1938-05-02 — Page 8

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THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 2, 1988.

Barcelona's Helplessness Under

Bombers'

Onslaught

Lessons From Havoc Of Multiple Air Raids

FOR most of us March 17 is asso- Henceforth I hope nobody will take trayed adequately at home, the 1,000,- This lovely Mediterranean city is

ciated with Saint Patrick's any notice of those optimists, who tell 000 volunteers wanted for A.R.P singularly defenceless. It stands on festival; but for one and a half mil- the public that "aerial bombardment would be on offer within a few hours. the edge of the sea, and the 'planes lion inhabitants of Barcelona: this is limited in effect." I shudder 'to So terrible was the blast which are on it almost before warning can date in 1988 will stand out as "Black think what would happen in London blew at least 300 people to death and Thursday." For it was on.. St. or Manchester if a few score of such wounded as many, that all kinds of

BY HENRY W. BUCKLEY

be given.

as

Neither sufficient chaser 'planes for Patrick's Day that a new type of

constant patrol nor enough anti-air- bomb demonstrated in Barcelona how of modern, well-constructed - blocks

craft batteries are available owing to the difficulties in the way of flats can be torn up like tissue pa-

the Government in purchasing war materi- per; and how just two or three such super mixtures of high, explosive were stories have been invented. It has al. Even if they were, I doubt whether bombs are sufficient to wreck a neigh dropped there.

been said that a truck load of high it would be possible to prevent raids bourhood.

NEW 500LB. BOMBS

explosives driving down the Calle by small groups of 'planes, such There are no laggard feet now in

Cortes was hit by a bomb. But cap- those which raid Barcelona-that is Barcelona when 'the sirens wail out, If the people of Britain could have able foreign observers with no axe to say, five or six fast-flying bombers, heralding death. Reporting this war seen the wreckage and shambles of to grind do not agree. The theory. still which are in and out almost before I have seen scores of bombardments. the Calle de las Cortes Catalanas (the holds that Barcelona that day was the the sirens have ceased warning. But the way a few 500lb bombs-rip- Calle Cortes) in Barcelona in the testing laboratory for a new-type-250- There remains an alternative- . ped a whole district to pieces is some afternoon of March 17; if this scene kilogramme (500lb.)" bomb which thing the like of which I had never of blood and, desolation left behind creates a new menace to world civilisa- Reprisals. It is a method singularly seen before.

by the Savoia "79's" could be por- tion.

unfitted to civil war, and especially this war in Spain which has so many complex aspects.

FRIGIDAIRE

ECONOMY

SENSATION

THE NEW SILENT

METER - MISER SAVES

`UP TO 25% MORE ON

OPERATING COST

THAN EVEN THE

FAMOUS CURRENT

SAVING METER MISER

OF 1937.

NEW

Silent METER-MISER

HHICOS

SOLE AGENTS: ---

DODWELL & CO., LTD. Vom 25021

Alexandra Bldg.

two

SHELTER PROBLEMS Barcelona is bombed from places. There is the base at Palma, on Majorca Island, 200 miles as a bomber flies. Here Italian bombers and chas- ers are stationed, Col, Mari is bomb- ing chief. Col. Pizzoni is in charge of chasers, whose mission is to de- fend the island. The mainland is too

far away for them to accompany the bombers. Here are stationed. Fiats C.R.82, and Savoia 81 and 79.

WO-

From Pollensa, on the north of the island, come. craft from another base. The raiders awing in over the port, fly over the town, swing round to the left and leave again over the sandy coastline behind Montjuich Castle. Where, shall Barcelona's men, men, and children hide? Refuges, shel- ter just 90,000. The Underground Railway akes tens of thousands, but the entrances jam with people. If a bomb falls near such an entrance it may mow down scores; it has done. Down; to the cellar? Suppose the house collapses. Stay on a ground floor? If a bomb falls in the street it may blow you to pieces.

There is no safety outside pro- perly contructed shelters. Reasonable safety alone lies in keeping off the street and hugging as closely as pos sible a strong wall well away from windows.

War has virtually no limits now. unless someone can produce the much- heralded magic ray which will stop petrol-engines and thus paralyse our enemy the aeroplane. But, until then, woe betide those who are weak in the air; their fate will be that of Bar- celona multiplied many times over.. March 17 is a warning to civilisation that there is star madness loose in.. Europe.

