HONGKONG DAILY PRESS
CABLE
BOMBING IS NOT SELF-SUFFICIENT Matsuoka Has So Far Proved
MEANS OF ATTACK, SAYS AIR EXPERT: LAND & SEA
CO-OPERATION NECESSARY
"A few days ago an announcement was made that the RAF. had dropped a new kind of bomb on Germany and that this new bomb was more effective than anything else used before," said MAJOR OLIVER STEWART, aeronauti- cal expert, when he broadcast from London on Saturday, on the war in the air.
This brings up the old question of the limitation of bombing and how much dam- age bombing can do in war," continued Major Stewart.
NOT A SIMPLE PROBLEM "We have had a good deal of experience in bombing and being bombed. I have heard people say that they could win this war sole- ly by bombing. They say that it we had several large bombers and drop a large number of bombs we could beat Germany,
"I do not share in this beller sald Major Stewart. "It is true we are building up our bombing feet and probably the Germans are do- ing likewise. It is also true that we have this new and effective bomb, but it is also true that this country is still subjected to at- tack from the air.
"This question. of dealing with it is not a simple indus- trial problem or simply a mat- ter of turning out more plates. It is also a technical problemu. To organise air attacks in this way an air force must be very large "and well equipped."
AERODROME CAPACITY Major Stewart said that in or- dinary peace tinte an airport was only able to handle about one ma- chine in ten minutes. Even if this I time was reduced to four minutes, the traffic capacity of an aero- drome would be limited to 120 ma-
chines in eight hours..
huge bomber fleet that can lay waste an entire country is" an impossibility.
WEATHER TROUBLES "Then there are other troubles such as the weather, We have examples of the effect which wea- ther häs on bombing operations and a huge air fleet will be very vulnerable to weather conditions.
"Finally, there is the question of visiblity and fogs. Night bomb- ing is an extraordinary haphazard proceeding. One bomb of a small size may do a lot of darnage and cause many casualties. Large bombs may cause no casualties and do no damage,
"We must always remember that the reason that the Germans have given up high altitude bombing. attacks on our ships is because they found that such attacks were so inaccurate they could not be sure of hitting anything. So they resorted to dive-bomblig.
The dive-bomber comes low down and almost places his homb on the ship.
"If that can be done always, ä nation may be brought into submission, but a large part of the striking aircraft get damaged in the attempt.
THE NEW BOMP "So now we have this new bomb.
don't know much new bomb. There has been no official
technical ΟΙ
statement
"There is
about this
about it and there is not likely to be such a statement. But it seemis "That gives you an idea of the that the bomb has a greater de- Until we know capacity of a service aerodrome structive power. under war conditions," said Major what the details are, the value of Stewart. There are eight hours! the new bomb must remain 2 of darkness so that the probable mystery. of aircraft which could
nothing to suggest use an aerodrome may, easily be that it can enable a country to less than 100. To give even that be controlled by air attack. traffic average demands a high must not forget that our experi- ence of bombing and being bomb- organisation of ground staff and the absence of technical troubles, ed indicates that bombing is not.. In war that does not happen. and is not likely to be, a self- There
rumber
are always difficulties.
'We
sufficient means of gaining vic- tory. Air action to be most effec-
A Bird Of Ill-omen REVISIONIST LONDON, Apr. 6 (Router)—Remarking that Mr. Matsuoka, the
DEMANDS BY BULGARIA
BELGRADE, Apr. 6 (Reuter)—
Bulgaria was reported yesterday to have opened consultations with Hungary with the view of a pre- sentation of joint revisionist de- mands to Yugoslavia.
Japanese Foreign Minister, has so far proved a bird of ill-omento. seriously preoccupy his hosts,' THE TIMES thinks the choice of the route given him narrows his view of the European horizon, and "he has a reputation for that kind of cheerful self-eentred obstinacy which ignores uncomfortable facts,”
The fourcex undertaken at Herr and M. Stalin might herein please anxi concede Mr. Hitler's instigation was intended Herr Hitler
A minor diplomatic to demonstrate emphatically the Matsuoka solidarity of Europe and Eastern achievement.
But the achievement would Asia at a moment when the Arts was launching a spring offensive make He practical difference In Europe and Japan, by a subsi- and "the final issue will still turn diary offeceive, was to divert Bri- or the impressions made on the tish and American energles to a Japanese Government by the de new war zone in the Pacific.
velopments, not poly in Europe But, continues The Times, how- | but across the Atlantic of the past ever great is Mr. Matsuoka's pro- tew weeks. On this point too, M. Observers here" regard such a Axis enthusiasm. the Japanese Stalin might have some interest- move as completely consonant with Government will hardly share this ing reflections, if he cared to im- the past history of Bulgaria, and view of Japanese-German rela- part, to Mr. Matsuoka to listen." express the belief that it would cause little surprise to the people of Yugoslavia..
