WAR NEWS

Evening Star, Issue 23686, 20 September 1940, Page 8

WAR NEWS

UNKING UP WITH DE GAULLE

NEW CALEDONIA'S DECISION a VICHY APPOINTEE RESIGNS Press Association— By Telegraph—Copyright MELBOURNE, September 19. (Received September 20, at 9.15 a.m.) Advice has been received by tije Federal Government from Noumea that New Caledonia has declared itself for Free France, and has linked up with General de Gaulle. The temporary Governor appointed by Vichy has resigned to make way for a Governor appointed by General de Gaulle. Commenting on the announcement, the Prime Minister, Mr R. G. Menzies, said the internal government of Caledonia was a matter for its people, but Australia was naturally interested in the developments there, which meant that the friendly French colony was strengthening the close economic and cultural ties already existing between Australia and Caledonia. “We have extensive trade relations there,” he said. “ and we will continue to watch its affairs with helpful and sympathetic interest. We hope as soon as possible there will he a measure of economic cooperation, not as a matter of hostility against anyone, but' as a matter of mutual interest. Caledonia produces much nickel and chrome ores, of which. Australia has recently made substantial purchases.” [New Caledonia, an island with an area of 8,548 square miles, lies 1,077 miles east of Sydney* f It has rich, deposits of nickel ore, and many coffee, cotton, and rubber plantations. Noumea is the capital.* The population is 51,816.] ■ COLONIAL COMMANDER ANCTHER VALUABLE ACQUISITION (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 19. (Received September 20, at 11.45 a.m.) It is officially announced from the General Headquarters of the French Free Forces that the ex-commander of the Firat Zouaves at Casablanca, who was previously commander of the subdivision at Tetbuan, has arrived in this country and immediately placed himself at the disposal of General de Gaulle. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 'NEW YORK TIMES' SUPPORTS MR WILLKIE NEW YORK, September 19. The traditionally Democratic ‘ New York Times,’ which supported .President Roosevelt in 1932 and 1936, in aa editorial announced that it was supporting Mr Wendell Willkie because he was more able to carry out the defence programme and stimulate economic and industrial activity. A third , term for President Roosevelt would mean shattering Democratic tradition. The 11 Times ’ added that Mr, Willkie and the President are aware of the danger to the United States, and both desire to aid Britain. MAYOR OF CALCUTTA VOICES INDIA'S SYMPATHY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 18. A Calcutta message states that Abdul Rahman Siddiqu, who led the Muslim League delegation at the Palestine conference in 1937, and is Mayor of Calcutta, at to-day’s meeting of the corporation expressed sympathy for the victims of the air raids on London. He said that whatever the political differences between India and Britain, the hearts of the citizens of the second city of the Empire went out to those, suffering from the barbaric and indiscriminate German raids. The corporation appointed a committee representative of all sections of the population to assist the fund being run in. conjunction with the Lord Mayor’s Fund. AIR RAID VICTIMS MLLAND'S GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 19. The Netherlands Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance personally visited Mansion House to hand to the Lord Mayor £50,000 as a token of admiration of “the splendid manner in which Londoners are bearing the ordeal.” NEW ZEALAND FUNDS [P*g Unitbd Phess Association.] WELLINGTON, September 19. At 3 p.m. to-day the donations to • tho mayor’s fund for the relief of the London air raid victims totalled £7,950. Contributions are still being received. AUCKLAND. September 19. A donation of £I,OOO towards the first phase of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council’s campaign for funds for the relief of the people of London was made by the Auckland City Council to-night.

BROKEN PLEDGES

INVASION OF LUXEMBURG NO JUSTIFICATION FOR GROSS INJUSTICE DUCHY GOVERNMENT'S PROTEST (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 19. (Received September 20, at 11.45 a.m.) On September 9 a declaration was made by the Government of Luxemburg concerning the violation by Germany of the neutrality and integrity of the Grand Duchy. The full text has now arrived in London. It states: “ In violation of the assurance given at the outbreak of the war to respect tho integrity and neutrality of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg the Reich invaded and occupied the Grand Duchy with its troops during the night of May 9 and 10. The Grand Duchess and her Government left the country as a protest against this act of violence, and for the purpose of freeing their actions from the pressure of the invader and so as to be able to defend the interests of their own country in freedom among the other free nations.

