1940-05-18 — Page 1

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"Hongkong Daily Press"-May 18, 1940.

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OK Hongkong Daily Press.

The Better SAUCE

Registered as 'a Newspaper at the General

Post Offics in the United Kingdom.

報西

ESTABLISHED 1857

刺孖

"No. 25493

駹涩拾玖佰障仟伍离弍第

18-19 Marina House, Queen's Road' Central,

G.P.O. Box No. 1

Manager

Natural.

...aa noar fo Nature as a desirable are Sir William Crookes' lenses.

..... Something to offset tha karmfi?” glare is necessary bat you don't have to have the whole landscape darkened like a rainy day to do that. Wear Crookes and know what real eye-comfort means.

•

Lazamus

OPTICIANY

Single Copy: 10 cents,

日捌拾月伍年拾肆佰玖仟业英

Price Per Month: 13.00,

HONGKONG, SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1940.

MEDITERRANEAN TENSION

CLIMAX EXPECTED SOON:

ITALY STRIKING MAY 24?

Harvest First For Il Duce

On

While wild rumours continue to spread about Italy's imminent entry in the war on the side of Germany, the tension has somewhat abated and the tone of the Italian press is less aggressive towards France and Britain, states a Havas message. exclusive to the Hongkong Daily Press, received last night. "MORAL AND DIPLOMATIC SUPPORT”

The police guards around the French and British Em- bassies and the Yugoslav Legation have been reduced..

Foreign quarters are of the opinion that the tension in the Mediteranean will reach a climax within six or seven weeks, namely, after the harvest which is a most-impor-- tant date for Italy. Others expect Italy's entry in the war. on May 24, the anniversary" date of Italy's entry in the war on the Allies side in 1915.

Observers are of the opinion that| the Fascist Government's efforts to stir up the Italian masses was pre- mature and the anti-Allied out- | -bursts will be interrupted for some

time.

Fighting In Belgium

Meanwhile, Italy is continuing Is Reviewed

"moral and diplomatic support" of

Germany as heretofore.

ALLIES' POSITION

FAVOURABLE

War Must Not LONDON, May 1 (Reuter)-Re-

Be Allowed To Spread

....... LONDON, May 17 (Reuter)— Referring to President Roose- velt's message to. Congress, the DAILY TELEGRAPH declares: "Mr. Roosevelt's representa- tions to Italy have already shown that he is determined Lo use the Influence of the United States against aggres- sion.

"What the most distinguish...“. ed publicists in America, and the press in general, have been printing since the wanton at- tack on "Scandinavia and the Low Countries Indicates the American people are heartily with the. President in his re-.. solution to ensure that the power of conquest by para- chute and air-conveyed troops shall not prevail over civi- lisation.

"He sees clearly that only the strength of the British and French Empires now stands between Hitler and world do- minion."

viewing the fighting in Belgium,.

"

the DAILY TELEGRAPH comes to the conclusion that the general position is favourable for the Allies,

Under the heading 'Open War fare,' the paper, in an editorial, writes: "It was stated by the French High "Command yesterday that the battle of the Meuse, from Namur to Sedan, bad taken "on the characteristic of open war- fare,'

"In this area fully mechanis- ed armies are being put to the Arst fair test with ample equipment, tanks, aircraft and artillery on either-side.

The result, thus far, of the attack and counter-attack-in tremendous clash is such an in- termingling of opposed forces. that no precise account of the line can be given

"We are still far from a decision in the battle. Its fortunes may change again, -

"Whatever the future may bring we are already, certain that the offensive has met with a check unexpected by those who ordered It."

MORE GOOD WORK BY R.A.F. LONDON, May 17 (BWS)-The PARIS, May 17 (Reuter)-All Air

Ministry- announces that buse, disappeared from the streets"during last night R. A. F. air- of Parla yesterday as they were craft made further successful required for the transport of ́re bombing attacks on military ob- fugees,

jectives in Germany."

SUNDAY, MAY 26.

+

TO BE A DAY OF

NATIONAL PRAYER

THE HEADS OF CHURCHES HAVE RESPONDED WHOLE- HEARTEDLY to the King's desire that Sunday, May 26, should be observed as a day of national prayer on behalf of the nation and the Empire," of the Allies and of the cause in which they are. united, reports British Wireless,

The Archbishop of Canterbary, Dr. Cosmo Lang, states:" "There ought to be no delay in enabling the whole mation, in acts of united prayer, to submit to the protection and bless- ing of Almighty God, the cause to which, with its Alliés, it has pledged all its strength and men who on the sea and land and in the air are defending that cause)”

CHINESE RECAPTURE TSAOYANG

FANCHENG, May 17 (Centra})-- Culminakin s week's successful operation Chinese forces recap- tured Tayang late yesterday evening, #cording to an urgent message received this morning.

