1940-05-10 — Page 11

THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 10, 1940.

Page

MR. CHAMBERLAIN

PREPARED TO RESIGN

MR. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN saying goodbye to No. 10,

Downing Street?

ROOSEVELT

PREPARING SENSATION

Washington, To-day. The subject of President Roosevelt's address to the American Scientific Congress to-night is being kept a close secret at the White House.

It is not questioned that President Roosevelt will deal largely with for- eign affairs, and it is difficult to see how he can keep off the subject of the European war.

President Roosevelt himself ob- viously regards the speech as Im- portant because he began its com- position as early as Tuesday when he' cancelled his press conference on

that score.

The Washington "Times-Herald," comments that the President is cloak- ing his diplomatic manoeuvring in the closest secrecy, but veteran observers are convinced. he is charting a sen- sational course.

The President appears to be moving on two fronts-in the Pacific, through the Fleet and in Europe through Rome and, probably, the Vatican.—Reuter.

ENEMY

CONVOYS TORPEDOED

THE RESIGNATION OF MR. CHAMBERLAIN WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS WAS IN LONDON LAST NIGHT REGARDED AS VIRTUALLY CERTAIN, Long conferences yesterday between the Prime Minister and his leading ad- visers and supporters were followed in the evening by an invitation to Mr. C. R. Attlee, Leader of the Labour Opposition, and Mr. Arthur Green- wood, Deputy Leader, to No. 10, Downing Street. At the conclusion of a conversation lasting 45 minutes, Mr. Chamberlain's resignation hinged only-upon-one thing, the willingness of the Labour Party to participate in a National Government under a new Prime Minis-

ter.

The names of Lord Halifax, Mr. Winston Churchill and, strangely, Mr. Lloyd George are mentioned as Mr. Chamberlain's successor at No. 10.

It is understood that at the meeting between the Prime Minister and the Labour leaders, Mr. Chamberlain ask- ed them whether they were prepared to serve in a re- constructed government under his leadership, and, if not, whether they are prepared to serve under the leadership of another member of the Conservative Party. Reuter learns that the reply of the Labour leaders was that

service under Mr. Chamberlain was impossible.

That, incidentally, is the view also our cooperation in an All-Party Gov. held by the Opposition Liberals head-ernment is a matter for the Party ed by Sir Archibald Sinclair, who Conference, it is believed that Labour.

CALL FOR REAL NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

London, To-day.

A meeting of about thirty of the Government supporters who vot- ed against Mr. Chamberlain In the debate on Norway was held In the House of Commons yester- day afternoon.

The meeting unanimously de- cided that the next Government must be a real National Govern- ment-Reuter.

would also be invited to participate. will be found willing to serve under 268 U-BOAT PRISONERS.

On whether or not the Labour Party will be prepared to join an All-Party Government under other leadership depends the issue.

A decialon will be made finally at a meeting of the Party Execu- tive to be held in Bournemouth to day.

Form Of Questions

Mr. Churchill-Reuter.

Back-Benchers: Seen

IN ENGLAND

London, To-day,

A further list of 41 U-boat prison- London, To-day.

ers of war now held in Britain has Abandoning his usual walk through

been issued by the War Office. Chamberlain St. James's Park, Mr.

There is now a total of 268 U-Boat 30 spent yesterday morning at "No. 10," receiving visitors and consulting his prisoners in Britain, comprising

officers and 238 other ranks. advisors. He then went to Parliament,

Wireless.

In the afternoon, in his private room, Besides these, there are 20 German The form of the questions put by he received a deputation of four Con-Air Force officers and 44 other ranks Mr. Chamberlain to Mr. Attlee and servative back-benchers who put for prisoners of war in Britain.-British

asward their view.-Reuter, Mr. Greenwood may be taken clear indication that the Prime Minis- ter is now willing to resign if such action would lead to the formation of a new National Government satisfac- tory to all parties.

Lord Halifax and Mr. Winston Churchill were present at the in- terview.

that the It was indicated later Prime Minister would not be seeing the King until after the Labour Party been decision on participation had made known, and nothing more is expected until late to-day.

corres-

Departure Nearly Certain

Reuter's Parliamentary pondent learns that last night's de- by the accelerated velopments, speeches in the Commons, make the departure of Mr. Chamberlain almost certain.

names,

from

The most likely which the new Prime Minister will be selected warak te considered lato last night to be Lord Halifax, Mr., Churchliland. Mr. Lloyd. George. For various reasons, including the possible complications arising from the fact that Lord Halifax is a mem- ber of the House of Lords, the most be Mr. likely selection is felt to Churchill

Although the decision about Lab-

and supply ships.

In an attack on a convoy of 10 enemy ships, six tor- pedoes found their mark.

Three hits were made on another convoy and two on a third convoy,

London, To-day. An Admiralty communique announces that British sub-

One ship sailing independently was marines have had further successes in their operations torpedoed and sunk. Another was driv en ashore and destroyed by gunfire against enemy transports | and torpedo Reuter.

McCallum

fecti Scots (

MCCALLUM'S

PERFECTION SCOTS WHISKY

DELM:CALLUMP EDINBURGH

IMITATED

BY MANY

Byd

PERFECTION

SCOTS WHISKY

EQUALLED BY

Sole Agents:-

NONE

(ALSO IN PINTS.)

GANDE, PRICE & CO., LTD.

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

HONG KONG Tel. No. 20185

OBTAINABLE. EVERYWHERE: