EGYPT PREPARED TO FIGHT

Southland Times, Issue 24212, 23 August 1940, Page 5

EGYPT PREPARED TO FIGHT

Possible Invasion By Italy TROOPS IN POSITIONS FOR DEFENCE (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received August 22, 11.40 pan.) CAIRO, August 22. Answering rising demands from a crowded Parliament for immediate entry into the war on Britain’s side, the Prime Minister (Hassan Sabry Pasha) said that nothing had developed to change the Government’s policy to keep out of the war against Italy unless Egypt was directly invaded. Egypt would then fight and her troops were in position. Ahmed Maher Pasha, the former Prime Minister, amid cheers, immediately demanded a debate on war policy. Members of the Government demanded that the debate should be secret; Residents of Aden are not concerned over the Italian occupation of Berbera, from where.it is considered most unlikely that an invasion could be organized. Large ships are unable to use the Berbera port and are compelled to lie outside, where they are serviced from small boats. The monsoon season is raging and continues until October, increasing shipping difficulties. ITALIAN BLOCKADE Italy has announced an intensification of her blockade of British territory and has warned all neutral Governments to keep their ships away from the Italian war zone,, comprising an extensive area around the shores of British possessions and protectorates in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, British colonial coasts in Africa and also the coast of Egypt. An official communique issued in Nairobi states that the South African Air Force carried out extensive raids on Tuesday on all. known aerodromes in southern Abyssinia and Italian Somaliland, including Yavello, Neghelli, Mega, Afmadu, Jelib Margherita, Kismayu and Mogadishu. Much valuable information was obtained and direct hits were secured on buildings and aircraft. No enemy fighters were seen and there was little ground opposition. The weather at Mogadishu was difficult, but the machines got through and all returned safely. Among the targets was .. wireless station at Mega. NEWS OF AIR BATTLES FOR AMERICA IMPROVEMENT PROMISED BY MINISTER LONDON, August 21. Replying to complaints, particularly from. America, about delays in the British news of air battles, the Minister of Information, Mr A. Duff Cooper, in the House of Commons, said that German propagandists had two considerable advantages—first, previous knowledge when a raid was occurring and, second, a complete disregard of the truth, enabling them to begin sending false accounts to America before their niachines reached Britain. The Minister added that he was arranging to accelerate the despatch of news.