WAR NEWS

Evening Star, Issue 23684, 18 September 1940, Page 8

WAR NEWS

LOSS OF MARKETS

• SACRIFICES BY DOMINIONS, thiiute'from lord caldecote LONDON, September 17. (Received September 18. at 12.35 p.m.) Lord Caldecote, in the House of Lords, said the inclusion of almost the whole of Europe in the war zone had deprived the dominions of many valuable markets. <i i must pay tribute to the dominions for their unselfish readiness to modify their plans of organisation to meet the needs of the United Kingdom, though it may be to prejudice their wealth,” he said. “It must not be thought that the contribution by the dominions has been achieved without stress or strain, or that they are enjoying benefits without corresponding financial sacrifice. Each freely has made a very large expenditure in resolute support of the common cause. This has undoubtedly imposed a great and increasing burden on.their Budgets, involving the people in many sacrifices. However, these are being met without complaining, and, indeed, with enthusiasm.” CONSERVING TEXTILES CAMPAIGN IN ITALY LONDON, September 17. (Received September 18, at 1 pm.) ‘The Times’ says a campaign has been launched in Italy to induce men to wear shorts and go hatless for the purpose of conserving textiles. Publicity states that shorts are virile and hygienic. ' f FAMOUS FRENCH RACEHORSES SEIZURE IY THE GERMANS ! . LONDON, September 17. (Received September 18, at 12.45 p.m.) Famous French racehorses seized by the Germans include Djebel, winner of the Two Thousand Guineas, which has been sent to the stud in Germany. The best breeds of two celebrated ataMea were sent to England before the outbreak of war. ADMIRALTY CASUALTY LIST TOTAL OF m NAMES LONDON, September 17. (Received September 18, at 12.30 p.m.) An Admiralty casualty list contains 804 names from various war hazards not connected with any particular operation or ship. Thirty-one officers and 191 ratings have been killed, t 36 officer* and .219 ratings are missing, and 30 officers and 269 ratings wounded. -Six officers have been taken pjiaoner. MANNED BY GERMANS FNINGN SUBMARINE ON THE PROWL LISBON, September 17. (Received September 18, at 2 p.m.) It is believed that a French submarine, manned by Germans, was responsible for torpedoing the St. Agnes on. September 14, 600* miles west, of Lisbon. The crew of 13 British officers and 51 Indians, on whom the submarine fired 12 times after the crew took to the boats, were rescued. There were no casualties. FRENCH COLONIAL GENERAL TO CO-OPERATE WITH ALUES i LONDON, September 17. (Received September 18, at 1.30 p.m.) ‘ The Times ’ says General Catroux, who conferred with the military authorities after his arrival in London, refused to obey the orders of the Vichy Government and is determined to fight in co-operation with the Allies. His help and advice should be of the greatest value; , He spent almost his entire military career in the French colonies. BULGARIAN TROOPS ENTERING SOUTHERN DOBRUDJA • 1 BERLIN, September 17. (Received September 18, at 2 p.m.) The radio states that the Bulgarians have begun to enter.southern Dobrudja and have taken over all military Black Sea coastal regions. M FLYING FORTRESS " BOMBERS NEGOTIATIONS FOR TRANSFER 7 NEW YORK, September 17. (Received September 18, at 8 a.m.) The Washington correspondent of the New York ‘ Times ’ says that the isolationists, Senators Clark and Holt, allege that President Roosevelt is negotiating for the transfer of half the United States’ 59 “ Fly'ing Fortress ” bombers to Britain, in addition to torpedo boats and bomb sights. The British Ambassador (the Marquess of Lothian) commented; “I wish it were true,”

