FURTHER ADVANCES PRECISION BOMBING THE "PRAVDA" REPORT OFFICIAL RESERVE IN U.S.A. POLISH GOVERNMENT SABOTEURS FROM REICH MOUNTING TOLL SOVIET TO GET PENICILLIN PUBLIC DIPLOMACY WEAK WORK OF GUERRILLAS A SWEDISH FOOD COUNCIL FORMED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 15, 19 January 1944, Page 5

FURTHER ADVANCES

PRECISION BOMBING

THE "PRAVDA" REPORT

OFFICIAL RESERVE IN U.S.A.

POLISH GOVERNMENT

SABOTEURS FROM REICH

MOUNTING TOLL

SOVIET TO GET PENICILLIN

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY WEAK

WORK OF GUERRILLAS

A SWEDISH

FOOD COUNCIL FORMED

French And Canadians In Italy

Eec. 11.30 a.m. EUGBY, JaSmfery 18. French troops of the Fifth Army have captured thie village ' of St. Elia, at the northern end of the German Gus'tav Linte on the east bank of the River Rapido, four miles north of Cassino. The communique announcing this adds that Canadians lighting in the coastal sector made a limited advance against stiff opposition-

The crossing of the River Rapido is reported by a correspondent at Allied headquarters, who says that French troops of General Juin's forces who on Sunday reached a point about 1000 yards from St. Elia yesterday stormed and captured the tiny fortified village. Pushing forward, they also captured the hamlet of Valvori, on high ground two miles further north. Patrols reached the east side of the Rapido River. Further south, American patrols have reached the other side of the Rapido north of Cassino. After crossing the river they did not make contact with the enemy until they came up against very strong fortified positions 300 yards above the** river. It now seems that the Germans have lost the high ground north-east of St. Elia. Elsewhere on the Fifth Army front, where the weather is fine in the coastal sectors and gales are raging in the mountainous area, our patrols are still very active. On the Eighth Army's front Cana-, dian troops launched an attack on a front of 1000 yards a mile from San Tomaso. Supported by tanks, the Canadians met with fierce opposition, but managed to cross a small stream and gained a foothold on the other side, where fierce fighting is still in progress. * Gales are also raging in the mountains of the Eighth Army sector, and snow is falling heavily. Heavy and medium bombers resumed yesterday the combined offen-

COMMENTS IN LONDON

sive and concentrated their efforts on. enemy supply lines between .Home and Florence. Fighters and fig\Jzter- _ bombers were active ahead of tha Fifth Army, and scored hits- on s#he docks at Anzio, 25 miles southsvst of Rome, g«id railway yards at Pi&io between Rome and CiyitavecchA*. - Fires were started at Targinia* north--west of Rome, and bridges and ■ det fended positions were attacked at! several inland points. Fighter-bombers continued their attacks on enemy positions and shipping along the Dalmatian coast, scoring hits on a camouflaged merchantman in Sibenik harbour. Three small vessels were strafed near Split— 8.0. W.

LONDON, January 17. The American attack at Monte Trocchio, which was captured with remarkable speed, was preceded by effective precision bombing by two air support squadrons, says "The Times" Algiers correspondent. These American airmen blasted a pathway for the infan- . try. The bombing began 700 yards ahead of the ground troops. Air photographs show the perfect pattern of the bombs and also that an ammunition dump was directly hit. The enemy used smoke pots to conceal their positions. The air tactics employed in this flight were developed during a year's intense activity, from Tunisia to Italy. The airmen specialised in this type of precision work, previously operated mainly with the Eighth Army along the Adriatic Sea.

