ANTI-SUBMARINE PLAN

Grey River Argus, 14 September 1937, Page 5

ANTI-SUBMARINE PLAN

SOVIET’S OBJECTION IlaloGcrman Altitude Uncertain [British Official Wireless]. RUGBY September 11. The draft proposals adopted at Nyon this evening will now be referred to Governments of Ihe Slates participating and the Italian Government, which had been asked if it Is prepared lo join in the measures laid down lor ensuring the .safety of merchant shipping from lawless attack. The German Government, was also informed it the Confercnr?'s work, in a'.’cordqr.ee with the assurance given by th? ■convening Governments, in acknowledging Hie German and Italian replies to the original invitations. It now .seems likely that the conference will be able to conclude its labours on Monday, by which limo Iho Governments should have been able to instvuel their delegates. A Press message from Nyon says: According to (he agreement reached, each nation will police its own territorial waters, while Italy will be invited to co-operate with France and Britain ,in assuming the policing of the Mediterranean as .a whole, which will be carried out by the latter two nations alone, if Italy refuses. The idea of zones Ihe eastern of which would have been assigned to the smaller Mediterranean Powers, aid Russia, has been abandoned. Following Ihe publication ol rumours in the Press, the Italian Embassy in London issued a denial that Mussolini had communicated with Mr Chamberlain since the letter which (’omit Grandi brought to the British Premier, some time ago. LONDON, September 12. “The Times’s” naval writer says: The anti-submarine agreement involves some 35 British destroyers in the Mediterranean, necessitating further augmentation. The usual strength of three flotillas, comprising 27 vessels, to which four ships have I already been added as an anti-piracy patrol,' will require four flotillas, and at least one flotilla in reserve. Reinforcements will be sent out from the Home Fleet. Aircraft will cooperate with the destroyers, increasing their range of vision. Although the protection of shipping will not he absolute, piratical sinking, hitherto involving little risk lo the attackers, will become highly dangerous. If the Italians patrol the Tyrrhenian Sea. the arrangements will be more efficient.

MR EDEN CONFIDENT. LONDON, September 12. The “Mail’s” Geneva correspondent says that Mr Eden, on leaving the Nyon Conference, said: “It we have not succeeded this time, 1 will eat my hat.” Soviet Objection TO PATROL PLAN, [Aus. <V N.Z. Cable Assn.] GENEVA, Scplember 12. It is reported that M. Litvinoff protested against the Nyon agreement on on the ground that it is not. strong enough. He described it as weak and flabby. and therefore only agreed to refer it to Moscow for final approval. (Received September 3, 9.20 p.m.) MOSCOW. September 13. The Soviet is reported to be disappointed with. M. Litvinovs results at the Nyon Conference. The Soviet press proclaims the Soviet’s intention of “taking its own measures against Italian pirates.”

M OSGO W I) EMON ST RATI ON. AGAINST ITALY. (Received September 13, 10.5 p.m.) MOSCOW, September 13. The Soviet has held here its first mass agitation against Italy lor eleven vears. M. Stalin, with President Kalinin, Premier Molotov, and the Minister of the Interior. M. Ezhov, took the salute from more than 500 thousand demonstrators, who were carrying caricatures of pirate monsters in the likeness of Signor Mussolini. GERMAN ATTITUDE. NUREMBERG. September 12. It is understood that the German attitude is disinclination to become involved more than necessary in Mediterranean complications, hut at the same time maintaining solidarity with Italv. BERLIN, September 12. The German newspapers are equally gratified that Russia has been shown the door. ITALY MAY AGREE. ROME, September 12. Authoritative quarters state that Italy will consult Germany before agreeing, but. if Germany approves the agreement, Italy may agree m principle, with a possible adjustment of the area which Italian shins will have control.

MUSSuLINI SATISFIED. ROME, September 12, Mussolini is studying the antipiracy plan. Italians regard the exclusion of Russia from the Mediterranean Patrol as a satisfactory feature. They also contend that the plan confers on Franco’s submarines the rights of war under the London Naval Treaty, which is tantamount to recognition of the navy as that of a belligerent. despite the reservation of belligerent rights. BRITISH SHIPS RELEASED. LONDON. September 12. The “Romford” has been released. The British steamers, “Moltan” and "Candlcston Castle," which the insurgents have held two months, have also been released. HENDAYE, September 11. During a severe storm the destroyer Foresight's culler picked up Mr Rupert Bellville, from Gijon and took him aboard. The performance indicates that Gijon is not so closely invested as has been reported, hut there are numerous faction fights in the streets, and the police force has fled Io the mountains. Mr. Bellville, a wealthy English | amateur airman, had been missing ; since August 25, when he was ordered at the point of the revolver to fly

a Government leader from Santander to Gijon. Mr. Bellville arrived at Santander with a sherry shipper, Ricarado Gonzales, in order to participate in the celebrations marking the fall of the city, but the announcement of the fall was premature, and Government troops arrested the airman and his passenger and put them in prison. One account states that they landed at Santander cheering for General Franco. Gonzales, after Mr. Bellville’s forced departure, was robbed of his papers and money, liberated and returned to San Sebastian. Mr. Belville described himself as a journalist who was about to chronicle the entry of the Italian division into Santander. Mr. Bellville, who is an amateur bull-fighter, served in the rebel army in 1936. He shares with his brother Anthony £394.397 which was left by his father, Mr. Frank Ashton Bellville, who died recently.