" Before leaving, the Government gave instructions to the administrative authorities of Luxemburg who were remaining in the country with a view to ensuring a continuity of the civil administration during the military occupation. These measures were in accordance with international law, but the measures decreed since May 10 for the administration of the Grand Duchy soon/showed the real intentions of the Reich towards this country. A few days after the invasion the country was declared enemy territory, and after a short transitional period the military administration w;as replaced by a gauleiter. This gauleiter entered tho town of Luxemburg at the head of a force of German police. In a speech made on this occasion the gauleiter proclaimed that Luxemburg’s population was, in fact, of German character. Little by little the gauleiter suppressed the use-of the French language which fo?' generations has been the official language of the country. He. ordered the exclusive use of the German tongue. He declared the constitution abolished and released officials from their oath of loyalty to the Grand Duchess. He forbade the use of the terms ‘ Grand Duchy ’ and ‘ Country of Luxemburg.’

“ The Grand Duchess and her Government protest , solemnly against these actions, which violate international law and treaties and the promises given by Germany. They will never recognise their validity. Never in any way in the I past or present has the attitude of the Grand Duchess or the Grand Ducal Government, nor the attitude of the people, given the slightest justification for this gross injustice committed by the Reich against a little country wishing to live in peace among its neighbours. “The authorities of the Reich have done all they could since May 10 to prevent the Grand Duchess and her Government from making contact with the people of Luxemburg. Nevertheless, the Grand Duchess and her Government know that in making this protest they are acting with the full agreement of the people of Luxemburg, who, if they were free to demonstrate their feelings, would not fail to demonstrate their wish to remain free and independent as they were proud to do a year ago, when, with universal enthusiasm, they celebrated Use independence of the Grand Duchy.”

AMERICAN AID FULL SUPPORT URGED (By Radio.) DAVENTRY, September 19. Several more influential voices have been added to the chorus in America calling for all possible aid for Britain. Rear-Admiral Stanley, a . former Chief of Naval Operations, urged the United States to throw warships, planes, and munitions and “ all the material aid at our command into the fight of democracy against Hitlerism.” He advocated the transfer of small torpedo boats. Miss Dorothy Thompson, in an address, asked the President to supplement the ro.ceut gift of destroyers to Britain by sending torpedo boats and “ flying fortresses.” Senator Lee urged that Britain should be supplied with every gun, plane, and ship consistent with ensuring the defence of America. He specially mentioned “ flying fortresses ” and fighter planes.

SECRET SESSION OF HOUSE OFFICIAL REPORT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 19. (Received September 20, at 11.45 a.m.) The following report of to-day’s proceedings in the House of Commons secret session was issued under tho authority of the Speaker; “ The House went into secret session, and the debate on the aerial bombardment of the country was continued. Members raised points in connection with transport ami other subjects, and the Minister of Transport made a statement.”

INDO-CHINA

JAPAN EVACUATING NATIONALS IMPORTANT CONFERENCE IN TOKIO LONDON, September 19. (Received September 20, at noon.) The Hanoi correspondent of tho Associated Press says the Japanese Spokesman announced that all Japanese civilian nationals in Indo-China were being removed by special trains, beginning on September 20, before the prospective arrival of Japanese troops. A message from Tokio says the Government announced that an important meeting would be held this afternoon in the Emperor’s presence, attended by the Prime Minister, Prince Konoye, key members of the cabinet, and the army and navy chiefs of staff. “ ALL ALONE " IN FAR EAST BAUDOUIN'S PLEA FOR FRANCE i VICHY, September 19. (Received September 20, . at 1 p.m.) M. Baudouin (Foreign Minister) told American newspapermen that France was “ all alone ” in the Far East, and should not be judged too severely if her decisions did not please the Western World. France understood that real support could not be expected from America in the event of the Japanese attacking Indo-China, and added that France henceforth would remain silent regarding Britain. NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUING CHUNGKING, September 19. (Received September 20, at 1 p.m.) The French radio at Saigon announced that the French-Japanese negotiations at Hanoi were being continued regarding the execution of the diplomatic agreement which has already been reached. M DELICATE PHASE " NEW JAPANESE DEMANDS HANOI, September 19. (Received September 20, at 1.30 p.m.) A French communique states; “ The negotiations have now reached a delicate phase. The Japanese have presented new demands incompatible with the instructions from Vichy and the previous agreement.” FRENCH WARSHIPS BELIEVED TO BE EN ROUTE TO INDO-CHINA *• SHANGHAI, September 19. (Received September 20, at 1.15 p.m.) American, British and French quarters strongly report that the six French warships which recently passed Gibraltar are en route to Indo-China in accordance with the reported AngloFrench agreement to maintain Indochina’s status quo. TWO MINUTES'SILENCE DAILY OBSERVANCE IN GAPE TOWN (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 18. A traveller who has just returned from South Africa, in a letter to the * Manchester Guardian,’ tells of his experience in Cape Town, where sirens are sounded to call the citizens to an act of homage. At noon every day they observe two minutes’ silence. A siren sounds and everybody and everything at once is still. Motor lorries, vans, and bicycles draw up just where they are. A Malay woman with a large bundle of washing on her head stops in the act of crossing a street, and a youth hurrying to get across a street is suddenly brought to attention. Every man’s hat is doffed and busy shoppers stand with their purchases, heads bowed, and then the ‘ Last Post ’ is sounded. During the two minutes the people pray silently for our sailors, airmen, and soldiers, for England and freedom. After the reveille the whole city becomes alive in a moment.” IMPROVED SHELTERS MEASURES IN BRITAIN {British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 19. (Received September 20, at 2 p.m.) The Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Home Security, announcing in a broadcast speech that active steps were being taken to improve air raid shelter facilities in London, both in regard to amenities in the existing shelters, and for extending the provision of public shelters where occupants can gain satisfactory rest, said : “ The enemy wants to make casualties of ns all. Unfortunately he must make casualties of some of us, and we all sympathise with those who have suffered already and admire the fortitude with which their sufferings are being borne. But if each of us, by individual efforts in studying tho. use of shelters, can deprive tho enemy of one casualty, then we. too, like the soldiers in the line, shall have played an active part.”

