1941-04-01 — Page 13

Inside

PARKING

IS THE SAFEST !

FAR EAST MOTORS

he S FINAL EDITION

Longkong Telegraph.

FOUNDED 1801

Kowloon,

No. 10421

二拜禮辦一月四英港香

TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1941;

日五初月三

SINGLE COPY 10 CENTS $30.00 PER ANNUM

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new str modern des

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WHITEAWAY'S

FULL STORY OF THE GREATEST Britain's Man of the Moment SEA FIGHT SINCE TRAFALGAR

Italians Lose Seven Ships and 4,000 Men

SMASHING R.A.F. ATTACK

Nazi Battleships Hit

Special to the "Telegraph" LONDON, Mar. 31 (UP). The smashing attack German battleships Scharnhost and against the Gneisenau in Brest harbour last night is taken as an

Special to

to the "Tolograph"

ALEXANDRIA, MAR. 31 (UP).—ESTIMATES FROM THE BRITISH

WARSHIPS WHICH PARTICIPATED IN LAST FRIDAY'S NAVAL

ACTION IN THE IONIAN SEA INDICATE THAT OVER 3,000 ITALIAN

OFFICERS AND SEAMEN WERE LOST IN ADDITION TO THE 900 SUR-

(AN “EXCHANGE VIVORS WHO ARE NOW PRISONERS OF WAR. TELEGRAPH” DESPATCH FROM ATHENS SAYS THAT THE SURVIVORS INCLUDE 35 GERMAN OFFICERS AND PETTY OFFICERS.)

An Italian battleship of the Littorio class was very severely damaged, while three heavy Italian cruisers and two destroyers were definitely sunk. In addition a six-inch gun cruiser and a third destroyer were possibly sunk, in what was probably the most decisive naval engagement since Trafalgar.

indication that Britain is determined that the two battle-

In the pitch blackness, 150 miles west of Crete, three enemy cruisers appeared ships shall not be allowed to put to sea again to menace

off the British fleet's starboard bow. The flagship Warspite opened fire with a shipping.

Following the Ionian Sen complete broadside from her 15-inch guns reducing the cruiser Fiume to a floating victory, which many well inform-hell with the first salvo. ed naval quarters believe wiped out the Italian navy as an effec tive fighting force, and the wind- ing up of the South African campaign, likely releasing impor-

MATSUOKA IN ROME Audience With Pope

Arranged

tant British naval reinforce- ments for the Atlantic, the LONDON, Mar. 31 (Reuter). British prospects of assuring the -Mr Yosuke Matsuoka, the safe arrival of vital convoys Japanese Foreign Minister, who through the counter-blockade is arrived in Rome to-day, by enormously enhanced.. special train, was met at the station by Count Ciano, the Italian Foreign Minister, and other members of the Italian Government, the Secretary of and the the Fascist Party German Ambassador.

Message To Ribbentrop

Damage Not Known

There is still no indication what, if any, damage was inflicted on the Scharnhorst and Greisenau during last night's raids, but it is considered certain that the R.A.F. and the navy took advantage of the opportunity to neutralise the possibility. of the ships being able to reach the Intercep- open tion

be notoriously dimeult, necessitate the

for action to

VICHY, "Mar, 31 (Reuter)-Mrlantic, where their eat!

Matsuoka wnicet Mussolinion and where it would Tuesday. He will lunch with Kirk navy detaching strong forces in order Victor. His nudience with the Pope to hunt down and destroy the raiders. Only the best British vessels of the will take pince on Wednesday, nc-

King George V. class, and battle cording to a Romo dispatch.

cruisers have the speed and armament necessary for such a hunt.

The German rado states that Mr telegram to Matsuoka hus sent a Herr von Ribbentrop, saying: "I am sure that the conversations which

we had in such a friendly atmos EDEN AND DILL

phere in Germany will lead to a further strengthening of the bonds between the two countries and the creation of a new order in Europe and East Asin."

IN ATHENS

The British battleship, Warspite.

Italian Battleship Thought To Be Sunk

Special to the "Telegraph”

last seen, she was badly down by the stern.

Italian Ships Led Into Trap.

Between the battleships War- spite, Barham and Valiant--all firing earth-shaking salvoes with their 15-inch guns-the other Italian ships met the fate of the Fiume after which the British destroyers raced in to finish the job with two torpedoes and at the same time sank two. Italian destroyers.

All units of the British ficel returned to port without a single eplire The scratch or casualty. action lasted over 12 hours. It is the first time since Jutland that battle- in night' ships have been engaged action. It is fair to assume that the Italian navy no longer exists much more than in name only."

'Fuller Details

LONDON, Mar.

31. (Reuter)

Admiral Sir Andrew. Cunningham.

