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for-
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26 Nathan Rosa,
Kowloon.
Hongkong Telegraph.
FOUNDED 1831 一拜禮 號一卅月三英港香 MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1941.
No. 10420
日四初月三
FIVE ITALIAN WARSHIPS SUNK IN BIG NAVAL & AIR BATTLE
Fleet Suffers No Casualties
British
Germany Asks For Belgrade's Reply To-day
Legation Officials Ready To Leave
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" BELGRADE, Mar. 30 (UP).— Germany, through her Minister to Belgrade, 'Herr von Heeren. has asked the Yugo-Slavian Government for a clarification of ils attitude to the Axis pact by sametime on Monday.
The German Legation and Consulate, after destroying yes. terday many of their papers, werd busy this morning trans- porting the permanent archives to, two steamers which are wait- ing on the Danube.
SIX auto-trucks are standing out- side of the German Consulate.
The time for the departure of the ships bus not yet been fixed, but it maybe this evening or to-morrow. The German colony, comprising most- ly women and children are aboard.
German journalists are also pre- paring to leave.
The German Legation is trying to obtain a collective exit visa for the German colony,
Members of the German colony are also leaving by special tralu to-
morrow,
Croat Collaboration Despite some tendency towards alarmist reports, well-informed-peit- tical circles this morning sald that the collaboration of the Croats Government can be regarded ધવ was added successfully settled. It that Dr Matchek, the Croat lender, 15 not in principle ppposed to his own membership of the Cabinet, but the considers that by putting his signa- ture to the recent decisions of the former Government he has placed himself in a position which might hamper aeth
Delive
collaboration with the new Government.
It is reliably reported that the Government
take will probably certain measures for the protection of the Yuro-Slavlan frontier. The Government believes that the mea- sures should cause no anxiety neighbouring coun
countries as General
LONDON, MAR. 30 (REUTER)-IT IS OFFICIALLY · CON- FIRMED THAT THREE ITALIAN CRUISERS, FIUME, POLA, AND ZARA, HAVE BEEN SUNK AS WELL AS A LARGE ENEMY DESTROYER AND A SMALLER DESTROYER. THERE WERE NO BRITISH CASUALTIES.
Latest news of the naval and air battle in the Mediterranean shows that Britain has struck the greatest blow of the war at sea,
Five Italian warships-three, cruisers and two destroyers-have been sent to the bottom without a single casualty or the slightest damage "to the British Fleet.
The news of Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham's operations is described briefly in the following communique issued by the Admiralty this evening:
"The Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, reports that no, casualties or damage were sustained by His Majesty's ships throughout the recent operation.
"Some of our aircraft are, however, not accounted for.
The Italian cruiser Zara.
"Best News Since Beginning Of War"
British Naval Victory Hailed
Special to the "Telegraph" LONDON,-Mar.-30-(UP),--An-Admiralty-communique-to- day said that the British navy emerged from the war's greatest naval engagement unscathed after severely damaging one Lit- torio class battleship and sinking three cruisers, which are pre- sumed to be included in the four cruisers which were announced yesterday, to have been severely damaged.
Naval quarters hailed Admiral Cunningham's victory and noted the generally superior speed of the Italian warships. Moreover, yesterday's Air Ministry commu- nique placed the scene of the battle: in the Ionian Sea within easy reach of the Italian bases.
To-day's communique jeft come doubt as to whether or not the Lit- torio class Lattleship escaped after
Rolling Up Italians Flanks
Simavitch, in the Government's first being severely damaged, but that E. Africa Campign
elther
declaration, underlined Yugo-Siavin's cryptic announcement indicated, that penceable intentions and her desire other Italian warships were for collaboration with all neighbours, sunk or curaged.
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH". LONDON, Mar. 30 (UP),- merely Insisting that Yugo-Slavian first sustained battle between
The week end engagement was the The Imperial forces are rolling Integrity should not be put to the British and Italian feels which be-up the Italian flanks to the north
Best informed quarters declare that comes a Jutland of the Mediter- and
question.
is only in such a light that any ranean. extraordinary mensures for the country should be viewed.
Lupescu Saves Life And Loses Property LONDON, Mar. 30 (Reuter).The renutning property in Rumania be- longing to Madame Lupescu, who is accompanying ex-King Carol to Chile,
has been conilacated, says a Bucharest message to the German news agency.
Opportune Movement
The British victory
coines
The
south and are poised ready
to sever two of the most impor- tant avenues of retreat for the
British Bombers Light Up The Coast
Terrific Attacks On Invasion Ports
SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" FOLKESTONE, Mar. 30 ((UP):~A continuous stream of British planes roared across the [Channel to attack the invasion
ports to-night.
They started about 9 o'clock and made Calais their main tar- get in the first hour.
Although the weather Was clear on the English side of the Straits, aver the French const the sparkle of bursting shells and bunched searchlights stood out against a heavy bank of iclouds.
