1941-04-01 — Page 1

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"Hongkong Daily Prem," April 1, 1941.

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DOLLAR ET 17. $14

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OK Hongkong Daily Press.

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Registared as a Newspaper at the General

報西

ESTABLISHED 1857

剌孖

Post Office in the United Kingdom.

No. 25762 龇式拾陸佰伍萬弍市

15-19 Marina House, Quaan's Bond Cantral, GP.O. Box No. 1

HONGKONG, TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1941 _____________ AŒJEVINAERTEE

SHATTERING BLOW TO ITALIAN NAVAL STRENGTH IN BATTLE OF IONIAN SEA

FIRST OCCASION ON WHICH FLEEING ENEMY FLEET SLOWED DOWN BY

THE PURSUING AIRCRAFT

12-Hour Chase Over Distance Of 200 Miles

ADMIRAL CUNNINGHAM EXPRESSES THANKS AND "WELL DONE"

THE FULL STORY OF THE NAVAL BATTLE IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN ON FRIDAY REVEALS THAT IT WAS THE FIRST OCCASION ON WHICH A FLEEING ENEMY, BATTLE FLEET WAS SLOWED DOWN BY PURSUING AIRCRAFT; STATES A LONDON MESSAGE WHICH ADDS THAT, THE ACTION WILL PROBABLY GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE BATTLE OF THE IONIAN SEA.

ADMIRAL SIR ANDREW CUNNINGHAM'S Fleet, led by H.M.S. WARSEITE, dealt a shattering blow to the Italian Fleet, sinking three cruisers, FIUME, POLA and ZARA, and two large destroyers, VINCENZO and GIOBERTI. Another cruiser, GIOVANNE DELLE, and a destroyer were probably sunk.

No damage was sustained by the British apart from two aircraft missing. Rome Radio admitted the loss of three cruisers and two destroyers but claimed that a British cruiser was sunk and two destroyers damaged.

SLAP IN FACE THAT

HITLER DESERVES

A message from Alexandris states that the chase lasted for 12 hours and the entire action from beginning to end was fought over a distance of 200 miles,

ON RETURNING TO PORT, ADMIRAL CUNNINGHAM SIGNALLED TO ALL SHIPS EXPRESSING HIS THANKS "What a glorious week this has been to be sure," said MR. HO-FOR THEIR SUPPORT, ADDING, WELL DONE WARD MARSHALL, B. B. C. commentator, when he broadcast from London yesterday giving News from Home“

Me Marshall was commenting on the brilliant victories at Keren. Harar and Diredswa, the revolution in Yugoslavia and Admiral Cap ningham's triumph in the Mediterranean.

"No wonder the free people of seen and who spoke of what has the world have been jubilant he happened in Yugoslavia describe it said. "No wonder we have been was a slap in the face that Hitler talking of the turning point in deserves, the war. The people whom I have

RECONNAISSANCE CORPS TOUGH` "These men have got to be tough not only in body but in spirit," said MR. ROBIN DUFF, B.B.C; commen- tator in the Course of a description of Britain's recon- naistance corps which consists parachute troops.

́even

*

ser.

Mr. Duff said that he had had a long talk with two af these volunteers, one geant and the other a corporal, and he was able to understand the difficulties and dangers of their work particularly after they had made a landing.

The main point in their training was to teach them how to fall so as not to sustain 'a ̈broken limb or a knock on the head.

"My one impression of them," said Mr. Daff, was their sheer. toughness and this comes about in their trafting which includes boxing and wrestling:

ENEMY SHIPS ATTACKED

It is the arst time that the people of a country has refused to knuckle down to Nazi bombast and to Her Hitler's bluff. The revolu- tion in Yugoslavia has given a far greater impetus to all the free countries than anything else. It is more than a political gesture and It exposes the crumbling Nazi methods and has completely upset Herr Hitler's plan, {** UNPREPARED CAMPAIGN

Betr

Hier may now be forced to gamble upon an unprepared and unexpected mal campaign in the Balkans His and his me thods were made to have been a bloodless victory, with a carefully plarmed sweep ainst his op-1 ponenta. These atthods do not geem likely to work now in the Balkans

Herr Bible, most be beginning to see that the cards, are running against him and although he is still capable of playing a hand he must see than he is on the fallde. "I wonder if Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini really magiried that the democracies were de cadent, If they did, they must be disillusioned now.

The action has been halted pop and high in every in the BRITISH and-AMERI- CAN PRESS as the naval highlight of the war.

THE TIMES:. "The action is a terrible blow to Fascist Italy who has been smitten

Admiral Sh... Andrew Cun- ningham, G.C.B. D.5.0, Com- "When the full story of Yourmander-in-Chief of the Medi operations In the Mediterranean terranean Fleet.

