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The
SECOND EDITION
Ikbratry, Samureme
Hongkong Telegraph
FOUNDED 1401
No. 10090
一拜禮 號八十月三英港香
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1940.
日十初月二
SINGLE COPY 10 ̧CENTE
$30.00 PER ANNUM
NAZIS DROP OVER 100 BOMBS
IN
RAID
ON
SCAPA FLOW
Hitler, Il Duce WESTERN FRONT COLLIER & TRAWLERS
To Meet At Brenner
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"
ROME, MARCH 17 (UP).—IT IS OFFICIAL- LY CONFIRMED THAT MUSSOLINI WILL CONFER WITH HITLER SOMEWHERE IN NORTHERN ITALY,
A BERLIN REPORT SAYS THAT HITLER AND RIBBENTROP HAVE ALREADY LEFT BERLIN. MEETING CONFIRMED
BEF LEAVE CANCELLED
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" LONDON, Mar. 17 (UP).— Further indication that a Ger-1
ALSO ATTACKED
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"
LONDON, MARCH 17 (UP)—THE NAZI ATTACK ON SCAPA man offensive on the Western FLOW FOLLOWED THREE DAYS OF RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS. Front is believed imminent was AFTER BOMBING THE ORKNEYS, THE HEINKELS ATTACKED A given to-day with the War Office COLLIER AND THREE TRAWLERS OFF THE NORTH-EAST COAST OF announcement. that all home leave for the British Expedition- SCOTLAND. Ary Force has been cancelled.
This announcement coincides
GILMAN
CAL PROPLE
194.0 2-Litro
NEWS
SUNBEAM TALBOT
132 Nathan Road, Kowloon
Tel. 59850/50478
ISLANDS
KIRKWALL
Pentland Firth
SCAPA FLOW
Thurso
Wick
CAITHNESS
BRITISH SEIZE MAILS
Incident Aboard. The Fushima Maru
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"
R.A.F. pursuit planes intercepted four of the Heinkels off the east with the report that Hitler is coast of Scotland and a running battle took place.
Over fifty bombs were dropped in and around Scapa, many of them rushing more and more troops up to
the West Wall where exploding near houses and farms. already a large French army and
About sixty smaller incendiary bombs were also dropped, setting fire ROME, Mar. 17 (Reuter).—The Italian Pressary Force face big German troop to barns and stocks of grain.
Nineteen bombs fell on and around a bridge at Office announces that Signor Mussolini left Rome concentrations. to-day with Count Ciano to meet Herr Hitler.
LONDON, Mar. 17. (Reuter). The DUTCH CREW Waithe. Another eighteen were dumped in and around according Isten Ness. War Office announces that owing to unforeseen delay men coming home
It is officially announced that "the meeting between Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler, which was arranged during Herr von Ribbentrop's recent visit to Rome, will be held to-morrow morning in the Brenner Pass," DIPLOMATS IGNORANT
LONDON, Mar. 17 (Reuter).—Nothing is known in diplomatic circles here of the reasons for the reported departure of Signor Mussolini for Northern Italy.
A substantial British Expedition-
War Office Explanation
on leave from the B.E.F. have been temporarily retarded.
BOMBED
AMSTERDAM, Mar. 17 (Reu-
tons,
SIMULTANEOUS R.A.F. RAID
Normal leave will be resumed as
The Air Ministry has disclosed that while the Nazi early as possible, says the announce- ment.
ter). The crew of the Dutch attack on the Orkneys was in progress, British planes Activity By Patrols PARIS, Mar. 17 (Reuter)-There motor ship, Nettle, 477 has been renewed patrol activity on which arrived at Flushing, stated were bombing a number of German patrol boats between the Western Front during the past that she was bombed and Borkum and Heligoland. The patrol boats were sighted two or three days, particularly in the machine-gunned by a Germun| Sanr region and west of the Saar.
German patrols were out day and night and at times came fairly close
the French lines.
French heavy artillery dispersed several large parties.
