MORTAL COMBAT

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21409, 1 May 1941, Page 7

MORTAL COMBAT

AMERICA AND GERMANY “MUST DO OUR PART” STRONG PRESS COMMENT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) ' NEW YORK, April 30 j The New York Times, in a two | column editorial, declares the United : States is already locked in mortal j combat with Germany, and therefore it will be most dangerous to , follow a policy of drifting and hesitating. “The defence of America means : strong leadership from Washington, and willingness to forgo methods of j indirection and veiled innuendo in j favour of bold statement of plain j facts,” says the Times. “The defence i of America also means firm insist- • ence that strikes and lockouts in the j defence industries will no longer be ; tolerated. It means encouragement i to American aviators now ready to ( fly our own aeroplanes in the Battle i of Britain. It means avoidance of the mistake of doing too little too late. “There is no escape in isolationism. We can either surrender or do our part in holding the line. If we decide in favour of the American tradition for the preservation of all we hold dear, then we shall take our place in the line and play our part in the defence of freedom.” Opposition To Convoys It is reported irom Washington that 50 Congressional non-interven-tionists have pledged “unalterable opposition” to American convoys “by whatever name they may be called.” They voted to petition the Senate Foreign Relations Committee asking it to approve Senator Tobey’s resolution forbidding convoys when the committee begins consideration of the question today. American naval vessels could enter combat zones if necessary in defence of the Western Hemisphere, j President Roosevelt told journalists 1 today. He said the United States ; did not recognise any German com- ! bat zone extending round the British Isles. Aeroplanes For Democracies President Roosevelt today announced that he was requesting a survey of civil aviation facilities to ascertain how many aeroplanes could be bought for the defence of the democracies. Mr Roosevelt said the belligerent democracies really needed civilian transport aeroplanes. The New York Times comments that all types of civil aircraft, including training machines, will probably be sent to Britain and to China. WILL BE TORPEDOED NAZIS THREATEN AMERICA BLOCKADE OF BRITAIN 1 United Press Asn.—Elec, Tel. Copyright) (Received May 1, 11.10 a.m.) BERLIN, April 30 Officials declared: “ It is all the same to us whether Mr Roosevelt recognises our blockade zone around Britain. Whoever enters it will be torpedoed, regardless of flag.” GERMANS ANXIOUS U.EOAT COMMANDER MISSING LAST OF THREE ACES • United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received May 1, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, April 30 The German Admiralty is anxious concerning the whereabouts of Kapi-tan-Lieutenant Pritn, who has not reported since April 13 says the Daily Exchange’s Zurich correspondent. Prien was the last of Germany’s three U-boat aces. Mr Winston Churchill paid a tribute to his skill and daring in sinking he Royal Oak. He also reputedly sank the Andora Star.

CASUALTIES AND FIRES PLYMOUTH BOMBED AGAIN WALES ALSO ATTACKED FIVE RAIDERS DESTROYED United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, April 30 The Air. Ministry states that the enemy carried out a severe raid on Plymouth last night, causing a number of fires, and it is feared casualties will be heavy, including a large number killed. Bombs were dropped in other parts of south-west and southern England, East Anglia and South Wales. There were a number of casualties, including some killed, in the latter area. : Five enemy bombers were destroyed. Of the live raiders destroyed, one ! was brought down by anti-aircraft I fire and three by fighters, two over Britain and the third as it was about to iand at its base in Northern France. The fifth was shot down into the sea off Plymouth. Old Folks’ Home Damaged Plymouth last night suffered its fifth heavy air raid in nine nights, The first wave of raiders arrived at nightfall and the attack lasted many hours, without a lull. Oil bombs were followed by high explosives. Many merely tore up the ruins caused by previous attacks, but numbers of dwellings were demolished, causing heavy casualties. An old folks’ home was severely damaged. A German communique states that Cardiff, Lowestoft and Ipswich were attacked, in addition to Plymouth.

BRITISH MANOEUVRES BIG DISPLAY OF TANKS 70,000 MEN PARTICIPATE lUnlied Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlgrdt) LONDON, April 30 Extensive military exercises were held in East Anglia recently, the “invaders” being thrown back into the sea. Seventy-five thousand men took part in the exercises, as well as aircraft and 10,000 armoured vehicles. Describing this giant exercise an agency war correspondent states how imprescsd he was by the efficiency and endurance of the troops taking part, says a British official wireless message. Of their equipment, he says: “British tanks by the hundreds were all manned by splendidly tough, picked crews. A few short months ago this was still a dream. Now it is an accomplished fact.”

'CONDUCT OF WAR NO IMPERIAL CONFERENCE MR CHURCHILL’S STATEMENT tUnited Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received April 30, 2 p.m.) LONDON, April 29 Mr Churchill, in the House of Commons, replied in the negative when, after complaints of the incomplete and misleading information from Libya, Mr E. L. Granville asked: “Will the Prime Minister consider the appointment of a small Supreme War Cabinet, composed of i Ministers without department rei sponsibilily, also statesmen of Mr Menzies' calibre?" ! Mr Churchill said that at present i there is no intention of assembling an I Imperial war conference.