Two enemy.ships were attacked comes to be written, we will have off Le Havre yesterday, states a something to be proud of. That London message which adds that is how we feel about things today direct hits were scored and both-proud, and coundent and we are ships were оп fire and sinking completely conviriced that we "When last seen

heading for victory # 1

Stare

Today's News Summary

ITALY'S ·NAVAL: STRENGTH has been further crippled by the shattering blow dealt by the British Fleet in the Eastern Mediter ranean on Friday in the battle of the Ionian Sea Three cruisers and two large destroyers were sunk and it is thought that another cruiser and a destroyer were probably sent to the bottom........ The Bri- tisht ships sustained no damage apart from two aircraft niissing -

GERMANY IS IN A MOOD of battled anger over the coup d'etat. Latest reports indicate that when the last Nazi national leaves Bel- grade, Germany will present an ultimatum to Yugoslavia demanding demobilisation of the army. The German Minister in Belgrade had been told to leave for Berlin. '

RAF BOMBERS, IN POWERFUL force,, straddled the docks at Brest Air activity over Britain on Sunday night was on a small scale. SOUTH AFRICAN FORCES occupied Diredawa on Saturday after- noon, and this means that the railway between Addis Ababa and DII- bouti has been cut,

MR. MATSUOKA, THE Japanese Foreign Minister, Ir'now'in Rome where be will have talks with Il Duce and the Italian Foreign Kir ter today

theatre of war where she has been engaged."

The NEW YORK HER- ALD-TRIBUNE: "Cunning- ham's artillery has written a thunderous climax to a month already filled with reverberating successes for the democratic cause.***

The NEW YORK TIMES "Italy has already lost her empitre.

By this latest British naval suc- cess, more than one-third of Italy's total cruiser strength has been sunk or badly damaged. Most of the battleships have been crippled or put out of action. Ten destroy ers have been sunk.

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GERMANY IN MOOD

OF BAFFLED ANGER

OVER COUP D'ETAT

AXIS CONCERN OVER THE SETBACK CAUSED BY THE COUP D'ETAT IN YUGOSLAVIA HAS CRYSTALLIS-

ED

INTO A MOOD BEST DESCRIBED AS, BAFFLED

ANGER states a London message, which adds that the Berlin Radio is blaring forth a fresh volume of attacks one-of which accuses BRITAIN and the UNITED STATES of war-mongering interference. But, adds the radio, Ger many and the German Army will take care of it.

The German Radio also

states that the recent deve MUCH MORE

In commexia with the exchange lopments in Yugoslavia were of ahots between French share bat brought about by British teries and British warships off

Algiers it was stated in Vichy yes-agents, thousands of them, *** terday, that a note of protest is The London message added that be sent to London through hundreds of German nationals are

Washington, states a London mes- leaving Belgrade and all the Italian newspapers have · -with- Admiral Darlan, who is in Paris drawn their correspondents. has issued a statement saying that the convoy carried no rubber or iwan material for the belligerents but it does not explain why French bombers were sent to attack the British vessels.

WAR MATERIAL It is known in London that one ship left Thailand with rubber and that other ships had war material in their holds. «

SEVERE ATTITUDE

REICH PRESTIGE ENDANGERED

The Germans are trying to Messages from Belgrade, quoted: cause a division between the in a London message, state that Croats and Serbs and a meeting, the German Legation there bas at which Dr. Matcheck will pre- announced that the German Min- side, is to be held in Zagreb today, ister in Belgrade. Herr von Heeren, Belgrade messages state that is leaving for Berlin. The Yugo- there was much rejoicing in cafes slav Minister in Berlin has already: over the British naval victory in arrived in Belgrade. the Mediterranean...

IMPROVEMENT NECESSARY TOKYO, Mar. 31 (Router)-The

The London message quoted from the new French transport YOMIURI SHIMBUN admita edt- Programme by which Germany was torially this morning that Yugo- to receive 30,000 tons of bauxite slavia's sudden change of attitude 20,000 tons of aluminium and 10 meant a severe setback for Axis 000 tons of raw, rubber and also plans in the Balkans."

nitrate, from Ohile. It adds that impro-ement of the Axis military position In: Albania and the Mediterranean is neces sary to achieve a change in Yugo slavia's anti-Axis attitude.

Japanese Offensive Is Now A Debacle

SHANGYAO, Mar. 31 (Reuter)- The Japanese offensive in the Kiangsu Cheklang border regions has turned into a debacle.

"THE QUEEN'S MESSENGERS”

Her Majesty the Queen has christened those in charge of the flying squad food conveys, which consist of mobile can-", teens, as "The Queen's Mes sengers,"

"MR. HOWARD MARSHALL. who witnessed the presentation of these canteens by the Queen' "recmily," said - that' they - were meant to rush up at a mo- ment's notice to a fire blitz "Laking hot food and drink to

victims of the raid

Her Majesty, presenting these canteens, sald, "They will brlog sympathy and loving kind-' ness.

