SIGNALS ON ENGLISH COAST

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 190, 8 May 1940, Page 10

SIGNALS ON ENGLISH COAST

Trawlermen’s Claim Fishing circles in East Coast ports endorsed a statement by Colonel H. W. Burton, M.P. for Sudbury, Suffolk, in the House of Commons, that enemy aliens living in dock areas are giving information to the enemy (reported the London “Daily Telegraph” last month). Representatives of trawler firms stated that their men constantly report attempts by strangers to extract information about the movements of the fishing fleet. These questioners frequent bars and eating-houses used by fishermen and dock workers. It is stated that their activities are particularly noticeable in Hull, where some of tiie docks are not enclosed. Most of these aliens have lived in the district for some months, during which they have built up a facade of respectability. Their questions are so discreet that they are difficult to challenge. Their information is gathered not only by talking to fishermen, but through the evidence of their own eyes. It is impossible at a busy port to keep every movement secret. Trawlermen who have to face the menace of the Nazi bomber express grave disquiet at recent happenings, and many demand that all known aliens should be withdrawn from the East Coast area.

“It is the easiest possible 'thing to signal from the ground to irn aeroplane the time of departure of a ship for her rendezvous with a convoy, and vessels seem to get lost before they reach that rendezvous,” said Colonel Burton. “A signal can be given in a way that no one would normally suspect. You have only got to hang out the washing in a line north and south or east and west to convey a given meaning to the enemy. I think the Government have the matter well in hand, hut the question is whether they have gone far enough trt present. I doubt whether they have. I would remove from such areas all aliens capable of giving information away.”