INDIGNATION IN BRITAIN

Southland Times, Issue 24239, 24 September 1940, Page 5

INDIGNATION IN BRITAIN

Brutal Nazi Methods Of Warfare

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 23, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 22. Mr Geoffrey Shakespeare, Undersecretary for the Dominions, informing the bereaved, said: “The Children s Overseas Reception scheme wishes me to convey its deep sympathy in your bereavement. You courageously decided to send your children to the Dominions believing this course better than continuous raids. I, as a parent, realize the anguish this letter must cause you and the great sadness brought to your homes. I assure you I deeply share your grief.” Mr Shakespeare, in a statement, said, “I am full of horror and indignation that any German submarine captain could have torpedoed a ship over 600 miles from land in a tempestuous sea. Conditions were such that there was little chance for passengers whether adults or children. This deed will shock the world and is another example of the barbarous methods of warfare associated with Nazi Germany. It is only comparable with their present brutal, indiscriminate bombing of women and children in London.” The Daily Mail says: Even amid the carnage Hitler is trying to cause among London’s women and children the story of the sinking of the evacuee liner stands out as a supreme instance of wanton horror. Nothing has given the world a more vivid, more awful example of the sort of warfare Hitler wages. Let the details never be forgotten until the day of reckoning arrives. We must ask, with the parents, whether the Government is absolutely satisfied with the arrangements for the transport of children. Are the ships convoyed far enough to sea? Many thousands have already crossed the Atlantic in safety, but more must be done to prevent a repetition of this tragedy.

PRESS CONDEMNATION Public opinion and newspaper comment throughout the world is united in condemning this latest example of Nazi barbarity. A message sent by the Canadian Government expresses sorrow for the fate of the children, admiration for their courage, and sympathy with their parents, but says that the happening will strengthen the resolve of British people to send their children to places of safety. The Australian Prime Minister (Mr R. G. Menzies) in a message said: “This latest exhibition of savagery by the Nazis will steel the spirit of the British people in their resolve to count no sacrifice too great to crush the dark shadow for which Nazism stands.” “One consolation,” says The Daily Telegraph, “is that we thought it best for the children to be sent to a place of safety. If they had stayed in England they would have been targets for Nazi bombs.”

The Times, in a scathing editorial, says that the sinking of the ship cannot be regarded as a reflection on the policy of sending children overseas. The children behaved like heroes, according to The New York Times. They sang as the ship was going down. The 3000 children now safe in Canada are beyond the reach of Nazi aggression, says the News-Chronicle. The sinking of this refugee ship, it adds, must not be allowed to slow up the progress of the scheme.

SLOOP DUNDEE LOST BY TORPEDOING

RUGBY, September 22.

The Admiralty announces that his Majesty’s sloop, Dundee was torpedoed by a U-boat and subsequently sank. The Dundee, which was launched at Chatham in 1932, had a displacement of 1060 tons. She carried two 4-inch guns and about 10 smaller guns. She was fitted for minesweeping. Her speed was 16.5 knots.