PLEAS REFUSED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20122, 16 December 1939, Page 7

PLEAS REFUSED

NAZI REPAIRS

URUGUAY ENGINEERS

PLIGHT OF GRAF SPEE

LIMIT TO REFUGE

POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS

(Reed. Dec. 15, 2.40 p.m.) X.ONDON, Dec. 14,

According to a Berlin message the Government of Uruguay has informed Germany that the Graf von Spee will not be permitted to remain for over 24 hours in the Montevideo harbour. The -Paris radio states that Montevideo dockyard engineers refused the request of :the German to repair the Graf von Spee. Further reports state that apparently Uruguay has rejected the German appeal to 'allow :the Graf von Spee to remain for '3O days. Informed circles state they would not be surprised if the Graf von Spee chose internment, although dramatic developments are expected. .Reuter’s Agency learns in London that the reinforcements from the British cruisers make movement by the Graf von Spee impossible.

The Montevideo correspondent of the British United Press says that the British cruiser Cumberland has arrived in Uruguayan waters. The Exeter’s commander requested permission to land 100 men to attend the funeral of the Graf von Spee’s dead.

Hague Convention

It is pointed out in naval circles in (London that the provisions ot articles 14 to 17 of the Hague Convention, 1907, which contain rules relating to the repair in neutral ports of belligerent' warships do not distinguish between damage sustained in action and damage due to other causes. There is substantial support for the view that an extension of the stay or use of shore facilities to repair damage due to enemy action should not be allowed and a number of neutral Governments have issueo express regulations denying the use of -shore facilities, or any extension of stay beyond 24 hours if the damage is due to enemy action.

New York messages 'state that according to American opinions the Graf von Spee technically has until midnight to-night, Uruyuayan time, to sail or seek an extension of time.

Washington reports that the American Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, has indicated that western hemisphere countries may consult and possibly protest to Britain and Germany against the violation of the safety zone provisions. He added that he had been authoritatively informed that the Graf von Spee would be permitted to remain in Montevideo for 48 hours or longer if necessary to effect repairs.