CHECK ON SEAS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20043, 15 September 1939, Page 8

CHECK ON SEAS

CONTRABAND CARGOES NAZI RETALIATION THREATS TO NEUTRALS SEARCH AND SINKING (Elutf. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 1 p.m RUGBY. Sept. 10. German propaganda already is being directed to threatening neutral countries who arc told in plain terms what Germany regards as neutral and what she deems to be unneutral conduct.

The German wireless has distorted the purpose of the British contraband policy as setting out to strangle neutral trade and bringing starvation and death to old people, women and children of neutral countries. Britain does not seek to dictate to any neutral Government. She already has categorically declared that she will do all in her power to facilitate bona fide neutral trade. It is in no sense her policy to wish to damage the economy of neutral countries with whom she is anxious to maintain the friendliest relations and no attempt, is being made in any way to prevent the normal importation into neutral countries of foodstuffs and other goods and material destined for their own consumption. Preventing German Imports

What Britain is endeavouring to do is to prevent the German Government importing goods and materials which will enable them to prolong the war. For this purpose a proclamation was Issued on September 3 indicating the classes of goods to be treated as contraband and following closely the notice issued by the United States Government in the last war.

The object of the British contraband control system is to prevent cargoes of contraband from being imported by Germany, whether directly or through neutral countries. Already large quantities of contraband have been stopped and prevented from reaching the enemy. Neutral countries will be able to judge for themselves from what quarter there is any threat to their neutrality, whether it be from the openlyproclaimed contraband control policy of the Allies, or from the submarine campaign and thinly-veiled menaces emanating from Germany. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that the British contraband declaration (angered Herr Hitler and his advisers, wiiose retaliatory list is designed to prevent food commodities reaching England, France and Canada. The Wilhelmstrasse emphasises that it will not be restricted to submarine warfare, like sinking at sight, but neutral vessels will be stopped and searched and if carrying contraband they vVilt be sunk after being warned. If they seek to evade the search they will be sunk summarily.