1941-02-19 — Page 7

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

Japan Ready To Mediate German

"In Any War"

TOKYO, Feb. 18 (Reuter)-Japan is ready to mediate "in" any war" if invited and if the situation is favourable, MR. ISHII, the Japanese Government · spokesman told foreign Press correspondents this morning.

Mr. Ishli rend a prepared state, conversation between the British ment deploring "the various Ambassador and the Japanese alarming reports" concerning Foreign Minister. the situation in the Far East, He

"OUR CONVICTION”.

Naval

CABLE

Vessel

Merchant Aircraft In

Sunk By Mediterranean ·

LONDON, Feb. 18 (Brilish Wireless)—An official Adruiralty communique states that a GERMAN MERCHANT VESSEL OF ABOUT 4,000 TONS, which was being used by the Italians as a supply ship. has been sunk by naval aircraft in the Central Mediterranean.

successfully," "attacked

AN ITALIAN SUPPLY SHIP OF ABOUT 6,000 TONS has also ` been

by naval aircraft. When last seen, this vessel was down by the stern and a large cloud of smoke was rising from her. The crew were seen abandoning the ship in lifeboats. ANOTHER SUPPLY SHIF of The Germans claim to have about. 4,000 tons and an TTALIAN | sunık” during the week under re- AUXILIARY WARSHIF have been view a total of 102,500 tons of damaged during the attacks by merchant shipping and the Ita- naval aircraft,

lians 5,200 tons, making a total of the enemy claim to 107,700 tons, which is over three times the true

gure.

sought to stress Japan's desire for Addressing the Budgetary Com- peace in contrast to "the warlike mittee in the Lower House, Mr. preparations by Britain and Ame-Matsuoka, the Japanese Foreign All our aircraft returned safely rica to meet the supposed con- Minister, urged

the people

of from these attacks, which are in tingencies in the Pacific and the Japan to demonstrate they "are addition to the Fleet Air Arm at- South Beas,”

determined to establish an East tacks on merchant ships in the Mr. Ishil added that "we are Astatic sphere of co-prosperity. Central Mediterranean mentioned utterly unable to see the good of That is our conviction which we in the RAF Middle East com prolonging the war.

shall not abandon, regardless of munique of Feb. 13. "Various alarming reports have what may come." reached Japan, purporting to give Mr. Matsuoka assured the Com- the impression the situation inmittee that the Japanese Govern- East Asia has become radically ment was utterly uninformed of tense,

the German plans of invasion of "We want to repeat the purpose Britain. of the Tripartite Pact is peaceful. He told a questioner that the "The leading Powers have great United States Lease and Lend Bill responsibilities in restoring world could not be effective before six" peace and civilisation.

months after passage to restrain The spokesman declined to t possible German invasion of divulge the contents of the recent Britain.

WHAT PRICE WILL JAPAN

DEMAND FOR HER WAR MEDIATION?

SAIGON, Feb. 3.-"How big a price will French Indo-China” have to pay for Japanese mediation" "of this colony's territorial dispute with Thailand? This question, with its menacing. im- plications, faces colonial officiala and the general public as they annondy await the opening of peace negotiations in Tokyo following the recent signing of a trase agreement here. writes Frank Martin in the Manila Bulletin

MERCANTILE LOSSES LONDON, Feb. 18 (British Wireless) - Mercantile losses due to enemy action for the week ended midnight Feb. 9, totalled 13 ships of 29,806 tons comprising NINE BRITISH, of -total of 19,364 tons, and FOUR ALLIED ships, of 10.442 tons.

The loss during the week is less than one half of the average total of weekly loss since the beginning of the war,

PREPARATIONS

BY BRITAIN

Continued from Page 1

dangerous to us than a walking stick.

The THAINUM

says that a Japanese a7iter has stated that if Japan Aghts England, Singapore will be attacked from land and air, and it is probably because of

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1941. -PAGE

GENOA DAMAGE LONDON, Feb 18 (Reuter) Fuller details of the naval bom- bardment of Genoa on Feb. 9, teli of the devastating effects of the very accurate shooting of the Bri- tish naval forces.