Travelling at night through the Underground, its platforms. jammed so tight with people taking shelter that I could hardly find my way--out of, the train, I thought of friends at home, who smugly, tell me:":"It can't happen here!"

It is not only Barcelona, which is. suffering thus: The small coast towns are in worse plight. Have you heard.. of Tortosa A small town of 32,000 inhabitants nestling under great mountains, Those raiding 'planes have literally wrecked the town. Now it is empty, but three or four times p day the raiders come and bomb what remains.

Or there is the charming, town of Tarragona which was a great Roman provincial capital when London was”· undreamed of, In the last 12 days- 42 raids. Think of the nerves. of the women and children there.

Scores of villages along this beauti- ful coast show terrible scars. All day and night the Taiders. from Majorca. bomb and machine-gun roads and vil Inges. Futile to think that because" you are indoors you are safe. from machine-gunning. These machines guns shoot heavy aluga", which do great damage. Some time ago, I was the object of a little target practice from a big three-motor plane and one of his "bullets" ripped away half the metal dashboard of my car

BOWN

Thus stark terror is being from: Majorca along the Mediterra- nean coast from Port Bou to Valencia day by day. But the Spaniards are- showing great toughness. Bombs are bad propaganda. It is

}

conceivable that by sheer terrorism from the air" anation could be forced to surrender to its enemies. But not generations, would remove the undying, hatred barn in those defeated by such means,

THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 2, 1938,

DISTURBANCES

MAY

Page

IN CZECH DAY CELEBRATIONS

Police Charge Sudeten German Procession

Well-Known Lawyer

Dangerously Injured

Prague, To-day.

The May Day celebrations held in several Sudetic German communities were vetoed by the Czech authorities.

Serious incidents occurred on Saturday night in

ARAB CONSTABLES MURDERED

Jerusalem, To-day.

Six. Arab constables were 'mur- dered in the village of Azzoun, near Talkarm, yesterday, 'when a a large armed gang attacked nine policemen, belonging to a "mount, ed' column.:

The police inflicted casualties on the brigands-Reuter.

Troppau where the police charged with rubber MAY DAY batons against the Sudetic Germans injuring

many and dangerously injuring the lawyer, SPEECH TO BOYS

Dr. Hampel Zottig, who had to be taken to hospital.

Yesterday morning the police intervened again.

The Deputy Kuenzel of the Sude-

handed tic German Party

in' a complaint yesterday to the Minis- ter of Interior protesting against the brutal assault of the police and demanding the immediate dismis- sal of the chief of police in Trop- pau..

'Reports from Jaegerndorf yester- day evening state that 10,000 Sude- tic Germans held a celebration there but although Czechs staged a coun- ter demonstration, demanding "Czechoslovakian Jaegerndorf,” incidents occurred.

crowd

a

no

of

In Budweis, a large Czech people gathered outside "the

German House," where about 2,000 Sudetic Germans held a meeting yesterday evening. The police, how- ever, managed to disperse the crowd. Trans-Ocean,

FRENCH POLICY CRITICISED

Berlin, Yesterday. Commenting on the Anglo- French talks, the "Diplomatisch Korrespondenz❞ says that French policy regards Czecho-Slovakia as a bulwark against Germany, but it is questionable whether Britain will declare her solidarity with such conceptions in view of their possible consequences. ‚·

SIGNIFICANCE

IN HITLER'S

ROME VISIT

Berlin, Yesterday.

AND GIRLS BY DR. GOEBBELS

Berlin, To-day.

PRACTICAL

CONSEQUENCES AWAITED

Berlin, Yesterday.

There is no objection on the part of Germany, according to semi-official quarters, to the. Anglo-French General Staff consultations, if they give an enhanced feeling of security.

ex-

The traditional British policy, it was stated here to-day, was pressed in the communique at the end of the London talks.

Referring to the Czecho-Slova- kian and Sudeten German pro- blems, it is held here that it will be the endeavour of the British Government to avoid a policy of intransigeance.

German interest in the Sudeten problem is that of finding an equitable solution, which is, de- manded seriously, conscientiously and energetically.

"One must now wait for the of the

practical

consequences

Millions of Hitler boys and girls assembled early yesterday morning Franco-British talks," said one in all towns and villages in Ger-quarter in Berlin to-day.-Trans- many and Austria to hear broad- cast May Day speeches by the Fuehrer, Dr. Joseph Goebbels

Ocean.

