1941-02-27 — Page 1

BANTAM

Super-4-Coupe

Beautifully upholstered, economical to drive, this car is equally suitable for the business man or his wife.. Big luggago compartment.

FAR EAST MOTORS

Phone 59101

26 Nathan Road,

KOWLOON.-

Dollar Trongkong Telegraph"

fer Type Mono "bin Morning Post, Lid...,

"High" Water:===22435% Low. Water:-15.54.

Street, Hongkong.

The RST EDITION TheRST

Cou

Hongkong Telegraph.

No. 10393

rog tai 四拜禮 號七十月二英港香

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1941. 日二月二 SINGLE COPY 10 CENTS

200,000 NAZIS MASS ON BULGARIAN BORDER READY FOR INVASION

Special to the "Telegraph"

BELGRADE, FEB. 26 (UP).—IT IS ESTIMATED BY WELL INFORMED QUARTERS THAT AT PRESENT THERE ARE 23 GERMAN DIVISIONS, TOTALLING 450,000 MEN IN RUMANIA. OF THESE, 14 DIVISIONS, COMPRISING 200,000 SOLDIERS ARE ALONG THE BULGARIAN-

YUGO-SLAV FRONTIERS.

DODECANESE IS. OCCUPIED

New British Air Base

Special to the "Telegraph"

The Italian island of Castel Rosso (Castel Oritzo), which is the easternmost island of the Dodecanese group, has been captured and occupied by British naval and

military forces.

Burma Rd. Withstands The Bombs

Full Ferry Service

DY "REUTER'S" SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

A Budapest report says that constantly re- curring, but as yet unconfirmed rumours regarding the alleged entry of a German army into Bulgaria, include a report that 13,000 Nazi troops entered Bulgaria last night,

CROSSED THE DANUBE

Belgrade that 12,000 German motorised troops invaded NEW YORK, Feb, 26 (Reuter).—It is reported from Bulgaria on Tuesday afternoon.

A report from Sofia says that these troops crossed This is revealed in an

the Danube at a bridge near Chernavoda. . official announcement issued

Nazis Ready To March in London yesterday by the

LONDON, Feb. 26 (Reuter). Admiralty and War Minis-All information suggests that try.

the German preparations for the occupation of Bulgaria are now far advanced.

The announcement added that the island has been equipped as a seaplane base.

Mr R. A. Butler, Under-Secretary

Australia's Big War Industries

Currie Due Back

Here To-Day

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" CHUNGKING, Feb 26 (UP),Mr. Lauchlin Currié will leave for Hongkong by plane on Thursday and will Join the Clipper there for the United States.

Generalissimo Chiang Kal-shek gave a farewell dinner in Mr. Curric's honour on Wednesday evening and a farewell ten was given by Ambassador Johnson both parties being attended by the highest diplomatic and Chinese officials, including Mr, H. H. Kung and Mr Wang Chun-chui,

IN

NAZIS

HAINAN

Advisers for The

$30.00 PER ANNUM

FOR LADIES 'Suntex' Interlock Briefs

Ideal to wear under Shorts or for Sports 'wear.

British mado.

Snugfit alastic waist $2.50

and leg. In Peach onlyTM

WHITEAWAY'S

Italians

Driven

Back on Three Fronts in East Africa Offensive

CAIRO, Feb. 26 (Reuter).—Further progress by patriot forces in Abyssinia is reported in the latest com- inunique from G.H.Q., Cairo, which tells of continued thrusts on three fronts.

"In Eritrea," says the communique, "our northern column advancing towards Keren has again made satisfactory progress, About Keren itself, local activity continues.

"In Abyssinia, patriot forces, supported by British troops, have successfully increased the area of their penetration in the Gojjam area, and further south, are causing evacuation of more Italian ports.

Japanese Armies continuing

- SHANGHAI, Feb. 26 (Reu- ter). A contingent of over 80 German and Italian advisers has arrived at Hainan Island off French Indo-China, according to unconfirmed Chinese press re- ports.

