1939-12-23 — Page 7

THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 23, 1939

Page

80,000-ton Battleships Something Of Tall Story

NAVAL OFFICERS DECORATED

London, To-day. Deeds of heroism carried out by officers and men of the Royal Navy are acknowledg- ed in the announcement of a large number of decora- Lions.

The awards occupy a whole supple- ment to the London Gazette, which in- dicates that further honours, decora- tlons and awards will be contained in the New Year's Honours.

Special mention is made of the gal- lantry of Commander Richard Frank

ing an attack by German airmen and brought his ship Mohawk into port.

NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY IN GREAT BRITAIN

London, To-day.

NAVAL EXPERTS IN GREAT Britain are inclined to regard as "something of a tall story" the report that the American naval sub-committee has asked the American Navy Department to sub- mit estimates for battleships of 65,000 tons.

SEVERE BOMBINGS IN .KWANGSI

Kweilin, To-day. Kweilin, provincial capital of Kwangsi, and Liuchow, important town southwest of Kweilin, both spent nervous

yesterday as a result of Jap- anese mass air bombings.

Over Liuchow, a flerce air battle took place between nine Japanese machines and Chinese pursuit squadron. An enemy plane was shot

British naval reaction to the report is "by all means down. It crashed in flames at a vil-

have battleships, but smaller not larger.'

"

lage near Laiping, south of Lluchow. The crew were all killed.

Kweilin was attacked twice by over

Jolly, who was mortally wounded dur-It is pointed out on high authority that this war has 20 machines. Over 100 missiles were

proved more than anything else the need for smaller battleships.

five

Commander Jolly died

of hours later, and the award the Military Medal of the Order of

British the

Empire was made posthumously. Recognition is also given to the work their of officers who, at the risk of lives, have been engaged in stripping mines.

Many awards follow successful ac- tions against submarines.-Reuter.

AIR BATTLE OVER THE NORTH SEA

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL"}

Oslo, To-day. A fierce air battle occurred in the North Sea west of Kar- the on

mocy,

Norwegian

the inches clear and got through One of the biggest defects in

that the greatest difficulty. German pocket-battleships is they are too heavily gunned for their displacement.

Germany's naval architects ex- perimented for a long time, cram ming many more guns into a given displacement than is practicable, and which has so far been shown to be by no means successful.

British naval experts regard it as

a mistake to have more than three or four gun turrets, and support this theory by the fact that in the of the Graf Spee one shell "knocked out the whole outfit."

COST PROHIBITIVE

case

|

with

The idea emanating from America for the construction of such colossal warships can hardly be taken serious- ly.-Reuter.

POPE TO RETURN ROYAL VISIT

Rome, To-day.

dumped in the west and south suburbs. Chinese anti-aircraft bat- teries thundered at the raiders keep- ing them at a high altitude.

Heughsien, on the Wat River in south Kwangsi near the Kwangtung border, was also bombed by Japan- ese raiders yesterday.

Japanese aircraft were also active over Kwangtung and Hunan yester- day, according to reports reaching here.

Lokchong, in north Kwangtung, and Chenhsien and Hengyang in Hunan were attacked.

On Thursday, it is reported, eight

attacked Japanese planes

Shawan the near Kwangchowwan, dropping seven the bombs. Szetsetow nearby was also

Central News.

The Pope will proceed to the Qui- rinal on December 28 to return visit by the King and Queen to Vatican. Reuter.

bombed.

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Apart from these considerations the cost of building such gigantic ships||||

would be almost prohibitive.

The estimated cost of building British warships is £219 per ton, the price whereas in America

goes up to something like £400 per ton, so to construct battleships. of 80,000 tons would cost £32,- 000,000.

The idea that

America contem- to

coast, where machine-gun-plates jumping from 40,000 tons ning was heard.

65,000 or 80,000 at one fell stroke, is regarded as most unlikely.

It is all very well, say the experts, Apparently the engagement involved

they should two large squadrons, since onlookers to tell the Americans first saw a number of planes heading "forget the Canal," but this is hardly

50 possible.

north and then observed at least planes flying-south at full speed.

The battle occurred well away from

NELSON IN CANAL

When H.M.S. Nelson passed through

Norwegian territorial waters. Havas. the Panama Canal she was only 18

COMPLETE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY FOR TROOPS IN FRANCE

London, To-day. CHRISTMAS WHEREVER possible will be a complete holi- day, cables Reuter's special correspondent with the Bri- tish Expeditionary Force from behind the lines in France.

Exception will be for those on guard duties, who will be

compensated.

Farms and barns have been decor- ated, and Tommy is preparing to make France the next thing to home.

Men able to get leave to go to Paris will find at least 18 theatres, 15 music halls and 19 cabarets open, with such stars as Maurice Chevaller appearing. of -Reuter.

The canteens have already been supplied with nearly 26,000 lbs. pork, 24,000 lbs. of turkey, 100,000 lbs. of pudding and immense quantities of truit and nuts.

Individual battalions have also made their own plans.

Some have been fattening their. own pige on the basla of one anl. mal-per, company, and are and providing fres-beer and cigaretten.

KING FAROUKH'S PRESENT

London, To-day. King Farouk of Egypt has given £1,000 to buy comforts for British and Egyptian troops stationed In Egypt-Reuter.

EXEXEX!

Austin

Alex. Ross Motor Co.

WISH TO ANNOUNCE. THE

OPENING OF A KOWLOON SERVICE STATION, AT THE JUNCTION OF NATHAN ROAD & BOUNDARY STREET, WHERE ALL FACILITIES FOR SALES, MOBILUBRICATION; SERVICE REPAIRS, STORAGE, ETC. ARE NOW AVAILABLE.

SOCONY

GARGOYLE

Gasoline

Mobiloil

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