FIVE VICTIMS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 60, 20 December 1940, Page 6

FIVE VICTIMS

RAIDERS IN PACIFIC.

NAURU ISLAND AREA.

TWO DEFINITE LOSSES.

THREE OTHERS MISSING.

STATEMENT BY MR ERASER

(Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, This Day.

In continuation of the statement made by the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser last Saturday, with reference to attacks by a raider on British vessels off Nauru, the Prime Minister now regrets to announce that the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board to-day issued a statement as follows:

“On December 8, seven vessels were known to be in the area embracing Nauru and Ocean Islands. Five of these were in the immediate vicinity of Nauru, and the concentration was due« to stress of weather.

“One of these vessels was seen from the shore to .be burning and was being shelled by one of two hostile ships. All shipping was warned' to disperse and make for a. safe port. “The waiting period with a lack of news was due to the silence of the wireless, and to shipping avoiding the area in question. “Two of the seven ships concerned reported ( their arrival at, another port, which indicated that? some, at least, of the ships were safe.

“A hurricane in the area made it possible that others were safe, but were delayed by weather. “The lapse of time which has now occurred must, unfortunately, give rise to the presumption that all these five ships were victims of the raider. This presumption is based on definite grounds in the case of the vessel seen to be on fire and in the case of another — the ship referred to in Mr Fraser’s previous statement as being on New. Zealand which wreckage has been discovered.

“Of the fate of the remaining three no tangible evidence exists. The fate of the crews of these vessels is not known, but there are grounds for the belief that they are prisoners. It is not in the public interest to disclose the steps taken to safeguard trade, but an assurance is given that all steps possible have been taken to afford protection. The next-of-kin of all concerned are being kept ' informed.”

“GREAT STORY TO TELL.”

MR. CHURCHILL’S WAR REVIEW

LONDON, 'December 19. London newspapers say that when Mr Churchill gives parliament his next review'd the- war, he will have a great story to toll of preparation, courage, daring, and triumph in the Western Desert against much greater odds. He will also cover the operations of the Australian and New Zealand troops. The Imperial casualties, when disclosed, will he found to be ludicrously small. /

Mr Churchill will also review the grimmer threat of the invasion of Britain which arises again because of the Italian disaster