Three hundred tons of high ex- ENEMY LOSSES

plosives and shells were poured Since the beginning of he' war. Into dry-docks, shipping. fac- the Germans have lost by capture, torles, power stations and other sinking and scuttling a total of targets of military significance. A 1,330,000 gross tons and the `Ita- troopship in a dry-döck was hit.

In lans total 623,000 gross tons.

Large-fires were caused in the addition, 60,000 gross tons of neu- Ansaldo electric and boller works, tral shipping, under enemy control the main power station and the or useful to the enemy, have been | dry-docks around the inner har- sunk;

The total

enemy losses.

thus

bour.

Hits were also registered on oil amount to over 2.000.000 gross tanks, marshalling rards and tons.

merchantships.

POINTED WARNING TO

NOMURA

Continued from Page 1

to promote, the new order. HE CANNOT HOPE FOR AMERI- CAN SYMPATHY for it in- volves aggression running counter to principles to which America is firmly wedded, in- cluding China's' right to lead her own life and the inallen- able right of equal opportunity guaranteed by the treaties to which Japan herself pledged allegiance.

greatest alarm over the week-end," vas TOKYO.

The sudden vision of a war with the United States crystallised a fuld opposition in Japan to a southward expansion,. but the paper warns that much faith can- not be placed on the wishes of the Japanese people to remain at peace with the United States, BECAUSE THE DECISION WILL NOT REST Officials are unanimously agreed shipping to and from Saigon, the

IN THEIR HANDS, BUT IN THE that the Tokyo negotiations, sche-largest city of Indo-China; third,

The paper adds that "Japan HANDS OF THE JAPANESE ARMY duled to start within a week, will the Saigon airport called one of this, that England has taken pre-must understand that only deeds AND NAVY CHIEFTAINS. who have a great bearing on the future the best in the Far East; fourth, cautionary measures, Does Eng and not words or false promises are more likely to be deterred by of the colony whose important the Saigon naval boat-yards with land also fear aggression from can bring improved relations with the interested Powers. northern areas" already are under their machine shops and drydocks: Thailand? We would like to con- the United States." Tokyo's thumb.

| fifth, economic concessions

vince England that we have no

" POINTED REMINDER In engineering the Thai-Indo-pecially covering rice supplies for such intention.

The WASHINGTON POST, under China truco agreement last week Japan.

Japan. says the STENGTHAI. the heading "Jitters in Tokyo" says the Japanese achieved an undie- SPEED AND EFFICIENCY has thrown in the greater part of that the conversations between puted coup in their Greater East Foreign, observers, were greatly her army in China and she can- MR. CORDELL HULL and the Ep- Asla policy the full significance impressed by the speed and ef- not risk her navy in a fight with voys of Britain, Australia and the of which is expected to be made clency with which the Japanese America. In алу case, England, Netherlands, should serve as 2 known during the Tokyo parlays, brought the armistice negotiations America and China will always be pointed reminder to Japan that. The French five-man peace de- to a conclusion giving the impres-ready to halt a Japanese push her dream of acquiting the rich legation, headed by Georges Gau-slon that they were making up whenever it comes. tier, the cabinet director, is leav- for last time in building a missing | for Tokyo shortly to join. stepping stone between China and ing French Ambassador Henry Arsene Thalland. for further expansion for the negotiations

southward...

the

OUTSTANDING FEATURE

The French had hoped for The outstanding feature of Jap. United States mediation of anese mediation of the Thai-territorial differences which caused Indo-China dispute was the speed the recent bloody border warfare with which the armistice ma- when it was not forthcoming the chinery was created, the speed is reluctantly, accepted Japan's offer rounding up delegates and the to mediate Inasmuch quick signing of the truce agreemilltary strength was negligible.

as their

NO TRUTH IN RUMOUR

The Government has made inves- BANGKOK, Feb. 18 (Reuter)

tigations regarding the rumour that the people of the Southern provinces of Thailand are great- y perturbed by the patrolling of British warships in Thai territorial waters off Songkhla and by the massing of British troops on the

Thai border.