According to unofficial, but usually well-informed circles here. diplomatic conversations" to this end are now proceeding actively in Sofla and Budapest.
U.S. Flyers To Observe British Blitz
¡On Germany"
WASHINGTON, Apr. 6 (Reuter)- United States Army officers may fly with British pilots in the role of observers when the new American four-engined bombers raid Ger-
many.
tions,
::
TANGIBLE ADVANTAGE
!!
It seems probable that Mr.
Matsuoka will be expected to bring NEW DETAILS ON
back some tangible advantage, the search of which may prove · em- barrassing since the concrete as- sistance Herr Hitler can give is negligibla
But jf the Stalin-Ribbentrop pact still counts, Herr Hitler, per- haps by discreet pressure, may be able to induce the Kremlin conclude the agreement Matsuoka urgently desires.
to Mr.
That M Stalin will grant the Japanese visitor his greatest wish-interruption of Soviet ald for China-seems impro- bable, says The Times, Russia has always taken a long Authoritative sources explained view of ultimate interest in the yesterday that the duty of the obvast markets of China," and in Iservers would be to report to the friendly relations with the patient
American Air Corps regarding the and persistent Chinese people, performance of the bombers under"} Jactual war conditions.
With a similar mission in view, American naval officers have been Istationed for months past in British warships in the Atlantic and the
Mediterranean,
S'HAI ARREST
Official Was Kidnapped, Broadcast Allegation SHANGHAI, Apr 6 (Reuter) The announcer in the nightly
Free French broadcast over the American-owned station 'last night stated that M. Egal Was not arrested but kidnapped by" a French naval party.
He declared that they had no warrant for arrest and "unlaw- fully entered the premises wherei Egal was residing and which was Belgian property."
The
announcer
also revealed that "Free Frenchmen in Shangbai MORE AMENABLE
were discreetly informed that" it would be to their own beneft to But there are other points of practical importance, notably fish-Suspend both the radio broadcasts and publication, of their weekly ing and commercial questions con
bulletin." which a deal might be concluded, if the Japanese negotiator proves more amenable than in the past
YUGOSLAVIA AND GREECE
NO SUBMISSION
He then added: "Free French- men in Shanghai have already made known that they would, not submit either to intimidation or threats. They will carry on their present activities.
INVADED BY GERMANY The only difference will be that
·Continued from Päge 1
defend the honour of their country to the last man.
Athens had an air raid alert yes
while in the past
they have repeatedly gone out of their way to show a spirit of conciliation to- tions by British forces. The Ger-wards the Vichy people they wil man Government had ordered Its now feel compelled to adopt a troops to drive British troops from stronger attitude."
Enemy aircraft may come over and tive should be linked up with terday morning lasting half-an- Greek soll.
bomb an aerodrome, and there are a hundred things that may reduce
it to half of its capacity.
"A bombing force that can strike a mortal blow at a coun- try will require an enormous air force. So I think that a
Tokyo Report Sensation
THAI PREMIER TO VISIT JAPAN
either sea and land action or both.
"In the Western Desert, East Africa, the Battle of Crete and in the Mediterranean, alr power could work with either land or sen power "or both. Bombing is not a self-sufficient means of attack. -
CHOICE OF ATTACK
hour.
In an order of the day, Herr Hit-
Growds gathered outside mililer stated that the Bght on Greek New Type Of Bombs
tary headquarters and cheered the soil was not against the Greeks but King when he arrived with Staff against the arch-enemy, Britain, officers for a war conference.
Police guards have been posted outside German business houses.
** STUBBORN RESISTANCE.
NOTHING DEFINITI There is no definite news as the number of British troops there and only two days ago an official Ger-
On the Greek front the Germans man military spokesman placed "Therefore, bombing of Geradmit that they are meeting with the number at 350,000. Is was then many must always be linked up stubborn Greek resistance in the stated to be 200,000 and Signor with our land and sea operations Struma Valley. The Greeks are Gayda, writing in POPOLO
Used By R.A.F.
LONDON, Apr. 8 (Reuter)— "The newest British bombs were used by the R. A. F. bombers in their daring and determined effort last Friday night to des- troy the Nazi battle-cruisers „Scharnhorst “and Gneisenau
lying at Brest.
After
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1941, -PAGE
EASTER
NOVELTIES AND EGGS
CHOCOLATE
BUNNIES
OWLS CHICKENS
DOLLS DUTCH SHOES
ETC.
Fancy Presentation Fruit & Canned Goods Baskets. Made to order
at short Notice.
China Emporium, Ltd.
