Saturday,
HONGKONG TELEGRAPH
December 16, 1939.
OVERNIGHT BRITAIN NEGOTIATES Volunteers For
NEWS PAGE FOR
Australia's War
Effort
BYDNEY, Dec. 15 (Menter Special).Ir. K. G. Menzies, the Australian Prime Minister. announced to-day that air training scheme for Australia moludes 10,400 pilots and 15,- 600 observers, wireless uperators and ale gunners.
The real in the next three years fa estimated at £50,000.- 000.
An agreement will be Eigned. by the Governments of thee Untied Kingdom and Australla Aus- providing that alf tim
tralian personnel shall complete their Training 1 Australia, except for "some thousands" in Canada
Britain would contribute 50 per cent. of the engines required and aircraft used for elementary training.
Erilain has offered to provide much Jastracters as might be necessary to supplement those in Austraila.
NORTH SEA AERIAL BATTLE
London, Dec. 15 Yesterday was a day ofalinns! Hy- ceasing activity aver the North Sea by aircraft the R.AF.
these
Considerable forces made wide searches for enemy surface craft and Bubnmrines. Besides
opera- flons there was a close reconnaissance of the estuaries and fortified islande of North-West Germany.
art
One of the sweeps-an the recon- anissance Bigghts over the sea called-extended over the Heligoland Bight and during this operating the formation of aircraft engaged strong enemy fighter force, at same time
encountering anti-airerati fre from German warships.
Thia formation left its base for the purpose of carrying out North Sea reconnaissance. Visibility was poor. For about two and a half hours cur aircraft flew over the North Sea when, in the distance, they saw what appeared to be worships. Closer inspection revealed a Battleship and a cruiser making towards the South. Some destroyers and a submarine were also observed.
The submarine opened are and then dived for safety.
Within a few moments of the war- ships being sighted our aircraft were engaged by German fighters and then ensued a desperate fight.
The contest was not only with the enemy in the air, for the anti-aircraft guns of the warships opened fire. Black and white bursts surrounded our aircraft. When the
gunfire
TO
NAZI
WARSHIP
BE INTERNED
Britain has sent a note to Uruguay contending that the Admiral Graf Spee should not he permitted to remain in port for more than 24 hours without internment. It is stated thint the battleship will be allowed to remain until to-morrow, or at the very latest, Monday.
The Admiral Graf Spee sank,nine ships during her adven- Lures. Sixty-one prisoners were released at Montevideo after they hnd signed pledges that they would not go to sen again for the duration.
Triumph For British Seamanship
London, Dec. 15. This morning's newspapers hall the naval victory..
th
·
Royal Navy
LONDON, Dec. 15 (¡truter). -The Empire's first contingent ef men to faln the Royal Navy. consisting of early 200 Gutter-
mon, all bachelors, from Beflo Isle, Newfoundland, was given an official welcome al Liverpool Lu-tiny.
The men, whose ages range from 18 to 24, are the first of 625 volunteers who will be engaged in minesweeping opern- 11ons.
The fathers of some of the men served in the army in the- last war,
Lord Berby. In the name of the King, welcomed ihe "xplendid body of men who had come to help their Empire in the great struggle."
FINNS RETREAT
The naval battle was apparently, of much concern to all Americans" and it is reported lint the American nations might make a joint protest to Germany and Britain.
Montevideo, Dee. 15. righted the Admiral Grat Spec saling
Commentators declare The Admiral Graf Spre will be nf-| parallel with the
that Formote. The lowed by Uruguay to remain until | Admiral Graf Spee Bred four shots battle has proved that the pocket Sunday be, at be very Inlet, Monday, at a target invisible flom the liner.
battleships are not so powerful Dr well-designed as was believed. Practically all the
"At 2.30 pan, wounded tire
we saw a Britsh still aboard the warship.
