1940-05-11 — Page 4

Page

FRANCE GIVES DUE WARNING

舞

(SPECIAL TO CHINA MAIL ")

Paris, To-day.

THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 11, 1940

The Foreign Minister announces that the French Government, in the answer given to President Roosevelt on September 1, 1939, assured him the French air force had been ordered to refrain from bombing civil populations and to limit bombings to military objectives.

The French Government now wishes publicly to proclaim that they reserve the right to resort to any action they consider appropriate in the case of civilian po- pulations being bombed by the Germans either in France or Britain or in coun- tries assisted by France. -Havas

SEVERE PUNISHMENT OF NAZI RAIDERS ON R-A-F. BASE: MANY SHOT DOWN

London, To-day.

was

Paris was raided and there intense anti-aircraft fire. There were some casualties in the capital from shrapnel but ng bombs were drop- ped; according to lateat reports.

IT IS LEARNED AUTHORITATIVELY that quick and severe punishment met squadrons of German aircraft which yesterday made their first attempt to bomb aero- dromes and other objectives in the zone of the ad- vanced striking force of the R.A.F. in France.

Reports reaching authoritative mili- The main attack occurred soon after dawn and its effective tary circles in London state about 200 frustration was due to the smooth and rapid co-opera-ed at the airport of The Hague. Others parachutists in British uniforms land- tion between the British and French air arms and in Dutch uniforms descended at Dor- ground defences.

No serious damage or casualties were reported from any of the R.A.F. aerodromes. Many bombs were drop- ped but were mainly of small size.

At Nancy, 16 were killed and 30 injured, mainly civilians.

German 'planes, were over Paris for two hours in the morning and met with During various 'engagements five intense anti-aircraft fire. They drop- Dorniers were shot down and an-ped no bombs, but there were a few other four so broken with machine- casualties from shrapnel. gun fire, with, members of the crew One report states that Calais was killed or wounded, that it is unlike-boinbed. ly they were able to return to their home stations. French fighter patrols were also equally successful and claim a total of six "killed."-Reuter.

18 Nazi Bombers Downed

Paris, To-day.

The French shot down at least 18 German bombers during yesterday morning's air raids over France.

At Lyons, 16 people were killed and 30 injured in the ralds. A block of flats was destroyed and a number of workers' homes hit..

OFF THE RECORD

Over Paris, four 'planes, flew so low that the Swastika design could be picked out on the fuselages.-Reuter.

Casualties In Many French Towns

Reports from

drecht.

Calais Bombings

AND SO DOES BRITAIN

London, To-day.

The British Government. pro- claims they reserve to themselves the right to take any action they' think appropriate in the event of bombing by the enemy of civil- ian populations, whether in the United Kingdom or France or In countries assisted by the United Kingdom.

A communique to this effect, in similar terms to the French statement issued earlier in the afternoon, was issued by the For- eign Office last, evening-Reuter.

PROCLAMATION TO PEOPLE OF NETHERLANDS

The Hague, To-day. The Dutch Prime Minister, Jonkheer de Greef, has issued the following proclamation to the nation.

"The Government ask the popula- tion to keep calm and remain indoors if possible, and to continue their usual

There are reports that the uerodome | occupations. at Calais and some of the aerodromes

occupied by the R.A.F. in Northern

France were bombed.

4

It is also stated the Dutch Friesian| Islands were bombed, and that para- chutists landed there.

Į

as

"The population are urged to obey all regulations laid down for obsér“ vation in the event of air, raïds.

"The consumption of alcohol is for bidden temporarily.

"No information must be given to It is understood that as far can be ascertained, the places which the enemy and no work done for him. have been bombed in Northern The enemy has no right to compel you France can be regarded--though in to do this. some cases by a stretch of the Ima gination--as military objectives.

London, To-day.

Reuter. the British Embassy in Paris show that casualties were suf- fered at most of those French towns which have already been bombed.

At Nancy, a garrison town, about 16 were killed and 30 injured; they were mainly civilians.

"We, the jury, find we'd rather remain

Here's Luck

British Planes Attack German Troops

London, To-day. Royal Air Force planes have played a prominent part

Be Confident

"The population are also urged not to try and reach friends and relatives in other parts of Holland, otherwise they may

become involved in the fighting.

By ED REED. in the events of the last 24 to the German radio programmes. Bel

EWO BEER

Tel. 30311

hours.

The headquarters of the British Air Force in France announces that in the course of yesterday's opera- tions, the R.A.F. had been continous- ly in action.

Our reconnaissance, aircraft have been operating over a wide ares.

Enemy troops have been attack- ed by our bomber squadrons. Wherever. German bombers have been encountered, our fighters have engaged them.

The reports indicate that in the course of their combats, many enemy aircraft have been destroyed.

Several of our aerodromes. have been bombed. Little material dam- age has been done and no lives have been lost.-Reuter.

Stout Resistance By Dutch Air Force

London, To-day. More news is trickling in from the Lowlands about the air raids. *Antwerp was attacked by 40 bomb- ers and the Belgian Embassy in Paris says that a military hospital was de- stroyed.

in southern Belgium, a railway sta- tion 25 miles south-east of Namur was bombed in the morning and it is said to be in flames.

There is little fresh news from Hol. land, but a Brussels report states that the Dutch air force is putting up a stout resistance. Every precaution is being taken in both countries to pre vent sabotage from behind, the de- fence lines. Reuter.

"Remain at home and be confident the Dutch army will protect you,

"It is no longer permitted to listen

gian, English and French programmes, including news bulletins, may, how- ever, be listened to.

"The utmost economy must be ob- served in the use of gas and electricity. until Public amusements are closed further notice."-Reuter.

BELGIAN CHAMBER

GRANTS FULL POWERS

Brussels, To-day-

The Belgian Chamber Deputies has given full pow- ers to the Government by vote of 154 to 1, with no ab- sentions.

Denis,

Witold

Lieutenant-General Henri Minister of National Defence, the Chamber that the Nazi advance was, halted at all points. All defence preparations were working perfectly and the first hours of the war had justified every hope that it could be prosecuted satisfactorily.

The bombing of Belgian aerodromes had not succeeded, for the Belgian 'planes had been removed some hours before the raids. Only one or planes had been destroyed: few others had been damaged.Reu ter.

two