The True Estimate Must Be Much Greater Nazis Admit Fifty NEW ZEALAND Per Cent. Of Foreign PROVISIONAL Trade Wiped
London, To-day.
Out
CZECH
THE MEETING OF THE Supreme War Council on
Friday and Mr. Winston Churchill's speech on VOLUNTEERS Saturday are both regarded in the British Press as evidence that the Allies have something up their sleeve.
Papers as divergent as the "Daily Telegraph," "Daily Mail," "News Chronicle" and "Man- chester Guardian" see in the two indications that Britain is about to take action to tighten the blockade. None of their views are officially confirmed and each has its own pet theory of how this is to be achieved.
agree that
Most of the papers something further is to be done to put an end to the iron-ore traffic to Germany in Norwegian territorial waters, and attempts to reduce sup- plies through the Balkan countries are also forecast.
The "Manchester Guardian" says that diplomatic quarters in London consider that Mr. Churchill's speech confirmed the impression that the Supreme War Council meeting decid- ed last week that the war should be conducted with greater intensity.
NAZI RETALIATION
There are suggestions In the British Press that the Allies are to enter on more active economic work in south- indications east Europe. There are
that the German reply might be in- tensified military activity, possibly on land but more probably in the air. If they do, they will find the Allies well prepared:
The question of British prepared- ness is dealt with by "The Times," which says that despite frost, snow and illnesses in the winter, the army to-day is fit. The absence of fighting in France allowed more experience N.C.O.s to be used for training than might otherwise have been possible.
The "Daily Telegraph" comments that if the neutral countries are not equal to the task of safeguarding themselves against submission to the must ensure their Reich, the Allies territories in leaving no means for an evasion of the blockade.--Reuter.
EFFECT OF THE BLOCKADE
New York, To-day. The Allied blockade may have. been under-estimated in foreign countries, but not in Germany, com- ments the "New York Times."
Semi-official-quarters in Germany, says the paper, admitted in February that the Allied blockade had wiped out half of Germany's foreign trade.
If the Germans admit so much, one can suspect that the true estimate is much greater.
The paper expects that the Allies will find extensive complications with the neutrals confronting them when they extend the blockade, but com- ments that neither London nor Paris seems to be alarmed at the prospect.
Reuter.
HALF TRADE GONE
New York, To-day. The "New York Times" says semi- official sources in Germany admitted In February the Allied blockade had wiped out 60. par cent. of German for- eign trade.
Even from friendly Japan, Ger- many's imports in the first four months of war were down to eight per cent.
of normal..
If the Germans admit so much, says the newspaper, one can suspect the true extent of the damage has been
greater-Reuter.
London, To-day.
The first Czech volunteer force re- cruited in Britain will be leaving shortly for service in France.
They will receive French army rates of pay, but while they are being asssimilated they will keep the ranks they held in the old Czech army.
CABINET
Wellington, To-day.
The Governor-General of New Zealand has appointed Mrk» Pe- ter. Fraseras Prime Minister. Mr. Fraser has formed a Provi- Bional Cabinet which will remain in office until he has had time to consult the Labour Party.
The Provisional Cabinet is al- most exactly the same as the Ca- binet under the late Mr. Savage. Fraser was acting Prime. Minis- ter during Mr. Bavage's illness.
Router.
SUSPICIOUS ALIENS IN BRITAIN
London, To-day.
Immediately war broke out, many
The Home Secretary announces the
of regional for appointment volunteered
advisory of
Czechs in Britain service; they were registered with the committees to consider the case in
Czech National Committee in London. -Reuter.
NORTH EUROPE AND THE BALKANS ARE MAIN GAPS IN THE ALLIED BLOCKADE
London, To-day.
Germans and Austrians resident Britain who have been exempted from
tribunals but internment by local whom the police have grounds for thinking a review of the case is de- sirable. The committees will be pre- sided over by King's Counsel.-Bri- tish Wireless.
R.A.F. SPECIALISTS
• IN AUSTRALIA
Mr. J.
Sydney, To-day.
Australian
V. Fairbairn,
Minister for Air, announces that 48 specialists from the R.A.F. have an
MEASURES FOR CARRYING out the decisions of last week's meeting of the Supreme War Coun-
rived to help in the Empire air trainλ cil are still receiving the close attention of coming scheme.
Seventeen are officers who special-/ petent authorities and in particular early stepsist in armaments, engineering, for joint action in tightening up the blockade are signals and equipment.---Reuter. understood to be under consideration.
patrols.
SYDNEY CHEERS
THE NAVY
Sydney, To-day. Large crowds turned out yesterday It can be assumed that the Allied to cheer 1,200 naval men who march-
The watch on these waters will become ed through the streets.
Gov- took ernor-General
the salute. increasingly vigilant and effective. - British Wireless.
Reuter,
In certain quarters extravagent re- slowed down, some of the German ports have been current. One stated iron ships have run aground and that an Allied naval force would others have been sunk by British be employed to police neutral waters. Another report declared that, in or- der to prevent the use of territorial waters by merchantmen engaged carrying to Germany Swedish Fore vital to her war effort, a naval base would actually be established on the Norwegan coast.
these
in iron
re-
As already announced ports are entirely erroneous. Each of them was yesterday the subject of a categorial denial in official circles. STOPPING GAPS Meanwhile the whole field of economic warfare la being thoroughly surveyed with a view to stopping such gaps in the blockade of Germany as continue.
Measures taken in regard to one of these gaps was revealed in last week's announcements of the seizure of ships in the 'Pacific en route for Vladivostok with valuable cargoes of minerals destined eventually for Germany.
The Balkan countries also still re- present à source of enemy supplies and it may be assumed that when consultations with the British Minis-
ters in these countries take place in London in the near future this ques- tion, as well as political issues, will be fully examined.
ACTION IN THE NORTH Public attention here and elsewhere has, however, been mainly directed towards Germany's continuing trade with the Northern European countries and action to tighten up the blockade there has already been taken.
Despite the protection of neutral territorial waters transport has been
NAZIS AGAIN VIOLATE -BELGIAN NEUTRALITY
..
Brussels, To-day. German warplanes flew over Bel glan territory again yesterday after noon. Reuter.
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