HONGKONG DAILY" PRESS
CYRIL LAKIN
LAST PITIABLE SHREDS OF VICHY'S HONOUR IS NOW IN HITLER'S CLASP
"If we are going to keep the events of the last week in proper perspective, we must put aside for the moment two sudden and striking turns in recent affairs the major offensive which has ended in Abyssinia and another which has opened in Crete, But first bir. place of importance must be given to the chapter of what Churchill had called the squalid tale of what is going on in Vichy and those parts of the French Empire still under Vichy's control."""
The above remarks form the opening comment of a broad- cast from London 'yesterday" by MR CYRIL LAKIN, Assistant Editor of THE TIMES and a well-known authority on pell- tical developments.
Mr. Lakin sald that when Ad- mira Darlan went to Berchtesga- den there was little to be hoped from his visit, The last pitiable shreds of Vichy's honour had now 'been left in Hitler's clasp The
Vichy Government had now .cx- pended its policy of collaboration with Germany even as far as Africa was concerned.
Mr. Lakin said that there was
"In the light of these heavy lasses it is natural that the people of Britain should look eagerly for news of any method to help to- wards stopping this death roll," sald Mr. Lakin,
"They have now read with interest of a new radio devise to help anti-aircraft gunners. Although detalls of this new devise have not been given for obvious reasons it is said that network of it consists of a smal radio sets to enable anti- aircraft gunners to detect the approach of enemy planes with greater accuracy than before." Mr. Lakin said that from the be- nothing in the terms of armisticeginning of April to the middle of to allow the Germans the milltary May the Germans lost 251 planes use of French pussessions in and about 1095 men, while the Africa. Many very serious pos| British lost 156 planes and about abilitles would now be involved in 500 men, During night attacks this Vichy humiliation. There the Germans lost 214 tombers an i would be. for instance, the use by the British 76. That was "oughly the Germars Tunis in the three German bombers to every Mediterranean and the French British bomber. West African ports in the Atlantic, Concluding. Mr. Lakin And now there was news ofSo long as we keep the balance Vichy's agreement to permit the in our favour we are wearing down "Germans to use the French mill- the morale of the German ale force and as our own strength in air production increases we wil achieve a better balance.
of
tary and air bases in Syria.
BLUSTERING PROTEST Referring to what he described as "the blustering protest by Gen. Dentz against the action, taken by the British. Mr. Lakin recalled
ma.115.
gold,"
FIRST LORD WANTS that Ger. Dent was the officer to
MORE SHIPS whom had been given the job of handing over Paris to the Ger- LONDON, May 21 (Reuter)-Mr. A. V. Alexander, "First Lord of the "We have not yet come to the Admiralty, speaking at the Savoy end of this squalid story," con-Hotel in London on Wednesday in tinued Mr. Lakin, and there is a support of the London's War Wea- strong suspicion that Admiral pons Week, said. "I want more ships Berchtesgaden bargain- and I want them quickly. I want ing has also given the Germans more guns and more and faster the use of Cologne and Marseilles. aeroplanes for the Fleet Air Arm.”
£52,000,000
Darlan's
"So far, In spite of Vichy's complicity it does not appear that the Germans have been able to marshal any great forces for an attack, on the
oilfields of Iraq."
Mr. Lakin then turned to an other stage of current develop- ments the attack by air-borne troops on Crete. He said that the invasion by the first batch of air force troops would not be the last so the British would have to be prepared for a very big struggle. General Freyberg. V.C., had been able to round up the whole lot of the advance party in quick time, and it was hoped that he would be
able to deal as satisfactorily with any others that might follow.
DEFEND TO DEATH "Only a fortnight ago the Prime Minister described Crete as one of the important "outposts that Bri- tain would defend to the death," said Mr. Lakin."This outpost. rises in the path of the Germans for their drive to Syria and Iraq. and we must be prepared to see the Germans' determination to selze it, as we are determined to keep It"
Mr. Takin next referred to the fighting in LIBYA where, he said, the British had cap- tured five times as many pri- soners as the Germans claimed to have done.
The Germans had retaken Capuzzo but the British had still retained their position at Sollum while the garrison at Tobruk had ¡given the German commander
plenty to think about.
