1940-08-15 — Page 1

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OFFICER IN THE TOWER QUESTION

RICKSHAW

BRAND CEYLON TEA

See Page 4

CHINA MAIL

FIRST NEWSPAPER IN THE FAR EAST. ESTABLISHED 1845.

No. 31,919

THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 1940

Price: 10 Cts.

LATE FINAL

NIGHT

INSIST ON....

Daisy Brand

Australia's Choicest

BUTTER

WIDESPREAD HUNT

FOR PARACHUTISTS

Mysterious Discoveries In Midlands And Scotland

Many Parachutes But No Trace Of Men

PARTS OF ENGLAND AND ONE AREA IN SCOTLAND WERE GRIPPED WITH PARACHUTIST ALARM FEVER YESTERDAY FOL- LOWING THE DISCOVERY OF NUMBERS OF PARACHUTES DOT- TED OVER THE LANDSCAPE.

No explanation of the source of these parachutes is forthcom- ing, but widespread organised searches have revealed nothing, and one suggestion is that German planes dropped parachutes as part of the war of nerves.

The mysterious development, neverthe- less caused considerable excitement in the re- gions concerned, the Midlands and Scotland,

SHANGHAI'S MILITARY. and extra guards have been posted. RIDDLE

--(SPECIAL TO "CHINA-MAIL"),

An official statement by the Ministry of Home Security issued last night said: "There is no evidence of parachutists having landed either in England or Scotland.

received veral hours of air activity in the

ap-

Scottish Incident

GERMAN PILOT MAKES

AN ADMISSION

A German pilot shot down on Monday ad- mitted the loss of at least 50 'planes on Sunday. Germany claimed to have lost only 17.

The German method. of fantastic claims neither deceives their own men nor helps their morale.- Reu- ter.

TRAWLER SUNK BY

BOMBERS

The "Shanghai Even- "Reports have been ing Post" reports that on of a number of parachutes region. Monday Colonel J. W.parently dropped from aircraft

The Admiralty announces that Hornby, Commandant of having been found in two areas

the minesweeping trawler, Eliza- in England and one area in/ the Shanghai Volunteer

In Scotland, following the ap-the result

beth Angela, sustained damage as Scotland. A widespread search pearance of a large aeroplane and subsequently sank. The crew of enemy air attack Corps; and Captain H. M. was immediately instituted by during the night, sixteen open suffered some casualties, of which] Smythe, Deputy Commis-the police, military and home parachutes were found at various one was fatal.-British Wireless.

parts of the district during yes- sioner of the Shanghai tinuing, but no parachutists have terday morning. Municipal Police, attend- yet been found and hitherto there is no evidence that parachutists ed a meeting of foreign have landed." military commanders held

guards, and the search is

conTM

Reuter amplifying the official

chutes were discovered in coun- а Midland

took WEATHER FORECAST:"- East

winds, fresh; fair generally.

The military authorities possession of the parachutes and placed a cordon round the areas affected.

There is no report of any para-

at the invitation of Co-version, says that eleven parachutists being captured.-Reuter. lonel De Witt Peck, Com-try districts round manding Officer of the town early yesterday morning. Fourth US. Marines.

Strange Stories

Military commanders present included the British, French and Immediately, the local defence Italian. Although invited, no system came into operation. Sol- Japanese representative attended. diers, special police and members The "Evening Post" under- of the Home Guard made a stands that decisions were reach-widespread search, scouring ed for American forces to take countryside methodically, and over the sectors which will be other precautions were taken in- vacated by the British following cluding the strengthening of the their withdrawal towards the end military guards on the roads of the month.

leading into the town.

It also understands that it Residents in the district was decided that the Japanese strange stories. should take over. certain posl- tions occupied in West Hong-. kow, north of the Soochów Greek, by the British.

No Statement

US Marines officials, when questioned in connection with the meeting, declined to make any statement.

the

told

INDO-CHINA SOCIAL GATHERING

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA 'MAIL").

VICE-ADMIRAL DECOUX, GOVERNOR GENERAL OF FRENCH INDO-CHIMA, AND MME. DECOUX WERE HOSTS| YESTERDAY LUNCHEON IN

AT A HANOI

HONOUR GENERAL NISHIHARA,

OF

One farmer said that para chutes ware, discovered near his land, but no trace of any men could be found and some of Among the guests were the Ja-. them had been wondering ifpanese Consul-General: Cuptain it could have been a German Maruyaına, Captain Yanagisawa hoax.

and Colonel Koiko, all members|

of the Japanese mission; and the One parachute was found in Embassy secretary. the middle of a village cricket pitch:

Another was fastened to a A further, mooting. of the Foreign military commanders bler rose-bush at the side will be hold: to-day. It was to house. have been held under the

chairmanship of Rear Admiral The discoveries followed

Cx~-

Others attending were M. Del- galle, Secretary-General, ram-Governor Pham Lebong, President of a of the House of Representatives, Tonkin, M. Charton, Director of se- Edutation in Indo-China, M. Cas

sier, General Inspector of Public Works, M.. Ginėstou, 'Director....of.j Customs Monopolitan, Captain miral Thomas Hart, U.S. Asiatic Jouhan, Chief of Staff of French It cannot yet be ascertained Floet; (who is senior to Rear-Naval Forces in the Far East,, and whether, following his return to Admiral Takeda), will take the Major- Thiebaut, French military Shanghai cina submarine, .. Ad- chair-Hayas.

attache to Japan.) Havas.

Takeda, G.1,C) Japanesè-- Navali Landing Party.

SOVIET BIG STICK OVER FINLAND

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") The sudden arrival in Helsinki of the Finnish Minister to Moscow has led to the belief that he brought with him new Soviet demands on Fin- land.

▾

Meanwhile; Pro-Communist demonstrations have taken place, again around · Helsinki, . whose population is somewhat alarmed. Soviet effectives: stationed on the Finnish border are

esti- mated at about 28 divisions. The Finnish military authori- ties have taken precautionary measures, cancelling all military leave, etc.-Havas.

AMERICANS TO FLY BOMBERS

Civilian pilots are being re- cruited in the United States to fly bombers from Canada to the United Kingdom, the spokesman of the Canadian Air Ministry has informed Reuter's Ottawa correspon- dent.

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