rruleer approaching at great speed," Tac Brith cruisers must have he continued. "When Some of the 62 Britons who were
she was 12 been skilfully handled, however, in held prisoner about B Germanites off she opened fre on the vold serious damage from the Nazi rakter confirm that as shells were German battleship. The first shotcraker's 11-inch
Runs. got used by the British warships in miased hit the range was then recti- The Times: "The notable dheastern and central fronts. The the escounter, None of the Brilons fed and the second-tank the battleship comfiture of the greater by the lesser have been garsed, although they were fair and equace in the stern. The ment can only be explained by not provided with gas masks, as were cruzer threw out a smoke screen to the outstanding superiority of
hide herself and then resumed the seamanship and gunnery of the Bri- chase,
14th hing The Admiral Graf Shee, surprised i The at the striden attack, increased speed battleshin wire designed to dispre Daily Telegraph "The pocket jant replied with volley of flat the Hght cruiser. but the event was
shuts, el of which fell wide.
the opposite intended." "The cruiser pressed the attack The Evening News congratulates without wing the Admiral Graf the Royal Navy and says that the Spee the slightest breathing space. cornering of one pocket battleship is When night fell the Admiral Crat an omen that the turn of the other Spee was still fring shells, seemingly two will come. at random.
the crew of the German :hip.
It is reckoned that the Admirat Graf Spee was hit sixteen times during the encounter.-Router.
May Stay Longer
Montevkico, Dec. 15.
It is announced that the Govers ment might allow the Admiral Graf Spee to remain in harbour as long as necessary to make repairs-Reuter,
She disappeared into the darkness Anxious To Leave
st0l pursued by the British warship." -Reuter. Tuenos Aires, Dec. 15. The Hellish Naval Attacke an- nounced last night that the Exuter
which was damaged in the battle was steaming away.
Prisoner's Account
be
tir
Helsinki, Dec. 14. Pinnish troops "almost destroyed" Three Soviet regiments and re-cap- tured Tolvipnervi and areas on the Finns say that the Soviets used gas In last Wednesday's fighting at Sud- momi on the central front. North of Lake Ladoga in the Tolvajaorvi are, bitter three-day battle "cul-
Rusdi tanks, a Russian minsted In victory for the attacking Finnish troops," who destroyed 11 urtillery battery and drove off Russian naval forces,
It suit the Finna Lucereded in at- wining all their objectives last Wed- nesday,
On the castern frontier, "abortive enemy attacks continue."
It is noteworthy that all statements in the communique referred only to Wednesday's fightingUnited Press.
Soviet Claims Advances
Moscow, Dec. 15.
The Eurainy Standard: "It must admitted that In the Dost three months the British people have nd to accept much that is bitter in the war at sen, but we have the assurance that one factor in our naval supremacy remains unchang- Montevideo, Dec. 15,
A communique from the headquar- A strongly reinforced squadron of ing, that , the spirit which impelled A Montevideo report states that British warship is patrolling the three British cruisers to confront as of the Leningrad military area the Ajax was superficially damaged. mouth of the River Plate outside more powerfully-gunned opponent in states that Soviet troops continued The Achilles was unsenthed.
Montevideo where the Admiral Graf the Atlantic and which enabled the their advance in the Despite the refusal of the dlack-Spec is expected to remain until | Rawalpindi to fight to the inst.
Murmansk yesterday, yard workers to effect repairs, it is Sunday at least.
"As for the last three centuries, believed that the Admiral Graf Spee is announced that the Govern- the safety of England resides in the is mast anxious to leaves Montevideo ment might allow her to remain as hearts of her seamen."-Reuter.
lunk ns necessary in order to effect | repairs. The same facility would bej granted the British worships,
at the earliest possible moment. Reuter,
German Dead Buried
British Public Pleased
London, Dec. 15. The cornering of the Admiral Grat
Spee has stirred Britain more than
ny
direction of
of the State frontier was made in the An advance of 117 kilometres west direction of Ukhta.
