NAZI PLOT FRUSTRATED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24416, 30 September 1940, Page 4

NAZI PLOT FRUSTRATED

EFFORT TO DELAY SHIPPING NEW YORK SAILINGS ißritish Official Wireless) RUGBY, Sept. 27. Prompt action by the Ministry of Shipping resulted in the frustration of a Nazi clot to delay sailings from New York of foreign shipping in Allied service. The National Union of Seamen had good reason to believe that the Nazi Government, working through consuls-general in America, was actively encouraging Communist committees of seamen to stir up trouble among the crews of such ships. Lord Lothian was instructed to place all available evidence before the American Government and missions were sent from Britain to deal directly with the situation. It is understood that men who had been engaged for round trips from Britain were encouraged to leave their ships at New York, and through a loophole in the American maritime law the ships were then prevented from sailing until certain sums were paid into court. The situation became so serious that instant Government action was necessary. This has been taken, ensuring the prompt sailing of all ships.