1939-10-18 — Page 9

Page

THE CHINA MAIL, OCTOBER 18, 1939

GERMANY'S HEAVY LOSSES IN U-BOATS

London, To-day.

"Something, from a third to a quarter of the total U-boat fleet of Germany has been destroyed and gaps made in the ranks of skilled officers and crews cannot speedily be replaced,” said Mr. Churchill in the House of Commons yesterday. "On the other hand the British Mercantile Marine of 21,000,000 tons has experienced the loss of 156,000 tons by U-boat action to which may be added 18,000 tons through mines or accident- a total of 174,000 tons.

COLONY'S ECONOMIC POTENTIAL

(Continued from Page 8)

"During the same period we have captured from the enemy 29,000 tons and been refreshed by the arrival of new ships amounting to 104,000 tons.

"It will t seen therefore that while our Mercantile marine re. mains practically unaffected by U-boat warfare, losses have been Inflicted on the enemy which, If continued, could certainly not be endured."

Replying to Mr. A. V. Alexander,

REMARKABLE EXPLOIT

which in the late war proved effec-

The main objection to the tax, as far as we can judge, is ruled entirely by alarm Mr. Churchill said that the boom de- fences at Scapa Flow were not the old taken at the thought of SO defences from the last war. They had much money, on the basis of been newly-placed in position. the official estimate, being and when it was complete he would An inquiry was now taking place taken out of the Colony. To-be in a position to answer other ques- tals are added together, $6,- tions. 000,000 as Military Contribu- Mr. Churchill told the House that tion, and $7,000,000 as War all necessary measures are now being Contribution, a total of taken to increase the precautions roughly £800,000. Such an tual in prevented any enemy penetra- outgo, it is argued, must be tion of the Scapa Flow anchorage. disastrous. Were it outgo, the contention might have some basis. But what are the facts? The military authori- ties in Hong Kong have spent and are spending vast- ly greater sums than are re- presented either by the Mili- tary Contribution, or the De- fence Contribution added thereto. The money comes back as fast as it goes out, if it is ever actually transfer- red!

In other words, the effect of the Government's propos- als may be judged on this basis: They will relieve the Imperial Government, that

He said it was still a matter of con- harbour defences, but the entry must jecture how the U-boat penetrated the

be regarded as a remarkable exploit of professional skill and daring.—Reu-

ter.

NO REASON TO KNOW U-BOAT WAS DESTROYED

LONDON, TO-DAY. LORD CHATFIELD, DEFENCE

CO-ORDINATION MINISTER, MADE A SIMILAR STATEMENT ON THE

ROYAL OAK SINKING IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS YESTERDAY

AFTERNOON TO THAT OF MR.

WINSTON CHURCHILL COMMONS.

IN THE

Replying to Lord Gainsford (Op- position Liberal), who asked whether there was any ground in believing the

report that the U-boat which sank the Royal Oak had been sunk, Lord Chatfield said the Admiralty had no

reason at present to know that

the

U-boat had been destroyed.--Reuter.

is, the British taxpayer, of CLUMSY

some of the cost of the de-

fence of Hong Kong. They GERMAN

will have to pay for the Em- pire's war in Europe, but during the war emergency, Hong Kong will take a great- er share of financial respon- sibility for its own defence on its own shoulders.

for

Do we have to appeal a display of patriotism to justify that?

BUFFALO

CHARGES

£

PROPAGANDA

LONDON, TO-DAY.

THE GERMANS HAVE RECENT- LY BROADCAST A SERIES OF

CLUMSY STATEMENTS AS PART

OF THEIR ATTEMPT TO INFLU-

ENCE NEUTRAL OPINION AGAINST

THE BRITISH CONTRABAND CON-

TROL.

One day, Japan is said to have pro- tested against the boarding of her merchant ships in her territorial waters; the next day it is Chile who demands an apology. These state», ments' have been repeated with varin- tions.

Contradictions also occur. In one breath, the Germans claim that the British are short of food and in the next they are fattened with the riches of of war.

A stampede among troop mules occurred yesterday in. Waterloo Road when a buffalo charged.

One mule was injured before the buffalo was caught.

The mules, under Major E. L. Law, of the Hong Kong Mule Corps, were exercising in Waterloo Road at the time.

THE TRUTH Significant featufe of their pro paganda is that entire programme are devoted daily to denying and dis torting Engish news and this ́is 'clear proof that it has not been possible to entirely concert the truth, from the

Page i

THE ENTENTE CORDIALE."The Helping Hand." Here is a de- lightful picture showing a French sailor asalsting a British nurse with her baggage on her arrival "Somewhere in France." (British Official Photograph. Crown Copyright Reserved).

INCREASED LONDON BUS SERVICES

Londoners

improvement in bus services.

As from to-day more buses will be put on 22 routes, and this promises a greater regularity of service. →→ Reu-

London, To-day. are to have an early ter.

TUBORG BEER

Supplied to The Royal Danlah Court. The Most Popular Danish Heer on the Market, Obtainable at all Wine Dealers, Clubs & Hotelu.

Bola Aguntam

GANDE, PRICE & CO., LTD.

WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS St. George's Building, No. 8, 160, Mouse Tel. No, 20185, 1976

Hows Kong