Not for publication before Monday October 16th? 1939, 15/10/39. No. 1 • ADMI RALTY ANNOUNCEMENT. Gifts and War Comforts for the Navy. In response to inquiries received at the Admiralty as to the procedure to be followed by members of the general publ.ic wishing to make gifts of money or in kind for the benefit of the personnel of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines or their dependants, the following information is promulgated:­ The Royal Naval War Comforts Committee has been formed to deal with gifts in kind, where there is a field for private enterprise to supplement t he regulation allowance. These gifts will take the form of knitted articles, tobacco, books and magazines, fruit and veget ables, and i t is hoped that they will be collected by iocal a or ganisati.ons in each area for sorting, packing and eventual despat ch. In the first instance, the local organisation should make inquiry of the secretary of the committee;, who will provide information as to what items are in greatest demand and when and to where parcels should be sent. It is important that no packages should be despatched before a reply has been received to this inquiry . By stri ct observance of this request, it is confidently ·expected, it will be possible later to ensure equitable distrib"-4.. · ution and at the same time to avoid l ong transit for perishable f oodstuffs. The Admiralty suggest that those who may be interested in giving comforts in kind will co-operate with any local organisation which may be formed, in order to ret;'Ulate despatch. Pamphl ets will be available givi ng detailed descriptions of the .particular types of knitted articles required. The Royal Naval War Ameni t).es Fund has been opened at the Admiralty in order to receive money from those who may wish their gifts t o t ake this form. 'I'he money will be devoted to purchasing /additional -2 ­ additional comforts of the sort not easily made by voluntary workers for the benefit of the personnel serving in wartime in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. The Royal Naval Dependants Fund has been formed to receive gifts of money from those who may particularly desire to afford supplementary assistance, where necessary, to the dependants of serving personnel. A joint committee haB also been formed, representing the Royal Navy, the Army, and the Royal Air Force, and is in process of being established to deai with those gifts not specifically designated for any one of the three Services. The · full address of both the Naval Committee and two funds is:­ .Admiralty, Whitehall, London, S. VV. 1 • This is not an official statement but is available for such use as the Press may desire to make of it. WARM WINTER CLOTHING REQUIREMENTS OF THE NAVY. The following articles are among those principally required by men serving with the Fleet at Sea:­ G].oves. B].ue Wool•.••.............Overo.11 Length •• 11 ti to 11.;.11 Width across pnlm 2 4.:!..11 to 4t11 Length of fingers 3,;.11 to 3~11 Suggested length of ribbing at wrist 3!" Mittens. Blue Wool, in half finger length.•.................•Overall length • • 8" Width across· palm 4,;.11 Suggested length of ribbing at wrist3!" -3 - Wristlets. Blue Soft Wool -Loosely knitted preferably in 2/2 ribbing, about 5 inches long and 3 inches wide. Waterproof Gauntlets. These should have thumb-piece only and be of a size to go over the normal glove. If practicable they should be lined. Pullovers. A. B. Blue Wool, with without three quarter length or Size round chest Length Neck opening, Width 34" to 23.:L 11 to6t" 3611 24" -3811 -2411 6!11 to 40" to 2511 sleeves. Depth Width of Armholes Ribbing at bottom 1 0 11 9.:L ti3i11 1 0 11 1 0 11 3!" Length of sleeve 1 811 1 811 Ribbing at cuff 211 211 Seaboot Stockings. These should be made about 26 to 28 inches in length of a coa~se and hard natural wool. 'l'he 11 top11 should be wide and provide a good grip to prevent stocking sliding down into the Sea-boot. Feet should be a-bout· .1-1 ~11 to 12 inches in order to all.ow for wBnr over the ordinary stocking. Double feet would be an advantage. Scarves. These should be of blue wool, and be made about 48 inches in length and 9! inches in width (circular knit). Balaclava Helmets. Blue Wool. These should be knitted preferably in 3/3 ribbing, and be of a length of about 15 inches and width of about 7 inches. (Note. Where "Blue11 is given as the colour of garments, Dark Navy Blue is meant. Ordinary socks are not required~. 15/10/39 -No.2. FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE N0.8,2. Between the Moselle and the Saar during the night there were raids and enemy patrols with no results. Our reconnaissance units were active over the whole front. Reciprocal artillery action to the west of Saarlouis (Saarlautern). Foreign Affairs. ISSUED THROUGH J.1.filLJIPJ!S3 DIVISION. 