ADDRESSED TO UNITED STATES
» - — Release of Seized Ships and Crews ATTITUDE OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT TRIAL OF SABOTEURS TO PROCEED (By Telegraph.—Press Association. Copyright.) WASHINGTON, April 1. Germany and Italy have demanded the release ol the Axis shins which were seized in American ports, also their crews It. was learnt from informed sources that both the Antes from the Axis Powers demanding- the release ol the ships ami crews of Germany and Italy were said to have challenged the rio-ht of the United States to take possession ol the ships or to'take members of the crews into custody. In neither Ante was there any mention of sabotage, the ground which the United Stales Government gave for taking over the ships. The Notes disputed the right of the Government s action Tinder either international or domestic law. The Secretary of State. Mr Hull, indicated that the I mted States will reject the formal demands.of Germany and Italy for the release of the seized ships and will disregard the protests, and proceed with sabotage trials against certain members ol the crews, and deportation hearings for others..
PENALTIES FOR GUILT The Attorney-General, Mr Jackson, has authorised the immediate prosecution of alleged saboteurs in the Italian and German ships. The step is considered equivalent to a reply to the Axis demands for the release of the ships and crews. He said that where sabotage was found the master and principal officers, also any guilty members of the crew, will be held responsible. The Act provides maximum penalties of a 25,000-dollar fine or 20 years’ imprisonment, or both. Sabotage was found in 25 Italian ships and one German. Official circles today expressed increasing belief that the protective seizure of 69 German, Italian and Danish ships by the Government was the prelude to their requisition for use as part of the United States merchant fleet. Officials said that the shipping shortage and other recent events had convinced them of the inevitability of such seizure.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 April 1941, Page 5
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327ADDRESSED TO UNITED STATES Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 April 1941, Page 5
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