HELP & GUIDANCE

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21336, 5 February 1941, Page 7

HELP & GUIDANCE

FUTURE OF ABYSSINIA ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN RETURN OF EMPEROR (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 5, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 4 The attitude of the British Government to the future of Abyssinia was the subject of an important statement in the House of Commons, when replying to a question, Mr Eden said: “ The Government welcomes the appearance of an independent Ethiopian State and recognises the claim of Haile Selassie to the throne. The Emperor has intimated to Britain that he will need outside assistance and guidance. “ The Government has agreed to his view and considers that any such assistance and guidance in economic and political matters will be the subject of an international arrangement at the conclusion of peace. “ It reaffirms that it has no territorial ambitions in Abyssinia. “ Meanwhile the conduct of military operations by Imperial forces in parts of Abyssinia will require temporary measures of military guidance and control. These will be carried out in consultation with the Emperor and will be brought to an end as soon as the situation permits.”

AUSTRALIAN CASUALTIES TOTAL REACHES 623 ACTIONS IN WESTERN DESERT il'nitcil Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 5, 12.55 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 5 The latest list of Australian Imperial Force battle casualties released by Army Headquarters brings the total to 623, of whom 135 have been killed, five are missing and 483 have been wounded. The list includes a number of casualties at Tobruk and at least one from the action at Derna. Army Headquarters stated that the Bardia casualties of about 500 would be increased by casualties in isolated engagements in mopping up and subsequent actions in which the Australian Force was engaged.

RAIDS ON BREST ATTACKS ON DOCKS comclal wireless) (Received Feb. 5. 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 4 An Air Ministry communique dealing with Monday night’s offensive operations says: During the night attacks were made by Royal Air Force bombers on the docks at Brest and other objectives north-west ol occupied France. One of our aircraft is missing. PLOT IN CUBA THREATS TO PRESIDENT ASSASSINATION PREVENTED (United press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlg-st > (Received Feb. 5, 11.30 a.m.) HAVANA, Feb. 4 An anonymous telephone call to the President, Senor Batista, threatening to “ fire on the palace,” preceded the arrests of army and navy chiefs. The threat is reported to have been part of a plot by the military leaders to assassinate Senor Batista at midnight, which was abandoned owing to lack of support for the revolt.

RELIGION IN NORWAY DESIRE FOR FREEDOM REQUEST BY BISHOPS (United Press Assn— Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 3 Seven bishops in Norway have sent a joint letter to Stancke, Quisling’s Minister for the Church and Education, asking whether the State acknowledges itself bound by the law of morality contained in the Bible and also by the confession on which the Church’s faith is based, says the Times’ Stockholm correspondent. Since last April the bishops have frequently instructed the clergy and congregations to respect the law under the belief that they enjoyed full religious freedom according to Hitler’s ordet, and also because of the promise that the courts of justice would remain independent. The bishops now state that serious doubts have recently arisen whether the instruction to the clergy and congregations are still justified. They therefore ask for a clear statement on the issue. POLES AND CZECHS j ; AIM FOR CONFEDERATION | HEART WITH BRITAIN j tUnited Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrifrlin MONTREAL. Feb. 3 j In a broadcast, M. Frantisek Pavlasek. Czeeho-Siovakian ConsulGeneral, said a Polish-Czechoslovak I confederation was the post-war aim j of the two exiled Governments. I The heart and soul of the people. : even under the cruel Gestapo per- ! secution, was with Britain, he said, j The Czechs were conducting a sabotage and nerve war against the Ger--1 man*.