LONDON, January 18. The "Daily Mail" diplomatic correspondent says that because of the wide circulation later given by Moscow radio to "Pravda's" report of a secret meeting between Herr yon Ribbentrop and leading English figures the British Government may consider it necessary to reassert in the House of Commons its determination to abide by agreements and never make a separate peace. The political correspondent of the "Daily Express" says that the story, in various forms, has been going the rounds for over a month, but was ignored as too fantastic. It was obviously intended to make mischief between the Allies. One suggestion is that "Pravda" published the story to bring it into the open so that it could be forcibly killed. The "Daily Telegraph" says that if the "Pravda" story really started in Cairo it undoubtedly originated from enemy agents. That they should even have troubled to start such an impossible story merely indicates the difficulties Dr. Goebbels is experiencing in his campaign to disunite the Allies.

NEW YORK, January 18. The Washington correspondent of the "New York Herald Tribune" says that the State Department is treating the "Pravda" report with more than usual reserve pending the arrival of information on whether it is taken seriously by Marshal Stalin or was published with his direct authorisation. One high official regarded the move as part of the Russian war of nerves against Germany, and expressed the opinion that the Russians were trying to convince the German people that their leaders were desperate for peace. Commenting on the report, the "Herald Tribune" says in an editorial: "Moscow's clumsy psychological manoeuvre follows the Russians' rough rejection of the Polish offer to open negotiations through Britain and America." It states that since the Polish offer is believed to have been made on the advice of the British Government the inference is clear that Moscow, with none too clear a conscience over its attitude towards Poland, is trying to cover its position by finding a stick with which to beat the Bz-itish.

MOSCOW & BRITISH DENIAL LONDON, January 18! Just after 9 o'clock tonight Moscow radio broadcast the British Foreign Office's denial of the "Pravda" story that two British leaders had interviewed Ribbentrop in Spain to discuss details for a separate peace.

LONDON, January 18. The Russian attitude towards the differences. between Russia and Poland are dealt with in a dispatch from Paul Winterton, who summarises what, in his view, are the main points of Russian policy. First, he says, while it is true that the Soviet Government wants an agreeable frontier, it is also true that Russia wants a Poland with a government sincerely friendly to the Soviet Union. That is an absolute essential. In the Russian view the Polish Government does not meet this essential. In tact, the Russians think the majority of the people in the Polish Government in London have never been, and, can never be, friendly to the Soviet Union. The correspondent says the Russians, by denouncing a number of leading members of the Polish Government in London, have shown their determination not to negotiate with it whether directly or through intermediaries. Whether the Russians would be prepared to negotiate with a reconstructed Polish Government in London from which the "alleged antiboviet elements have been removed, the correspondent does not pretend to f^ow, but his personal view is that the Russian reaction would be favourable because he believes that the Russians want to reach a settlement in agreement.with their allies which would be to all.

DIPLOMACY WEAK <«vu -o ■ LONDON, January 17. The Russian reply to the Polish declaration illustrates more forcibly than anything before the undesirability of conducting delicate negotiations by public declaration," says "The Times" in^a leading article. "QthI r and less uncompromising methods are open to the parties, and those onlookers who have a settlement most at heart will recognise that the surest way of promoting it is to refrain from controversial comment, however well intentioned." «rw£ m-dipl,?matic correspondent of The Times" says that the Polish Ambassador in London saw the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, today. There is hope in London that the whole problem may be discussed privately to .allow conciliatory work to do its best even now.

