1939-12-27 — Page 21

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Bombardment By Big Russian Cannon SONS FIGHT FOR ALLIES

SOVIET "BIG BERTHAS

SHELL

KARELIA CITY

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"

WITH THE FINNISH FORCES, DEC. 26 (UP)—FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF THE BATTLE OF THE MANNERHEIM LINE, THE RUSSIANS AGAIN UNSUCCESSFULLY HAMMERED CONTINUOUSLY AT THE FINNISH LINES ON THE BORDER OF KARELIA.

The defenders still hold the rocky, forest-clad ramparts in weather ten degrees below zero..

Artillery booms incessantly along the 60-mile front.

I heard the thunder of guns to-day as far back as twenty miles from the front.

The air constantly quivered with the terrific concus- sions of exploding shells.

The Red Army C-in-C is obviously bent upon making Viipuri (Viborg) another martyred Rheims.

Viipuri suffered heavily from aerial bombardment| during four raids to-day.

SWEDEN

TO JOIN IN WAR?

а steady hail of

COPENHAGEN, Dec. 27 "Big Bertha" guns also poured

shells into

the wrecked (Reuter).—It is being freely frontier city.

rumoured that Sweden is the Bombarding at a range of 25 likely soon to enter miles, they methodically tossed Soviet-Finnish war on the eight inch shells into the big in- side of Finland. dustrial centre of 8,000 people.

SKIERS HARASS ENEMY

Vivid Eye-Witness Story Of Fighting

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"

Unusual for this time of the year,

No official sanction for

Boxing Day was sunny and clear, the report is forthcoming. and the Red Air Force made the most of the opportunity provided by the return of fine weather.

Two flights were apparently of a reconnaissance nature to indicate to the "Big Bertha" crews the results of their long-range bombardments.

But bombs were carried on the re- they were dropped indiscriminately on Viipuri Twenty-five bombs fell in one street

WITH THE FIELD maining flights, and HEADQUARTERS OF THE CENTRAL FINNISH

alone.

Because practically all of Vilpuri's population has been evacuated only

ARMY, Dec. 26.—Two Fin-two civilians were diled in the raids. mish soldiers, with rifles slung across the backs of their

Man Catches Snatch-Thief

And Is Commended

By Magistrate

For his public-spirited action in arresting an earring snatcher after a Torrific Bombardment

chase through several streets, Ho! HELSINGFORS, Dec. 27 (Reuter). King, 35, ralton maker, was con- Mac- -A terrific bombardment of the gratulated by Mr. Q A. A Mannerheim Line with huge guns fadyen at the Kowloon Magistracy shing from a range of probably 25 in-day and given $1 from the Poor miles has introduced a new into the fighting in Finland.

Factor Box. The violence of the explosions at

Defendant was Wong. Kwong, 20,

wbite - cowled snowcapes, ski-ed down the little slope between the pine trees and called out something to an first gave the impression that bom-unemployed, and he was sentenced to bers high in the clouds were dropping four months hard labour and eight officer crouching at a field-1,000-pound bombs, but when two or strokes of the cane, for stealing a three of the missiles failed to explode pair of earrings from Yeung Yuel- and were examined, they proved to fun. telephone to-day.

be shells, of a heavy calibre fired, at Almost

& experts estimated, from at least 25 machine-gun started firing

Bombardment was concentrated on in the trees away to the the central sector of the Mannerheim

of left. Ahead

us, rifle Line after rifle joined in the battle. Each shot echoed in the forest.

once,

The officer was talking quickly into the telephone: "Moving to- wards our line, just in behind the road."

miles.

Det.-Sergeant Fyffe said Ho was walking behind the woman and saw the snatching. He chased defendant Street and caught him near Tung through Hai Tan Street and Kwelin It started on the evening of Christ-Chow Street. Defendant was seen to mas Day and continued all day throw something into a side channel, yesterday at a rate of about 40 shells and he later took the police to the per hour, suggesting that the Soviets spot where an earring was recovered. have positioned a battery of heavy guna in front of the Mannerheim Line.

You May Not Know-

Rola

KOLA PENINSULA

ROGLAND

CSTONLA

DUG

99

HITLER VISITS FRANCE ·

But He Kept It

A Dark Secret

SPECIAL TO THE TELEGRAPH"

cor-

BERLIN, Dec, 26 (UP). For the first time since 1918, when he was a poral in the Kaiser's army, Hitler claims to-day to have. stood on French soil, ac- cording to the official D.N.B. agency.

The agency states that the German fuchrer crossed into- front French soll to visit the That Karelian Isthmus one of

lines.

the chief areas under Russian fire, was a main battleground in the complicated hostilities in 1919-1920 between Bolshe vik, White Russian, Finnish and British troops.

Under the Treaty of Dorpat (October, 1920) Finland re- cognised Eastern Karelia as part of Soviet Russia; while Russia, giving up the Arctic Ocean district of Petsamo, re- cognised the Finnish Republic and promised Eastern Karelia the fullest autonomy.