THE FAR EAST

INBO-CHINA'S POSITION IMMEDIATE AGREEMENT WITH JAPAN LIKELY Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 17. The Hanoi correspondent of the Associated Press of Britain says that French officials admit unofficially that the negotiations are likely to result in an immediate agreement permittng Japan to establsh 25,000 troops in, Indo-China, possibly causing China to send troops over the frontier and thus precipitating a conflict ending France’s rule. All are convinced that only the United States could prevent Japan gaining possibly an unshakeable hold. The Vichy Government’s inability to deter the Japanese has strengthened the position of General de Gaulle, but lack of organisation has prevented the formation of a movement able to sway the Administration’s decisions. THAILAND’S DEMANDS. A message from Bankok states that Thailand has made the following demands on Indo-China: — 1. Delimitation of the Thailand-Indo-China border with the deepest channel of the Mekong River forming the boundary; also the immediate transfer of 40 of the riparian islands to Thailand. 2. Cession of the Luang Praband area along the northern border of Thailand. 3. A guarantee of safety for the Siamese inhabiting the Laos Steppes in north-west Indo-China, or cession of this area. It is understood that Thailand will denounce its non-aggression treaty with Indo-China unless the demands are met. AMERICAN FIRMS IN CHINA BUSINESS AT A STANDSTILL SHANGHAI, September 17. The American Consulates throughout China have received a new flood of complaints about the Japanese antiAmerican embargo. One of the largest American companies reported from Tientsin that the total business for the first half of September was 6dol (United States), compared with the normal 30,000d01. Businessmen predict that half the American firms in China will be bankrupt before the end of the year unless the Japanese restrictions are relaxed. EXTRATERRITORIAL RIGHTS THOSE OF CONQUERED COUNTRIES NOT RECOGNISED - SHANGHAI, September 17. Mr Wang Ching-Wei’s ‘ Daily News ’ announced that the Nanking Government does not recognise the extraterritorial rights of Poland, Holland, Norway, Belgium, and any other conquered countries. Renewing complaints to Tokio, it said that China was expecting more satisfactory treatment and more honest co-operation from Japan than from the nations which had been suppressing China. ” INCREASINGLY SERIOUS " PREMIER ON JAPAN'S SITUATION 'TOKIO, September 17. (Received September 18, at 9.30 a.m.) Addressing the final meeting of the Preparatory. Commission, Prince Konoye said: ‘‘l think Japan’s situation will become increasingly serious in the near future, for which reason Japan's 100,000,000 people must act as one in an effort to surmount this national emergency.” BRITISH POLICY DEFINED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 17. (Received September 18, at 11.40 a.m.) In the House of Lords Viscount Caldecote made a statement similar to that made by Mr Churchill, and added a short statement on the situation in Indo-China. “ His Majesty’s Government has no definite information as to the course of proceedings,” he said, “ hut in view of current reports to the effect that Japan has been pressing Indo-China to allow the passage of Japanese troops, the British Government has made it clear to the Japanese Government that it is interested in the maintenance of the status quo in that area.” FINAL JAPANESE DEMANDS PARTIAL AGREEMENT REACHED CHUNGKING, September 17. (Received September'lß, at 12.15 p.m.) Newspapers in Hongkong state that Mr Nishibara presented final demands ' to M. Decoux as follow: 1. Indo-China to be divided into three sections, with Tonking under Japanese control, Anam as a buffer zone, and the southern provinces to remain under French control. 2. The establWbment of a Japanese air base at Hanoi. 3. The establishment of a Japanese naval base, also Japanese control, in the northern seabeit. A message from Kewilin states that, according to informed circles, the Japanese and French negotiators at Hanoi have agreed, firstly, to the landing of Japanese troops at Haiphong, with a

