1941-04-05 — Page 1

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Hongkong Telegraph.

FOUNDER, 1981 六拜禮 號五月四英港香 SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 1941.

No. 18415

BENGHAZI EVACUATION A STRATEGICAL MOVE: ENTICING AXIS FORCES

CAIRO, Apr. 4 (Reuter), "There is not the slightest cause for anxiety," said a military spokesman here to-day, commenting on the ovacuation of Benghazi.

"Let the Germans come as far as they like," he said. "We are choosing our own battle-fields. Desert warfare is unlike any other land operations. It can only be compared with sea warfare. At sea it does not matter where the battle is fought it can be fought at one's front door. And it does not matter in the slightest if the enemy advances across many miles of sea to get there so long as he suffers casualties.

Germans Lose Men, Materials

Costly Expedition To Tripoli

LONDON, Apr. 4 (Reuter).me! German troops and supplies, which have been going to Libya by way of Tripoll, did not all reach their destination safely, writes "Reuter's" naval corres- pondent.

"The sole object of the war in worthless desert wastes is to punish the enemy by inflicting the greatest possible damage to his men and material with the ultimate object of defeating him.

"It would have suited us better and caused us less trouble if we had been able to defeat, the Italian Army on the Egyptian frontier instead of trekking to Benghazi. Cirenaica, if anything, is a liability and we would have been quite happy to defeat the enemy at Sollum as at

Benghazi.

ITALIAN TROOPS BOMBED

Mersa Breda Action

"Despite our retirement to prepared positions, we inre hitting the enemy hard and have already inflicted many casualtios whereas ours are slight.

Not Bean Used

to

"Benghazt is almost useless either side. It is an open secret that we have not been using it since its capture and during last week, it be Since January 1, the Admiral-

came ever more useless since we ty has announced the sinking

carried out a systematic demolition of the harbour works which were by British submarines of about

enemy motor already cluttered up with sunken 109,000 tons of enemy shipping transport convoys in the Mersatiani ships. in the Mediterranean, a consider- Breda area are the "high spot" Western Desert in the next few days All eyes will be turned to the able amount of which was pre of to-day's communique by as the Italian and German column sumably for Tripoli.

R.A.F. Headquarters in the Mid-advances deeped into the desert, but

CAIRO, Apr. 1 (Reuter).— R.A.F. raids on

These figures do not take into acdle East. count ships which may have been Funk by the R.A.F.

11 is belleved that most enemy

rational observers will realise that the value of such an advance cannot The communique states: "Libya: be measured by yards but by losses Bomber aircraft of the R.A.F. made a

in material and manpower." Route Used

heavy attack on enemy motor trans-Although the announcement of the transports left the port of Salermo por convoys in the Mersa Breda area evacuation was issued at 10 p.m, last of Tripolitania during the night of night, the cinemas in Cairo were -on-the-west-cosat-of-Italy-and-April-2-3. After dropping bombs slowded with British troops at mid

down the coast round Slelly Into which were seen to burst among the night, indicating that the British Tunisian territorial waters. Fron); ** there it was possible to creep along Vehicles, setting a number on fire, our Command is satisfied that our effec

the Western Desert are machines descended to a low altitude tives in the coast to Tripoll and possibly other and stopped several more vehicles by adequate to deal with any fresh ports held by the Italians although machine-gun fire. A successful bomb TURN to Pago Z, Column Fiva ing rald was also

Tripoli.

CHEAPER FIREWOOD

Government Action

carried out

on

"Malta: Itailan 70 bomber aircraft escorted by CR42 0ghters attempted

development.

Meanwhile we are continuing to write off Abyssinia very quickly.

British Strategy CAIRO, Apr. 4 (Reuter).--"We

shall allow the enemy, to continue to penetrate eastward until he reaches point where we are satisfied that we can give battle with an assurance

unsuccessfully to machine-gun on A.F. launch 40 miles off the island of Malta yesterday. Later a formation of Junkers, 7 dive-bombers, **- corted by a number of Messerschinilt of success."

This statement on the British with 109 fighters, dropped bombs, in the vicinity of two mine-sweeping traw-drawal in Libya was made to-day by a high official spokesman who left his Benghazi quarters before the last troops.

Cheaper prices for firewood | ters off Filda but they obtained are announced in this morning's hits..

по

Government "Gazette," which "From theso operations, all our air-

contains the following order by the Stores Controller, Mr W. J. Anderson:

craft returned safely."

