DANISH SHIPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 April 1941, Page 5

DANISH SHIPS

TAKEN INTO PROTECTIVE CUSTODY AMERICAN COASTGUARD. ACTION. SAFEGUARD AGAINST SABOTAGE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, March 30. The Coastguard Service (following on its seizure of Italian ships) has seized 36 Danish ships also. They were located in both Atlantic and Pacific ports. Rear-Admiral Russel Waesche, commandant of the Coastguard Service, said Danish ships had been placed in protective custody because of fear of possible sabotage, “by others than members of their crews.” However:, he said there was no evidence of sabotage or attempted sabotage of any Danish ship. Asked whether the Danish ships had been placed in custody preparatory to confiscation, he replied negatively. ACTION IN PHILIPPINES FOUR SHIPS TAKEN OVER. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) MANILA. March 31. Four Danish ships in Philippine waters were taken into protective custody today by the United States Navy. A Navy bombing plane carried fifteen men to Cebu, in the Central Philippines, to take over a vessel tied up there. Naval crews of fifteen men each boarded three Danish craft in Manila Bay. Admiral Hart, Commander-in-Chiof of the United States Asiatic Fleet, said the four ships were taken over by the Navy to prevent sabotage by their own crews. The foui- ships, aggregating 23,800 tons, are the Gertrude Maerak. Crete Maerak. Hulda Maersk and Marchen Maersk. POSSIBLE ADDITIONS TO LIST OF SEIZURES. NORMANDIE & OTHER FRENCH VESSELS. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) NEW YORK. March 31. Federal officials said it was quite possible that the Government would also take over the huge French liner Normandie and five other French ships that arc tied up here. MARINERS ON STRIKE GERMANS AND ITALIANS. AGAINST DETENTION AT ELLIS ISLAND. (Received This Day. 9.45 a.m.) BOSTON. March ,31. Forty-three German and Italian mariners begun a non-slecp and hunger strike while they awaited Immigration Service action on their status after the seizure of ships. The District Director of Immigration. Mr John Mulcahey, said that members of the crews, sixteen Germans and 27 Italians, refused to go to bed last night and would not eat breakfast today.