Hongkong Telegraph
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Hongkong Telegraph
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FOUNDED 1001
No, 10121
二拜禮 號一月四英港香
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1941.
日五初月三
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·Materials
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WHITEAWAY'S
FULL STORY OF THE GREATEST Britain's Man of the Moment SEA FIGHT SINCE TRAFALGAR
Italians Lose Seven Ships and 4,000 Men
DANISH SHIPS SEIZED
•
·New Action Taken by U.S.
•
WASHINGTON, Mar. 31 (Reuter). President Roosevelt has indicated that he personally ordered the seizure of Italian, German and Danish ships at American ports during the week-end.
comment.
This was revealed at a press conference on the train taking him back to Washington, but he declined to The seized ships totallet 296,716 tons, it was announced by the Coast Guard service here.) Cordell Hull
Testimony At Public Inquiry
Dr Chau's Complaint
Dr S. N. Chou and Mr J. M. da Rocha, honorary Consul for Costa Rica, testified before the Immigration Office Inquiry Com- mission this morning when the inquiry was resumed at the Supreme Court.
Dr Chau complained of time wastage in carrying out exami- nations aboard ships.
Dr S. N. Chnu said:
́WASHINGTON, Mar. 31 (Router). Mr Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, defended the Government's action in selzing German, Italian and Danish) ships at a press conference to-day.
He said that he would not talkat present about the final disposition of the ships,
He had not heard anyone question
the absolute legality of the seizure and emphasised that justification for it was based on the fact that attempt ed sabotage in the ships endangered American ports.
Asked whether the seizure could be full replied that the United States construed a step towards war, Mr Government had for sometime pur stied # course of oid to Britain and other nations under the formula of all available old short of war.
"That is the formula followed so far," he added.
French Ships WASHINGTON, Mar. 31 (Reuter).
The Chief Justice, Sir Atholl Mac- Gregor again, presided, the otherWell-informed circles here think members of the Commission being Mr that there is a strong possibility that D. Drummond, Mr C. Bernard Brown, following the seizure of Italian, Ger- Mr II. K. Woo, and Mr K. M. A.
ma and Danish Barnett, the secretary,
the United ships, States will take the same action in regard to French ships, of which there are now it in American ports. Replying to questions, Treasury ofleins intimated that action was possible later this week. The off- clals are now studying the final dis- posal of the seized ships which at present remain in "protective cus- tody," the title still remaining with the original owners.
I am Justice of the Peace and I possess a certificate of residence issued by the Immigration Omce.
On Monday 10th March returned to Hongkong from Macno by the 8.5. I and other passengers "Kin Shan" in possession of similar certificates proceeded to the gangway but we were told by a Chinese immigration Officer that we would not be per- mitted to disembark until all those passengers who had passports had innded. I and others with me had accordingly to walk for at least. 20 minutes whilst those with passports left the ship.
According to Treasury officials, it
is very probable that the ships will be placed in service in view of Bri-
shortage of shipping.
Manila Action
United States Aslatie Fleet, explain-
Special to the "Telegraph"
ALEXANDRIA, MAR. 31 (ÚP).—ESTIMATES FROM THE BRITISH WARSHIPS WHICH PARTICIPATED IN LAST FRIDAY'S NAVAL ACTION IN THE IONIAN SEA INDICATE THAT OVER 3,000 ITALIAN OFFICERS AND SEAMEN WERE LOST IN ADDITION TO THE 900 SUR- VIVORS WHO ARE NOW PRISONERS OF WAR. (AN "EXCHANGE TELEGRAPH" DESPATCH FROM ATHENS SAYS THAT THE SURVIVORS INCLUDE 35 GERMAN OFFICERS AND PETTY OFFICERS.)
An Italian battleship of the Littorio class was very severely damaged, while three heavy Italian cruisers and two destroyers were definitely sunk. In addition a six-inch gun cruiser and a third destroyer were possibly sunk, in what was probably the most decisive naval engagement since Trafalgar, In the pitch blackness, 150 miles west of Crete, three enemy cruisers appeared off the British fleet's starboard bow. The flagship Warspite opened fire with a complete broadside from her 15-inch guns reducing the cruiser Fiume to a floating hell with the first salvo.
The British battleship, Warspite.
How Italian Ships Were Led Into Trap
Between the battleships War- spite, Barham and Valiant-all firing earth-shaking salvoes with their 15-inch guns-the other Italian ships met the fate of the Fiume after which the British destroyers raced in to finish the job with two torpedoes and at the same time sank two Italian i destroyers.
British Rect
All unlis of the returned to port without
P
stogle
Scratcli or casualty. The enllre action lasted over 12 hours. It is the first time since Juiland that balitek ships have been engaged in night action. It is fair to assume that the Kallan navy no longer exisis much more than in name only.