Thaoyan strategie stronghold 70 miles nor of Chungyang and 40 miles east for Siangyang, was the base of panese operations in north Hupen for their unsuccess- ful drive toward the upper reaches

of the Han River.

The message said the main Jap- anese force defending Tsaoyang was routed, and the remnant troops are fleeing southward to Bulhsien add Wuktatien in utter. confusion. Â' .

""WORLD. "AFFAIRS"

HITLER

CANNOT LAST TWO

WEEKS AT PRESENT RATE

Unrest In Nazi Germany Forced Fuehrer's Desperate Gamble

“HITLER WANTS TO WIN THE WAR IN TWO WEKS, and he knows that if he fails he is doomed," declared Mr. H. Wickham Steed, eminent authority on ** World Affairs," when he broadcast a review of the situation on the European Front from Daventry yesterday.

Mr. Wickham Steed said that at the moment when a great battle is raging in Belgium, when Holland has fallen, it is necessary that we take a long view and, above all, keep cool and calm. "That I am going to do and first deal with the question why Hitler has chosen to put forth his supreme effort at this stage.

"WELL, WININE, HOW GOES IT?". WINNIE:"NOT SO BAD!".

果

General Gamelin Choosing Best

Moment For Counter-Attack And Allied Line Said In No Danger

LONDON, MAY 17 (REUTER)—REUTER'S SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT SOMEWHERE IN BEL- GIUM REPORTS THERE WAS NO OFFICIAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE REGARDING THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SITUATION AS FAR AS THE BRITISH FRONT IS CONCERNED, BUT THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN LITTLE CHANGE, IN THE PAST 24 HOURS,

The British line east of Brussels, including Louvain, apparently remains intact. The question whether the British will do everything to hold the present line or withdraw to another position west- ward must be 'governed by the action of the Allles on the right, that is to the south.

General Gamelin, doubtless, has a plan dealing with a German wedge, but he is not the sort of man to do things in a hurry. Although the French has taken certain counter-measures to meet the German thrust with greater effectiveness. It seems that Gen. Gamelin is choosing his moment for a main counter-attack

THE MAIN POINT HE HAS TO CONSIDER IS WHETHER THE GERMANS WILL TRY TO BOLL UP THE ALLIED LINE TO THE NORTH OF THE WEDGE OR TO THE SOUTH THAT IS TO THE MAIN DEFENCES OF THE MAGINOT LINE PROPER.

BRIGADIER KILLED

IN ACTION

LONDON, May 17

(Beater)

Ravel

Brigadier Mainwaring Walsh, CB, C.MG, MC. (Retd) has been killed in action L France.

Son of the late Col. T. Prender- gast Walsh, Bris. Walsh was in his 70th year. He served in the South African War and the Great War and from 1919 to 1921, commanded the 4th Worcestershire Regiment. He was Director of Organisation

Cardinal Hinsley and Arch- The Moderator of the Federal at Army Headquarters, India, from bipp Amigo state: "Only by Council of the Evangelical Free 1924 to 1927, and Brigade Com turbing to God through penance Churches of England states: "It mander, 148th West Riding Infan- ander shall we be enabled to will be a united manifestation by try Brigade, from 1928 to 1930, stem thy dow of ruthless bar- all who hold Christian faith that The late Brig, Walsh was Bri- barism hich has burst over the fod is more concerned than we gadier in Command of Administra world a win the victory of right that righteousness and truth be es-tion. Scottish Commann, trom 1930 over might."

tablished in all the earth.”

to 1933 when he retired.

The British force, as merely part of the whole, must, therefore, await the outcome of the present battle in Runion, and Bedan and Gen. Gamein's decision as to his next step.

Continued on Page 6

On Other-

Pages

PAGE 2-Local baseball season; Racing handicap weights; MIX- ed Doubles tennis league; -Softball at Macao. PAGE 3 Coming events; Radio

programmes

PAGE: 4-Biggest R.A.F. raid of war: Heavy battle in Zeeland;, Crossword puzzle. PAGE 5-AR.P. appeal; Jockey Club generosity: King's Park Incident Airport news; Police Courts,

PAGE 6 Leading article, PAGE 7 Roosevelt's message to

Congress,

CHURCHILL FLIES

TO FRANCE

It is learned, says British Wireless, that the Prime Min- Ister, Mr. Churchill, How to Pária on Thursday "and hás since returned.-

INTERNAL DISSENSION IN GERMANY

It is difficult question to answer and we can merely make

a guess, but I think my guess is quite accurate.

