HONGKONG DAILY PRESS
PREMIER OUTLINES PEACE OF ALLIES IN MOST SPEECH OF THE WAR
LONDON, Feb. 24 (Reuter) ---“We have no reason to fear the result of this struggle, however long it may last," said the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, in a speech at Birmingham today.
In one of the most forceful of his speeches since the outbreak of war, Mr. Chamberlain re-stated the Allied peace aims, including as first essentials:
(1) the restoration of the independence of Poland and ̈
Czechoslovakia;
CABLES
AIMS WAR IN FINLAND:
IMMEDIATE THREAT TO VIBORG REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN RELIEVED
FORCEFUL
BRITISH AID TO FINLAND
LIBERAL AND LABOUR VIEWS
LONDON, Feb. 25 (Reuter)- Liberals support for the demand that Britain should give more as- sistance to Finland was voiced by Sir Archibald Sinclair, Leader of
in London.
|
HELSINGFORS, Feb. 24 (Havas)-With the Western end of the Mannerheim Line firmly anchored to the Kol- visto Fort, and sleet and fog dampending Russian enthus- lasm for persistence in their hammer-blows along the rallway, it is believed by correspondents here that the im- mediate threat to Viborg has been relleved.
Attempts by the Soviet to Soviet tanks were sent out over cross the two miles of fce be-the frozen ice under the protec tween the mainland and the tion of intense supporting artillery island on which the Koivistore. fortress stands, have broken The Finns let them advance to Terrible stories are reach- | operate in rebuilding Europe are the Liberal Opposition. in a speech | down with disastrous losses. and then opened fire behind the
(2) tangible, evidence that German assurances for the
future will be fulfilled.
ing us of the treatment of the conquered people of Poland and Czechoslovakia. The Ger- man aim today is not merely the conquest but the exter- mination of the peoples who resist their aggression."
כו
ruthlessly proscribed.
"France and Britain cannot and would not wish along to settle the new Europe.
.'
He said that if Finland's herole
* WITHERING FIRE Completely exposed to a wither- ing are from heavy guns and the cross-Are of machine-gun" posts, several battalions have been all but annihilated...
less than a mile from the fortress,
advancing Russians, smashing up the ice and cutting of the retreat. PILED HIGH
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1940. —PAGE 11
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FEARS OF NAVAL CLASH guns then opened fire and literally IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN
Machine-guns
and
anti-tanks
resistance to M. Stalin's oriental despotism were to be overcome. a heavy blow would be struck to the "Othrs must come in to help us. cause of freedom everywhere and above all to bring about disarma- the credit of the ment, which is an essential feature French Governments would suffer.
British and
for a lasting peace.
"Half
measures will not do; "We are resolved that freedom every nerve must be strained shall prevail and it is because help the Finns." he said. tyranny and intimidation. have;
LABOUR VIEW sought to prevail over freedom that we have entered the wir,
"Until we are satisfied that free-te Mr. E. Shinwell. in a speech are no longer safe from their at- {dom is safe we shall continue to/at Durham, while "not excusing reached the Viborg area in the lastare; when and if the Russians line down the. Norwegian coast and the oil-line from the
NIGHT-MARE OF FEAR The small states rear Germany were living in a perpetual night- mare of fear.
"So little do the Nazis respect neutral interests that neutral ships į
14
•
Latest despatches indicate the swept all life off the frozen ice.
Bodies are now piled high, three LONDON, Feb. 24 (Reuter) There is increasing eyi- whole 60-mile front of the Man- torerheim Line was in action early
deep in places.
dence that the Allies are prepared to apply pressure on According to the latest reports. Soviet Russia from both the North and the South, should this morning, “but all reports the Russians are still five miles there be the slightest sign of a big Soviet backing of Ger- hitherto have been highly favour from Viborg, the civilian popula- able.
many. tion of which has evacuated, Be- Bubstantial reinforcements have
fore leaving, they set the town on
24 hours.
capture it they will merely have a pile of smoking ruins.
