THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 16, 1940
GERMANY'S THREATS Unrestricted Submarine War Not Unexpected
MERELY BOASTING EMBARGO
OF AN ACTUAL PRACTICE
London, To-day.
GERMANY'S THREAT to torpedo all neutral ships which appear to be bound for Britain or which are approaching British contraband control bases causes no surprise in official circles in London, Reuter learns.
These circles have known for a long time that the Germans have been subjecting neutral ships to this procedure under these very circumstances.
the Only difference now is that Germans are openly boasting of their intention and capacity to sink neutral doubtless in ships without warning an endeavour to frighten all neutral vessels away from the North Sea, the Channel, the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic approaches France entirely.
neutral vessel, including American, en an Allied port or contral route to
will be considered a "fair station prize" for U-boats.
Referring to the reported British that Britain would offer statement convoy protection to all neutrals as result to Britain
of the
Mr. German threat, Cordell Hull stated that acceptance of
BROAD THREAT
and
convoy would naturally decrease the risks for merchantmen but he declin-
ed
-
QUESTION
POLICY
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
Washington, To-day.
With reference to the Indefin Ita postponement by the Senate. foreign relations committea of embargo measures against Ja- pan, political circles believe the committee will, resume the dis- cussions should Japan commit new acts of discrimination against the United States.-Havas.
NORWEGIAN SHIP SUNK BY U-BOAT
London, To-day.
CAPTAIN'S STORY OF U-BOAT OUTRAGE
Amsterdam, To-day. The captain of the Netherlands ship Burger- dijk, sunk by the Nazis last Saturday, issued a full statement on the sinking of his ship yester- day.
He emphasized yet again that the ships cargo was either
all destined
or
for the Netherlands Government
to Netherlands firms. In New York, he told the British Consul that he the direct would not diverge from
he was On Saturday afternoon, stopped by a U-boat, which called for
Bringing the total of neuroute to Rotterdam unless forced. tral shipping losses in the past three days to almost 12, the ship's papers. When the Chief a Norwegian ship of 1,500 officer took them across, however, the tons, the Ikar has been tor-U-boat commander said:--
"Papers don't Interest me! pedoed in the North Sea by a sink you!" U-boat.
to indicate the attitude of the
Reuter. to a demand States In this connection. This is tantamount
and that the Scandinavian nations
cease Holland and Belgium should sending out their ships altogether. since the German threat is so broad that it would menace shipping on any soas which give access to the Western Powers.
There is every confidence in official circles in London that no neutral will be deterred by this threat.
Reuter.
U.S. On “Law Of Retaliation" Claim
NEW YORK, TO-DAY.
PLAYED UP
KEY PITTMAN THE "NEW YORK
IN
GERMANY'S REPLY ON SAFETY ZONE
Berlin, To-day.
The German Government THE STATEMENT OF SENATOR has replied to the note of the HERALD-TRI-21 American republics re- BUNE BLAMING BRITAIN FOR garding the formation of the THE GERMAN THREAT AGAINST 300-mile safety zone around
THAT the Americas.
THE
NEUTRAL SHIPS, WAS SUPPORT-
ARGUMENT ED BY THE
The German reply states that only ENGLAND COULD REMOVE DANGER OF GERMAN ATTACK BY if the British and French attitude is ENDING THE PRACTICE OF TAK-revised could Germany see any hope ING AMERICAN MERCHANTMEN of discussing the zone plan. INTO CONTROL PORTS.
According to another report Sena-
stated: tor Pittman
"Germany is the evidently claiming to act under law of retaliation.
"She says she will violate interna- tional law on the grounds that it is against necessary to protect herself' Britain illegally attempting to fiscate goods as contraband in Ameri- can vessels."-Reuter.
con-
Serious Verbal Protest By Netherlands
The Hague. To-day. It is learned that the Netherlands Government has made a serious ver- bal protest to the German Govern- ment pending the despatch of a writ- ten communication concerning torpedoing of the Burgerdijk.
the
It is understood the Netherlands will demand full compensation.
