IN BRITAIN

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1939, Page 5

IN BRITAIN

READY FOR ACTION EVACUATION PLANS. (Per British Official Wireless.) LONDON, August 26. Hundreds of thousands of children in Britain’s evacuation areas, including all of London, have been recalled from their holidays, and were given careful instructions for a full dress evacuation rehearsal which is to bo held on Monday, when they must report with gas-masks, also emergency food and clothing. Hundreds of members of the Women’s Auxiliary Army have been called up. Many big London buildings, including the Mansion House, have been sandbagged. Thq King’s Cup air race, which was to have been held on September 2, has been cancelled.

Territorials are leaving London depots with full war equipment, in which new anti-aircraft guns are prominent. Telephones are choked. The longest delays occur on long-distance lines, while it is increasingly difficult ,to raise the Continent.

BETTER OUTLOOK. LONDON, August 27. Tiio Sunday newspapers --‘generally opine that there are now better pros- ! pects of peace, but they reiterate the British and French determination to honour their -obligations. The Cabinet meeting that was scheduled for 9.0 a.m. G.M.T. to-day, fras postponed until 2 p.m., in order to I give further time to l prepare and draft a reply to Herr Hitler. HITLER REFUSED TO PLEDGE LONDON, August 27. The British United Press Berlin correspondent states he has been informed reliably that Sir N. Henderson, before hjs departure for London, proposed that Herr Hitler should give a pledge not to take any military action for four days, during which diplomatic efforts could be made for a peaceful solution. Herr Hitler declined to give a formal pledge.

CENSORSHIP OF NEWS

MONTREAL, August 25

The cable companies here have been notified that a. censorship will be imposed in England at 11 oclock a.m. G.M.T., on Saturday morning. A censorship will he imposed on all messages between Britain and Canada. Only undisguised words in the English and French languages will bo transmitted. The censors are operating only at the English end.

LINER BREMEN RECALLED

COPENHAGEN, August 27,

It is reported that the German liner, Bremen, carrying 1200 passengers to New York, was ordered to return to Germany when she was in the middle of the Atlantic.

LONDON, August 26. The Danish air line has closed the British office < and its staff have left.

RUSH HOMEWARDS.

LONDON, August 26,

Typical of an amazing homeward trek of thousands of people of all nationalities throughout Europe, the Croydon aerodrome is handling record traffic. Air-liners have been arriving there every ten minutes during the last 24 hours. Nearly 1500 people landed from the liners yesterday, compared with the normal total of, 400.

Twenty pounds sterling has been offered for seats from Paris‘to London, as compared with the normal rate of four guineas. The German planes going from Croydon have been crammed.

Britons returning from Germany are optimistic. They say nothing will happen until Poland starts shooting. T-lie Duke of Kent left- Paris by air for London. The Duchess is remaining in France in the' meantime. The Channel steamer services aro carrying thousands of people, who have been subjected to prolonged delays, these resulting in extreme congestion at the British and French Channel ports.

CABINET REPORT,

(Received this day at 9.20 a.m.)

LONDON, August 27,

It is officially stated that it is expeetecl Sir Nevilo Henderson (British Ambassador to Berlin) will return to Berlin o» August 28, bearing a reply to Herr Hitler,.

A Cabinet communique says that reports appearing in the press regarding Herr Hitler’s communication are entirely unauthorised and quite inaccurate.

Cabinet ended at 4.47 p.m. Crowds in Downing Street cheered the dispersing Ministers.

A NAVAL MOVE. LONDON, August 27. 'Received this day at 9.40 a.m.) The Admiralty has assumed control of merchant shipping, which is, now under naval orders. The King gave an audience to Mr Neville Chamberlain at 5.30 p.m., who, after an hour’s audience, saw Mr Arthur Greenwood (Labour) at No, 10.