1939-12-05 — Page 7

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

CABLE

FINNS RESIST MORE

MORE STRONGLY

STRONGLY AFTER RECOVERING FROM THE FIRST BLOW:

SNIPERS HARASS RUSSIAN ADVANCE

31

Woman Pilot Found In Plane Shot Down By Finnish A.A. Fire

MOSCOW, Dec. 4 (Reuter)-Having recovered from the first blow, the Finns are "resisting more and more strong-

NAZI CHAGRIN OVER

SOVIET METHODS

WASHINGTON, DEC, 4 KREUTER)—THE PREVAILING “VIEW IN OFFICIAL CIRCLES IS THAT AN UNDERSTANDING EXISTS BETWEEN HERR HITLER AND M. STALIN REGARDING THEIR SPHERES OF INFLUENCE IN NORTHERN EUROPE,

+

It is felt, however, that Berlin may be chagrined at the clumsy manner in which M, Stalin is extending the Soviet sphere of in- fluence. 1.

Germany is likely to suffer:

Firstly, owing to the Soviet using up war supplies which Ger- many expected would be available for her;

Secondly, the Finnish war is allegedly revealing the serious

military ald to Germany:

ly," according to the Pravda, which adds that the retreat-weaknesses of the Red Army, which has cast a doubt, on the Soviet ing enemy leave behind machine-gunners and snipers con- cealed in bushes and erevices.

Railway bridges and empty houses all conceal mines, as well as spipers and one correspondent accuses the Finns of using poison gas. 18:

HELSINKI, Dec. 4 (Reuter) 12 SOVIET BOMBERS -The Soviet allegation that the Finns used poison gas is DESTROYED

denled in an official com-

AMSTERDAM, Dec. 4 (Reuter)-munique, which adds that the

The annihilation of complete General Staff emphatically squadron of twelve Soviet bomb-never considered the use of ers at Imatra is reported by the poison gas. Helsinki correspondent of the Tele- grani.

The planes were trying to bomb the huge electricity plant which serves the whole of South Finland Anti-aircraft fire shot down eleven and the twelfth forced landing.

made

The Government is ready to) allow a neutral commission to make exhaustive enquiries.

HEAVY SNOWFALL HELSINKI, Dec. 4 Reuter)-A a communique states that there has been little activity owing to a heavy snowfall, except north of Lake Ladoga, where the enemy The fight of civilians into North-suffered heavy losses.

EVACUATION

HELSINKI, Dec. 4

(Reuter) -

ern Finland is being covered by

Denying the Russian allegation

five or six divisions, which ac- of gas being used, the Finnish cording to an official statement, Government considers it "not out!

Thirdly, the Soviet onslaught has aroused violent indignation against Totalitarian states among neutrals. Including the United States.

SOVIET PLANES MACHINE - GUN SWEDISH SHIP

HELSINKI. Dec. 4 (Renter) -It is stated here that the Swedish steamer Brynnhilde, which left Aabo for Sweden on Friday, was machine-gun- ned by Soviet planes. *

There were по casualties the passengers who among included twelve French women and children.

ال

STRUGGLE

WESTERN FRONT

NAZIS ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO FRENCH ARTILLERY ACTIVITY

LONDON, Dee: 4 (Reuter)— Although Paris says, in an official communique, that "there is nothing of importance to report, beyond some local artillery action," German, re- ports attach considerable Im- portance to French artillery

recaptured Petsamo and took 800 of the question that the Russian FOR DEFENCE activity.

prisoners.

2

Military observers think that the Finns will make determined stand between Petsamo and Re- vaniemi. There is only one main road in this region which can be easily blocked.

.:

The Finns hope to maintain their resistance for a long time in the bewildering maze of forests and lakes in Northern Finland.

SCHOOLS CLOSED

BERLIN. Dec. 4

accusation is a pretext for their future use of poison gas."

An official

resume of the situation alleges that the Rus- sians. brutally treated in- habitants north of Lake La- doga, who had not evacuated their homes.