15/10/39 N..2!.:...2 R.A.F. IlI INDIA LOCAL RECRUIT~~TT SJ.ARTS. Vacancies in Royal Air Force units in India will be filled for the first time by local recruitment of British subjects of pure European des.cent. The Defence Department announces that the vacancies are for technicians and craftsmen between the ages of 18 and 38 and enlistment vdll be for the duration of the war. It is also proposed to fill in a similar manner vacancies in the volunteer flights being raised in Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay, Madras and Karachi. Separate schemes for the recruitment of Anglo-Indians and Indians are under preparation. VICEROY 1 S WAR PU~PO~~S FUND His Excellency the Viceroy has opened a War Purposes Fund to receive the spontaneous and very generous donations for purposes connected with th8 war which have been sent to him by all sections of the community and from all parts of India. An Appeal Committee will assist in the administration of the Fund and advise on its application, consistently with the wishes of the donors. The scope and objects of the Viceroy's Fund take into account its relation to other funds li'kely to be raised on behalf of institutions engaged in war charitabl"e and relief work, such as the Red Cross Society and the St. John Ambulance Association. VISITORS TO CEYLON -·-------·-­ The Government of Ceylon has announced that all aliens desiring to enter Ceylon will now requir·e visas. These will be granted only to non-enemy aliens and when it is considered that the proposed journey is clearly in the national interest. The Governments of India and Ceylon have arranged for the control of tea exports from their respective areas in view of the tea control introduced in the United Kingdom. The appointment of a Tea Controller in India is announced. Nearly two-thirds of the tea· used in the United Kinga_om comes from India and the other third from Ceylon. The normal consumption in this country isfou:::• or five cups a day 11er head of population and trade circles suggest that since the war began, there has been an increase. This corresponds with the experience of the last war when tea was such a 'feature of life in the trenches and in war work on the Home Front. Already the United Kingdom holds the highest average in the world for tea consumption per head of the population. The latest figure is well over 9 lbs annually per head, this record having been taken over from Australia. India sends over 300 million pounds of tea annually to the United Kingdom while the tea industry in Ina_ia and Ceylon represents an investment of over £120 millions of British capital and em:ploy-:nent for about two million British subjects. Though the bulk of tea from India and Ceylon comes to the United Kingdom, large quantities are also exported to the United States, Canada, Australia, Egypt and other countrieso During the last war the tea growers in India presented large quantities of tea for the troops in the field and for use in hospitals; this time the growers are planning to help againo 15/lQ/39 -No.4. ADMIRALTY ANNOUNCEMENT. In announcing the following further list of survivors from H.M.S. "ROYAL OAK", the Seeretary of the Admiralty regrets to state that the possibility of there being further survivors must now be regarded as remote. Admiralty, Whitehnllj S.W l. 15th October, 1939. H.M. S. "ROYAL OAK 11 • EIGHTH LIST OF SURVIVORS. H. Bish. C.P.O. Mechanician IL 18302io C.W. Ball. P.O. J.92115 R. Tilley-Lending Seaman. J .108024 W.H.Crowther, E.R. A. MX.59120 T.R. Storar. E.R.A. Mx585oa·. P.Rose. Sta. me. 87699: H.F. Wadham. Sto. KX.86311 R. Anderson AB. JX.140976 H.~. Woods AB. J.104205 H.S. Le-Poidevin. AB. ssx. 20317 H. Howe Sto. KX.89503 W.H. Clark Teleg. JX.146160 L. H. Roberts. AB. J.44214 J.H. Lee. Sig. D/JX.144904 Sub-Lieut.. Kersley~ R. N. R. Midshipman W.T.J. Fox. Midshipman M.F.J. Symes-Thompson. Sydney Henry Cook . Stoker P.O. P/K.62018 Issued through News Division 15/10/39 -No.5 A FAl\IILY OF SOLDIERS. One of the outstanding features of recruiting in Northern Ireland is the number of Ex-service nen who are returning to the Colours, thus maintaining old family soldiering traditions. For example, there is John Campbell of Belfast, who after serving throughout the Great War, has enlisted for the third time in his career, and has been passed 'for general service with the Royal Artillery. His father, John Campbell, served with the Royal Army Service Corps throughout the Great War, and both his brothers, Colin and James Campbell also saw active service. He was himself, a sergeant in the Royal Irish Rifles and was demobilised in 1920, but he joined up twelve months later to serve until 1928 and more recently has been attached to the local office staff of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He has three sons, all of them serving soldiers. Empire Af:t'airs. ' }'·.. i .\/' (f ~t RIB'.L'UHNS OF INDUSr:i.'PL~i. PRODUCTION. '·' During the continuance of the wars inquiries into production etc. carried out by the Board of Trade under the Import Duties Let, 1932, and the Census of Production hct, 19069 will be suspended. No returns under these Lets will be r equired until further notice. Board of Trade, 14th October, 1939. 