1941-02-03 — Page 4

PAGE 4--HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

BRITISH FORTY MILES INSIDE ITALIAN SOMALILAND

Vigorous R.A.F. Attacks On

Major Greek Successes

Communications: Shortage Italians Withdrawing Of Foodstuffs In Massawa

CAIRO, Feb. 2 (Renter)--Taking prisoners and inflicting ca- Sallies on the enemy, British forces operating from Kenya are now 40 miles inside Italian Somaliland. The R.A.F. is aiding the offensive by raids on Moyale, while points in Abyssinia have also deen bombed.

from are pushing on In Libya, General Wavel's forces Derna to Appollonia, 10 miles to the west. The Italian radio vesterday tried to put a good fare on the reverses in North *Africa.

From Tepelini

ATHENS, Feb. (Reuter)-While no major Greek successes have been reported the latest official

communique announces the cap- ture of a number of mountain positions in successful local at- tacks: one position, 6,000 feet high, is described as of great import ance, nearly

150 prisoners being taken.

In another sector an Italian at tempt to attack with tanks was

K

It plased Marshu. Urazianı tür

THREAT 10 ERITREA

smashed at the outset, while in "deliberately sacrificing" two divi The increasing British

threat the coastal sector the Italians sions at Bardia and another at in Eritrea is directed against the have resumed the attempts to Tobruk, which "made

later resis-only rullway connecting with the counter-attack with large forces. tance a mere certain success." coast at Massawa,

The communique says the Greek Home

also

The communique's mention that troops held their fire til the last quoted the newspaper Gazetta di Popolo as thero no change in Italian moment and then created havoc in

suggests that Saying that Italy's attitude to the Somaliland

our the Italian ranks.

فائی

radio

abandon

éoluntes.

Is

1

GENERAL

WILLKIE TO TESTIFY ON 'LEASE, LEND BILL

LONDON, Feb. 2 (Reuter)-Mr. Wendell Wilkie has received a summons from Senator George, Chairman of the Senate For-" eign Relations Commitice, sent through the Secretary of State, Mr. Cardell Hull, to testify before the Committee on the. Lease and Lend BILL

"Mr. Wilkie told Reuter yesterday that he was responding al- most inmediately to this request and would leave for America · via Lisbon about the middle of next week.

The Committee was ending its/make sure now ordinary people enquiry on Feb. 10, Mr. Wilikle 'reacted. said, and in order to attend it he Yesterday he took a ride in an would have to leave, say by next omnibus and chatter with a sewer- Wednesday.

man When passengers on the bus

His return home earlier than ex-identified Mr. Wilkie, numbers of pected would mean the cancella them went beyond their stopping tion of his plans to visit Ireland points until the American visitor and see Mr. de Valera, the Eire got off. Premier, and likewise the curtall- ment of his tour of the provincės, and would altogether banish his hope of visiting Scotland

He would, however, have time to see much of the major industrial war effort of England.

Mr. Wilkie admitted to had seen “a goodish deal" of London's rald damage and declared what had unpressed him was the "speed with which things have been gut- ten into shape again.".

WEST END DAMAGE Among towns Included in his One one of his bus journeys Mr. reduced tour were Coventry. Bir- Willkie was able to see bomb mingham and Manchester,

damage in the West End, GAINING IMPRESSIONS

He talked with passengers both Meanwhile Mr. Wilkie is con- inside the bus" and on the top

dinary folk in order to gain their There was considerable excite-. impressions

ment among the passengers as Mr. As he explained yesterday there Willkie was recognised, and many were two sides in the war-mater-pald extra fare so as to stay on

at and moral-and he wanted to the bus as long as he did.

war has not changed, even if the patrols have met with no serious The official spokesman com-tinuing to rub shoulders with or- deçk fortunes of war make it necessary; resistance in their advance 40 mented: "This counter-attack met

the African niles into the colony.

with the worst fate of any Italian A communique issued in Cairo attack thus far." SHORTAGE OF PETROL stated

Italian losses were so heavy that Meanie a traveller who has Libya: contact with the enemy they had no time to reorganise arrived t Aden from Massawa west of Terna is being maintain and a Gréck break-through.re- says there is an "intense shortage led,

sulted in the capture of a height of petrol in the Italian port

of 1,000 feet.

Beltra· pressure on the Italian During his stay there he saw forces holding the-area of Agerdat only three trucks. one motorcar and Barentu la, be'ng intensified. and

in five motor-cycles the On other fronts no streets

the situation.

