1939-12-19 — Page 1

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CHINA MAIL

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No. 30,909 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1939 Price: 10 Cts.

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BLUECHER SUNK: HEAVY LOSS

LOSS GRAF SPEE OF LIFE

"

(SPECIAL TO CHINA MAIL ")

London, To-day.

ALTHOUGH THE Admiralty refuses to enlarge on the official communiques already issued, unof- ficial quarters assert that the German cruisers Leipzig and Bluecher, as well as a smaller cruiser of the Koln class, have fallen victim to British submarine action.

Hundreds of German sailors are reported to have been drowned when H.M. submarine Salmon tor- pedoed the Bluecher in the North Sea.

The Bluecher, which was seriously crippled, was be-

OGPU

"PURGE" OF RED ARMY

London, To-day. Information from Moscow states that the new Red Army leaders promised the Kremlin that Finland would be "cleaned up" by February.

As a result of the unexpected- ly strong Finnish resistance, It ́s stated, the Ogpu have started a "purge" of Soviet officers serv- ing in Finland.-Reuter,

SIGNIFICANT

ing towed to port when she foundered, taking a GERMAN large proportion of her crew with her.

YANGTSE REOPENING TEST CASE

The exploits of the submarines Sal- mon and Ursula are regarded here as the beginning of Britain's naval of- fensive against German bases in the North Sea, which, it is hoped, will lead to a fleet action.

re-

CREW OF 27 Ursula's raid into the Elbe is garded here as particularly noteworthy in view of the strong German de- fences.

Of 540 tons, Ursula carried a crew of only 27 men in her gallant attack on Germany's Scapa Flow.--Havas,

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL) Tokyo, To-day. Political circles here are of the opinion that the propos- ed re-opening of part of the Yangtze is a test case destin- real intentions." ed to find out whether a more fact the re-opening is conditioned by conciliatory Japanese policy "a better understanding" of the Ja- towards the Powers would pay.

This statement clearly shows that in

panese position by the Powers, espe- cially by the United States, whose reaction is impatiently awaited here. Well-informed circles declare that There are no indications available no condition is attached' to this re- concerning the re-opening of the opening, which is Japan's "spontaneous Yangtze upstream from Nanking. decision showing Tokyo's sincerity and | Havas.

SCANDINAVIA WATCHES

MEASURE

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

BERNE, TO-DAY.

A BURNING WRECK

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

Montevideo, To-day.

Late yesterday afternoon, the wreck of the Graf Spee was still burning and thick, black smoke almost masked what was left of the warship.

A huge coat of oil, extendi for two miles around the Graf & pee's position, covers the water.

vas

It is learned that the scuttli entrusted to a. boatswain and, 'D sailors, who opened the sea-r 'nd placed time bombs to set fire i al parts of the vessel.-Hav TELEPHONED HITLE Before scuttling his ship, i ported, Captain Landsdorp telephoned to Herr Hitler regarding final tructions for the Graf Spee.

ins-

Hitler, it is said, made him promise he would not risk either his own or the lives of the crew in destroying the Graf Spee.

Captain Landsdorp informed the Uruguayan authorities of his inten- tions.

Partial confirmation of these reports is seen in the fact that Uruguayan and THE "FRANKFURTER ZEITUNG" | Argentinian warships were in the ANNOUNCES THAT ALL GERMAN estuary when she sank.-Reuter. NICKEL COINS WILL SOON BE WITHDRAWN FROM CIRCULA. TION AND REPLACED BY ALU- MINIUM ONES SIMILAR TO THOSE USED IN GERMANY DURING THE LAST YEAR OF THE WORLD WAR.

The paper also announces further restrictions of petrol.

Special permits will be required for the transports of goods by lorries.- Hávas.

SOVIET ATTACKS

REPULSED

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") Helsinki, To-day: An official communique reports that Soviet attacks have been repulsed, with the enemy losing 33 tanks.

Soviet losses were especially heavy In the Karelian Isthmus.-Havas.

SEASON'S GREETINGS

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(SPECIAL TO CHINA MAIL ")

Amsterdam, To-day.

REPORTS FROM THE Scandinavian capitals show that the reaction of public opinion against So-

viet aggression is steadily growing.

"The Red Army's advance in northern Finland has caused the greatest con-

NORDIC SOLIDARITY

cern in Sweden and Norway, which Meanwhile, the feeling develops that are anxiously watching the threat "Nordic solidarity" should materialize to their frontiers and the imminent in concrete help to Finland. Swedish contact of their frontier posts with private organizations have placed huge announcements in Stockholm papers the Invaders.

giving addresses of offices for the en- Ustment of volunteers for Finland, and spreading the slogan:-"

countries Both

are extending their finee of defence in the ex- treme north, taking every step to ensuro respect for their neutrality.

"Finland's concern is our concern!” The first group of 2,000 Swedish WEATHER FORECAST:—North-east | volunteers is ready to leave for Fin-

winda, moderate to fresh; fins. land-Havas,

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