1941-01-22 — Page 1

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Nanopar Hongkong Telegraph" bálka, Morning Posì, Lid.,

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"Street, Hongkong.

The

FIRST EDITION

Hongkong Telegraph.

Kowloon. FOUNDED 101 VIVA-AU WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1941. VAZ+

SINGLE COPY 10 CENTS $30.00 PER ANNUM

BRITISH TROOPS PENETRATE FIVE

MILES INSIDE TOBRUK Many Prisoners Taken Including General: Italian Cruiser Ablaze

CAIRO, JAN. 21 (REUTER) —BRITISH PENETRATION OF BOTH THE OUTER AND INNER DEFENCES OF TOBRUK TO A DEPTH OF FIVE MILES IS ANNOUNCED IN A SPECIAL COMMUNIQUE ISSUED TO-NIGHT FROM G.H.Q. AT CAIRO.

THE COMMUNIQUE READS: “SHORTLY AFTER NOON TO-DAY, IMPERIAL FORCES, ACTIVELY SUPPORTED BY THE ROYAL NAVY AND THE ROYAL AIR FORCE, SUCCESSFULLY PENETRATED BOTH THE OUTER AND INNER DEFENCES OF TOBRUK TO A DEPTH OF OVER

FIVE MILES ON A BROAD FRONT.

BRITONS WARNED OF CRISIS

·

Urged To Evacuate Japan

TOKYO, Jan. 21 (Reuter)— Considerable anxiety was caused among foreign residents in the Tokyo and Yokohama area to-day on receipt by British residents in Yokohama of written advice from the Consul General, Mr W. McVittie, "to leave Japan by- regular shipping routes before the impending crisis in Japanese-American relations comes to a head,”

JAPAN'S FINANCIAL YEAR Foreign Trade

Still Grows

a

Mr MeVittie said that his motive was only to send "limited number" and he declin- ed to elucidate his expectations] regarding Japanese-Americau re- lations.

"The advance is continuing. Many prisoners have already been taken, including one Italian General.

"The Italian cruiser, San Giorgio, in Tobruk harbour, is in flames, as are also a number of dumps of stores and petrol."

PREMIER SPEAKS

Aims For Which

aims.

We Fight

is

Attack Described (REUTER'S" SPECIAL GORRESPONDENTI

CAIRO. Jan. 21. After steadily Investing the town for nearly three weeks, Britain's Army of the Nile launched an attack on Tobruk carly to-day.

The blinding sandstorms that had been sweeping the desert almost, continually for the past week had hampered the inal stages of the operations,The troops had to force a way through yellow clouds of sand which reduced visibility some- times to a few yards.

DEFENCES

Advance

Into Eritrea

Italians Hard Pressed "Reuter"s" at British H.Q., Cairo

This offensive has been prepared as carefully as that at Bardin. Patrols have gone

out nightly gathering precise information with regard to Jan. 21. Imperial troops, the Italian defences. found tank traps surrounding Tobruk African Colony of Eritrea were They have pushing deeper into Italy's East su deep in places that they had to bring up indiders in order to enter reported to-day to have reached. a point some 30 miles to the east size. The outer perimeter of the defences of the Kassala frontier post is about 30 miles in circumference, evacuated by the Italians on Unlike Bardia, Tobruk has a second Sunday. line of defences, with clrcumference:

LONDON, Jan. 21 (Reuter), In concentrating his efforts on The notification pointed out that

the supreme task of winning the in ease of war, all sailings would be war, Mr Winston Churchill is cancelled and a hurried evacuation not overlooking the problem of would be impossible; the British post-war reconstruction and would not be free to use their money ready, "when a good opportunity and property, they would not be able presents itself," to enlarge upon to communicate with their Consuls and they might be interned. the Government's war and pence Japanese officials profess ignorance The Prime Minister put his views of any development likely to inspire in a nutshell in the House of Com- such a warning.

mons to

to-day when he said: "Most TOKYO, Jan. 21 (Reuter)- This time, however, private foreign right-minded people here and abroad, Japan's foreign trade continued circles are gravely disturbed by the especially in the United Sintes, and measure their to grow in 1940 despite the views not only of the Japanese Gov-and principles for which

complete suppression-of-plans and already fully understand-the-causes We are European war. The volume of ernment but also of those

abroad waging war upon Nazi tyranny. commerce with nations outside such as might indicate an imminent

Can't Say Anything Now the yen bloc was almost as large crisis.

"The Government is always on the ng in 1939.

Some regard Mr. MeVittie's netion lookout for any opportunity of Mr 1830 Kawada, Minister of us being linked to rumours that Ad-making a statement that would help and liberation, now Finance, made this announce-miral Nomura, the Japanese Ambas- our victory ment in the House of Represen-or-designate to the United States, I am not, however, able to say any- ground down under German smoke.

thing at present." tatives to-day, introducing the record-breaking 6,863,000,000 yen ordinary budget.

