Prince uuperi ana queen Charlotte Islands Strong southeast winds or gales, unsettled and mild with rain. h-ol XXIX, No. 300. DRIVE IN LIBYA IS GOING ON tittered Bardia is Still Under Heavy Siege Looks Like British i Plan Deeper Drive CAIRO, Dec. 23: (CP) A gener-1 headquarters communique said day that 35,949 Italian prisoners ( ud been removed from the Sidl' jar: anii battle area and several louands more were still In camps fear '.tie front. ; Steady streams of British reln- iicementa are moving up to the ege line around battered Bardia g an a: ;ault against 20,000 sur- of Italy's tenth army report-i t-.r.:i t have been trapped in the port The Royal Air Force Iibyan mbed Italian troop concontra-1 af Bardia today. It now ap- har:; 'ua ne uruisn are prepar-1 ij fr a drive even deeper into JSya. i MANCHESTER i IS BOMBED; ktncishire Industrial City Subject ed to Night-Long Assault by Nazi Air Haiders MANCHESTER. Eng.. Dec 23: CP1 -Heavy bombs which hit two tab-? air raid shelters, one hous- Irf tlmo.it 500 persons.- left an un ?d number of casualties to- q Jt Jter a nti-ht-long German air L".V I tab.-- also wrecked a moving1 x-s theatre and set fire to, 'if buildings ' uij iiiin .mii-n. r-? u. . . ij ... Ian wars with loss of but thirty h raids today wete con- , hed 'd one plane forays. XMAS HELP FOR LONDON lndian National Railways' Em ployees Respond to Lord Mayor's Appeal WINNIPEG, Dec. 23-A Chrlst-present amounting to more pn $13,000 was the answer of the rnploytr of th? Western Region, Canadian Na: tonal Railways, to a ugpvion s"nt out a short time o that something special be done help the work of the Lord kyor of London's General Fund, "hu mnnry was raised in a quick lampai-n and already has been l-bled to ih Old Country so that I may be made of it at once. I Qnployees or the C.N.R. in the f est feU that, although many de- randa had been made on them. Ihroush various money raising; l-nvpaicns for war work, the peo- in the bombed areas of the Old 'min'vy should have same special 'tention at the Christmas season Organization was quickly set up nd the response of the employees 1 wn .'-he hrad of the lakes to van- louvpt' island was oulck and Incce The campaign was divided Into lf"n: s with the General superm- "ident of each district In charge f hp organization of his Indivi dual territory. In addition to mis, P-e Transcona and Fort Rouge hops were set ud as special dls- P'fc's. The, resrwnso to supply ex- I-a funds as a Christmas present f a-" so intense that practically one hundred percent, contribution was leorripri -n cablln," the money It was Mnt"d out ithal it was sent In Hp awnreclatlon of the magnifl- Pnt fortitude and courage of the eple in the Old Country. KEEP OUT OF WAR NEW YORK A national atl- campaign to "keep Am-fr'ca Imtisliijr out of war" was Instituted ln fiflv Amprlpi t rli ipS today ''he ramnalen has been institu ted by an Iowa editor. . ha .. V V War CHXwoaoaoaotHWaooOHiWjfiflisooi MERSEY HIT AGAIN LONDON German air raiders hit heavily with big bombs at Liverpool and Merseyside Saturday and Sunday for the second and third consecutive nights. They also struck both nights at London. Among other buildings Saturday night a tenement was hit. In the tenement were 150 persons, most of whom were gathered singing Christmas carols. Many were believed to have been killed. Damage was done to commercial and residential buildings in Liverpool. During Saturday three German planes were brought down over England. Last night the Nais rang ed over many points of England Including London, the northwest east and lea, the Midlands and Wales. Manchester was most heavily hit. One German plane was shot down over Southeast England. BAUDIA'S FALL IMMINENT CAIRO British forces naval, land and air continue (heir drive on Rardia, Important Italian port of Libya, and its fall appears to be imminent. The land forces have penetrated northwest of Libya. Forty thousand Italians have been taken prisoners. Rardia has been un dcr seige for seven days and Is surrounded by land and sea, . .1 ... in Pnei nave oeen nrougni (Attn riiiPinv Ins liil lu'lv " "" five of which were saved. Eighty-eight of the Italian planes were brought down, over Egypt and eighty-six over Albania, WHAT TOKYO SAYS TOKYO A Japanese government spokesman said today that, if the United States lends ships to Great Rritain for delivering war supplies, Axis powers will have to consult to decide what constitutes an act of war. HALIFAX IS .BIG RANGE NEW ENVOYj OF ATTACK Goes to Washington, it Is Officially Announced Eden New Foreign Secretary LONDON. Dee. 23. The ap I pointment of Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax as British ambassador to the United States was