AN INCIDENT
On the other hand, the Labour-
were led into
such
tack, even when they are only sall-aght to the utmost of our strength any talk of going to war with Rus- Russia in the least," deprecated and the strength of the whole sia and asked: What effect would. ing between neutral ports,
"Merchant ships are sunk with- | Empire."
it have on the national morale and out warning, cargoes are destroyed. Earlier in his speech, Mr. Cham-how long would the war continue the helpless crews are turned adrift beriain referred to the aggression if we to drown or perish of exposure, and for Finland, speaking of the "Rus escapade?". the neutral country must not com-alan apprentice" who thought he plain although-If, to save from could "emulate. Hitler's feats in the concentration camp. 300 en Czechoslovakia illegally-made prisoners, Britain commits a mere technical breach
"The whole world is rejoicing | of neutrality, taking no neutral Ufe over the heroic stand which is and touching no neutral property being made by little Finland the Nazis exhaust themselves in against her gigantic adversary,” he hysterical exclamations of indigna- continued. tion!
NO REASON TO FEAR ·
"But whatever outrages the enemy may commit, one thing is certain. We have no reason to fear) the result of this struggle, however] long it may last. We do not stand alone."
FRENCH ALLY
"
LITTLE PROGRESS HELSINGFORS, Feb. 24 (Reuter) -The Russian thrust on Viborg
ww
:
This will particularly take form of cutting the iron Hfe-
Black Sea to the Reich."
Authoritative British quarters state that Russia is as- ROME, Feb. 24 (Havas)-Accord-sisting Germany in the north by refuelling Nazi ships at appears to have made very little ing to a despatch from Finland. Petsamo while Soviet submarines patrol the waters outside an progress in the past 24 hours. 8.7 Italian volunteer travelling the harbour.
The nearest point Red troops some miles behind the front saw have reached to the port is a good two Soviet soldiers land by para shipments of oll have in- in Stockholm newspapers that the In the Black Sea, Soviet Commissar Kumetzov, and reports six miles from the outskirts.
chute. It is reported that' music and
They crept up on a Finnish sen-creased, no less than 10,000 Soviet Arctic Fleet is prepared to songs were heard from the Russian try, and killed him. One of them tons being reported to have take action against any British ship interfering with Soviet-Ger- lines yesterday, presumably a cele-then started to put on the sentry's arrived at one Soviet port for
man trade. bration of Red Army Day.
transhipment to the Reich.
Finally, the Soviet Black Sea IMPORTANT SIGNS.
Fleet has returned to Sebastopol Important algns are also seer in "on completion of manoeuvres," the departure from Moscow for and Soviet oll centres in the Can- Murmansk by air of Soviet Navy casus now have nightly black-outs,
and Poland HITLER'S SPEECH attacking Finland,
He had to stop speaking for several moments while cheers and applause for Finland shook the Town Hall.
WOMAN ASKED TO LEAVE HALL
(Renter)
LONDON, Feb. 25
Continued from Pare i
“God did not make the world" for the British. · It is not God's wish that three-quarters of the world should be ruled by one rs.co.
“We demand the return of our German property of which we were robbed by inter- national plutocracy."
*
+
uniform. SNOW AND FOG
The Italian was too far away to Moscow, Feb. 24 (Reuter)-warn the sentry in time, but be
Operations on the Karellan Isth-crept up on the two Soviet soldiers mus yesterday were hindered by and "neutralised" all further at deep now and fog, according to ation on their part with two well- Soviet war communique.
aimed shots.
NO CHANCES TAKEN STOCKHOLM, Feb, 25 (Reuter)
NICKEL MINES
11
FEARS OF CLASH COPENHAGEN, Feb. 24 (Reuter)" Fears of a clash between the Soviet Fleet at Murmansk and the
Navies concentrated in the region Finnish experts believe that the of Petsamo, are openly expreased Russians will be unable to exploit here, and the possible conséquences the mines, but rumour states that, are frely to be discussed by the under the direction of German Foreign Ministers of Norway, mining experts, some success 18 Sweden and Denmark, meeting to- being achieved.
day.