German prisoners who have been taken in this area had de- clared that the R.AF. had given them no rest. This was what the Germans had done to the Poles and Yugoslavs; and they were now getting a taste of their own medi- cine.
next development is the
The
collapse of all Italian resistance in Abyssinia,"continued Mr. Lakin. "Although the Duke of Aosta's last refuge at Amba Alagi was strong he could not hold his position when all hope of reinforcement had been cut off. The daring of the British troops had won one of the most astonishing campaigns in military history."
THE HOME FRONT. Turning to the Home front, Mr. Lakin referred to the figures of civilians who were killed" and wounded last month in air raids—
6.000 killed and 7,000 injured. These figures showed that twice
as many civilians were killed in one month in Britain as there were soldiers killed in all the des- perate fighting in Greece,
Fifty-two million six hundred thousand sterling has been received in the first three days of the War Weapons week.
CABLE
GEORGE FORMBY ENTERTAINS.
George Formby and ukelele with (left) his wife, Beryl, and (right) Geraldo, surrounded by an appreciative audience of soldiers and AT.S. This photograph was taken during a camp concert which was recently broadcast to the B.B.C.'s overseas listeners.
Must Expect Fighting To Increase In Severity
Continued from Page 1
ATTACK RESUMED
An air-borne division, according It is authoritatively learned that to the latest information, has one the Germans résumed their air- artillery regiment, armed with 24 borne attack on Crete at 4.30 p.m. 75 mm. mountain guns with 37 mm. It has its own anti-tank com- pany.
on Tuesday.
Three-thousand men were drop- per but all were mopped up with in two hours.
✔ guns.
.
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 194). —PAGE 7
VICHY-REICH ALLIANCE NOW IN PARIS
NOW FAIT ACCOMPLI: TURKISH PRESS VIEWS
ANKARA, May 21 (Reuter)-The allance between Vichy and the Relch is now a fait accompli, declares the newspaper ULUS, while the AKDAM states that it is impossible to believe that France, who has done so much to spread liberty in the world, should now want to destroy it.
Press
These are typical comments on Vleby's latest acts in the Turkish
IL
NOT OWN WAY
Regarding Syrla, the YENISABAH The Germans therefore have not recalls that Turkey could have chosen the best moment to start à taken Syria after France's collapse campaign of intimidation against and was even urged to do so by the a markedly proud and patriotic Axis, but Turkey's "horror of im people. perialism and love of France, whom she hoped to see rise again" re-i strained her despite the importance the B.B.C. last night, Major Allen CHFTSCH arrived in Paris by aero- In a commentary, broadcast by
FIELD MARSHAL VON BRAU-· Murray said that Vichy was not FIRST PLACE.
having everything its own way in "But today when Vichy opens the sale of France to Germany. Syria to the Germans. when it isock, stock and barrel" and, in the possible for the Axis to take over words of the well-known song, Syria, the vital interests of Turkey Fifty-million Frenchmen can't be must take first place in our coun- sels."
of Syria for Turkey's defence.
Meanwhile German pro pagandists are putting about stories of a coming closer colta- "boration "between the Reich and the Soviet Union. They are spreading rumours such as that the Russians will allow the German troops destined for Iraq to pass through the Cau-
Casus.
The Germans are hinting that
|
wrong."
French capitulation to Germany was disapproved by other countries outside of Britain and the United States.
|
plane yesterday morning, says the Paris Radio, according to Reuter. He was received at the aerodrome by General Von Staelpeagel, “Gen-. eral Omeer. Commanding the oc- cupying forces in France.
FRANCO-U.S. RELATIONS
"CABINET MEETING
31 LONDON, May (Reuter)— The Vichy Cabinet met in Paris last
WASHINGTON, May 21, (Reuter) Tuesday night under the Presi-It is rellably stated that Mr. dency of Admiral Darlan, says the Cordell Hall; the Secretary of OVERSEAS, State, has told M. Henri Haye, the Paris
newspaper quoted by the official German News French Ambassador, that the only the USSR. has agreed to colla-
hope of restoring harmony in Agency. borate through tear of heavy Ger- hitherto been no mention of this a full assurance that France should The Editor says that there has French and American relations was
man concentrations on her frontier in the Vichy wireless and if it la bold rigidly to the armistice terms and also reviving, the rumours of true it is the first Cabinet meeting in, dealing with Germany. a Soviet-German partition of the in Paris since the capitulation and MUST LEAVE SYRIA Middle East.