officially announced by the British government last night. He succeeds the late Lord Lothian who died recently. It was also announced officially that War Secretary Anthony Eden would succeed Lord Halifax as Foreign Secretary, returning to the post from which he resigned following the break with the late Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain af ter Munich two years ago. Eden's successor as Secretary of War Is Capt David Marglson, chief government whip. Viscount Cranborne becomes government spokesman in the House of Lords in succession to Lord Halifax. Appointment of Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax as ambassador to the United States is acclaimed by an Influential section of the British press todoy. The London Times says it could conceive of no, one "better fitted for this Important post." The Dally Mail had predicted that, If Halifax was appointed, War Minister Anthony F.ilen would move up to the foreign secretaryship. ,... - IN 1 l CHURCHILL DAMNS MUSSOLINI ; fi Weather ForeccLt 7 She Tomorrow's Tides Jmtm NORTHERN AND CENTRAL BRITISH COLUMBIA'S NEWSPAPER "PRINCE RUPERT, B.CTMONDAY, .DECEMBER 23, . . IvW. . .Ml wnawwi'ii-1.- ' 11 News ITALY EXECUTES SriES HOME Two alleged spies have been executed by the Fascist authorities. Twenty others were given prison terms. Three were acquitted. It is claimed here that, as a result, a great foreign spy ring In Italy has been smashed. OTTAWA LAUGHS OTTAWA Naval officials here are amused over an Italian claim, that a Fascist submarine has sunk a Canadian destroyer. ' WEEK'S LOSSES LOWER LONDON An Admiralty statement announces that shipping losses at the hands of enemy ac-.llon for the week ending December 15 amounted to 41,476 tons including five British ships, 30,-930 tons, and two Allied, 10.616 tons. This was considerably less than Ihe weekly average of 6",-000 tons but does not, it is officially pointed out, represent a lessening of Ihe menace of enemy submarines, mines and long range aircraft. BRITISH VICTORY HAILED CAIRO Moslem leaders, including the Premier and former Premier of Egypt, hail the British victories over the Italians in North Africa as a great triumph for democratic freedom. Egyptians are overjoyed, said, the ;.. Premier; ,, while the former Premier said that Moslem'sympathles are entirely with the democracies. CHIMARA IS TAKEN ATHENS Greek forces today captured the important town of Chimara near the Adriatic coast of Albania between Porto Edda (Santa Caranta) and Valona. An entire' Fascist battalion consisting of thirty officers and 800 men was taken prisoner. More Italians are in flight towards Valona. A major battle is in progress, losing of which by the Fascists would mean the collapse of Italian resistance in southern Albania. There is fierce hand to hand fighting on the heights overlooking the Adriatic. Royal Air Force Delivers Telling Blows on Enemy From Norway to Deep in Adriatic LONDON, December 23 Strik ;lng new and telling blows the Ro-,yal Air Force ranged against the ,enemy from Norway to the Adria tic Sea over the week-end with telling results, only one British plane being lost in all the widespread operations. Probably the most spectacular was a 16-hour trip to Venice where a large oil refinery was the princi pal object of the attack. It wa3 the first raid on Venice and the longest foray to be made by the Royal Air Force ifrom a base In the British Isles'. In Norway the Olso-Bergen rail way line was bombed again. Other bombing attacks were made ait Cologne and on the Industrial area of the Ruhr, naval bases at Wllhelmshafen, Brest and Lorient and objectives at such coast points at Rotterdam, Amster dam, Calais and Ostend. Bremner radio station was off the air for part of the week-end. WEATHER FORECAST General Synopsis. A. deep disturbance is approaching Vancouver Island from the soutliwest. The weather continues unsettled ..and mild throughout British Columbia. West Coast of Vancouver Island- Southeast winds reaching gale force and shifting to south. WHY FASCIST force lost Failure to Keep Forces' In North Africa Supplied One Main Reason ROME, December 23 ' Marshal Rodolfo Orazianl, in a report to Premier Mussolini crj the failure of Italian operations In North Africa, -said that British forces were far superior to the Italians. Grazlani's report said "It cen-talnly would bi premature' fa foie-carS developments 'aV this tm while the titanic fight was-still In progress. V Lack of proper watr, failure of tanks and mechanized equipment when It was needed were; among factors'. Major Strong said, con- 4rlbutlng to the collapse of the! Italians In North Africa. Orazianl I asserted. A titanic fight is now In rsrogTeri