EGYPT’S WARNING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 167, 14 June 1940, Page 7

EGYPT’S WARNING

WILL ACT IF NECESSARY. PREMIER’S BLUNT STATEMENT. Received June 14, 10.35 a.m. CAIRO, June 13. The Prime Minister (Ali Maher) stated that Egypt’s attitude was defensive. but if an inch of Egyptian soil were bombed, whether military or not, or if there were any Egyptian casualties, Egypt would certainly declare war. The Egyptian Government has ordered the requisitioning of ships at Alexandria for war purposes A number of Italian vessels have been seized. The Egyptian Chamber of Deputies to-day approved the Prime Minister’s declaration severing diplomatic relations with Italv. A hundred more Italians have been arrested at Port Said, making 286 there. The Suez Canal is lifeless, except for ail occasional oil tanker. Even Japanese ships have been ordered to proceed via the Cape. TURKEY MAY ENTER. Ankara reports that Turkey has called up more troops and reserve officers. ’ . The officially-controlled Press 'is violently attacking" Italy, obviously reflecting the Government’s attitude. Turkey’s decision is still awaited, , There are constant consultations .in j Government quarters and great activ- , ity at the Embassies of the Western Powers. A full meeting of Parliament 1 has been held. ! Maritime traffic through the Dar- ! danelles Iras virtually ceased A mini- j ber of Turkish conscript classes have ! been mobilised in the country die- ; tricts. Turkish submarines have been moved from the Kocaeli naval base (at the eastern end of the sea of Marmora). , It is announced that President Ineunu presided at a Council ot Ministers which reached important decisions. . . . , AH Rumanian'shipping m the Black: Sea has been stopped, and shipping to Turkey is suspended. MESSAGE TO COLONIES. A British Official Wireless message says the Secretary for the Colonies (Lord Lloyd) Iras sent the following message to the Governors of Kenya, Somaliland, Malta, Aden, Cyprus and Gibraltar:— , , ■ , . “As a result of the latest developments in the war situation the territory for which you are responsible has ■ been brought within the zone of active military operations and now is sharing or mav be called on to share directly the dangers and hardships of modern war. “I am confident that these dangers and hardships will be faced with pride and determination, and I hasten to assure you of my conviction that the people in your territory will display in these momentous times the courage and resolution characteristic of the peoples of the British Empire and that the day will come when we shall look back proudly and with thankfulness to the part they played m achieving victory over the Kings enemies.” INDIANS nT EGYPT.FORMIDABLE FORCE. (British Official Wireless.) , T Received June 14, 12.20 p.m. . RUGBY, June 13. The Indian troops in Egypt consti- . tute a formidable force. Every part oi the diverse population of India is represented by these fine soldiers vntrl the glorious traditions of the .Indian Army behind them. 4 . Since their .arrival in Egypt m the early days of the war they have established admirable relations with the Egyptian Army and the civilian population, who have followed with interest and admiration the intensive training which the troops have undertaken. ABYSSINIANS’ ' CHANCE. BATTLE AGAINST OPPRESSORS. Received June 14; 11.5 a.m. JERUSALEM, June 13. Fitawari Beroti. the newly-appointed Commamler-in-Chief of the Neguses Imperial Army, has departed by air to take up his command. He declared: “Our golden chance has come. We could not battle alone against the modern Italian forces, but with Allied support we shall return triumphantly to our homeland.” Berou is confident that lie will be able to rally thousands of Abyssinians against tlie Italians.