AMERICAN PLANES

DELIVERIES ID BRITAIN PEAK OF 1,000 A MONTH WASHINGTON, September 19. The Chamber of Commerce’s official estimate of the deliveries of war planes to Britain at present is 500 a month. The peak of 1,000 a month will bo reached in February or March. Then deliveries will be stabilised at 650 a month until April, 1942, to permit the United States to build up its air forces. Officials say that Britain is now getting 80 per cent, of the nation’s output. AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION GIFTS FROM BRITISH GUIANA (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 18. A gift of £2,000 from the people of British Guiana towards the cost of aircraft production has been gratefully acknowledged by the Colonial Secretary. British Guiana has now contributed £44,550. FOR PURCHASE DF PLANES INDIAN NAWAB'S GIFT SIMLA, September 19. (Received September 20, at 1 p.m.) The Nawab of Bhopal has given Britain American securities valued at £75,000 for the purchase of Spitfires. SOVIET REFUSES ADMISSION LORRIES COLLECTING GERMANS BUCHAREST, September 19. (Received September 20, at 1.30 p.m.) It is reliably reported that 400 lorries intending to collect German nationals in Bessarabia were refused permission to enter Soviet territory. Russian officials declared they would bring refugees to the frontier. The Rumanian police have ordered 12 British teachers to leave the country within a fortnight. The Diplomatic Corps was informed that General Antonescu is taking the title of “ conducator ” (Leader). CANADIAN AIR FORCE RAPID EXPANSION MANY AMERICANS ENLISTING OTTAWA, September 19. (Received September 20, at 1 p.m.) The Air Minister (Mr Power) announced that the Canadian Air Force by October 1 will consist of 26,500 officers and men, including several hundred trained pilots from the United .States. He added that American pilots •were enlisting at a rate of nearly 200 a month.AMERICAN DEFENCES PREPARATIONS FOR EMERGENCIES NEW YORK, September 19. (Received September 20, at 1 p.m.) The mayor, Mr La Guardia, announced that the New York city authorities had surveyed' buildings in view of a possible aerial bombardment. It was now known, he said, which places would be vulnerable and where the inhabitants could be sent for safety. The authorities have also devised means of transporting troops through New York to New England, which region would be the most likely to be used by an invader. BIG ORDER FOR PLANES WASHINGTON, September 19. (Received September 20, at 2.30 p.m.) “Mr Stimson (Secretary for War) announced that the army had ordered 9,174 of the 18,641 planes authorised by Congress this session. NORWEGIANS' WAR FEFORT AIRMEN TRAINING IN CANADA HALIFAX, September 19, (Received September 20, at 1.30 .p.m.) The chief medical officer of the Norwegian overseas forces (Dr Liev Kreyberg) stated that many Norwegian ships in Canada and the West Indies were being armed for patrol and convoy duty. Three hundred airmen were in training at Toronto, and 100 planes had been ordered. Norway was financing all this.