1941-02-27 — Page 9

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The

SECOND EDITION

Suprens Court

Hongkong Telegraph.

FOUNDED 100D XLTAI THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1941. 日二月二 SINGLE COPY 10 CENTS

No. 16303

200,000 NAZIS MASS ON BULGARIAN BORDER READY FOR

Special to the "Telegraph"

INVASION

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

YUGO-SLAV FRONTIERS.

}

A Budapest report says that constantly re-

ODECANESE IS. curring, but as yet unconfirmed rumours regarding

OCCUPIED

New British Air Base

Special to the “Telegraph"

The Italian island of Castel Rosso (Castel Oritzo), which is the casternmost 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

This is revealed in an official announcement issued] in London yesterday by the Admiralty and War Minis- try.

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

Spo.

Army-Navy Occupation

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 the Danube at a bridge near Chernavoda.

Nazis Ready To March LONDON, Feb. 26 (Reuter).) All information suggests that the German preparations for the occupation of Bulgaria are now for advanced.

Mr R. A. Butler, Under-Secretary

for Foreign Affairs, made this de-

**

ALFONSO CRITICAL

Suffers Several

Heart Attacks

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"

Currie Due Back

L

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WHITEAWAY'S

Here To-Day Italians Driven Back on Three Fronts in East Africa Offensive

(UP)---Me Lauchlin Curric will leave for Hongkong by plane on Thursday and will join the Clipper there for the United States.

Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek gave a farewell dinner in Mr Currie's honour on Wednesday evening and a farewell ten was given by Ambassador Johnson both purties being attended by the highest diplomatic and Chinese officials, including Mr H. H. Kung and Mr Wang Chung-hui.

NAZIS IN HAINAN

Advisers for The Japanese Armies

SHANGHAI, Feb. 20 (Reu. ter).-A contingent of over 30 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 dve groups to assist the Japanese forces to map out plans for an advance to the south,

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

CAIRO, Feb. 26 (Reuter).—Further progress by patriot forces in Abyssinia is reported in the latest com- munique 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.

"Following the enemy withdrawal from Italian Somaliland, West African troops yesterday captured Brava,

from which port our advance is again

continuing

"In the Gelib area, prisoners so far counted number 04 officers and 423 other, ranks, together with Colonial troops."

Mediation To Dictation

TOKYO, Feb. 26 (Reuter).---- The French Government is still 080 hesitating to make its attitude clear on the Japanese com- Capture of Gelib

promise proposal for settlement NAIROBI, Feb. 26 (Reuter)The of the Thailand-Indo-China dis- Sauth African formation which

captured Gelib after having crossed pute, stated Japanese observers the river near the mouth, made on to-night.

for 60 It was added that the Japanese exceedingly rapid march miles up the river, clearing enemy Government is not only lcceping a opposition all the way, says an official close eye on any interference by communique.

Third Powers but is determined, Here Cast African formations. pending a French reply, to take ap having crossed the bridgeheads seized propriate steps for the maintenance by the Gold Coast Regiment, carried of peace and order in East Asia. out a night march through desert

munication between Gelib and Brava,

While official circles declined to say

claration in the House of Commons, to-day when asked whether the The occupation of Castel Rosso may British Institute in Sofia had been have been derided upon during the closed by order of the Bulgarian Anglo-Turkish staff talks a fortnight authorities, LASHIO, BURMA, Feb. 26.-

"The fact that the official communi- British Minister in Sofia had been read;

Butler explained that Air attack can never seriously impede the steady flow of traficque was issued jointly by the Ad-given discretion to arrange for the condition is characterized as serious it is added, were detailed recently to

ally and the War Ministry indi- departure of the staff of the British weakness which is a direct con- cates that both the army and the institute when he considered the sequence to repeated heart attacks.” ', navy have taken over the island.

ROME, Feb. 26 (UP)-At 9 p.m. around Hainan Island, Tongking Bay country and cut the only road com- whether the compromise was anal the bulletin regarding ex-King Alfonso and the adjoining islands.