There have also been exchanges of
aeroplane off the south-east during the course of reconnaissance flights over Heligo- coast of England.
land.
Nobody was hurt and no damage was done.
A Berlin report reveals that the Nazi raid on Scapa Flow The Nettie Janded two castaways was led by Major Albert Docnson. from the British ship, Melrose, at
fire between easemates on the Rhine. Zeebrugge.
German Communique SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" BERLIN,
There is little doubt, says Reuter's Diplomatic Corto respondent, that Herr von Ribbentrop's visit to Rome was undertaken partly for the purpose of taking advantage of Mr. Sumner Welles' tour to launch a peace offensive.
The "Now York Times" to-day reported from Rome that pres- sure-was-being-exerted on. Mr. Sumner Welles "to induce the: United States to throw Its weight behind a negotiated peace."
Marshal Balbo's newspaper, 'Courier Epadano, also linked Mr. Sumner Welles visit with the possibl- lity of an early peace.
Mr. Sumner Welles has repeatedly emphasised that his mission is solely to establish facts and not to make into any proposals or enter
any
commitments on behalf of his Gov-
ernment.
NEW WAR. CABINET POSSIBLE
Daladier To Make
"An
Mar. 17 (UP), The German High Command's offcial communique to-day said: Jenemy patrol was to-day repulsed 15 inlles southwest of Zweibruceken.~*~
"On March 16 one of our patrols destroyed a French observa- tion post on the Saur Front. There were no German losses.
own
"Our. nir force carried out recon- Huissance flights over the North Sea. Why Allies Don't Attack
TOKYO, Mar. 18 (Do- mei).-Parcels destined for Germany aboard the N.Y.K. liner Fushima Maru were seized by the British au- thorities in Singapore, to information reaching Tokyo to-day.
The Fushima Maru was route from Japan to European ports and arrived at Singapore at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
en
British officials came aboard and
demanded that 64 items of mail en route from Japan to Naples be handed
over.
Dozen Parcels Held
After consultation with the Japan... ese Consul General, the captain of the Fushima Maru handed over the mail. Fifty-two parcels were subsequent- ly returned, but twelve which were destined for Germany were retained by the British authorities.
Strong
He made a dramatic appearance at a Press conference, to
Consul General which he related the experiences of his command during the
made by thesentations have been and
the
of the Fushima Maru. flight across the North Sea.
Captainpanese
from The Japanese liner sailed Claims Warships Hit Singapore without the packets. claimed that the German It is understood that the Japanese machines had scored direct hits with Foreign Ofee is preparing a strong heavy bombs on the British bottle- Protest to the British Government. -ships · Floor, Repulse-and-Renown, which were at anchor in Scapa, and also on
Raids On Scotland May Start Air Blitzkrieg
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" LONDON, Mar. 17 (UP).-The German raid on LONDON, Mar. 17 (British Wire-Scapa Flow is expected to bring an end to the war of lesa)--Lord Samuel, speaking yester- boredom and inaugurate the long-awaited attempts at an doy, said that the question was some- times heard.why there had been no aerial "blitzkrieg" from PARIS, Mar. 17 (Reuter)-Allied attack on the Western Front. both sides. By Monday night at the latest, It was well-remembered that a the country should know battering ram received as hard blows
Vital Decision
as
It is significant that Britain's
Welles The Inspiration ROME, Mar, 17 (Reuter),The to re-shuffle his Cabinet or not. could be used in more than one ing for a more active prosecution general Impression in Italian political
The big debate in the Chamber on theatre, and in the meantime econo- of the war. This is expected to circles is that a Mussolini-Hitler Tuesday on the Finnish situation may mie pressure on Germany continued be intensified with a huge public meeting at present must be connected thus assume added importance, with with relentlessly cumulative effect. with the activities of Mr. Sumner the Deputies taking the opportunity
loutery for retaliation. Welles, particularly his Interviews to question the Government on the yesterday with King Victor Emanuel, composition of the Cabinet, Signor Mussolini and Count Ciano.
whether M. Daladier has decided gave.
