COLOURS AT HALF-MAST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 20 April 1945, Page 5

COLOURS AT HALF-MAST

TRIBUTE TO LATE PRESIDENT - BRITISH FLEET IN PACIFIC (Special P.A. Correspondent with British Pacific Fleet) On Board the Flagship Near Formosa, Apl. 14. Although it had just driven off a dawn attack by Japanese aircraft and all hands had been at action station for two hours, this ship was more affected by the news of President Roosevelt’s death than the stresses of the recent combat. A news flash was broadcast throughout the whole ship the very moment guns ceased firing and the effect was instantaneous, groups of officers and ratings expressing sadness and debating the effects. Vic -Admiral Sir Bernard Rawlings, commander of this task force, expressed the view of all men of the fleet when he said to one of his staff officers: “This is a blow to the whole British Empire.” To-day the Admirai ordered all ships to fly colours at half-mast for the last hour befor- sunset. It is not British custom to do this in time of war other than convoying or burying the dead, but the Admiral said: “None the less I feel it is flitting and in keeping with what we all feel to discard a precedent in tribute to a great leader and a sincere friend of the British Empire.” “ASIA FOR ASIATICS” FAILURE OF SLOGAN New York. April 18. Discussing the Greater East Asia slogan, “Asia for the Asiatics,’ Tokio radio quotes the Domei Agency as saying it failed because of Government inaction. The slogan had now become vinegar and ammunition for enemy propaganda. Citing instances of Government laxity and failure the Agency asserted that the Indian people took up arms, but failed to fight and Chung. •<ing became a British and American spearhead against East Asia.