BRITAIN HOLDS UPPER HAND

Evening Star, Issue 23657, 17 August 1940, Page 12

BRITAIN HOLDS UPPER HAND

DOMINATES MIDDLE EAST THEATRE SOVIET ANALYSIS OF SITUATION Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, August 16. The Soviet newspaper ‘ Isvestia ’ states that Britain still holds the upper hand in the Mediterranean and the Near East despite the loss of French support. The domination of Somaliland and the straits of Bab-el-Mandeb will not give Italy command of the Red Sea or of Egypt. The Suez canal is still the vital link, and Egypt cannot be conquered by land

PETROL RATIONING EASED IN AUSTRALIA MORE LIBERAL ALLOWANCE MELBOURNE. August 1(3. (Received August 17, at 8 a.m.) The amended petrol rationing scheme adopted by Cabinet to-day is much more libera! than that which was withdrawn recently after protests. The new scheme is based on the mileages of vehicles last year. There are seven horse-power classifications under which the ration ranges from 10 to 23 gallons a month for private and business cars which w • I 0,000 miles last year The rati,,, acreases’to a range of 24 to 60 gallons a month, where last year the mileage was 12,000. Motorists are also permitted to accumulate ration tickets for seasonal purposes. The scheme is subject to review in three months. AMERICAN DEFENCES 1 MASS PRODUCTION OF TANKS BIG EXPENDITURE INVOLVED WASHINGTON, August 15. The War Department closed a deal with the Chrysler Company for mass production of tanks under a 53,500,OOOdol contract, the largest yet awarded under the programme to build new munitions industries with Federal funds. The contract provides 20,000,000d0l for plant and equipment to produce 33,500,000d0l worth of tanks. The plant will be located in the Detroit area and will employ nearly 5,000 people. Operations will be begun within 13 months. YEAR'S SERVICE

GUARDSMEN AND RESERVISTS WASHINGTON, August 16. (Received August 17, at 8 a.m.) The House of Representatives by 342 votes to 33 passed legislation empowering President Roosevelt to mobilise 360,000 national guardsmen and army reservists for a year’s military service anywhere in the Western Hemisphere, United States possessions, or the Philippines. JAPANESE INDUSTRIES INTEREST IK SOUTH AMERICA TOKIO, August 16. The ‘ Asahi Shim bun ’ says that, owing to the gradual closing of the European market and the growing trends towards a United States economic blockade against Japan, the Foreign Office is contemplating the establishment with South America-of an economic commission aiming at economic expansion. ' HEW SILK YARN COMPANY TOKIO, August 16. (Received August 17, at 8 a.m.) The Government decided to finance an Imperial silk yarn company with a 30,000,000 yen fund, through the Industrial Bank, for purchasing raw silk in an effort to push exports as well as maintain the official price of 1,350 yen a bale. DAY OF PRAYER ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY’S SUPPORT (lintnl) Official Wireless.) RUGBY, August 11. Referring to the desire expressed by the King, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in a statement, says a ready response for this will bo found in the hearts of the people. “ Since the last day of prayer on Hay 26 the anxieties and responsibilities of the nation and Empire have been greatly increased. Defection by the Government of France left us alone among the nations of Western Europe to defend the cause of justice and freedom against unscrupulous, ruthless aggression. The invasion of our own land by the enemy may at any time be attempted. It is therefore right that once again the nation should turn to God as its strength and stay in this time of trouble, and once again commit its great cause to Him. It is noteworthy that the President of the United States has called his people to prayer on the same day. Thus on both sides of the Atlantic two great democracies will bo joined together in their acknowledgment ol God the Most High.”