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA

TOME PACT NEGOTIATIONS THE SOVIET'S TERMS Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 17. The Soviet is insisting on recognition of the Baltic States as part of the Soviet Union before negotiating a comprehensive pact with Britain. The * Financial News ’ points out that the problem revolves around the question of the release of gold belonging to the former Estonian, Lithuanian, and Latvian central banks which was impounded in Loudon, and the release of Estonian and Latvian ships now held in British ports. It is understood that the Foreign Secretary (Lord Halifax) proposed to the Russian Ambassador (M. Maisky), that if the question of the sovereignty' of the Baltic States were left in abeyance the value of the Baltic States’ gold and the British claims against those countries could bo regarded as cancelling out one another, while if the Soviet agreed to general trade talks, amicable arrangements could be reached regarding the detained ships. The negotiations are believed to be continuing, but the prospects of an early agreement • are not considered rosy. SOVIET CLAIMS ON RUMANIA GERMAN PAPER'S COMMENT BUCHAREST, September 17. An article in the ‘ Berliner Boerzen Zeitung ’ declares that all justified Soviet claims against Rumania have been generously met, and adds: “ South-eastern Europe provides an important extension of the Axis economic sphere. Other great Powers, such as Britain, America, and the Soviet, have great spaces sufficient for all their economic needs.” BOMBING OF CANADIAN LINER INDEMNITY AND COMPENSATION TOKIO, September 17. (Received September 18, at 8 a.m.) The Canadian Charge d’Affaires (Mr M’Greer) made representations to the Foreign Office regarding the bombing of the Empress of Australia. Mr Ohashi expressed regret and promised to indemnify the owners and compensate the injured members of the crew. Sir Robert Craigie (British Ambassador) saw Mr Matsuoka and supported Mr M’Greer. KING VISITS ADMIRALTY DISCUSSION ON SEA WAR (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 16. The King visited the Admiralty this afternoon. He was received by Mr A. V. Alexander, the First Sea Lord, and spent some time in the war room, where he inspected many charts and discussed every aspect of the sea war. An air raid warning was in force as the King drove through the streets to make the visit. AUSTRALIA'S WAR EFFORT LABOUR'S DEFENCE POLICY BRISBANE, September 18. (Received September 18, at 9 a.m.) Addressing a very large meeting here, Mr Curtin declared that far from being isolationist, Labour’s defence policy enunciated last election would have found Australia better equipped at war’s outbreak than she was even after a year of hostilities. Supporting the case for increased military allowances, he described the present pay as “ this miserable dole.” FINANCING THE WAR INCOME TAXES PAYED IN ADVANCE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY,, September 17. (Received September 18, at 9.25 a.m.) In connection with the scheme under which many firms and individuals have been paying income tax in advance to aid financing the war effort, the Halifax Building Society has sent in a cheque for £1,000,000 for the amount of income tax liable. The tax is not normally payable until January 1. 1941. AMERICAN SUPER-DREADNOUGHT KEEL LAID DOWN PHILADELPHIA, September 17. The keel of the 45,000-ton superdreadnought New Jersey was laid down in the navy yard. The New Jersey, which is to cost 93,000,000d01, is a sister ship’ to the lowa, now under construction at Brooklyn.

passage only along the railway; secondly, the landing of 30,000 Japanese only, in order not to exceed two-thirds of the French garrison at Tonking; and. thirdly’, the Japanese to use Hanoi airfield. The Japanese, however, are insisting on landing 120,000, for which reason the negotiations are dragging on.

ADVENTUROUS TIME

NEW ZEALAND FLIGHT . COMMANDER MANY ENEMY PLANES TO HIS CREDIT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 17. (Received September 18, at 2 p.m.) A New Zealand flight-commander,who is credited with shooting down 12 and one-thirtieth German machines—the fraction being due to the share he has taken in three actions with other pilots in bringing down single enemy aeroplanes—has had an adventurous time in reaching this score. He has been shot down four or five times, and has baled out three times. One day in July he made a head-on attack on a Messerschmitt 109. Neither he nor the enemy would give way, and they collided. The Messerschmitt’s airscrew struck the upper part of the British pilot’s cockpit. His hood would not open, so he had to smash his way out as flames entered the cockpit. He was awarded the D.F.C. for his share in escorting a Miles Master training aircraft across the Channel to Calais to rescue his squadron leader. He and another pilot in Spitfires were attacked by 12 Messerschmitts. Both the pilots destroyed one each, and shared the destruction of a third and probably a fourth. The Miles Master was undamaged. He had a very narrow escape recently when he had just taken off with another pilot. As they left the ground a bomb came crashing near them. The port window of his aircraft was torn off, and he and his machine were hurled into the next field, landing upside down and scutting along fdr 100yds before coming to rest. He was rescued’ by the other pilot. AIR RAID SUFFERERS BIG GRANT FROM AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE, September 17. The Commonwealth Goveminent is sending £50,000 direct to London for the relief ,of air raid victims. ' The subscriptions in Victoria now total £150,000, and money is still coming in at a fast rate. FUNDS FROM AUSTRALIA FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO MAKE GRANT SYDNEY, September 18. (Received September 18, at 1.10 p.m.) The Commonwealth Government has decided to make a grant of £50,000 for the relief of distress in Britain caused by the bombing of civilians. Sydney’s fund has reached £72,000. HOUSE OF COMMONS TO MEET AT REGULAR INTERVALS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 17. (Received September 18, at 12.50 p.m.) The Speaker of the House of Comnions issued the following report:— “ The House went into secret session and discussion took place on future sittings of the House. It was decided to meet at regular intervals, but that dates and .times should not be specified.”

