Wednesday,
HONGKONG TELEGRAPH
December 18, 1940.
EXCLUSIVE DRAMATIC
M. Laval
Expenditure
“INSIDE DISMISSAL OF
STORY"
Special to the “Telegraph"
The "United Press" in New York has received from confidential sources in Europe the first details of the account of the mysterious removal of M. Laval, Vice- Premier of France, and the dramatic preceding events. The following is written by Mr Joe Alec Morris, Foreign News Manager..
NEW YORK, Dec: 17 (UP),-Marshal Petain bitterly accused Laval of altempting to aefze power in defeated France and forced him to write his own resignation in the presence of the Cabinet, "United Press" advices from Europe disclosed to-day,
The tense scene at the Cabinet meeting in Vichy found the 84-year-old Chief of State standing face to face with the awarthy Vice-Premier who was later detained and was liberated to-day after Herr Abetz, the German special representative, conferred with Marshal Retain.
LIBYAN ADVANCE
Fleet Can Follow Up Successes
(REUTER's" MILITARY
COMMENTATIY) LONDON, Dec. 17. With the British capture of Bardia.
The resignation of Laval isfactory according to best informed revealed to be the climax of a long circles.
series of incidents and led Marshal Early last week, Laival went. to Petain to necuse the Vice Premier to Paris to arrange, the detalls of his face in the presence of the Cabinet | Marshal Petain's refurn to Versailles. of attempting to wrest more power, During Laval's absence, the intrigue not only from the Cabinet but from against film increased swiftly. He Marshni Petain himself.
either heard of this de guessed it and hurried back to. Vichy last Friday. arriving at noon.
It is understood that Laval desired to take over the now vacant post as
is also reported to have Premier. He is been seeking power over the Ministry fot Interior hended by I. Mared Peyrouton, the socret pollée and the Ministry of Finance.
Police Search
On H.K.V.D.C. which may be expected at any Premier's office was searched and the met. When Laval entered the room,
Buildings
and the Finance Committee of the
The problem which General by sed soldiers and led once and secused Laval of attempt-)
young
of
OF LAVAL
Marshal Petain
HAPPY AUSSIES Activity After A Long Wait
He saw Marshal Fetain but there was no break at that time.
At 5 p.m. Laval neled President jut the Cabinet Council meeting which Inɛted two hours and went through the normal routine of business. After his resignation, the Vice At B p.m. the Council of Ministers discovered ilic entire Cabinet moment, the position of all headquarters of the Government in he
the Hotel Dupare was surrounded by there, grouped
ardund Marshal Italian troops, supplies and force of new "super" police, the Petain at the end of a
table. Jong transport, which must fill that Garde de Protection, recruited from Marshal Petain began his uttack nij An additional $17,400 is to be spent 20 miles of road, is desperate. on the construction of the temporary
of the "Cagoulard." ing to selze more power. M. Lava! buildings for the Hongkong Volunteer Sir Archibald Wavell and the rows of plain clothes secret police Petain declared that he had lost cen- In addition to these, there were attempted to explain but Marahal Defence Corps at St. John's Place: British Cabinet now have to of the Surete National and behind ndence in his Vice-Premier, Elther Legistative Council will be asited to solve is how to make the most them, rows of Republican Guards Laval or Petain must quit, the Chief approve of this vote to-morrow,
police.
State use of the great victory-ean we in all, more than 1,000
Informed him and he asked It is revealed that as a consequence destroy the Italian Army in chauffeur was arrested as he atcod
At 11 p.m. on Friday, Laval's for Laval's resignation. of a few additions and improvements
The Vice-Premier sat down and to the scheme,
the total cost of the Libya and take over the whole
beside the ousted Vice-Premier's wrote his resignation. He then re- additional
automobile. Eight plain clothes turned to his office at 0.10 pm. for the II K.V.D.C., onion provided colony?
and at the existing None of Marshal Graziant's supplies pollee led by the Chief of the Cri- M. Peyrouten had effectively Lolat. headquarters is now emated at can be replaced as Graziani is severed minal Pollee, M. Pierre Mendancl,ed Vichy, ordering all cables, tele- $117,00 instead of $111.500.
