WAR NEWS

Evening Star, Issue 23726, 6 November 1940, Page 8

WAR NEWS

RAIDER IN ATLANTIC

THE RAHGITIKI SHELLED REPORT FROM AMERICA NEW YORK, November 5. (Received November 6, at 1 p.m.) The Mackay radio intercepted a message saying that an enemy ship of the Graf Spee class was shelling the Rangitiki in the North Atlantic, halfway between Iceland and Newfoundland. JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE MELBOURNE, November 5. The Federal Attorney-General, Mr ,W. M. Hughes, oeplying to representations from various States, declared that the Commonwealth Government was taking no action for the present towards banning Jehovah’s Witnesses. He ddded; “It is essential to remember that we are fighting this war for liberty of opinion.” • NO PEACE MOVE AXIS DECLARATION BERLIN, November 5. Tt is officially stated that the Axis has no reason to make a peace moye in view of its present political and military position. The German authorities are taking over-the administration of anti-Jewish laws in Belgium, because the Belgians have not enforced them. Dr Seyss Inquart has accorded Dutch * Nazi organisations permission for demonstrations and processions for the purpose of strengthening Nazi military formations.

MARSHAL RETAIN S MESSAGE •UTLINE OF FRANCE'S INTENTIONS NEW YORK, November 4. The ‘ New York Times ’ Washington correspondent says it is reliably reported that Marshal Petain’s message to President Roosevelt says that the fate of the war planes at Martinique must be decided by the Armistice Commission, France does not intend to go to war against Britain, nor give the fleet to Germany, nor give up her possessions in the West Indies, Africa, and IndoChina. The message refers at length and bitterly to relations with Britain, and appeals to the United States not to kick France while she is down. The ‘ Times ’ understands that Hitler and Marshal Petain recently discussed the manufacture of armaments, in return for which Hitler would liberate 150,000 French prisoners each month. A message from Porto Rico states that two United States destroyers patrolled off Martinique and Guadeloupe. Two American officials are reported to be conferring with the Governor, Henri Bressolles, and Admiral Robert at Fort de France. The aircraft carrier Bearn and the cruiser Emil Berlin are at the fort. JOINT COMMISSION PROPOSED WASHINGTON, November 5. '(Received November 6, at . 1.30 p.m.) According to French sources, the United States- and Vichy have tentatively agreed to send a joint commission to Martinique to seek an amicable settlement of mutual problems, including the disposition of American-made planes. WAR WEAPGNS WEEK PREMIER'S MESSAGE TO EDINBURGH (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY', November 4. Mr Churchill sent the following message for the opening of War Weapons Week in Edinburgh;—“ It is the privilege of Scotsmen to-day to be champions of that cause of freedom for which their fathers in past generations thought no sacrifice too hard. Faithful to their traditions, they endure the struggle with devotion and resolve. It is not given to all of us to serve in the armed forces, but on each single citizen "falls the duty of supporting those forces by his thrift and contribution to the utmost of his power.” The first day’s toal was £1,250,000, RUMANIAN DECREE SEIZURE OF BRITISH SHIPS LONDON, November 5. (Received November 6, at 12.45 p.m.) Mr Ronald Cross, in the House of Commons, said the Rumanian decree taking over the control of Britishowned and British-chartered vessels in Rumanian territorial waters affected approximately 60 craft. In the main they were river tugs and barges, of which 20 were British owned and 40 were under British charters. Britain has repeatedly protested against the detention of these vessels. Britain seized three ocean-going Rumanian vessels, and a fourth was eu route to Britain under an armed guard.

AMERICAN PRESIDENCY

TURBULENT CAMPAIGN CLOSES VITAL INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE CLOSE CONTEST EXPECTED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright NEW YORK, November 5. (Received November 6, at 8 a.m.) Over 50,000,000 voters will to-day decide what may be the closest election since 1916, after one of the most turbulent campaigns in history, in which international and domestic issues were so intertwined that the result will be awaited as anxiously at No. 10 Downing street and the Wilhelmstrasse as in Sioux City, lowa. The bitterness of the campaign has assured a huge vote and has caused fears of violence, particularly in New York, due to the mixed population. In sharp contrast to their muck-raking charges and counter charges-in recent weeks, both Mr Roosevelt and Mr Willlkie in their final broadcasts closed the campaign on solemn promises to keep the United States from war and pleas for unity in a flaming world. Last-minute estimates accord Mr Roosevelt a slight advantage in the popular vote, despite a generally hostile Press, but all polls and surveys show a growing recent trend for Mr Willkie. Experts, however, agree that Mr Willkie must carry the “ big four namely, Now York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio —in order to win. Democratic headquarters predicted that Mr Roosevelt will win 400 electoral votes. The Republicans claimed 324, which is 58 above the necessary majority.

FINAL SPEECHES CLOSE OF CAMPAIGN NEW YORK, November 5. President Roosevelt, broadcasting a final word before the election, compared the fortunate lot of Americans—peace and freedom —with life overseasbombs and destruction. He thanked God that America was living in peace and proposed and expected to continue to live in peace. “ Dictators have forgotten, or perhaps they never knew, that the basis on which democratic government is founded is that the opinion of all people, freely formed and freely expressed, without fear of coercion, is wiser than the opinion of any one man or any small group. We have more faith in the collective opinion of all Americans than in the individual opinion of any one American.” President Roosevelt expressed confidence that the workers on each side in the campaign would continue to cooperate after the election in the service of democracy. He concluded by reading an old prayer asking guidance from God for the nation. A message from Hyde Park says that President Roosevelt, addressing a local rally at Poughkeepsie, said: “ New forms of Government, based on the theory of might rather than right, have waged wars against innocent peoples, but I believe the Germanic and Italian peoples, with their proud heritage of freedom, will return with the remainder of the world to self-govern-ment based on free elections.” HISTORIC OCCASION. Mr Cordell Hull, in a broadcast, urged the re-election of President Roosevelt. He was pleased to know that after the election the losers would accept the verdict without rancour. Mr Hull described the election as an historic occasion, representing ‘‘ an emphatic reassertion of the democratic progress in a world in tfnich powerful, sinister forces are arraigned against the ideal popular Government,” Mr Wendell Willkie, in a final broadcast, attacked the third-term principle and reiterated his promises as follows: “ My every act as President would be to keep the United States out of foreign wars and keep it at peace. I promise not to send your husbands, sons, and brothers to death on a European or Asiatic battlefield.”

