ARMS TRADE RAN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20036, 7 September 1939, Page 7

ARMS TRADE RAN

AMERICAN NEUTRALITY BELLIGERENTS NAMED NO U.S. oSTIIP CONVOY PROTECTIVE MEASURES (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Sept, (i, 2.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept. 5. The proclamation of American neutrality by President Roosevelt describes the war as between Germany and Britain, France, Poland, India, Australia and Now Zealand. It prohibits United States nationals or alien residents enlisting or going abroad with the intention of enlisting, fitting a ship or an army for a belligerent, increasing the armaments of any belligerent warship within United States’ waters or dispatching a ship carrying arms or munitions to warships. The proclamation adds that the use by belligerents of the United States' waters to prepare hostile operations or as observation posts will be regarded as an unfriendly offensive to isolation and neutrality. Seventeen acts against neutrality are listed. These are prohibited and punishable. Belligerents entering the United States’ ports must leave within 24 hours, taking only sufficient .fuel and food to reach the nearest home port.

President Roosevelt stated at a press conference tiiat American ships would not be convoyed on the grounds that it was safer for Americans to travel on their own ships, which would be identified as advised by the Maritime Commission.

United States’ shipmasters have been advised by the commission not to black out their lights, not to zig-zag, and to paint the American flag on each side, also the fore and aft hatches and to keep the flag flying with a spotlight, on it during the night.