INSPECTION OF LINERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20030, 31 August 1939, Page 5

INSPECTION OF LINERS

COURSE IN NEW YORK

PERMISSION TO SATE ♦

(Reed. Aug. 31, 11.15 a.m.) NEW YORK. Aug. 30,

President Roosevelt, at a press conference at Washington, explained that the detention and search of the German liner Bremen at New York was on the ground that the United States had begun a long-planned programme of search of merchant ships of all nations which may become embroiled in war in order to determine that they are not equipping themselves with American arms to conduct raids on other vessels.

The State Department to-day announced that the Bremen and other large liners would be allowed to sail late in the afternoon. It was resolved that temporarily at least it was important from the American aspect of the international tension that inspections should !be carried out. It was said the inspection, would be completed and the clearance papers would ’be issued.

The port collector had previously notified the masters of four transAtlantic liners, including the Bremen, that they would not ibe permitted to leave until further notice. He added that the examination of the Bremen was unsatisfactory and would require at least another day. The other liners involved were the Normandie, Aquitania and Transylvania.

Th c French line has ordered the Normandie to remain at New York until further notice. Orders arrived from Paris. No explanation was given.