1940-12-14 — Page 2

THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 14, 1940.

Mussolini Provides With Food For

For

Wavell Proves

Nazis

Thought

DUKE OF

0020000

DOCUMENT

Enemy Superiority WINDSOR TO OF PIOUS

Only

In Numbers

(By Reuter's Military Commentator)

THE SMASHING VICTORY BY THE BRI-

METAXAS

TISH FORCES AROUND SIDI BARRANI HAS MESSAGE

BEEN DESCRIBED BY MR. WINSTON CHUR- CHILL AS OF THE FIRST ORDER AND THAT IS NO EXAGGERATION. IT WILL GIVE OUR GERMAN ENEMIES TO THINK FURIOUSLY, AND THEY MUST ASK THEMSELVES IF THEIR MILITARY SUPERIORITY ON LAND IS BASED ONLY ON NUMBERS.

As a result of a masterly tactical plan, re- solutely and rapidly executed, three Italian divisions have been destroyed. What re- mains to Marshal Graziani both in numbers

• and quality is the next question General: Wavell has to answer and deal with.

Marshal Graziani may still have 10 divi- sions but it will probably be less as his num-

CONGRATULATIONS ON BRI. TAIN'S SUCCESS WERE SENT YESTERDAY. BY GENERAL METAXAS, THE GREEK LEAD-. ER, TO MR. CHURCHILL.

"I am convinced," aid the mes- sage, "that the development of this offensive will be of capital im- portance and mark a decisive stage in our struggle against Italy." --Reuter.

SEE ROOSEVELT

The Duke of Wind- sor's destination is be- lieved in Miami (Florida) to be Nas- sau harbour, where he will confer with Pre- sident Roosevelt on general matters.

The Duke, who left Miami yesterday, was return expected to

late last night.--Reu-

ter.

A.T.S. NEEDS COMPLETE REFORMS

HOPES

The pact of friendship and non-aggression con- cluded between Hungary and Yugoslavia follows expected lines.

It is one of those documents of pious hopes and platonic assevera- tions, writes Reuter's diplomatic in the correspondent, which pigeon-holes of the. League of Na- tions number legion.

་་

Even German propaganda, he adds, seems to realise its complete innoculty and suggests that the Yugoslav Foreign Minister will shortly visit. Budapest, when an agreement of a more practical character will be reached.

Adroitness: Of. Belgrade

It is significant that most comments, from abroad stress the fact that Hungary is seeking support in resisting Axis.pres- sure rather than that Yugoslavia is. being drawn, closer to the Axis.

COMPLETE.reorganisation of the A.T.S. and a bers must include many on lines of comr uni-clean-out of incompetent officers is recommended pears to have played her hand cations and administrative units. And what

of their quality?

Certainly, if this last battle may be taken as a guide, their training and military efficiency are not of a very high order.

the

by the Select Committee on National Expenditure. The committee makes slashing criticisms, and says: "The best return for expenditure on the Service has not been and is not now being achieved.

So far indeed, Yugoslavia ap-

very adroitly. Reuter.

"Reorganisation of Service should be preceded. THE KING

A THANKS MR.

his right flank and against Italian rear while our possession of Siwa Oasis and roads leading north from it to Tobruk offer by a deniand for confidential reports on all officers.

another great It is not yet possible to as opportunity for sess the extent of the Italian euveloping movement from that and necessary action should be taken on them.

have board should be set up of senior representatives of defeat. A complete collapse may direction though it would ensue or Marshal Graziani may to be of a wide scope, the advance organise fresh forces

to take being over 200 miles. But these each command to consider retention and promotion ROOSEVELT

up new position and again things can be done,-Reuter.

a offer battle.

Again it is quite likely that our troops may not be able to

renew the attack at

once

for

NORWEGIAN.

supplies of water, oil, ammuni- SEAMEN

all

tion and repair materials of sorts must be brought up, but the Royal Air Force might make and the stiff passage through

aifficult defile at Sollum a very bloody operation for the Italians and the result might be greatly enhanced if the Navy can bring guns to bear from the sea.

Second Battle

If Marshal Graziani's forces can be sufficiently organised to fight again it will certainly be on the west of Sollum which is against the Libyan border.

enable

OBDURATE

of all officers above a certain rank.

B

Other

One of her company comman- His Majesty the King The home service ration scale is not suitable for women. Under ders is the daughter of a peer, the present scheme A.T.S. mem- and her cousin is company as- yesterday sent a message bers are suffering hardship owing sistant.

officers in the.

to President Roosevelt, to shortage. of milk and fruit, same group are, the daughter of with they were able to buy pre- the cathedral canon, wife of the thanking him for his mes- viously under cash system." sheriff, an ex-international hock-

Facts suggest that it is next ey player and the daughter of a sage of sympathy on the to impossible to get commis- colonel.

death of Lord Lothian, sion in the A.T.S. unless one has Some of the officers have never

Ambassador to THE FEAR THAT SHIPS a distinctive social position thor-done a day's work of any descrip- British

. IN DISAPPEAR

Washington. Aoughly embedded in the huntin,' tion in their lives. MIGHT "WESTERLY DIRECTION" HAS shootin' and fishin' strata of so- LED THE GERMAN AUTHOR-ciety.

