1941-05-21 — Page 18

THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 21, 1941.

CRETE SITUATION NOW IN HAND

Premier Makes Unexpected Statement In House

Colourful Detail

Of Cut And Thrust At Sollum

THE PRIME MINISTER, MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL, MADE AN- OTHER SURPRISE STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, DISCLOSING DRAMATIC NEWS THAT THE SITUATION IN CRETE IS NOW IN HAND.

He recalled that he had, earlier in the

day, mentioned the beginning of a serious KILLED ON attack upon Crete, and thought the House LEAVE: NO

would like to know, before it separated, what was the latest Government information.

Mr. Churchill said: "I cannot pretend that this statement is of momentous import-

ance.

It is only because we are altogether and I thought the House was most anxious should keep them fully informed.

"AIRE

[

aerodromus in the neights wrhood : May 17.

at about 1 pm.

PENSION

If a soldier is killed in

Britain during his "off" hours, his dependants are not entitled to a pension.

"U.S. ABOUT TO TAKE A DECISIVE STEP"

The Polish Premier, General Sikorsky, who has just returned to England from the United States, said yesterday "The United States is about to take a decisive step." Reuter.

WOMEN DON'T TIP AS GENEROUSLY AS MEN

LOYALTY OF THE REAL IRAQ

"Well established in- formation reaching me makes me certain that the people of Iraq and the majority of army officers repudiate and condemn this subversive move- ment," the Regent, Emir Abdullah, told Reuter somewhere in the Middle East.

"They maintain the highest loyalty to the constitution of Iraq and to the Treaty of Alliance concluded by the late King Feisal with Britairi,

"It is probable that the peo- ple of Iraq wil asscrt this feeling."

Reuter.

Women don't tip as liberally as; men, Judge Gordon Alehun. at i

The Emir added that the Iraq If he is serving abroad his Edinonton. North London, County coup d'etat was carried out by "a bombing of Suda Bay and various the situat.on

Fund dead of tense und the tank and were well independants get the pen-Cutti, was told by a Wood Green and of individuals working in hairdresser sued for mrrears of the interests of foreign powers." sion. as service abroad, who pleaded that has income

had dropped [implies continuous duty.

and tips averaged only 5s, a werk.

Rafael Trupll, Dirtator of the Dominican Republic. arrived in The Judge I suppose most of Naysan from New York yesterday. your best customers were young | He is to meet the Governor, the men who have joined the Army" Duke of Windsor, tad the

Yes, sir, and I am a tadies' Duchess, at Government House.

Reuter.

1

alut 1500 enemy trip. A varing New Zeltd battle 4. f dignent crier landed by gliders, parachutes and trip-CLETTORS the t'anea Malem art "This me: sage noon to day and the military reported the situation 15 in band.

was sent at

A LATER REPORT, AT 3 PAL SAYS THERE IS CONTINU OCS RECONNAISSANCE AC- COMPANIED

SPORADIC) BOMBING AND MACHINE GUNNING, CHEFLY AGAINST THE ANTI AIRCRAFT DE PENCES

"The military hospital between Canea and Malemi. which was captured by the enemy, has now been recaptured,

One Party Left "A fairly strong

enemy party is reported south of the Cânea- Malemi euad, which is not yet} mopped up, but other parties are thought to be accounted for.

Resolute Counter-

Attack

But the Germans kuunehed elute cotder attack with about 40 tanks and recaptured Capuzzo,

That entailed the withdraw

Al of the armoured brigades from the advantageous position which it had attained. The oper- ations were, therefore, indeci Live.

The Germans claim 100 British PIRINGHETS. We have 500 German prisoners, and their losses in tanks and personnel are certainly as heavy, if not heavier, than ours.

"But this operation must be re- garded 18 it background. For over six weeks past the Germans have been proclaiming they would shortly be in Suez and have been making much credit with the neu- by spreading such а

tral world statement.

Sir Waller Womersley. Minister of Pensions, confessed this glaring anoma'y of military law in the House of Commons when replying to Mr Beverley Baxter (Cons, Wood Girven?.

a

Mr. Baster quoted the case of former constituent who Was killed in the black-out while re- turning from leave.

"This man's widow avas refused | he was performing a pension," said Mr. Baxter, "yet his duty and returning on time to the camp.

"Sir Walter Womersley is a humane Minister," Mr. Baxter added, "but his decisions are not always wise."

Sir Walter, in reply, said this question of "on and off duly" had caused some considerable dif- culty.

If a man serving in the lact war was killed abroad, a pen. Gion was granted whatever the cause. He was supposed to be on duty all the time.

in

"It is therefore satisfactory to see that we have retained strong "I thought people would like to offensive power and that fighting!

The granting of a pension far bas! being maintained, at any rate, the circumstances ciled would be

KIN OVOR terms in the advanced against King's Regulations.

approach to Egypt." Mr Baxter interposed to point

Fear how the action developed." (Cheer)

Earlice Mr. Churchill, referring areas of to the South African troops in Reuter.

Abyssinia, said they had been ordered by General Smuts to go forward and now, as this theatre i is clung down, they are to move Borthwards to the Mediterranean. (ChEVEN).

"A so two British and Indian divisions gained laurels in the fighting at Karsalu, and all the way from Kassala to Keren and up to the final events.

These Indian divisions consist

of six rtion battalions and three British .ttalions.

and erful endurance of hard-

}

AIRMEN FAMILY

TRAGEDY

Thvi ardour Announcement yester. ship has won the high regard of day that Flying-Officer Henry Francis Dempster

their British comrades.