SINGAPORE RAW

and Co.,

RUBBER Informed quarters in (Propaganda Minister) and Baldur

Messrs. H. B. Joseph Berlin maintain absolute von Shirach (Youth leader) from have received the following quota- reticence concerning the

the Berlin Stadium, where Herr tions in Straits Currency for Raw nature of the conversations |

Hitler was thunderously welcomed which Herr Hitler will have with Signor Mussolini by thousands of boys and girls. during his visit to Rome.

The Fuehrer spoke of the unity

It is pointed out that the of Germany, and said: basis of Italo-German policy was laid down-in-all-its-essential

from you."

ad-

"Seeing you, my faith in the Ger- man future is unshakeable and un- limited, because-I-know-you'll-pull points in the Berchtesgaden through everything we expect Protocol drawn up on the occa- sion of the visit of Count Ciano, Italian Foreign Minister, to Herr Subsequently, the Fuehrer Hitler in September, 1936. dressed a huge open-air-demon-

Political circles nevertheless stration in Berlin. attach particular · significance to the composition of the suite! accompanying the Fuehrer to Rome.

FUEHRER'S ENTOURAGE

His

broadcast speech was throughout Germany and Austria, where workers had assembled round May trees.

•

The Fuehrer dwelt on the achievements of the Nazi` regime, In addition to leading Nazi re-and declared the world: to-day suf- presentatives, prominent person-fered from unemployment but Ger-

Rubber:

May/June 18-% b. down 1⁄41⁄44. July Sept. 18-4 b. down 4. Oct/Dec. 19 b. down 4. Market: Norminal.

PERSONALITY!

The First Essential. Personality!That air of distinction,

alities connected with foreign many was beginning to suffer from that outstanding attractiveness which policy, as well as with the fight-a lack of workmen.-Reuter. ing forces, will accompany Herr Hitler.

From this the conclusion 'is

drawn that the Rome talks will mainly be concerned with politi cal questions and matters of de- fence.

SECRET RADIO THREAT TO STALIN

lifts some women above the ruck of their fellow beings is a mysterious quality. It is considered to be the result of perfect mental and physical poise, and almost invariably, it will be found that people with personality are alert, energetic and, above all, healthy. The first essential to the attainment of distinctive personality is good health which, in turn, is dependent upon an red abundant supply of rich; pure,' The "Deutsche Allgemeine It is certain that the Spanish

blood, for which purpose there is Zeitung" says that Mr. Cham- problem, the Anglo-Italian under-

Sofia, Yesterday: nothing more rapidly and surely help- ful than Dr. Williams Pink Pills, berlain has recognised the fail- standing and the future develop.

The newspapers here make famous for more than fifty years as a ure of collective security, and is ment of Franco-Italian relations, returning to the policy of al- will be among the subjects dis- much play to-day with a report blood, and nerve tonic.

that an anti-Communist broad---Even, though you are now ailing, liances, but it cannot serve the cussed.

LEGAL ADVISER Y casting station' in Russia was lacking in strength, have a poor up- petite, are worried or depressed, your other side of Mr. Chamberlain's

The fact that Herr Hitler's heard in Sofia for the first time need not despair. When such blood as programme, namely, the paci-

the well-known last night,

Dr. Williams' Pink Pills create is flow- comes. new fication of Europe, if British suite includes

The trnsmission, say the reing in your veins there wishes for security are based legal adviser to the Foreign Office, on the so-called German danger. Dr. Gaus, is causing speculation ports, began shortly after mid- vitality, you have more energy, more` brighter spirits, aches and pains dis- The Boersen Zeitung" des- whether definite agreements will night with the singing of the strength, depression gives way to cribes. Czecho-Slovakia as the be concluded, but In view of the "Internationale," after which appear, you enjoy sound refreshing sleep which builds up and strengthens. ally of Bolshevist Russia, and Berchtesgaden Protocol, this is a woman announcer spoke."

Trans- At the end of half an hour your whole.system.

This vibrant health brings with it a speaks of attempts by Prague, considered

the transmission ceased, to be fuller enjoyment of life. You become Paris and London to disturb the Ocean.

resumed fifteen minutes later imbued with personality. From chem- natural and. mutually beneficial relations between Germany and The R.M.S. Empress of Russia with the dramatic announce-ints everywhere you can obtain. the Sudeten Germans. Reu- leaves Shanghai for Hong Kong ment. "Stalin, thy days", are „Dr. Williams' Pink Pills.

numbered." Trans-Ocean, and Manila at 9 a.m. to-morrow.

ter.

..

unlikely.