In one provincial area it is ITIES IN NORWAY TO ORDER

exception-there THAT VESSELS ENGAGED IN typical, not an

extensive "Shadow COASTAL TRADE SHALL ONLY exists BE SUPPLIED With enougH | Whitehall." FUEL TO REACH THE NEXT PORT, SAID THE NORWEGIAN TELEGRAPH AGENCY YESTER.

The problem of General Wavell DAY.

in Difficulties have also arisen will then be to bring forward- through the Sollum defile suf-manning the few ships engaged in cient troops to

him to this trade, for the pay is bad and Ministry the German-controlled repeat his great stroke.

In the meantime, the question of Shipping has ordered the Nor- of supply may be eased because (wegian seamen's, officers' and en-

to recall of our command of the seas and gincers' unions

their a sufficiently good port exists, on members to Norway.

Alt, three unions, it is stated, the coast.

In case of a second battle our declined to comply and stuck to general position is very favour the refusal despite threats

would be dis- able, for General Wavell can their executives again count on naval help on missed.-Reuter.

In the

HONG KONG HOTEL

DINNER DANCE

With Nick Korin & His Swing Band NIGHTLY 9 P.M. TILL 1 A.M. SATURDAYS EXTENSION 2. A.M.

TEA DANCE

SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS -- 5 TILL 7 P.M.. THE HONG KONG 3 THÁNG HAI HOTELS, LTD

that

an

They are appointed to take charge of a clerical company, yet they have ho knowledge of typewriting, shorthand, or business organisation.

- One highly placed "socialite" reprimanded - an A.T.S. clerk for scribbling in the mar gin" of a letter and made the girl clerk rub out "the scribble."

Competent volunteers and officer section leaders who have ser- ved since the beginning of the war are passed over for pro- favour motion in

of women who have titles or havə, titled relatives,

Jobs Made For Them Fosts-on commissioned rank-

The scribble, was important shorthand notes relating to the letter and the notes were taken over the telephonel

They're Born Leaders! are created for some of these A senior A.T.S.. officer explain. women, with the result that small ed to a reporter that candidates companies have redundant offl- for commissions have to be con- cers who are merely decorative.sidered fit and proper persons to The Group Commandant of go before the selection board, and this area is the wife of a lord, who have a sense of responsi- daughter-in-law of an earl and bility.

ability. They need Is herself born in the peorage, Initiative and resource, combined with intelligence and common

sense.

|

of condolence and sympathy to The King also sent a telegram

Lord Lothian's sister,

It was learned in London last night that arrangements for the funeral have not yet been com- pleted,

It is reported in New York that it has been suggested that the Am- bassador's body be sent back to Britain in an American cruiser. --- Reuter,

3,000 FIRMS ANSWER TOOLS PLEA

"I think," she confessed, Three thousand firms have re- “OSŁO: FJORD” SUNK" "that these characteristice can sponded to the appeal made by

OFF NEWCASTLE

the Minister of Supply, for sec- ond-hand machine tools.

The Norwegian: liner, "Oslo! Fjord" (18,000 tons) struck a mine and sank, two days ago off Newcastle, England; it was re ported in authoritative New York shipping circles yesterday. Reuter,

GENERAL WAVELL

CONGRATULATED.

only be inbrod—they," "are the outcome of birth and breeding, "Officers may be recruited from the, ranks, and will go before the Offers of tools are increasing:

every hour and have come from committee for selection."

Candidates are taken from the firma large and small in all parts: ranks. For instance, one girl of the country. Some firms which resigned from the FA-NY, have not made a definite offer Joined the AT.S. as a ranker in have written to the Minister to this group, did no work, for ten say that they are complying with days, and was then asker to go his request, and are replanning before, the, committee. She was their shops so that they may be commissioned.

tay able to spare the largest possible She, la the niece of another number of machine, tools,"" poor, suffers from bad eyesight dad knows nothing of office. .work.

The Egyptian Prime Minister yesterday drove personally to Bri-

widespread fish Headquarters, Chiro, to con Complaints are, gratulate General. Sir Archibald throughout the A.TS. -com- Wavell on behalf of King Farouk.plaints which led to the appoint- -Reuter.

ment of the Select Committee,

Ona.olderly woman:wrote of fering a box of household tools If the Ministry, would..sond ¿for them The Ministon-is writing to-explain that on this ocassion only machino teals are required,'