RUSSIAN LOSSES It is claimed that a large num, ber of Russians were blown up in a mined forest near Terijoki.

OF LIBERTY

1

The Naz High Command refers

to "Increased activity." when there was intense French bombardment

east of Moselle,

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1939. -PAGE 7

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ANTI-SOVIET DEMONSTRATION

IN ROME

ROME, Dec. 4 (Reuter)- There was a big anti-Soviet demonstration yesterday

outside the Russian Em- bassy. Official circles mini- mise the importance of an the incident and in NEW YORK, Dec, 4 (Beuter)—“I |

official statement, put it Homburg and offenburg were will only say that the Flanish Gov- !

under shellfire from heavy guns demonstration without sig- down as "merely a student ernment is ready to negotiate ro- garding the demands presented as and artillery was also active in to the utmost limit to which it can, | without violating either our inde- pendence or our policy of peutza- lity." declared the Finnish Premier. M. Rytl, in a broadcast to the ¡United States.

(Reuter) The The Russian losses are placed at M. Ryti said that nobody pro- Finns have ordered the population' several thousands and eighteen mised to help Finland and nobody to evacuate major towns through-more Soviet tanks are reported to advised her to fight with promises out the country, according to a Rel- have been destroyed. sinki telegram. All schools be closed.

other sectors.

JEWS EXECUTED IN WARSAW

nificance."

It is denied that there will be any delay in the presentation of the creden- tials of the new Soviet Am- bassador.

KAUNAS, Dec," + (Reuter)--Re- Their Majesties the "King and ports from Warsaw state that Queen attended Divine Service at Scores of Jews have been executed; the Chapel Royal at St James's

of a result of the discovery of Palace Sunday morning. bodies ul 8, S. victims of guerillas.' (Reuter).

of assistance.

will

He added: "The events have A message from Stockholm states that according to larest re-implified the armed struggle for ports the Finns are still holding the defence of cur liberty."

as

thei

QUIET IN CAPITAL HELSINKI. Dec. 4 (Reater) While fighting continues on eastern front the capital passed Ja relatively quiet day and people

are cleaning up the debris.

Petsamo.

MOSCOW CLAIM MOSCOW, Dec. 4 (Reuter)--Tas capture of Hogland and a number of other strategic islands is claim-

The German steamer here withed in a Leningrad communique, 600 Germans on board. is unike- ly to leave until Monday and presence may partly be responsible for the inactivity of Soviet airmen,

It is revealed that a woman pliot was among the crew. of a Russian pane, brought down

after machine-gunning

streets of Helsinki.

4

the

ITALIAN PLANES

FOR FINNS HELSINKI, Dec. 4 (Beuter) ---Six Italian fighter planes are reported to have arrived in Finland yesterday. They are part of an order for 25 planes recently placed with Italy, "

its

SOVIET FAILURE -

HELSINKI, Dec. 4 (Reuter)-A foreign correspondent reports the failure of the Soviet military manoeuvre in the attempt to break the Finnish defences in Lake La- doga' area.

The much practised landing of troops by parachute.. was carried out behind the Finnish lines, the troops being equip- ped with machine-guns. After some sharp skirmishing, how- ever, the landing partles were either annihilated or

taken prisoner.

AIR RAIDS

HELSINKI. Dec. 4 (Reuter). According to official figures, 67 were killed and 380 wounded in air raids. Fifteen houses were destroyed and 263 damaged

Chinese "Special" Police Open Fire On British

Soldiers In Shanghai

SHANGHAI, DEC. 4 (REUTER) — CHINESE POLICE- MEN OF THE "SPECIAL MUNICIPALITY,” WHO OPENED FIRE ON several unarmed British soldiers last night in the extra-Settlement Road, mortally wounded a Chinese woman passer-by and arrested one soldier and clvllian, also bellev- ed to be a British."

About 20 rounds of pistol and rifle ammunition were fired... by the Municipality Police. The attack began shortly after "10 p.m.

