1940-07-05 — Page 1

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The FIRST EDITION S

me Cruth.

Hongkong Telegraph.

FOUNDED 1681

No, 16104

五拜禮 號五月七英港香

FRIDAY JULY 5, 1940.

日一初月六

SINGLE COPY 19 CENTS

130.00 PER ANNUM

MOTOR

NEWS

See the Now 1940 CHRYSLER ROYAL

displayed at the

Gloucester Arcade by Gilman's

—the car poopfa

Petain Fascist Government May Break off Relations with Former Ally

FANTASTIC SEQUEL TO BIG NAVAL BATTLE ENVISAGED BY FRENCH

Europe Peppered With Bombs

R.A.F. Supremacy Mounting

4

LONDON, July (Reuter).More large scale night and day bombing raids

by the R.A.F. on the con- tinent are announced.

FRENCH BATTLESHIP GOES UP IN FLAMES

The dramatic naval battle between British and French warships at Oran resulted in the French battleship Dunkerque being so severely hit that she is now mass of flames. The

above is a picture of the Dunkerque.

Д

An Air Ministry com-"Telegraph” Correspondent Reveals Antipodean Reception Plans.

munique states: "During yesterday R.A.F. bombers carried out daylight attacks on enemy oil plants, lines of communication and storage depots.

"Concentrations of barges near Rotterdam and School- hooden were bombed.

were also attacked and troop-

AUSTRALIA PREPARES TO

i

ITALIAN WARSHIPS KEPT OUT OF WAY AS TWO FLEETS FOUGHT AT ORAN

SPECIAL TO THE TELEGRAPH"-

LONDON, JULY 4. (UP),——THE POSSIBILITY OF MARSHAL PETAIN'S GOVERNMENT BREAKING OFF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN, AND OF DECLARING WAR ON HER ALLY IS ENVI- SAGED BY WELL-INFORMED FRENCH QUARTERS IN LONDON.

At 9 o'clock to-night the British authorities said they had no con- firmation of the reports that the Petain Government intends to break off diplomatic relations,

MIGHT DECLARE WAR

However, certain foreign embassies in London believe that: France, ¡under Petain, might declare war against Britain in view of the situation created by the naval action at Oran.

That a substantial portion of the French navy had now fallen into British hands, while other important units had been destroyed in the action with British warships, was revealed by Mr. Winston Churchill in

OFFER HOME TO EVACUEES the House of Commons

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"

"Aerodromes of Evere in Bel- SYDNEY, July 5 (Our Own Correspondent).-No official details gium and Ypenburg in Holland have been released in Sydney of the final Australian destination of the carrying and other aircraft set Hongkong women and children evacuees, nor, apparently, have the "All our aircraft returned safely. Australian authorities been officially informed of the number who are

on fire. Others were damaged.

Aerodromes Attacked

likely to proceed to the

“During the night, in spite of un- favourable weather conditions, agro- Commonwealth. dromes at Suchet, in Germany, Dekony in Holland and Melville, inEnquiries in the chief capitals

France, were attacked.

"One of our alreraft is missing.

today indicate this caninite Women, Cl

plans have been made for their

The fact that unsolicited offers to

"German High Command com- reception. munique claim that 75 British afr craft had been destroyed between June 23 and July 4. Actually a total care for refugee children have puured"

In tu Government offices is

of 30 of our ulecraft had been lost indication, however, of the warmth by enemy action during this period.

"On the other hand the enemy ot the welcome the Hongkong admits the loss of only 12 airerati,eracures will receive in Australia.

The Federal cuthorities whereas the RA.F., in fact, have

In Canberra) destroyed 40."

have officially tralia is fully prepared to care for the Hongkong evacuees if necessary, LONDON, July 4 (Reuter)--The but no deflike arrangements for Admiralty, Air Ministry and Ministry their reception have been made ag

Raids On Britain

of Home Security, in a corainunique yet.

issued to-night, state:-

"Eneny aircraft to-day approached the Channel Const.

#

to-day.

