea is greater than at any escorts will enable us to provide of protecting seaborne trade across cial Japanese report.
greater protection for convoys, and the Atlantic service to these advantages will be added
time since the war began. The ships cumming into
The report adds that the French Australian cruisers and destroy-failure is attributed by political
this year will of themselves make improvements in anti-submarine ers and New Zealand cruisers observers to delayed discussions up a formidable force, judged by tactics.
participated with great distinction among the French delegates In almost any ather Daval Power's
In the meantime, we continue to and success in operations in the Tokyo and not deliberate intention
Middle Bast standards.
inflict losses upon enemy sub-Mediterranean and
post- on the part of France to the face of enemy marine flotillas. Even in
and in the protection of import- pone or break up the mediation bombing, the efforts of the work.
To give the German naval statant convoyz.
conference, '
ers in shipyards and the untiring their due, they change U-boat South African naval units were Since the French have clearly persistence and skill of the man tactics when they become too also making a very welcome con- expressed a desire for a satisfac- agements have maintained naval costly and new tactics demandtribution
in the Mediterranean, tory conclusion, the Japanese au-
Royal Indian Navy is doing valu-
production in a remarkable man-changes our own measures, and the small but highly efficient thorities are said to be calm
ner. Our long-term programmes which take time to perfect.
of construction are maturing and The defensive ́arming of mer-able patrol work in the
a high output of short-term con-chant ships has been justified by Gulf and Indian Ocean. struction has been reached.
Persian
"Wolves Of Tuscany" "ALLIED AID the timely use of guns which en- It may not be appreciated how abled merchant seamen to pre-
Mr. Alexander did not betray Lose Their Fangs · frequently "our ships, though
not serve
themselves and turn the the strengtha of the naval con- designed for the role of bombing tables on the enemy,
tingents of Free France, Poland, LONDON, Mar. 6 (Reuter) - artillery, have carried the war into:
NEW SHIPPING
Holland and Norway, but they italian prisoners recently taken enemy ports as well as carrying The claims of official enemywere most useful reinforcements in Albania report that 1,500 Ita- out incessant bombardments in communiques about merchant ion- and were steadily expanding. Han Alpinë troops were drowned support of the Army in Libya.
inage sunk amount to double our The Belglans having no vessels when thetr ship was torpedoed
actual losses, even though some of of their own have come forward and sunk, says Athens radio.
The announcer said that the The Fleet Air Arm has also be- these losses cannot be known to to help man other ships and 'he
also confirmed the was glad there is now a Belgian prisoners come a notable weapon of offence. the Germans. In the present war, it has des- New ships delivered froms. Bri-section of the Royal Navy,
sinking of two other ships, one: troyed one enemy battleship, onatish yards, plus those abroad and In conclusion. Mr. Alexander carrying mules and equipment for cruiser. three destroyers, four sub-the volume of captured enemy paid a special tribute to the an Italian regiment and the other marines, four other naval vessels lehips now in our service, has re- "gallant, fight of the small"but carrying artillery for the "Wolves and 18 supply ships in adddition placed more than two-thirds of herole and efficient Greek Navy of Tuscany."
FLEET AIR ARM
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1941.
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