Last week a German writer, expressed the belief that the in- ternal situation in Germany would not allow Hitler to stand still --for-much longer. This was "before the invasion of Holland and Bel- gium, when the general opinion was that Hitler and his generals "would stake everything on the great summer offensive,

Women Aliens Should Also Be Interned

-

NEWS CHRONICLE ON ROUND - UP LONDON. May 17 (Reuter)—— Welcoming. Britain's round-up, or aliens

the NEWS-CHRONICLE writes that the Government acted wisely in ordering the internment bf still more Austrians and Ger- mats. but it may be doubted whe- ther our precautions have gone far enough.

Now that we knew the full

· menace of the saboteur and spy in Hitler's war we must're- exmine the position of all allens and stiffen restrictions wherever necessary.

Recent precautions had been confined to men of Austrian and German nationality but experi- ence in Holland showed that wo- men were also being used as Nazi -agenta.

It is logical and unwise to in- tein only male aliens. the paper adds.

MINEFIELD IS LOCATED

-

I have good reason to believe that Hider told Mr. Sumner Welles in their recent. conversations that he had decided to smash the Allies in the summer. Then von Ribbed- trop told the Pope that the Allles would, before long, be brought to their knees, all this pointing to the fact that Hitler could not wait. PEACE OFFENSIVE FAILS In June last year-after worked out a plan to invade Poland. I

Continued on Back Faze.

Dutch Royal

Family May

Go To N.E.I.

It is reported in inform- ed circles that members of the Dutch royal family may be ex- pected to transfer their re.. "sidence, in the near futurs from London to the Netherlands East Indies.

The Netherlands Govern- ment is now in London. Whe-- ther the seat of the Govern ment will be transferred to the Netherlands East Indies, should Queen Wuhelmina make the trip, is not indicated.

Questioned regarding the authenticity of the report, Mr. D. G. E. Middelburg, Nether- lands Consul-General in Hong- kong, said he had received no oracial Information to that effect.

PRETORIA, May 17 Reuter)—A commulque from the Defence Headquarters states "a mineflei has been located off the Cape. Agulhas. The Defence Department | Is taking adequate steps to deal with it and several mines have al- PARIS, May 17 (Reuter)-It was ready been safely exploded.

not an accident, said the head of "Cape Agulhas is the southerna convoy of five American Red" most point of Africa and a well- Cross ambulances which. were known mark for mariners on the attacked on the Western Front by Cape route.".

German planes.

JAPANESE PLANES

ATTACK CHINESE

FISHING FLEET

Five Chinese are lying in Queen Mary Hospital as the result

of a bombing attack on a fleet of fishing Junks by five Japan- ese Naval warplanes off, Mak Tin Hot, in Chinese territorial waters, on the morning of May, 12. "..

The injured are:-KWOK TIN-CHIN, 50 fishing junk miss- ter, NG HEUNG, 29, Junk foki, LAI KIU, 25, married woman, LQ KAN, 25, married woman, and CHAN KO, 20, spluster.

In his report to the police, Kwok On his own junk. Kwok stated, Mr. Churchill conferred not only Hung-ming, foki of a Hongkong- the entire crew, except for two with the Frerich Government but registered junk, No. 1487, stated who jumped into the sea, took re- with French military advisers. that the craft on which he was füge in the hold. While there, he The visit is regarded in London employed had left Hongkong on heard the sound of machine gun and Paris as very valuable and May 9 with a cargo of rice and a fire and of bombs exploding. useful and has been most benef- crew of ten men and four women.

He saw his father, the master of cial and encouraging,

bound for Max Tin Hot, in Chi- the ashing vessel, bleeding from ness territory.

the head, and there were four others aboard the craft who were wounded.

LONDON, May 17 (Reuter)-The War Office announces that the second contingent of the Austral-- fan Imperial Force has arrived in Egypt and are now proceeding to Palestine under Major-General L C. Mackay.

The attack occurred, about 11 am, three days out of Hongkong, when five planes were seen approaching at s low" altitude. The aircraft. immediately swooped down on the junks,

A junk in the near vicinity suf- fered a direct hit from a bomb, and was sunk.

Continned on Page 6