Food supplies were low and severe

- there

Wils

rationing.

change in

RANGE OCCUPIED Further north the Greeks have occupied a 6,000-foot

of range mountains. Artillery had to be dragged up by hand through deep

ITALIAN COMMUNIQUE "Italian armoured units attack-snow

Three-quarters of the population len and repulsed enemy forces in Unconfirmed reports from Athena of Massawa had scattered Into Cyrenaica to south of Gebel." state that Tepelini s in "Greek the interior to forage for them says an Italian High Command hands. The Italians at any rate, selves.

communique.

appear to be withdrawing from R.A.F. ATTACKS

The communique adds that the Tepelini to Valona. The traveller (according I battle on the northern front in Yesterday's Italian High Com- Reuter) said the shortage of food East Africa continues and claimsmand communique stated: "There was increased by the vigorous that during fierce f'ghting Itahan has been normal patrol and artil- RAF attacks from Aden on com-lonial troops "inflicted notablelery activity on the Greek front.

от and losses

the enemy. Italian munications. supply dumps

"Enemy troops concentrations losses were also noticeable."

have been attacked and harassed The Djibouti rallway had been The communique also claims from a low altitude severely damaged by the bombing that an Italian torpedo-boat in of two stations, while at Assab, the Aegean Sea attacked and sank stores and transports were healy an enemy ship in an plastered.

convoy of at least 10,000 tons.

transport.

escorted

Reported Rift Between Army And Fascists

Italian Generals Doubtful Of

Final German-

German Victory

LONDON, Feb. 2 (Reuter)-The Fascist regime in Italy is believed to be tottering to its fall.Acute differences between Mussolini's henchmen and the army are reported and the name of Marshal Badoglio is mentioned in connexion with

of an imminent rupture and a possible coup d'etat.

rumours

The departure of many Italian Ministers for the Albanian" front is attributed by Roine diplomatic circles to serious diver- gencies between the army and the Fascists, as well as the em- bitterment of the Itailan people at the Greek adventure. According to the London Times correspondent on the Italian fron-

tler yesterday, certain diplomatic HITLER'S

quarters in Rome declare that many Italian generals are con- vinced the war against England cannot be won, and few Italian military experts belleve in a Get- man victory.

German support for Italy is by agreement, confined su far to the air force. but the belief that Ger- many using the agreement as a pretext for sending large numbers

of police, and even troops, into Italy arouses

strong resentment

|DESPERATE GAMBLE

MINISTER WARNS OF ORDEALS

TO COME

LONDON, FEU.

2 (Reuter,

everyone in Britain in the near

MINDANAO ON MERCY TRIP

FRONTIER ARMISTICE:

Withdrawal of Belligerent

Troops Pending Agreement

SAIGON, Feb. 1 (Renter)-Thai and Indo-China troops will have completed a withdrawal of 10 kilometres from the respec- tive lines occupied on Tuesday by 10 a.m. local time on Monday, it was announced yesterday by the Japanese delegation to armistic talks.

the

The armistice agreement stipulates, according to a message to Domei, that the withdrawal' must be complete within 72 hours of the signing of the armistice, which, was signed on Friday at 10 am

C

•

agreement consists of a preamble and ten articles,

CLASH REPORTED

The withdrawal. or the pur pose. of "preventing the occurrence of all possible Incidents in the militarised

final zone pending a

While Thai and French delegates

settlement of the dispute"

were discussing the truce agree- Provision is also made for policement under Japanese auspices on board a Japanese warship off contrul in the demitarised zone to

Balgon, preparatory to peace nexo- The U.S.S. Mindanao left Hong- prevent incidents.

tiations in Tokyo, the Thai $11- kong on Saturday un a mercy trip

Zones of operations for That and to Carton, carrying with her Indo-China warships in the Gulfpreme Command communique re- ported au encounter in the east 100,000 capsules of synthetic vita- Slam are also provided.

sector, though the cease fire was min Bi for the thousands who Other armistice conditions in

ordered at 10 o'clock on the morn have been inflicted with ́ beri-beri |clude that aeroplanes of either In that eity.

country are not to cross beyonding of Tuesday: The capsules, sent by the Amer-the respective zones, the armistice can Red Cross, are for the "Fong agreement may be prolonged on Bin" hospitals.

Surg.-Lieut. Wil-consultation between Indo-China, 1am Foley, who was on board Thai and Japan, the Japanese the Mindanao, will personally signatories shall observe full exe- assist in the treatment of beri cution of the terms, and an beri victims in the hospitals in change of prisoners: Canton.

A Saigon message. says

BIRTH OF THE

ex

the

8-GUN FIGHTER

The decision to adopt the 8-gun fighter Hke the Hur- ricane and the Spitfire may well rank as one of the great decisions in the history of the war."

Sir Archibald Sinclair.

About five years ago a specialist of the R.A.F. visited an aircraft factory to discuss a secret specifiextion drawn up by the Air Staff for a new type of single-seat fighter.

It called for speed and arma- Squadron Leader wondered? If an ment greatly in excess of aliything precious months, perhaps years then known. Six. or even eight would be saved.