Soviet troops advancing in the direction of Petrozavodsk occupied Sjushkuparvi, Sulkulampi and Hip- pola-United Press,
Russian Drive Slows Up
Bergen, Dec. 15. Svanvik, only three kilometres frum It is stated by telephone from
Salmipervi, that all was quiet at dawn despite the expectation that ighting will be resumed.
tett Soimiparvi, which is in ruin Firing ceased at 12.30 a.m., leading to the belief that the Russians have and ashes, in order to get rest m shelter fer the troops.
No Finnish refugees have tried to cross the Norwegian border. Nor- weglan officers and soldiers sharply watching the whole border but no Soviet soldiers have been sein so far,
Norwegian neutrality has not been violated.-United Press.
There are good reasons for think Montevideo, Dec. 15. ing that she will accept internment A common grave dug in the North for the duration of the war rather
other exploit of the British Cemetery
forces since the start of the war. the shattered than risk another engagement. received bodies of 30 German sailors from the
The crew are effeeling such repairs the stronghold at Seapa Flow
The sinking of the Royal Oak in Admiral Graf Sper, while across the as they can themselves carry out.
the River Plate estuary
the Exeter The shipyard engineers have refused escape of the liner Bremen, together steamed slowly towards the naval a request for assistance by tlie Ger- with the lack of spectacular fighting base of Puerto Belgrano carrying an man Legation estimated 100 wounded and an un- also preventing its steel being used appointment in the public mind, but
and the company is on the Western Front has created
feeling of bewilderment and dis- known number of dead.
by any other concern for the pur- the fnet that the cruisers have done It la reported that the cruiser PosC.
what Sixty-two survivors
was generally believed Cumberland and other units which
only of British battle cruisers could do, has raised have reinforced the Ajax and Achilles vessels sunk by the Admiral Graf the prestige of the Navy and raised olk Montevideo are guarding against Spee were landed last night. At an any sudden Bght of the Admiral interview they confirmed there was popular enthusiasm.
no truth about the gas shells allega- Graf Spee.
It is reported from Capetown that tion.
They reckoned that the ship was the battle cruiser Renown and the atreraft carrier Ark Royal departed hit 10 times. on December 4 and might be ap-
One
said the German proaching the scene.
crew, whose average age was 23, were on being engaged at battle as they thought their only job was to sink cargo ships.
Captain Dove, of the Afries Shell, pointed out that a craft lighter in army on Karelian
armour and guns Admiral Graf Spec, said the battle-stances definitely favoured the battle savage fighting without loss of a foot of the vessels sunk by the ragement which in ordinary circum- Russian offensive in eight days of ship thought she was near some ships when she sighted the Exeter.hip.
survivor
The Government of Uruguay has astonished ceased-another wave of fighters-at-been-studying the question of the tacked our alreraft. Six Umes this Admiral Graf Spee's status. happened, with the guns from the
The Foreign Minister stated to-day
yet-United Press.
ships Bring at short intervals be that no decision has been reached
tween the fighters' attacks. The fight lasted nearly hour.
half an
For the first fifteen minutes it look- ed as though the Germans were go- ing to escape any real punishment, out then a twin-engined Messer Schmidt German fighter fell in flames into the sea, A few minutes loter another German fighter met the same fate, and these two were followed by a third and fourth.
In the engagement one of our air- craft was shot down and two others are missing.
British Offer Refused
one
The only three warships of the British Navy more
powerful In armament and of greater speed than the Admiral Von Spee are the battle crulers Hood, Renown and Repulse. Therefore the success of the cruisera in bottling up a pocke! battleship is considered in naval circles_as_a_ brilant individual achievement.
pressed the en-
to leave
|
are
Held On Karelia Border
Helsinki, Oec. 15, A correspondent with the Finnish Isthmus reports that the Finns have sinashed the
of ground and have broken up the movement designed to Bank the Man- nerheim Line on the east side of the Peninsula,
The order to mani stations was It is considered that the battleship Montevideo, Dec. 15. sounded. "I and my colleagues were is definitely and permanently out of The British Embassy has issued a locked up the mess deck." he action. The Navy is certain that it
to statement
To-day the Finns are calmly and the effect that the declared. "The battleship opened will not survive attempts
It is confidently awaiting the next move battleship Barbam did not take part fred and the Exeter Immediately terrliorial waters. Therefore in the battle.
replied.