The communique....states there was nothing of importance at the front and adds that Soviet troops Reports from Helsinki state that} It is reported that the Russians have occupied 12 enemy fortifica-parachute hoppers' are again beare showing great activity at the units of the British and French tions.
coming more frequent, but the Salmifaervi nickel mines FORT CAPTURED
Finns are taking no chances with HELSINGFORS Feb, 24 (Reuter) them. In most places they were
Russians lost shot while descending. their lives on Friday when the Air activity continues in the
fort on the island of Koivisto. Soviets tried to "capture Finnish north and Ravaniemi was bombed
four times on Wednesday..
ONLY NOBODIES Herr Hitler remarked: "When I Referring to the alliance with During Mr. Chamberlain's speech, opposing me, I must say I am look at international statesmen France the Prime Minister sald in Birmingham, there was a cry nghting against nothing, but no--Four thousand "that during this six months this from one man of "We Want Mos-, bodies. has grown into a frendahly and ley for Peace," but Mr. Chamber- understanding so close that, as Iain continued his speech without observed after the last meeting hesitation. pt the Supreme War Council by M. Daladier, the two governments were acting as one.
Towards the end of his speech, а woman interjected the same slogan. She was asked to leave
As with the governments so of the Hall and left amidst the with the peoples,
This intimate understanding is
with one which must not end
the termination of the war, but
boos of the audience..
M.P.3 VIEWS" Parliamentarians, asked to give must rather help us to work out their views on interruptions dur- the problems of the new Europeing the series of speeches by
in an association in which we sball gladly welcome the col- laboration of others who share our ideals.
Already, said the Prime Minister, France and we have. established close relations in every sphere with Turkey.
EMPIRE SUPPORT
After referring to "that hard- bitten force" on the British West Front. Mr. Chamberlain" declared that Germany had again been gloriously disappointed regarding the support accorded by the Empire.
Mr. Chamberlain declared fur- ther'-
I am amazed at the vastness
of the effort which the country
is making and at the spirit of unity and resolution with which
it is being conducted
today
members of the War Cabinet, de- clared
empire in the world, but are in
These people rule the greatest
capable of even eliminating un- employment in their own country.”
Herr Hitler said that the" Allies hoped to find others to help them in the war against Germany. "Their
hope partly well founded because, of their Jewish accomplices all over the world 'but it is also partly unfounded."
CHURCHILL AND PREMIER that these were indivi- Turning to Mr. Winston Church- dualistic, and not in the least, Hitler said: "Mr. Churchill says compatable with the vocal oppost-that he hates me and I thank him tion normally accorded Ministers for the compliment. If Mr. of any Farty when on a public Chamberlain says that he does not platform.
believe me I am happy, because he Replying to the vote of thanks will have no chance of accusing at the conclusion
of his speech, me of being a traitor to the German Mr, Chamberlain said that, para- nation doxical as it might seem, he did
not feel that the strain
Herr Hitler' also said he was glad and that Mr. Hore-Belisha and other British statesmen could not count him among their friends.
anxiety was so much now as was the strain before the war,, when it seemed that war might be avert- ed...
"
Mr. Chamberlain added: " am still young. Time is before me and I hope that even yet I may have some chance of putting my energies into the work of peace"
“I feel that the BURMA DEMANDS
nation is' united ON never before in all its history in its
determination to grapple with
the forces of evil and to over- come them.”
NAZI FULMINATIONS
Quoting from the feiminations
INDEPENDENCE
FOR NATION
of von Ribbentrop and Goebbels MADE PARTICIPANT
Mr. Chamber an ad
"So there you have the Nazi aims the destruction of this nation and the domination of the world!
IN WAR WITHOUT PEOPLES' CONSENT RANGOON, Feb. 25 (Beater)
BOUND TO ITALY "Germany is bound in friendship
to Italy by the knowledge that our two countries will have to rely on each other in the future," he pro- ceeded, "but our relations with Russia have changed,
“Our two countries are too good to bleed one another for the benefit of Jewish stock- brokers in London. Japan, too, maintaing friendly relations
with us. This means a power. ful bloc or mighty states. ARMY'S SPIRIT
刊
"Our army is imbued with the spirit of its leaders. We are also better prepared economically than our opponents...
