ITALY “STUNNED”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 March 1940, Page 5

ITALY “STUNNED”

OVER STOPPAGE OF COAL CARGOES CEVril SHIPS DETAINED FOR EXAMINATION. BRITISH ATTITUDE DEFINED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, March 6. Seven Italian ships which have left Rotterdam since the British ban on German coal exports have been taken into The Downs in the English Channel for examination by British contraband control. If it is found they are carrying German etial the cargo will lie seized, bid the ships will be released as rapidly as possible.

The colliers diverted for examination. include the Grata Loasso, Caterina (formerly Fortunata), Absirtea, Felce and Numidia. The captains said they had been informed that the British authorities would allow them to go to Genoa despite the official statements in London.

'Die Rome correspondent of the "New York Times” says the seizure of the colliers has stunned Italians, who feel Britain is treating the matter as an incident. They declare they are not a small neutral but a first-rate Power and demand to be treated as such. The official attitude is restrained and newspapers are forced to handle the stories soberly. “The Times” says: “In the life and death struggle in which Britain is engaged it lias become necessary to cheek German exports whithersoever they are directed, but Britain can supply coal that. Italy needs and Italy can supply goods that Britain needs. Given goodwill on both sides, it is inconceivable in these circumstances that tlie two Governments should not resolve this problem, which is complicated, in detail, but simple in principle, in further negotiation.”

The "Daily Telegraph" emphasises that there will be no lack of understanding in Britain of Italy’s action in protesting, "but under no circumstances,” the paper says, “can we renounce one of the most powerful of our weapons against the enemy.” The "Telegraph” asks that Italy should show the same comprehension of British needs as Britain has shown for hers. It goes on to point out that the seizure of exports has been the result of the German sea warfare, which has taken on itself the right to sink any ship. British or neutral, sailing off the coast.

It adds: “So long as Germany goes on with the ruthless sea war against our own and neutral shipping and against our exports and imports, it. would be. intolerable if we were expected to hold the seas open for the passage of German exports. When any ship laden with British coal for Italy is liable to be sunk, can shipments of German coal be allowed to pass without let. or hindrance?”

The German Press is raising a storm of protest against the British measures, and Hie headlines indict them as (“piracy" and “robbery," Davenitry reports. POLICE PRECAUTIONS TAKEN TN ITALIAN CITIES. (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) ROME, March G. '.Extra police have been stationed at the British Embassy, as a precaution against a demonstration of protest against the detention of ships, but no disturbances have occurred. The police dispersed students organising a demonstration at, the British Consulate at Venice. NINE SHIPS DETAINED . (Received This Day. 10.25 a.m.) LONDON. March G. Nine Italian coal ships are now detained at Deal. MORE COLLIERS TO SAIL (Received This Day. 10.25 a.m.) ROTTERDAM, March 6. Four more colliers, laden with German coal, are expected to sail for Italy today. CONDITIONS OP DETENTION (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) RUGBY. March 6. The nine Italian coal ships detained in the Downs are all from Dutch or Belgian ports. Tn accordance with the general policy applied to vessels of all countries, goods, if of proved enemy origin, are subject to detention until the end of the war. when they or their value will be returned to the neutral owners. Such ships are not. liable to seizure.