THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 22, 1940
SINKING OF NEUTRALS Scandinavian Countries To Confer On Issue
32 SWEDISH SHIPS FINLAND
SENT TO BOTTOM
Stockholm, To-day.
THE DAILY PERIL OF NEUTRAL shipping and the dif- ficulties of neutral countries are to be discussed at a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Scandinavian countries at the end of the week, the Swedish Foreign Minister replied in answer to questions in the Swedish Parliament yesterday.
He continued that although both sides in the war used methods and defended them by arguments which nei- ther Sweden nor the other neutrals could accept, no Swedish ships had been lost while in a British or French convoy.
On the other hand, Sweden had lost than by torpedoing or mines no less
32 cargo vessels, totalling 84,000 tons, while 228 Swedish seamen had per- ished and 15 were missing.
Seven of the ships, representing a the total tonnage, had quarter of
Over half been sunk by U-boats. the total tonnage lost had been ply. ing between neutral ports and only one-third of those lost through U- boat action were bound for Britain.
RULES BROKEN
of
REQUESTS
SAFETY ZONES
(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")
Geneva, To-day. Finland has formally requested the international
establish help "safety zones" would be safe from all attacks.
Red Cross to "Geneva" or where civilians
Haretofore the steadfast silence of the Soviets to all such propos. als had prevented the establish: ment of safety zones-Havas.
OPIUM AS WEAPON IN WARFARE
(SPECIAL TO
".
CHINA MAIL")
Geneva, To-day.
estab "OPIUM MAY BE USED AND, in fact, is being used as a war weapon," Senor A. E. Blanco, president of the Anti- Opium Information Bureau of Geneva, declares in a Note made public yesterday.
He recalled the principles lished in the London Agreement
warfare, 1936 regarding submarine and said that contrary to these prin- ciples, ships had been torpedoed al- though they had not refused to stop or undergo examination,
mari-
by
The Minister recalled that time warfare was characterised the contraband control of the Wes- tern Powers, by which Swedish ships were forced to enter very dangerous zones, by extensive lists of contraband and by the intensive mine and sub- marine warfare.
de-
Both sides used methods and fended them by arguments that nel- neutral coun- ther, nor the other tries, could admit.
The Minister drew a distinction be- tween the reaction of neutral coun- tries to what he described as viola- tion on the open sea.
NEUTRAL RIGHTS
to
op-
BRITISH ARMS FOR FINLAND
London, To-day.
Reuter learns, in con- nection with British help
He said that in the former case a for Finland, that the fol- neutral country had every right
lowing war supplies have take every possible measure to
been sent from this try to Helsinki:-
pose violation, but in the latter case
pos-
driect measures were scarcely sible owing to the danger of involv- ing the neutral In war,
Measures of, indirect
pressure
on
cir-
against violation depended cumstances.
Sweden took these possibilities into consideration in the trade tion with the belligerents.
negotia-
The whole problem would be dis- cussed at the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Scandinavian tries at the end of the week.-Reuter.
Senor Blanco, who concurrently with his post on the Bureau is Spain's observer on the League of Nations Opium Consultative Commission de- amount of clares. "An enormous
oplum was found during the Spanish civil war in certain towns occupied by the Reds."
He recalls Chinese official accusa- tions, emanating notably from Madame bitterly re- Chiang Kai-shek, who proached the Japanese with spreading opium throughout occupied China to demoralise the Chinese.
NAZI BECRET SERVICE Since the beginning of the European
that the German
war opium consumption in Europe has quotes the "New York Times," which increased, says Senor Blanco, who recently declared secret cervice occasionally enlisted who co-operate with coun-drug addicts,
German espionage upon the promise that they will be provided with the drug, and then are entirely dominated Senor Blanco concludes by express as German agents. Between 40ing the hope that the military au-
thorities
A total of 144 aircraft, of which 120 were fighters and 24 bombers. and 50 of these planes have already reached Finland.
One hundred and fifty anti-tank coun-rifles and ammunition;
SWEDEN NOT QUIESCENT
Stockholm, To-day.
re-
It is learned that Sweden has
that Swe- Jected German demands dish ships cease operating into Allied ports.