We played cards, including will be forced to submit to intern-and, where the Russians made an suggested that sooner or later she on the front which is a few miles long The British authorities offered the bridge, throughout the battle. Оле German Minister ground In the shell exploded near us. British cemetery for the burial of; "When we reached Montevideo a the 30 German den but the Minister German officer entered
the mess refused the offer.—Reuter Special. room and said, 'Gentlemen, for you
the war is ended.""
Views Boing. Exchanged
London. Dec. 15.
that
hard.
ment.
The cornering of the Admiral Graf Spee has assuaged the unhappiness caused by the loss of the destroyer Duchess-United Press.
effort to cross the river, 200 yards wide an watching by periscope and they are still on their own
y the correspondent.
Both sides lost heavily. It is cati- nuted that the Russians lost up to Captain Dove described the Com-
New Zealand Elated
2,000 men and the number of wound- All our other formations of aircraft
Wellington, Dev, 15. mander of the Admiral Graf Spee,
New Zealand is eluted at the part were ustonishingly low but propor- ed is not known. The Finnish losses returned to their base after dark, It is learned that views are being Captain Landsdorp, who fought at
He played by the Achilles in the Atlantionately they were heavy. During close reconnaissance of the exchanged between the British and Jutland, as a great gentleman. fortified inlands on
the coast of Uruguayan Governments regarding ferring to the battle, Captian Lande- tie battic. North-West Germany our aircraft the Admiral Graf Spee now lying in dorp said to him, "You British are in order to obtain the information re- Uruguayan waters. quired, were at times Dying just It is noted
the Uruguayan All the survivors agreed that the below the cloud base and at lesa, Government in proclaiming 1ts then 100 feet above the island toril-neutrality on September 5 ainted it British victory was due to the magni- fleations.
would follow the provisions of the cent handling of the cruisers, excel- Kunnery and unparalleled Visibility varied from as little as Hague Convention of 1907.
daring-Reuter. 300 yards to as much as six miles, has been asked to convey the thanks The British Minister to Uruguay and though the sudden appearance of low-flying aircraft took the anti- of the British. aircraft defences largely by surprise, prompt action in oblaining the several batteries epaned belated are freedom of the merchant seamen but without success.
held by the Admiral Graf Spee.-|
An enemy fighter also came up to Reuter. engage one of our aircraft but the British pilot took cover in the pre-
Government to the
French Praises
Paris, Dec. 15.
vailing low clouds and having cluded M. Campinchi, Minister of Marine, the fighter, emerged to continue hissinics, "This marvellous victory in Interrupted reconnaissance,
After circling the islands our air-completely in line with British naval tradition, The Admiral Graf Spee
after
craft completed their task and had every advantage in armour and turned safely to their bones a successful reconnaissance of nearly calibre but had to run to a neutral live hours duration, British Wire port of escape."-United Press.
በጦም.
Three Bombers Down
Saw Sea Battle
Buenos Aires, Dec. 15.
lent
NEW CHINA REGIME
Premier Explains' Delay In Its Organisation
Tokyo, Dec.15.
The Governor-fieneral has sent and eight-inch Russian shells were On the Karelian front three, six inessage to the Secretory of State for sent over. Three out of four <x- the Dominions congratulating the ploded and Captain and all ranks for the heroic The Finns say the Russians are wast- the fourth was a dud. part they played in the defent of the
Ammunition. They want to know Admiral Graf Spec.
whether the Russians will make an other attack after the grim and
Ing
The Prime Minister, Mr. M. J. Savage, stated that the battle would take a notable place in the glorious strange fight in which the world's annals of British naval history. He smallest submarine with a crew of a congratulated on behalf of the Gov- dozen Finns operated in the largest eriment and people the Capinin and lake in Europe, Lake Ladoga, against erew, which included 327 New Zea-perature night-United Press.