Communique

It would be senseless to leave our light advanced forces in the forward area, exposed to the strength of the present enemy attack. Therefore,

"The maximum prices at which, · CAIRO, Apr. 4 (Reuter).The they are withdrawing in good order following is the official communique to concentrate in the region of the

prepared positions, he added. issue to-day

from April 5, until my further order in that behalf, firewood may be sold In this Colony shall be:-

in

"Libya: The concentration of our, "Wholesale In billets or logs of

advanced elements is continuing. all kinds of 18 calties and more

"Eritron: Over. 3,000 prisoners have already been counted at Asmara weights for each billet or fog-60 and many more are still coming in cailles per $1. In billets or logs. of from enemy troops who have been all under 18 cattles in weight: for over-run by our rapid advance east- each billet or log-53 cattles per $1. wards towards Massawa and south-

per

$1,"

"Retail Split firewood-48 cattles ward along the main road towards Dessie. Extensive demolitions along on the road to Massawa have now

The previous order, -issued

March 14, stipulated that the whole temporarily delayed our advance in sale price for billets or logs of all this sector.

kinds of 18 cattles and more in weight "Elsewhere operations continue to -55 cattles per $1; under 18 cattle dovelop successfully. 48 cattles per $1; and retail price for "Abyssinia; Our advance, in all split firewood-40 cattles per $1.

sectors are proceeding satisfactorily

Advance On Addis Ababa

YUGOSLAVIA

Bari Taranto

Tepa

Brindisi

BBINGLE COFY 10 CENTS

PER ANNUM

First Delivery

Of Spring Mätorials:

· FERGUSON'S": LINEN - FINISH FABRICS

Ideal for washing Drossos. In the now striped and [modern designs

36"

$2.50 yd

WHITEAWAY'S

It Will Be Hard Italians

Task For Nazis -

Greek mountains and Anglo- Greek heroism will break· the Jaws of the Nazi war, machine. If Hitler's legions try. to, conquer-

that Indomitable country. A

triple drive is possible, with the Germans attempting the moun tain passes from Bulgaria (3)

Into Greece or using the Vardar valley of Yugo-Slavia (2) and

Italians trying to retrieve losses in Albania (1). If the Nazis should reach Saloniks they would still face the narrow rond winding through the historic pass of Thermopylae to Athens.

Skoplje

3

Lose

Five Destroyers

In The Red Sea:

Hunt by British

BALKAN MTS.

*PASSES 7mąj

CRETE

Dardanelles

RKEY

German Troops on the March Southward through Budapest

Special to the "Telegraph”

BELGRADE, Apr. 4 (UP)-Well informed quarters declare that German troops marched through Budapest during the night healing south.

It is officially announced that all passenger trains in Yugo-Slavia will be cancelled for an indefinite period as from midnight to-night, to leave the lines clear for military trains.

Three Weeks Notice Strikes Required

Of

-Hongkong Regulation The "Government Gazette to-day announces now powers assumed by Government to prevent work being interrupted by trade disputes.

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH" LONDON, Apr. 4 (UP), The Adiairalty to-day: made

the following an- |nouncement:. "The Com- munder in Chief of the East Mediterranean reports that the two Italian destroyers, which were scuttled off the coast of Saudi Arabia, and the destroyer which was left in a sinking condition yes- terday, have now sunk.

"This brings the total Italian. destroyers sunk in the Red Sea since last Friday to five-The Saurio was sunk by naval air- craft on April 1; the Danicle Manin was sunk by naval aircraft on April 3, and the destroyers which were scuttled were the Leone, Pantera, and Tigre, "

"A number of prisoners from these destroyers have been landed."

Seck Rest of Fleet:

LONDON, Apr. 4 (Reuter)-It is believed in aufhoritative circles in London that the Italians still have in the Red Sea three destroyers, two torpedo boats and two or three sub- marines which are still being sought by the British Navy.

Originally, it is belleved, the Italians had seven destroyers and two torpedo boats in the Red Sea.. Of these, four destroyers have been sunk

-three in the past four days,

Of 23 Italian U-boats announced us having been destroyed, four were sunk in the Red Sea..

U.S. SHIPS MAY GO TO RED SEA Aiding Our War Effort WASHINGTON, Apr. 4 (Reu- ter)President Roosevelt an- nounced to-day that he bas allocated another $500,000,000 from the $7,000,000,000 Lease and Lend'Act for the construc- tion of 212 merchant ships in about 50 or 60 new shipyards,

President Roosevelt also disclosed that if no fighting was taking place In the Red Sea, the United States Government might within two or three days remove that area from the 1st of combat zones and permit United States vessels to ply thither with cargoes.

A foreign scouting plane was observed at about 8 pm, at a

Direct Supplies high altitude over the town of

WASHINGTON; Apr. 4 (Reuter). Ruma, north of Belgrade, and it-The possibility of 100:American was forced to land by joint freighters being assigned the task of action of Yugo-Slavian anti-carrying American supplies to British aircraft guns and fighter planes, buses In Egypt in order to help the British war effort in the Mediter- ranean and the Balkans, is being dis- Border Closed

here. newspaper "Kis Ujsay" to-day re- ported that Yugo-Slavia has closed dent Roosevelt's indication to-day the Yugo-Slavian-Hungarian border. his intention to allow American ships The remainder- of the press will to enter the Gulf of Aden and the

Red Sea.. publish the

information Saturday morning.