"Our enemies rely
on their
blockade which, incidentally, leaks The House of Representatives un-
but we are safe against blockades animously adopted a resolution thanks to our system of autarchy.
Germany canno, be broken econo
the Fuehrer.
Rumours Of Clash Between Turkey & Soviet Troops Cause Excitement In
In London
LONDON, Feb. 24 (Reuter)-Tense excitement › was created in London today by reports from correspondents in Belgrade announcing a clash between Turkish and So-" viet troops on the frontier, and the declaration through- out Turkey of a state of emergency..
Later reports direct from Turkey diminished the value of the reports and finally Renter's Instanbul correspon- dent cabled stating that enquiries had proved that reports of a declaration of state of emergency were entirely un-
founded.
British official reports from, Ankara up to 8 pm. HK.
Time contained no confirma- tion of the Belgrade reports of a frontier clash and these too, appear to be without foundation in fact.
1.
NO SIGNETICANCE For some time, it was believed in London that confirmation of the declaration of a state of emner- gency would be forthcoming, but later it was intimated that the - rumoura » were probably due to confusion with the enforcement of the economic emergency law re- cently voted
MORE DIFFICULTIES
FACE BOGUS REGIME PLAN
· CHUNĠKING, Feb. 25 (Central) -Chow Fu-hal," who recently went to Tokyo to confer with the Jap- anese authorities on behalf of Wang Ching-wel, has returned to Shanghai, according to Shang- hal dispatch.
It is maid that he failed in his "negotiations with the Japanese for a loan of $40,000,000 and for their aid in winning the full surport uf Wang Keh-min and Liang Hong- chih, for the formation of
MORE DIFFICULTIES
CONSTITUTIONAL bogus Central Government.
GOVERNMENT
the
NOTHING KNOWN? MOSCOW, Feb. 24 (Havas)——— Semi-official circles here state they know nothing about movements of the Soviet Arctic Fleet or of the Navy Commissar."
REPORT ENTIRELY
UNTRUE
Silver Issue
In North
LONDON, Feb. 25 (Renter). special commentary says that the ¡Foreign Office declared that there As a result of the fallure of
no trath in the recent Domet Chow's mission, more difficulties Continued From Pugs 1:
in the convocation of the bogus report from London, published in conclude treaties The President Central Political Council, which is the Far East, to the effect that "i
is reliably understood” that “Lord to create the bogus Central Gov Halifax indicated to the Japanese will be responsible to Congress.
Chinese citizens, who have ernment, are envisaged. It was
"Ambassador, on Feb. 20, that the attained the age of 40 years,originally decided at the Tsingta British Government regards the are, eligible for the President-conference to call the Council in liver question as virtually settled ship Or Vice-Presidentship. whose term "of office shall be'
* six years' and re-electable for
a second term,
The National Government, it is This law has no military signi-stated, shall have Executive, Legis- Acance. It is merely designed to
lative, Judical; Examination and Control Yuans. economy to
adapt the national defence requireinents ».
NAZIS RESPONSIBLE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
the middle of February
and intimated that Generalissimo Competent observers predict Chiang Kai-shek" had assented to further delay in the formation of the plan for transferring the silver the bogus Central Government to a neutral bank which has been lately postponed The same report attributes to from Feb. 22 to Mar. 22.3
Lord Halifax the further statement They give two principal reasons that Britain is prepared to alle to explain why the Japanese viate restrictions on exports to would favour further delay,
Japan · of such ...cómmodities as - FIRST, In view of the, current Australian wool and other Empire It is also suggested that Nazi
The system of local government International situation it products, so long as the British agents in Belgrade were responts outlined in the Fifth with extremely doubtful whether Gerwar alms are not hampered and able the circulation of the eighteen articles. A governor's many and Italy will accord other neutrals are not enabled to
recognition to the bogus Central demand similar treatment. The provincial assemblies ahall Government when formed, Mean- be composed of one member from while, its formation will further this also is entirely intrue.
The Foreign Office state that each district or municipality." The strain the relations between Ja- districts elect their own counelis pan, and Great Britain, France and magistrates for a term of and the United States. three years.
