FOUL PIRACY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 September 1939, Page 6

FOUL PIRACY

BRITAIN DENOUNCES U BOAT CRIMES BINDING PROTOCOL VIOLATED ROYAL SCEPTRE CREW LEFT TO DIE. NO HOPE OF REACHING LAND. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day. 12.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 25. The Ministry of Information confirms the fears expressed on Saturday that all hope must be given up for the officers and crew of the Royal Sceptre, a steamship whichywas sunk on September 6. She carried a crew of thirtytwo. who were cast adrift in their boats without possible hope of reaching land. After giving the names of the crew, the Ministry states: “The sinking was a foul act of piracy, in direct contravention of the submarine protocol signed by Germany 'in 1936, which is binding for all time. The protocol made it abundantly clear that no warship, submarine or otherwise, was justified in sinking merchantmen! unless the crews were placed in safety. SEA PERILS ORDEAL OF HAZELSIDE'S CREW. SURVIVORS REACH ENGLAND. (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 25. . Twenty-three survivors from the Hazelside were landed by 'a coastal A member of the crew described how the captain decided to run for it. He finally ordered the engines to be stopped, which was done by an eer who had had an arm blown off during the attack. T"wo British aircraft arrived and the submarine disappeared. The survivors were four hours m a boat. The dead include the first officer, whoso father was drowned after being torpedoed during the last war. SWEDISH STEAMER SUNK OFF STAVANGER. (Received This Day, 11.30 a.m.) ! STOCKHOLM, September 25. The Swedish steamer Silesia, of 1839 tons, bound for England with lumber, was torpedoed and sunk off Stavenger. The Swedish steamer Sucecia rescued the crew. FRENCH COLLIER SUNK NEAR ENGLISH ’ COAST. (Received This Day, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 25. A submarine, without warning, attacked the French collier Phryne on the English coast on September 24. Longshoremen heard an explosion and saw a column of smoke. The crew of twenty-four put off in two boats, from which a lifeboat from the shore rescued them. Two men were injured. Two destroyers which raced to the scene departed after the Phryne sank. LOSS ADMITTED GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. (Received This Day, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 25. The Associated Press of America Berlin correspondent states that the German High Command says a German submarine /has been sunk, and that “the sea war has also yielded good results to us.” GERMAN REPORT “PLANS FOR EVACUATION OF HELSINGFORS.” (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) BERLIN, September 25. An official radio message reveals plans for the civil evacuation of Helsingfors.