1941-06-24 — Page 41

THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 24, 1941. -

Vichy Forces In Syria May Be Cut In Two

REPORTS FROM CAIRO are to the effect that British troops have reached Palmyra, in Syria, according to a communique issued by

THE REAL DECISION

G.H.Q. there yesterday. They are meeting FOR NAZIS

with resistance from a Vichy column.

Allied forces are in contact with Vichy troops west of Damascus, but in the town it- self the situation is quiet.

On the other fronts fighting is continuing.

First to enter Damascus were Allied representatives. They were greeted enthusiastically.

It was not until some time afterwards that troops were per- mitted to enter.

First into the city were the Free French, followed closely by British of a famous cavalry regiment in armoured cars, and Gome Australians,

While the French flag was no- where to be seen on public build- invs of the city. the tricolour borne as Free France's emblem was heartily cheered.

Syrian Government

The Syrian Government

met

shortly before the surrender of the city and assumed full powers

over

internal affulrs which

hitherto have been exercised by the French. They also agreed to give amnesty to all political pri-

soners.

Later, the Syrian Prime Minis-

LISBON

STEAMER

TORPEDOED

The warning given by his Mr. Churchill in broadcast that the Nazi attack on Russia was simply the prelude to a final attempt against Bri- tain, is underlined by a report sent to a Budapest newspaper "Pester Lloyd" by its Berlin correspon- dent.

"In all authoritative statements made on the war situation, says the correspondent, according to "Die Zeitung," the anti-Nazi

The torpedoing of the German daily published in Lon- Portuguese merchant-don, it is again and again pointed out that for Germany the real ship, Ganda, which was and final decision in this war is reported when 26 sur-to be expected only in the West vivors out of a total of 16 where the fighting forces of Ger- many come directly up against passengers and 50 mem- those of Great Britain." bers of the crew landed in Lisbon, has excited public opinion in that city.

fer, Khaled Bey Alom, and Ge eral Gentilhomme met to discuss The Ganda, it was stated, was a proposed treaty whereby Syria carrying goods only between Por- would become an autonomous re-tugal and her West African colon-

ies, as she always did. public.

Rearguard Action

"There could bc no doubt about her Portuguese markings," says one newspaper. Vichy

The purpose of the French in holding out so long after it became evident that the city was bound to fall was to fight a rearguard action in order to cover the retreat in the north-west.

It was believed that the forces would have been able to enter Damascus early in the morning but the unexpected presence of many Vichy tanks and 75's and also troops which had come up from the region of Kuneitra made this impossible.

However, in a little while resis- tance showed a sign of crum- bling and during the morning many Vichy soldiers gave them- selves up as prisoners.-Reuter.

Vichy Communique

[SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL"]

A Vichy communique claim that French military 'planes heavi- ly bombed important British motorised units invading Syria from Iraq and driving on Palmyra.

The communique says Damascus was surrendered political reasons only after British forces had captured Mezze aerodrome.

that for

the

It further states that re- sistance is continuing beyond Damascus as the tired

The statement was a comment

on the recent visit by General Brauchitsch, German C. in C. to Northern France.

This, in the correspondent's opinion, clearly stressed the signi- ficance of the West European theatre of war.

that

Continuous bombardment over the Channel by the R.A.F. during past the fortnight indicates even to-day it cannot be said that the situation is all aulet on the this | Western Front. British Wire-

less.

"The Government will certain ly not fail to use every effort to clear up what took place, and we confidently expect the nation to protest indignantly against wicked act."--Reuter.

W

PLEA FOR LENIENCY

FOR PORTUGUESE

FERNANDO ANTONIO OZORIO, 33, account- ant of the Central Meat and Dairy Supply Com- pany, appeared on remand before Mr. G. T. Lowry this morning on a charge of fraudulent conversion of $660.97, received by him from his employee, Mr. A. G. Dalziel, for payment to a creditor of the firm.

his Mr. M. A. da Silva, who ap-present case, he would lose peared for the defendant, entered employment. Defendant had been a plea of guilty. Mr. W. A. put to considerable shame as a cpse. Mr. Silva Mackinlay appeared for the pro- result of this secution and Det. Insp. J. asked the Court for the option O'Donovan for the Police.

of a fine.

troops Mr. Mackinlay told the Court

IMMIGRATION

Mr. Lowry adjourned the case of General Dentz rehabilitate that a cheque for the amount to Friday, June 27, at 11.15 a.m.

favour for consideration of sentence. themselves after three days and involved was drawn in nights of bitter fighting against of a creditor of the firm but the heavy odds.

cheque was cashed by the de- Vichy claims that their French fendant who retained the money. forces have recaptured Abou Mr. Silva said his client hap- Kemal

pened, at the time, to be pressed In Cairo, says the International for payment by a personal credi- News correspondent there, it is

-threatened to announced that a large column of armoured cars retreating from Damascus to Beirut were scatter- ed by R.AF. machines, scores being wrecked" and damaged. International News Service.

Vichy Positions Under Shellfire

Allied troopsTMTM

tor,

who

tell

Ozorio's employers that he was ASSISTANTS

was a

heavily in debt unless the money was forthcoming. As he afraid of the consequences; Ozorio made use of the money, "Just for a few days" as a friend of his had promised the amount. Unfortunately, the friend failed| to keep his word.

CONVICTED

TWO CHINESE IMMIGRA- TION ASSISTANTS WERE FINED $200 OR THREE

who went No Attempt To Abscond MONTHS HARD LABOUR, BY through Damascus have occupied positions at Berze, four or five Meanwhile, Mr. Silva con- MR. H. G. SHELDON, K.C., AT miles north of the town from tinued, his client approached the CENTRAL MAGISTRÁCY THIS: which they are now exploiting firm's creditor, a butcher, and MORNING, FOR THEFT FROM further northwards, according to asked him to hold, the account THE S.S. WING W

Accused were: Chung Wing-bon, military circles in Cairo yester-over for a few days which he day.

agreed to do, at the same time 23, of 188, Reclamation Street, British and Indian forces ad continuing to supply meat to and Leung Chiu-lun. 26, of vancing from Mezze are astride the Company. His client con- No. 235, Lockhart Road,

to According to Detective-Sub- the: Damascus-Beirut Road,a tinued to make every effort, few miles north west of Damas-raise the money to make good Inspector Byron, first accused, duty, went on. the amount and had not attempt- who was not on

board the s.s. Wing Wo On the coast, the Vichy posied in any way to abscond. tions about Demour, 10 miles Mr. Silva went on to say that They were seen leaving the south of Beirut, are now with his client was a member of a steamer with a goose and a In range of Allied guns.dk respectable family. What he had chicken and were arrested by a A British mechanised, column done was the very foolish and Chinese detective, Cheung Kam

It was stated that similar which reached Palmyra after indiscreet act of a young man, meeting air and ground oppost- To impose a gaol sentence on larcenies had been prevalent for tion would appear to be thrusting him would mean complete, ruin. some time, and cases of this sort towards Homs which would Boaldes, said Mr. Silva, de- were very hard to defect. The effectively cut off the Vichy forces fendant was the sole support of coolies on board did not dare to as accused were in in south Syria from the Northern an aged father and several other say a word, 'forces-Router,

relatives, and, as a result of the uniform..

"I can tell

Page

WHITE

HORSE blindfold

.. it's equal to a fine liqueur”

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