Russian munboats on an Arctic tem- Innders.
"It la gratifying that in the first naval action our boys acquitted zone for the North, South and South themselves in a manner fully in American coasts)--that singular pro- keeping with the great traillions of duct of the Pan-American the British Navy," the Premier odd- [ence-Reuter Special.
-Reuter Entetin,
Control Of The Seas
New York, Dec. 15.
Speaking at a joint conference. be-i tween the Government and the The New York Daily News says leaders of the Central League of that the vetery shows that the National Spiritual General Mobilisa- British are holding their unbreakable ton, the Premier. General Abe on control of the sea, which means the London, Dec. 15. An account of how the battle with Thursday derinred that although the Allies can eventually starve Germany
the Adiniral Graf Spee began was inauguration of An eye-witness of the aerial com-
Central into submission. aboard
Hitler would be WIFL the Government in China will be delayed by passengers bat between 12 British bombers and given
begin a large number of German fighters French liner Formose.
*
new
Confer-
Hence Hitler's wishes to get the Bismarck and von Tirpitz intó com- mission in record time.-Reuter.
It is not due to any important ques- thinking Another peace offer all yesterday and most of last night. said that there were so many Geri
One porsenger related that at Gtton and the, new regime will come Reuter Bulletin. man fighters and they were changing p.m. on Wednesday when the liner into force as an accomplished fact.
the Uruguayan const sho
10
Ends Noutral Zone
London, Dec. 15.
A Signal Triumph
Amsterdum, Dec. 15. Nothing is yet revealed: in Berlin about the plans for the Grut Spec. An urgent exchange of questions and instructions wow proceeding in corte hetween Berlin and Montevideo
The German authorities have been examining reports sent by the war- ship's Captain and the German General Abe pointed out that there The New York Times says the Leration, but hitherto it has not been may be some who think that the final discovery of the Admiral Graf known what decision has been taken. Ho added that when the battle was it was too dark to see the damage. China Affair will come to an end with Spee after weeks of search and the | In any case, it is not believed the An omletal German communique the establishment of the new Central harassing tactics which foreca Grat Spee Is In A state to fight her away in a norik-westerly direction, admits the attack.-Reuter Bulletin. Government but that the establish- Into port must be counted na'a major way out of the harbour with any
ment of a new regime will mark only victory for the British.
chance of reaching Germany safely. British Plane's Aid
n point in the proposed disposal of the China Affair which will be con- through those qualities for which the ed in
The British success was achieved The whole Incident is still regard- Oslo, Des. 15.
Germany as a very tinued for a long time.
signal It la revealed that a Beltish plano
Silent Service has long been famous triumph and it is argued the pocket was responsible for the reactie - ofi The China Affairs Committee: al-—akl}ful seamanship" and dogged | battleship has proved 10 perfect A report from Denmark statea tour German airmen whose machine tached to the China Affairs Board courage.
weapon for prowling the seas and that last night a British bombing come down in the North Sea last met at the afficial residence of the
The
pocket battleship, althourth | harrying merchant vessels, squadron attacked one of the Ger-week.
Premier this afternoon to discuss the ingenious in construction, is ptalaly The Berlin correspondent of the man air bases in the north of The Brilish pilot signalled to the intent developments in China and the not the final answer to everything. Rollardam Sche Courant thinks Germany. Inhabitants in a Danish Norwegian atcamer Bruse, which progress of the proposed organisation. The chief political interest in the Germany's shipbuilding programme town nearby heard the detonation allered course and rescued theth of a new, Central Government : in affair is the completeness with which may be altered accordingly, however. of bombs and anti-aircraft fire but Reuter Special
China by Wang Ching-wel-Domet. It blows up the 300 miles neutral: -Reuter,
the directions of their Aight so was off rapidly he was unable to count their exnet number.
over he saw
nine bombers flying
Reuter Bulletin,
Air Base Attacked
London, Dec. 15.
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