The Allies held an initiative which Sunday press is already clamour-
Strained Relations PARIS, Mar. 17 (Reuter).-Well- informed circles here belleve that the meeting arranged between Herr Hit- ter and Signor Mussolin! has been inspired by the strain which is being put on Italian and German relations. This strain has been apparent below the surface for some time.
There was much discussion In poll- tical circles during the week-end with regard to the form the changes might take.
Activity Increases
DEBATE ON THE WAR
Bellish cruiser which he was unable to identify,
Some of the German bombers, he admitted, had been damaged in aerial combat with British pursuit planes but all had returned to their bases.
Attack On Forth Bridge Repulsed
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" LONDON, Mar. 16 (UP)-In ad- dition to raiding Scapa Flow, where a bomb slightly damaged one war- ship, Nazi planes on Saturday night All launched roids on objectives
along
the coast of Scotland. British fighter units took to the air. as soon as the alarm was sounded and succeeded in beating ofl
the ralders,
Mr. Hore-Bolisha Will Broak Silence
One of the objectives was the Firth It will also, in all probability in-
of Forth bridge but the Nazi Heinkels SPECIAL TO THE “TELEGRAPH"
volve bitter debates in Parliament, LONDON, Mar, 17 (Reuter), could not even get within bombing PARIS, Mar. 17 (UP).—Reports The British public frat heard the The members of the House of distance of the bridge, owing to the
formidable opposition encountered. from the Western Front Indicate that news of the rald over the 1 pm. Commons will hold a debate on The raid on
Scapa
Flow was German patrol activity has increased B.B.C. broadcast.
Tuesday on foreign affairs when launched at 1.50 p.m., the raiders substantially during the past live days.
The said may also form the spring- Mr. Chamberlain will review the meeting with heavy anti-aircraft fre German patrols raked the French board for the long-awaited reorgani- international situation and the from ships and shore, and with op- lines yesterday but were unable to sation of the Government into a wor
position from pursuit units. dislodge the French advance posts. Cabinet.
progress of the war.
The name of the warship hit by a The Rt. Hon. Mr. C. R. Attlee will Nazi bomb is not disclosed, but the Artillery exchanges continue.
Commenting on the developments, follow Mr. Chamberlain and will ask damage was slight.
Sunday a number of questions regarding the
No military objectives were hit "Observer" said: "Wake up to it. Government's diplomatic and general anywhere ashore on the Orkneys or The conduct of the War. Total prospects. He will also ask whether in Scotland. Effort and specd up wanted. A real¦ or not the financial and economic re- War Cabinet wanted."
sources of this country are being
Most Likely Move The formation of a "War Cabinci," of which M. Daladler would remain the head, was considered most likely, This might be. accompanied by general re-shuffle of the Ministries. Despite the increased Nazi setivity.J. Garvin, of the
In other quarters, it is thought there аге по Indications yet of probable that a former Prime Minis-general offensive. It is sold to have become particu-ter would be asked to take over the
Foreign Ministry,
Jarly evident during Herr von, Rib bentrop's visit to Rome. This is sup- ported by information from Rome to the effect that Italy does not intend PLEASE Tarn To Page 7.
It is also considered likely that a
member of the present government Japanese Ship
will be appointed France's first Minis- ter of Information.
AUTOMATIC 'PHONE SYSTEM HITCH
Delay In Making H.K. Change-Over
In Distress
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"
A
"The present defensive position is properly mobilised. too passive and, in some respectă, too negative," he said. "We will have to wrest the Inluative from Germany and wield it ourselves.
"What stands in the way?...... SAN FRANCISCO, Mar. 17 (UP), [Nothing but the delay of Total Effort The American President liner re-nnd decisive direction," [ports that she has picked up an SOS from the Japanese steamer" Kliohuku |Maru, which is in distress midway
between Japan and Formosa,
The Japanese vessel gives her post- tion as Latitude 28.37 north, Longi-
ALTHOUGH it was originally planned to convert the exist-¡tude 128.18 East.