would be possible owing to the re-
LONDON, May 21 (Reuter)-The The Germans used Stukas, Mes-
laxation of movement over the de-Vichy Government has noticed the serschmitts. gliders, parachutists
The object of this whispering markation line under the new British Consular omelals in Syria and troop-carriers, and many of the The chief characteristic of the campaign is to frighten the Turka Vichy-Nazi Agreement. latter crashed on landing.
air-borne division is that it has aby presenting them with a bozey Reliable Information received in much higher proportion of officers of the German army on the West-
LONDON, May 21 (Reuter)--An London shows that on Monday the and N.C.Os than the ordinary regi- ern frontier and the Soviet-German order has been issued to the cáp- enemy carried cut a bombardment men; while the proportion of sup- armies on the Eastern borders.
tains of French merchant ships on Crete from the air which con- porting arms to rifies is lower than
inued, all day.
memorate the landing of Mustapha have been formally received, they Kemel at Samscund in 1919, when must avold. by all means, allowing at one of the blackest moments of their ships and cargoes to fall into the country's history, Kemal started the hands of the British. a great lask of unifying and free- ing the nation.
Early Tuesday morning. the at- tark was renewed and parachutists
were dropped while later, gilders and troop-carrying aircraft were
employed.
Landings were made chiefly in the part of the island which has histerically been a line of approach, namely the western side, but there werd also landings at Herakleon.
ONE DIVISION
It is believed that at least one air-borne enemy division was in- volved in the operation, appro- ximately 7,000 men,
A German air-borne division does
normally include parachute |
NATIONAL SAVINGS LONDON, May 21 (Reuter) Seven hundred million sterling has been raised by nationa; savings in the first 19 months of "this, war. İ not compared with £48.000.000 in the troops and it is pointed out that same period in the last war.
in the past, when the Germans landed an air-borne division, the operation had taken wb days...
The United States has offered to ⚫ WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuter sell or charter two ships to Ireland and to supply food for the Irish | civilian "population. -
BRIGANTINE
A German air-torne division Is understood to contain two infantry regiments as against three in the
Army division.
LAUNCHED
Above shows the 55-ton brigantine which was launched at the
Kwong On Shing Shipyard on Monday.—(Mayfair Studio).
4
RIFLE COMPANIES Each such regiment has three rifle companies and one machine- gun company
normal.
LONDON, May 21 (Reuter)-Pre- sident Roosevelt has announced the creation of a structure of civillan
defence in the United States.
"FRIGHTEN TURKS
ORDER TO SHIPS
The Turks on Tuesday will com- at, unless contrary instructions
The whole Press breathes patrio-
that they must leave within eight days.
TRIPLE FAMILY TRAGEDY
LONDON, May 21 (Reuter) The announcement yesterday, that MILITARY SUPPLIES
Flying Officer Henry Francis LONDON, May 21 (Reuter)-Con- Demhster Breese is missing, marks BELFAST, May 21 (Reuter)tism and recalls the glorious deeds armation that many firms in una triple family tragedy of the Conscription is to be imposed in for the past and declares that Tur-occupied
produdng war. Northern Ireland.
France
are
key, will prove not a less stalwart, military supplies for Germany was His father, Air Vice-Marshal Ü.
LONDONERS IGNORE BOMBINGS:
BUSINESSMEN NO LONGER SEEK SHELTERS
Londoners have become accustomed to bombing and are no longer intimidated by it, zecording to a letter received by a Shanghai resident from his father, who is in the British capital. The letter, extracts from which were published in the North China Daily News, shows that people are carrying on even though their offices have been destroyed, and there is great dan- ger that their "lives may be lost,
"
In the words of the writer: "It "After a lot of lost time the firms is really wonderful." The letter decided to carry on upstairs until. describing these conditions was actual gun-fire was heard, but it written while an air raid alarm was not long before the staffs took
was sounding. but the writer re-ro nouce at all and for the past fused to take any notice of the several months not a soul has been jalarm ́until he had finished his near the shelters.
epist.c. Extracts" from the letter follows:
NO NOTICE TAKEN
given by Mr. R. A. Butler, Under-
D. Breese, was killed Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in reply to requests in the House of service as the result of Commons for information on-the accident, it
Marcia subject..
