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The
FINAL EDITION
Ibrary, Súpveide trans
Hongkong Telegraph.
No. 10400
FOUNDED 1052 五拜禮 【三廿月五英港香
FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1941.
日八廿月四
SINGLE COPY 10 CENTS $30.00 PER ANNUM
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GILMAN'S
HOLDING OUR OWN IN Sporadie Raids Britain Expected
CRETE: FINE DEFENCE DESPITE DIFFICULTIES
(By "Reuter's" Military Commentator)
LONDON, May 22.-The outcome of the Battle for Crete is of the greatest importance to both sides. As far as we are able to judge from the news to hand, the battle is going in our favour and the first of the German air-borne troops have been heavily punished, most of them being killed and captured.
The Germans, however, are reinforcing this first detachment strongly and rapidly from the air which they can do owing to the proximity of the Greek mainland to Crete, which enables them to mass a powerful air force and troops against the defence.
R. A.F. TO WITHDRAW FIGHTERS
Handicapped In Crete
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH”
LONDON, May 22 (UP)- The Air Ministry officially states that the commanders on Crete
have decided to withdraw British fighter planes in view of the
ARTILLERY AND TANKS.
The Germans are supporting these flights of air- borne troops by others crossing the narrow sea in small boats of all kinds, bringing artillery and tanks. These are likely to appear at night. They can make the crossing in the dark, but the Germans must first establish some force close to the beaches or harbours in order to cover their disembarkation.
pronounced disadvantage under ABORTIVE
which they are operating. It is
pointed out that Crete is ill PUTSCH
provided with aerodromes, while |
the operations are close to Greek IN CHILE
and Italian Islands and the main. land upon which large German
air forces are concentrated. Nazi Leaders Held
Reason For Decision
LONDON, May 22 (Reuter)..
By the use of air power, they hope to drive our navy from the neighbourhood of Crete in order to effect the crossing in boats. They are not likely to succeed in this, however.
Two Main Attacks
It seems as if the enemy was making two main attacks in this
preliminary stage of the buttle, one
near Candia and the other some 70
miles to the west of Suda Bay and Canes. In addition, many comparu- tively small parties are probably being dropped all over the country. and with the object of creating alarm confusion and attacking communicu- tions.
SANTIAGO, May 22 (Reu- The British commanders in ter). Judicial proceedings, Crete have decided to withdraw consequent on a Nazi putsch British fighter aircraft from which was nipped in the hud, Crete in view of the small num-continued yesterday. ber of aerodromes there and
These are not very numerous in The judge in charge of in- Crete, however, and that fact is likely their poorness.
vestigation interrogated 20 to react more in our favour than that This was revented by a British Air Nazis-and-after-the-enquiry-of-Germans, for it can be readliy Ministry official during an interview ordered the arrest of three understood that small hostile bodies to-day
Isolated in lonely hills and not able It is impossible to develop a satis-Party leaders on charges of "an to get together will be more of a factory fighter defence from the few attempt against the security of
comparatively Ill-equipped aero- the state.".
dromes if these are subjected to high- scole enemy air attacks.
Offensive air operations of British bombers based in Egypt are, however, being carried out against the aero- dromes from which the enemy are making their attacks.
· Greeks and Cretans Help CAIRO, May 22 (Reuter),—It was learned to-night that British troops, alded by the Greeks and Cretar hills- men, have succeeded keeping the situation in Crete well in hand.
Water-Borne Invaders CAMO, May 22 (Reuter)-It is understood that the German tactics in attempting to land in Crete from the sea consisted of sending fairly small vessels, containing landing parties, unescorted by naval forces across the comparatively narrow strip of sen between Crete and Southern Greece.
$25,000 Cheque
T For Bombers
nuisance than a serious menace.
Dispersal of Defences As a result of the statements
Nevertheless the air attack, the made by the detained men,
Arst to be attempted on this grond fresh search was carried out at scale, presents great difficulties for the headquarters of the Nazi the defence because it obliges it to Party by the Police, who dis- which may leave a vital spot insuf- disperse its troops over a wide area covered many documents of felently guarded where fresh hostile propaganda connected with the troops by seas or air may suddenly abortive putsch.
appear.
This kind of bottle demands A great deal of thought, preparation and co-operation with all its own scattered forces as well as with the sister services on the sen and in the; alr. It demands 1 still greater quality, the power of inspiring great energy and resolution in ail its subordinate leaders who will have to act promptly and independently.
Fortunately in
in General Freyberg,
Convoy Of 50 Ships Gets Through
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" NEW YORK, May 22 (UP), Colliers Weekly" to-day re- ports that the largest ocean con- voy in history comprising 50 ships, estimated to be carrying
we possess a leader of this type and also the troops under him, both Greek and British, have given proof on other fields of these qualities.
As a military study, this Cretan battle will be followed with mendous interest.