UNDER. BRITISH CONTROL One French battleship, he said, four cruisers, and a ships at Alexandria had number of smaller French

been forbidden to leave the harbour, and were under the control of the

now

Two French battleships, two light cruisers, some

Women, Children Board British navy Ships in Parties of

25

Under a leaden, inhospitable sky, the first mass embarkation of civilian women and children in the

BIG BATTLESHIPS IN FLAMES IN AFRICAN PORT

LONDON, July-4-(Reuter);-A summary of the Oran

sub-naval action has been issued by DNB, the official German

news agency.

marines, eight destroyers, and approximately 200 smaller "but extremely useful craft”, It shows that France's biggest commissioned battle- most of which are lying at ship, the 26,500-ton Dunkerque is now in flames in Oran

harbour.

The marquenced lat. A history, of Hongkong began at 10 o'clock this morning. ORDERS TO

5,000 Expected

the It is learned, however, that Commonwealth Covernment has con- "AL Portland, a naval nuxillary suited the six State Governments re vessel was hit and set on fire. Ons surding the disposal of the evacuees, small tug and fighter were sunk.

"Some damage was

caused to who are unofficially expected to total buildings and there were

fow about 5,000 women and children. ivilian casualties.

The Federal Government's an nouncement slates that it a cx- "Another rald penetrated into the

pected that the majority of south-western countries. Bombs were.

Hongkong refugees will be com dropped but no military objectives

and fortably placed financially were hit. No casunities were report-

would not require assistance. will be forthcoming to those require it.

the

EVACUEE FLASHES

The small army of volunteer evacuation attendants were at their stations well before that i time and had the satisfaction of sccing the first of the 2,139 evacuees arrived at the appoint- ed time.

No.

The "Telegraph" is officially informed that neither ship will

Since then the procession in and sall before 3 p.m. to-day.

out of the assembling stations has Husbands will not be per been a steady one. In parties of 25, mitted to go aboard the ships. the women and their children are They will be permitted to visit being conducted to Kowloon, there to the wharves at any time they board the two waiting Empress liners desire to-day.

and No. 3-wharves," The last-minute provision allowing Evacuees who registered at women with small babies to take an the Hongkong Hotel and Hong- extra food parcel was welcomed; kong Club will leave by the ship these women mostly arrived at the at the No. 1 wharf. Regis stations with their voyage suitcases and the extra parcels. Both were thetrations at all other centres will taken from them and transported

separately to the ships, "It is now confirmed that seven looking the entrance to Sydney har-depart from No. 5 wharf.

ed.

"Anti-aircraft guns opened fire and fighters were in action at several, points.

"Reports: hitherto received show!

Sydney Harbour "Hotel"

that one enemy, bomber was brought| Offcials to-day inspecting down by our fighter patrols.

North Head quarantine station,

Ald who

that

this

The wharf gatherings arc at enemy bombers were shot down in bour and set in picturesque sur- raids over this country yesterday."

We were informed this morning present only suggestive of the crowds roundings that will gladden the eye

the Director of Evacuation which are likely to be present when el Hongkong evacuees if and when regrettou that it was impossible to the ships leave probably late they enter Sydney harbour. LONDON, July 4 (Router).—A { 1 necessary, it German bomber to-day was brouglittemot may become their accedo to the suggestion that wives afternoon.

Bomber Shot Down

leave the

until accommoda- should be permitted to

can be arships once they had gone aboard; in order to bid farewell to their lius-

down by anti-aircraft, fire in south-tion in private houses western England.

ranged for families.

Three of the crew were killed and } At least. thousand evacuees could bands.: two others came down by parachute. be accommodated here alone, Turn to Page 5, Fifth Column Turn to Page 5, Fifth Column

Italy Wants to Fight The British Navy

-From Behind Her Minefields

LONDON, July 4 (Reuter).—A Nome-Radio announcer, in what appeared to be a reply to Mr. Churchill's statement that the Italian Navy "kept prudently out of the way" at Oran, declared to-day that "Italian naval units played the part of spectators because they could not get to the spot In time.” ... de The announcer threatened naval reprisals and extended in Invitation to the British fleet to "repeat the action against an Italian naval base.”

It was explained that the sugFCS- tion would be impracticable owing to

there would be considerable conges- tion on; the wharves

the large numbers leaving, and that

:

... At present most of the women and children are being hardy and cheerful about the predicament, but tears and trembling lips are likely to be gi evident among the stronger sex on the wharves', as aboard ship at the ulitmate alsoar

It was made,

SCUTTLE

LONDON, July 4 (Reu- ter)The French armis tice delegation reported the incidents between the British and French war- ships at Oran to the Ger man Armistice Commis- sion.

