1939-11-24 — Page 12

THE CHINA MAIL, NOVEMBER 24, 1939

MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL POINTS MORAL OF BRITISH

JUST POSSIBLE

London, To-day.

"Mein Kampf," it is learned, la to be published in Germany In pocket edition size.

In order to make it a handy size, it is thought possible in Lon don that the chaptera on the evils of Bolsheviam may be deleted!- Reuter.

TWO-WAY BLOCKADE

LEGAL POSITION ANALYSED

SPEAKING

REPRISALS FOR MINE WAR

'

London, To-day.

WITH REFERENCE to the British retaliatory action`

CONGRESS LEAVES

DOOR OPEN

Wardha, To-day. The working committee of the Congress Party yesterday passed resolution which leaves the door open for further negotiations with the British Government.—— Reuter.

against German exports it is worth recalling a sentence from Mr. Winston Churchill's book FOUR

taken in the last war.

"The World Crisis”, about the similar measure DIFFERENT "It is for neutral nations," wrote Mr. Churchill, "to ARGUMENTS

recognise that it is not practically possible, nor in neutral interests, to claim the maintenance of a situation which would deprive naval strength of all rights while permitting naval weakness to indulge in every abuse." These conditions apply with addi- neutral tional force to-day because trade has already suffered as a result of the German campaign, to which the British action is a reply.

LONDON, TO-DAY.

The more extensively Germany ON THE BRITISH

is able to carry on the war the DR. IVOR

greater is the loss likely of neu- REPRISAL MEASURE,

tral ships and crews; by retalla- JENNINGS, THE BBC LEGAL EX- THAT YESTERDAY

tion the Allies are shortening the PERT. SAID

to term of Germany's ability ALTHOUGH THERE IS A LARGE BODY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW,

menace the trade of the world. The British Government has shown THERE ARE NO COURTS AND NO

in the in- POLICE TO ENFORCE IT PARTI-considerable forbearance

IN TIME OF WAR,

terest of neutrals in not taking this CULARLY

action earlier, as it must have been THEREFORE, INTERNATIONAL LAW RECOGNISES THE RIGHT OF fully expected by the German Gov-

REPRISAL.

adopts When one country at war illegal measures, the other side may

such also adopt

measures

which,

ernment.

SPEED OF OPERATION

ROME FEELS MEASURE JUSTIFIED

London, To-day.

The Rome wireless says that if it can be proved that the mines were German mines, Britain's latest mea- The speed with which the elaborate sure is justified. scheme is now being put into opera- Norwegian shipping owners do not though illegal, are necessary to stop tion as a result of the utmost pro-expect Norway to be greatly affected vocation illustrates British ability to the original illegal acts.

take decisive and fpeful action.

It is also worth emphasising that the French Government is taking a

is similar

and

whole measure heartedly favouring the policy.

LONDON SURPRISED

the

If the Germans use the mines in the way they have been, allies are entitled to take action which would otherwise be illegal. It is incidentally, just as illegal to sink Allied shipping as neutral shipping in the way the Nazis have been.

and sympathy is expressed in Sweden for Britain's desire to combat the Nazi measures.

The "New

London, To-day. The inconsistency of Ger- man propaganda has sur- passed itself in recent broad- casts with reference to mine- laying in the North Sea.

The following four contentions were simultaneously put forward:-

Firstly, the mines are British. Secondly, the events of the

few days are claimed

naval successes.

Thirdly, even if

German, international

past

as German

the mines

are

law permits

the laying of mines against warships without announcement when military considerations necessitate it.