Lo

guns were the alm, and a speed Together with the designer, the around 350 m.p.h. It was to be a famous R. J. Mitchell, who died reply to the hordes of new fast three years ago, the problem was bombers which

was worked out.. Yes. said Mitchell, it Germany among the military and the Greater ordeals and personal risks known to be producing ready for could be done. Back to the Air masses, who are quite apathetic than ever before may be faced by per second attempt to dominate Ministry went the Squadron Lea- regarding the Greek war.

der to urge the adoption and modi the world. FASCIST-CROWN BREACH future. sald Mr. Hugh Dalton,

The creation of a new type or Acation of the new aircraft,

a long and

Then followed what" Sir Relations between Mussolini and Minister of Economic Warfare, at modern aircraft is

complex business. To get this pro

Archibald Sinclair has referred the Crown are sald to have lost Leicester yesterday.

As perhaps "one of the much of their one-time cordiality, But he added, all the enemy'slected new design on the drawing

board, and then to make it and fly great decisions in the history and the differences between the

of the war." The design was Duce and

In the near future Hitler mustit. would mean many long months Marshal Badoglio are

either throw in everything in a

A year or more would neces- adopted and the first tentative said to be widening.

fast desperate gamble or else ac-

sarlly pass before the new order placed. The 8-gun Sph-. Marshal Badoglio, Bays The

machine "could get beyond the fire had been born. Times correspondent, is a royalist cept the inevitability of defeat,

prototype stage, Production Simultaneously, the aircraft firm stage would not be reached of Hawkers had been asked to perhaps for two years more, * produce a fighter to the same Fasciat circles profess to

Meanwhile. Eritain's would only be Hitler's

existing specification. Here again it was a firmly convinced that Marshal

fighters were actually slower than case of close co-operation between Badoglio obtained the King's con new order with a loss of liberty.

world after the war the new German bombers already the Royal Air Force. and the air- made. prosperous and in production.

craft industry. A privately produc

to the backbone and anti-Fascist by conviction.

L

sent for ls recent resignation and Fascists are even suspecting the King has earmarked" Badoglio, who is reputed to be anti-German

ponsible task of the future.

PERSONAL ANTAGONIST

fefforts will be frustrated.

Unless we win the war there

is no light or hope for us in the future."

There

The new must be

happy.

At the works the Squadron Leaed design, the 4-gun Hawker "Fury An overwhelming Labour maj-der was shown a new high speed Monoplane" was taken as the basic ority was behind the war effort monoplane fighter, developed and design. The armament was doubl

and pro-British for a certain res and the only change of attitude built as a private venture by thejed and changed to wing position;

had been an intensification of the firm, the Supermarine Aviation, a more powerful engine was speci will to win.

Works (Vickers) Ltd., as it was filed and other modifications were. At all events Mussolint and

then. It was planned for only four made. To Mr. Sydney Camm, Chief Badoglio each feel the other as a Probate of the m of the late guns; -and had a lower perfor Designer of, Hawker Alrcraft Ltd.. potential personal antagonist, John Robinson, mariner of via mance than that called for by the goes much of the credit of the job. Observations frequently heard in toria, Australia, who died "on-Aug. new specification. But it had all The result was the 8-gun Hurr Rome accuse certain military 1, 1939, leaving local estate sworn the makings of a arst-class aghter cane fine single-seat aghter groups of deliberate sabotage of at under $6,400, has been granted, which would put the R.A.F. back which has shared with the Spitare, Italy's war effort with a view to to Mr. R. A. Wadeson, sol'citor, the where it ended the war in 1918 on the honour of beating back the overthrowing the Fascist empire. lawful attorney.

top. Could it be modified; the might of Cloering's bombers.

The communique says the clash uccurred 12 miles north of Mong- kolburi rauway terminus.

Five French tanks attempting

a surprise attack were captured and 18, including ten Europeans taken prisoner.

In the same sector 37 villages, Thai. nave been incorporated in tand

Meanwhite It is probable, sub- Ject to last-minute upsets, that Prince Voravarn' will lead a tha aclegation of 14 which will flv to Tokyo today for the peace con- Terence. scheduled tr open February 101

FOR

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1941.

U W

NE

I A

FR

0

R

M

New Stocks have been received in

MILITARY BOOTS

Khaki

SOCKS & STOCKINGS in medium & heavy weight.

KHAKI TIES

Bläck

NAVAL SHOES

Black & Navy SOCKS

BLACK TIES

Naval & Military UNIFORM CAPS

made to order.

Uniforms for Naval & Military Wear also Britiel Warm Overcoats to order.

WILLIAM POWELL, LTD.

10. ICE HOUSE STREET

NOTICE

CHANGE OF BUSINESS HOURS

WE beg to inform our patrons. that as from January 31st, our business hours will be changed, as follows:-

Week days:

from 9 A.M. to 7 P.M.

Sundays:

from 1.P.M. to 7 P..

CHINA EMPORIUM, LTD.

F. A. SUTTON, LTD.

SHELL HOUSE, HONGKONG.