}
Dramatic Death Of M. Kallio
Finland's President
in
LONDON, Dec. 10. (Reuter). -Kyosti Kallio, Finland's 60- year-old President, died dramatic circumstances to-day. within a few hours of the elec tion of a new president to take over the dutica -health had prompted him to renounce.
The outgoing President drove through the crowded streets of Helsinki to-night past lines of youthful torch-bearors on his way to retirement to a farm in the country.
At the stallon he was received by Guard of Ilonour. As he was poss- ing along its ranks; he suddenly collapsed with a heart attack and die roen afterwards.
LATE FINNISH PRESIDENT
M. KALLIO
Peace In Air Over U.K.
German Report
Bomber Brought Dówn LONDON, Dec. 19 (Reuter).— Kyosti Kallio, the outgoing President LONDON. Dec. 19 (Reuler) of Finland, who is being replaced in fille enemy ate activity occurred the presidency by the Prime Minister, over Britain during daylight to-day Ityosti Ryti, died to-day of heart fallure, according to a Helsinki dis-area. patch to the German news agency.
According to the first count of voting in the electoral college for the new president, M. Ryti received 280 out of 300 votes,
*
Friday,
Lull In German
HONGKONG TELEGRAPH
War Effort
Position Assessed
(DY “REUTER'S" DIPLOMATIC
CORRESPONDENT)
LONDON, Dec. 19.-There has been a seeming lull' in Germany's war effort for some days past and whether this la the lull before the storm or after remains to bo' scen.
It must not be overlooked that for 1514 months the Germans have been exerting their strength to the utmost. They have over-run six countries and are in virtual dccupation of two others, Rumania and Slovakia.
In the air they liave maintained an almost constant succession of raids by day and night, but this has been sinckening both in Intensity and duration, possibly owing to the weather.
Only at sea is there an inercase ic anything in the German pressure, but German naval activity is confined to U-boat operations with occasional sorties by raiders and E-bont forme- tions.
Quiet Fade-Out
In the diplomatic field, the round and no bombs were dropped in any of vinit of libbentrop and of various A plot of the Fighter Command statesmen, who could be induced to squadron which helped to save the Germany, han quietly faded out,
bombing
German propaganda has ceased talk destroyer Javelin from
momentous surprices in store attacks when she was recently dis-ing about abled by eneniy action, shot down
There is an embarrassed silence Dornier-17 bember over the West regarding the background of Laval's Country LEAHY FOR VICHY London area had its first alert disgrace.
With regard to Italy, there have more sympathetic references in the German press to the remarkable powers of recuperation of the Italian armies but beyond emphasising the unity of the Axis, the papers do not allude 10 materint ald
But as Mr Churchill stated in his long speech to-day, Hitler waited
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 Reuter). -Admiral William Leahy, the new American Ambassador to the Vichy Government, will sall ubcard an American
Norfolk, erulser front Virginia, en route to Vichy via Lisbon, accompanied by his wife,
to-night since Monday night but it was of comparatively short duration.
A few high explosive and cendiary bombs were dropped London area,
First Alarm.
one
LONDON,
Bec. in (UR)-The first cold alarm to be rounded in the Admiral Leahy made this an-London area for 68 hours came at nouncement after a farewell visit to 7 p.m. and gunfire was, sonn heard. in complete quiescence before Haiders were also over East Angliae struck the terrible blows which shattered France. As t10 Prime Minister indicated, however, even If
President Roosevelt.
Nazi Troops In Italy Doubted
LONDON, Dec. 10 (Reuter)-The reports of German troops in Italy and even in Libya, Inck confirmation in
and western England,
A heavy air battle was reported
ENORMOUS BRITISH
ORDERS
Want 60 New Cargo Ships From U.S.
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (UP). British purchasing agents have submitted to the United States Treasury a list covering three billion dollars worth of projected new war orders including 12,000 combat planes to cost about $1,000,200,- 000; 60 new cargo boats to cost about $100,000,000, and tanks, guns and ordnance to cost about $1,700,000,000.
Ometals explained that the GO cargo boats were merely "start" in the British shipbuild- ing programma and it was expected that the number would be doubled.
U.S. Defence Needs It was revealed that the British have been informed to proceed with the enumeration of their require- Iments.
Meanwhile, it is understood that President Roosevelt at the White House conference yesterday, together with the Secretary of War, Colonel Henry Simson, the Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Frank Knox and other up defence production which con- experts, formulated a plan to speed templates the creation of a Defence Commission composed of Mr Stimson, Col Knox and Mr William Knudsen, Chairman of the defence Board who will be empowered with sufficient authority to obtain action.
Astronomical Figures WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (Reuter). -It is understood that the British Government is seeking contracts for 12.000 additional aeroplanes, between 2,000 and 2,500 more innits, and addi tional guns and ammunition.