15 /10/39 No 1 PRESS NOTICE POISON GAS rt will be recalled that last Wednesday (11th October, 193~,) a report was circulat ed from Berlin that Polish troops had employed Yell ow Cross Gas mines obtained from Britain. In spite of categorical denial issued by the British Government, which has not supplied gas in any form at any time to Poland, German radio stations continue i mpudently t o broadcast this baseless charge. rt is pertinent to recall the sequence of events in the last war~ By March, 1915, preparations had been completed by Germany to use teas on the Ypres front. On 17th April, 1915, the German Wolff News Ae-,ency gave out thiut "yesterday~ east of Ypres , the British employed shells and lt>ombs filled with asphyxiatinp: gas". (This was a lie. No gas for war purposes was manufactured in Britain until May, 1915). On 22nd April, 1915, the first German e;as attack was launched. The world will draw the obvious conclusion Wilr o:ffice Whi teball s.W.1. 15/10/39 No. 8. OFFICIAL ADIHR/iL'l'Y STA'_::'EMENT Since September 26th the German broadcasting stations have continuously claimed that H. M.S. "ARK ROYAL11 has been sunk. In order to allay any possible doubt which might be caused by this untrue statement, the Admiralty desire once more to reaffirm the f s.ct that H. Ll . s. "ARK ROY.AL" has not been sunk 9 nor has she been damaged in any way. Admiralty, Hhitehall, s.w.1. ]5/10/39. -No. 9. PRESS NOTICE. NO ROYAL AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT OVER BERLIN. The Air Ministry announces that reports originating from Berlin that British aircraft flew over the City on Saturday night are without foundation. Ther.e were no British aircraft in the neighbourhood of Berlin on that night. GGGGGGGGGGGGGGG 15/10/39 No. 10 FR8NCH COMVlJNIOU:G No. 84 Evening. \ieather misty and rainy. No great activity on the front during the day. North West of Wissembourg our scouting :parties obtained the results aimed at. Foreign Affairs. 15/10/39 -No. 11. FOR EVENING PAPERS MONDAY NOTICE TO IMPORTERS OF GOODS IMPORTED UNDER OPTIONAL BILLS OF LADING To avoid delays arid inconvenience arising out of the Contraband Control, United Kingdom importers of goods under optional Bills of Lading are strongly advised to communicate in writing with the Ministry of Economic War:fare (Prize Department) as long as possible before ship's arrival, giving full particulars showing:­ a b c d e f Date of purchase by importer; If resold, name of purchaser and date of sale. ~~l In the eventt of a port havine been declared, this shoul.d be elearly shovm., as failure to show declaration of port, particulu~ly if one of the optional ports is in either enemy or neutral countries, may cause serious danger of delay. Goods which are not yet seized but are the subject ot: ;inouiries. In the event of United Kinedom importers learning that their goods have arrived and are being detained for inquiries as to seizure, it will also avoid delay if they furnish the same partiau1ars as suggested above to the Ministry of Economic We.rfare (Prlze Department), if they have not nlread~ done so. Seized Goods In the event of their goods having been seized in P~ize in consequence of optional enemy destination, importers should submit in writing proof or ownershi~ to:-The Proo~ator~era1~ Tr€as~ry Solicitors' Office, Storeys Gate, London, S.W.l. Suitable proofs of ownership are:­ (a) Complete set of Bills of Lading, or where these are unobtainable, even on loan, a letter from the wharf, shipping company or forwarding agent showing that Bills of Lading have been lodged,the goods collected and where and how the goods are held to the order of the importer. b) Insurance policy or certi~icate. ~ C'J Original invoice and oontrQot .i!or ·purchase of goods. d) Original invoice and snle contract. (fe) All correspondence pertaining to purchase, sale, &c. ( ) Letter signed by the claimant in a form obtainable from the Commerical Inquiries Dept, Ministry of Economic Warfare FOREIGN AFFAIRS. Name of steamer; Port and date of shipment; Optional · destinations; Qunntit .y and.jor weight; Nature of commodity; Marks and. numbers(if any); Name of shipper (not forwarding agent); / 11;,­ Jt.tth October, 1939 -No.15. BOARD OF TRADE ANNOUNCEMENT. NOTICE TO TRADERS. EXPORT ~ICENCES. It has come to the notice of the Board of Trade that some mi81mderstanding has arisen regarding the question on the application forms for export licences:-"Do you hold any guarantee attested by the British Consul against re-export of the goods in any form?". ~'he Board of Trade desire to make it clear that there is no requirement that such guarantees should accompany applications for licences. The Export Licensing Department may, however, call for such guarantees to be produced at their discretion in order to ensure as far as possible, that go©ds do not find their way into enemy hands. In the case of important consignments where owing to their nature or size, it is clearly desirable that such a precaution should be taken, the presentation of a guarantee with the application will enable a decision to be reached more rapidly. In no case will these guarantees be asked for in respect of exports to any destination outside the European or Mediterranean area or to France and French Colonies and Protectorates. Traders should bear the above points in mind in deciding whether to ask their overseas customers for such guarantees. Board of Trade. 14th October, 1939.