Yugo-Slavia Closes Her Frontier

Nazi Minister To Report To Berlin

Special to the “Telegraph"

BELGRADE, Mar. 31 (UP).—It is reliably reported Fuller details of the crushing defent that Yugo-Slavia has closed her frontier with Rumania.

of the Italian Fleet in the Medit-

terranean, which crowned the greatest The action is said to have been taken to-day.

almost certain losses to seven war-

YUGO-SLAVIA AND REICH Non-Aggression Pact Hinted

week of the war, bring the enemy's The latest development in the Yugo-Slavia-Germany situation ships-four-cruisers and three des- is the announcement by sources close to the German Legation troyers-while a battleship of the that the Nazi-Minister, Herr von Heeren, is leaving for. Berlin Littorio class was seriously damaged to-night to report to Hitler.

Reliable sources term as "ridi- Arm torpedoes. ÁLEXANDRIA, Mar. 31 (UP).-Reports from aviators who by repeated pounding of Fleet Air

With the return of the British Flect culous" foreign reports that participated in the torpedo-bombing of the Vittori Veneto sug-

Commander-in-to Alexandria without a man hurt or Germany, has handed an ultima- (A Buda- gest that the battleship, which was the Italian

lured to destruction by a British that she demobilises.

post agency reported from Bel- Chief's fingship, probably sank before reaching port, as, when revealed of how the enemy force were tum to Yugo-Slavia demanding the cruiser. Eye-witnesses describe. The Italians were taken completely grade that Bulgaria was mobilis

the 30,000-ton fleet air Arm's torpedo-bombing by surprise when

Warspite, leading the ing).

An official communique has been attack as one of the most daring battleship

British Fleet, followed by the battle- ever attempted. Despite a ter ships Barham and Valiant, began a issued regretting the recent Incidents

. SPECIAL TO THE TELEGRAPH", rific barrage from the Italian chase lasting 12 hours and demolish which involved German citizens. The

BELGRADE, Mar. 31 (UP). "with units, the planes bore down, in ed an enemy cruiser already hit by announcement urges the populace to

torpedoes

salvoes of keep cool and to preserve the peace. some cases to within 200 yards aerial of the vessels and let go their broadsides, leaving destroyers to race it was added that the Government Usually well-informed sources was doing its utmost to retain good stated to-day that the new Yogo- in and finish the job.

Stavian Government will prob Thrilling Exploit

Duck in port, Admiral Sir Andrew relations with its neighbours. "fish", less than ten feet above

Cunningham, C-in-C, Mediterraneau,

Tension Mounts

[ably offer Germany a non-ag- 31 ALEXANDRIA, Mar.

water level.

pald great tribute to the personnel of

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" BERLIN, Mar. 31 (UP)-Authorlsgression pact in view of the in- (Reuter).-How the Italian war-

It is disclosed that the British his Ficet for skilful manoeuvring and SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"

Japanese Bombers ships were led into a trap is now CHUNGKING, Mar. 31 (UP).—

The cruiser Orion cruiser Orion spotted the Italian flect, to the Air Arm for the unfring 10-day

revealed. spokesmon military

TURN to Page 2, Column Five form, Över Shanghai (sister-ship of the Archilles and including the Vittori Veneto, early in efforts which, between them, contrl-ed circles in Berlin, declared that the acceptability to Britain of the the morning from a distance of ap-buted to the greatest naval victory of awaited statement regarding Yugo Cvetkovitch" pact, in its present No Government declaration on ridiculed the Japanese rumours that

Ajax of Graf Spee fame) con-proximately 15 miles. The cruiser the wor

The first news of the Italian Fleet's

its attitude to the tripartite pact Chinese troops had entered Laoka), declaring that the Japanese probably

SHANGHẤT, April 1 (UP)-Eight tacted enemy ships and lured enticed the Italian ships some. 70 intended to, occupy Laokai which is

aeroplanes, belleved to be Japanese them towards the British battle miles to the eastward while the activity was an air reconnaissance ori the Annora-Yunnan border. pointed out that the Japanese rum- bombers, dow over Shanghai at 2 am. ours of the Chinese entry into Burma this morning which is the first time fleet for about four hours until British battle fieet, then about 120 TURN to Page 2, Column Three RA H Komb: [la expected to-day, but only after. and Indo-China was never borne out in many months that planes have the enemy battleship, stated to miles away, steamed to the westward,

The

Chinese Kill A Rumour Laokai Not Entered

by facts.

He

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" ATHENS, Mar. 31 (UP)It is officially stated that Mr Anthony Eden and General Sir John Dill have arrived in Athena and have begun conversations with the Greek Gov- ernment for the purpose of preverit ing an extension of the war in the Balkana,

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"

made night over the city.