OPERATIONS IN MALAYA CHUNGKING, January 17. Guerrillas are operating in the Malayan mountains and forests, led by British officers who survived the fall of Singapore, the Rev. Marcus Cheng, a prominent Chinese Christian who escaped from Singapore last year, reported today. Mr. Cheng said the guerrillas, who outnumber the Japanese forces by six to one, consist mainly of Chinese troops" with some British, Australians, and Indians. The crack Japanese troops who seized Singapore were transferred elsewhere. • Malaya is garrisoned mainly with sailors who have lost their ships. Thousands of natives died because of scanty rations. Mr. Cheng said the Australians were forced to build railways and perform other hard labour. British prisoners were assigned the humiliating tasks formerly done by the humblest coolies. Picture shows, opium dens, and bars are doing thriving business in Singapore. After capturing Singapore the Japanese bayoneted and killed every Chinese against whom there was the slightest suspicion. Many Malayan natives joined the guerrillas rather than enlist for military service with the Japanese. The British-led guerrillas, armed with trench mortars, machine-guns, . and rifles, have been harassing the ■ Japanese. British and Australian officers organised the guerrillas and trained them in mobile warfare. They have rejected all Japanese demands that they should surrender. Mr. Cheng said the operation of the tin mines has been suspended because the Japanese lack the technique and the machinery for production and the ships for transportation. The petrol shortage has forced the Japanese to use charcoal burners in vehicles. The Chinese in Malaya suffered most at the hands of the invaders. In two searches for patriots the Japanese arrested and carried away , 30,000 Chinese. None had been heard of since.

WARNING LONDON, January 18. Addressing the Swedish Parliament, the Foreign Minister, Mr. Gunther, warned Germany that if the persecution of Norwegian students continued Sweden in future would not readily give representatives of German science and culture permission to enter Sweden. The German deportation of Norwegian students gave the impression of a desire to inflict lasting damage to the cultural life of Norway and the whole of Scandinavia. No valid military reason for the action could be invoked.

(Special P.A. Correspondent.) Rec. 10.30 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 18. A food council on which Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Southern Rhodesia, India, and the Crown Colonies are represented has been established by the Ministry of Food. Colonel J. J. Llewellin is chairman of the council, which is a parallel to. the Combined Food Board in Washington on which Canada and America are represented. Mr. Jordan attended the first meeting of the council, when committees were formed.

REPORTED DROPPED IN EIRE

LONDON, January 18. Two Irishmen who were recentlydropped by parachute from a German plane over Eire carried £6000 in English and Irish notes, and small wireless transmitters, reports the "Daily Mail." They are John O'Reilly, aged 28, and Patrick Kenny, 35. O'Reilly formerly broadcast over the German radio as an Irish "Lord Haw-Haw." The "Daily Express" says that O'Reilly and Kenny had instructions to carry out sabotage, beginning at the Foynes airport, and also to collect all war information possible and transmit it to Germany. According to another report, O'Reilly was dropped three miles from his father's home and was arrested after two days of freedom. All his papers permitting him to leave Germany and land in Eire were in order, including his exit permit, signed by the Irish Charge d'Affaires in Berlin. Kenny was seriously injured in his landing and was sent to hospital. Both men are now reported to be in the Dublin gaol.

AMERICANS' TACTICS

SAN JUAN EARTHQUAKE

NOT ACCEPTABLE TO SOVIET

BUENOS AIRES, January 18. Unofficial .reports from San Juan indicate that 4000 are dead, 10,000 injured, and 15,000 missing, in what may be the worst earthquake in Argentina's history. Officials estimate property losses at 25,000,000 dollars and industrial and commercial losses at 75,000,000 dollars. Citizens of San Juan have urged President Ramirez to raise a loan of 35,000,000 dollars and to mobilise 50.000 workers for the city's reconstruction. The railways to San Juan are now functioning, arid food supplies are assured. The Brazilian Red Cross is flying supplies to the stricken areas, and the American Red Cross is also sending aid. Troops are guarding San Juan to prevent pillage, though order is said to prevail. Earthquakes destroyed Mendoza in 1861 and San Juan in 1894. The casualties on each occasion totalled 5000.

mv _, .x _ T LONDON, January 18. The Soviet Union will soon be using penicillin, the new drug. Professor H W. Florey, who developed the use of the new drug, has left Britain for Russia to pass on his knowledge. He returned here recently from the Middle East to give the War Office and the Medical Research Council reports of the use of the drug on wounded. He is Professor of Pathology at Oxford University. It is expected that adequate supplies of the drug will be available for military and civilian needs in a few months' time.