It is stated that they are being or ganised into five groups to assist the Japanese forces to map out plans for an advance to the south..

The same reports state that more ing destroyers, submarines and two than 100 Japanese warships, includ-

around Hainan Island, Tongking Bay and the adjoining islands.

aircraft carriers, British Institute In Sofia had been LONDON, Feb. 26. (Reuter).

arc concentrailng

Some 90,000 fresh Japanese troops,

Formosa and Hainan.

it is added, were detailed recently to

NORWEGIAN SPY SYSTEM

Mediation To Dictation

TOKYO, Feb. 26 (Reuter),

"Following the enemy withdrawal from Italian SomalBand, West African troops yesterday captured Bravo, from which port our advance is again

"In the Gelib area, prisoners so far counted number 64 officers and 423 The French Government is still

clear on the Japanese com- Capture of Golib South

NAIROBI, Feb. 20 (Reuter).-The promise proposal for settlement African formation which of the Thailand-Indo-China dis- captured Gella after having crossed pute, stated Japanese observers the river near the mouth, mude an to-night. exceedingly rapid march for 00 It was added that the Japanese miles up the river, clearing enemy

close eye on any interference by Government is not only keeping n Third Powers but is determined, pending a French reply, to toke np- proprinte steps for the maintenance of peace and order in East Asia.

Colonial troops." other. ranks, together with 080 hesitating to make its attitudo

opposition all the way, says an official communique. Here East

African formations, having crossed the bridgeheads seized by the

the Gold Const Regiment, carried out a night march through desert, country and cut the only road com- munication between Gelib

end Brave, thus preventing the escape of the main body,

A Gold Coast brigade, which had borne the brunt of the early fighting across Jubu, completed its operations and cut off all avenues of escape to the north.

whether the compromise was a fin

While oficial circles declined to say or a tentative offer, observers stated. that they believed that it was final. The proposal was submitted with the strict understanding that both Thailand and France would make their replies before Saturday.

Precautions In Philippines

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 (UP),

for Foreign Affairs, made this de- "Castel Rosso is situated off claration in the House of Cominvas, the south coast of Turkey, and to-day when asked whether the its occupation by the British closed by order of the Bulgarian-The devastation in Britain was LASHIO, BURMA, Feb. 26.—virtually seals the fate of the authorities.

much less than the world was Air attack can never seriousty Dodecanese islands which have Mr Butler explained that the impede the steady flow of traficow been completely cut off from British Minister in Sofia had been led to believe, said Mr R. G. given discretion to arrange for the Menzies, the Australian Premier, along the Burns Road, is the italy. conclusion I reached to-day, after plane from Rhodes, the biggest Island circumstances desirable,

departure of the staff of the British speaking in London to-day. Castel Rosso is about 80 miles by Institute when he considered the a ten-day trip along the road in of the Dodecanese, and with Crete

The Germans would never win the Mr Butler assumed that the British added. They could not win till they war by knocking over houses, he a convoy of ten lorries.

occupied by British land and alr❘ Minister The road has been damaged by

Lorees, the Dodecanese can now be discretion.

We had

now exercised this had knocked over the spirit of the Japanese bombs but the ferry east and west,

easily attacked by air from both the Mr Butler gave no reply when

British people.