Sometimes we have seen enses

hairdresser now.

CHANCE OF NAZI SUCCESS VERY SLENDER

(By Reuter's Diplomatic Correspondent)

THE GERMAN ATTEMPT to establish a foothold in Crete by parachutists and air- borne troops, is unquestionably a most daring Sir Walter added that he was and hazardous move. The chances of success giving very careful consideration are slender.

out that this country had become

the battlefield.

to this on and off“ duty regula- tion and was working with a view to improving the position of those who claimed.

State for War, told the House that¦ free travelling to soldiers when their homes had

It can be regarded as a big gamble but is probably intended as a full-dress rehearsal Captain Margesson, Secretary of for other invasion plans against Britain.

warrants granted As far as it is possible to guess the German been damaged by enemy action plans from the meagre data avaiable, they will prob- were to be granted to officers be-ably try to seize the coastal strip, so that blockade- Row field rank.

runners can be rushed across from Greek waters while British warships are kept off by heavy air attacks.

where not a single British meer Breese is missing, marks MODERATE STOCK

renamed

cun-

a batta ion de ted itself in a most effective manner.

a triple family tragedy of

Vice-Marshal

ac-

the war. "Any account of this campaign | His father, Air reflects very high honour upon C. D. Breese, was killed on the soldiers of India of all custės tive service as result of a flying! and creeds engaged.

Sollum Action

accident, it was March.

MARKET TURNOVER

Turnover on the London Stock announced In Exchange yesterday was moderate. Industrials encountered selective

"The second event which has in Germany.-Reuter. occurred since we were last here

is the remarkably well sustained action at Sollum.

CLEANING UP DESK

from 95/- to 102/6.

Parachutists may also try to seize aerodromes and may at- tempt to sow panic among the population by indiscriminate shooting.

and

Greek

LOSSES IN SHANSI BATTLES

UP DESK securities showed fractional losses. more than a match for any air- |TION IN THE CHUNTIAOSHAN

FOR MR. MENZIES

"This is of interest because it was fought exclusively between British and German troops.

"IT HAS NOT, I SUPPOSE, BEEN FOUND, WORTH WHILE TO MAINTAIN ITALIAN TROOPS AT THE END OF SUCH A LONG AND PRECARI- OUS LINE OF COMMUNICA- CABINET HAS CLEARED UP TION. (LAUGHTER).

IN

more

J

troops whose necessarily are limited.

Guerilla War

Foreign issues were mainly firm; borne Japanese bonds attracted attention as did certain Argen. tine issues. Kaffairs were

Arm Wall Street was lethargic.

The Cretans have always

best been among the soldiers and it is most unlikely the Germans will find Fifth His elder brother, Flight-Lt. J.buying for investment with fur-

Columnists among them. C. Breese, is a prisoner of war ther enquiry for textile preference issues. Shipping shares continu-

Although no Bgures are avail- ed the upward trend, chief

WHILE ADMITTING THAT A able for the strength of the Bri- in- terest being centred

tish, New Zealand

Greek CHINESE in Indo-

DIVISIONAL COM- China Deferred. which advanced forces in Crete, there is no rea-MANDER, GENERAL WANG

would son to doubt they Gilt-edged

be CHUN, WAS KILLED IN AC-

numbers BATTLE, IN SOUTHERN SHAN- SI, THE CHINESE MILITARY SPOKESMAN IN CHUNGKING DENIED THE JAPANESE ALLE- GATION THAT TWO CHINESE, The RAF can be relied on ARMY CORPS COMMANDERS to take severe toll bf the heavy AND A DIVISIONAL COMMAN- Junkers 'planes, and the Royal DER WERE KILLED AND ONE Navy, with an anchorage inDEPUTY DIVISIONAL COM- not on a very large scale.

RELIEF TO COST

Suda Bay, should be in a posi-MANDER TAKEN PRISONER, "Several

tion to maintain a pretty effective of our

"With the fighting at Chuntiao- brigades, supported by armoured AMERICA AT

TU.S. LESSER blockade against any approach shan on such a large scale," the

from the Greek coast or brigades and strong artillery, ad- END.

the spokesman said, "there are bound President Roosevelt hos asked Dodecanese. vanced 30 miles from the position

to be heavy casualties on both Mr. Menzies will broadcast a Congress. for an $880,000,000 re- Parachutists, who are able to sides. where they have been deployed message to the nation Immediate | Hef appropriation for the year carry ammunition and iron rations for some weeks past and attacked ly on arrival.

"After a fortnight of desperate. begiraiing July 1. This amount for several days, may be able fighting, in which the Japanese the enemy-taking Sollum, Hell Mr. Fadden, Acting Premier, Is $100,000,000 below the estimate to Institute some form of guerilla suffered heavy casualties, Fire Pass and Fort Capuzzo--and will hand over to Mr. Menzies in the budget, says Reuter from warfare, but the odds against the situation is now developing in the armoured troops had got well officially on May 26-Reuter. Washington.

Finvaders are heavy, Reuter," Chinese favour."--Reuter,

བད

THE AUSTRALIAN.

..

WAR Reuter.

OUTSTANDING BUSINESS "The fighting was severe but PREPARATION FOR THE RE- TURN OF THE PREMIER, MR.

FROM motorised MENZIES

NORTH THE WEEK-

the