The soldier and the civilian were taken to the house occupied by the Special Municipality Police and their Japanese advisers, They were released at 1 am

"FROKE INTO CAFE

Nazi Responsibility For Invasion

Soviet:

Of Poland By

Facts Now Disclosed

Why Negotiations For Anglo- French Pact With

Russia

Failed

LONDON, DEC. 4 (BWS)—IN THE LIGHT OF EVENTS OF THE LAST FEW DAYS, THE GRAVE RESPONSIBILITY WHICH LIES ON THE NAZI GOVERNMENT FOR THE INVASION OF FIN- LAND BY SOVIET FORCES BECOMES CLEABER, IN THE OPINION OF WELL-INFORMED QUARTERS IN LONDON,

It is not doubted, in view of the available evidence that the occupation of Finland. like that of the Baltic states. was. insisted upon by M, Stalini before the conclusion of the Soviet-> Nazi Pact last August. It is believed, in short, that Herr Hitler "was prevailed upon by Herr von Ribbentrop to agree in advance to this 'Soviet demand as part of the price for the Moscow Pact which the German Foreign Miaster calculated would result in keeping Britain and France out of the war Herr Hitler was de- termined to loose upon Poland.

Support for this reading of events comes from facts now disclosed for the Arst time" ix anthoritative circles regarding the breakdown of the Anglo- French-Soviet negotiations.

, Britain and France, it will be remembered, had, some months prior to the invasion of Poland, been trying to conclude with the Soviet Government a pact intend-

countries to put at the disposal

¡ of the Soviets Fleet naval basës off the coast of Gesel and Dago and the Aaland Islands. 'It is pointed out that "Bel" tain and France were not pre- pared to traffic in sovereignty of these small states.

BALTIC ANXIETY Herr von Ribbentrop proved less scrupulous.

East Surrey Regiment, and a civied to prove a deterrent to German It is interesting to recall now aggression. The course of their the anxiety displayed by Finland negotiations was kept secret.

Han and arrested them.

As they were taking the pri soners along, a small group of unarmed British soldiers came 'out of another cafe and' the policemen opened fire on them.

REASON FOR FAILURE

and the Baltic States at the times of the Anglo-French-Soviet nego- tiations, lest any understanding It is now admitted, however, should be reached which com“ that the main reason for their promise their sovereignty or failure was the refusal of the neutrality. An East Surrey's mechanised pat. French and British Governments to rol at the perimeter and another agree to Russion demands which lorry carrying fully equipped sol would have endangered the in- diers and Bren guns rushed to the tegrity of the Baltic States and

SURREY'S ARRIVE

The incident began when a party scene and took up a position oppo- Finland of 15 Municipality policemen broke site the scene of the shooting, into a cafe by splintering the front! A large party of SMC. Police door and searched all the rooms. came up and later the Munici- They are said to have found the pality force left leaving the scene British soldier, Private Peel of the to the East Surreys and the police.

For instance, as part of their price for an alliance, the Soviet Government insisted that Bri- tain and France should DÉT- sunde Finland and the Baltic

The Narl Government did its best to encourage such KUS- picions so long as it feared conclusion of a tri-partite pact against aggression at Moscow, but did not hesitate to barter away the independence these states. In return Soviet Acquiescence" in attack on Poland."

of

for the

Interesting

R.A.F. ATTACK NAZI WARSHIPS

LONDON, Dec, 1 (Reuter)— A strong formation of R.AF. bombers attacked German war- ships in the vicinity of Heligo- land, obtaining direct hits with heavy bomus, the Air Ministry announces.

It was added that all the British

machines returned. safely and that one Messer- Schmidt pline the only enemy machine encountered, was shot down.

CRUISER HIŤ

It was later learned that two cruisers were among the... German warships succesfully · attacked. The cruiserg were lying close to a flotilla of six or seven destroyers.

The leader of the attacking force reports that when he or- ›dered the attack, heavy anti- sircraft fire opened and one British plane fell out of forma- tion but was able to regain height and returned home with the others.

There were no casualties among the RAF personnel " and photographs were taken during the bombing.

