1940-12-13 — Page 3

Chipare, Saprente Gnutt

THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 13, 1940.

Page

HEAVY LOSS TO THE EMPIRE

Lord Lothian's Sudden Death Causes Deep Shock

Taken at a review of the Home 'Guard River Patrol on the upper reaches of the Thames at Wargrave, photo shows left to right, Sir Ralph Glynn, M.P., Admiral' Bir Basil Brooke (who is, Chlef Commander of the 'River Guard), and Vice Admiral W. T. James. (Copyright, Fox).

SEVERE NAZI AIR RAID ON BIRMINGHAM

Britain's

Greatest

SOVIET

KEEPS KEEN EYE

Ambassador ON WAR

THE NEWS OF LORD Lothian's death deeply shocked, Britain, especially as it was totally unexpected and came while the Am- bassador was so much in the public eye as spokesman for the British cause in a country where its advocacy just now is of vital import ance to the whole Allied cause.

The news cast a gloom over Members of all parties in Parliament. Many expressed the view that Lord Lothian will be hard to replace, for he won for himself a position of distinctive eminence.

It is understood that Mr. Noel Butler will carry out the duties of. Ambassador for the time be- ing.

Lord Lothian's death is an Irreparable loss to the British diplomatic service, writes “Reu- tor's chief diplomatic corrés. pondent,

nation at the loss of a servant whose passing comes at the time of his maximum useful ness to his country in a period of international danger and crisis,

Soviet interest in the |fighting in North Africa was well reflected in the Moscow press yesterday.

The official Communist paper "Pravda" has as two main head- lines across the foreign news page: "British offensive in West- in Albania

ern Desert," and "Italian retreat

British reports of the taking of Sidi Barrani were published at length, with a description of the terrain and an account of how the Italians fortified S the Sidi Barrani-Sollum area..

"Pravda" -then quoted the "Besler Nachrichten" for the statement that the war in Greece. and the attack un Taranto are already having an effect on the Italian army in Libya.

Reports, from New Yorki res garding Increased American aid for Britain are also prominently published in the Moscow press.

Delay In Announcement

As Ambassador-Indeed, Bri-

The delay in announcing. Lord tain's premier Ambassador-hel Lothian's death may be explain- "Trud" concludes a long article had the courage to cast tradi-ed by the British Embassy's de- in this connection by quoting the tion to the winds and speak sire formally to notify President. New York "Herald-Tribune" as openly and freely upon most of Roosevelt first.

saying that the intensification of the important issues between

the struggle between Britain and Britain and the United States. The President at present is Germany only increases the vital cruising in the Caribbean, Reu- interest of the United States in the survival of Britain, Réuter.

His first interviews and ter

tain quarters, where tradition is hallowed and perhaps a little

muss-grown.

THE NAZI AIR AT FACK ON THE BIRM-speeches must have shocked cer- INGHAM AREA, WHICH WAS THE FIRST FOR OVER A WEEK, WAS VERY SEVERE; SIX, CHURCHES, 11 SCHOOLS AND TWO CINE- MAS WERE AMONG BUILDINGS HIT AND THERE WAS ALSO DAMAGE TO HOUSE PRO-

FERTY IN A NUMBER OF DISTRICT

Although casualties included some fatali- ties they are not believed to be heavy, con- sidering the scale of the attack.

GERM OF CIVIL WAR IN FRANCE

"Anyone who thinks that the de Gaulle movement is just a matter of a few re bel generals, knows little of the situation," declared the Paris correspondent of the Madrid "A" yesterday.

The

The early raiders followed the usual course and dropped incen- diary bombs. Later arrivals fol

some lowed with high explosives particularly heavy

but

werd

Frank And Sincere ity have paid in a land which

But his frankness and sincer

generone and free in its po- litical outlook.

President Roosevelt has rent

message to the King saying “I am shocked beyond mea- sure "to - hear of "the sudden passing of "my: "old "friend, your Ambassador, Lord Lothian,

"Through nearly a quarter. of a century we had come to un- derstand, and trnst each other. I am very certain that if he had been allowed by Providence to leave a last message he would have told us that the greatest | of all efforts to keep Democracy. in the world must and will suc ceed."-

Many firep were started by, the strenuous efforts of the fire services nearly all

Mr, Cordell Hull, the Secretary extinguished within. few of State, has sent a message of hours.

sympathy to Mr. Winston Chur- chill, and the United States Government has offered the Bri- tish Government all facilities at their disposal in commection, with Lord Lothian's death,

The anti-aircraft barryge was at, one time heavier than on any previous occasion and caused the raiders to fly at a great height.

LA BAG

Some quarters believe an King, Tours. City,

American ship will convey the Ambassador's body across

the Cheered by crowds who press-Atlantic to Britain, newspapered closely behind the Royal Party, the King yesterday made a

* correspondent continues tour of the city and its environs that Gerral de Grulle's move less than 12 hours after the third ment. represents considerably big vald on Birminghanı:"" more... It gives energy to the görm of civil war, which is hatch. ing in France and which only the German army of occupation fprastalls.

The King, with Lord Dudley, Regional Commissioner,, and the Lord Mayor, walked through some of the worst bombed areas, pick-

The correspondent also adding, his way between piles of that surprise is expressed in Paris that Generals de Gaulle, Catroux rubble and viewing bomb craters and Legentilhomme only recently and devastated homes,

have been deprived of French | citizenship by the Vichy Govern ment. but notes that Vichy Ja showing - taiyaigns of taking"] serious steps against the de Gaulle Government.

Paris, he says, is discussing a further : reshuffle In the Government, by vluch Altbert would leave the and Pierre Flundin would Minister of Interior,

cel Peyrouton would, bec Minister. Router.a

The King talker to many citizens who have had amazing during air raids. In this

congratulated

vicinity, And

boy aged 17, on rescuing many popple from debris.

Widespread Tribute Lord Lothian's death hus pro- duced, widespread expressions of regret throughout the United

States. T

SeTributes are paid to his

“informal friöndliness”; and, fd'i his Baltimore speech, which "la described "as" "one of the best of bis cprear and a level headed approach to the International problems of the day.

Lord Lothian was one of the most popular Ambassadors Lon- don, had ever sent to Washing- tonomiesten

viously seldom sow any British The American press, who pre-

Ambassador, took to him from the very beginning,"

White House or the State De

Every time ho visited, the

partment á large crowd of journid- lints awaited, his exit.

Afterwards the King inspected They were seldom disappoint-

a big parade of A.R.P. ang Civil jed, for he always spoko, as

freely as circumstances

Defence workers and congratula-mitted;

ed them on their magnif

work. Houter

per

Sympathy la falt on all aldos. in Washington the

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