ALL-INDIA CONGRESS EXECUTIVE RESOLUTION RATIFIED BOMBAY, September 17. (Received September 18, at 8 a.m.) The All-India Congress Committee overwhelmingly ratified the executive resolution withdrawing the conditional offer to co-operate with Britain in the prosecution of the war and inviting Mr Gandhi to resume leadership of the Congress. The Congress Committee, by 192 votes to 7, re-elected Mr Gandhi as leader. BRITISH SEAPLANE SHOT DOWN BY FRENCH PATROL VICHY, September 17. (Received September 18, at 8 a.m.) It is officially stated that a French fighter patrol shot down a British seaplane near Casablanca (Morocco) after the seaplane had opened fire. Throe of the crew were rescued. AMERICAN DESTROYERS RENAMED STATEMENT BY FIRST LORD OF ADMIRALTY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 17. (Received September 18, at 10.25 a.m.) The question of the naming of the 50 desti overs transferred to the British flag by the United States was raised in the House of Commons. Mr A. V. Alexander (First Lord of the Admiralty) stated that by agreement between the two Governments the original American names would not be used. He disclosed the names which the King had approved for the first flotilla as follows ; Churchill (leader), Caldwell, Cameron, Castleton, Chelsea, Chesterfield, Clare, and Campbeltown. Mr Alexander pointed out that these were all names of towns or villages common to the United Kingdom and the United States. Names on a similar basis for the other American destroyers would shortly be given, and these would include the special choice of a few names common to the West Indies as well.

DOMINION AIRMEN

FLIGHTS OVER GERMANY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 16. The dominions were strongly represented in Sunday night’s adventurous flights by the R.A.F. over Germany. One of the angriest men in the R.A.F. is a New Zealand wingcommander who was within five minutes’ flying distance of his main target in Berlin when one of his engines froze. “ I had to let go my bombs on an alternative objective,” he said, “ and flew up out of the soup on one engine. After about ten minutes the other engine picked up again and we headed for home. I never had such a pasting as over Bremen. On the way back the tail-plane was riddled.” A piece of shrapnel came into the cockpit, tore fur from the pilot’s collar, hit armour plating behind the seat, tore some fur from the observer’s flying suit and then landed on the navigator’s table. The second pilot, also a New Zealander, was in the front of the machine, and a piece of metal came through the glass at one side, whizzed past his nose, and went out at the other side, CONTROLS FROZEN. A pilot from Ottawa also told of a 7,000-foot dive near the mouth of the Elbe with the controls frozen. “ I was in the front turret at the time, testing the gun and looking out to see what kind of landfall we were making. Suddenly I realised from the rush of wind that we were in a dive and spinning slightly. I scrambled back to the cockpit and I found the second pilot trying his hardest to get the machine back on ,a level keel. I 1 got alongside him and' helped to pull, and about 7,000 feet the aircraft came out, but not before the fabric had been stripped off the ailerons and part of the main plane. I dropped my bombs into the sea and came back 300 miles or so to my base.” Another New Zealander figured in a third incident. While over Berlin he was searching for his target when one of his engines stopped. They continued to search for 10 minutes and found Tenipelhof aerodrome. They dropped their bombs on it and turned for home. DISTINGUISHED FLYING GROSS TWO NEW ZEALANDERS DECORATED ■LONDON, September 17. (Received September 18, at 11.20 a.m.) In connection with the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Flyingofficer Brian George Carbury, of Wellington, and Pilot-officer Michael James Herrick, of Hastings, the citations state that Flying-officer Carbury led : a section against two planes operating oh the north-east coast, destroying both. He was almost continually engaged from August 28 to September 2 against large enemy raiders over Kent. He destroyed eight planes, of which five were brought down in three successive engagements in one day. Pilot-officer Herrick during an interception patrol on September 4 destroyed two planes, succeeding in closing up to within , 30yds of the second machine, which fell to pieces under his fire.