Since then Eastern-Karelia, stretching along Finland's bor- der from the Arctic to Lenin- grad province, has been an Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic: Western Karelia (usually speiled Carelia) has been part of Finland, its chief town being the important port of Vilpuri (Viborg).

Originally Karelia was one of the three main areas settled by the early Finns (the others being Suomi, in the south- west, and Hame, in central Finland). Present-day popu. lation of Russian Karelia (ward means "cowherd') is 330,000, largely Finnish in race.

Country is 16 per cent, lakes, the remaining area being largely forest and marshland.

VATICAN & ITALY

REACH AGREEMENT

VATICAN CITY, Dec. 26 (UP).—It is reported that Italy and the Holy See have reached an understanding for parallel action in behalf of peace and against the spread of Communism.

Informed circles

At the same time a heavy attack

the оп was launched with artillery, tanks and planes co-operating Mannerheim Line nearer the coast. An official Finnish communique Then quickly, suddenly, the machine-gun and rifle fire stop-states that all attacks were repulsed, ped. The only firing was away some 60 machine guns captured and

numerous tanks Immobilised. in the distance. It became so Seven hundred Russian dend were

till that I could hear clearly the counted after an engagement.

two The castern front is quiet, with crackling of branches as men changed positions behind patrol activity, but further north 20 pine trees on the slopes thirty Soviet tanks were disabled in a Red

Army attack, yards away.

Helsingfors was bombed That was the Finnish central front nearly all coastal ports in the Gult In the forest twenty miles from the of Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia. accord was the aftermath of It is estimated that at least 400 conversations between Cardinal! Soviet border at 2.30 this afternoon. The long Arctic twilight made the Soviet planes look part in yesterday's

raids, which were spread over a wide Maglione, the Papal Secretary of forest, snow and aky seem level and red, and that between 20 and 32 State, and the now Italian Am- But no sheet on which the trees

were shot down by Finnish fighters theor A.A. gun fire.

stood out like pencil marks.

This morning I drove up to

front with my Swedish colleague in

as were

The effect of the Soviet raida was a great Finnish staff car with a blue, negligible as they were concentrated

and while general staff pennant But on towng which had been almost

tering from the white mudguard.

The general commanding the area gave us as a guide young reserve offer who in peaco timo is the head of a British exporting section:

of a big wood-pulp

company,

completely evacuated.

the Baid

basandor, Signor Alfiori.

It is understood that the Pope plans

a personal tour of the Italian Cathe drale next spring to help strengthen relations.

Finnish Air Forco

Meantime, it is ometally reported Claims Victory HELSINGFORS, Dec. 20 (Reuter), that the Pope has sent financial aid A communique claims that on to needy Finnish Catholics and has

Apostolic

At the Beid headquarters further Christmas Day Finnish naval and air entrusted the Helsingfors back the captain in charge of this forces destroyed at least 23 Soviet Vicar, Monsignor Gugilemo Corben, area said the Rusalans had been planes and possibly 26. using 3,000 men to attack at this. Finnish aircraft suffered no losses, with the distribution of the fund.

point,

..

Viipuri Evacuatod

Escort Girl Robbed

But Bag-Snatcher Is Caught

Yesterday, an escort bureau girl, Ma Lal-fun, 23, asked 17-year-old Lau Cal-hol, whom she did not know but whom she had met in the street, to direct her to Nga Telu Long Road, Kowloon City. She promised agreed and took Ma to the address.

Arriving at her destination," Ma him tea money if he did so. Lau П pocket intending to recompense the lad but placed her hand into he snatched her handbag and ran detective chased arul

Last appeared before Mr. E. Hims worth at Kowloon Magistracy, to-day

It is pointed out that the Pope's | AWAY, A 10 the "premeditated

•

Ilo went on: They have arill- WITH THE FINNISH FORCES, ald to Finnish Catholics follows his arrested him.

tery, much, much artillery. They Dec. 25 (UP)--As a precaution, the reference used (anks last night, live light Finnish authorities have ordered the aggressim against small work-loving charged with theft of the handbag mnes. We knocked eat three of immediate evacuation of all people peaceful people, in his speech on and was sentenced to four months

hard labour. PLEASE Turn To Pago 2.

PLEASE Turn To Page 2.

Christmas ovo.

According to the same source, Ger- man troops are in possession of n small seelor of France on the Saar front. This is Pichern Heights, German town of

south-cast of the Saarbrucken.

The French town of Pichern is No Man's Land in this sector.

Hitler terminated his visit at 5 p.m., when the bells in the village of Pichern were rung by a German patrol which crawled across No Man's Land and broke into the churches for the purpose.

visit to Hitler's

the front trenches was, unheralded.

line

Hitler, says D.N.B., made the trip "as a soldier" in order to observe Christmas-among bis front line fighters.

