Kiel, Dec. 8.
Revealing the importance attached to the occasion by official circles Herr Hitler and Marshal Hermann Goering were among the many high officials present at the launching today of'Germany's first aircraft carrier.
With the day declared a holiday in Kiel, thousands of people crowded the shipyard and lined the bank lo. sll warships in the harbour were gaily beflagged.
In a speech Marshal Goering said that the proud ship was a symbol of German strength.
Germany's commerce, he declared must be protected. The seas, he a serted, belonged only to the strong.
Countess Brandenstein, daughter-inlaw of the late Count Zeppelin, christened the vessel, saying: "By order of the Fuehrer I christen you Graf Zeppelin,"
A sister ship will be launched shortly, while two more will be in due course. carrier launched today has a displacement of 19250 tons, is able to carry 40 planes, and is equipped with 16 six-inch guns, 10 heavy and 22 light anti-aircraft guns, It has the same armour plating as heavy cruisers, and has a normal maximum speed of 32 knots.—Reuter Manchoukuo Changchun, Dec. 8. The Government of Manchoukuo has decided to enforce military conscription in 1940, it was announced today. Preparations will be completed next.year.—Domei.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.