SPANISH MISSION

ARRIVAL IN BERLIN

BERLIN, September 17,

The Spanish Minister of the Interior (Senor Suner) has arrived as the head of a mission of Spanish military, political, and economic experts.

BELGIAN GOVERNMENT

STILL FUNCTIONING IN LONDON ACtIHG WITH FULL POWERS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 17. (Received September 18, at 11.45 a.m.) The Belgian Government, according to German sources, was officially dissolved at Vichy. « M. Vleeschauwer (Minister of Colonies) and M. Glutt (Minister of Finance), however, are now in London, thus ensuring the existence of the Bel-, gian Government with full powers. Belgian circles in London state that those Ministers who were unable to join M. Vleeschauwer and M. Glutt have transferred to them their duties and functions, and this arrangement will enable the Government to continue its activities to the full extent required by the interest and circumstances of the country.

NEW ZEALAND HOUSE

SLIGHTLY DAMAGED BY BOMB STAFF ESCAPES UNINJURED LONDON, September 17. The message from the New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr Fraser), appreciating their steadiness in the “ airblitz,” has greatly encouraged the New Zealand High Commissioner’s staff. The time bomb which caused the evacuation of New Zealand House on September 12 was discovered early in the morning by a young member of the staff, who hastily collected the cyphers and secret codes. The entire staff next day worked at the New Zealand Forces Club, formerly an Italian building. Thus hospitality was returned. New Zealand House was slightly damaged when the bomb exploded. Although the roar was heard miles away, the explosion merely shattered some windows and damaged wooden palings and brickwork. The total damage amounts to only a few pounds. All members of the staff of (New Zealand House were uninjured. An air liaison officer had a remarkable escape, “ due to a hunch.” He evacuated his wife and two children from a flat and slept the next night in a shelter. Returning in the morning, he found the building demolished by a direct hit. An incendiary bomb fell in the Strand during a recent daylight raid. A New Zealand soldier who was leaning against a wall nonchalantly rubbed out the bomb with his foot. CANADA AND AMERICA SURVEY OF WEST COAST DEFENCES OTTAWA, September 17. _ The Canadian and United States joint Defence Board announced. its decision to conduct-an immediate and elaborate survey of west coast defences, including the north-western States, British Columbia, and Alaska. The Canadian members of the board will leave by air for the coast to-morrow for a tour of inspection, AIR FORGE EXPANSION BIG ORDER PLACED NEW YORK, September 17. (Received September 18, at 8 a.m.) The Washington correspondent of the New York ‘ Times ’ says the W T ar Department has placed an order for 144,000,000d0l worth of war planes. ROLLS-ROYCE ENGINES TO BE MADE BY PACKARD COMPANY DETROIT, September 17. The British Armaments Purchasing Board has awarded the Packard Company an order for 6,000 RollsRoyce motors at a cost of 125,000,000 dollars. SHIPPING LOSSES AN AVERAGE WEEK (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 17. (Received September 18, at 9.5 a.m.) Mercantile losses due to enemy action for the week ending September 8-9 were:—British : Ten vessels, totalling 28,000 tons; Allied: Four vessels, totalling 18,499 tons; neutral: Two vessels, totalling 7,848 tons. The figure for the losses in British tonnage does not include tonnage, which may prove to have been sunk by air attacks on September 7,8, and 9, full details of winch are not yet available. Subject to this proviso, the tonnage lost during the week fell to little more than the average for the previous 52 weeks, namely, 53,900 tons, and the British tonnage lost was below the average for the same period of 30,100 tons. The German claims of merchant shipping sunk between midnight, September 1-2, and midnight, September 8-9, total 188,500 tons.