THREE EGYPTIAN SOLDIERS KILLED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 151, 27 June 1940, Page 7

THREE EGYPTIAN SOLDIERS KILLED.

EIGHTEEN WOUNDED.

Raid By Italian 'Planes On Mersa Matruh. UNREST CROWING IN LIBYA. United Press Association—Copyright. (Received noon.) LONDON, June 26. A statement issued in Cairo from the general headquarters of the British forces says: "Patrol activity continues on the Libyan coastal front. Our patrols advanced north-west from Jarabub. "Three Egyptian soldiers were killed and IS wounded during the Italian raid on Mersa Matruh on Sunday. There were no British casualties. "The Libyans are showing a reluctance to fight for the Italians and many mobilised natives refuse to wear the Italian uniform." An air raid alarm in Cairo lasted 45 minutes early .this morning. No 'planes were sighted. The general headquarters of the Italian armed forces issued a communique stating: "There is nothing worthy of mention on the metropolitan front or in North Africa. In East Africa there were unsuccessful. British attempts to bomb Asmara and Diredawa, Two enemy 'planes were shot down. "An attempted air raid on Naples was foiled by the intervention of our pursuit 'planes and anti-aircraft guns, which put the enemy to night." In the House of Commons the Foreign Under-Sceretary, Mr. K. A. Butler, said the Government accepted the Spanish Government declaration of its intention to respect the neutrality of Tangier. The garrison and people of Malta, replying to the recent message from Mr. Churchill, state: "We are determined, with God's help, to maintain the integrity of this part of the Empire. Whether the time is short or long, we are confident of final victory."

On June 13 the Egyptian Prime Minister stated that Egypt's attitude was defensive, hut if an inch of Egyptian soil was bombed, whether military or not, or if there were any Egyptian casualties, Egypt would declare war.

Four days later, however, lie stated that Italian air raids on Egyptian border posts could be regarded as frontier incidents which so far eould be settled diplomatically. Moreover, the Government definition of Egypt's attitude was not communicated* to Italy until Saturday, June 15. and therefore Italy had not had time to give the necessary instructions to those responsible for the skirmishes.