1940-01-03 — Page 6

THE CHINA MAIL, JANUARY 3, 1940

FOUR-TO-ONE AIR

CLOSURE OF

HONG KONG PORT

BATTLE

OVER

NO CAUSE NORTH SEA

FOR FURTHER ALARM

of

the

London, To-day. GERMAN FIGHTER PLANES are now tackling Bri- tish bombers planes in overwhelming numbers, and two out of three R.A.F. machines which found themselves attacked by Messerschmidts yesterday failed to return home.

The re-opening Port of Hong Kong late yes- It terday afternoon can be taken as an indication that the naval authorities are satisfied that there is no fur-

is believed that three of 12 Messerschmidt fighters were shot down in the course of the combat which occurred over the North Sea.

ther cause for alarm, the MOSCOW

"China Mail" was informed

by the naval spokesman this WANTS NAZI

morning.

Rumours grew thick and fast when the harbour was closed in the forenoon yesterday, but began to die a natural death when in the evening the port was re-opened.

"Everything is now normal," the na- val spokesman told the "China Mail" in an interview this morning. The rumours circulated in connection with the closing of the harbour were founded, he said.

EXPERTS

The story of the battle, which was fought close to the German coast, and involved 12 German planes against three British, is told by the Air Min- istry in an official bulletin,

"There has been extensive air activity over the North Bea, and, in the neighbourhood of the Ger- man coast during the afternoon, a formation of three R.A.F. bombera encountered a squadron of Mas- serschmidt long-range fightera

well out at sek.

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") COPENHAGEN, TO-DAY. THE BERLIN CORRESPONDENT

The British formation, although REPORTS OF THE "POLITIKEN"

THE hopelessly outnumbered, gave battle to and one Messerschmidt THAT STALIN HAS ASKED REICH TO SEND RUSSIA SEVER- the enemy, un-

AL THOUSAND SPECIALIZED EN-fighter was shot down in flames and GINEERS AND EXPERTS TO OR- two others were driven down and are GANISE SEVERAL BRANCHES OF likely to have been lost.

ESPECIALLY One of the three bombers returned to its base safely. A second was shot down during the encounter. The third is missing.-Reuter.

He emphasized that the closing was in connection with an ordinary alarm such as can be expected under war- time conditions. Normal precautions during such an alarm require the port to be closed, and this was done while the cause for the alarm was being in- vestigated.

Following a complete investigation, the naval authorities were satisfed that conditions were normal, and further statement will be made.

PALESTINE SITUATION IMPROVING

no

London, To-day. The latest authoritative advices from London show that security of conditions in Palestine have continued to improve during the month of December.

increase

There has been a steady in the recovery of arms both by seizure and surrender particularly in areas where collection was formerly difficult.

Despite the fact that there re-- mains some propaganda on pro. Mufti lines the relations between the people and the Government are still more cordial.

A tendency for better relations be- tween the Arabs and the Jews is apparent especially in the Tel-a-Viv

area.

Recruiting for the Auxiliary Pioneer Corps is making good pro- gress. Reuter.

DEATH OF L.R. CARREL

(SPECIAL TO “CHIÑA MAIL")

*Shanghai, To-day, "

Mr. L. R. Carrel, 55-year-old Coast Inspector of the Chinese Maritime Customs, who died here on Monday morning, is survived by his wife and daughter; both living here, and, three sons, L. CL - Carrel, junior. Customs Officer in Kuala Lumpur, P. Carrel,

SOVIET

ECONOMY

TRANSPORTATION.

This decision is allegedly due to lack revelations of inefficiency and

rail- of organisation of the Soviet

Fin- ways in connection with the nish campaign.

It is not yet known whether Ger- many will be able to spare an im- technicians al- portant number of though it is generally opined that the Reich is prepared to make important sacrifices with the view to securing Soviet raw material supplies.-Havas, REMEMBER THE PURGE?

London, To-day."

technical re- "If Stalin receives inforcements from Germany to help him in the war with Finland it will not be the first time the Red Army has been stiffened with German mili- tary instructors, "says Reuter's mili- tary correspondent.

