WAR BLOCKADE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 April 1940, Page 5

WAR BLOCKADE

EFFORTS TO CLOSE GAPS JOINT ACTION BY ALLIES. ATTACK ON REMAINING GERMAN TRADE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 1. Measures for carrying out the decisions of Jast week’s meeting of the Supreme War Council are still receiving the elose attention of competent authorities, and in particular , early steps for joint, action in tightening the blockade are understood to be under consideration. The whole field of economic warfare is being thoroughly surveyed with a view to stopping such gaps in the blockade of Germany as continue. The measures taken in regard to one of these gaps was revealed in last week’s announcement of the seizure of ships in the Pacific en route for Vladivostock with valuable cargoes of minerals destined eventually for Germany. The Balkan countries also still represent a source of enemy supplies, and it may be assumed that when the consultations with British Ministers in these countries take place in London this question, as well as political issues, will be fully examined. Public attention here and elsewhere has, however, been mainly directed toward Germany continuing her trade with northern European countries, and action to tighten up the blockade there has already been taken. Despite the protection of neutral territorial waters, transport has been slowed down, some of the German iron ships have run aground, and others have been sunk by the British patrols. It can be assumed that the Allied watch on these waters will become increasingly vigilant and effective.

SUPPLIES DIVERTED BRITISH PURCHASE POLICY. LONDON, April 1. "The Times” commends the Ministry of Economic Warfare for persuading the Government to buy the Turkish supply of chromium, which hitherto has been used for the manufacture of German guns. The Government has also made heavy purchases of oil and other products. Britain has purchased the whole of the Norwegian whale-oil pro- - duction, thus depriving Germany of much-needed fats. Japan is now probably the only whale-oil supplier to Germany. Britain is attempting to reach an agreement .limiting the German imports from Holland and Sweden. There is evidence that Germany is feeling the pinch, but many loopholes in the blockade remain. PRESS COMMENT APPROVAL OF NEW POLICY. GREATER. ALLIED. INITIATIVE. LONDON, April 1. French newspapers express satisfaction at.the'new Allied policy. One sees in Mr Churchill’s speech evidence which enables it, to realise that at last the war is taking a new turn, accomnanied by fresh force on the- Allied side. It is mentioned that whatever may be the projected moves to tighen the blockade, they will be kept secret and applied without warning at the appropriate time so that they may be used with the greatest effect. British newspapers discuss the apparent . increase in initiative on the Allied side. One observes that this shows that the Allies are moving to impose their own will instead of trying to catch up with an enemy who was always a little ahead. Some papers say this has been the result of pressure of public opinion,'and another suggests that much of the credit is due to M Reynaud. The “Daily Herald” adds a warning against imprudent hostilities. Another paper comments on the need for stopping the procession, of German ships creeping down the Norwegian coast with iron ore. If the Allies had been as ruthless as the Germans they could have stopped this traffic months ago. Consideration is also expected to. be given to the question of German supplies through the Balkans and the increased exports from the United States to nations round Germany. The recall of French and British diplomatic representatives from the Balkans will also provide an opportunity, for discussion on methods of tightening the Allied grips on German trade. Signs .of greater Allied initiative are believed to be causing growing anxiety in Berlin, where there are vague threats of reprisals.

TIGHTER BLOCKADE ALLIED PLANS OUTLINED BY MR CHAMBERLAIN. NO DESIRE TO DISTURB PEACE IN BALKANS. The British Prime Minister (Mr N. Chamberlain) declared in the House of Commons, Daventry reports, that the Allies were determined to continue and intensify the blockade in every possible way. After referring to German threats to neutrals of dire consequences if they failed to comply with German demands, he said that Britain and neutral countries now had to face the problem created by Germany, who showed scant regard for neutrals’ rights, did not stop at destroying neutral property, and murdering neutral seamen and even had threatened an invasion of neutral countries if they did anything to assist a country against aggression. Mr Chamberlain said trade agreements had been signed between Britain and Spain, Greece and Turkey and while he was speaking an agreement was being signed with Denmark. Talks were in progress in Paris for a similar agreement between the Allies and Switzerland and a mission was expected shortly from Rumania to discuss a revision of the existing trade agreement. All the war trade agreements entered into stipulated a limitation on exports to Germany. Britain could not buy up all commodities going to Germany, but by concentrating on certain commodities could reduce the supplies available to that country. Britain had entered into an agreement to take the whole of Norway’s surplus of whale

oil. Mr Chamberlain said Britain could not make Empire products available to neutral countries unless they were prepared to guarantee the limitation of trade to Germany. Referring to steps taken recently to intercept the iron ore trade from Norway to Germany, the British Prime Minister said other measures were under consideration. Britain, he observed, had not yet reached the limit of effective operations in that region, in which the Germans have sunk so many neutral ships and murdered neutral seamen. The possibility of Germany increasing supplies by air was being investigated and suitable measures would be taken. After referring to the scope and importance of Anglo-French co-opera-tion during and after the war, Mr Chamberlain vigorously denied that the Allies had any intention to disturb the peace of the Balkans.