from his mala base by Britishi com- entered the Hotel and sprinted to phones and radio communications to It was originally estimated that mand of the sta
Laval's office on the second floor, rip- he cut off and placing troops at only $71,500 would be expended dur Besides the very powerful oid ping open the door and entering the bridges and railway stations. He Ing the current fingnelal year, but on which the feel can give by shelling office where they notified Laval that then ordered Laval's private car to CAIRO, Dec. 17. The hap- the work is already ahead of and bombarding 1.100 miles of the he was being taken to
"fixed" re- be unhooked from the midnight plest people in the Western schedule, a further sum of $17,400 is coastal road to Tripoli and Inter-sidence at his own castle, at Chatel train to Paris, the departure of Desert to-day are the Austra now required, leaving $28,100 to be mediate ports, it con enormously aid Den, 20 miles south of Vichy. He which was cancelled.. provided in next year's estimates. General Wavell's question of supply was then locked in his castle with
Hana. They are now coming by convoying ships, into each harbour his wife and his daughter Jose who
Into their own.
vances.
brun, and for three days armed volice maintained lines around the castle.
Flandin Interview Ten days ago, M. Flandin was call.
BOMBS ON BASLE which falls into our hands as he nd.is the wife of Count Rene de Chem-
BERNE, Dec. 17 (Rtuler).— Unlike Graziani, the British will no British planes are mentioned as being be tied to ane road-Sollum is pro- responsible for bombing Baste lust bably avaliable as a supply base by night in a statement issued by the sea to-day-ta-morrow it may b: semi-o le'ni Swiss agency,
| Bardla and u few days hence, Tobruked to Vichy by Marshal Petain and According to the latert information, The movement northwards from was asked if he would succeed Lavel bombs were dropped, mostly Siwn on Tobruk may have a decisiveį if the Vice-Premier quit. Flandin around ́ a rallway station, at 11.05 effect on the next British operation-had sounded out the Germans and pan, precisely,
capture of that port.
found that relations would be satis-
10
GIFT
Euggestions
回答
Bulova
It's fun to give something out of the ordinary, something the others didn't think of-and here are a few suges- tive hints.
1. The Christmas tle joke is out of stylo-
because Wing On's gift neckwear for
men offers the latest in style and good taste. There are over hundred different patterns and color combinations from
which to choose.
2. Let your gift go up in smoke-in a smart, sociable way. Choose from a grand array of Ronson accessories for the smart smoker-pocket lighters, lighter-cigarette. combinations and table and desk lighters and combinations.
3. Outstanding in beauty and dependability as well as value. A Bulova watch is a gift that lasts a lifetime and brings a life; time of joy and appreciation to whoever. receives it.
THE WING ON CO. LTD.
CAMPAIGN WORRIES AXIS Nazi
{"REUTER" AT ADVANCED
HEADQUARTERS)
I spent to-day deshing along the ren with some of these bronzed enthusiastic scldiers whose only complaint about this war until now has been that they lacked the chance. one lieutenant expressed it, "to show our folks that the Anzac of to-day is just as good as his father."
Styles
tw. they have it. The wave of enthusiasm that these fresh troops are carrying with them into the desert is exactly the tonio needed by those troops who have been fighting 'con- LONDON, Dec. 17 (Reuter). Hinuously for the past ten days, and Goebbels seems to have made
whose difficulties are naturally in
rate further in-
Austra-
to
gemy territochon
of the most
up his mind that British creasing as they penetrate for victories exist only in the imagination.. He has missed lians were riding to the front in five- ion lorries, captured from the Italians the opportunity to find con- which have been overhauled and are solation in the thought that proving a useful addition to the Allied victories in Africa, aro Australian force. largely due to the fact that the cheer as they passed.
British troops gave them à special British used German methödä.
The strategy employed at Sidi Barrani, Sollum and Fort Capuzzo and which now mentees Bardiä was the strategy that, was so. successful in Poland and on the Meuse. But
More Money
there was one great difference in For Anti-
General Wavell's lightning moves | compared with those of the Germans -Britain holds the mastery of the
seas.
There would be no Dunkirk if the positions had been reversed, would have been 100 per cent. victory and not a man would have cscoped.
