1939-12-29 — Page 11

THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 29, 1939

WHERE IS GEN.

GOERING?

GRAF SPEE ACTION PROMOTIONS

London, To-day.

An Admiralty communique an- nounces, in recognition of ser- vices in action against the Nazl pocket-battleship Admiral Graf Spee, the following promotions, to date from December 13:

Commander D. H. Everett, H.M.8. Ajax, to Captain;

Lt. Comm. R. B. Jennings and Lt.-Comm. C. J. Smith, H.M.9. Exeter, and Lt. Comm. P. T. A. Love, H.M.S. Achilles, to bo Commanders-Reuter.

FRANCE'S NEW BUDGET APPROVED

PARIS, TO-DAY.

FRANCE'S FIRST CIVIL BUDGET SINCE THE WAR WAS PASSED BY BENATE YESTERDAY. IT THE TOTALLED 79,000 MILLION FRANCS, EXCEEDING LAST YEAR'S BUDGET BY 16,000 MIL- LION FRANCS.

Amsterdam, To-day.

WHAT WAR COSTS

"WHAT HAS HAPPENED to Goering?" is the ques- BELGIUM

tion people are asking in Germany, according to reports reaching here.

Brussels, To-day. The Field-Marshal has been almost ostentatiously The expense of keeping

absent from all the Christmas festivals.

Belgium's troops mobilis- It is recalled that Hitler and General von Brauchitsch ed was stressed by the visited the front, Rudolf Hess and Joseph Goeb- Premier, M. Pierlot, bels made speeches and all the other Nazi lead-speaking in the Senate ers made public appearances, but Goering stay-

yesterday. ed quietly at Schorfheide, his country home.

He did not even appear at the Christmas party for poor children in Berlin, but gifts were distributed on his behalf by the obscure mayor of one of the districts of the capital.

Some people in Berlin suggest Goering is deliberately keeping him- self in the background until some definite issue emerges from the pre- sent argument about policy.

It is stated here that violent dis- cussions are raging between Nazi Party and Army about the future con- duct of the war and German-Soviet relations.

IN DISGRACE?

These persons argue that Goering decided to hold himself aloof until he sees the way more clearly.

Rival theorists declare that Goering has already quarrelled with Hitler and is temporarily in dis grace; he is accordingly remain- Ing behind the scenes until the trouble has blown over.

Whatever the reason, the fallure participate Finance, of the Field-Marshal to M. Reynaud, Minister of

is con- spoke about France's budgetary po-in the wartime Christmas licy for the duration of the war. Civilsidered very strange in Germany. expenditure, he said, will be met by Reuter. taxation. Increased military €x- penditure must be met by loans.

The Franco-British financial agreement, he sald, had made it much easier to get the foreign ex- change required for war purposes. He also stressed that aid was now being given to Finland; while a Po- lish Army was being maintained.- Reuter.

FINANCIAL POSITION STRONGER THAN IN 1914

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

Paris, To-day.

R.A.F. VISIT NORTH GERMANY

THE

LONDON, TO-DAY,

AIR MINISTRY AN- NOUNCES THAT THE R.A.F. HAS CARRIED OUT A SUCCESSFUL RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHT OVER NORTH-WEST GERMANY; ONE 'PLANE DID NOT RETURN.

The Senate unanimously voted on the ordinary budget estimates for the Other air activity included an at- 1940-41 fiscal year, providing for o tack on German ships, when, despite total revenue of 79,247 million francs fierce anti-aircraft fire, one bomb at and total expenditure of 78,889 mll-least was seen to hit the stern of one Mon francs. It was stated that the vessel. total expenditure, including the extra- ordinary war budget, may reach 300 billion francs next year.

M. Gardey pointed out that France's financial position at present was much stronger than in 1914. He add- ed that however effective taxation may be, a loan will constitute the main source of war financing. Havas.

RUSSO-JAPANESE

NEGOTIATIONS

Moscow, To-day. Foreign Commissar Molotov and Mr. Togo, Japanese Ambassador at Large, held a meeting on Wednesday night, discussing for four hours the trade and fishery convention which expires on Sunday. It is not known what progress was made. Reuter.

POLISH RELIEF FUND

IN RANGOON

Rangoon, To-day. The 'Governor of Burmah is the patron of a Polish Relief Fund which

Ιπ two case elsewhere, three

Dornier flying-boats were put to

rout; there were no British casualties.

Reuter.

S. AFRICA'S

GIFT

London, To-day. The British Empire Service League of South Africa has sent the War Secretary a cheque signed by Field-` Marshal Lord Milne for £400, repre- senting contributions from four thou- and women sand ex-Service men towards Christmas comforts for Bri- tish troops in the front line, "with best wishes from their comrades in South Africa."

The gift has been acknowledged by Mr. Hore-Belisha.-British Wireless.

The

has been opened in Rangoon. Mayor of Rangoon is chairman of the fund, with the Hon. Somerset Butler, Polish Consul, as vice-chairman. Reuter.

PRISONER OF LUXEMBURG ESCAPES

London, To-day.

M. Pierlot declared the Government could not accept any amendments to the financial proposals already adopt- ed by the Chamber, which would have the effect of reducing revenue from the new taxes contained therein.

"I am very much afraid that

se the result of the Internecine struggle between her neighbours Belgium is losing her capital even if she is not called upon to give her blood.

"There are some people who show

An Air Ministry statement says: "It ́ was announced by a German broad-indifference when they are faced with danger, or who appear to ignore it casting station yesterday that the

completely. officer of the R.A.F. who was intern- ed in Luxemburg and had given his word of honour not to try to escape, cluded his guard and got away,

The statement that this officer escaped is correct but the statement that he was on parole at the time of

escape is entirely untrue." British Wireless.

his

IMPERIAL EXCHEQUER TO PAY

Nairobi, To-day.

An official statement reveals that with certain exceptions wartime mili- tary expenditure in the East African territories will be met from Imperial funds.

The governments will be asked to pay only 25 per cent. a year above their peacetime military expenditure.

Reuter.

BELGIAN SACRIFICES "Keeping the troops continually in a state of mobilisation is an expensive matter, and the cost ought to be met by an internal loan, for money bor- abroad would be too dear, rowed especially in view of present condi- tions.

"The sacrifices every Belgian is called upon to make are enormous, but the safety of our country de- mands them." Reuter.

SOVIET'S DEMANDS OF BULGARIA

Helsinki, To-day,

It is reported that during the Soviet- Bulgarian trade negotiations the Rus- sians asked for military advantages and rights, coupled with Black Sea naval bases, in return" for economnie

Reuter. concessions to Bulgaria.

MARTELL'S BRANDIES

V.S.O.P

CORDON ARGENT

(Over 60 years old)

CORDON BLEU (Over 35 years old),

THREE STAR

(also in pints)

V.V.E.S.O.P.

"EXTRA”

(Over 70 years old)

MARTELL

BOTTLED IN

COGNAC AND

GUARANTEED

PURE GRAPE

BRANDY

By

MARTELL & CO.

Obtainable at Clubs, Hotels & Wine Storea.

SOLE AGENTS:

GANDE, PRICE & CO., LTD.

WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS.

St. George's Building, Ice House Street,

Dial 20185.

Hong Kon"