GERMAN U BOATS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 October 1939, Page 2

GERMAN U BOATS

REPORTED IN CARIBBEAN SEA

OFFICIAL WATCH ON COAST OF MEXICO. ACTION BY UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. NEW YORK, October 14. The Mexico City correspondent of the "New York Times” states that there is no doubt that one or more submarines are ready to operate in the Caribbean Sea. Reports that German ships off Mexico were aiding submarines caused an official watch to be kept. The Columbus moved to an isolated anchorage a u nd the crew were placed on short rations in spite of heavy loading of stores. Two boats alongside can be used at night to carry provisions to sea. tanker Ennyfriedrich anchored at Port Tampico, loading oil and live stock, supposedly for delivery to German craft. Officials state that they are ready to act with severity if there is evidence of violation of neutrality. Other sources report, that there is no confirmation of the statement by Mr J. B. Snyder, chairman of the Military Affairs Committee of the United States House of Representatives, that six German submarines were operating in the Caribbean Sea, or of the statement that Italian tankers were seen fuelling submarines. The Navy Department has announced the reopening of the Key West Station, which was closed in 1930. The department to explain the reason for this, but it is presumed that it is designed to strengthen the neutrality patrol operations off the southeastern seaboard and also the Caribbean area. Senator Pepper, in a statement to the Press urging that American naval forces should sink belligerent submarines ines and warcraft entering the safety zone said: “Warring Powers should be shown that we mean business.”