PROTEST BY URUGUAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 December 1939, Page 2

PROTEST BY URUGUAY

AGAINST NAVAL ACTION IN PLATE ESTUARY QUESTION OF TERRITORIAL WATERS. ATTITUDE OF UNITED STATES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. NEW YORK, December 16. The ‘'New York Times" correspondent in Montevideo says Uruguay sent Britain and Germany Notes protesting against their having fought within the mouth of the River Plate. The Notes state that though the River Plate is more than three miles wide Argentina and Uruguay consider its entire width constitutes their jurisdictional waters. They also charge the warships with at one time exchanging shots within the three-mile limit. They further protest against the battle taking place within the 300-mile neutal zone established at the Panama Conference. The River Plate is more than 100 miles wide oft' Montevideo. The Argentine and Uruguayan Governments are determined to prevent, if possible, a naval action within this area. It is understood that their combined navies will begin patrolling at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The measures that the South American countries are studying to prevent a repetition of the Admiral Graf Spee incident include the adoption of uniform legislation providing for the immediate internment of any belligerent warships entering a neutral port. This is at present the Brazilian law. Uruguay’s protest to Britain and Germany, charging them that part of the battle was fought within the jurisdictional waters of the River Plate, has angered the Americas and convinced them that the protection of their neutrality will require something stronger than resolutions. The feeling is growing that the Admiral Graf Spee took refuge to escape the tactical disadvantage of battle rather than because she was in danger of sinking. The State Department in Washington is most concerned at the prospect of a repetition of the sea battle. The Secretary of State. Mr Hull, indicated that it would be viewed as another serious breach of the neutrality zone. Mr Hull said that Pan-American

consultations were beginning with a view to taking common action regarding the naval engagement. Uruguay was assembling the facts and transmitting them to the President of Panama, who is the Pan-American liaison officer. He is undecided whether to consult the Pan-American Conference or diplomatic channels. Mr Hull added that the United States would meet the other Americas halfway.