AMERICAN SHIP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20077, 25 October 1939, Page 7

AMERICAN SHIP

CARGO FOR BRITAIN

TAKEN TO SOVIET PORT

PROBLEM FOR RUSSIA

BREACH OF NEUTRALITY

(Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Oct. 25, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON. Oct. 24. A message dispatched yesterday from Moscow quoted a report from the Tass Agency correspondent at Murmansk stating that the United States freighter, City of Flint, had arrived in Kola Bay under the German flag and manned by a German' crew which detained the American crew.

The Murmansk authorities detained the ship and interned for the present ihe German crew. Tire correspondent added that the Germans regarded the cargo of tractors, grain, fruit, leather and wax as contraband. A cruiser halted the ship en route from New York to Manchester and took her to Tromso on Saturday flying the German flag.

; A Washington message states tha. j Hie Maritime Commission owns .the I ship which is at present leased to the J United States Line.

Maritime Commission officials bci lieve that the seizure of a neutral ship | carrying at least 51 per cent of con- | traband is legal, provided, the mastei i knew the cargo was contraband. If I it were found that the contraband | comprised less than half the cargo, the United States would address both Russia and Germany demanding the | release of the ship. Contraband Goods j The officials added that tractors, i leather and wax were contraband, but not the fruit and grain, unless it could | be proved they were destined for (he I armed forces.

There was some speculation as to whether the seizure was a retaliation for the action of President Roosevelt in banning belligerent submarines.

The Washington State Department asked its Minister at Oslo and Ambassador at Moscow to inquire into the circumstances ol' the seizure. It was expected that a similar inquiry would be made at Berlin.

The Maritime Commission announced that the ship was carrying over 50 separate items, typical of a usual cargo, including lard, cereals, canned meats, flour, apples, wax, lubricating oil, cotton, sewing machines, ploughs, tractors, asphalt pitch, grease, machinery, shade rollers, silk, commercial chemicals, abrasive grains, disinfectants, feathers, rags, coffee, lumber, gauze, hair and wallboard totalling 5000 tons.

It was stated in Washington that repercussions could be expected in the Senate, but the Washington correspondent of the New York Times said that political circles held it would not aid those supporting the repeal of the arms embargo. View of Profession Mr. Edward Corwin, professor of jurisprudence at ftrinceton University, declared that the seizure of the City of Flint would lead to a clarification of Russia’s real relations with Germany. The point at issue was the taking of the vessel to the supposedlyncutral port of Murmansk. The United States might ask if Russia maintained her neutrality. The United States might protest and ask for the return of the vessel. If Russia indicates that she was belligerent, then vessels carrying contraband to Russia would be subjected to AngloFrench seizure. “The question is: Will Russia allow Germany to bring prizes of war into Russian ports?” said Professor Corwin.

President Roscvelt’s secretary, Mr. Stephen Early, announced to-day that the City of Flint was on “a perfectly legal and lawful voyage.” He added that he was referring only to American laws. This did not mean that Germany had not the right to seize her. He pointed out that under the legislation at present being debated, a ship could not be sailed to a belligerent port. It is gathered from this that White House, like some senators, believes the incident strengthens the cash-and-carry argument. According to the Washington correspondent of the Associated Press the American Government is expected to demand that Russia release the City of Flint.