CHINA COAST

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24571, 21 May 1945, Page 5

CHINA COAST

Report of Enemy Evacuation

THREAT OF U.S. . LANDING

(N.Z. Press AssocUtlon^-Copyright)

(Rec. 8,30) CHUNGKING, May 10. Chinese forces have recaptured Foochow. Enemy remnants are fleeing to the north-east. ' ' • . The Associated Press correspondent says it is persistently reported that the Japanese are preparing to evacuate several pockets along the China coast between Hangchow Bay and Hong Kong, all of which might become death traps if sizeable American forces landed at nearby points. They include Swatow. Amoy, Foochow, and possibly Wenchow. , ‘ , ' Although independent reports suggest Foochow was occupied virtually without bloodshed, the Chinese High Command communique reports that the Chinese received reinforcements on Wednesday, launched «n attack the following morning, and by evening had broken into the town, completing its occupation by 5 a.m. on. Friday. Sources apart from the High command estimated that the Japanese had in the city about 1000 troops, which were pursued eastwards for nine miles along the north bank of the Min river to the. outskirts of the small estuary port of Mamoi. . The Japanese are reported already to be withdrawing from the entire coastal region? taking oft in small ships for Shanghai.

BATTLESHIPS damaged ITALIAN SUCCESS IN 1942

SUBMARINE ENTERS ALEXANDRIA

(Rec. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 19. hkjsa .sew bow. The story is told by ® eu ters Alexandria correspondent, who says the submarine, which maaned by two sauors, crept past the boom in the wake of a British de--Bffir' Italians attached explorive charges known as limpets to battleships’ bilge keels and then cUmbedthe anchor chains. One of the lt®k®ns is believed to have reached the Valiw»t s deck. The ship's crew caught l them and took them to the magailne. where they were warned that unless- they told the whole truth they would be blown up with the ships. The unnerved Italians then confessed, but it was too late. > The time fuses went pff_ .and .the charges blew holes ip the ships bottoms;''causing them to settle on the harbour , thud. Their superstructure and magazines were undamaged. The Queen Elizabeth was patched up and proceeded via the Suez Canal under her own steam to America for repairs. The Valiant was repaired sufficiently to go to drydock. The secret of the attack was kept so well that neither the German nor Italian High Command knew of its success;

SITUATION ON BORNHOLM

ARRIVAL OF DANISH MINISTER (Rec, 7.30) COPENHAGEN, Mayjfc The Danish Foteign Minister Moeller) arrived at Bornholm by <Nfe He received a warm reception .IPINN inhabitants and the Russian miPUftf authorities. . The Russian commander (QmMM Strepkov) told Mr Moeller: "W4 oekt come to Bornholm exclusively move all Germans. When thaLttMßrttty pleted we hope to continue 'iHßnjiy, relations with your island sion. I can assure you that imp time arrives Denmark will free, independent country.” ' ; Vv' ! Mr Moeller thanked the Bwp&Ht for freeing “part,of our co expressed the hope that - tpygpKti* lations ~ 'always, existing ■' sia and Denmark would cettt&tttt wf the future. The newspaper “Pol|ti|#» holmer" yesterday pubUnff m wpf' view with Colonel stte&ffijlm te&Hlh he said the Russians nan IW4 eOMe to Bornholm as occupiers. There Wire 3500 Rusisans there at preset no more were expected; Colonel Strepkov added that the Russian action against was solely the result oftbedeciikH) by the German commander, ‘von Cemptz, to fight on. Von Camptz he* «!»«• been shot by the Russians lor reflating to obey capitulation conditions. The Danish radio announced that telephone and telegraph eoammnications between Bornholm and Denmark had been reopened. Some restrictions which were imposed on the island by the Russians - were being lifted.

THE DHKE OF WINDSOR

RUMOUR OF CANADIAN POST

PUBLIC OPINION SAID TO IWIAIrOURABLE

CRec. 7.30 p.m.) NSW YORK. May 18. The Ottai# correspondent of -the “New York times" says: “Opinion in Canada strongly opposes the widely published suggestion that the Duke of Windsor would be. appointed Cover-nor-Generat This opposition is especially strong among the French Catholics of Quebec, but it is shared by British stock most firmly attached in allegiance to the Mother Country and the Crown. “The suggestion was coldly and increduously received without comment In the press, excepting for “L*Action Cstholique,” Quebec, which published a forthright leading article upder the title, ‘No thanks.’ In substance, the leading article said that if the Duke of Windsor married to a divorced woman was an unfitting personage to occupy the Throne he was also unacceptably as Canada’s viceroy. “The general opinion is that the appointment would be very unpopular and that the suggestion that it would improve Canadian-American relations is utterly without justification.”

BELGIAN CRISIS

EFFORT TO PREVENT GENERAL STRIKE

(Rec, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, May 19. Agitators and propagandists are active throughout Belgium trying to rifttabtlft economic recovery and create jQlMfmr," said M. Van Acker, Minister of Labour, in a broadcast from Bnissell. "They have already incited a coal strike, and if they succeed in bringing pa g general strike Belgium would 'fade famine within a few days. The (Shyemment has therefore decided to prompt strikes for three months, and has ordered the arrest of all agents grovotateuri and fifth columnists and hms auapension of newspapers seeking to create disorder. *T do not want to exaggerate or dMaftfttise, but I must tell you this is a Sbour.” he said. “Oor food stocks trttaßv n«i*Md»tent A g«i«al country Into