1941-04-23 — Page 33

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PREMIER CALLS FOR POISE Page 3 FINAL

RICKSHAW

BRAND CEYLON TEA

CHINA MAIL

FIRST NEWSPAPER IN THE FAR EAST. ESTABLISHED 1845.

No. 32,129

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1941

Price: 10 ct#

LATE NIGHT

INSIST ON

Daisy Brand

Australia's Choicest

BUTTER

GREEK "VERDUN" IN PROSPECT

Stand Expected On Thermopylae-Delphi Line

GERMAN PRESSURE ON VICHY

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL"}

Diplomatic advices reaching Washington confirm the reports that Germany is bringing heavy pressure upon Vichy France and Franco Spain to become active | members of the so-called "New Order.”

It is learned authoritatively that the American Ambassadors in Vichy and Madrid are striving to counteract the German diplo- macy by reiterating that the vast resources of the United States art! behind Britain and that they should be careful not to back the wrong horse.

the

The American Government is gravely concerned at situation, especially as regards France,

for

Hitler's renewed demand the reinstatement of M. Laval is causing apprehension.

Informed quarters are convinc-

ed that if Laval secures a high post. it will not be long before

the French Navy goes into action against the British.

Marshal Petain's recent restate- ment of a policy precluding any hostile action against France's former ally is, however, not over- looked.-International News Ser-

vice.

SHANGHAI SUICIDE

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

J.

Madeira, general

WARNING WITH WIDE APPLICATION

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

to

Expressing complete confidence that Bri- tish defence con be kept going, President Roosevelt yesterday issued a warning the public against swinging from the pinnacles of hope to the depths of despair on the basis of day by day developments.

"The war," he said, "will not be won by one sea battle or one advance on lamd.". International Service.

News

Fantastic

Goebbels Claims

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL”)

GREEK

THE POSSIBILITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A “VERDUN” BY A LINE ACROSS THE NARROW PENINSULA COVER- ING ATHENS, FROM THERMOPYLAE TO THE REGION

INFORMED MILITARY IS STILL ENTERTAINED IN LONDON.

It is stressed that the British Expedition- ary Force in Greece is determined to maintain a stand in the new mountain positions as long as possible, and over a front of not more than thirty miles, in terrain giving the Ger- mons minimum room for manoeuvre, there is excellent reason to expect that at least a de- termined stand can be made.

OF DELPHI, QUARTERS IN

GIBRALTAR RUMOURS

SPECIAL

TO "CHINA MAIL"}

According to a French source in London, large The greatest danger to the Allied line is units of German para- in the North-West, where the Greek left fiar.k chute troops and invasion appears to be experiencing some difficulty in barges are massed at Al-

ITALIANS IN withdrawing at the speed permitting con- geeiras in preparation for

SHANGHAI

SEIZE SHIP

British authorities in Shanghai are taking a ser- ious view of the seizure of the Yugoslav freighter "Tomislav” in Shanghai | waters by the Italian au- thorities.

formity with the British line.

an attack upon Gibraltar.

According to this source, Ger- many offered Spain most favour- ed nation treatment by Germany in return for passage facilities and for their cooperation in the attack upon Gibraltar and promised the French Government the minimum loss of territory in the final peace treaty in return for permission for troops to pass through Unoccupied that France. International News Ser- com- | vice.

present have retired to the coast between Precise details of the

the battlefront Volos and Lamia and are being situation along

in picked up there by small craft. last night were not available

The main British force is un- London, and the absence of offi-

Greece,

its completed to affected, having cial accounts from which Mr. Churchill referred in retirement to the new line the Commons, is creating a dif- defence.

War Office ficult situation for spokesmen asked to comment on emanating from Berlin.

the fantastic

reports

Goebbels Busy

capitalising on Apparently realisation that their claims can- officially not at the moment be

all restraini has contradicted, been lifted by the Goebbels ma- chine and last night it was stated reports are in Berlin; "Latest Italian

the that German troops are outskirts of Alhens!”

Dr. Goebbels added: Greek col- lapse and annihilation or capture 13 "con- of the British army sidered" imminent.

The ship which was under charter by an Australian concern was boarded by twelve marines under an officer yesterday afternoon, after failing to induce

sales manager in Shang- the crew to desert it.

A British protest is reported

hai for the General Elec-likely to follow as Shanghai wa- tric Company of China, ters are considered neutral. - Reu- committed suicide

morning.

this i

He was found dying. with pistol nearby, in the washroom at his office.

1

+

It is believed that he way to despondency as recult of long ill-health.

gave

the

A prominent member

of

the WUS

Portuguese community, he

fifty-two years of age.

ter.

WASHINGTON

TALK ON FAR EAST

on

and

off-

Note the considered. He goes on, in best vem: Re- Bri- connaissance pilots say the

ports tish are jamming Greek

and that waiting embarkation

steamers numerous small motorboats arc cruising

Twenty-one "tran- shore.

the British sports" evacuating

sunk ΟΙ damaged. have been German 'planes are continously hammering the harbours. "It is understood (mark the terms) that off and the Germans have cut Russo-squeezed the main enemy forces strung along the highways from

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") Mr. Cordell Hull, Lord Halifax, British Ambassador and Mr. He was alive when found in a R. G. Casey, Australian Minister, pool of blood and was rushed to met yesterday in Washington to hospital with two head wounds. discuss the effect of the He died after admission. Inter- national News Service.

MOVE TO TAKE OVER IDLE SHIPS

Logislation authorising the U.S. Government to take

Japanese Neutrality Pact upon the Far East situation,

They also exchanged informa- tion and views of the general world situation, it is officially, re- vealed, International News Ser- 'vice,

over and Commitice.

1

Lamla to the south, The Ger- mans are "apparently" mopping up the peninsula before driving' to Athens."

British Comment

Military observers, comment- ing, suggest that if there is any operate "any foreign vessel lying The legal and international ang basis at all for the German re- British idle" in United States waters has les of the situation were discuss-ports, it is possibly that

were holding! been introduced by the chairmanied by the committee at a lengthy rearguards who

points at Larissa and points cust of the House Merchant Marine secret sitting--Reuter...

of

Last night's Athens communi- que was brief, but stated

the withdrawal had been pleted without the slightest hitch, There is no confirmation of the despite intense activity by Ger-Algeciras report from any other

(Continued on Page 16)

source.]

HAVE AN H. B.-

HB

-AND THEN TRY!