[Grocery Dept. ]
Italians Finally Cracking
Up In East Africa
Continued from Page 1
In these words, a British official Complete tranquillity now pre- Army communique on Saturday valls with people walking about or night, described the situation in standing in small groups in street corners, apparently quite unper- Western Cyrenaica.
ar.
If it is to be really effective. I fighting with the same tenacity DTTALIA said he thought it was
In Eritrea, the British advance turbed by the fact that they had have already explained how the Germans are trying to link up at-Italians.
that brought them victory over the 160,000.
The bombs employed were the from Asmara is continuing and ad- just seen the final phases of Signor tacks on ship with attacks on our
In Italy, there is little en- most powerful ever used against vance elements are already south Mussolini's dream to create A later London message stated
battleships. thusiasm over the latest Ger- ports. We must, therefore, choose that the Greek and Serbian, fron-
of Adows near which place a bat-African empire. The British pilots, Im their our attacks so that our operations tiers had been crossed at several
man action.
talion of Italian infantry were sur- Tons of petrol have been dis- BANGKOK, Apr." 6 (Reuter)-A against other parts of Germany
An Italian communique, issued suicide dives, dropped to 1,000 feet prised and captured. The total covered and more may be hidden points. The Germans attacked sensation has been caused here by are linked together. Our bombing Greek forces both on the Thrace ence to the invasion at all but fin-one stick of bombs had crashed Asmara amounts to nearly 5,000, or that the Italians tried to burn it
hours afterwards, made no refer-before releasing their loads
number of prisoners captured at in secret dumps despite the fact the Tokyo report that the Thal must dove-tail with our blockade.
and Eastern Macedonian frontiersally Rome Radio explained belated- down a huge fire broke out near one which 4,000 are Italians. Railway all before leaving. Premier, Laang Bipul Songgram."That is why our air staff re- will probably go to Tokyo to meet mains quite unmoved by appeals while Nazt troops advanced overly that Italian troops were acting of the cruisers and could be seen the Bulgarian frontier where
One pilot Mr. Matsuoka on his return from that they should demand that our
claimed either a direct hit or a the Axis capitals.
bomber force should make attacks Yugoslav troops had been massed in close collaboration with the Ger- 80 miles out at sea.
as a precaution.
very near miss. Thai dally newspapers gave pro- on German clties and leave other minence to the report which so far targets alone." has not yet evoked an denia).
omcial
Major Stewart said that bomb- ing certainly did cause discomfort Authoritative quarters do not and disorganisation, but it was confirm the report but diplomatic not as serious as was expected be- circles point out that if the invitafore the war began.
tion is received it would be dim- cult to decline.
RUMOURS DENIED
Rumours that Thailand has joined the Tripartite Alliance or that she is actively supporting Japan's programme for the estab- Ishmerit of a New Order in East Asia was today dented by the De-
"If invasion was contemplat- ed, then continual bombing. may be of some value and may succeed in lowering a coun- iry's resistance,” said Major Stewart. "As we have seen the effects have been much less than expected.
FULL CO-OPERATION
"Belgrade" remains calm and determined and the spirit of the people is reflected in what a soldier said, "We Serbs go to battle like others going to a wedding."
mans.
A German report claimed that Italian planes attacked targets in ̈ Southern Yugoslavia but no mell Ron of this is made in the Italian communique.
An order of the day to the Greek Navy says, "Since this morning we It was at 5.30a.m. yester- day that the German Minister have been in a state of war with
in Athens presented a Note to the Germany. Our slogan remains the Prime Minister warning him that same diregard for death."
an attack was imminent.
MASS MURDER
*
It was the third R. A. F. raid on the cruisers since their presence was made known läst Sunday.
and and rolling stock englrcs quantities of military material have also been taken.
2
BRIDGEHEAD ESTABLISHED -South-African troops established bridgehead over the River ADVANCE PROCEEDING
Awash, despite the fact that the Britlah troops have secured the Italians had demolished the road Important position on the Awash and railway bridgen river in Abyssinia, following " a British patrols continue in face sharp engagement with the enemy of opposition by artillery and
TWO DIPLOMATIC In all the other sectors, the Eri- machine-gun fire. The River
NOTES
tish advance is proceeding satis Awash runs through a steep gorge, factorily.
Fin which water open. only. South African forces have cap-¡ about 40 yards wide. It forms a NEW YORK, Apr. 6 (Reuter)-tured a number of prisoners, in formidable and natural obstacle. The German Radio quoted Herr cluding a brigade commander.