The Allies, it will be recalled, while approving the plan in principle, asked for guarantees that enemy raiders and merchant ships should not be allowed to use the zone as a shield to avoid legitimate capture.
The Germans now claim that this reply shows that the Allies are, from the very beginning, disposing of the fundamental idea of the security zone.
Berlin also rejects a protest against actions taken by Nazi warships. The protest was sent to Britain, France
and Germany in connection with the Graf. Spee battle of the River Plate, an action which, it was considered, was one of those Imperilling the safety zone.
Over half the neutral ships sunk in the past few days have been torpedoed, while one, an Italian vessel, struck a mine on the normal shipping route outside British waters. The mine was moored.
The new German policy, announced yesterday, has aroused a fresh wave of protest and indignation among neu- tral countries.
The Amsterdam paper "Telegraaf" comments that the Nazis are evident-
I must
Officer's would
He ignored the Chlef assurances that the ship not go into a British port unless compelled to by a warship.
He ordered the Burgerdijk to send out a radio message saying that she had been involved in a collision and the crew were then ordered into the boats.
The Burgerdijk was then torpedoed and sank in flames.--Reuter.
LIGHTSHIP ADRIFT
New York, To-day.
ly hoping to force the neutralsto resist the British contraband control. The Diamond Shoals Lightship, "off"
Their actions are quite unjustifiable Cape Hatteras, went adrift at 8.55 p.m. Government.-Reuter. and are insulting to the Netherlands, E.S.T. on Wednesday and is still loose.
-Reuter.
SOFIA POLITICAL CRISIS CAUSES
SURPRISE
Sofia, To-day.
FOLLOWING THE RESIGNATION of the Premier, M. Kiosseivanov, King Boris has entrusted M. Bogdan Filoff, the Education Minister in the outgoing Cabinet, to form a new Government. the Foreign observers consider M. Kiosseivanov's re- signation as a very important development, oc- curring as it does at a very tense moment.
Germany is prepared to enter on a further exchange of views subject.-Reuter.
on
It is stated in authoritative circles LORD LOTHIAN SEES
that although the posalbility of the commander of the U-boat having act- ed contrary to his instructions is not exoluded, this will not free the Ger- man Government of Its responsibil. Ity for an "absolutely unjustifiable
"—Reuter,
act."
United States To Seek Berlin Clarification
Washington, To-day,
The Secretary of State, :Mr. Gordall Hull, told the prass yesterday that the
MR. HULL
New York, To-day. Lord Lothian, the British Ambassa- dor, has had a long talk with Secre- tary of State Cordell Hull, as a result of which progress is being made on plans to keep U.S. ships from being sent to British · control bases within the war ares.
It is hoped to arrange for a control base outside the area-Reuter.
Mrs. G. 8. Wilson, of Police Bunga-
United States Embassy in Berlin was low, Talpo, has reported the loss, of seeking clarification of the German a gold and jade finger ring valued at press statement to the effect that any | $50,
na-
The Klosseivanov Government con- ]ence, and decided the Entente stantly proved its moderation; it laid tions to re-affirm their mutual assis- the basis for a Balkan rapprochement tande nact,
which, and resisted Soviet Influence since the European war, has been try ing to induce Bulgaria to come out publicly with her territorial claims.
"It" is recalled that the Turklan Foreign Minister, M. Barajogtu, when he stopped in Sofia on the way to the Balkan Entante con-- ference In Belgrade, obtained from M. Klosselvanov, an assurance that Bulgaria would postpone her territorial demanda fill the end of the
effect
BULGARIAN GUARANTEE: Later on, M. Sarajoglu received So- would fia's assurance that Bulgaria not attack Rumania in the case of So- viet aggression against Bessarabia.
The way was thus bpen, to a
· Balkan rapprochement, and ob- Barvaru-ura, still unable to see the. reason for and the meaning of M.- Klossalvandy's resignation.”
Italy's position: and the infuence Rome holds over Bulgaria will probab- ly play a very important part in the arantee had an important evolution of the present ministerial the Balkan Entente confer« Legis
bean, war..
-Havai