Latest Situation SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"
tre-
A cheque for $25,000 was hundreds of thousands of tons received this morning from of supplies has reached England CAIRO, May 22 (UP)-Woll in- Mesars Jardinc, Matheson & from Canada "without loss of formed quarters state that the fight Co., Ltd., being the second con- anything but a bit of paint." TURN to Back Page, Column 3 tribution to the Bomber Fund The staff correspondent of Col- from the Hongkong Fire In-liers, Mr Quentin Reynolds surance Company, Ltd.
accompanied the convoy.
Cyprus May Be
Thrilling
On Britain
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"
LONDON, May. 22 (UP). -The Air Ministry and the Ministry of Home Security, in a joint communique, stated that a few single. raiders flew over the country during daylight, One bombed a Sussex vil- luge damaging a few cot- tages and causing a few casualties. Bombs were dropped elsewhere virtually without damage and no casualties. British fighters shot down an enemy fighter this morning,
The Admiralty in a com- munique stated that un armed merchantman shot down an attacking German aircraft off the west coast last Monday.
Story
To Start Bombing
French Factories
Aiding the Nazis
Special to the "Telegraph"
LONDON, May 22 (UP)—Mr Anthony Eden's announcement of a "gloves off" policy to-day fore shadowed the possible bombing of French factories that are working for the Germans and the intention to attack any French dependencies which afford facilities to the Axis.
of Amazing
Battle for Island of Crete
("Reuter's" Special Correspondent)
CAIRO, May 22.--The Battle of Crete presents an amazing sight like a fan- tasy by H. G. Wells, with the sky around Suda Bay full of strange aircraft, drunkenly swaying parachutes, and enemy planes filled with troops crash-landing in a restricted area.
Compulsory Evacuation Of Gibraltar Begins
Special to the "Telegraph"
LA LINEA, May 22 (Domei).-Compulsory evacuation of civilians and foreign residents from Gibraltar began when a steamer carrying 800 evacuees departed from the Rock this afternoon under the escort of warships, it was reported here. The British authorities are understood to he pushing defence preparations against an anticipated Nazi attack on Gibraltar.
U.S. Preparations Against Invasion
Special to the "Telegraph"
The wreckage of the crashed Nazi aeroplanes is quickly clear, ed away by the hard-worked German ground staffs, making way for a continual flow of air traffic while other troop-carriers remain on the ground with engines running only long enough to disembark troops be- fore taking off again for Greece to load up another cargo of troops.
It followed almost'one year of hesitation in which the United States'. influence was partly re- sponsible for Britain's failure to adopt a firmer policy towards Vichy. Mr Eden's warning, coupled with Mr Cordell Hall's talk with Ambassador Henry Haye at Washington last Tuet- day, are regarded as signs that the United States will also take
a
stiffer attitude towards Vichy.
geot works are producing aircraft
was
An informed British source 'alleged that the Rennult,. Citroen and' Peu-
parts, motor torpedo boals,
tank parts and ammunition for Germany. They said that in a recent six weeks period, Vichy was scheduled to de- liver to Germany 10,000 tons of aluminium, 30,000 tons of bruxite, 0,000 ions of magnesium and large quantities of wool and fruit. From the large quantities of rubber and other colonial products landed at Marseilles, the Germans gat 80% and the alipits five per cent.
Close' Watch on Navy Brital is naturally keeping a close watch on the French navy, “În event Admiral Durlun tries to deliver it to The operations continue all night the Germans. According to the best with the sky lit up by parachute published reports, the battleship flares, tracer shells and the Navy's Richelleu at Dakar is still immobi- searchlights picking up; the paralised but can be used as a floating chutists floating to earth, many of battery. Two second class crujærs them dead by the time they touch and three destroyers are also at the ground because they form excel Dakar.. lent targets for British ground forcen. The battleships Strasbourg and
Exciting man-hunts
among
the
TURN to Back Page, Column 3 ravines and woods progress all over eastern Crete between Nazi para- chutists and Cretan bandas led by the "Captains of the Hills," chiefly armed with foot-long knives
and plstols.
Hillwomen On Guard
the When Italy invaded Greece, Cretan billwomen of Lassithi Ploin be WASHINGTON, May 22 (UP).-The' United States de--where Zeus was reputed to
born in a deep cave, à descendant fence programme entered a new and grimmer phase to-day of the ancient Minoons--petitioned Director Laguardia of the Office of Civilian Defence outlined a the King of the Hellenes to be scheme with immediate emphasis on preparation against dis- allowed to form a women's regiment ruptive effects of air bombings, such as fires, traffic demorali-to fight for Greece. Their desire is |sation, disturbances and water now granted and stalwart, armed
women Creton
fumed for their supplies.
beauty, now mount guard over their homes and stalk Nazl porachutists.
In the confusion of one of the hardest fought battles of the war it impossible to estimate the casual- tles to date suy military circles.