'ing magnetic system used in the Government Telephone System The Dutch steamer Tjibesar, which In Hongkong to an automatic system on January 15, enquiries 12 140 miles distant, is proceeding to at both the P.W.D. and Hongkong Telephone Company disclose the Japanese vessel's assistance. that the change-over will not be effected for some time yet.
Want Mannerheim As Leader
Congress Deplores
Assassination
Bolisha To Be Outspoken
tho" Liberal Opposition, will speak Sir Archibald Sinclair, Leader of for the Opposition Liberals and it is expected that he will be followed by Mr. "Leslie Hore-Belishu who will make his first speech since he gave the reasons for his leaving, the Government.
He will deaf mainly with- Finland and it is understood that he will mako the same kind of speech, so' if" the, House of Commons were discussing the question in secret mension.
Mr. Hugh Dalton will wind up the RAMGARH, Mar. 17 (Reuter)-debate for the Opposition and it is At the instance of Mahatma Gandhi, likely that the Prime Minister will the Indian Congress Working Com-speak again at the end of the debate, mittee has adopted resolution ex-
Sinclair's' Warning SPICIAL TO THE TELEGRAPH" ar LONDON, Mar. 10 (UP)—We seemed to have passed from a warlike
pressing deep regret, at the death of
Sir Michael O'Dwyer and the wound- Ing, of Lord Zelland.
Ja
It will be recalled that the Ger-
last
Flow mang raided Scopa October, when they damaged HMS. Iron Duke, the last surviver of the 1914 Grand Fleet. The Germans lost two planes in that rald.
Recently, Mr. Winston Churchil surprised Parliament by announcing PLEASE Turn To Page 7.
LATEST
Soo Back Page For Further Late News
RUMANIA READY TO DEFEND HERSELF
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH”. BUCHAREST, Mar. 18 (UP)-A Proclamation was broad. cast to the people of Rumania by the Prime Minister to-day, in the course of which he declared that Rumania was prepared to defend herself against aggression from any quarter, ...
The Premier urged the necessity These reports, are now being re-
even more powerful....
An official of the P.W.D. told pany confirmed that there has been the Telegraph" that work on some delay in reaching a date for the
conversion, the conversion is still in the
"We cannot toll
you at present hands of the Telephone Com-when the automatic system for Gov-
"The Commilles does not attach pence to a peaceful war," said Sir of making Rumania's armed forces vived.
If there is any truth in the reports any political significance to this un- Archibald Sinclair, the Liberal leader,|
it goes without saying that King in ernment exchanges will be pany....
fortunate act. Nevertheless it wishes in a radio broadcast speech to-day. -- Prior to Russia's attack on Finland, Carol would welcome German Inter- "Samo hitch has developed,” he augurated," an official said.
to reiterate the conviction that all **However, behind-the deceptive rumours vere widely current that vantion. If Russia should eventually Chaotic Conditions The suggestion has been advanced by such acts are infurious to the national appearance of quietness iles the the Soviet and demanded from both agree to a Non-Aggression Fact with Baid.
the National Coalition organ, the Meanwhile, conditiona
reality of a gigantic conflict. It is Bulgaria and Rumania the right to Rumanis, il L' believed that it will the "Uusi Suomi," that Field Marshat cause," stated the Committee. existing magnetic system appear to Mannerheim should become Finland's
The resolution will not come before is to say that we should make peace establish naval and air-bases along, be in return for some concession on
PLEASE Turn To Page 7. the Black Sea coast.
the part of Rúmánia. PLEASE Turn To Page 7.
now leader.
open session.
"I has nothing to do with the technical · side, but has something'
to do with the agreement" Officials of the Telephone Com-
on
SPECIAL TO, THE "TELEGRAPH" HELSINGFORS, Mar. 18 (UP),