1940-04-20 — Page 1

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ITALIAN

CHINA MAIL

OLDEST NEWSPAPER IN THE FAR EAST. ESTABLISHED 1845.

APD

No. 310,10

ENIGMA UNSOLVED

Rome, To-day. The passage in the speech of the British Minister for Economic Warfare, Mr. Ronald Cross, relating to Italy, brought a reply from

·Signor Gayda last night.

Gayda, writing in "Giornale d'Ita-

lia," says: “Although the semi-official

British spokesman declared there is no reason to attach undue importance to the speech, certain London news- papers presented the statement under grotesqué and intolerable headlines. learn "Italy has nothing to from anybody as to how to regulate her conduct and cannot accept ary warning from anybody."-Reuter.

mean

a'

SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1940-

Price: 10 Cte.

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BUTTER

British And Nazi Troops -Clash In Trondheim

(SPECIAL TO 'CHINA MAIL “)

Region

INA Paris, To-day Ger- DESTROYER

INTENSIVE FIGHTING between British and Ger- man patrols in the Narvik area, where the Ger- man forces are carrying out a slow retreat, fight- ing a rearguard action, is reported from Stock- holm.

Other Swedish reports speak of first contact between the British-Norwegian force north of Trond- heim, near Namsos, and Nazi units sent out from Trondheim. No official confirmation is forthcoming.

The Norwegian defence lines in southern Norway run from Elverum to Hamar and along the banks of Lake Miosen. Barricades 10 feet high have been built and the Norwegians are putting up a strong resistance,

There is guerilla fighting in south east Norway, where 500 Norwegians are fighting the Germans who have taken Kongsvinger.-Havas:

Historic Battleground

London, To-day. Much of the news of fighting and so on in Norway comes from corres- pondents who are many miles from the actual scene of events, and must, with reserve therefore, be treated until official confirmation coming:

Action, Feared (SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

Londoh, To-day. Many quarters in London openly predict Italian action against Dal- matia within the next few days while the majority of political observers are of the opinion that Italian action against Yugoslavia would general war in the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, Berlin and Rome reported to be exerting strong pres- sure upon Spain, aiming to provoke a radical change in Madrid's policy,

At the same time, Stockholm re- However, it is generally not believed ports that Trondheim may become an that Spain would forsake her neutral-important battle-centre may well be ity in the near future.

correct, for it is one of Norway's best communication centres, apart from Oslo. It has definite patriotic associations, too, for the Kings Norway

crowned there Trondheim is on the edge of way's historic battle-ground.

Sir Percy Loraine, British Am- bassador to Italy, is expected to return to Rome shortly. He will then question the Italian Govern- ment about Its immediate Inton- tions.

are

The uncertainty of the Italian atti- tude explains the drastic precautions taken by the Allies all along the Mediterranean, particularly in Egypt and Allied profectorates and man- dates. Havas.

* are

is forth-

of

and Nor-

The country north of Trondheim is a comparatively flat area giving better scope for military operations, de- and there is, therefore, some

·gree of "probability In Swedish re- ports that operations can be

HOLLAND'S WAR ON FIFTH COLUMN

THE HAGUE, TO-DAY.

cx-

BY THE EXTENSION OF THE STATE OF SIEGE, HOLLAND HAS TAKEN DRASTIC ACTION AGAINST “FIFTH COLUMN" PLOTS.

The proclamation will enable the military authorities to take what measures they think fit regarding for- eigners.

ban on the Nazi party is not expected unless definite subversive activities are unearthed..

Signs of tightening of control on the home front have been increasing- ly visible this, week.

speeches by Dutch Nazi leaders In three days, though case the prohibition was

The police yesterday spent three hours searching the castle of D'Ansambourd;

ber of the Second Chamber. house searches are likely to follow. In the meantime, at the frontier there is no relaxation in the examina- tion of the credentials of foreigners, and prople about whom there la' the slightest doubt are simply, furned Dick R

between

and pected

Trondheim Namsos, some 80 miles to the north. Swedish reports also state that ง

ECLIPSE DAMAGED

London, To-day.

An Admiralty communique last night stated that as a result of a near miss during an enemy bomb attack some days ago, the des troyer H.M.S. Eclipse was damag. ed, but is now safely at her base. -Reuter.

bitter battle near Elverum is also to TROOPSHIP

be expected; there, the Nazis seem to be bent on strengthening their positions Reuter

Sabotage Round Oslo

SUNK BY

Stockholm To-day POLISH SUB.

Oslo correspondents of Stockholm papers report that things are quiet there but that sabotage is frequent in the district-Reuter.

LATEST. R.A.F... CASUALTY: LIST -

London, To-day.

LONDON, TO-DAY.

IT IS NOW LEARNED THAT THE 5,000-TON NAZI TROOPSHIP. RIO DE JANEIRO, WHICH, WAS SENT TO THE BOTTOM DURING THE EARLY STAGES OF THE GERMAN INVASION OF NORWAY, WAS SUNK

POLISH- BY THE

SUBMARINE ORZEL

An Air Ministry casualty list issued The Orzel, it will be recalled, was yesterday comprises 22 killed (in- at Gydnia when the Germans march- cluding 6 previously reported missed into Poland. She had a thrilling ing); 67 missing, 28 wounded or in- voyage through German mine-fields to jured and 8 died. Three previously Britain and since then has been co-

reported operating with the Allied Navies. reported missing are now

Reuter. safe.-Reuter.

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