1940-05-08 — Page 9

Holland Cancels All Defence Force Leave IMMINENCE OF GIGANTIC EVENTS

HALIFAX AS NEXT PREMIER?

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") London, To-day.

THE HAGUE, TO-DAY.

THE IMMINENCE OF GIGANTIC EVENTS, WHICH GOEBBELS'

MAY TAKE THE FORM OF AN INVASION OF ONE OF GERMANY'S NEIGHBOURS, OR OF MASS AIR RAIDS ON THE BRITISH ÍSLES, IS BELIEVED TO EXPLAIN AN ORDER ISSUED IN HOLLAND TO-DAY, CANCELLING ALL ARMY AND NAVY LEAVE.

Nothing is known definitely of the reasons which promoted the decision of the Netherlands High Command.

While fears of a new Nazi coup have

increased during the past few days, Dutch took the to Mr. the announcement

people by surprise since they had be-

The name of Lord Halifax was pronounced yesterday, in competent circles, as the possible successor Neville Chamberlain if there should be any change in the Cabinet.

Lord Halifax is extremely popular and was spared the attacks launched in the House of Commons against the present Cabinet. Several influential peers, including Lord Salisbury, would welcome a Halifax succession to the Premiership.

lieved that the threat was directed to- that wards South-East Europe and the danger to the Low Countries had somewhat receded.

It is understood that although an- xiety had been felt on several oc- than casions in the past, a more usually serious view is now taken in Holland of the gravities of the pre- sent situation.

Yesterday's German newspapers speak in huge headlines of the im- minence of new events.

Great Decisions

Stress is laid on the fact that his scrupulous Integrity will entall him to defend the present Govern- ment's policy with even more con- science since he thinks any change' in the Cabinet might result in his becoming the Premier.

The "Hamburger Fremdenblatt," for are "Great decisions Even if no vote takes place during

instance, says: debate in the

of to-day's debate, the House of Lords will give very im-insight" and the intensification portant indications of the political de- German propaganda seems. clearly to indicate that the Germans are plan- the velopments now that public opinion wishes the war to enter a new phase.ning fresh action to "forestall"

Allies.

Havas.

TOKYO BANS TOURISM BY JAPANESE

Tokyo, Yesterday. The Cabinet has banned general trips to China

from May 20.

as

ལ

While tension thus grows in all countries surrounding Germany, the Nazi Press seemed to hint last night at the possibility of air raids on the shipyards of Great Britain, perhaps with the deliberate intention of mak- ing British flesh creep.

The Inspector-General of Navigation has announced that the mouths of the Rivers Mouse and Rhine will be closed to shipping from May 11 to May 13.- Reuter.

All-Embracing Order

The Hague, To-day.

All leave for the Dutch Army and Prior to the Cabinet's decision, Mr. Arita, the Foreign Minister, and Gen-Navy has been stopped. The order also for applies to workers in war industries eral Kuniako Koiso, the Minister Overseas Affairs, explained that Ja- and anti-aircraft battery and search- ¡panese tourists spend about 100,000,- light crews.-Reuter. 7000 yen in China every year.

China

Since the beginning of the "Incident" in 1937, according to of- ficial figures, Japanese tourists who visited China totalled 582,000 averag- ing 200,000 a year.

Necessary Precaution (SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

The Hague, To-day. Announcing the cancellation of army To-day's ban is expected to reduce and navy leave, the Dutch News their number to about 2,000. Japanese Agency says that this is a necessary residents in China now total 345,732, precaution in view of the uncertain in- There is no compared with some 28,000 in 1937.-ternational situation.

SIR ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR CALLS FOR NEW VIGOUR

Sweden's Fate (Continued from Page 8) Concluding, Sir Archibald dealt with Sweden and said that an ultimátuin to Sweden in the next week or two would not be surprising.

Now that Sweden was surround ed, Bir Archibald asked whether Britain, could help her to resist in vasion from Germany.

official comment. Havas.

SUCCESSFUL OPERATION

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL"): Peiping, To-day.

A bullet was successfully removed yesterday from the cheekbone of Fang Tsung-au, acting director of the edu- cation administration in the North China political council,

Fang was shot outside the city Inst Friday..

"Time is not always on our side. Hitler has taken the old man by the

Following the shooting police search beard on this occasion. We must show equal swiftness and vigour in ed pedestrians at the city gates; about action if we are to win the war."-100 were arrested as suspects but none

| have 'been actually charged.—Havns. Reuter

LATEST

London, To-day.

The German propaganda- press yesterday received in- structions to print a ridicul- ous story about a telephone conversation said to have. been held between Mr. Cham-

M. Reynaud said:-

is supposed to have

TENSION ON berlain and M. Reynaud. HUNGARIAN FRONTIER

"M. Weygand (presumably General Weygand is meant) promises to be quite ready for the operation on May 15."

Mr.

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

Chamberlain is supposed to LONDON, TO-DAY. have been not satisfied with this and TENSION ROSE HIGH YESTER to have said that he must know every- -

BETWEEN HUNGARY DAY

AND thing for certain not later than May SLOVAKIA, NOW UNDER GERMAN 20. PROTECTION, WHEN GERMAN

The Nazi press had to swallow this TROOP CONCENTRATIONS. WERE tall story and one bright paper uses

ALONG

HUN- it under the heading: "Achtung! REPORTED GARIAN FRONTIER.

To whom it may concern: The dead-

THE

A move from the Reich towards line is May 20." Hungary would be a manoeuvre forc-

It is perhaps hardly necessary to add ing Italy into the European conflict hat official quarters in both London since Italy has often stressed her in-and Paris describe this story as un-

Reuter. terests in the Balkans, chiefly Hungary. rue and "fantastic.”

German invasion of Hungary has

MINISTER APPOINTED been carefully prepared through the action of the Hlinka guards from

TO ICELAND. Slovakia. They received orders from

London, To-day. the German authorities to organise

Following Iceland's desire to estab- anti-Hungarian activities and to raise public opinion against their neigh-lish direct diplomatic representation bours who took the opportunity to with Britain, the King has appointed when Czecho- Mr. Charles Howard. Smith, recently march into Slovakia slovakia was first split in March 1939. | Minister in Copenhagen, to be Minis-

Reuter. ter at Reykjavik.

-Hayas.

McCallums Perfection

Scots Which

MCCALLUM'S PERFECTION SCOTS WHISKY

DELM CALLUMEA EDINBURGH

IMITATED

BY MANY

PERFECTION

Solé Agents:-

SCOTS WHISKY

EQUALLED BY

NONE

(ALSO IN PINTS.)

GANDE, PRICE & CO., LTD.

St. George's Building, 2, Ice House Street,

HONG KONG

Tel. No. 20135.

OBTAINABLE EVERYWHERE

P

P