Unorthodox Fighting
Ominous
Note From
Thailand
The defence programme here- tofore loomed in the public mind as an immense industrial effort to realise the function of the United States as the "arsenal of democracy," but the programme
Such things as lines of communico- contemplated by Mr Laguardia tions, supply, rear or forward posi- means that the public at large tions do not for the most part exist. in the will soon be engaged in efforts Staff H.Q. themselves are
line and auxiliary units for home defence with the con- front
participate
with the infantry sequent deeper realisation of
hting, actual In the the perils and problems of
It has become a question of every BANGKOK, May 22 (UP)—modern warfare.
man for himself since the para- Mass Evacuation
chutists started dropped like confetti the "Krungdhes Varasab" in an Mr Laguardia expressly avoided from clear skies sometimes in
comment regarding foreign middle of the Imperial positions, and editorial to-day entitled "Road TURN to Back Tage, Column 3 every man has been warned that he must be prepared suddenly to find to Honour", when the paper}
TURN to Back Page, Column 5 predicted that another war for be fought "sooner or later", which would
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"
An ominous note was struck by
Thailand would
H. E. Reported
Sea Paths To Be Kept Next on List bring Thailand greater vistory To Be Very
Open By U.S. Ships
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"
ISTANBUL, May 22
| (UP).~Military observers
than the Thai-Indo-China con- filet.
Much Better
His Excellency the Governor be- It was also officially announc-
come alightly Indisposed in the early ed to-day that the Thai Regent hours of May 22, and was ordered to-day believed that a Ger- has issued a decree calling a by his medical advisers to spend the WASHINGTON, May 22 (Reuter).—President Roosevelt to-man parachute invasion of special session of the National day in his room. He is now very day predicted that "more and faster ships will be built in the Cyprus is imminent now Assembly for. June 9.. United States and “they will carry through the open waters of that the attack on Crete has the seven seas the implements of war which will help to destroy |begun. the menace to free peoples every where."
tribution but in the stronger senso
nrich botter, but has been ordered to limit his immediate engagements. The reception which was to have been given for him by the Indian
23, has therefore China on May 23,
LATEST
the
Soo Back Page For Further Late News
American Trade With China and
and Hongkong
Special to the "Telegraph"
WASHINGTON, May 22 (UP)—Unlied States exports to China during the first quarter of 1941 were valued at $19,988,- 000 which is a decrease of $5,000,000 compared with 1940.
The noteworthy flems in the recessions are cotton and lear tobacco.....
| perla of "tung oll and raw silk de
clined while bristles increased: during the first quarter wore valued ut $854,000, a gain of 30 per cent.
United States exports to Hongkong
Over
1940. The Chinese customs; returns | In trade with Chins, military to
Well informed quarters
M. M. BOATS TO Association of Hongkang & South Menage to People
been postponed, and His Excellency Aircraft and parts, petroleum that it is a crucially decisive factor in stated that “relatively small OMIT S'HAI will not be present on May 26, at the products and automotive pro WASHINGTON, May 22 (Reuter), our struggle for existence as a free German forces could occupy
laying of the foundation stone or ducts load the list of exports, --President Roosevelt in a letter to people.
SHANGHAI, May 23 (Internation- the extension of the Po Leung Kuk with substantial gains. Rear Admiral Emory Land, Chairman |
Cyprus which is infinitelyl)-It is reported that the liners of by Lady MacGregor, of the Maritime Commission, said "I "If we are going keep away
He hopes, however, to full the am glad of an opportunity to send a from out, shores forces that have less defendable than Crete." the Messageries Mariumes and other maritime message to the American convulsed the Old World and now They also consider that the French companies will onilt calling following engagements during the indicated that a large part of portant items compared with 1940
week ending
370,000 against $800,000; motor people. To-day as never before in mengce the Now, the job will be
on, Shanghai, owing to the dificulty. Mar. 20, atao 2 May 31:-Friday, the trade was destined for Eres indluded: automobiles and parts, $2,-
pm. University of China,
trucks and buses $1,922,000 aralist history, our merchant marine is vital dere in a large measure by the ships battle of Crete represents a in securing fuel oil here.
Hongkong. As Chancellor, to hold a
United States imparts during the $17,000; aircraft and parts:23.235.000 me do not and sailors of the merchant marino, test case for a nutsequentes ve
There vamèls are likely to continue: Congregation for the Conferring of first quarter were valued at $20,030,- against $1,183,000), petroleum • did mean viin merely in the conventional and by the working men who, bulld
thalasservice between: Indo-China Degrees Baturday, May 31, to pro- 000 Teaminared to $23,049,000, for the products, 182,521,000 ng lare 1,430 „Senre that Il' makes an important con. TURN to Back Page, Column 5 invasion of England.
and Japan;
eserto Tynling Lodge for the night.Į corresponding period 1 of 1940... 000