War May Result From U.S. Ship Seizures

Special to the "Telegraph"

PORT EVERGLADES, Fla., Mar. 31 (UP).—Commenting on the seizure of Italian and German ships by the United States. Captain Glovanni Polonlo of the Italian motor ship Leme, when interviewed at Portland, Oregon, said the United States action constituted an act of war, adding "war is likely to result.

come as a

be the 35,000-ton Vittorio Vene- to, was damaged by the Fleet Air Arm.

After this, the Italians, possibly scenting a trap in the Orion's tacties, about turned. When the enemy re- tired, the objective of the British light forces was to try. and cut off the damaged enemy battleship which way then reported about 30 miles distant heading for Italy, sting and badly down by the stern.

While the Orion was jockeying the by the heavler British craft, she Italian feel into position for the kiit spent many busy and anxious hours dodging the long-distance shelling from the Vittori. Veneto as well as the cruisers which were firing at a 10-mile range.

ELECTIONS IN SHANGHAI

Agreement

The British light forces carried out a circling movement at full speed in order to place themselves ahead of the enemy despite the fact that the latter

SHANGHAI, Apr. 1 (Reuter).-The was much heavier and superior in force, but no contact was made and it was found that the cruisers Flume action of the Municipal Counell in man, the Conte Biancamono, was the and Zara, which had previously been again postponing the elections is chonga In the number and re- It is revealed that there was only passenger liner amongst the accompanying the Vittorio Veneto, believed to bo connected with the

presentation on the Council, no sabotage damage aboard the snized vessels. The officers and crew, had returned to help the stricken current negotiations concerning the

Meet Strong Fleet are being gunced aboned the vessel

This second postponement la at the German ship Arauca, but Punta numbering $20, including 20 women cruiser, Pola. Arenas reported that the Italian which decked at Cristobal lost June,

Thit move either indicated that they eleventh hour but unlike the first freighter of 6,072 and the Ger-

Deportation Sought

did not realise the full strength of postponement no definite dato la now man steamer Eisenach of 4,177

WASHINGTON, Mor, 31 (UP)-the distant British battle fleet or was fixed for the elections.

It is merely announced that the Lona, which took refuge there The Immigration Office to-day issued designed to create a diversion to

election act for April 9 and 10 hes enable the Italian battleship to last year, were set on fire early warrants for the arrest of and Is

Mad been cancelled and that such election this morning, and it is fenred Instituting deportation proceedings escape.

It 18 they may be a total loss, against approximately 875 seamen It was while the British light forces has been postponed to a future date

Police boarded the vessels and who were removed from the 20 were searching for the enemy battle arrested 106 members of the crows,

Every As the destroyer flotila led by the touches to hn Mexico City reports that eleven which the United States has so far blasted the Flume and Zara, authorities are Italian and German ships which have taken into custody Jervis approached the scene of the three nationalities will equally divide

Formal Protest topi bren berthed at Mexican, pofts are AN

three cache

(„Ktalları and two; German vessals ship that the British battle feel

the B the final}

phalt you to be preparing Yatum WASHINGTONGMACHS1(UP)blazing Italiani Zerulsers, the tea was the loosene

were picked up at the British. Italy and Cimman have made formal dolled, with 700 80-800 men, soms of Nine Italian ships are taking and tear ARTIS of the What wor Heat-Tampico, aynst me): Dirty:Italian and German merchant ship were unable toy wals; no other," TURN to Back: Paga; Column 3 Despatches from Crime

that Haly

It is also freemetil

:

reported that and Japanese whereby the the Council the

LATEST

•

Shipping In Channel

a full dress Cabinet meeting which will probably take place on Thursdays was

General. opinion in political circles continues to be that this new Govern ment will do ila utmost to find a SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH'! ~

penceable solution to the present LONDON, Mar. 31 (UP)Drifah altuation, while at the same time bombers this afternoon attacked ship rapidly taking all necessary measures In the Channel between Calale, and to place Yugo-Slavia in a state of full Boulogne!

Dense clouds of smoke were scen from the coast, indicating that, bijs

had been scored.

the

preparation for any event.

Burma Railway

SPECIAL TO THE

TELEGRAPH

Six bombers, escorted by fighters, coast southeast

CHUNGKING, Mar, 81 (UP)—It roured over shortly afternoon. Const watchers is officially announced that Britain saw the bombers diving to attack and has agreed to provide funds to Burma then the planes flew back to, the for the extension of the ralfway from

Lashio to the Yunnan border, const.

Axis Ships Slip Away

To Secret Rendezvous

RIO DE JANEIRO, Mar. 31 (Router)-Rumours that ships are gathering in mid-ocean for convoy under therubIN tion of German battle cruisers, are strengthening

Tho

coincide with the sailing

The verse imed

of the Italian freighters, Franco Brazilian port on. Sun Martelli from Recife, Brazil, and as their destination

the Frisco from Fortaleza,

Brazil, 24 hours after the de parture of the German steamer, Thir Dresden-from-Santos.

Warded!?