There is no truth whatever in

ATTACK DISCUSSED

by

and imperial domains of South- East Asia, may suffer a rude awakening.

||

The paper concludes by ad- vocating the speeding up of a complete understanding be- tween the United States, Bri- tain, Australia and the Nether- lands, regarding the course to be pursued in the face of a Japanese southward pressure,

Burma's confidence

HANGOON. Feb. 18 (Reuter)-- in her own preparations, backed by the might of the Empire, to meet any attack, was expressed by Sir Archibald Cochrane. Governor, in a speech today.

The cornmunity Interest dis- played by the United States, the British Empire and the Netherlands, Klay have

The loss of a lady's gold watch sequel in a parallelism action,

case was reported to the Police by whose possibilities are not

Tao Kwong, shop fokl, of No. 176, pleasant for the Island Empire.

Des Voeux Road Central. It was The paper sees a significant picked up by a Chinese who dis- fact when the capital, showing the appeared in the crowd.

Turco-Bulgaria Pact

Continued from Page 1

ment. This gave rise to the belief The armistice found all evall- this rumour, says a communique that Japan has her eye on bigger able man "power mobilised but from London. prizes and is. anxious to settle the badly lacking war equipment, with Indo-China "account and "collect" only a few months supply of the mediation "ee.".

munitions on hand, with very few The possibility of an attack on The most valuable Indo-China warplanes and with uncertainties Singapore from the north is frank- assets in which Japan may be in affecting general business. The discussed the STRAITS

Different Interpretations are F-is pointed out in a message terested are: first, the Camranu populace of the colony realises TIMES, states а message from

being placed on the pact of from Vichy that this declaration naval base on a natural bay easily that serious developments are Sydney.

friendship

had recently of friendship was issued on the defended but without modern ahead but the people are making

The paper regards a land in-

been signed between Bulgaria: day after conversations had taken facilities; second, control of Cape every effort to carry on their daily vasion by way of Thailand as

message place between the Turkish

and highly improbable.. An attack by and Turkey, states a

British army staffs-(Special) sea will use up the greater part from Sydney. of any one country's fleet.

NEW YORK PESSIMISTIC NEW YORK, Feb. 18 (Reuter)—

Saint Jacques which controls all duties.

Japanese Anxiety Over Cotton Supply

Japanese cotton mill proprietors in China are anxious over a possible shortage of the cotton supply in the current year.

In the meantime, adds the Syd-

which

German propaganda says that it removes any obstacles so far as

ney message, reports from Thai./the Nazis are concerned for the The comment here in the Press moving of German troops across and radio on the Turco-Bulgarian Bulgaria.

land confirm that the relations between that country and Britain are most cordial.-(Special)

KING RETURNING

FULL REPORT

friendship pact is pessimistic.

The news is presented as a Nazi diplomatic triumph and is inter- Preted as opening a way for an un- opposed march of German troops through Bulgaria."

Britain regards the pact in Я different light, and takes the view that Turkey has secured for her- King Ananda of Thailand is re-self freedom of action.-(Special) ported to be leaving Europe short- Prior to the war, the annual yield of cotton from China's cot- ly to return to Bangkok, states a ton-producing areas was estimated at approximately 14,500,000 piculs, message from Sydney.

The Prime Minsiter of Yugo- The HERALD TRIBUNE com. including 4,50* picals from Hopel, Shangtung, and Shanghai and He has spent many years in slavia has sent a full report to pares the pact with the Soviet- 3,800,000 from thwel, Kiangsu and Cheklang.

Switzerland for his health and is the Cabinet of his journey to and German pact and sees it pulling Following the Japanese Invasion, now proposing to return to his his conversations in Berlin and the props from under what 12 lett

the result at his interviews with of the Balkans." there has been a sharp fall of the country(Special) yield of cotton in North China,

Herr Hitler, states a message The NEW YORK TIMES thinks owing to the war, drought and

from "Baigon,

the pact is "anything but reassur Japanese control. In Shangbal the Chinese cotton dealers prefer to sell their cotton to cotton mills of

BRITISH ARMY WANTS DOGS

LONDON.-The Army authorities have decided to experiment with the employment of dogs for patrol work and as message-carriers. To Japanese who usually

military notes. this end dog trainers and soldiers who own

third nationalities rather than the

pay in

The annual Import of cotton in certain breeds of dogs shanghai last year was approx- are invited to place their names imately 4,000,000 piculs, which

on a register.