3,000 Prisoners service is now carrying 100 Tully

asked whether the Bulgarian Govern-inning of the task fucing it but Mr The Empire was merely at the be-

A conservative estimate of tie loaded trucks each way daily and

ment had been informed that unless Menzies expressed satisfaction at the

number of prisoners is 3,000 while in addition, many of they were prepared to defend their Australian war effort. Over 400,000

the when more ferries and connect-

enemy who escaped to the bush are now return- ing fonds are completed, as many

regarded as Л hostile country and there would be nearly 600,000-Before"

Ing and surrendering. trucks as the road can carry will

their commünications

An aeroplane reported that the The War Department disclosed bombed.

be the end of the year. be transported across the river

enemy retreating along a beach 30 day that 6 omeers, ranging from STOCKHOLM, Feb. 26 miles from Juba waved white flags Lieutenants to Lieutenant-Colonels by these means,

Machine Tools

(Reuter). Over 200

In token of persons

their

desire to surrender. have been ordered to remain in the Seventy-five firms were making have been arrested in connection

Large quantities of guns and am- Philippines, although they will be the outbreak of war. Aircraft pro- with an espionage case in Nor-

were captured,

assigned to new posts. South African Air Force 10- duction was so successful that Aus-way, according to reports receiv-operated in the capture of Gelib, Philippine Scouts, totalling about

It was

also disclosed that the tralia proposed to export elementary ed here. training machines to other Dominions

transport 6,000 native troops with American by the middle of the year. Australia they have broken up an extensive The authorities now believe that

ofleers, are being doubled. was also twelve mouths would be three times

producing other types. The aclitevements in the

spy system In West Norway, where passive resistance is very strong.

The Bergen Police Chief has Issued of orders regarding propaganda In a stern warning against contravention

favour of the King and the Royal Family

The existing ferry consists of a few planks strapped on to empty petrol drums and it is pulled across the river by a stationary lorry. The ferry works during the night and is dismantled during the day so there in danger from. Japanese air attacker. Even if this simple ferry were damured another could speedily be prepared.

Taranto Raid independence by force, they would be people were producing munitions and Broken-By-Nazis

Damage Fully Confirmed

would

Mysterious Fire In machine tools compared with five at

Bosphorus

Oil Tanks Threatened LONDON, Feb. 29 (Reuter)-A

Frequent Dislocation The Burma Road is subject to fre- quent dislocation by landstide and battleship of the Cavour class had paraffin caught fire and the blaze

пект

Australia's

munition

The

machine-gunning

enemy which were trying to escape.

Bombardment of enemy positions and dumps farther along the const was successfully carried out by the, Navy.

LONDON, Fels, 26 (Reuter).-The damage done to the Italian Fleet by the British Fleet Air Arm at Taranto as announced by the Admiralty has been fully confirmed by subsequent reports, Rr A. V. Alexander, First mysterious big fire which threatened Lord of the Admiralty, revealed when to engulf oil tanks in the Bosphorus that of the past year. questioned

the subject

in the is reported in an Istanbul telegram contribution to victory would be at House of

Cominens

to-day.

to the "Stefani" agency. Mr Alexander disclosed that one

its peak when most needed. Five vessels loaded with petro! and

SINGAPORE, Feb. 26 (Reuter).— Blood but Chinese organisation of apparently been abandoned as a total sped to other parafin-laden boats. A total of $5,000,000 (Straits) was penale persists despite severe loss. Another vessel of this class and After prolonged efforts, firemen pre-lo-day reached by the publicly- tw been interrupted for more than teria class battleship were badly vented the lames front reaching the subscribed Straits Settlements Wer yesterday sentenced ten Norwegiants constal offensive" runs a

and were still out of action. cil tanks nearby. There was no

information re- further arding the two cruisers which were shown by aerial photograph to be listing to starboard and surrounded by oil fuel, or the two big auxiliary ships lying with their sterns under

permanent gangs of coulles along the road is so effective that trafle has

24

hours at a time during the past twelve months and that includes the rainy reason.

After seeing these natural hazards I find it hard to believe that aerial bombardment could offer an equal menace to the steady traffic flow.

When the road was first re-opened about 40 trucks left Burma dally for China carrying 100 tons of cargo, exclusive of petrol for the journey but

by the middle of January 160 trucks went through dally carrying tons. Completion of petrol clumps shortly will enable more cargo to be carriedt.

450

water.

