1940-06-05 — Page 1

Page 1 Baily Press, ID

"Hongkong Daily Press”—June 3, 1940,

Mason's

Temperature: Max. 84; Min. 73.

Livare, Supreme Cou

WEATHER FORECAST:-S. WINDS, LIGHT TO MODERATE; CLOUDY OCCASIONAL RAIN" WITH THUNDER.

OK Hongkong Daily Press.

the cold meat Sauce

Registered ma-Nowapaper at the General

Post Office in the United Kingdom.

報西

-ESTABLISHED 1857

刺足

15-19 Marina House, Queen's Road Central. G.P.O. Box No. I'

No. 25508

牌铜将佰伍仟伍属弍馆

Natural.

1)

-- as near to Nature as is desirable are Sir William Crookes' lenses.

Something to offset the kartoful glare is necessary but you don't have to have the whole landscape darkened like a ruiny day to do that. Wear Crookes and know what

real eye-comfort means.

US

OPTICIANI

HONGKONG, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 1940.

BRITISH BRIGADIER GIVEN HOUR

TO SURRENDER IN CALAIS BUT HE

SPURNED OFFER BY THE GERMANS

No Reason Now,

Now, Says Premier, To Suspend Judgment On Leopold

:

LONDON, June 4 (Reuter)--Making a statement in the House of Commons to- day, on the

of the war, Mr. Winston Churchill, Britain's Prime Minister said. progress that "from the moment the French defences at Sedan and on the Meuse were broken at the end of the second week in May, only a rapid retreat to A miens and the south could save the British and French armies who had entered Belgium in answer to the appeal by the King of the Belgians.

"But this strategic fact "was not immediately realised. The French High Com- mand first thought they would be able to close the gap and the armies in the north were under their orders.

"Moreover, a retirement then would involve almost certainly the destruction of the fine Belgian army of over 20 divisions and the abandonment of the whole of Belgium.

'Therefore, when the force and scope of the German penetration was realised, and when the French appointed General Weygand to take over the supreme command from General Gamelin, the first effort made by the French and

·British armies in Belgium was to keep on holding the right hand of the Belglans and to give their own hand to the newly organised army which was to have their advance guard on the Somme in great strength to clasp it.

"However, the German irruption with a battalion of British tanks swept to the right and rear of and 1,000 Frenchmen, in all about the armies of the north. Eight or 4,000 strong, defended Calals to the nine armoured divisions, each of last (Cheers). A British Brigadier || about four" "Infndred, armoured was given an hour to surrender but vehicles of different kinds were he spurned the offer (cheers), and employed,

four days' intense street fighting SEVERED COMMUNICATIONS passed before silence reigned over "This force cut off all communi-Calals which marked the end of a

memorable resistance.

cations between us and the main French army. It severed our own communications for food and "ammunition which reached Arst through Amiens and afterwards through Abbeville, and It was swept of to the coast to Boulogne and Calais, and almost to Dun- kirk

"Behind this armoured and me- chanised onslaught came numbers

"

"They have added another page to the glories of the light division, and time, was gained by this waterline warfare... as the gravelines were to be open- ed and to be held by French troops.

P

PORT KEPT."OPEN

THE GERMAN

VERSION

BERLIN, June 4 (Reuter)A communique states that fight- ing for Dunkirk is now nearing the end. The Germans have penetrated the town and took Louls Fort after a desparate resistance

-

House to house fighting is going on and the "air force. with units of all types made a surprise attack on" establish- ments of the French Air Force round Paris” `-

Franco Says

NO!"

66

Special to HK. Daily Press

Havas)- LONDON, June Signor Mussolini made two at tempts in the course of the last few days to obtain from Gen. Franco the right to establish Ita

tan air bases on Spanish terri- Cories but did not meet with suc- cess, political observers here re- port.

Observers add that Italy is stilt

ARMED "GUARD FOR U.S. ARMOURIES

NEW YORK, June 4 (Reater) The Governors of New York and New Jersey States have ordered a 24-hours watch over all National Guard and Terri- toria] armouries by armed sol- dlers.

The hiring of armouries to civilians for social and other non-military purposes is for bidden.

