" It's One Blow After Another ! "

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 301, 21 December 1939, Page 7

" It's One Blow After Another ! "

Attempt to Refuel Important Warship ANOTHER BLOW TO GERMAN FRSSTIGE Received Wednesday, 11.40 p.m. NEW YORK, Dec. 19. Tlie scuttling of the Columbus (32,581 tons) which is the third largest vessel in the German merchant marine and the forcing 9f the Arauca into port brought the wax closer to the United States than at any time since the start of hostilities. Thousands of German-Americans living in New York’s “German section” gathered in **ars and at street corners discussing the Reich’s latest setback. There was consternation at the New York offlees of the North German Lloyd Lines when the news was received. “Oh, my God,” said the manager (Mr. John Schroeder) “It’s one blow after another! ’ ’ He added that as the Columbus was unarmed he believed the crew were entitled to an indefinite stay in the United States. The line would take care of them. Asked whether they would bo returned to Germany he replied: “How could they be? f> There is much speculation as to why an unarmed ship left the safety of a neutral port. The New York Herald-Tribune suggests that tho most plausibio theory is that her sacrifice was risked in order to refuel some important warship short of oil. The American United Press Mexico City correspondent states that reports are circulating that the cargo included hundreds of thousands of Mexican shoes for the German Army, also half-filled drums of oil which would be dropped overboard for submarines. The New York Times states editorially: “By scuttling the Columbus the Germans lost, whatever prestige they may have gained by the Bremen’s escape. The New York Herald-Tribune says editorially: “The liner’s fate is uninistakeably ominous news. A regime that expects to win the war is hardly likely to take such extravagant risks with a costly possession that was anchored in a neutral port whence a German victory would have redeemed her.” Meanwhile with her radio sealed the Arauca is lying in Port Everglades. Investigation continues to determine whether she can be considered a naval auxiliary. The Tuscaloosa radioed that a muster of the crew of tho Columbus showed that two fireman are missing. The liner is afire from stem to stern and was sinking slowly when the cruiser left. The Tuscaloosa later radioed that she was heading for New York with 579 survivors, including nine women. The message added: “No lives were lost. ’ ’ The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says there is TL strong possibility that the Arauca will be declared a Nazi auxiliary naval vessel and interned. It is understood an investigation has been ordered to determine how the vessel, which left Vera Cruz five days ago with the declared destination of New Orleans, happened to bo near Florida. As she was carrying Mexican oil it is felt that possibly she was preparing to refuel warcraft.