CHURCH OF ENGLAND HEARTENING MESSAGE TO GREECE LONDON, November 5. (Received November 6, at 8 a.m.) The Archbishop of Canterbury addressed the following message to Dr Chrysanthos, Archbishop of Athens and Primate of Greece: “ In. the name of the Church of England I send to the bishops, clergy, and people of your church a message of sympathy and encouragement on the occasion of the unprovoked assault upon your country. I pray that by God’s blessing and with the help of this country the freedom of Greece may be preserved.” WOMEN CONDUCTORS WORKING IN LONDON BUSES LONDON, November 4. The first women conductors appeared in Ventral London’s buses, comprising 100 graduates from the Transport Hoard’s schools. They will now undergo a week of practical instruction before taking over duties, including during raids and at, nights, on the same basis as men. A further 140 are graduating immediately.

THE RUSSIAN ENIGMA

NEAR EAST POSSIBILITIES SUGGESTED COLLABORATION WITH AXIS COMKIENT BY DIPLOMATIC OBSERVERS NEW YORK, November 4. According to the Switzerland correspondent of the ‘ New York Times,’ diplomatic observers see a connection between the return of von Papen from Turkey for a talk with Hitler and a possible agreement between Moscow, Berlin, and Rome on various questions appertaining ’to the. Balkans and the Near East, particularly Turkey. The questions to be discussed will perhaps go beyond a mere division of spoils, and may include spheres of influence. The correspondent adds that probably one question will be active—Russian collaboration in attaining “ ,peaceful conquest ” of the Near blast by confronting any real resistance in that area with a solid military block. Turkey’s firm altitude towards Bulgaria is expected to cause the Axis Powers considerable embarrassment unless Russia is prevailed upon to withdraw the tacit support she is understood to have given Ankara. Such a withdrawal by the Soviet would leave Turkey virtually alone in the Near East, and leave the Dardanelles open to relatively easy conquest, after which it would be but a step to continue the drive towards Syria, Iraq, and the fuel supplies in that area. Some quarters assert that M. Molotov'is ready to sign on the dotted line making Russian adherence to the Tripartite Pact against aggression a fact instead of fancy. Thus would Germany be able to show the remaining British sympathisers in the Near East the futility of resisting her new order for Europe.

SAFE IN PORT ANOTHER GERMAN LIE EXPOSED LONDON, November 5. (Received November 6, at 9.15 a.m.) The 19,000-ton Windsor Castle, which the Germans reported they had sunk, has arrived safely in port. Although she was bombed she suffered no casualties, and reached port under her own steam. INDIAN FINANCES SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET DELHI, November 5. (Received November 6, at noon.) The Minister of Finance,' Sir Jeremy Raisman, introducing a supplementary Budget in the General Assembly, announced a 25 per cent, increase in all income taxes and also increased postage, telegraph, and telephone charges, yielding a total additional £4,500,000 yearly. BARRAGE BALLOONS ADRIFT DAMAGE IN DENMARK LONDON, November 5. (Received November 6, at noon.) The Bremen radio stated that British barrage balloons released by the storm did extensive damage in Denmark and seriously disturbed the electric supply and tramways in Copenhagen. N.Z. GOOD WISHES MESSAGES TO GREECE AND BELGIUM [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 5. The following cablegram was sent today by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P Fraser, to the President of the Council of Greece, General Metaxas, Athens The Government and people of New Zealand extend cordial good wishes to the Government and) people of Greece in the struggle into which Greece has now been forced bv unprovoked, ruthless aggression. They have noted Greece’s successful defence with the liveliest sympathy, and they warmly welcome this new accession to the ranks of those who are banded together to defend and restore international order and justice. Mr Fraser has also sent the following telegram to M. Pierlot, Prime Minister of Belgium, London : His Majesty’s Government in New Zealand wishes to express to you and M. Spaak their warm satisfaction at your safe arrival in the United Kingdom, where it will be possible to continue in the closest collaboration that co-operation between the Belgian Government and the people and Allied Governments which it is our common intention to maintain until victory is attained.

N.Z. CASUALTIES IN EGYPT [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 5. The following casualties to the 2nd N.Z.E.F. in Egypt are reported in fho official casualty list:— Private Allan Edward Dalton, died of sickness on November 1. His father is Mr L. Dalton, 41 Jacobs street, St. Albans, Christchurch. Driver Dennis Maryehnreh, killed as the result of a road accident. His father is Mr A. Maryehnreh. Coatsvillo, Auckland.

NORWEGIAN PEOPLE

LOVE FOR ENGLAND A GERMAN ADMISSION BERLIN, November 5. The ‘ Essoner National Zeitnng ’ says: “Although the Germans have done their utmost to convince the Norwegians that the Germans are their friends, we are forced to realise that the Norwegian people stubbornly adhere to their love for England. Antipathy to Germany is spreading like a political disease. Several arrests in Norway reveal that England and Norway are still in communication. Punishment for royalist (propaganda has been increased to three years’ servitude and other penalties for minor offences have been sharpened up. Five hundred citizens at Trondheim have been heavily fined for blackout offences.”