Fourthly, it is Germany's alm strike in maritime warfare to where all the overseas lines meet. It is not clear how mines can dis- criminate between warships and neu- tral merchant ships at spots where all the overseas lines meet -Reuter,

FINLAND'S

York Herald-Tribune" ATTITUDE

UNCHANGED

says that the United States will pro- hably not challenge- the measure and will wait until the practical realities It is. commented on with surprise of a developing situation have ap- in authoritative circles in London peered and will then take such steps, that the Netherlands Government has if any, that American vital interests

the demand.. against made

Reuter: representations British move to bar German overseas exports, while remaining silent in the face of German measures calculated MR. CHAMBERLAIN TO accepting the latest and its own ships and also to seize to inflict far greater damage to neu-

NORMAL CONDITIONS Under normal war conditions, country is entitled to seize ships and enemy goods on

contraband of war.

3

enemy enemy

This international law, however, does not permit the seizure of other ships and enemy goods on neutral

the does not include exports from enemy country, But Germany hav- Bri- ing violated international law,

their tain and France are using rights to suspend this provision.

Similar measures were taken in the last war. Reuter

HOLLAND'S

PROTEST

Amsterdam, To-day. The Netherlands Government press service announces that Holland yes-

terday protested against the reprisals Britain is considering taking against German exports, on the ground that the in- these reprisals will affect terest of neutral powers-both those which receive and those which tran sport them.-Reuter,

LARGE VOLUMEŠ

Amsterdam, To-daye,

wanton

tral shipping and in their course aim at neutral vessels regard- less of the destination and origin of cargo, whereas the British move is confined purely to cargoes of German origin. Reuter.

“GERMANY WILL ANSWER"

Amsterdam, To-day. "We shall answer Britain's latest measures with intensi- fled mine. Warfare," neutral correspondents in Berlin were told yesterday.

"Germany will lay mines off the British coast. She regards herself as perfectly entitled to do so without breach of international law.

"It is true the Hague Convention forbids the laying of miries or trade

Fears are expressed that the Broutes and in enemy harbours, but tish banning of German export may the British Government have turn

BROADCAST

London, To-day.

Helsinki, To-day.

Minister, Finnish of

M. Cajander, the Prime

that stated yesterday Government saw no

posals.

the possibility Russian pro-

neu-

would con- Acceptance, he said, stitute a violation of Finnish On Sunday next, Mr. Chamberlain trality and would mean the transfer will broadcast on "The War and Our- of first-class fortifications to a foreign selves."-Reuter.

>

power.-Reuter.

GERMANY ADMITS

RESPONSIBILITY

FOR THE MININGS

London, To-day. GERMANY NOW ADMITS responsibility for the mines in the North Sea and neutral correspon- dents in Berlin yesterday were told that Bri- the stopping of Nazi ex- tain's latest measure

➡will be met by intensified sea warfare. ports Germany will lay mines off the British coast and regard herself as perfectly entitled to do so," the correspondents were told.

The Hague Convention of 1907 pro-, overwhelming weight of evidence that

affect Netherlands, trade. During the these harbours into war zones by hibits the laying of mines on trade the arming of merchant ships for de- first nine months of this year, 10,000,-arming cargo-ships and by the cori-, 000 tons of German exports passed voy system."-Reuter. through the Netherlands; over half of

this was coal. - Reuter.

BELGIUM TAKES A COMFORTABLE VIEW

Brussel To-day.

The view is growing in Belgium

routes, but the Germans counter this fensive purposes does not alter in any by alleging that the British convoy way the legal status of these ships— system and the protection of cargo Reuter.. AE DUTCH: "TRADE

ships is illegal DELEGATION TO STAY

The right of convoy, however, has London, To-day. never been questioned and Oppen- The Dutch trade delegation which helm's "International Law” says that has been in London discussing trade merchant ships may not be attacked questions and which, had arranged to unleas

VERANDAH

COLLAPSE

The verandah of the first floor of No. 47, Graham Street, suddenly col- were standing

Attack by mines is on a Chinese couple whom, to-day.A that the latest British measure will return to Holland for, consultations searched edge to stop and be lapsed shortly after 7.

benefit the trade of neutral countries with their government, is now stay- par with attack by any other means. on it were thrown to the ground but

Oppenhe

that there is were not seriously injured. us German exports decline-Reuter. 'ing on in London.British, Wireless,