AMERICAN STAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20043, 15 September 1939, Page 7

AMERICAN STAND

FACTOR IN NEUTRALITY / ATTITUDE TO BLOCKADE OTHER SHIPS SUNK NEWFOUNDLAND WARNING (Elec, Tel. Copyright—United Prass Asan.) (Reed. Sept. 15, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 14. News from Washington says that a White House spokesman indicated that submarine activities and the Athenia sinking were factors which the President, Mr. Franklin D. Roosevelt, considered in deciding to call a session of Congress. It is thought that the President might personally present the neutrality revision proposals to Congress.

A ' further Washington report says that Mr. Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, informally stated that 'belligerent stoppages of American ships clid not signify anything seriously unusual under international law. The full facts were being assembled in cases possibly demanding action, Mr. Hull recalling that Britain had released the Warcosta. and added that given time, some cases would adjust themselves.

A communique from the Ministry of Information, states that the American steamer Blackosprey has been released after a week’s detention under the contraband regulations. None of the cargo was seized. A New York message states that a German firm ordered and paid for the phosphate cargo of the seized Warrior.

Freighter Torpedoed

A marine radio report received in New York states that the freighter Vancouver City wirelessed that she had been torpedoed, and the crew were taking to the lifeboats.

The Vancouver City was on route to England from Panama, and was in the Channel south of Ireland.

The steamer President Roosevelt reported that she was going to the rescue, and a later report from this steamer announced that an aeroplane and a Dutch tanker had rescued the crew of the Vancouver City.

It is reported from New York that the liner Manhattan advised by radio that she was deviating from her course in order to rescue members of the crew of the tanker British Influence. The tanker is not listed at Lloyd’s.

From Saint John it is reported that shipping in tli e Bay of Fundy has been warned by wireless of the presence of a submarine.

A further New York report states that Captain Thomas Georgeson, master of the Winkleigh, which was torpedoed on. September 8, and 36 members of the crew arrived to-day, and declared that the commander of the submarine gave them four loaves of bread.

The Vancouver City was a British motor vessel of 4955 tons. She was built in 1930.