Asba Zittorio, a short distance to At the same time, Herr Von Rib. bentrop handed Notes to the Yu-summed up by a BBC. commenta-length about the diplomatic Notes The situation in the Balkans was. Dietrich, Nazi press.chief, at
The first block made by the Ita-the southeast of Mlesso, was oc- goslav and Greek Ministers in Ber- tor thus:
sent to Yugoslavia and Greece. liana 11 miles from Asmara on the cupled on Wednesday. lin the contents of the former Note
"Although the facts of the situa→ Herr Dietrich was quoted as main road leading to Massawa was Bombing then is the chief op alleging that documents had been tion are crystal clear, the Germans saying: "For the past few hours, removed on Saturday evening, and Duty Secretary-General, Na! Tawee ponent of the war effort, but it found to show Yugoslavian Intrigue are taking out of the pigeon-hole there has been no doubt that Bri-British troops have advanced to the SLIGHT AIR ACTIVITY:& must be linked up with land or with Britain before the war started monstrous lies to justify what can tain has been trying to carry the next obstacles a short distance fur- sea operations, or both, if it is to in 1939. The Note went on to say only be called mass murder."
OVER BRITAIN war into Europe by repeated land- [ther on. have effect. This means that full that
LONDON, ADT. 6 (Reuter)-Day- He asserted that. such questions co-operation between the fighting
in spite of this, Yu-
ings at Salonika. There are also Ras Selyum, Ethiopian chieftain light air activity over Britain yes- have not been discussed by the services is the greatest lesson this coslavia was invited to sign. the
reports coming in that the Greek who led large forces against the terday was on a small scale and and British General Staffs have Italians in 1935, has now made con- little damage was done. been exchanging information at
Bomber tact with the British, and is un- were dropped in two areas and at Staff talks,
derstood to have placed himself at one, northeast Scotland, there were their disposal.so
some casualties a few of which were fatal.
Hunhaketu, of the Council of Min- isters, according to a semi-official Japanese report.
Ministers.
GENERAL NOGUES
war is teaching us.
"These services, working as a team, become definitely more than three times as strong than if they
view of air power. let themselves get an exaggerated
Axis Pact but the Ministers who initialled it were arrested on their return to Belgrade.
APPEAL FOR HELP
Hungary ・ was completely black-out on Saturday night while in Turkey no comment on the latest aggression by Germany is avallzole.-
In the Soviet, the paper ISVES-
TTALIAN PROMISE
READY FOR OPERATIONS IN VICHY
work alone. As you will remem- The Note also alleged an appeal TIA says that Yugoslavia's efforts. At the moment, transports of LONDON, April 6 (Reuter)-ber, we were arguing, just before for help sent by Gen. Simovitch, to preserve her independence could British troops are continuing and
It was oficially reported inst General Nogues, French Resident the war, about the independent the Tugoslav Premier, to Britain not fail to arouse Bovlet sympathy there are American reports that
The Italians yainly tried to per night that three raiders were General of Morocco, arrived in use of the air arm. There was and the United States and pointed while FRAVDA' writes that both 200,000 British" soldiers are ready suade him to head an opposition brought down over Bristol during Vichy yesterday
movement to the Abyssinian pat Friday night's attack. afternoon large school which held that the out that the accession of King Yugoslavia and Greece wore striy for operations in Greece.
for
"In September, 1939, the Greek riots, promising him he would be air arm was self-sufficient, They Peter II was acclaimed in London. Ing for peace. several days stay, according to a dispatch to the official German
Ambassador in Paris, stated that installed as Emperor Greces wanted to extend 128
Beldom can a conquering army agreement with Italy insofar as It was not directed against the Allied have a better reception from enemy on the B.B.C. home programme to-
people than when the British en The Note handed to the Greek day, and after the announcement "The Greek General Staff stated tered Ammara As they drove in Minister took somewhat similar lines of Germany's proclamation of war the landing of British troops in tanks, armoured cars and lorrles, un Baturday. and stated that Greece had refused on Tugalavis, a recording of the Greece would not be opposed, but the inhabitants crowned to the friendship with Italy and had Yugoslav National Anthem was that Greece would welcome it gardens and windows and many street sleepers at Prime become openly the scene of opera- | played.
added Herr Dietrich,
Road:
news agency,
He was received immediately after his arrival by Admiral Darlan with whom he had a long discus- sion General Nogues, it is added, will discuss with the other mem- bers of the Vichy Government co- cerning the situation in Morocco,
"Finally, they came to think that aircraft might, sufficiently numerous, help to ssin full control without the
assistance of other arms. But now they see that air power
must be used with other
The Note ended with the very familiar sentence: "German forces
are marching into Yugoslavia to re- store order."
NATIONAL ANTHEM LONDON, April 6 (Renter)—At
the conclusion of the 9 a.m.-news
powers,
BITTEN BY RAT Bitten on the hand by a rat. 10-month-old female child admitted to the Kowloon Hospital
The child and her parents were
Edvert