Fuller Details
almost certain losses to seven war-
LONDON, Mar, 31 (Reuter).-- Fuller details of the crushing defent of the Italian Flect-In the Medi- terranean, which crowned the greatest week of the war, bring the enemy's ships-four cruisers and three des- ALEXANDRIA, Mar. 31-(Reuter)low-the-Italian-war-troyers-while a battleship of the Littorio class was seriously damaged ships were led into a trap is now revealed. The cruiser Orion by repeated pounding of Fleet Air (sister-ship of the Achilles and Ajax of Graf Spee fame) con- Arm torpedoes. tacted enemy ships and lured them towards the British battle fleet for about four hours until the enemy battleship, stated to be the 35,000-ton Vittorio Veneto, was damaged by the Fleet Air
Arm.
ALBANIA
Initiative Again
Italians'
With the return of the British Fleet to Alexandria without it man hurt or a ship scratched, the full story is revealed of how the enemy force were lured to destruction by a British cruiser.
After
Italians, this, the
The Italians were taken completely surprise when the 30,000-ton possibly scenting a trap in the by
battleship Warspite, leading the Orion's tactles, about turned. British Fleet, followed by the battle- When the enemy retired, the ships Barham and Vallant, began a
obiective of the British light
forces was to try and cut off the
chase lasting 12 hours and demolish-
ed an enemy cruiser already hit by aerial torpedoes with salvoes of
broadsides, leaving destroyers to race in and Anish the job.
paid
Ficet for skilful manoeuvring and
was much heavier and superior in the war.
Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham.
Berlin-Belgrade Tension Mounts
Yugo-Slav Statement Received
Special to the "Telegraph"
BERLIN, Mar. 31 (UP)—Authorised circles in Berlin declared that the awaited statement regarding Yugo-Slavian foreign policy vis-a-vis the Axis has been received. However,-it-was-added that nothing is known. as yet regarding Yugo-Slavia's attitude towards the Axis pact.
MATSUOKA
IN ROME
Audience With Pope
Arranged
The same sources state that as a result of events in Yugo-
Slavin, both Bulgaria and Hun-
gary had been compelled to
take certain steps." This re-
mark was not amplified or plained.
As a result of the anti-German de- monstrations and the sileged beating- up of a German in Yugo-Slavia, the the Reich Government has ordered Immediate departure of all Ger- from Yugo-Slavia; they total between 10,000 and 20,000,
Referring to the alleged Increasing
the
mans
remain indifferent; our
tain's seed of ships and the general In Greek Hands maced enemy battleshin which
LONDON, Mar. 31 (Reuter). -Mr Yosuke Matsuoka, the LONDON, Mar. 31 (Reuter). We then reported about 30 miles
distant heading for Italy, listing Back in port, Admiral Sir Andrew Japanese Foreign Minister, who MANILA, Mar. 31 (Renter)-Four-The lull on the Albanian front and badly down by the stern. Cunningham, C-in-C, Mediterranean, The examination of the passports Danish ships in Philippine waters, which followed the was done by a European Immigra- aggregating 23,800 tons, have been
The British light forces carried out his cat tribute to the personnel of arrived in Rome to-day by unt-German demanstratioti's it was tion Officer in the saloon and when I taken into "protective custody" by disastrous offensive attempt huseline movement at full speed in to the Air Arm for the untiring special train, was met at the declared: "The German Government was allowed to lard my certicate the United States Navy.
been broken by the Greeks again order to place themselves ahead of the efforts which, between them, contri- station by Count Ciano, the canot was examined by the Chinese Immi-
Admiral Thomas C. Hart, C-In-C taking the initiative.
enemy despite the fact that the latter, buted to the greatest nuval victory of Italian Foreign Minister, and aterosky, must some day come to an gration Omeer at the gangway, so that it would have been quite possible for ed that the action was taken in orderiments entered the Italian lines at was found that the cruisers Fiume activity was an air reconnaissance Government, the Secretary of
Yesterday several small deinch-
force, but no contact was made and il The first news of the Italian Fleet's other members of the Italian persons with certificates such as mine
Athens to have disembarked at the same time
various points, stated the as those with passports.
radio, Infileting lossen, taking pri-art, which hud areviously been TURN to Back Page, Golumn g
the Fascist Party and the suners and seizing many machine-ving the Vittorio Veneto, had returned to help The stricken
German Ambassador. also active cruiser, Pola, Greek artillery was
Meet Strong Fleet CHUNGKING, Mar. 31 (UP)It against moving columns but Hullan
This move either indicated that they wall that no distinction was made is officially announced that Britain artillery response was weak. between passports and entry permits has agreed to provide funds to Burma
Greek aircraft co-operated, the did not realise the full strength of in such a case. His sole complaint for the extension of the collway from announce added, inflicting severe the distant British battle feet or was TURN
losses while attacking Important tar-designed to create .. diversion to to Page 5, Column Two Lashio to the Yunnan border.
gets without, however, any losses to enable the Italian, battleship to themselves.
Questioned' by
Mr Forrest,
Dr
to prevent anbulage by the crews.