Australian Shipping

SYDNEY, Feb. 26 (Reuter).- Senitor A., McBride, the Australian Minister of Supply, announced to-day that the Federal Government will be- | in Immediately on the building of merchant ships.

Antonescu Betrays Poles: Britain Promises To Act

LONDON, Feb. 26 (Reuter).-Britain has entered a most vigorous protest against the sending of interned Polish soldiers In Rumania to Germany.

internal matter which they were not

Mr R. A: Butler, Under-prepared to discuss. Secretary for Foreign Affairs, expressed the strongest disapproval to Sir Reginald Hoare hnmediately revented this in the House of this attitude. Subsequently on Ins Commons to-day when hetructions from London, ho formally characterised the action as a that if so base an act were permitted, notified the Rumanian Government violation of International Law. the British Government would not On January 31, he added, com- forget that General Antonese and petent Rumanian authorities inform the members of his Government bore ed the Chilcon Legation, who are in personal responsibility. charge of Polish Interests in Rumania, that all interned Follsh would be sent to Germany iately,

A protest was lodged by the Chilean Charge Affaires and the British Minister in Bucharest vigor- ously supported the protest,

When the British Minister left Bucharest, it was understood thint the Rumanian Government had at least temporarily delayed action, but there in some reason to supposé, that it may now have taken place.

The House of Commons clieered when Sir William Labison declared: The only explanation given by the that there would be warm satisfac- Rumanian Government was that they tion in Britain at the vigour of the regarded the question as a purely British protest.

An inquiry has been opened.

Fund for the purchase of bombers for the R.A.F.

A German Court Atortial at Bergen

to death after a trial lasting three ivecks,

THOUSANDS BUY CENTENARY STAMPS

26

Our photographer captured this scene in the General Post Office yesterday, when thousands of Chinese throughout the day crowded into the building to purchase the special Hongkong centenary stamps for first covers.Ming Yaen.

of

Cupture of Capital LONDON, Feb. 20 (Reuter).- "Although hundreds of miles valueless and almost uninhabitable country lie between Mogadiscio and Bardaful, the capture of the capital (Mogadiscio) is a major stroke in the

cable re ceived from Nairobi to-night,

It continues: "From Mogadisclo, two all-weather roads, considered to be

equal to the best In Italian East Africa, run;

one goes northwards towards the Djibuti railway and Hafar, and the other westwards to Lugh. The final collapse of the Juba front emphasises the lesson learned in France of the vulnerability of a static river defence in the face of mobile forces.

Mobile Attack

"By a series of rapid feints, the defenders.

were bewildered

and TURN to Back Page, Column 3

LATEST

Seo Back Page For

Further Late News

War Chiefs' Evidence To Congress Made Public

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (Router).-That invasion is less Imminent than a year ago is the opinion of General George Marshall, United States Chief of the Army Staff.

This and other views of the getting ready at the carliest possible war by the heads of the United moment.

The huge naval-construction pro- States. Army and Navy were gramme was proceeding, Admiral given to Congress and made Stark said, nt a "very favourable public by the House of Repre- speed." Battleship construction was sentatives' Appropriations Com-running four to six months ahead of

schedule. mittee to-day.

Admiral Stark

expressed the opinion that transfor of moro on the scale

Gentral Marshall said that a year destroyers to Britala ago the United States would have suggested by Mr Wendell Wilkie was been in a "somewhat helpless plight" Inadvisable at the moment, but the It control of the Atlantic had passed Government's hands should not be to the enemy..-

tled in this connection.

Admiral, Harold Stark, Chief of see what we may want to do 10- Ho said: "It is imposible to fore- Naval Operations, naked whether any morrow or the next day under the time was definitely sat by the Presi-present world conditions. Certain dent regarding when the Navy should emergency conditions might arise be "ready for business," repiled in the under which we might want to make negative. He worked on the basis of certain transfers of material.”