UNITY IN WAR EFFORT

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23316, 30 April 1941, Page 7

UNITY IN WAR EFFORT

Assurances Given By Australia MR CASEY MEETS MR HULL (Received April 29, 7 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON, April 28. A Washington message says that Mr R. G. Casey, the Australian Minister to the United States, to-day conferred with Mr Cordell Hull, the United States Secretary of State, and conveyed assurances of unity within Australia and with Britain regarding the prosecution of the war. Mr Casey presented copies of statements made by the Acting-Prime Minister of Australia (Mr A. W. Fadden) and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr J. Curtin). Mr Hull expressed his pleasure ' and satisfaction at these proofs of Australia's unity in the war effort. „ ~ Mr Casey and Mr Hull then discussed at length important long-range views about the Far East. Mr Casey, in an interview later, saia: “We explored a fairly wide field of influence in current American policy

is regards the Pacific area, in which Australia is greatly interested.’ Mr Casey declined to give details ir explain the meaning of this, but svell-informed persons believe the subject was patrols towards the Pacific. [ n the light of Mr Roosevelts statenent, it is now considered very likely that the United States may shortly arrange neutrality patrols towards Australia. ‘ „ , . ~ Mr Casey said that the admirable md clear pronouncements by Mr Cur:in and Mr Fadden had entirely cleared away all misapprehensions aroused in the United States last week by reoorts of war disunity in Australia. Messages from Australia say that the Federal Minister for External Affairs (Sir’ Frederick Stewart) said in i broadcast that Australia would never shirk her responsibilities to Britain and would fight ,on until victory was won. The heroic resistance of the Australian and Imperial. Forces and the Greeks had not been in vain, for their fight had been of great military service. The Premier of ■ New South wales (Mr A. Mair) said that no one could have doubted that the Empire would come to the aid of Greece, Mr Mair was'presenting a cheque for £50,000, the proceeds of a Greek Day appeal, to the Greek Consul-General in , Sydney. ' The Consul-General said that the undaunted courage of the Australians and the Greek army had provided a mutual sacrifice that lyould not be in vain. , SHARP RAID ON PLYMOUTH NIGHT BOMBERS START FIRES CASUALTIES NOT HEAVY (Received April 29, 11 p.m.) LONDON, April 29. Plymouth was once more the chief, target of enemy bombers over Britain last night. The raid was short and sharp, lasting about two hours. Some fires were started, but the number of casualties is not believed to have been heavy. The raiders came over in waves, dropping first incendiaries and oilbombs, and then high explosives. Many flares were also dropped. The ground defences put up an intensive barrage. • , , . Three raiders were reported to have been shot down over a South Coast town, which was also attacked. An Air Ministry communique states that yesterday morning a single enemy aircraft approached the north-east coast of Scotland and attacked with machine-guns a town and several villages, At one point bombs were alsodropped. The damage caused in all these incidents was small, but one person was injured. Bombs were dropped on the east coast of England yesterday morning, and caused some damage but no casualties. , ,! In the afternoon an enemy aircraft dropped bombs over the north-east coast-of England. A number of persons were injured, but the damage was small. ~ _ . In Sunday night’s raid on Portsmouth. one enemy bomber was shot down. Casualties in the town, were rather heavy, though fatalities were few, and the damage in the residential area was considerable. Another German bomber was shot down off the east coast of England, Three of the crew were picked up and brought ashore, and a fourth was said to have committed suicide.. One enemy bomber was hit by anti-aircratt fire off the south coast and turned away losing height rapidly with smoke pouring from it. Waves of raiders, in the attack on Portsmouth, scored direct hits on two hospitals, a cinema, a hotel, and a number of houses. ■ . Three direct hits practically razed one hospital; The patients were previously evacuated. Casualties occurred among members of the staff. , Incendiary bombs set fire to another hospital from which the patients were safely taken to shelters. . Rescue squads were fliggmg yesterday for those trapped in the wrecked houses in the residential area A German communique states tnai strong formations of bombers asain attacked harbour works at Portsmouth. Large fires were observed. United States petence drive was started m the Umted States yesterday to raise £7SO,OMOOO Dy means of defence bonds.—New Yorlc, April 23. - .