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Newspaper
Canberra Times
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Date
Dec 31, 1940
Page
1
Fragmented text hints at Melbourne political maneuvers with references to McKinatry Sterman Percival Clarke and Dr Evatt. Mentions a Wednesday decision, council use, and a trip by Melbourne figures. Details are unclear but point to a contested electoral scene and government house moves.
President Roosevelt declared the United States would be the great arsenal of democracy and would furnish Britain with extensive material support. He warned that defeat of Britain would place the Americas at the point of a gun and urged rapid rearmament and aid to democracies to prevent a dominated world.
Reports from Hanoi allege a Japanese plan to stage a coup in Thailand as Tokyo pushes for bases in Southern Indo China. Four operatives bound for Bangkok organize Thai Army support while Bangkok Maru carries 850 tons of munitions. A second ship with tanks sails soon. Japanese tourists in the region rise as clashes flare on the Indo China frontier.
President Roosevelt declares the Axis threaten democracy and calls for greater American production of defense tools. He cites allied grit and Greek resistance as crucial, urging the nation to unite for a stronger war effort. International responses from Berlin Sydney Rome note mixed views on his address.
The Sunday report says the British drive from Sidi Barrani to Bardia completes the first Western Desert campaign phase. Italian losses are high in men and morale as Bardia and its garrison face a tightening, water tight trap while supply lines hold.
British policy consolidates, with two main roads to the escarpment near Bardia, both shelled as transport moves nonstop toward Fort Capuzzo and Hell Fire Pass. Italian communique notes artillery action around Bardia and repulsed British detachments.
Wellington reports the first New Zealand casualty list since Middle East operations. A lieutenant and a driver are named as killed by air bombardment. Several other NZ troops were wounded and one missing.
The Daily Telegraph reports Marshal Petain refuses British demands to prevent German traffic through unoccupied France and vows to limit use of the French Navy by Germany. Reports say French warships drift toward Casablanca and other African ports to avoid German reach and protect Vichy positions. In Melbourne, Andre Brenac calls on French in Australia to fast indoors at 2 pm to reflect on France’s hardship and aid liberation efforts.
Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden held a long conference with M Malinsky the Russian Ambassador renewing relations with Eden. They discussed all aspects of Anglo Soviet relations and affirmed mutual desires for improvement. Circles say Russia fears a German spring offensive in the Balkans and seeks to avoid wider war engagement.
Last night London faced a major blitz with hundreds of high explosive and incendiary bombs. Dozens of fires burned across the capital, damaging landmarks including Guildhall and St Paul’s, while fire services and volunteers battled for hours amid blazing streets and collapsing buildings.
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