FOR WAR OR PEACE?

ITALY'S CABINET

MEETING

ROME, Jone (Reuter)-The Cabinet is meeting this morning with the conviction growing that Italy is about to enter the war.

日五月陳年拾席佰玖豊英

dingle Copy: 10 cents »

Price Per Month: $3.00.

ITALIAN CABINET IN

MOMENTOUS SESSION

Suspense Should End Within A Week

41

ROME, June 4 (Reuter)—The atmosphere in Rome today, during what all regard as perhaps the most momentous Cabinet meeting ever held here, was very calm, at least outwardly,

In the early morning it' seemed that an unusual amount of air activity and gunfire was heard in the far distance, which although not specifically rehearsed, tended to turn the minds of the public towards the realisation of what the present week may hold in store for them.

Anytime between Friday and Other measures approved include next Tuesday the suspense ought Billa concerning employment of to end. That is the consensus of women to replace men called to: opinion but it is based on nothing the Colours, and the allocating of. definite.

fresh credits for naval construc- It is rumoured that a meeting of Įtion."

been Axed for tonight and also a the Fascist Grand Council has

N1

BILLS PASSED

meeting of the Supreme Defence ROME June 4 (Reuter)--The

Council.

Cabinet meeting under the pre-

fi

There is very little belief in the sidency of Signor Mussolini lasted Although not an "extraordinary" reports from Paris that the next an hour-and-a-half,

It was announced afterwards meeting. It is generally assumed move of the Italian Government that it will be marked by mo- will be the final proposal for an that the Cabinet approved the BIS mentous decision, for war or peace.

International conference. Rome presented by the various Ministries papers are allowed, to reproduce regarding matters of ordinary ad- Whether Mussolini will announce these reports accompanied by an ministration Italy's entry in the war or wait a alleged negative reaction from few days is, however, the subject London and Paris. of considerable conjecture.

WOMEN WORKERS Rome Radio states that the ROME June 4 (Reuter) The the world's press. seems of the growing tension has made it nec-Cabinet today passed a decree ex-opinion that Italy will enter the cessary to throw a strong special tending to Italian Africa the law war shortly. Egyptian opinion on military guard around the British on national organisation in war- the Italian intentions is divided Embassy.

time!

14

GUN FIGHT WITNESSED

manoeuvring techtain the best OFF MACAO HARBOUR

possible position for the "moment" she would, enter the war. Italian diplomacy is especially. scrive in Greece and Bulgaria.

British Losses At Sea

Armoured Launches And Two Planes Take Part

A thrilling fight between two aeroplanes and "fogr armoured launches belonging to the Macao Government, and a Macao-licensed junk which had been taken by a LONDON, June 4 Reuter)-The Admiralty announces that mercan-number of "Wai Kwan," soldiers belonging to the Wang tile losses due to enemy action for Ching-wel regime, was described to a Daily Press repre- the week ending. midnight, May sentative by a well-known local resident who returned to 28, amounted to 45,225 tolla.

the Colony yesterday after spending the week-end in the The British losses were ten Portuguese Colony. ships. totalling 10,913 tons. Four

The incident actually started a few days ago when Ailled ships were lost, with a ton- nage of 12.999. Neutrals lost four the junk was forcibly taken by the "Wal Kwan" in Malo- ships, totalling 21,313 tons.

chow, in Chinese waters, about a mile across from Macao. pital ships, Brighton and Maid of

After boarding the junk the. An armoured launch was sent to Kent, which were sunk by aircraft

Wai Kwan" men released Investigate but on arrival at the in 1903 and served in India and off Dieppe.

Most of the British the female members of the scene the Portuguese officers were It seemed indeed forlorn. The Persia. British, French and Belgian armies

vessels lost were under 10.000 tons. crew and it was as the result told to "go away" as the junk was

almost surrounded.

The British losses are about half of a report made by the wo- then in Chinese waters, and the sole line of retreat was to the 1933.