JUNK CARGO STOLEN
on
active.
a flying
was spnounced in
His elder brother. Flight-Lieu- tenant J.C. Breese, is a prisoner of war in Germany.,
A Hongkong-registered trading HEINKEL DOWNED junk No. T5796H, while sailing in
BY TRAWLERS British waters on May 19, had her cargo, consisting of 528 tins of
LONDON, May 21 (British Wire- petrol and matting covers, to the less)-An Admiralty communique value of $4,049, stolen, according states that on "Monday night a to a report made to the Police by Heinkel 111 was engaged and shot the master, Yeung Yee-ching.
The vessel was lying at anchor
sawlers Tranio, Thomas Leeds and
Dre-
down off the east coast by HM
Stella Leonis. at Sha Kin, near Tai Hin, when at midnight seven or eight Chi- nese boarded the boat and herded The enemy aircraft had
LETTER MUST BE FINISHED-
Yeung and his crew into the hold, viously been under fire and dam- They were put ashore on May 20 aged by H.M. minesweeper Prin- "Just this minute-Sunday noon
No casualty or I hear the rald siren going. but south of Nine Pins and the rob cess Elizabeth.
bers boat, sailed away in the damage was sustained by our "Then the owners of the bulld-jas I have been sitting here for go
ships." ing finished making their ten-many months with sccres of bombs roomed shelter and the evacuated dropping and hellish gun-fire all firms all returned from the coun- around, you may be sure that I try. At first the staffs in the en- don't intend leaving until I finish tire building went down to the this letter to you. We have been shelter on the first warning siren evacuated once from the office as and with the alarm sounding half three delayed action bombs fell in la dozen times a day, there was the street just outside the front
Hittle work done.
DETERMINED
TO SUPPORT
door.
"The street was roped off - for about a week but I still went back occasionally to get whatever papers andles we needed to carry on with. The Suicide Squad dug down about ten feet and exposed the bomb ready for the special man to draw the fuse, so I went down to have a look. The bomb SINGAPORE, May 21 (Reuter) was about three feet long and Determination to support the Chl-about eight inches in diameter. nese Government in Chungking
A GREAT JOKE
CHUNGKING
and "the resistance policy," national | "Mulions of
have been unification and fighting the Jap-through quite a hectic. Hime and I anese, invaders to the end," was have lain in bed many a night reasserted by Mr. Tan Kah-kee, listening to the damned whistle leader of Overseas Chinese In and swish of bombe dropping, ex- Malaya and chairman of the China pecting one to come a little closer Rellef Fund Association, in
worse statement to pressmen here..
DOING MUCH FOR VICTORY
any minute. Guns firing
than bombs and then came the wallop and you could hear bricks, stones, iron work and the rest of it tumbling down with a damnable clatter and you remark to your- selt:
察
LONDON, May 21 (Reuter)-Ad-
Missed me again, this time and miration of the spirit of the Bri-turn around to go to sleep again
direction of Lam Tong.
WE WANT A WASH
药
-and we'll come clean
easily.
.
swiftly
with a
tish people under suffering was ex- At Brst everybody dived for shel-GAS WASH BOILER on HIRE-75c. MONTHLY, pressed by Mr. John G. Winant, .ters but not anymore. Buses run,
8. Ambersador to Britain, opening taxis y around; men, women and
a hospital in the East End of ton- children go shopping, dawdling dan yesterday.
and looking into shop windows as
Write; Call or Phone
though nothing was happening HONG KONG & CHINA GAS COMPANY, LTD.
Mr. Winant said: “You who work untiringly for the when a bomb might come down protection of others and are help any minute. Truly, it is amazing Ing London to take it, are doing to watch the folks treating it as a much for victory."
great Joke.
Central Showroom Gloucester Bldg., Kowloon Showroom-246, Nathan Edi,
· Telephoné", "24704. Téléphone" 37341,