"Throughout, the day his

Some 30,000 fresh Japanese troops,

along the Burma Road, is the conclusion I reached to-day after

a ten-day, trip along the road in

a convoy of ten lorries.

circumstances

desirable,

Cardiac Disturbances. The island is ten miles from the

Mr Butler assumed that the British) Turkish const, 80 miles south of

Ex-King Alfonso's heart attacks Minister

this had now exercised Rhodes, and 105

19 at 6 pm, developed into a series of miles north The road has been damaged by Cyprus.

of discretion.

minor cardiac disturbances which Mr Butler gave no reply when started at nooit and continued ut Japanese bombs but the ferry *Castel Rosso is situated off asked whether the Bulgarian Govern half-hour intervals. service is now carrying 100 fully the south coast of Turkey, andment had been informed that unless The ex-King spent a quiet mor- they were prepared to defend theiring but the doctors prohibited alf

|

Formosa and Hainan.

NORWEGIAN SPY SYSTEM

thus preventing the escape of the

main body.

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

3,000 Prisoners

A conservative estimate of the number of prisonera is 3,000 while in addition, many of the enemy who escuped to the bush, are now return-

loaded trucks each way daily and its occupation by the British independence by force, they would be visits following yesterday's attacks. Broken By Nazising and surrendering. when more ferries and connect-virtually seals the fate of the regarded as a hostile country und It is reported that Alfonso, was ing roads are completed, as many Dodecanese islands which have their communications would be given more hypodermic injections trucks as the road can carry will now been completely cut off from bombed,

'this morning after a fifül night, Je transported across the river Italy. by these means.

Castel Rosso is about 80 miles by

The existing ferry consists of a few plane from Thodes, the binest Island Mysterious Fire In

planks strapped on to empty petrol drums and it is pulled across the riven by a stationary lorry. The ferry works during the night and is dismantled during the day so there Is no danger from Japanese atr attacks. Even if this simple ferry were damaged another could speedily Be prepared.

Frequent Dislocation

The Burma Road is subject to fre quent dislocation by landslide and flood but Chinese organisation of permanent gangs of coolles along the road is so effective that traffic has not been interrupted for more than 24 hours at a time during the past twelve months and that includes the rainy season.

After seeing these natural hazards 1. and 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 Burna daily for China carrying 100 tons of cargo exclusive of petrol for the journey but by the middle of January 160 rucks went through daily enrrying tons. Completion of petrol shortly will enable more cargo carried,

of the Dodecanese, and with Crete occupied by British land and gir forces, the Dodecanese can now be easily attacked by air from both the east and west.

War Supply

4

Eastern Group Council ·

Functions Defined

Bosphorus

of 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. 26 (UP).—

An acroplane reported that the The War Department disclosed to- STOCKHOLM, Feb. 26 | enemy retreating along a beach 30 day that 66 Meers, ranging from (Reuter). Over 200 persons

miles from Juba waved whitte-tagsLleutenants-to-Elenienant-Colonels- have been arrested in connection token of their desire to surrender. have been ordered to remain in the TURN to Back Page, Column 3

Philippines, although

they will be assigned to new posts.

It was also disclosed that the way, according to reports receiv-

Philippine Scouts, totalling about 6,000 native troops with American officers, are being doubled.

Chinese Doubt Of with au espionage case in Nor- U.S.-Anglo Spirited

CHUNGKING, Feb, 27 (Reuter).

here.

The authorities now believe that Oil Tanks Threatened The report that Britain and the they have broken up an extensive United States are warning Japan spy system in West Norway, where LONDON, Feb. 20 (Reuter)-A| against further southward expansion passive resistance is very strong. mysterious big fire which threatened received In Chungking with mixed The Bergen Police Chief has issued a stern warning against contravention move as a strong warning to Japan favour of the King and the Royal and attach great Importance to the Family. fact that parallel netlen has been taken by Britain and the United States, the influential dally. "Ta Kung Pao," expresses the fear that Britain and America lack the deter- mination to check Jopan,

to engulf of tanks in the Bosphorus feeling come quarters regard the lof orders tegarding propaganda in

An inquiry has been opened.

is reported in an Istanbul telegrann to the "Stefont" agency.