There did not seem to be a large
"So far, it is confirmed that number of planes raiding, but several the following Italian warships groups were operating at different have been sunk: the eight-inch points as searchlights here and there cruisers Fiume, Pola and Zara; were switched on for a few minutes. Once, near Calnis, there was a the large destroyer Vincenzo terrific flash and then #1 slicet nt Gioberto; and the destroyer flame, about 200 feet in the air,
burned ercely. lighting up Maestrale.
coast for a few minutes, and then It suddenly went out as if a ship on fire had suddenly sunk
10,000-Ton Craisers
"Further details are awaited."
the
The raid appeared to extend The Fiume, which was heavily northward from Calals to Dunkirk. carried eight 8-inch guns Several large fires were started, Uhe arined, among her armament and her com-glare of which extended along the plement was 705 officers and ratings. TURN to Back Page, Column 3
All the three cruisem were-of- 10,000 tons.
The destroyer Vincenzo Globerto was completed in 1930 and had a dis- placement of 1,700 tors and complement of 157.
The Maestrale and similar
a
TRIPOLI HIT
Armamenis but her displacement British Bombers
was 1,500 tons.
Survivors, Reach Greece
ATHENS, Mar. 30 (Reuter) -Sur- į vivors have been landed at Piraeus
In Action
CAIRO, Mar. 30 (Router),- from three Italian ships sunk in the The important harbour of Tri- Eastern Mediterranean by British poli was raided by British warships.
The three Italian cruisers, Flume, bombers during the night of
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-Ted Corfield In the "Sydney. Bulletin"
30 AXIS SHIPS SEIZED BY U.S.
By ARTHUR DE GREVE
Special to the "Tolograph"
WASHINGTON, Mar. 30 (UP)—The United States to-day placed 28 Italiun and two German merchant ships, now in United States territorial waters, under protective custody to safeguard the harbours of the United States from sabotage. disposition of the vessels is uncertain.
FRENCH FIRE ON BRITISH WARSHIPS
The future.
The Secretary of the Treasury, Mr Henry Morgenthau, ordered the taking-over of the vessels after President Roosevelt had approved the plan.
The United States Army, controll- ing the Canal Zone, took over the 20,000 ion Italian Uner Conte Blancamano which is tied up at Cristobal. The others are all 6,000 ton vessels and have been in United States watere since the beginning of the war.
Пе
LONDON, Mar. 30 (Reuter),
Must Compensate. An incident in which French
Commenting on the reports that shore batteries in Algiers opened the ships could be forfeited If sabot fire on some British light naval age was proved, Senator Walter forces is reluted in an official ficorge of the Senate Foreign Rela- communique issued by the ions Committee, recognised qu
thority on International law, said Admiralty.
knew of no principle to justify the It states: "Reports have been Government in seizing and using for- received that a convoy of four cign owned vessels without com- merchant ships, escorted by pensating their owners.
Experts agreed that the Govern- French destroyers, was due to ment is legally empowered to take pass through the Straits of TURN to Back Page, Column 5 Gibraltar and that convoy car- ried important war materials for JAPANESE NAVY Germany..
"Accordingly orders were given for MAKING READY intercepting the convoy which, how- ever, passed through the
To Meet Trouble In within
Spanish territorial
The Pacific Our forces caught up with the French
SHANGHAI, Mar 31 (Internation- shippers, and called upon after they had left Spanish tiem to stop so that the normal pro- cedure of visit and search might be station carried out.
"The French shore batteries in the buildings, trucks, sidings and motor transport
park were repeatedly hit vicinity then opened fire on our ships former Governor-General of Formosa and severely damaged. Motor trans- notwithstanding that they were mere- and one of the chief exponent of the port and troops on the ronds in the ly engaged in the exercise of our southem movement, will assume a same aren were heavily bombed and legitimate belligerent rights.
high naval post in Hainan Island in .. His Majesty's ships were machine-gunned. Many vehicles were
com-place of the late Admiral Baros destroyed and others were damaged.pelled to reply in their own defence Mineo Orumi.
and hits were observed on the shore batteries.
Bombs fell Pola and Zara, and one Italian des- Friday-Saturday. troyer are represented among these among shipping and other ob- survivors. They were brought in by|jectives. a Greek, destroyer.
LATEST
The story is told in
an R.A.F. Middie East communique issued to- day. It states:
"Italian East Africa.-There was the further intensive activity by
RA.F. in the Asmart area yesterday.