The Germans are conducting, a much more threatening tore now towards Yugoslavia.

message from German sources states, "The Reich can- not stand having its prestige endangered. The Yugoslav Government must realise that our generosity must come to an end suns day.",

- German sources fi Belgrade des clare that Germany is waiting until the last German national has left Yugoslavia to serve an ultima- tum demanding the demobilisa- tion of the army.

The deadline for the last Ger man to leave was stated to be midnight last night.

This report, the Landon message adds. is not confirmed from other sources.

Offensive Activity Ceases

LONDON, Mar. 31 (BW8) While Greek offensive patrols continue to work with success on the Albanian front, Italian. offensive activity seems once more to have ceased.

Messages from Athens state that there had been no enemy patrols out since Thursday night. A

The Japanese have been driven back to Changhing and the vicinity of Thing on the west bank of Taihu Lake from where they launched the offenstye. Szean, Liyang, Linchengchen, and Chang- Referring to the battle in the chin strategic towns, Lave all been Eastern Mediterranean, the Lon-recaptured. - don message stated that 1,000

// HEAVY LOSSES Italian survivors were rescued and More than 30.000 Japanese that 200 or 300 more might have including about 4.000 from Hang- been saved, but for German dive chow, 5,000 from Thing, 4,000 from bombing attacks on the rescue Tienwangsu and Lishut, were ships. For this reason the com- massed for the offensive. They manders of the ships engaged in were blocked in their thrusts in this work decided not to incur every direction, Heavy losses were further risks.

sustained by them in over Two German dive-bombers were weeks aghting shot out of thể aky. -

Competent military observers be

An ulicial communique. Ied - Admiral Cunningham signalled Heved that the Japanese took the

from British Headquarters of the the Chief of the Italian Naval recent offensive as a detenstve

RAF in Athens states that bom- ber aircraft attacked objectiver in Staff indicating the position of the measure in view of the depletion of survivors and suggested that A their force and that they also in The United States naval sque and near the town of El Basan hospital ship be sent to the spot tended to inflict a heavy blow upon dron, consisting of two cruisers yesterday with successful results

Cont'd Page 7, Col. 3

Offensive reconnaissance. figh the Chinese field force by a sudden and four destroyers, which recently large-scale attack......

Doksy visited Australia, is now in Tahiti, were carried out in the Tep

states a message from Eydney. area, also with good results

Italian Captain Ordered To Damage Ship

Axis and Danish ships seised by the United States sunthorities total 300,000 tons, states a Londen mea Danish-ships, totalling siive custody, to prevent

36 in nine ports, have been taken into possible sabotage by poodle.

These ships are in addition. two German and 28 Italiade which (Include the liner CONTE BIANC

MANO, well-

the : Far

East.

the action at wholese -

President

of the crm."

ashington 143.

the crews of the vedowilly be the Immiration: will later be sent

OF FRENCH SHIPS ORK MR 31 (Reuter The local police have completed a Elist of al rench slips in the har- umbering eight in- Handtrans-Atlantic

Page

On Other Pages

two

2-Saturday's cricket; · Macao"

handicap weights; Yauma-

ti School sports; · Open tennis.

"This is in keeping with the attitude of the King and Queen who have always carried and given a message of kinditess to their people, sald Yr. Mar- shall

U.S. SQUADRON IN TAHITI

Cold weather is affecting the Italians and the prisoners speak of [as many as :30,000 "frest” casual-“

ties per month,

Low-Flying Attacks "Stir Things Up"

"The larger interests of the low-lyiz" Aucks being made by the Boyal Air Force over Germany and Gerng occupied territory, are in

OLIVER STEWART, BBC... the way they, stir, things up,” said MA)

seronautical expert, speaking in Tadon yesterday.

"Our Hghters want to get at the German machines but the Ger- man machines don't come over dere now so often and our pilots have

go after them.

3–Radio programmes; Com-

ing events, 4-French batteries fire ƠN British warships; Germans and Italians leaving Yugo-to slavia, Invasion ports at tacked, Five Italian war shups sunkin Tonian battle. -6-Hongkong and Wasmpos

Dock Co Annual meeting Round the Police Courts. Leading, article:

at Bea

son men

cluding itner Normandie tain of one, Italian ship The

There is no indication whether stated

ten days ago he this action is connected with the received orders from the Italian solsure of Axis chips.

charge 9-10 Finance and

MUST BE ANNOYING course, the Germans not allow, these low-flying scks by These tactics must be as annoy the RAF to go an epitely ing to the Germans as anything without some reply out these at- could be, The Gernians understang tacks are particuley useful when huge air forces working in mas they are made or desupted coun- attacks but these small attacks try because the people who see the ours must be most discor red white, and blue cockades em them Bo, although the the mach

nes recognise them as these attacks Is smad

wave to the pilots tant because of their the best form of pen- propaganda value

Beit

Ivalti