The exports of 3,072,000,000 yen Increased by one per cent, while im- ports of 3,709,000,000 yen gained 19 per cent with a favourable balance nt 203,000,000 yen.

Newspapers Suppressed

LONDON, Jan. 21 (Reuter)} Britain's Icading Communist

news- paper, "Daily Worker," has been sup- pressed by the Government under the Defence Regulations,

ed

that

as scheduled.

Mr Boothby Is Censured And Resigns

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"

LONDON, Jan. 21 (UP), Mr Robert Boothy, Parliamentary Under Secretary of the Ministry of Food has resigned.

Mr Churchill recalled his recent broadcast and said that he did not

་

ה

com-

MALAYAN WAR COMMITTEE

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"

SINGAPORE, Jan. 21 (Domei).—The creation of a Malayan Wär Committee was announced here, to- day by the Governor, H.E. Sir Shenton Thomas, at a meeting of the Legislative Council for British Malaya and Straits Settlements. The Governor said that the new committee is posed of civilians officials and also the chiefs of local fighting forces,

Gilman's

for

132 Nathan Road, Kowloon.

Tol. 58540.

Taking Part In Tobruk Assault

An official photograph showing an imposing array of fanks and guns which are now taking part in the

assault on Tobruk.

VALONA'S DOCKYARD. WRECKED

Punishing R.A.F. Attack

ATHENS, Jan. 21 (Reuter). Valona was subjected to its heaviest aerial bombing attacks of the war on the night of Jan. 19 and yesterday, when heavy hombers ralded the dockyard at night. com.

and

Greek-Soviet Meetings

Large explosions occurred in the-target-area and smaller fires also caused, but the weather was too bad for full re- sults to be seen.

were

In a daylight rald on Valonu, a number of high explosive bombs fell on bulidings on the south Jetty and foreshore and must have caused con- siderable damage.

Enemy Oghters attacked but were evaded after a fifteen-minute eng-

Fagement,

was at-

of about 11 miles. The outer circle f The retreating Italians whose barb-wired all round, presenting a strength is now revealed to be no, formidable task for the preliminary less than two divisions, are being work of destruction by our engineers.

hard-pressed by British light- R.A.F. Bomb Tobruk armoured units and motorised

infantry.. CAIRO, Jan. 21 One Member, Sir Stanley Reed,

(Reuter)....

Failure of A Mission The pursuit continues day and Simultaneously with the Prime Minister suggested that the

announce-alght across hilly and dimcult ment that | consider definitely advising the Itallan

British farces

ISTANBUL, Jan. 21 (Reuter).] On the return journey, our forma- have country. Every effort is being made The Greek Commercial Mision attacked and damaged an enemy. Common-launched an attack on Tebrik, it to maintain contact. people that the British

Occasionally wealth, was under no misapprehen- was announced that this Hallon sea- British Brengun carriers are able sion returning from Moscow

Boat plane. sion about the purpose for which they port was heavily raided by bomber send bursts into the Italian "tall.""

Brindisi railway station stated they learned from Russian tacked but results could not be were being called to fight.

aircraft of the RAF during the night of January 10-20.

Running Away

political quarters that 120 Soviet observed owing to cloud. Several attacks, states

The Italians are apparently with-divisions, normally

All our aircraft returned safely. 1,800,000 unique from RAF. headquarters drawing as fast as they can having troops, have been established in the Middle East, were made and fovered 20 miles on the first day along the

Indian, Sudanese and British troops registered were

frontier. marine repair shops #nd military are taking part in the pursuit, it is

learned, barracks,

The delegation was unsuccessful in Before their One

withdrawal, artillery bottery of four guns Italians were strung along a 100-mile of wheat and coal from Russia.

the its effort to negotiate for the purchase was silenced and many bombs fell front from Omager, where the fron-Russians, according to this source, The on a camp of about 200 ter is.

tiers

According to of Sudan, Eritrea and Abyssinia demanded an exorbitant price Anti-aircraft fire was intense but converge to a point 20 miles to the wheat and refused to deliver

oflelal of the LONDON, Jan. 21, (UP)--For the the British aircraft pressed

for Chinese Maritime Customs, Shayu- Afth week in succession British ship their attack.

home north-east of Kassala.

cual chung has not yet been occupied by ping losses were, well weekly average since the war began throughout yesterday but

The direction of the retreat is to the Greeks had handed over Japanese troops. British fighter patrols were active wards Agordat, nearly 100 miles from cash.

Advice wos received that the According to the Admiralty, the list clusive engagement with the enemy of Eritrea's only railway, and the Dardanelles on Greek ships as a result last, but as yet the troops have not Large quantities of wheat and cool Japanese expected to attack and cen- the frontier. Agordat is the terminus had recently passed through the take over the placa contains only nine British, ships of resulted.

Monday 30,200 tons, lost due to enemy action

main point of communication for the of an carlier dent. frontier region with the important Red Sea port of Massawa.

propose to add anything to it at the

moment.