The Mariume Commission controls over 100 - ships, which presumably might be used for this work.

BUDAPEST, Apr. 4 (UP). The cussed

The possibilty arises from Presi-

Fame

on

.$ Seeks War Material-

WASHINGOTN, Apr. 4 (Reuter).

After defining the terms strike, lock-out, workman etc., the new regulation states that if a strike is anticipated, a report may be made to the Labour Officer, This officer, Mr B. C. K. Hawking, may, leave the settlement of the dispute to the employer and theyugo-Slavia has requested the employees if suitable machinery for negotiation exists."

NAIROBI, Apr. 4 (Reuter) MATSUOKA Details of enemy losses in the capture of Soroppa yesterday by

WITH HITLER the British force advancing on {Addis Ababa from the south

Message To Duce through the Yavello sector are LONDON; Apr. 4 (Reuter).

Iraqi Coup d'Etat While

d'Etat While given in an official communique. Paying a second visit to Berlin,

Parliament is Prorogued

LONDON, Apr. 4 (Reuter) News has reached London of

United States to supply her with

of

ALLAHABAD, Apr. 4 (Reuler) ~~~ It is learned here that Madame

respondence with Jawaharlal Nehru's

If no settlement can be reached, or "certain types" of war material. is unduly delayed, the dispute may This fact was revealed to-day by Chiang Kal-shek has been in cor- be referred to the Employment President Roosevelt at a press confer sister, Mrs Vijlalami Pandit, to per Arbitration Tribunal. Any agree ence. He stated that the request was quade her to visit China on behalf ment reached in negotiations describ- TURN to Page 2, Column Five of the India Congress.

ed above will be binding uni!l varied

[by subsequent negotiations,

The Labour Officer may refer to

the Employment Arbitration Tri- TURN to Pago 2, Column Six

LATEST

Big Nazi Forces In Libya

SPECIAL TO THE "TELEGRAPH"

United

Rejects

States Flatly Axis Protest

The communique 'states: "Later | Mr Yosuke Matsuoka; the Japan- reports of the capture of Soroppa by ese Foreign Minister, who arriv our troops operating from the Yavdilo area confirm that the enemy lost 27 ed at the Gorman capital to-day Europeans, including a Brigadier, and from Rome, was received by. 350

were kill Hitler.

WASHINGTON, Apr. 4 (Router)--Mr Cordell Hull, edicans, of whom 50 were kill

- Herr von Tubbentyp, the German a coup d'etat in Iraq following upon the recent political stalemate, four guns and 15 machine guns.

Secretary of State, confirmed to-day that the United States had "The capture of material included Foreign Minister, was present at

flatly rejected the German and Italian protest against the seizure Although the situation is still obscure, It appears that a

their conversation: "Our offensive on a broad front bei

of ships and had refused the demands for the release of the ships number of ministers, headed by Rashid All, have seized power tween Neghallll and Yavello is pro-

· Opt{miani

[and crows.

and demands." He declared that in Baghdad in an irregular, fashion.

gressing, sallsfactorily,

LONDON, Apt 4 (Router)e="[

LONDON, Apr. 4 (UP)Accord- The State Department an- the German. Embassy had falled to "In the Harar soctor So far as is known in London, the at Baghdad occurred at a time when are

Our troops am convinced the under your leader ing to usually reliable forpiza Em-nounced that the seizures were support its contention of violation of the river great will resignation of the former Prailer, Parliament stood prorogued and the "Enemy resistance by a mixed force to the goal tallan nation bassy sources, the Germans now have necessary to protect the vessels Interialiorial Law or tres of friend General Taha al Hashima, has not Regent was absent. yet been accepted by the Regent nor The attitude of the provinces to the Wednesday was war tanks on declared Mr Maluoka in a farewell the motorised divisions in Lubys in United States harbours from thip and commerce between the

United States and, Germany and Tripolltenia and another two, sabotage. CANN has His Royal Highness, who is away move is not yet known, and has resulted in Wasgirovercomer; and | telögrará to: Mumplini on hie" depat the extent of which the mechanien- karhe Department has, publicly re- from the capital, entrusted anyone

capture of 301 It is understood that the British Europeans and four guns. The enemy tuto from Thai daro ty mas m

sent a telegram tion is unknown, are ready to leave with the task of

ibe seisure, etc of forming a new ad Government are now. considering suffered some casualties from our to Count Changding with hopes of Sicily for North Africa atas plied to the two Axia protests against bassy "I know of new principle of

Avanté Intérnational Lawal which ministration,

their attitude toward the new ad- artillery which also caused their a complete: vid Thorlig for the | moment." ----

#Mr Cordell Hull bluntly expressed masters and trews of ves The seizure of governa ources, ministration.:

tanks to beat a hurried retreat qurd armed Forces of atre noble country.

surprise at the f'extreme assertions DETURN:18 Pa

jot:

Mr Hull (old- tha - German ma