1939-04-11 — Page 1

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FIRST EDITION

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Hongkong Telegraph

No. 18707

FOUNDED. 1081 二拜型號一十月四英港香

TUESDAY,

APRIL

1.1.. 1939.-

BRITISH

日二十月:

PRECAUTIONS

IN MEDITERRANEAN

Parliament Fears Of

Summoned By Premier

GREAT BRITAIN

Sudden

Aggression

LONDON, APR. 10. HAS TAKEN URGENT NAVAL PRECAUTIONS IN THE MEDI- TERRANEAN..

It is understood that. Mr. Chamberlain will announce in the House of Commons, which re-assemblos on Thursday, that Greece and Turkey had been brought into the European peace front.

The Premier has recalled Naval and Air Force officers from leave, ordered British war- ships to leave Italian ports and summoned Parliament to meet.

THRUST FEARED

The advance of the Italians through Albania to the Greek and Jugo-Slav frontiers has aroused fears of a Fascist thrust through the Balkans.

a

The British Cabinet has decided to avoid denunciation of the Anglo-Italian friendship pact, at least for the present, in an effort to prevent further strain on relations with Rome, and also, it is understood, because of the uncertainty regarding the future of Nationalist Spain in view of General Franco's recent moves favouring the Axis.

POSITION MADE CLEAR

Britain's attitude to Greece is that any Italian move there which will create a threat-to-British-communcations- will bring Britain to defend Greek frontiers.

It is understood that diplomatic channels have made this British position quite clear to Italy.

It is said that the British guarantee to Greece is intend- ed particularly to prevenit important islands like Corfu falling into the hands of the totalitarians.

However, the British Foreign Office has denied reports that Britain had warned Italy against scizing Corfu or that they had advised Italy that such action would be cause for war.-United. Press.

WARSHIP MOVEMENTS

LONDON, Apr. 10:

All units of the Mediterran can Fleet visiting Italian ports left on April 8.

"Hands Off" Greece Warning

The World's Big Navies

Battleships

Battle cruisers .. Armoured ships Alrcraft carriers Cruisers (8-inch) Cruisers (0-Inch) Destroyers Escort vessels Anti-submarine

ships... Submarines

Battleships Batile cruisers Aircraft carriers Cruisers (8-inch) Cruisers (G-inch) Destroyers

Escort vessels Anti-submarine

slips

Submarines

BUILT,

Brilala U.S.A. Japan France Italy Germany

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Bitter Italian Attack On

U.S. "Interference'

ROME, Apr. 10.

AMERICAN PRESS and official comment un Italy's action in Albania is sharply criticised by Signor Gayda, editor of the "Giornale d'Italia" to-day.

PREMIER CALLS PARLT. Britain And France

Warn Mussolini.

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WHITEAWAY'S

BRITISH TROOPS MAY LAND

ROME THREAT TO GREECE

LONDON, Apr. 10.

THE SPECIAL Cabinet meeting to-day is

expected to discuss measures Britain will take if

Greece is threatened as a result of the Italian

occupation of Albania.

to

The extension of an immediate ́ ́guarantee Greece, it is understood, will be the principal topic of LONDON, Apr. 10. conversation, together with the despatch of British THE LATEST EURO-] warships to Greek ports if. Greece requests aid.

by PEAN crisis created

It is understood that pre- Italy's invasion of Albania parations for such an eventuality has resulted in Parliament's were the main reason for Sun- Easter recess being inter-day's meeting at the head- quarters of the Committee for rupted.

Imperial Defence.

Parliament was original- ly scheduled to re-assemble on April 18, but "in public interest," says

a "Reuter despatch, both Houses have been summoned to meet on Thursday of this week.

"Reuter" adds ahat it is not expected that the sitting will last more than one day.

Italy Warned

Grook Anxiety

It is understood that the Greek Government conveyed to Britain her anxiety about the 150 mile frontier on Albanin, but especially about Corfu, which could be brought gunfire from the hills of Alban

Political circles express that a

a British guarantee to Greece might include the despatch of British warships, with a possible landing of Brilish troops at Corfu, which would thus serve as a base for the British guarantee.

y.

bellef

Vice

A "United Press" message

Nova! Visits Cancelled from Paris reports that Britain'

Meanwhile, the Admiralty has can- and France have issued a joint celled a series of naval visits which The were planned in the Mediterranean warning to Mussolini. ୬୬

warning will be transmitted during Easter, including visits to San

Remo, Nuples and Sorrento. through the British Ambassador H.M.S. Warspite, flagship of the to Rome.

Commander-in-Chief. Sir Dudley further Pound, and H.M.S. Barham, flagship It will state that any

in commend, expansion threatening the status to the second in quo in the Mediterranean will be Admiral Sir Geoffry Layton, were opposed by the full force of British originally due to spend several days and French arms.

at Sun Remo and Naples respective- Both have arrived, but they have The French Premier and Foreign Minister are in constant communico- already departed from Italian ports.

