CONTROL OF SEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 September 1939, Page 7

CONTROL OF SEAS

HUGE TASK OF BRITISH NAVY PROSPECTS OF RAIDERS HAZARDOUS PROTECTION OF MERCHANT SHIPPING. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, September 15. The Ministry of Information stales that it. is believed that, no German cruisers are at sea in the broad oceans. It may still be possible for enemy raiders, disguised as merchantmen, to slip to sea, as the, notorious Wolf did in 1916-18, but the improvements in Wireless communications and the use of aircraft make the task of isolated raiders hazardous. Outlining the task of protection of the British trade routes, the Ministry states that a daily average of 1545 British merchantmen of 3000 tons and upward are at sea on every ocean throughout the world. In addition, a further 705 are in harbour. Throughout the navigable globe the Navy has 85,000 miles of sea routes to protect. The British people would be brought to the verge of starvation in a few weeks if left to their own resources. There can be no such thing as command of the seas in modern naval warfare. The expression is better interpreted as control of the seas. British sea control has always been exercised in accordance with the international principles of humanity, and the safety of the crows of enemy merchantmen is invariably considered. The Admiralty policy will be to safeguard trading in more remote parts of the globe by evasive routeing, combined with such patrols as the circumstances warrant. U BOAT RAIDERS NUMBER DESTROYED. BRITISH ANNOUNCEMENT. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) LONDON, September 15. The Ministry of Information states: “A number of German submarines' have been destroyed by British destroyers and aeroplanes.” HUNT FOR MOTHER SHIP. (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) PARIS, September 15. It is reported that British and French light cruiser and destroyer squadrons have started a widespread and systematic search for freighters and tankers mothering enemy submarines. A GALLANT ENEMY TREATMENT OF BRITISH CREW. SUBMARINE STANDS BY. (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) LONDON, September 15. Patrick Walsh, a member of the crew- of the British Influence, has reached Cork. He said the submarine’s commander was a perfect gentleman. The submarine stood by for five hours. It called the attention of the Idabaake and remained until all the crew had been picked up. “When we were aboard,” said Walsh, “we gave him three cheers, and the submarine’s crew reciprocated. Our ship was hit after we put off, and sank in 20 minutes.”