Their ment for the Hitchin division since the average weekly loss for the 33 men that the Macae authori- men who had boarded the junk threatened to fire on the launch single port and its neighbouring

weeks since the cutbreak of war. ties took action. benches. They were pressed .on either side by heavy attacks and

SIR ARNOLD WILSON IS MISSING. LONDON, June 4 (Reuter)-Sir. Thus it was that the port of Arnold Wilson, K.C.LE. D.S.O.. Dunkirk was kept open. When it M.P., is reported missing on active of German division, in lorries and, was found Impossible for the service. He was a gunner in the behind them again, there plodded Armies in the north to re-open Royal Air Force. on comparatively slowly the dull, communications through Amiens

Sir Arnold, who is 55 years of mass of the ordinary German with the main French armies, only age, is the son of the late Canon army and the German people are one cholce remained.. always so ready to be led to trampling down in other lands, liberties and comforts that they have never known themselves.

"This armoured scythe stroke al most reached Dunkirk-almost,

but not quite.

DESPERATE FIGHTING

scene

were

FORLORN HOPE

"Boulogne and Calais were far outnumbered in aid. the

desperate "When a week ago I asked this 1ghting. The Guards defend-House to pick this afternoon' for ed Boulogne for a while and the statement, I feared it would were withdrawn by orders from be my hard lot to announce the this country.

จ greatest, military, disaster in our "A rifle brigade, the 30th Fines long history. "and the Queen Victoria Rifles,

Continued on Back Page

"

J. M. Wilson. He entered the Army

小

He has been a Member of Parlia-

The losses included the two hos-

GENERAL WEYGAND'S

WEYGAND'S VALUABLE RECONNAISSANCE OVER THE FRONT LINES PRAISED

HONGKONG IS READY steady things up in the south," sald Colonel Lowe, military correspondent to, one of the

FOR EVERYTHING

When the Governor of Hongkong, Sir Geoffry North- cote, K.C.M.G., on his way to Ceylon and, if circumstances permit, to England on holiday, passed through Singapore last week, he was surprised to be told that Singapore had not yet any compulsory training scheme.

Under the Compulsory Military Training Act, Hongkong instituted a system of compulsory training a year ago.

"I think we were the first fully constructed either hits the of-the-British colonies-to-do poorer classes directly, or is likely this," Sir Geoffry told a to be passed on to them." Malaya Tribune reporter when) interviewed.

נד

Answering questions on the Course which the Germans would be likely to follow now, Col. Lowe said that, in his opinion, the Germans would either go for Britain by air, wes or under the sea, which the pre-war policy of General Keitel, or they might stick to the land and march on, Paris, or they might even do both simultaneously.

WIN

if It approached any nearer.

MACHINE-GUNS

st

# EGYPT OPINION

CAIRO, June 4 (Reuter)-While

This largely owing to the dig play of" Allled military and naval strength in the Near East. Many believe that it would be madness for Italy to challenge such well- equipped and strategically placed action would be: the closire of the Suca Canal and the isolation of Abyssinia from Italy.

Nevertheless, the Egyptian Gov- ernment is putting the final touches to precautionary measures for the defence of the country,

HAVRE BOMBED

PARIS, June 4 (Reuter)-The Havre region was bombed during the night between 10.15 p.m. and 1.30 a.m. High explosive bombs were dropped.

Private houses were hit and the victims had been taken from tho wreckage.

BRITISH FASCISTS

DETAINED LONDON, June 4 (Renter)---Be-

tween thirty and forty members of the British Union of Fascists, in- cluding a nuniber of women are: detained in Manchester by the po The launch then put back to Lice who visited their houses dur- Macao where a report was made. ing last night.

On Monday evening, about 6 Two leaders of the Canterbury' p.m., the Macao authorities sent branch of the Union, Richard R. four armoured launches to bring Bellamy and Arthur Smith were back the junk. Fire was exchang-detained when the police raided ed and it was stated that the their headquarters. people in Macao Proper could see

two Portuguese aeroplanes, ma- chine-gunning the junk."

JERUSALEM, June 4 (Reuter)...

After a short gun-fight one of a black-out was held all over the launches closed-in on the Junk Palestine last night.' and took it in tow, bringing her back to Macao.