Strategy Repeated
Malarial Work
Supplementary Vote
Temporary anti-malarial work undertaken at Tal Hang Valley, Happy Valley, Magazine Gap, Diamond Hill and Green Island, At Sidi Barran!, notwithstanding has necessitated unforeseen ex- he proportionately small force of penditure amounting to $6,- British engaged, everybody east of
he hammer-blow to the coast was 000. To offset this it is antici- *00hured. The process was repeated paced that there will be equiva- with equal success but with the cle-lent savings in expenditure nent of surprise, at Sollum.
under another P.W.D. head. D-suite the long trek of 150 miles,
Mandatorms
and lengthened
In addition to the above, anti- munications, It will
maak work is being carried out General Wavell is not able to do on at Shouson Hill area at a cost of $0-
surpricing it
on behalf of the military authorities repeating the process because he has 998.50, half of which is recoverable achieved complete ascendancy in the from the military authorities and is air, and with Sollum in his the possibility of sea transport of were provided for the mill
his possession being credited to revenue. No funds supplics becomes practicable.
rities share Overseas Italians In Danger therefore
of this illary autho-
expenditure and
..
23
a further sum of $4,999.23 The Italians ore, reported to be is required on that account. throwing Into Libya every available Owing to the increase in the price alreraft in order to restore the of anti-malarial mixture form balance but they will have difficulty cents a gallon to 441⁄2 cents, In replenishing their full supplies. additional $1,000 is required.
The very vehemence of Germar The Finance Committee of the and Italian deninis confirms the im-egislative Council is therefore to be pression that there is serious con- asked to approve a supplementary cern in Rome and Berlin for the fale expenditure for anti-malarial work of all Italy's legions across the waves of $12,000, which will bring the total whether in Libya, Ethiopia, Albanic expenditure for the current financial or the Dodecanese..
sear to $43,250,
The situation generally is very favourable and
in bo hoped for.
Cost of Vehicular
Ferry Piers
NOVEMBER RAIDS CASUALTIES
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" LONDON, Dec. 17. (UT).—It is officially announced that - 4,588 elvillans were killed, and 0.202 were The maintenance of the Vehicular out the United Kingdom. ax
Injured and sent to hospital through- Ferry Piers at Jubilee Street and of air raids during Noted that
result November. Jordon Rond is to cost, a fotal "of
It is alcíally 338,533, during the current Gnancial dead during November comprised
2,280 men, 1,800 women, The expenditure of 120,833 has ut-children under the age of 10, while ready been approved and to-morrow the injured Included 2,403 men, 2,251 the Finance Committee of the Legis-women, and 458 children under the lative Council will have before it
nge of 16, farther vote of $0.700. This is caused to
усог
the
and 492
d by the higher cost of materials and freight and the need for replacing More than 30 German and Austrian more fendering than could be fore- refugees arrived in Singapore recent- scen. An extensive painting proxy from Siberia via Japan on their sramme is also necessary during the way to South America to join their dry season.
2. İrelatives. *
Gifts
FOR MEN
At the end of a tiring day he'll welcome a pair of comfortable Slippers.
From $12.50 pair.
MACKINTOSH'S LTD.
MEN'S WEAR SPECIALISTS
COOKS
for
BAGGAGE TRANSFERS
& STORAGE
EXPORT SHIPMENTS
IMPORT CLEARANCES
XMAS Practical Gifts
Patent Leather Shoes for Gentlemen,
Boxcalf-Shoes with Leather Soles.
Dulbox with Domco or Uskide Rubber Soles.
Emboss Cowbox with Crepe Soles.
Ladies' Silver Shoes.
Latest fashion in Brown, Black, Blue Walking-
Shoes with crepe soles.
Children's Shoes with crepe soles or Leather Soles,
Stockings, Socks, Polish, and toys.
Visit our Shops where you will find many other articles which may interest you.
Aata
WE CARRY STOCKS OF: MOTOR HOOD CLOTHS MOTOR HEAD LININGS UPHOLSTERY MATERIALS MOTOR CARPETINGS RUBBER SECTIONAL STRIPS
(for windshields & bonnett) : RUBBER CHANNELLINGS...: AND WE UNDERTAKE ALL REPAIRS TO UPHOLSTERY AND COACHWORK. INQUIRIES SOLICITED. ESTimated given. CHINA MOTOR AGENCIES & SALES CO. P.O. Bort 678...... - 167-8-9, Gloucester Rd, Wanchai.
Tel. 22187
Page 15Page 16