We, on the other hand, are fighting against 1" domination of the world, but we sive and ruthless governments in- de not desire the destruction of alde and outside Europe and de- any people.
claring complete sympathy with "We are fighting to abolish the the oppressed and weaker nations spirit of militarism and the ac-which are at the mercy of power cumulation of armaments which fat and aggressive, states and can- is pauperising all Europe and, not be aided to maintain their in- not least, Germany herself... dependence.
German expressing abhorrence of agresmically or militarily." concluded rumors, with the purpose of term is three years.
+4
-"SCREAM OF DEFIANCE" WASHINGTON, Feb, 25 KReuter) "scream of defiance at Britain" was how the United States Radio described Herr Hider's speech,
Groups of people gathered out-
hear the English translations.
"Only by its abolition can Another resolution, adopted side radio shops in Washington to Europe attain the security it needs without a division, stated that the and the nations of Europe be House, however, regrets that Bri The speech appears to interest saved from bankruptcy and ruin. tain made Burma a participant in the general publie more that Mr. How. In concrete terms, are the war without the consent of Chamberlain's probably because it these aims to be secured?
the people of Burma.
MANAGE MINIMUM TERMS
"FIRSTLY, the independence
of the Poles and Crocha must be secured;
"SECONDLY, we must have some tangible evidence that will satisfy tie that any, pledges or assurances given will be Talated
Under the present German Government there can be no security for the future, The ele ments who are ready to co-
creating an atmosphere of tens
In view of the repeated at tacks made on Turkey over. Moscow - Radio, the Turkish Government has faruad a cate- Foricni “donia) of reports that" the country now has 500,000 men mobilised and that 350,- 000 of them are concentrated along the Turco-Russian "bor. duc a
ECONOMIC POLICY:
BECONDLY," the Japanese have following the expose of the secret realised the mability of the Wang agreement between Wang and the Ching-wel clique to terminate the Japanese Government has caused Bino-Japanese wat. The desertion them to lose confidence in the of the constitution contain 32 of many of Wang's followers | Wang clique
The sixth and Seventh Chapters
articles and outline matters of national economic life' and educa- tion.
KANA TURKISH DENIAL is felt that the world knows where ANKARA, Feb. 24 (Reuter)---The The Eighth Chapter, with tem In order to secure the co-opera-Britain stand, but la less certain Turkish Government, through the Articles, concerns the application tion of the Burmese people in the of Germany's intentions.
set-offcial Anatolian News for the amendment of the con- present war, it is essential that Hitler's speech, in fact, is te- Agency, categorically denies a stitution. the principles of democracy, with garded by some ““a curtain raiser" | Moscow report that Turkey had adequate safeguaros for the min- to the talks he la expected to have ranged 500,000 men along her orities, be immediately applied to shortly with Mr. Sumner Welles, frontier with Soviet Russie, and learns that there is no confirma- Burma, which should be recognised
that she has built hangars near tion in official quarters in London as an independent nation.
A National Government mandate the Troitier 'containing 500′ new of the existence of anything Issued on Saturday, relieved Mr. British, French and American abnormal, in, the political situa- D, C, Waun or his post of Vice" | "planer, =*** kad magadation in Turkey,
Speeches by Burmese Minis ters during the debate stressed" the importance of the political advancement being made by constitutional methods
Consul San Francisco and appointing Mr. Chen Ying-yung to succeed him.
NOTHING ABNORMAL MAR LONDON, Feb 25 (Reut Reuter's diplomatis correspo
Alarmist reports now current are regarded in London likely to be of German origin
Altmark A Warship-Agreed, Says Norwegian Minister
COPENHAGEN, Feb. 25 (Reuter)In an interview dealing with the Altmark incident, M. Köht, Norwegian Foreign Minister, sinted: "There seems to be a great difference between us. We both agroO. that the Altmark should be considered as a warship, but for that reason she has the right to refuse a search.
“We also agree that a warship can pass through neutral
- without being stopped.”
He added that 1f Norway and Britain cannot reach an agreo- ment. Norway is willing to place the whole matter before any court of-mediation; not necessarily The Hague Court
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