During the fight the afternoon boats' from Hongkong began to material, but also sustained tre-arrive in Macao and these were mendous losses of men. That was held up outside the harbour for a the crux of the whole matter. short time.

Continued On Back Page

Even after the Belgian army had laid down their arms the

*The Allies have gained vast experience at a relatively small cost, considering the number of the forces engaged. They have also gained time for General Weygand to London newspapers, in the course of a broadcast interview from Daventry last night. "Don't forget,” continued the speaker," that General Weygand flew over from Syria and took over the command of the Allled forces at a most unpromising moment. He was confronted with what the Prime Minister has described as the Battle of the Bulge and his task was an unenviable one. "What did he do Arst? He did what all good, coinmanders must do. He made a personal recon- naissance of the whole front to. discover where the Germans were, and this was by no means an easy task considering the speed with which the Germans were moving. "Having done this, he made his plans to consolidate that portion. of the front in the Somme area." A HECTIC AFFAIR "That personal reconnaissance At the beginning of his interview, Hongkong is ready for every qualifies Sir Geotry, we do not must have been a hectic affair, Colonel. Lowe said that in a battle Col. Lowe said that it was the and was destroyed. One member, thing, he says: "The Chinese will call it that. It is a levy on for wherever he went he was such as was taking plaće now, it question of time which General of the crew was saved. always trade. Hongkong is actually wealth' and affects, salaries of ap- planes. His nerve was unshaken than 24 hours and the communi- chief. General Weygand. to bring viciously attacked by German was unwise to look forward more Blanchard could gain for his

earnings, and land and property. Paris where he met. Mr. Church-mand were the best review of the to perfection. proximately $4,000 a year, other by all this and he arrived back in ques issued by the French Com- his defences in the Bomme area

There are of course, big allow- and discussed the situation, situation. In those communiques means of taxation as long as it ances made for wives and chil- leaves the poorer people alone."dren so that actually a man doesn't he said. "You can't squeeze blood begin paying income tax until be out of a stone. You only hurts earning $7.600 a year. yourself. On the other hand fat "I have just begun to pay mine rate taxation-through house rates fact.".

becoming more prospérout:"

Then he spoke of income tax

"I think income tax la the ideal, the most scientific and the fairest

and indirect taxation-unless care-

#

"LEVY ON WEALTH" Hongkong has income tax "but,"

น

Continued on Back Page

"Now behind his line of defence the full story of the disaster he is able to plan his attack or which followed the Belgian Army's prepare for a counter-offensive capitulation was given and they without the original element of told of how the Allied armies Bad surprise...

reformed and fought their way to Whatever faces him now. It will the coast. They also told how the certainly be a stim task.”

Germans had not only lost much

BEF. and the French had con- BOMBER CRASHES tinued fighting and the latter were still fighting under General LONDON, June 4 (Reuter)-The Blanchard..

Air Ministry announced, that ab Questioned as to what milltary R.A.F.. heavy bomber collided with advantage. General Blanchard a cable, of the balloon barrage in could hope to gain by fighting on the east coast during the night

Herr Hitler, continued Col. Lowe, had proved himself s fast worker and is he still had forces which he could rush into action it was possible that the Germans would maintain their offensive, inter

Continued on Back Fage

NO PASSENGERS CAIRO, June 4 (Reuter)--The Italian steamer, Calltea, of 4,013 tons, which was due to sail from Alexandria tomorrow for Syria to pick up passengers is now leaving tomorrow direct for Naples with- out passengers.

-On Other

Pages

PAGE 2-Serious character of

tuberculosis

problem; HK. centenary stamp issue; Colony cycling meeting.

PAGE 3-Coming events; Radio

programme.

PAGE 4-Opiura suppression in

China commemorated; King's- admiration for Flanders heroes; Italy and the war. PAGE 5-West Point Murder trial: Perfume factory, are; Round the police courts PAGE 6-Leading article: Inter

national "Confusion. PAGE 8-Colour film of Colony; Prepared to meet force with force.

PAGE 8afeguarding property

of Netherlands, subjects. PAGE 10-Finance and Com-

merce.

PAGE 11-Most dimeult tast in

naval history More rainfall. yesterday.