POLITICAL SENSATTON

Evening Star, Issue 23728, 8 November 1940, Page 6

POLITICAL SENSATTON

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONALIST SPLIT GENERAL HERTZOG RESIGNS Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright CAPETOWN, November 7. General Hertzog has resigned the leadership of the Orange Free State Reunited Nationalist Party. It is reported that a complete split developed between, the followers of General Hertzog and the members of the old Nationalist Party during the inaugural congress, opposition being raised against General Hertzog’s allegedly mild .programme, which envisages the admittance of ndn-Ropublicans to the Reunited Party. General Hertzog’s resignation created n first-class political sensation. The former Finance Minister, Mr N. C. Havenga, and other members of the Hertzog group also walked out. The Reunited Nationalist Party meeting was actually designed to deal with the final union between the two Afrikander groups under General Hertzog and Dr Malau. If the split with Dr Malan’s group finally comes General Smuts will be faced with far Jess formidable opposition. Following the split, General Hertzog detailed the events which had led to his resignation from the Reunited National Party of the Orange Free State. He said that within the party , the campaign to oust him that had been conducted for the past 18 months had become intolerable. “The persistent gnawing at mo has made my life impossible,” he said. It is expected that General Hertzog will either form a new party or retire from politics, but he has promised his followers that they will not be left like lost sheep. TAUNTON RAILWAY SMASH NO EVIDENCE OF SABOTAGE OR TRACK FAULT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 7. (Received November 8, at 10.20 a.m.) The Minister of Transport (Mr J. T. C. Moore-Brabazon) stated in the House of Commons that there was no evidence to indicate that the Taunton railway accident on November 4 was in any way due to a defective track, sabotage, or enemy action. WET CANTEENS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S DECISION SYDNEY, November 8. (Received November 8 at 12.25 p.m.) The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s .’ Melbourne correspondent says the Federal Cabinet has decided to lift the ban on wet canteens in A.I.P. camps in Australia They will bo placed under x-igid military discipline. Wet canteens will be permitted only in camps where all the men have voluntarily enlisted. Militia camps where men are performing universal service will remain dry. It was also decided not to extend the wet canteen concession to the R.A.A.F. AMERICAN PLANES EXPORTS TO BRITAIN NEW YORK, November 7. The Washington correspondent of the * Herald-Tribune ’ says that the Department of Commerce revealed that the United States in September exported only 284 aircraft, of which 136 went to Britain, 68 to Canada, and one to Australia. The exports to Britain show a decline, compared with 278 in August and 173 in July. The British Purchasing Commission explained that the August shipments were large because they included machines intended for France, but taken ■over by.. Britain,

CONDITIONS IN NORWAY

FEARS OF A FAMINE FOOD HOARDERS ARRESTED ( LONDON, November 6, The * Daily Telegraph’s ’ Helsinki correspondent says Norwegians are increasingly anxious about foodstuffs for the winter as the result of large shipments to Germany and the impossibility of importing supplies. Fears of a ‘ famine are creating a panic, 'and a wave of speculation is sweeping Norway, particularly in butter, cheese, eggs, and potatoes, forcing the Government to establish a monopoly of butter sales. Steps have been, taken to confiscate food hoards, and two prominent Stavanger residents have been arrested for hoarding 20,000 pairs of boots and shoes. The Norwegian Press in future >vi 11 be “ independent of outside interests.” For example, the advertising must bo devoted to furthering the interest of the German-dominated Government. SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES PROSECUTION OF PANDIT NEHRU (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 7. (Received November 8, at 11.15 a.m.) The sentence passed recently in India on Pandit Nehru was raised at question time in the House of Commons, when Mr L. S. Amery (Secretary of State for India)* said Nehru was prosecuted under the Defence of India Rules. He was charged, said .Mr Amery, with delivering speeches in the early part of October of a character likely to prejudice recruitment and stir up disaffection and feelings of enmity between different classes of His Majesty’s subjects, and to influence the public in a manner likely to be prejudicial to the successful prosecution of the war. “ 1 have no official report, but. I have seen Press messages indicating that Nehru was found guilty and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment,’' said Mr Amery. In reply to other questions Mr Amery said he had telegraphed for full information concerning the case. i AMERICA'S DEFENCES LINE OF AIR BASES NEW YORK, November 7. The ‘ New York Times ’ says that the United States has completed arrangements virtually with all the Latin American States for the use of air bases. The Latin American States will be responsible for the construction of such bases on their own soil, but the United States has agreed to supply technical and material assistance. Officials emphasise that the United States has not sought a formal lease of the bases, because it does not desire to raise the question of the transfer of sovereignty. Bases will be developed in Brazil. Argentine, Chile, and probably Cuba and the Dominican Republic, with which countries negotiations are proceeding. The ‘ Times ’ expects an early announcement of further loans to the Latin American States from the fund of 600,000,000d0l established for the purpose by Congress. The new bases will overcome a lack which navy officials feared would prejudice the United States’ ability to defend South America below “ the bulge.” TO STAY IN SPAIN EX-KING CAROL AND MADAME LUPESCU MADRID, November 7. King Michael told ex-King Carol by telephone that he had instructed General Antonescu to terminate the extradition proceedings . against Madame Lupescu. General Franco , subsequently sent a message to ex-King Carol stating that he had nothing to fear provided ho refrained from all political activity. He and Madame Lupescu could continue to enjoy-Spam’s hospitality,.

LOSS OF THE GLORIOUS

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE MEMBER SEEKS INFORMATION LONDON, November 7. (Received November 8, at 1.20 p.m.) Mr R. R. Stokes, on a House of Commons motion for an adjournment, sought further information concerning the loss of H.M.S. Glorious. He said 1,200 men went down and their relatives were entitled to know what happened. The German cruisers must have been absent from their base for several days, and he asked whether the Admiralty know the movement of those ships, • As the Grand Fleet was within 800 miles of the scene of the sinking did the commander of that fleet know the movements of the Glorious? Were signals sent from the Glorious? If so, what action was taken? Mr Stokes also asked whether the Operation Division of the Admiralty staff was fully informed of ships’ movements and whether the air marshal commanding the Coastal Command, the vice-admiral in charge of submarines, and the officer commanding naval aircraft were informed of the Glorious’s movements. Mr A. V. Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty, in reply, said: “It is impossible to reply to the operational questions asked by Mr Stokes. We are fighting against a most unscupulous enemy who is certainly not prepared to give us the kind of information concerning operational matters which is sought in this debate. Regarding the Glorious and her two attendant ships, it is true that the survivors only 39, but the German wireless claimed that their ships had picked up hundreds of prisoners. We had the names of only about half a dozen such survivors ”