1941-05-16 — Page 37

THE CHINA 'MAIL, MAY 16, 1941.

CHINA MAIL

WINDSOR HOUSE

A STRAW IN THE WIND

The flight of Rudolf Hess to Britain, by virtue of his position in the German hierarchy, has such possibilities that the world remains gasp- ing and conjecturing as

to

the underlying ex- planation.

Until Mr. Churchill! makes his promised statement, there can be no dependable clue to the exact reason for the desperate action. The attempt of the Nazis to discredit any statement! he may make by urging his insanity is useless. They cannot overcome the known fact that until a few days ago he was tak- ing a prominent part in public life. He figured on the programme arranged for the birthday celebra- tions in honour of Hitler, delivering an eulogy on. the Fuehrer on that occa- sion, and on May 1st he addressed employees of an armament factory at Augsburg. If Hess Deputy - Fuehrer and third most important official in the German Reich, suffered from mental derangement of any sort as the Berlin

VICHY

SOVERNIGHT

INDO

DEFENCE

CAMBODIA

T

CHINA

CO-PROSPERITY MEAL

From Morocco To Turkey

broadcast tried to in- Where now is Europe? As the sinuate,

the

scene of battle shifts to the other

the Mediterranean, the i

11

By........

more senses than one. Britain is Anne O'Hare

full participation of the United

McCormick

Disarmed and defeated, the French are at the mercy of Hitler. He holds nearly 2,000,000 hostages, controls the food supply, exercises absolute police powers. If in such circumstances the Lavals and de Brinons have failed to speed up a policy of "collaboration" with Germany, resistance must be very strong, from the old Marshal down to wives of the war prisoners. It is inconceivable that France should and inevitable that the Germans will use every means to coerce her. shows how literally

The re- emergence of this tragic Issue

North Africa.

fight Britain

question side of must naturally arise why Continent seems left behind such an unstable person still waging there a war of block- was permitted to ade, which we propose to tighten to the limit. This is the purpose hold extremely respon-of Dr. Hugh Dalton, Minister of sible posts for so many Economic Warfare, in asking the years and permitted to States in freezing Axis credits and vast waiting room, crowded with make decisions vitally boycotting Axis trade throughout

this hemisphere; and he would millions of hungry human beings affecting the party.

not have sprung this plan on living in darkness and coma, They The theory that his American reporters in Jandon if are reconditioned while they wait, flight indicates dissen- deration

it were not already under consi-

in Washington. The of course, so the issues at stake are Europe is merely transferred to sion amongst the party Royal Air Force is intensifying the being decided by them as much leaders seemed

war in the air, stepping up the as by the combatants. surely size and tempo of the raids on based. It has been cate- the Channel ports and the Ger- gorically denied in Eng mats are applying as much pres- man production centres. Diplo- land that he carried sure as they can on Spain, Portu- proposals from the Ger-gul and unoccupied France.

Wherever it is fought, this con-

to

the war for

The clash in Iraq proves the same point. It is not by chance that a pro-Axis government is established at Baghdad,

or that opposition to Britain flares up in this frowsy capitul on the Tigris. rich and coveted as are the wells Nor is it only a question of oil, of Mosul.

They are Europe. Yet Iraq is Europe, too. Crete is Europe. The pink house out on the Anatolian hills beyond Ankara is Europe, for there President Ismet Ineunu man Government. He But we are out of the Continent will ponder Turkey's reply to the obviously left Germany patched troops to

as we were not before we dis-

Greece. For message Franz von Papen has without the knowledge or the present, at least we will fight brought from Berlin. The British Iraq is the strategie centre of approval of his Govern- no more land buttles on European Isles are now the core of Europe. has been deliberately picked out the great Arabian peninsula and soil. Europe remains a target, o ment. His defection is a place of siege, an object of com-

by the Germans as a focal point loss and potentially dan-bat, but it is no longer the active flict is always and essentially a for an Arab rising. The irony is fighting ground. Europe is a state war for Europe, but the Continent that British armies freed Iraq gerous. As the close of suspense, time standing still, a

itself has become too narrow

from the Turks in the last war, friend of Hitler, he must

cover the lines that run out from and Iraq is the only mandated this centre like the branches of territory in this area that has been know the secrets, ambi-

a tree.

given independence. Syria, under tions and plans of that split between the party

French mandate, seethes with dis- This truth was never so mani- content because the same status. "bad man," and his erst- and the German people. to the margins of Europe. The tine is kept under British rule be

fest as when the contest moves was not accorded her, and Pales- while master must be in It may, indeed, in the arst fact that looms as Hitler pre- cause of the conflict between the the highest degree face of the common dan-pares to charge in Asia and Africa Arabs and the Jews.

of what Hess ger, more closely unite France. The development of the is that a new ordeal impends for

It can be imagined how the might be willing to the remaining German Nazi drive on Egypt is bound to call to a "holy war" could stic divulge.

affect the position of France in up the latent fariaticisms in these leaders, at least for a North Africa and in Syria. It countries. The Arabs 'are His decision to escape time. As for the German must reopen, within France and divided, too split into tribal fac- makes it plain to the people, it has already of the war.

Britain, the most painful wound tions, too weak militarlly, to make this apparently premature threat world that the internal been clearly demonstrat-

very dangerous. The Iraq Army General Weygand now faces the is only a shadow, incapable of situation in Germany is ed that they have long showdown postponed for a time offering serious resistance even one of growing strain and ago surrendered their by the Italian defeat in the Medi-to a small British force. The terranean. Has he force enough whole thing is a scarecrow, but stress, even for the freedom of life, thought to keep his pledge to resist any it may have a dreadful effect.. leaders who are reported and action so completely Those who know Marshal Petam Invader of the French Empire? to live in the greatest of that the stories invented believe that he will never break Iraq revolt may prove an abortive This is Berlin fn Baghdad. The comfort. But wishful for their consumption by his word not to allow French ter- gesture, but it is a logical climax thinking is not justified. Dr. Goebbels and his used against France's former ally: employed to forge the sword of ritory or the French feet to be of the propaganda, and bribery It should not be imagined assistants on this occasion but how long will the decision be Islam into a weapon in the Euro-

left in his hands? How important pean war.. that his flight indicates will probably be readily a role in the coming battle will in Europe spread along the Medi- As the flames lighted the imminence of a crack- accepted as have other, be played by the forces.mobilised terranean, coast from Morocco, to by General de Gaulle in Equatori- Turkey, we see that fo continent up in the Nazi party or a înöre dubious lies.

al Africa?

can contain this devouring fre

nervous

tod

A sufficient quantity of MILK daily »

necessary for the maintenance health & energy

DAIRY

FARM

MILK

is milk in its rust

beneficial form

It's Fresh from the Farm. It's still Fresh when you get it.

Pasteurised.

Certified T. B. Tree,

• Every boule individual. ly sealed.

THESE FACTS MAKE-

DAIRY FARM MILK

WHAT IT ·}~

THE FINEST

& SAFEST IN HONG KONG