Kilparick said. j SUBMARINE GOES DOWN Loss of II. M. S. Swordfish is Announced by British .Authorities j , LONDON, Descmber 23 (Cena-? dlan Press) Official ment is made that the. British' SENSATIONAL STATEMENT wbrnarie, H18or4fteh. Is, WASHINGTON D. C.. In long overdue and must be. consid-f statement which caused some--cred lest The vcjI has a ciew of what of a sensation, William F. forty men and was completed In j Khudstn, chairman of the new -532. i United States defence produc- Lat October H. M, S. Swordfish. tion board, was outspoken aga-iank a German tqrpedo' boat off Inst anything In the way of ap-the French coart. Lieut.. langley off neasement and told the Ameri- the Swordfish had only two weeks ago been awarded, the Ditingui- shed Service Order. i TODAY'S STOCKS (Oourtsy 8. D. Jalumtcm' Co.f Vancouver Big Missouri, .04 " Bralorne, 10.25. , Cariboo Quart, 2.27. Dentonio, .00 A. - j Falrvlew, .00i. Gold Belt. .30. , .. . Hedley Mascot, .58, . .. Minto, .01 Vi. Fend .Oreille, 1.70. Pioneer, 2.10. Premier, .87XD. Privateer, .54. . Reeves Macdonald, .15. Reno, .14. Relief Arlington. .0234. Salmon Gold, .02Vi. Sheep Creek, .85. Cariboo Hudson, .022A. Oils , A. P. Con.. .08 Calmont, .24. C & E.. 1.35. . " Home, 2.35: Pacalta, M. V . .. Royal Canadian, .08... ;. Okalta, .70A. '"" ' Mercury, .06A, ; Prairie Royalties, .07; Toronto Aldermac,- .15. Beattlc, 1.15. . . Central Pat., 1.86. Qons. Smelters, 39.00.. Bast Makutic, 2.71. Fernland, MYs-Francoeur, .41. .Gods Lake, .33. .; Hardrock, 1.05. v Int. Nickel, 33.00Vi. 1 Kerr Addison, 3.83. Little Long Lac, 2.10. McLeod Cockshutt, 2.27. Mcdsen Red Lake, .63. . McKenzle Red Lake,' 1.22. Moncta, .5814. Noranda, 57.00JS. Pickle Crow, 2.85. . ' Preston East Dome, 3.55.; San Antonio, 2.50. "X Shcrrltt Gordon, .82. h ? Uchl, .30?;. Bouscadlllac, .0234. ' Mosher, .07. i V. ' Oklend, .08 Vi. Dominion Brldga, 26.00'2. British Prime Minister Tells Italians To Duce or Bulletins PETAIN ON SPOT VICHY Germany has threatened to tear up the armistice with France unless the Vichy government places itself under . full German control, removing i cabinet members and omciais who are in any way opposed to collaboration with the Naxis. It Is considered likely by many that Marshal Henri Philllppe Petaln, rrencn tniei ox siaie, may rc- ; ject the demands of Germany which include the removal of the capital from Vichy to Paris. POPE'S XMAS PLEA VATICAN CITY Pope Pius pleaded for Christmas prayers for sufferers of war. Particularly children. In his efforts to re-y store peace. His Holiness said , that he had met far greater difficulties than had existed in the last war. can people that they had better roll up their sleeves and prepare to fight for American security and in defence of Democratic principles. STATION AGENT KILLED . CHILLIWACK R. J. Burdette, station agent for the Canadian Pacific Railway was killed in an automobile crash near the city limits of Chllliwack yesterday. ri.c iuaiiiuii5 ttcic iuuic ui less seriously injured and are in hospital here. BIG STORM IN SOUTH VANCOUVER Portland, Seattle and Tacoma suffered much damage as a result of a howling storm which lashed the Pacific Northwest and spread into Vancouver which had wind velocity of 50 to 60 miles per hour. The West Coast of Vancouver Island had velocity of 78 miles per hour. Five cities were blacked out when power lines went down. The Washington sawmill town of Longview was probably the most heavily hit point of all. Two men were killed, in Washington when a power line fell on their car. C.N.K. OFFICIAL DIES WINNIPEG John Henry Par-kinson, chief claims agent Western Region, Canadian National Railways, Winnipeg, died suddenly Saturday evening. SUPPLIES FOR BRITAIN WASHINGTON Among other proposals, the United States government is considering partial restoration of United States transAtlantlc shipping, in order to expedite movement of supplied to beicagured Britain. It is possible such supplies may be delivered by way of Eire. MORE NAZI TROOPS BUCHARIST Thousands of more Nazi .troops are crossing by way of Hungary into Rumania, accompanied by full equipment including guns and tanks. It il estimated that 100,000 German troops have now moved into High Low Rid Themselves Have Empire Smashed War With Great Britain Was Caused by One Man and One Man Alone People of Fascist State and Army Were Never Consulted LONDON, December 23 : (CP) Prime Minister Win-' ston Churchill broadcast an appeal to the Italian people tonight to rid themselves of Premier Benito Mussolini and threatened to rip their African Empire to shreds and tatters if thev continued the war. He declared that the war between Great Britain man and the Italian people ana army had never been consulted. ! i who would have conceived not) so long ago that Italy and Great Britain would ever be trying to des-, troy eacn omer as mey were ioaay, atked Mr. Churchill who reminded the Italians that Great Britain inj past years had been their champ-j ..n and lui suppo.ccd movements !for their unity and honor. "Ourj ifathprs and erandfathers helDed toi 'free Italy from the Austrian yoke,"!,' Three coal miners were killed 'Mr. Churchill declared, "so that the' yesterday morning when an Italian people might take their explosion was followed by a place among the leading nations of rocksllde in the air shaft of. fnmnp ' South Wellington mine. The aeaQ are James taring, james.