The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-09
GREAT BRITAIN | HAS BUSY TIMES
(Continued from Page D

(COT1GlQueu 1IOlll EdBC 4(
 Fifty workmen labored at the wounds of the Carnarvon Castle to- day. She must leave this port by 6 D. m. tomorrow or submit to intern ment fo.' the war.
 The Regusci and Voulminot Con- pany, one of two firms patching the damage she incurred in battle with a German sea raider, Salvaged the German pocket battleship Graf Spec which was set on fire just outside the harbor by her crew a year ago. Since the plates being riveted into the Carnarvon Castle came from the Regusci and Voulminot yard, 1t was believed that they had been origin ally in the Graf Spec.
 Uruguayan authorities inspected the Carnarvon Castle and granted her 72 hours and all habor facilities to repair her damage sufficiently to make her seaworthy and to take on provisions and fuel. She will not be permitted to repair her guns, some of which were said to have been damaged.
 It was learned that seven of her crew had been killed and 14 wound- ed in the battle. The dead were buried at sea and the more gravely wounded were transferred to the Auxiliary Cruiser Queen of Ber- muda, (formerly liner in the New York Bermuda trade) at sea along with 2 German prisoners the Car narvon Castle had been removed from two Brazilian vessels.
 British Meet Italians
 London, December g - (UP) - British forces in Egypt contacted the Italians on "a broad front" today, capturing 500 prisoners in activity which was believed intended to test Italian fighting morale as 8 result of the reverses in Albania and the shake-up in the high command.
 The British command at Cairo did not reveal whether the sudden up- surge of fighting in the western des- ert was the result of British 1nltia- tive or the start of the long-delayed Italian thrust east from Sidi Bar rani.
 But it was believed here the Brit ish command may be seeking to re- gain the initiative which they lost when France dropped out of the war, allowing Italy to concentrate all her Libyan forces against Egypt instead of fighting on two fronts.
 The British press and large sec tions of the British public have been clamoring since start of the Italo- Greek war for an all-out cam- paign to knock Italy out of the war. The present action in Egypt was not thought to be start of such can1- paign but might be preliminary to d large-scale drive if Italian morale should be found to be low.
 Activity In Sudan
 The command also reported ex- tensive activities in the Sudan.
 "Our patrols" it said, continued extensive activities in the Gallabat areawhile our artillery again suc- cessfully engaged enemy targets"
 The burst of activity in the west ern desert which has been quiet since Marshal Rudolfo Graziani's first cautious advance to Sidi Barrani stirred speculation that the British might be attempting to take advan- tage of Italy's troubles in Albania to regain the initiative in Egypt.
 The communique, however, did not specify which side took the offensive though it was apparent that British motorized forces were on the move in force in an area where little more than scouting and harassing tactics had been previously employed.
 Surrender To Britain
 Ankara, Turkey, Dec. 9-(UP)- We'll informed sources here pre- dicted that the Italian Dodecanese Islands off the Turkish coast would be forced to surrender to Great Britain within two or three months. . Reports received here were that neither Italian nor neutral ships were reaching the islands with food for the civil population and the Italian garrison, estimated to num- Der more than 10000 men.
 The resignation of Count Cesare Maria De Vecchi as governor and GO1QkuhIlQSI 41 C1llCl OA LAAC AOACSes- nese was interpreted here, along with the resignations of :he Italian chief of general staff and under secretary of navy, as new evidence of Italy's growing military and naval difficulties.
 Turkish political quarters wel- comed reports that Bulgaria tntend- ed to submit a plan for rapproche- ment with Turkey.
 However, the reports were re- sneiyed with considerable reserve and it was said that Turkish military urecautions would not be relaxed.
 These precautions, 1t was said, were taken not in fear of Bulgar- ian troop concentrations but be- calse of the possibility that Ger man troops might strike at Turkey through Bulgaria.
 sofia. Bulgaria, Dec. 0-(uP- Bulgaria desiring to stay out of the war, Is willing to meet Turkey more than half way to better relations, well informed sources said today.
 Tt was believed that fl negotia- flons were agganeed, Bulgaria would suggest discussion of mutual with- fr7Wai Of troops from frontier 1onGe and oxpansion cf trade.