..

The official German newa agency. states: "The leader of the French

Government · has given.. orders for the French ships to scuttle themselves if they cannot escape seizure by the British.”

In referring to Marshal Petain, the Germon agency used the phrase, “Fuehrer of the French Govern- ment."

Portsmouth and Plymouth have been boarded and taken ng. the blimate moment of parting.clear this morning

over by British naval unita. The oporation, said the Premier, Parties of 100 are leaving the that the evacuees, after boarding the registration centres every hour for ships and having their pinces pointed was carried out without resistance embarkation, and husbands and other out to them, would be allowed to or bloodshed, except in the case relatives have the opportunity of return to the wharves, where they of the submurine Bucauf making their last farewell at the may spend the intervening time with their husbands and relatives before anally marshalled aboard about an hour before the ship salis.

wharvel

U.S. Plane Plants

Get Busy

The United States aviation industry WASHINGTON, July 4 (Router).

SUEZ CANAL "AGREEMENT””

is now producing 2,000 nero-engines CAIRO, July 4 (Router)Accord. and 500 military planes, a mnonih, ing to the Wardist paper. "Al Megri,” By using the plants to the full and a secret ugreement concerning the employing more skilled labour, the Suez Canal was reached between output la expected to rise still further France, Germany and Italy during shortly.

the armistice negotiations."

HALIFAX'S

The 22,189-ton battleship Provence is also in flames,

One of these two mighty

STATEMENT battleships has already sunk.

Defence Of British

Naval Action

LONDON, July 4 (Reuter).-The statement made by Lord Halifax in the House of Lords to-day was similar in substance to that of Mr. Winston Churchill in the House of Commons.

The Brelagne, sister ship of the Provence, has been destroyed.

The loss of the squadron leader- Mogador is also admitted. She is one of the newest squadron leaders in the French Navy.

The Strasbourg, sister ship of the Dunkerque, is claimed to have broken through the British cordon and to be somewhere in the Mediterranean,

Five destroyer flotilla leaders and torpedo boats -unda few submarlries broken through. Concluding his, speech,

Lord have also

The test of the French Halifux sald: "I is melancholy to to be bottled, sunk or captured.

appears

The Provence was built in 1013.

fleet

reflect that the magnificent ships of the French Navy should have beenShe is armed with ten 13.4 inch guns.

guns,...

had France

Zour

prevented by theft, government from

The Dunkerque, was launched in continuing the struggle with their 1935 and is armed with eight 13 Inch comrades in arms against the. com- mon foe, but should rather have

battleships been ordered to resist their former under construction. They were the comrades in order that they might Richelieu. Jean Bart. Clemenceau, place themselves under enemy con- Gascogne. The Germans claimed trol.

that their troops, captured two of The ofeers and men of the these on the stocks at Brest, still French Navy were placed in a post-intact. tion which must have seemed to them well-nigh intolerable."

Potain's Choico-

"As regards the government of Petain, I am bound to observe that they have placed the redemption of their promise to the enemy before their solemn pledge to their Ally, and this brought to a point of cruel Majesty's Government were placed. dilemma the position. In which His

"Yesterday morning", he added, "But It le not on reproaches or res we took the greater part of the criminotions that the Government. French Fiert under our control or would rest their case. It is inevitable called upon them to comply with our that what has passed, distorted us. it requirements.

will be by enemy propaganda, must He added that a scuffle arose on the create ahurp resentment from France, French aubmarine Sucout owing to where already the distress of the war, ▸misunderstanding. As a result, and the harsh conditions” of the British anilor was killed and two armistice have strained public opin-. British officera and a rating wounded, on almost to breaking point, One French officer r'was killed and one

"It is not, diMcult, to realise what wounded, pred

Will likely to be the feelings among Ships In Flames

the officers and, men of the French Referring to the big naval Navy, among members of the French engagement at Oran, Mr. Churchill Government and the French people. Turn to Page 5. Fourth Column Turn to Page 5, Fourth Column

one

•

The French Navy comprised (built and building). 11 battleships, three aircraft carriers, seven heavy cruisers, 14 cruikers, 1 cruiser minelayer, 32 light cruisers, 40 destroyers, 18 orpedo boats and 01 submarines,

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