Germany's Grim Christmas Spirit

Black-Out And

Bad Weather Hopes For Peace Still Cherished

STOCKHOLM, Dec. 26 (Reu- Bladet" "Afton ter).-The states that it

quiet Christmas throughout Germany,

A was

There was no war news except the reported British Christmas Eve air raid.

Hitler spent Christmas with one of the staff at the front, travelling very secretly by armoured troln across a very strongly guarded railroad.

He is expected to return to Berlin after Christmas, but his plana are kept very secret.

The Pope's Appeal

The Pope's appeal has attracted that will produce some sort of much attention, rousing the hapes resul

The people of Germany still turn up promising peace instead of real milliary operations.

cherish hopes that something will

The opinion is now seldom heard that a decisive result can be expected rapidly by milllary operations.

Its feared that prolongation of the war will cause difficulties for Ger- many.

Dopressed Spirits

Spirits were depressed in Berlin during Christmas week-end, mostly because of the black-out combined. Christmas fare was poor, though with the unpleasant weather. nobody actually needed to suffer shortage.

China's Adverse Trade Balance

CHUNGKING, Dec. 27 (Central). China's Import from January to November totalled $1,245,410,350 and. exports were $955,110,659, resulting- in an adverse balance of $340,207,000, according to statistics compiled by the Chinese Mariume Customs.

SKIPSEA, Dec. 20 (UP)-When Ex-Corporal Frederick Graylin wrote his Christmas letters to his two sons, one had to be written in French the other in English.

For son No. 1 is a poilu in the French army and scrving in France, and son No. 2 is a Tommy in the British Expeditionary Force. The father himself was a corporal in the Army Medical Corps, during the last war.

Corporal Graylin married an calaminet keeper's daughter in France during the last war. Frederick was born before the armistice, Jean two years later. Then the mother died. One boy stayed in France and was brought up as a Frenchman and the other came to England. Now one is fighting for France and the other for England.

ALLIES TO BUY

MORE U.S. PLANES

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 (Domei).-Informed quar- ters state that the Allies are planning to increase their orders for American aircraft to more than double the existing orders.

It is understood that France, AMERICAN

in an attempt to vie with the German Messerschmitt fighters, hus

increased its order for American Curtiss Hawks pursuit planes to 850 planes.

While Britain is reported to be in- creasing the strength of bombers, France is understood to favour the strengthening of pursuit planes.

PROTEST

Britain And Panama Declaration

LONDON, Dec. 26 (UP)

It is also reported that the British Grent Britain is carefully const- Air Ministry has started negotiations dering the Pan-American protest

£8,000,000 for

the purchases of worth of high-speed bombers capable against the alleged infringement. 300 miles per of the Panama Declaration's of developing about

safety zones, hour.

Settling New Boundaries Soviet-Japanese Commission

MOSCOW, Dec. 26 (Reuter). -After eight meetings, the Soviet-Japanese- Chita Joint Mongolian-Manchukuoan Fron- tier Commission has concluded laid the They discussions. foundation for a settlement on January 7 when the same Com- mission will be convened...at. Harbin.

It is stated that it is agreed that the frontier points will then be charted on the map.

The opening session at Harbin will coincide with the arrival of the Japanese trade commission to Moscow for conferences with Foreign Commis- sar Mikoyan.

"Puppet" Is Kidnapped

Latest Shanghai Incident

SHANGHAI, Dec. 27 (Reuter).- Chen Chlao-hal, Commissioner of Police at Minghing, was kidnapped of 20 on December 18 by a band ormed men, according to an arrival from Minghing.

After the incident, a Japanese de- tachment followed the kidnapped, but turned back as darkness prevented them from proceeding.

It is learned that Chen was once a guerilla operating in Pootung, He decorted from the guerilla ranks, Joining the "Water Police" of the Japanese-sponsored Municipality of Greater Shanghai,

New Appointment

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (Reuter). Mr. Joseph Davies, US. Ambas sador to Belgium, has been appointed Bpecial Assistant Secretary of State to deal with war emergency problems and international trade negollations.

It has been unofficially stated that a reply will be forthcoming "in due course."

Reliable quarters stoto that Britain fully understands the American desire to keep their walers free from belli- gerent activitles but at the same time it is contended that the protest con- tains an error in fact, namely the reference to the "sinking and deten tion of German merchantmen by British warships in American waters."

It has been recalled. that the British have sunk no German ships In Pan-American waters; they have all scuttled themselves.

LATEST

Soo Back Page For Further Late News

NEW CRISIS LOOMS

IN JAPANESE CABINET

TOKYO, Dec. 27 (UP),—The Premler, General Abo has received. a petition adopted by 200 House members, expressing non-confidence in the Cabinet and suggesting its resignation on the grounds of "prles and rico policies."

Following to-day's adjournment of the Diet, Cabinet members are expected to confer informally and lengthlly with other political circles in an effort to prevent the spreading of the movement before re-convocation of the Diet on January 20.

The Government does not hold the situation as being serious at present, but dissatisfaction is spreading and is likely to bring abou the resignation of the Cabinet,