TALES VARY

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 263, 24 November 1939, Page 3

TALES VARY

(JINK MAN V MRS lONS LAYINK OK MINKS ONLY (OUKSIO opkn RUGBY, Nov. 22. Open confessions in Gorman broadensls of the object of the illegal and indiscriminate laying of mines on trade routes have caused surprise in naval circles. The sinking of neutral ships have been announced with apparent relish and have been repeated. The conclusion is that; it' is unsale for neutral shipping to approach the Klnglish coasts. 'Phis admission that the mines weie not laid with a military objective, or with the intention of sinking Ihitish merelmnfc ships, hut for the express .purpose of sinking neutral shipping companies conflicts with the Gel man statemefits made for internal consumption in Germany that, neutral ships, particularly the Dutch liner Simon Bolivar, were sunk hy British mines. Complete confidence is expressed in naval quarters that the British navy will, as in the past, find a speedy and effective reply to any form of warfare to which 'Germany in her desperation resort.

Only. Language Understood '

“.Reprisal is the only language the Nazis understand,” . says The Times, which, in common with other newspapers, comments on tho statement made in. tho House of Commons yesterday. by the Prime Minister, Air. Neville Chamberlain, regarding tho seizure of German exports, It is recalled that similar action was taken in 1915 after Germany wrongfully declared the waters surrounding Britain. a “military area.” The present situation is generally regarded as the only possible reply to the} inhumane German practice.