A division of destroyers was also He advices America to "mindian with Mr. Chamberlain and Lord

scheduled to spend several days at her own business." and not to Halliax.

It is unofficially reported-that-tho Sorrento.-United Press. concern herself with Italian

French Foreign Minister has confer- action in the pacification of red with the Soviet Ambassador re

garding the possibility of

several The American press allegations intervention on behalf of that Italy's ambitions extend to Balkan States in the event of war. Yugo-Slavla and Greece are hotly described

45 entirely false.

Gayda calle attention to British action in Palestine, and to French

Syrin olicy

DICTATORS AND SPAIN Albania.

Fruits Of Democracy's denied and

Non-Intervention

RARIS, Apr. 10. The newspaper "L'Ocuvre" He adds that Italy, like Germany. reports that General Franco, will defend herself with all the means nt her disposal against a with German, Italian and Japan-British policy of encirclement, und ese representatives in Spain, has for this reason naturally, has on signed a secret military treaty interest in Yugo-Slavia and Greece. under which "Spain placed ali her naval and air bases at the

They include the battleship Warspite, flagship of the Com-disposal of the Axis. mander-in-Chief, which sailed from San Remo.

No official information is given regarding their destination, but it is explained that owing to the obscure situation in Albania, the withdrawal of the ships, which are on courtesy visits, would avoid embarrassment for all concerned.

The battleship Malaya, which theleas Britain has decided, in accord has been stationed at Bombay, with the French Government, that left there to-day for an unknown the naval bases in the Mediterranean

must be reinforced." destination.--Reuter,

Loavo Cancolied

Tanglers, Apr. 11. All British naval forces from Gibraltar have been ordered to rejola their ships immediately.-United |

'ress.

Malta Activity

MALTA, Apr, 10.-Costal and anti- aircraft defences at Malta carried out exercises which are officially described as "precautionary."

The Axis has assumed all costs of the Goering-Gambara plan- the establishment of 00 miles of fortified zones behind the Pyrenees and the creation of certain strategic bases.

1

Russian

DIPLOMATS ACTIVE Britain Tightens Naval Grip

ISTANBUL, Apr. 10. THE VISIT of the Rumanian

Anglo-French Action

Paris, Apr. 10.

Miles

·Hitomac

Sentering

Far

330,000 Reserves

Called Up

Italy Increases Standing Army

ROME, Apr. 10. ITALY HAS called up the-

Opinion here is that no spectacular 1912 class and the first four of the 1902 class action to counter Mussolini in the months Adriatic will be undertaken by reserves. Britain and France, but there will be

aggregate around

an acceleration of diplomatic talks These classCS with London, aiming at obtaining 330,000 men, thus bringing the total consent from Greece for the utilisa number of Italians under arms at tion of Corfu as a naval base.

1

present, excluding native troops, to It is learned that the British prefer about 900,000.

diplomatic arrangement" with Athens for the use of Corfu, Instead

In a long, caustic editorial to-day,

States because

of open occupation, even with Athens Signor Gayda criticises the United consent.

sho condemned.

It is recalled that the Greeks gave Itallun occupation of Albania:

He worns the United States not to Britain permission to use Corfu as

base during the Anglo-Italian crisis meddle in European affairs, and lo

"mind your own business." and at the time of the Ethiopian

The United States is not pro- campaign.

tected by distance," he warns. The renewal of such an agreement Also he warned France not to bo- would mean, in effect, that Britain lieve for a single moment that Italy's would be able to maintain forces natural aspirations will be abandon- continually at Corfu and thus ready to repel any attempt by Italy due agreement with Athens would evid- to seize the island, since the British ently be part of a pact of assistance in the event of aggression.

Balance Of Power While British diplomacy is con- centrated on the strategic necessity

ed.-United Press.

Seo Back Pago For Furthor Late News

Schacht In Bombay

"Loyal Friendship" Yugo-Slavin, he says, realises the! true value of "loyal friendship and -operation with Italy," and be assumes that this will become even Foreign Minister, M. Gafencu, to Turkey, which was originally more significant in the future.

Italy has. no intention of inter-planned for the second part of fering in any way with Greece, in April, but which was suddenly Japanto of the latter's decision to follow whoreover, the Axis and Japan the lead of England, and her willing advanced when Italian action in

poval of the British navy.

purely to British initiative, it is General Franco's national territorial ness to place her harbours at the dis- Albania was taken, was

Greece, says Gayda, is free to declared in Turkish political demands."

In Berlin and Rome it is said that choose her own path without pressure circles.

Foreign Minister Gafencu, while thint The "Petit Journal" says, "No one the Axis demands would be for the from outside.