Five vessels loaded with petrol and paraffin caught fire and the blaze sped to other parafin-laden boats NEW DELHI, Feb. 26 (Reuter).–After prolunged efforts, firemen pre- At question time in the Assembly to vented the flames from reaching the day, a Government spokesman sald foil tanks nearby. that the newly-appointed Eastern Group Supply Council, formed as the result of the Eastern Group Con- ference, would, broadly speaking, receive demands for supplies from oversens forces and the governinents of the Eastern Group countries, and arrange to have thein met If possible,;

Group within the Eastern

The Couneli would work through

the various. the governments of

Its declsions countries concerned. were not mandatory to the Raj nor would they be placed before the As- sembly for discussion in case they were accepted by the Raj,

S. Kwangtung Landing Repulsed By Chinese

SZEWUI, Feb. 26 (Central News), Several hundred Japanese in rubber boats this morning approached Chekkai on tho, southern Kwangtung coast, southeast of Toishian, and directed heavy machine-gun fire nshore in an attempt to cover their landing. Chinese troops entrenched on the coast replused them with heavy fire.

In the afternoon the Japanese brought their planes into action. Covered by aerial bombardment they effected a landing.

Hangehow Railway has been disrupt- destruction by ed following the Chinese troops on Tuesday of the track at Chihsinkino hear Koshing,

1 miles south-west of Shanghal, Counter-Attack At Tamshui But before they could establish a

WAIYEUNG, Feb. 27 (Central Arm foothold, the Chinese counter News)-The Chinese counter-attack attacked with concentrated fire kill-

at Tamshul countries. ing and wounding a large number of

Wongslin and Pomino, two outer thom: The Japanese boarded their defenco points, have both been recap- boats and rotired to Sheungchuen tured, while the Japanese at Yeung- Inland off the southern Kwanglung tongwal, another point in the neigh- bourhood, are Isolated. The Chinese *Railway Disrupted

are now using Wongsha and Pomloo CHUNGKING, Feb. 27 (Central as bases for further assaults against | News)Traffic

on the Shanghai-Tamshul

conal....

Sabotage persists despite severe penalties.

A German Court Martial at Bergen yesterday sentenced ten Norwegians to death after n trial lasting three weeks,

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 Yuen.

Can't Spare Ships

U.S. Mercantile Position

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 (UP)—– Oficials of the Maritime Commission to-day stated that none of the existing merchant vesscis.. can Ве spared to Britain during the next nine months, owing to the fact that they are needed for the transport of strategic materials for defence pro- gress. Morcover, the United States needs about 60 more 10,000-ton cargo boals to meet domestic requirements. con- The present merchant fleet sists of 1.276 ships, including the Great Lakes flect and military tran-

sports, leaving only 331 merchant vessels and 40 tankers for foreign trade, totalling 2,405,000 tons. Che hundred and thirty vessels are now being rushed to completion, average ing one launching every five days."

LATEST

Seo Back Pago For Further, Late News

War Chiefs' Evidence To Congress Made Public

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (Reuter).—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 getung ready at the earliest possible war by the heads of the United moment.

The huge naval construction 'pro- States Army and Navy were gramme was proceeding, Admirat given to Congress and mado Stark said, at a "very favourable publle by the House of Repre-running four to six months ahead of speed," Battleship construction was sentatives Appropriations Com-schedule. mittee to-day,

transfer

Admiral Staric expressed tho

that opinion

of more General Marshall sold that a your destroyers to Britain on tho' scale ago the United Sintes would have suggested by Mr Wendell Wilikle was been in a "somewhat helpless plight"inadvisable at the moment, but tho It control of the Atlantle had passed Government's hands should not be to the enemy.

tled in this connection.

He said: "It is impossible to ford- Adiniral Tarold Stark, Chief. of 500 what we may want to Naval Operations, naked whether anymorrow or the next day under the

Certain time was definitely set by the Preal-prosent world conditions. dent regarding when the Navy should emergency conditions might neĪPO be ready for business," replied in the under which we might want to make negative. He worked on the basis of certain transfers of material”.

do.

10%.

*