1940-10-18 — Page 41

THE CHINA MAIL, OCTOBER 18, 1940

MAYFAIR NOW A "DEPRESSED"

AREA

MAYFAIR, HOME of the wealthy, is in danger of becoming not only a depressed, but a derelict, area. -- The whole of Mayfair is in the City of West- minster, which also includes part of Knightsbridge and Soho, the Strand, Victoria, and all the south side of Oxford Street.

And Sir Samuel Gluckstein, chairman of West- minster City Council Finance Committee, said at a meeting of the council that the advice to avoid spending had hit Westminster with the utmost. severity.

"Westminster," he said, "is the p central shopping centre of London, and the heart of the world of

musement and entertainment.

Derelict Area

"If his state of affairs continues Westminster will, at the end of the war, be a derelict area."

The council decided to increase the rate for the next half-year rom 6s. to 6s. 8d. in the pound, making the total for the full year 2s. 2d. higher than in tlie past year.

Also the council decided to make representations to the Government that

HE SAVED THE SERUMS

French

An obscure Army doctor is disclos- ed to be the unknown hero who saved four- fifths of the Pasteur serums at the height of the battle for France.

The serums, says a

were

Vichy report, JAPANESE

PUBLIC

SAYS. WAR

NEEDLESS

1

stored in a chateau in the battle zone. Roads to the chateau had been badly smashed by air raids, and were heavily mined. Fight-: ing raged on all sides.

The doctor mandeered on.

com-

army

lorry and made three perilous trips, success- the serums back to Tours.

fully getting steps should

be taken to give substantial relief to Westminster's rate- payers.

It is understood in Tokyo that the British Embassy regards the present situation as serious, al- though not necessarily hopeless. and the American Embassy is also somewhat pessimistic about the The Japanese public matter. considers a war with either Ameri- Sir Samuci Gluckstein said: ca уда Britain 35 absolutely "Before the war our loss from needless, and that nothing will 'empties' empty properties-occur unless it is forced on Japan was six per cent. It has already by the U.S.A. Japanese are asking isen to seventeen per cent., and Americans whether their country by next March we shall have got is determined to fight Japan, and up to twenty per cent, or more.. [to give reasons if such is the case. | "This increasing number of Moreover they are asking why the empties is being brought about by Washington State Department, is depressed trade conditions. As the recalling Americans from the number of enipties increases the Orient unless it is determined to

product of a. penny rate becomes light.

Less.

Shops Closed

"So the more you increase the empties the more you increase the burden on those who are left. It is the vicious spiral we all wanted to avoid. The situation is bc- coming very grave.

"Take a look round Bond Street and Regent Street and you will see for yourself the number of shops and properties that have had to close.

"Another factor is that increas- Ing taxation has made it impos- sible for Mayfair people to keep their former standard of living and the big houses are becoming untenanted.

"That is a matter of general Taxation which we have to face up to, but it does contribute to the general depression."

Note: The produce of a 1d. rate in Westminster has fallen from £37,500 to £35,670, and deflcien- cies in collection equal a rate of 3.7d.

STAR OVER HITLER

THE FOLLOWING SUGGES- TION IS SENT. ALL THE WAY FROM CALIFORNIA.

British policy, however, and the reason is given that it is necessary to arouse public opinion to defend the nation's rights and even her existence against the Anglo- American threat.

is

Much more surprise has been aroused by the recalling of Ameri- cans from the Orient, which seen as a hostile gesture, than at the re-opening of the Burma Road. The Japanese attitude towards The re-opening *is regarded Britons and Americans, however, part of Anglo-American plans to remains unchanged, no incidents encircle Japan, and she will un- having occurred in which foreign-doubtedly take whatever measures ers have been molested. There are she thinks appropriate, probably many attacks on American and via Indo-China.

COOK, FISHERMAN SAVED 400 LIVES

as

FOUR HUNDRED SOLDIERS of the B.E.F. owe their lives to Fred Barter, fisherman, and Frank Lunn, cook, both men of Hampshire. It was an- nounced that Barter, who comes from Emsworth, and Lunn, whose home is in Fareham, had been awarded the D.S.M.

Here is their story, told by Fred= Barter:-

"When war broke out I volun-) teered and was posted aboard a private yacht.

Frank

Then came Dunkirk. Lunn, our cook, and I avere put in charge of a rowing boat and senț ashore to pick up soldiers.

Swam Mile

"Usually, the boat holds only six, but we got in 20, and towed rafts carrying another 20.

"We were sunk by enemy action and had to swim for it. Most of "Hitler is known to be a firm the B.E.F. men returned to the believer in astrology. Suppose shore, but Frank and I swam over British Intelligence were to disa mile back to the yacht, took an- cover by what system he is in other boat, and carried on with fluenced when comtemplating war- the good work, like action.

"Eventually, we got 400 sol- Then ascertain the day and diers safely on, to the yacht, hour of his birth, submit those • "Our captain, Mr.. H. Sparkes, details and system to a reputable was not satisfied with that, so he astrologer in England and ask him kept going from place to place to designate what dates are re on the French coast to see if there garded as specially favourable to were any more English soldiers Hitler's enterprises, according to left. that system. Then instruct the Services to be particularly alert on those dates..

“Full Of Germans”, "We called at Fecamp and I "Whether or not the Services went into a place there and asked themselves believe in astrology is if there were any Englishmen. I no matter: the point is that Hitler was met with a stony.silence. does. His activities are very apt "We went on the shore and to be guided by the heavenly por- within a few hours the place was, tents,

bombed by German planes. We The American correspondent realised then that the place we had apparently combines thought | gone into was full of Germans. reading with his interest in astro- "We went back to the yacht and Jogy. This suggestion may not told Mr. Sparkes, He made for be so cranky and bizarre as at England, to ensure the safety of first it will appear to you," he those whom we had already re- addy.

scued:"

1:༥

Use