Burma Railway
Chau stated that he had been given SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" to understand by Sir Robert Kote-
Britain's War Finances For One Complete Year
Kuns.
Springboks In Diredawa
Tripoli Again Raided CAIRO, Mar, 31 (Reuter).-The advance towards towards Asmara in Eritrea continues, states an official communique here.
LONDON, Mar. 31 (Reuter),—“The astronomical" cost of the war to the British taxpayer is revealed lu revenue returns issued to-night showing that Britain has spent the record amount of £3,807,245,070 in the financial year which ended to night.
000,000 largely owing to the success The occupation of Diredawa in The total ordinary revenue of new taxes including the Purchase Abyssinia was carried out by Sculli from all sources was £1,108,867,- Tax which he introduced in his July African troops who are now advanc-
budget. 097, leaving a deficit of £2,458,-
ing westward, Most revenue items show substan- A forward movement is developing 378,673.
tint increases including Customs and in other sections. Exelse (presumably Including Pur- The number of prisoners is steadily chase Tax) whlell together are over mounting while the guns and war £120,000,000 higher than last year's materials abandoned by the retreuling enemy are being collected in large
The problem of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Kingsley Wood, in his forthcoming budget is whether is fry, by imposing new taxation, to figures. narrow the enormous gap between The total expenditure in the year quantities. expenditure and revenue, which has it may be noted, averaged £10,500,- otherwise to be bridged by borrowing, 000 per day but the expenditure CAIRO, Mar. 31 (Reuter)-An-
Aerial Support of Army The supply services, including the during the past three months averaged other heavy rald on Tripoll was mado fighting forces, accounted for £9,037,- nearly £13,000,000 per day, S 119,000 of the expenditure as against The excess of expenditure over to-day in continuance of the RAF. £1,078,207,000 fast year.
revenue was covered by borrowing support of the army operations in A cheering feature of the returns laThe floating dobt was increased by Abyssinia and elsewhere... the net Increase of £359,078,4044In 21,924,000,000 during the year and RAF bombers today bombed and total ordinary revenue over last year's It now amounts to £2,818,410,000, I machine-gunned chemy positions. yield. The revenue-exceeded the compared with £1,489,200,000 a year All our "aircraft returned safely -Chancellor's estimate by over-248′′ ago.
from-these-operations,
escape,
It was while the British light forces were searching for the enemy battle- ship that the British battle fleet blasted the Flume and Zara,
As the destroyer flotilla led by the Jervis approached the scene of the blazing Italian critisers, the sea was dotted with 700 or 800 men, some of whom were picked up but the British
ships were unable to wall as other. Italian ships were menacing them and the cruiser Pola, though motion-
lese, was stili ́unnecounted for..
Surrender At Sea
As the Jervis, approached the Pola: tung out a large while sheat and her crew were drawn up on the quarter- deck apparently ready to surrender. The Pola's private papers and the TURN to Page 5. Column Three
Japanese Bombers
Over Shanghai
SPECIAL TO, THE “TELEGRAPHI SHANGHAI, April 1 (UP)-Eight| aeroplanes, balleved to be Japanese] bombers, flew over Shanghai, at 2 a.m. this morning which is the first time in many months that planes have -made-a-flight over the city..
LATEST
Seo Back Page Fors Further Läta. News
evacuation of Germons from Yugo- The afternoon newspapers corried. front
page despatches headlining the
"rescued Shavio, sold to have been after fearful experiences,”--
Premier's Exhortation Message To Ribbentrop
BELGRADE, Mar. 31 (UP)—The VICHY, Mar. 31 (Reuter)-Mr | Yugo-Slavia Premier, General Simu- Matsuoka will meet Mussolini on TURN to Pago 5, Column Four Tuesday. He will lunch with King Victor. His audience with the Pope will take place on Wednesday, ac- cording to a Rome dispatch.
EDEN AND DILL
IN ATHENS
The Germon radio stales that Mr Matsuoka has sent a telegram to SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" Herr von Ribbentrop, saying: "I am ATHENS, Mar. 31 (UP)—I{ Is sure that the conversations which officially stated that Mr Anthony- we had in such a friendly atmos- Exien and General Sir John Dill have pliere in Germany will lend to arrived in Athens and have begun further strengthening of the bonds conversations with the Greek Gov- between the two countries and the ernment for the purpose of provent- creation of a new order in Europeing an extension of the war in the and East Asia,”
Balkans,
Away
Axis Ships Slip Awa To Secret Rendezvous
RIO DE JANEIRO, Mar. 31 (Reulor).—Rumours that Axis ships are gathering in mid-ocean, for a convoy under the protec tion of German battle cruisers, are strengthening."
They coincide with the salling The vh of the Italian freighters, Franco Brazil Martelli from Recife, Brazil, and oral the Friaco from Fortaleza, Brazil, 24 hours after the de- parture of the. Gorman steamer Dresden, from Santos.
thelearing at the
gan Sunday, gavá Oslö iation,
-co-Martelli 18 a leased, from, Financierg
fùnde
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