This follows statements by Mr Morgenthau, Secretary, of the
from une London district at 3.30 11. Hitier Is not letting the grans grow, and Mr Stephen Early, Pre-
but no bombs were dropped.
under his feel in the present dent floosevelt's Secretary, on the subject of quicker aid to Britain andi means of speeding up the American defence programme as a whole.
A convoy off the southeast coast tempo of her need for constant reported that three German Messer-conscious her schmitt planes futilely attacked them, and increasing effort. the bombs falling into the sea.
London where they are regarded with New US. Cruiser
considerable reserve.
The reports were received on the
Italian frontier where diplomatic sources spoke of Ove to six divisions.
· For Manila
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEQRAPH"
An American correspondent just MANILA, Dec. 20 (UP)-Reliable arrived from Rome, Bays that there sources revealed to-day that thic
Eire Watches West Ports
LONDON, Dec. 19 (Reuter). The ports of Galway and Sligo on the west coast of Eire are
trol by an order made to-day by the Minister of Defence.
was no evidence of German troops American cruiser Cincinnati is placed under total military con-
when he left and that the Italian route to Manlin to reinforce the people would greatly resent the pre- Asiatic squadron. pence of large number of foreign troops on Italian territory,
Concentrations Reported BELGRADE, Dec. ID (UP)~~Au-i thoritative sources said the Germans have concentrated at Turin and Taronto, but no figures are available. Eye-witnesses report that German troops were slubted going southward through Brenner Pass.
U. S. To Buy Copper
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPHY WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (UP). Mr Jesse Jones, President of the Export and Import Bank announced in-day that the Metais Reserve Cor- poration has arranged to buy 100,000 ious of copper from Latin America.
·
It is believed that the planes inay cost $1,125,000,000 while orders for Kuna ki ammunition may
total $1,700,000,000.
the
Well-informed sources here de- clare that contrnels for merchant vessels may be signed by the end of
week, Further
negotiations whereby now in American ports could be considerable tonnage of Danish ships taken over and transferred to Britain, are proceeding satisfactorily.
"Times" Welcomes Plan The step appears to be the con- tinuation of the Elrean policy of
LONDON, Dec. 10 (Reuler)-Not preparedness against on invader.
only will President Roosevelt's plan Special defence measures have be welcomed in 'Britain as a great been in operation since the capitula-and noble gesture, think the "Times," tion of France and,, since July, the but as offering a method all the more ports of Dublin, Cork, Kingstown, brill
brilliant because of Its simplicity in Bantry Bay and Lough Swilly have
gettimaty
over
thm embarrassing been under military direction.
No one Un this side of the Atlantic, adds the "Times," imagined that the United States would let us lose the war by withholding, ever any ques- tion of dollars, such anns as she was able to supply. The difficulty was technical but nonetheless serious since the critical testing time cannot be many months ahead when we will "need"every "ship, pläne und tank that wo can acquire.
The paper goes on to predict that there
will be some opposition in Amerien to the plan but on the other hand there will be many who will hall it as the first opportunity in: a world be-deviled by finance and who will be enormously relieved by the prospect that at the end of the war the world will be spared the nightmare of unpayable war debts and reparations which, after 1918, helped to produce such conditions as made social unrest, Hitlerism ond war almost inevitable,"
Mr Morgenthau's Statement WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (UP). The Secretary of the Treasury, Mr Henry Morgenthau, told the press to- day that no further important con- tracts from Arlinin are likely until Congress considers President Roose- velt's latest proposals.
He said that
the British have
already allocated a $50,000,000 cash down payment on D merchant ships.
December 20, 1940.
Yes, it is true
Craven A
never vary in quality or
T exim enjoyment smoking gives me since
I changed to Cmven'A'
is truly delightful,"
They are so cool, so fresh, so kind to my lips. And always easy *****50 very easy on my throat.
in freshness
FLAT POCKET TINS OF 20 and 50
.'TRU-VAC' TINS OF 50:
also PACKETS. OF ID
MADE SPECIALLY TO PREVENT SORE THROATS
LONDON MADE
GIFT
BY CARRERAS
Suggestions
LTD.
מדיכא
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MOINS
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For
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WR LOXLEY & CO., (CHINA) LTD.
Hongkong Refugee and Social Welfare Council
THE
FOOD KITCHENS
daily food nearly! 4,000 Destitute Poor
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YEARLY COST
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YOUR HELP IS NEEDED
- PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY
Donations marked “Food Kitchens”. may be sent to
The South China Morning Post
or
The Hon. Sacrotary
Room 3, Gloucester Building
3. Hongkong UPDA
3. Lamps are delightful presents for the
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The Complate Christmas Storo