Driving Wops Out Of Abyssinia

The latest communique from It is intended to organise apartly met the demand of Japan- CAMO, according to a London mes- ese cotton mills in Shanghai and sage, reveals how the people of training school and to lastruct partly of Japanese cotton mills in ABYSSINIA are driving the ITA- soldier-owners 11 the methods most useful for work in the field.

LIANS out of the country.

wounded,

Tsingtao.

A rich cotton crop in the outly-

sent tension in the Far East 18 adding difficulties to its import. (Central News).

Ababa.

the

The same message, referring to ing" and adds that it seems Rusala

friendship pact signed be- has influenced the decision. tween Bulgaria and Turkey, de

TRADE TALKS

clares that in Sofia it is stated that the agreement, is considered LONDON, Feb. 18 (Reuter)- as an indication that Turkey will Trade negotiations began yesterday remain neutral in the event of in Moscow between Russia and developments in Bulgaria so long Bulgaria, according to the German į 28 they do

Immediately Radio [threaten Turkish security.

not

LONDON, Feb. 18 (Reuter)-An' appeal has been launched for the ,founding of a woman's scholarship

BOMBER-TROOP in aviation to commemorate the

CARRIER

bomber-

late Miss Amy Johnson, löne girl pilot whose flights helped to estab- lah Dominion air routes.

RAINCOATS

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QUEEN'S

HONGKONG

ROAD CENTONYA

It la understood that Alsatians, ing districts of Shanghai 1s anti-

As a result the Italians have now retrievers and Airedales are among cipated this year. but not in North road, which is 100 miles to the evacuated Danghela on the Gojan the dogs best suited for Army China. The Japanese cotton mills purposes. Alsatians and Alredales in China have still to purchase north of Addis Ababa. Danghels

The world's largest can easily be trained to search for cotton from abroad. Ent the pre-s 150 miles to the north of Addis

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 (Reuter) The St. John's University Alumni troop carrier will soon be in pro-

NEW YORK, Feb. 18 (Reuter)- On all other fronta there was no duction in America, states a mes American interests are negotiating Association will hold a dinner in Full responsibility was laid on change.

sage from Bydney,

for the purchase of 21 Italian verhonour of Dr. F... Yen, one of its Germany for feeding the people in by Mr. A report from Nairobi states The new machine will be Dousels interned in United States illustrious members and former Nazi occupied countries

Health Sumner Welles, in a statement bere that operations on the line of the glass machine of 80 tons

ports, including the Conte Bianca Director of the National neighbourhood of their lines. The Juba River in Italian Somaliland Its armaments are at present a mano, according to the Washing- Administration, at the Kiangsu today. The United States Govern- French had their "dog, training are continuing."

secret, but it is stated that it will ton correspondent of the NEW Cheklang-Shanghat Merchants As-ment, he said, was taking no part The Germans have been using section consisting

The sociation tomorrow at 7.30 p.m. in advancing Mr. Herbert Hoover's of & chlef More Italian prisoners, totalling be powerful enough to beat off any YORK" HERALD-TRIBUNE dogs in the field, and many have trainer with some eight or ten 550 officers and 1,500 men, have attack without assistance from es- ships are valued at about $10,000, Dr. W. W. Yen, former Chinese new experimental plan for Euro- been seen "rimning about in the assistants.

corting aircraft.—(Special) \\.

DESPATCH CARRIERS Other armies have used dogs as despatch carriers for many years. In the British Army Airedales have been used for certain tasks, "but not to any large extent.

arrived in Bombay,—(Special)

1000.

Ambassador to Soviet Russia, will pean relief.

also be present.