In the town itself, the main
An
nt Italians in central and western moment when the Axis partners are Abyssinia-the Djibouti railway į making efforts to impress Mr. Mat-nt Diredawa and the railway to suoka with the certainty of a final Massawa from Asmara. totalitarian victory, and also coin-
Free French Airmen Asmara, besides being the capital cities with the beginning of the last
"Aircraft of the Free French squa- phase of the campaign against of Eritrea, is belleved to be one of the chief cltadels in East Africa and
dron took part in the rald on Mussolini's East African Empire.
that the Naval oficials suggest that Admiral therefore it is expected
stim
nemy encampment between Gondar resistance. Cunninghans may have sent faster tallans will offer
and Asmara where military buildings TURN to Back Pago, Column 3d moreover, the garrison will be Asmara has good natural defences
The 48 hours ending midnight on were demolished by direct hits. and
Sunday, produced 15 new cases of "North of Dessy and in reinforced by crack forces Including cholera, nine of which were from Awash area, considerable damage
Grenadiers who are
Victorin, five from Kowloon and one was done to a large concentration of back from Keren. However, from Aberdeen.
motor vehicles when they were
Keren, where the, Italians were or-
Colony Warned of Likely Currency Restrictions
the Savoy
Bu
it
Cholera Figures.
is thought that the British victory at Total since the start of the year is bombed and machine-gunned. lered to stand fast at all costs, must now 672 cases ...! have been a serious blow to Itailan morale.
An official statement on 'the recent decision to stop further remittances to areas outside the sterling bloc was issued to the "Telegraph" this morning by Mr D. Kelvin-Stark, Assistant. Financial Secretary. Residents whose families may have the British brushing aside resistance cuated to Canada, the United States, the Philippines and other places outside the sterling area are affected by the decision.
The statement follows:---
Not Yet A Walk-over the Italians are falling back "very A military spokesman at Calro said rapidly" from Keren towards Asmara "but it in't a walk-over yet."
The communique made reference to Herrar and Diredawn which substantiates the Italian brandenst matter, which might lead the Scere- vacuated. It is indicated that the cluin that Diredawa has been Instructions have been received tary of State to consider that Hong cutting of the strategle railway com- from the Secretary of State for the kong should not share this wor res Colonies that, otherwise than in very triction with the remaining Crow.
munications from Abyssing to French exceptional circumstances, ail exist-Colonies, had not yet been put before Somaliland may only be a matter of ing remittances outside the sterling him in full detall,
between
a few hours,
area made by British subjestę (other This Government grently regrets
Rome Confession than Canadian eltizons and British the suspense occasioned to persons LONDON, Mar. 30 (UP)--Radio subjects of Chinese race) should cease affected but it was thought batter to Rome said that the Italians have re- three months after anal notice has give as early on indication as pos- tired to new positions west of the been_given)
sible of the fact that remittances may town following: the evacuation of Final notice has not yet been given
Italian planes attacked a by this Government,
· Exchange: control restrictions have trong British naval formation in the As it was thought that certain aspects of us-TURN-to-Back-Pago, Column 3-TURN-to-Paga 2, Column-Savan
COLEO.
Diredawn,
Soo Back Page For Further Late News ·
the
The railway station at Metahari was also dive-bombed and the rali- way line was damaged."
"Aircraft of the South African Air Force carried out successful bombing and machine-gun attacks on motor transport and buildings In the Nogl uren. Near Diredawn, motor trans- port vehicles were overturned and many others were observed to be damaged after a machine-gun attack from the air.
Shipping Damaged "Libya.-During the night of March 28-20, Royal Air Force bom- bers ralded the harbour of Tripoll.
station.
Largo bombs were observed to fall among the shipping and others were seen bursting between the wireless station and the main electric power "Albania-Threa successful offen- Biva reconnaissances were made ‚yesterday against, the Albanian vill
ages of Berat, Dukal and Dukati,
From these operations, all our air- {craft_returned_safely."
Stralla waters.
apoyo dispatches stated that the Japanese navy is making pre- parations in the event of a naval war. in the Pacific. It is persistently re ported
that Admiral Selzo Kobayashi,
Adiniral
Osami Nagano, member of the Supreme War Council and former Escape To Nemours Navy Minister, is to resume sen com- mand to take øver some of the dutics "In view of the action taken by of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the the French batteries, our worships Commander-in-Chief of the Co- would have been fully justified in bined Fleet. fring on the. French merchant ships:
These naval moves are said to be and their escort, but in the interests prompted by fear that the United of humanity did not do so, and the States may enter the war in the sum- TURN to Back Page, Column 4
mer or autuan.
Yugo-Slavia & Turkey
May Form An Alliance
Special to the "Telegraph"
ISTANBUL, Mar 30 (UP).—It is learned that the Yugo- Stavian Ambassador, M. Ilia Choumenkovich has a long confer- ence with M. Barajoglu, Turkey's Foreign Minister, at the Foreign Office in Ankara.
Choumenkovich
Leave for will It is understood that he made Delgrade shortly. the first Yugo-Slavian move
Well informed quarters believe that towards accepting the proposals in the talks with the Yugo-Slavs it is unlikely that the Turks would commit the Turks made several months themselves to anything except defen ago for the creation of some alvo military action. Some expect sort of common Yugo-Turk the talks to load to a joint Yugo-Turi
declaration, while Greece will prob stand.. •
ably later be included in a log It is very reliably reported that M. Yugo-Greek-Turkish bloc,
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