་་1n the pre-Hitler decade thousands of German professional officers and non-commissioned the officers were employed with Soviet armies but Hitler recalled them when he rose to power.

Stalin "The purge of 1937 when

his removed or executed many of own officers arose directly from the influence exercised on their outlook by German_training."-Reuter.

CHINESE INITIATIVE AT NANNING

"

Chungking, To-day.. Chinese reports, received here from the Nanning front, say that the fighting in that area is at at- present confined to Chinese tempts to seize three strongly- fortified positions north-east Nanning, in the vicinity of Kun, lungkwan Paks.

of

The Chinese have not been able to dislodge the Japanese from machine-gun, nests guarding the Pass.-Reuter.

GERMAN, STEAMER BADLY DAMAGED: (SPECIAL TO "CHINA{MAIL")

'Oslo,' To-day The 8,000-ton German 'steamer. "Johann Schute" was badly damag ed by a mine off the Norwegian co joined, the Chinese. Customs in near Roervic

Cremation will take place to... | two Norwegian

•Havas.

at Trondheim.

ber of the British: Judicial staff Zanzibar, and Ian Carrel, study-

Oxford.

of 36-and-

EIGHT JAP. BOMBERS

SHOT DOWN

Chungking, To-day. Eight Japanese pursuit 'planes were shot down by Chinese fighter 'planes in an aerial battle above Liuchow, Kwangsi, on Saturday Chinese afternoon, according to reports received here,

Japanese,

It is stated that 18 pursult aircraft of the “96-type" reached Lluchow in the afternoon. Chinese fighters took off from dif- ferent air fields in the vicinity and attacked the riders from all directions.

In the course of a very severe battle lasting for 15 minutes, it is claimed that the Chinese shot down eight Japanese machines.- Reuter.

JAPANESE AERIAL ACTIVITY

Kwong Chow Wan, To-day. Attempts are being made by Ja- panese aircraft to sever communica- tions between Lłuchow and the coast to prevent reinforcements and supplies reaching the Chinese troops fighting in the Nanning region.

war

During the last few days, several took squadrons of Japanese planes on from Walchow Island and Hainan between and bombed supply routes Liuchow and Nanning, and Kweilin,

The situation north, north-east and west of "Nanning, is unchar Our Own Correspond

pilots – were landed ing

CSAKY

GOING ON "HOLIDAY"

Bucharest, To-day. Count Csaky, the Hungerlan

Minister, Foreign

is leaving shortly for Italy where he will spend, it is stated, "ten days' holiday."-Havaa.

ROOSEVELT

SPEECH TO CONGRESS

Washington, To-day. President Roosevelt's an- nual message at the opening of Congress to-day is expect- ed to be devoted primarily to the need for stronger de- fences in view of world con- ditions.

It is believed the President may also ask for greater national unity and less partisanship in order that America may present a united front in world peace efforts.

No startling innovations in legisla- tion are expected, but a major battle looms over the continuance of the Ad- ministration's reciprocal trade pro-

is due to expire gramme which July 12, while few, if any, alterations are contemplated in the Neutrality Act, unless special legislation regard- ing Japan is sought.-Reuter.

NATIVES OFFER AID TO EMPIRE

on

London, To-day.

to The anxiety of native peoples participate in the defence of South

recent Africa was expressed at a meeting in Pretoria of the Natives" Representative Council, the most im- portant organ of native opinion in the Union.

the

During the meeting, one delegate summed up the position as follows: "Since the war broke out, every African organisation that has held a meeting has expressed its unswerving devotion to the King and to his Government in the Union. An ac- count has recently appeared in Press of how the native employees of a big concern in the Transvaal have started a fund, to buy a warship for Britain and this I am convinced is native people typical of what the throughout the Union are feeling. British Wireless,

CONTROL PERMITS: NO LONGER NEEDED The Acting Consul for Ecuador has received a telegram. from the Minis- ter of Foreign Relations at Guayaquil advising that as from 1st. January, 1840, shipments to Ecuador will not require a Control Permit.

in room