-r . "We were your comrades in the,T last war and, fifteen year after. were still your friends," continued Mr. Churchill. Even though Great Britain and.Italy may . not, have agreed upori'systems of government they had marched together In peace and goodwill. Italian people had dwelt in England and British people had dwelt in Italy. They had got along well together and had liked each other. Now they were at war, j condemned to the attempt to ruinj each other. . ' It was only the beginning of the war, the British Premier sa:d. Who could say where it would end? Undoubtedly, the two nations would ba forced to even closer grips. It was all because of one man that Italy had been placed In a struggle with the British Empire. Mr. Churchill did not deny mat Mussolini was a great man But, after eighteen years of unbridled power, ne naa lea nis nauon u the verge of ruin against the counsel of the Crown of Italy, tne authority of the Vatican and the Church, the advice of the Army 3nd the wishes of the people He i had delivered honored Rome to the nclent barbarian. The British Premier admitted' that, as a result of Abyssmfa, andj sanctions, old friendships hadi been forgotten even if there was, no bloodshed between Great Bri- tain and Italy. However, there had) been nothing in tne ADyssinian-quarrel to justify the struggle which had broken out. Where wasj the need to declare war on Great i Britain, to invade Egypt or Greece? 1 No Place For Italy France would rise again," de iadvlse that steamer was being clared Mr. Churchill. Meantime torpedoed off the coast of Portu-tho British people, the British aI-Commonwealth across the sea, yes. . all English speaking people had would go on against Germany even been aroused and were on the ;f left to do so quite alone although move. Forces of progress and cul ' he had reminded Mussolini that ture were ranged .together. Why the aid of the people of the United had Italy placed itself with this states might be expected, animal which now menaced Eu- Why should Great Britain and rope?? Italy Joint heirs of Christian civ- "I ask this question," said Mr. ilizatlon be ranged against each Churchill, "and well may you asklother, Mr. Churchill had asked the same question." One man and Premier Mussolini, one man alone had ordered out "What Is the position of Italy to-the Italian armies. No doubt the 'day?" asked Mr. Churchill in con-Itallan people would some day elusion. There was the hard choice, have a word to say In regard to he decaired, of standing up to being led into a task for which battery of the whole British Em-they had no heart. plre and Its Allies or , calling in Mr. Churchill declared that he through Brenner Pass of the mo- had done his best to prevent this 9:14 bjh 20.9 ft. '22:08' p.m. 17.9 ft. . 2:32 ajn. 7.3 ft. 15:45 am 5.0 ft. RICE: I CENT? Of and Italy was because of one Coal Mine Explosion On Island NANAIMO, Dec. 23: (CP . . . , j. Gava and Chris Mills.; .The cause of the disaster is not known. CANADIANS NOT GOING Unlikely That Soldiers of This Dominion Will See Service in Mediterranean Theatre LONDON. Dec. 23: (CP) Chances of overseas formation of the Canadian Army moving into the Mediterranean war theatre are understood to have diinished if not disappeared. Hon. J. L. Ralston, Canadian minister of national defence, says that such employment of Canadians has not been requested by the British government and, if it were. It would be a matter fnr fh Canadian government to decide. , ; HfPlCrnfPI viguici 1 1 IS 101060060 Distress Calls Sent From off the Coast of Portugal by Steamer Farristone NEW YORK. December 23 Radio jnessasres from II. M. S. Farristone dern AttlUa and his hordes of war between Great Britain and ravenous soldiers anp oestapo Italy. He read cnununlcaUans be-'W to "Protes the ! P-tween ,p ' himself and Premier Musso- ItaUan Unl just before Italy had declared churchUl said, to onto1, again take war. He (Churchill) had assured a hand In shaping" of ,ttttlr own Mussolini then that Great Britain destinies. ? v,r