Evening star., 1940-12-10

stantial increases, some of which
have been already effected, will be
necessary"
Then he added that since the
function of the coastal command is
to cooperate with the navy, the
operational policy of the command
must be determined by the ad-
mlralty, OF course. in consultation
with the air officer commanding in
chief"
Oliver Edwin Simmons. Conserva-
tive. and Austin Hopkinson. Inde-
pendent, decried the continued sug-
gestionS for dismemberment of the
r. A. F.. and the latter asked for
immediate steps to end newspaper
intrigue in this connection. and
particularly III those newspapers
controlled by Lord Beaverbrook.
lord Beaverbrook is Minister
of Aircraft Production. His chief
paper is the Daily EXPRESS
Mr.. Churchill replied to this:
Il cannot exercise any control
over the press other than that which
is we'll known to the House under
the existing war conditions
Mr.. Hoplnson. however, pursued
the matter. asking whether the
Prime Minister could not exercise
any control over his colleagues in
the cabinet
There was an outburst of laughter
and Mr.. Churchill retorted:
Yes. I think l can
Wants to Avoid Dispute.
The last thing wanted" Mr.
Churchill said. is an interserWce
controversy" tsuch as splitting up
the R. A F. might engender.
Laborite William J. Thorne asked
assurance that the shipyards all
over the country are being fully en-
ploved" and A. U. NJ. Hudson. civil
lord of the Admiralty replied, Il
think that is so
Ronald Cross. shipping minister.
informed the House that every pos
sibilitv" Of utilizing Danish ships.
immobilized in neutral ports, was
being explored
Sir Kingsley Wood announced the
compulsory war risks insurance bill
would be published tomorrow.
Tie British African command
communique said:
Operations in the western desert
are successfully continuing.
Prisoners so far captured are re-
ported to exceed 1000 Also num-
Der of medium tanks (have been
captured.
Sudan: In the Gallabat area pa
trolling activity. supported by our
artillery fire, continues"
Military circles in London de-
clared the big surprise started yes
terday seemed to be developing to-
ward full-fedged offensive.
Sharp Fighting.
Latest advices from Cairo told of
sharp fighting under bright moon
light last night as the British fol-
lowed up their sudden assault on
Marshal Graziani's legions Oh a
broad front near Sidi Barrani.
London newspapers printed news
of the engagement under banner
headlines and speculated on the pos
sibility of full-fiedged British
offensive in North Africa timed to
coincide with Italian difficulties on
the Greek war front.
The News suggests that Gen. Sir
Archibald Wavell British Near East
commander, and 1t. Gen. Henry
Maitland Wilson commander of
British forces in Egypt judge the
time has come to test not only the
material strength of the enemy. but
his moral strength as we'll declared
the News Chronicle.
Italian Shake-up Cited.
1t said the recent shake-up in the
Italian general staff must have had
considerable effect on the enemy
and it is reasonable to suppose that
Gen. Wilson has ordered British ad-
vance elements to take the offensive
in order to discover to what extent
Italian morale has fallen and by
how much their powers of resistance
| have waned."
The Daily Herald predicted yes
terday's attack might lead to a full
scale offensive.
The military correspondent for
Reuters. British news agency, said
cautiously the Egyptian operations
still are in a preliminary stage, and
that it is premature to discuss
ultimate possibilities.
He recalled. however, guarded
statements by War Secretary
Anthony Eden on his return from
Egypt recently to the effect that
when operations in Egypt started,
they would resolve themselves into
"a fierce struggle on a wide front. "
The correspondent suggested that
that fight has now begun"
Launched on Right Flank.
The main British assault. which
began at dawn yesterday and con-
tinued through the day and into the
night, apparently was launched
against the Italian right flank in the
Sidi Barrani zone at a point about
30 miles from the Mediterranean
seacoast.
Approximately 500 Italians were
captured there, advices from the
front said. and an equal number
we're seized when British forces fell
upon an Italian camp at Mabeya, a
few miles from the coast.
Attack on British Column