U.S. MAKES SHARP PROTEST TO BRITAIN

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 3, 4 January 1940, Page 10

U.S. MAKES SHARP PROTEST TO BRITAIN

Mail Interference United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. WASHINGTON, Jan. 2. j A United States Note to Britain protesting against Interference with American mails was publishehd today. The Note listed four instances j of seizure, which affected 1250 sacks addressed to Germany and the neutrals. I The Note stated that the United States readily admitted the right oj Britain to censor mail originating in oi destined for the United Kingdom, oi mail which normally passed through the United Kingdom for transmissior to its final destination, but could no) admit the right to interfere with American mail on the high seas. It cited the Hague Convention as re« cognising that the mail of neutrals tc belligerents was inviolable on the high seas, and contended that that rule obtained for mail on ships which were required by the British authorities to . put into British ports. The Note added that the Uniteq j States Government regarded the prac- ! Bee of taking mail from vessels induced to call at British control bases as '‘particularly objectionable.” It concluded: “The United States Government feels compelled to make a vigorous protest against these practices, and expresses the hope that it will receive early assurances that they are being discontinued.” AUSTRALIAN SHARE IN EMPIRE AIR PLAN (Received 3, 1.45 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 3. An assurance was given by the Air Minister, Mr Fairbairn, who returned from London yesterday, that the identity of Australians serving overseas under the Empire air scheme would be preserved by the creation of a special pool in England from which men would be drafted Into Australian squadrons i under Australian officers. Mr Fairbairn said it would not be possible to enlist more than 3000 airmen and send them abroad this year. In 1940 and thereafter, however, recruits would be handled at a great rate. The first batch of air crews would leave for Britain well before the end 6f this year. Before leaving, the crews would be fully trained on all types of machines.