NEUTRAL PROTESTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 November 1939, Page 5

NEUTRAL PROTESTS

AGAINST BRITISH CONTROL OF TRADE \ , — MEASURES CALLED CRUEL IN HOLLAND. FEARS OF DELAY AND HEAVY COSTS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, November 23. The Netherlands Government has issued a statement regarding the Allied export control, says the Amsterdam corespondent of the “Daily Mail.” “The cruel character of the British measures for the Netherlands admits no doubt.” says the statement. “It is manifest how much damage is caused when ships remain for weeks in British ports owing to the disorganisation of the control service. This means unbearable expenditure. “A neutral Government cannot allow itself to be force to declare that the goods aboard its ships shall not be reexported in any form to any country.” Netherlands newspapers attack the export control plan. The Belgian and Netherlands Ministers of Economics are conferring with a view to intensifying mutual trade. A semi-official Netherlands statement reported by radio, expresses apprehension at the British measure. It points out that if Holland is no longer able to supply German with goods, such goods will also, in accordance with the terms of her neutrality, have to be withheld from Britain. One Italian newspaper was quoted by Daventry last night as saying that it was too early to pass judgment on the British decision, but that Britain was fully entitled to such reprisals if proof could be given of the use of magnetic mines by the Germans. BELGIAN COMPLAINT (Received This Day, 9.15 a.m.) BRUSSELS, November 23. It is officially stated that the Government has decided to protest to Britain regarding export control, on similar lines to the Dutch protest. HOLLAND’S CASE REPRESENTATIONS MADE TO BRITAIN. (Received This Day, 10.45 a.m.) THE HAGUE, November 23. It is officially announced that the Government has strongly protested against the British decision to seize German exports from neutral ships. The Dutch Minister in London is conveying the protest to the British Government. An official communique says the Government drew attention to the fact that the British decision is disagreeable in character because it was taken after ship disasters of which the loss of the Simon Bolivar was the most important.