Among the Ships on which direct hits were obtained one of the cruisers. *

NAZI STATEMENT

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INVASION IN FINLAND

CHINA WAR NEWS

Continued from Page 1

corps surprised and decimated a Japanese unit while in the act of pillaging a number of shops.

Shenkong, Llenchow, and other points between Tsungia and Fahsien east of the railway also witnessed bitter fighting "during the week-end.

NO CONCERN

OF GERMANY

NAZIS BLAME BRITAIN

LONDON, Dec, 4 (Reuter). German press comment on the Soviet Invasion of Finland adopts the line that the foreign policy of Russia is no concern. of Germany, as the Finnish question is a matter outside · Germany's direct interest.

.. WONGKONG TAKEN HINGNING, Dec. 4 (Central)- The Japanese, military design.to The suggestion is made, at cross the eastern Kwangtung bor-course, that Finland would have“ der, to invade Fukien, received a { accepted Russian demands, but serious setback on the night of for British encouragement to the Des. 1 when strong Chinese; units contrary,

at Jaoping in a surprise attack Finland cannot, says one cqm= retook Wongkong, the Japanesement, book to Germany for help. base of operations near the Fukien boundary.

The Japanese garrison at Wong- kong, aroused from their sleep, made a precipitate retreat towards the coast.

If Finland desires to appeal foc! "anyons, it should be te Britain, which has "set herself up is the protector of small states.

As a result of this Chinese auc- cess, the Japanese contact between way. Another Chinese unit at Fenshulkwan on the Kwangtung-Sintslang launched a drive on Fuklen border and the rear has Yoyang by highway, and inflicted, been cut.

considerable casualties on the Japanese outposts.

CHINESE ATTACK SHANCHOW, HONAN, Dec. 4

Chinese sabotage was responsible (Central) Chinese forces are for the destruction of nearly three attacking Changtze, kilometres of rails between Matang Japanese stronghold in South-East and Yoyang.

vigorously

Shansi

a

Telegraph poles,

wires, and bridges were torn down.

Their offensive followed the re- pulsion of a Japanese drive to at many places behind the Japan- wards Chiatsun and Nanbantaun

ese lines. near Changtze recently, The

ON FURIEN BORDER ehemy sustained heavy casualties CHUNGKING, Dec. 4 (Reuter in the engagement..

Fighting on the Fuklen-Kwang- Siwangtaun, important point tung border le taking place in north of Fencheng, in South Shan-south-eastern Kurten. It is re st, was recaptured by the Chinese called that Japaneze forces at few days ago. The Chinese Swatow advanced eastward into plunged into the town and dispers-Pukien along the highway towards ed the small Japanese garrison Chaoan. there.

After the occupation of Huang- Kingan and Kucheng in the kang, the Japanese launched an vicinity are reported to be now attack on Fengshuikwan on the surrounded by the Chinese. Fukien border. Chinese troops CHINESE ACTIVE A withdrew to the outskirts of MILO, Dec. 4 (Renter)-Rain Chacan. and storm bogged North Hunan Chinese forces at Jaoping. front was once again the scene of north-east of Chaochow and considerable Chinese activities north-west of Huangkwan, in along the north, bank of the Sin- Kwangtung, however, launched an As a measure to liquidate various talang River during the week-end, attack on the Japanese rear and outstanding, provincial loans, the when the defenders launched captured Faangkang in an emmt? Finance Department of the Sze- several raids on Japanese positions to halt the Japanese drive inte chwan Provincial Government has near Yoyang --

Fukien." been authorised by the Executive On December 1, Chinese forces. It is said that Huangkang was Yuan to Issue $35,000,000 Loan attacked Matang and Tangkiapai- captured by the Chinese on the Certificates.—(Central News). lou, south of Yoyang on the rail-night of December 1

A statement from Berlin- regarding the Heligoland raid declares that owing to heavy anti-aircraft fire, the enemy' were only able to drop Kew bombs, which did very slight material damage, one fishing boat being sunk.