British Shipping Losses

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"

below the

A select committee censured Mr Boothby in connection with his ac- ivities in supporting the liquidation, Another Left Wing periodical, call of British claims in the accounts "The Wecit," is similarly sup-with Czecho-Slovakia from the Bri- pressed.

tish loan to Czecho-Slovakin. The Home Secretory is satised The commitice which probed into in the week ending at midnight these papers systematically Mr Boothby's conduct for a week is January 12. There were no Allied or

matter calculated to foment sued a statement saying: "His con-neutral losses. publish opposition to the successful prosecu-duct is contrary to usage and deroga.. The losses for the week, however, tion of the war, states an official nory to the dignity of the House of are

over double compared. to last nouncement

Commons and inconsistent with the week's figures. During the period Officers of Scotland Yard raided standards that Parliament expects under review, the Germans claim the office of the "Daily Worker" to- from its members."

they sank 42,700 tons. day and slopped pubileațion just as it was going to press.

LATEST

Soo' Back Page For Further Late Nows

Nazis Take Control of

.

Italian War Machine

direct

hits

no

on

Catania Again Raided A further raid' was carried out on the nerodrome at Catanin (Slelly)) during the night of January 20-21, Seven enemy aircraft were on the ground, where two large twin-engined, bombers were seen to burst into flames.

Fires started near administrative j buildings were visible over 60 miles

away.

On the previous night, a railway station at Brindisi was bombed but

the results could not be fully observ

ed

I owing to low cloud. It is believed, however, that considerable damage was done.

Valona

Greek Guns Silence

Italians

until

Russian-German Shayuchung Not

+

Occupied

Threat By Japanese

an

put in an appearance.

.Trade

оп

LONDON, Jan. 21

between Hongkong and (Reuter). Shayuchung continues and yesterday From Feb. 1 the Ministry of Food launch masters returning from the will be the sole purchaser of rice for village declared that everything was importation into Britain.

quiet and normal there,

Antonescu's Troops &

Iron Guards

Clash

Special to the "Telegraph"

BUDAPEST, Jan. 21 (UP).—It is reported from Bucharest that street fighting broke out between the Iron Guards and troops of General Antonescu the latter killing two Iron Guards, All telephone lines to Bucharest have been cat.

dawn

It is reported the Iron Guards following the assassination of a Ger- erected a bler for the two mem-man, Major Doehring. Greek guns silenced many enemy bera who were killed in one of

TRENCH MORTAR · CORPS CAPTURED LONDON, Jan. 21 (Reuter).-The meeting between Hitler

ATHENS, Jan. 21 (Reuter). and Mussolini took place at Berchtesgaden, according to the

to the heaviest bombing attack hiter-Improvement in the weather diplomatic correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph"

to carried out in that region. A has resulted in a heavy artillery heavy raid was made during the night duel in the central sector of the Ho says that for the purpose language of Italian propagandists, of January 19-20, followed by fur- Albanian front from of propaganda the usual mysti-Nevertheless the fact remains that her raids during the day. Large ex- throughout the day. fication was made but I can suppliant for German aid and had to and a number of fires were caused, Mussolini at the meeting was a plasioms occurred in the target area atate that the purpose of the accept German terms. conference was the simple one

High explosive bombs fell on build-¦ batteries. These were for command for the Inga and the forcahore, causing con- of transferring the Italian war Italian forces in fact, if not in appear-siderable damage. machino to Gorman control."

ance, the correspondent states,

In Kassala Sector American Situation The mere fact that the meeling was held at Berchtesgaden and not at the NEW YORK, Jan. 22 (Router),— CARIO, Jan, ái (UP)—A General Italo-German frontier as of old. A telegram from Rome says that Hendquarters communique states: "In emphasises the subservient role that Signor Gayda Indiented that Hitler the Kassala area our troops aro vie Mussolini now takes. This abser and Mussolini discussed the "Ameri-toriously pursuing the Italian forces vience may be unpalatable to Italian con altuation" at yesterday's con- who are continuing their withdrawal pride and may be disguised in the forence.

to the eastward."

..

Described As Revolution where fighting, is proceeding, and parading, mourning and chant- Thick snow covers the mountains the main squares where they are

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" SOFIA, Jan. 21 (UP)-Some of there is a bitter cold fog. Despite Ing hymns of hate and revenge. the conditions, the Greeks continue to

the newspapers in Softa handline the Major Disorders.

disturbances In Bucharest as "ro- maintain the initiative and to dia- pince the enemy from their fortified

NEW YORK, Jan. 21 (Reuter)agencies give only a few delalle in volution in Rumania," but news positions.

According to a Budapest telegram, their despatches. In the southern sector beyond major disorders which may require Chimara, the Greeks encircled and energetic measures by the Germana captured a trench mortar corps, are raging

The latest reports from Bucharest throughout. Rumania, state that the altuation is still far from taking many prisoners.

They were of pro-German" origin: TURN to Back Page, Column 5