Foreign

statements Press of

Morocco. French will be suprised at a naval demonstra-possession

Dalian action in Albania was taken in Istanbul discussed the Dardanelles

BOMBAY, Apr. 10. Dr. Hjalmar tion off the Greek Island of Corfu." United Presa.

because of the French refusal to agreement with the Turkish Minister, -United Presa.

come to terms as regards culontal whereby British warships would be of keeping the balance of power in compensation, are vigorously denied. accorded unrestricted passage into the Adriatic, Britain and France have Schacht, former President of the of the the mack sea, where fumania has moved together in trying to secure Reichsbank, arrived here to-day in Even after the solution: Albanian problem, the questions be already promised England a naval tween France and Italy remain to be base on the Rumanian coast.

An attempt is also said to have settled, says Signor Gayda-Trans-

been made to gain Turkish support ALBANIAN INVASION against Bulgarian demands for re- vision of the frontier. Turkey re- Rome, Apr. 16, fused to support Rumania in this res- Commenting on the United States' pect.

It is also declared in offcial circles stand in the present European situa-

Dvold Turkey will tion the "Messagero" claims that it that is openly tending to cause war in Dardanelles agreement in order

prevent future complications, and to Europe.

"Americans, after having rejoiced keep the political tension from be- because of the change in Mr. Cham coming still worse.-Trans-Ocean.

Intense Activity

Bucharest, Apr. 10, return The

of the Rumanian Foreign Minister, M. Gateneu from Istanbul was followed to-day by intense diplomatic activity,

GUAM SCHEME

REJECTED

British Soldiers Die In Explosion

Jerusalem, Apr., 10. Four British soldiers were killed, WASHINGTON, Apr. 10. and two injured, when a landmine a military trolley The Senate Naval Committee to- exploded under day approved the $05,000,000 naval which was travelling on the railway Oulcers of the Mediterranean Fleet air base Bill, after rejecting the Ad- north-west of Lydda.--Reuter.

and the Royal Air Force have been ministration's proposal for an im- to their provement of the scheme for Guam, precautionarily recalled ships.

NEW YORK, Apr. 9.--Mr. Henry It is recalled that the House of A. Wisewood, writer and inventor of Simultaneously, the Fleet has been Representatives has already rejected printing press machinery, died here

to-day,United Press. ordered to prepare for possible orders the Guam scheme-Reuter,

at short notice.

Civilian employees in the naval dockyard establishment have also

been recalled to duty-United Press.

Precautions Necessary /

Paris, Apr. 10.

MOSLEM CONDEMNATION

...

LONDON, Apr. 10.--Leading Moslems at a meeting in London to-day demanded that Signor Mussolini renounce the title, of

Ocean.

"Criminal Game”

berlain's policy, are now annoyed at this change not being profound enough to provoke what the Ameri- can war mongers would like, namely, direct intervention by Britain and France against Italy because of the Albanian question.

any

to

(Continued on Rage 4.)

the course of his world tour.-Reuter,

TROOP PLANES LAND IN INTERIOR AREAS

ROME, Apr. 10. ITALIAN TROOPS are being landed in the less accessible towns in Albania by aeroplanes, it was revealed to-day,

Coritsa on the Yugo-Slav frontler 5,000 Land From Planos was occupied in this manner, light |

Tirano, Apr. 10; Breda planes landing Grenadiers in

Two hundred transport planes each Reinforcements also arrived by air carried 24 fully equipped Italian small field near the town.

to the Inaccessible at Tirana to-day, and it is reported Infantrymen that Berat, south of Elbasan, was mountains of southern Albania to-

day.

The morning pupera in London and "Defender of Islam,” which He assumed after the Abyssinion lagration in Europe, in all manifes Slav Ambassador, and the French, taken over by the Italians to-day.

Parts

have agreed that the! strengthening of the Mediterranean forces is necessary, but give, no de- finite Information as to what mea- aures might be taken.

The "Petit Parisien” states that the British Government has taken note of the Italian assurances but "nover)

conquest.

The meeting also urged that the Oriental Academy opened in Italy five years ago should be closed as a protest against Fascist propagenda in India, Egypt, and the East,

The meeting sent a deputation to the Italian Embassy communicate these demands.--Reuter,

"It La a criminal American gamo

M. Gafencu received the Yugo- which openly tends to cause con-

Italian, and Hungarian Ministers- tations of the

of those Reuter. acts responsible for North American poll-

Discussions In tle" the paper says.-United Press

London American Anxiety.

Washington, Ápr. 10.. Anxieties arising from the uncer- talatics at home and abroad have (Continued on Page 4.).

London, Apr. 10 The Greek and Rumanian Ministers called at the Foreign Office during a (Continued on Page 4.)

The territory now under Italian They dropped the Infantry in the control includes the QlI felda at region of the Greek-Albanian frontier Davoll, which were formerly under and returned for reinforcements.

In this Italian supervision.

all stations, will be In recent years the tallans have by nightfanner, it is expected that

and

the occupation. bored 380 wells in this area, and occupied production of all la intressed from Albania almost completed 13,000 cubic metres In 1935 to It is understood that the Italian 120,000 cublé metros la 1038, artillery; in Albania has sumelent

(Continued on Page 4.). Trans-Ocean.

of