1940-06-17 — Page 5

THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 17, 1940

Page

CRITICAL FRENCH CABINET SESSION

M. Reynaud Resigns FOUR

LONDON, TO-DAY.

STRICKEN FRANCE IS NOW IN THE THROES OF AN INTERNAL POLITICAL CRISIS OF SERIOUS MAGNITUDE, AND HEATED ARGUMENTS ARE RE- PORTED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE AT CABINET MEETINGS IN BOR-- DEAUX

M. Reynaud has resigned and a new Cabinet formed with Marshal Petain

as Prime Minister and General Weygand as Vice-Premier. bers of the Petain Cabinet announced indicate that the Reynaud Cab- inet is jettisoned almost in its entirety.

There were serious implications in an official com-

munique issued after yesterday morning's Coun cil of Ministers, which after referring to the American Government's response to M. Rey- naud's last appeal, stated:

"The Council of Ministers will have to examine this afternoon in the light of the information in their possession on the whole diplomatic and military situation, to what extent this reply from the American Government is such as to permit France to continue the struggle on her own ter- ritory under conditions which can usefully serve

the common cause of the Democracies.'

MORE AIR RAIDS ON MALTA

Malta, To-day.

Malta had its first air raid yesterday morning at 8.15, the alarm lasting until 9.25 a.m. Heavy firing was heard. This was about the. 25th raid since Tuesday morning.

There were two raids on Saturday and during the first, on Valetta, four or five high explosive bombs were dropped...

One civilian was killed by a fall of rock and three were seriously wound- ed. Five other civilians were slight ly injured but there was no material damage.

General Dobbie, Acting Governor, broadcast to the people of Malta ex- pressing his admiration of their splen- did behaviour.-Reuter.

ITALIAN CONSULAR ACTIVITIES

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

14

The United States Government carrying out a thorough investigation of reports concerning the conduct of Italian Consular officials in America, Mr. Cordell Hull told the press.

He also revealed that the Italian Ambassador, Prince Coloma, had | ̈handed"

#

It was revealed later, according to the Colombia Broadcasting Company's representatives at Bordeaux, that the French Cabinet was unable to reach any decision at the first meeting held in the afternoon, and arranged to meet again at 10 p.m. (5 a.m. H. K. Time),

B. E. F.

Outmassed, by none out- classed, these men fight on, Threatened by darkness,"

by no light outshone.

SHANGHAI BOY IN

R.A.F. CASUALTY LIST

London, To-day.

ITALIAN SUBMARINES SUNK

London, To-day..

It is probable that more than four Italian submarines. have been sunk in the Medi- terranean in the last few days.

An. Admiralty communique states that as the result of anti-submarine measures, since the commencement of. hostilities in the Mediterranean, four enemy submarines have definitely been destroyed.

A further naval communique, issu-. ed subsequently in Alexandria, states... that the tanker sunk by the Italians -: which was reported to be a Dutch ship now turns out to have been a Norwegian, which was torpedoed without warning by an Italian: sub- - marine.

The Air Ministry has issued. its 34th casualty list containing 297 Further attacks have been made on names, including 23 officers and air-enemy submarines in the Mediter

with "some probability of men killed in action and seven previ-ranean

-Reuter. ously reported missing now stated kill- ed in action; 28 killed on active ser vice and 136 missing.

After the first meeting, the fol- Included in the list are 14 previ- lowing communique was Issued: "The ously reported missing and now stat=" French Council of Ministers hold a led to be safe, and wounded or prison- meeting this afternoon at 5 p.m.ers. which lasted until: 7.45 p.m. Government is expected to meet again at 10 p.m.

success.

Calypso Incident

London, To-day. Reports from Cairo state that three Italian submarines have been sunk.

One report says that during the The The list includes Pilot Officer A. M. attack on the British cruiser Calypso, Dillon, of Shanghai, missing. Reu-shells struck, and set on fire, two ter.

Italian submarines.-Reuter.

Reports received by the C.B.C. from

Bordeaux state that the meeting was. heated and that the next one may last far into the night.

The resignation of M. Reynaud and his Cabinet was announced over the French Radio.

New Cabinet

It was stated that Marshal Petain had formed a new Government with General Weygand holding the post of Vice-President of the Council of· Ministers (Vice-Premier): members are.

War Minister: M. Colson. Air: M. Pugeot

Marine: Admiral Darian

Interior: M. Marquet

Justice: Laval

Foreign Affairs: Baudoin

Finance: Bouthillier.

Other

It is believed that Admiral Abrial

and M. Paul Faure will

new Government.-Reuter.

enter the

Armistice Talk Densed (BPECIAL TO "CHINA:MAIL").

Bordeaux, To-day.........

It is officially denied that there is. any foundation whatever for a report spread abroad that France has asked. Germany to

sign an armistice.n Havas.

him an informal protest Note HOSTEL

"against feelings hostile to Italy, be-

ing evidenced in the United States."

The Note also asserted that "Italian DESTROYED

Consuls were strictly limiting their activities to Consular functions and refraining from political activities."- Havas.

ICHANG OCCUPIED,

SAY JAPANESEN

Tokyol. Th-day

Japanese troops yesterday, formally:

(SPECIAL TO “CHINA MAIL”) Chungking, To-day. The "Chungking Hostel," inhabited by foreigners..and only recently con- structed, was completely destroyed by

a direct hit in the course of yester day's bomkẳng..

It will be recalled that the hostel

had a very narrow - escape, during, a

occupied the Chinese treaty port oft recent, rald whemy shell. Ichang, on the Yunglee, says awapan damaged? furniture

OFF THE RECORD

"Mr. Winterbottom"

By ED REED.

12-1

"Just propose to the distaphone and I'll consider it when

come back from lünéh,'

Here's Luck

EWO BEER

- Tel: 30311-

ese despatch

Ichanga-Reitore

Hayas