"NELSON TOUCH"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23817, 19 November 1940, Page 7

"NELSON TOUCH"

GrREAT! REPERCUSSIONS EFFECT IN PACIFIC AMERICAN SPECULATION NEW YORK, Nov. 15 Military and naval experts in the United States are suggesting that, following the successful raid on the Italian naval base at Taranto, the British Admiralty may take the still more daring action of stationing two or three battleships at Singapore. They argue that if the Italian battleship strength has been reduced by three there are no longer the same reasons to leave the Far East undefended. United States Ships Also, they argue, if such a distribution of the British naval forces was made it would give the United States an. opportunity to transfer some of her capital ships to the Atlantic, which would be a tremendous aid to Britain's sea strategy. They state that another important result of the action is that it liberates British sea power for action in the Atlantic against German raiders. The crippling of Italy's battle fleet is hailed throughout the United States as one of the most important battles of the war and a major blow to the Axis. Such a magnificent success of such spectacular proportions is described as an example of British courage and cunning which must bring ultimate triumph. Tributes to Jervis Bay Americans are also applauding the captain and crew of the Jervis Bay, whose gesture in engaging a German battleship saved a convoy. This action is likened to the spirit of the British householder shaking his fist above the ruins of his home. The two episodes are described as "tho Nelson touch." The New York Herald - Tribune states: "The rolling thunder of tho bombs dropped on Taranto will be heard in Tokio, reverberate through the Balkans, penetrate the massive walls of the Kremlin, and reach even the marble splendours of Hitler's Chancellery. One remembers Lord Nelson's destruction of the enemy at Aboukir Bay, and the great consequences of the Taranto victory are certainly similar in scope. British Prestige Raised "This smashing demonstration of British energy, resourcefulness, and hitting power will raise immensely British prestige in Turkey and the Balkans. It is likely to confirm General Franco in his hesitation, it should strengthen the Free French forces in Africa, and further undermine the faltering Vichy Government. "What it may do to Italy is open to conjecture, but without wishful thinking one can say that there is no easier throne to overthrow than that of a dictator whose armies have been stalled or repulsed, whose fleets have been destroyed in their own harbours, who cannot protect his own cities, and whose air force seems to be a failure."

FAR EAST WAR NEW MOVE BY JAPAN APPROACH TO CHUNGKING By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November IS, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 17 It is reliably reported from Tokio that the Japanese Imperial Conference last Wednesday decided to give the Chungking Government a "last chance" to consider its attitude! toward Japan. If the Chinese authorities fail to reconsider. their position -within a certain period, Japan will formally recognise the puppet Government of Wang Ching-wei. On the best possible authority it is stated that the Japanese Foreign IMinister, Mr. Matsuoka, has informed the United States Ambassador, Mr. J. C. Grew, that he is personally exerting an effort to make contact with Chiang Kai-shek for a final offer. It is understood that he requested Washington not to interfere in this attempt to secure peace.

THAILAND PACT ANGLO-AMERICAN AID NEW THEORY IN JAPAN (Received November IS, 9.10 p.m.} LONDON", Nov. 17 The Japanese newspaper Ashai Shimbun publishes an unconfirmed report that Great Britain and the United States have concluded a secret military pact with Thailand, as a result of which they will aid Thailand to recover her lost territory and also, in the event of an attack by foreign troops, they will provide Thailand with military assistance. Britain' it is stated, will despatch Malay and Indian troops, and the United States will protect the coast of Thailand with warships. The paper admits that the Japanese Foreign Office has received no official advices of the reported pact. The Japanese Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are attaching great concern to the rumours about Thailand, because such rumours sometimes turn out to be true." Reports of fighting between Thailand and Indo-China are officially denied by the Thai Government, according to a report from Bangkok. It is stated that the situation is unchanged, although "French aeroplanes daily violate the frontier." ORIGIN OF WAR MUSSOLINI'S ALLEGATION LONDON, Nov. IS Mussolini, in a speech to-day, alleged that the war could have been avoided in the last hours of 1939, if the Polish Ambassador had not put forward the "insurmountable obstacle" that German troops should be withdrawn from Poland.