It is intimated that Sweden is pre- pared with measures of retaliation in the event of Germany carrying the implied threat.-Reuter.
HELIGOLAND BIGHT
AIR VISIT
out
London, To-day.
"On The Air Ministry announces: Tuesday night a reconnaissance of Heligoland Bight was carried out suc- cessfully by several R.A.F. àircraft.” British Wireless.
Ten thousand anti-tank mines; Fifty thousand hand-grenades; Twenty-five howitzers;
One hundred machineguns and am- munition;
A considerable quantity of small arms ammunition;
Twenty-four anti-aircraft guns and ammunition;
Thirty fleld-guns;
In the various European countries will take measures to pro- tect soldiers and civilians against the drug danger.-Havas.
ATLANTIC
AIR FEEDER
London, To-day. Asked in the Commons whether the Air Ministry would consider a feeder service between London and Lisbon Atlantic Four hundred and sixty-one tanks; and thereby accelerate the Twelve 6-inch guns and ammuni-alr mall, Sir Kingsley Wood said he was hopeful that facilities for flight tion;
Ten 3-inch mortars and ammunt-over the countries concerned would shortly be accorded and that it would tion.
In addition, considerable quantities then be possible to inaugurate of non-lethal military equipment have service, British_Wireless. been sent, including respirators, gas decontamination items, tents, cloth- ing and telephones.
Reuter.
VOLUNTEERS FOR FINLAND
Considerable
ARREST OF BRITONS IN JAPAN
London, To-day. Mr. R. A. Butler, Under-Secretary for For- eign Affairs, reported in the House of Commons yesterday on the recent in arrests of Britons Japan.
He said the Rev. Mr. F. E. Watts, an Australian in charge of the Kobe branch of the Mission to
Mr. H. J. Griffiths, of the
Seamen; firm of
J. L. Thompson and Co., and Mr. V. O. Peters had been detained by the Japanese police since January 17,
Precise nature of the charges against them had not yet bean officially specified.
"REASONABLY GOOD"
Consul-General
His Majesty's
Kobe had visited Mr.
at
Watts and
Mr. Grimths twice and reports that they are in reasonably good health. It had not yet been possible for him to visit Mr. Peters.
The Foreign Secretary was in con-
stant communication with our Am-
bassador in Tokyo on developinents in these cases.-Reuter.
ABDUCTED BRITISH AGENTS
LONDON, TO-DAY.
ASKED FOR INFORMATION IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS YES. TERDAY REGARDING THE PRE- BENT ABODE OF MAJOR STEVENS AND CAPT. PAYNE BEST, THE BRITISH OFFICERS ABDUCTED BY
THE GERMANS NEAR THE DUTCH
FRONTIER LAST YEAR, MR. R. A. BUTLER, UNDER-BECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DECLARED THAT AS FAR AS WAS KNOWN
OFFICERS AT PRE-
THESE TWO SENT WERE IN BERLIN.
There was no question of these officers conveying peace proposals on behalf of His Majesty's Government, Mr. Butler continued.
All they were authorised to do was to listen to and report on an approach that had been made from the German side.
The exact nature and
source of
this approach could not be ascertain- ed, owing to the forcible abduction on Netherlands territory of these officers by agents of the German Government.
Reuter.
www.
ORDER TO DANISH SHIPPERS
It is
||
the
Copenhagen, To-day. officially announced that no Danish ship will be allowed to navi- gate in the North Sea unless unscrdm- panied by another neutral vessel.
The regulations do not apply Danish vessels engaged in overseas trade.Havas.
to
en-
London, To-day.
and interest thusiasm have been evoked in Lon-
the Finnish don and in the country generally by the recent appeal of Legation for volunteers.
LADY HALIFAX HOME London, To-day. Lady Halifax, wife of the Foreign Secretary, who has been on a short visit to Italy, arrived back yesterday
It is known that many persons, She had been in Rome in London. since February 10 when she reached particularly those experienced there with her son. British Wire-skiing and mountaineering,
come forward-British Wireless, less.
ANOTHER ANATOLIA
́EARTHQUAKE
Ankara, To-day. Thirty were killed and forty injur-
ed yesterday in a severe earthquake tolla in the same area, as WES shock which affected Northern Ara- stated at the end of last
in
have