NOW VETERANS

Evening Star, Issue 23882, 12 May 1941, Page 3

NOW VETERANS

ARMIES OF GREEK CAMPAIGN READY TO MEET GREATER MENACE IN MIDDLE EAST (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 9. Surveying the war in the Middle East. Brigadier Sir Henry Page-Lrott ( Under-Secretary for War), in a speech in Bournemouth, took the line ot reasoned optimism. “ You have great rea- : son to be proud of the armies of your Empire which inflicted 400,(XXl casualties on the enemies at extremely small Joss in comparison, and which stand now veterans ready to meet a greater menace in the Middle East,” lie said. Referring to the Greek campaign. Sir Henry said there was more than a sporting 'chance that tire vital line in tlie Balkans could have been held. The occupation of Greece and Serbia was a most expensive victory, and time, which was always our greatest need, had been given to strengthen the defences in Egypt. “ I have no use for fair-weather patriots,” he said. “ and rejoice with you in sending a message of gratitude and support to that great man, Churchill, who .expresses all the finest qualities of our race and is himself the embodiment of that martial valour which is the true character of this ancient people when roused and standing with their back to the wall.” DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA G.O.G. TO BE APPOINTED HOME ARMY OF 250,000 MEN SYDNEY, May 9. 1 The War Cabinet lias decided to appoint a general officer commanding all military forces in Australia. The ‘ Herald ’ says the decision is regarded as the most significant signpost to eventualities for which Australia now has to prepare herself. The officer chosen will be charged with the defence of Australia by land. He will work in the field and have Command in any emergencies that may arise within Australia, and as the war proceeds he will have under his control a homo defence army of about 250,000 men. MR MENZIES IN AMERICA GUEST AT STATE LUNCHEON WASHINGTON, May 10. Tlie Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, gave a luncheon in honour of the Australian Prime Minister, _ Mr R. G. Menzies, the guests including tlie Australian Minister in Washington, Mr R. G. Casey, Mr Sumner Welles, the South African Minister, Mr Leighton M'Carthy, and the chairmen of the Senate and House Foreign Affairs Committees, Mr Walter George and Mr Sol Bloom. In the morning Mr Menzies conferred with some Australians, including Sir Olive Baillieu. His_ other engagements included a reception by tlie Australian Legation at which 200 members of Congress and other officials and notables were present. Mr Menzies dined at the British Embassy. THROUGH THE MINEFIELDS RISK JO SWEDISH SHIPS (British Official Wireless.) "rugby, May 9. It was learned in London, from a Scandinavian source that during the first four months of this year 10 Swedish ships arrived through the German minefields of tho Skagerrak af Gothenburg with supplies from America and Britain, and six ships left port. This was made possible by a special arrangement with the British and German Governments. “ It has, however, been a costly one in lives and ships,” states the Director of the Commercial Department of the Swedish Foreign Office. “In spite of the agreement several ships have been sunk by the Germans, and it is therefore doubtful if the traffic can be continued ” HEROIC ENGINE CREW TRAIN BACKED TO SAFETY LONDON, May 10. Mortally wounded when German raiders swooped down and machinegunned a passenger train this evening, the driver halted the train and backed it to the safety of a nearby station, assisted by tlie fireman, who was also wounded. The driver died in hospital. RUMANIAN OILFIELDS GAS ERUPTION REPORTED LONDON, May JO. Radio Toulouse, quoting a Bucharest report, states that what is described as a gas eruption lias occurred in the. (Rumanian oilfields and crevices have formed. Explosions have thus far been averted. " ALREADY IN WAR ” LONDON, May 9. (Received May 10, at 4.10 p.m.) The Cairo correspondent of the Associated Press states that, asked whether he thought the United States would best aid Britain by entering the war, Captain Roosvelt replied: “Except for sending troops, we are already in war.” YUGOSLAVIA'S GOLD SAVED FROM THE PLUNDERERS LONDON, May 10. Tlie Independent French News Agency stated that Yugoslavia’s gold reserves are safe, partly in tlie United States and partly in Egypt. The Gormans seized only church money totalling £60,000.