U-BOAT CAPTURED

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20912, 18 September 1939, Page 9

U-BOAT CAPTURED

4 TOWED TO BRITISH PORT SEVERAL BHIPB SUNK BELGIAN VESSEL TORPEDOED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 16 The Daily Mail reports that a German submarine was captured “accidentally” when she came to the surface a few hundred yards from a British destroyer. The destroyer trained her guns on the U-boat, which surrendered and was towed to port. A message from Buenos Aires states that Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay are considering the establishment of & joint naval patrol along the South American Atlantic Coast. The Argentine fleet has put to sea on a neutrality patrol of the Patagonian coast. The air force is co-operating. The Ministry of Information states that the Belgian motor-ship Alex van Opstal was sunk as the result of enemy action, either by torpedo or mine. There are no British mines near the spot. Whatever the method of sinking, the enemy has violated international law. Terrlflo Explosion The captain stated that the Alex van Opstal carried eight passengers and a crew of 49. The ship was broken clean in half by a terrific explosion. Some of the crew of the Atlanticos, which picked up the survivors, stated that they saw a submarine. The Belfast steamer Fanad Head, of 5200 tons, was sunk in the North Atlantic. The sinking is thought to be the work of a submarine which also attacked and sank two other vessels. The British steam trawler Davara, of 291 tons, registered at Fleetwood, was sunk. Thirteen members of the crew escaped and finally were rescued after an exhausting five hours baling their leaking lifeboat. A Valparaiso cablegram says the master of the Chiliian passenger steamer Fresia reported that an unidentified submarine had halted the vessel on Wednesday off the coast of Chile, but had not molested her after ascertaining her identity. A number of German submarines operating in the Atlantic are reported by the 8.8. C. to have expended all their torpedoes and also to be short of fuel. It is revealed that the Danish steamer Randa was mined near Tershilling on Wednesday. Seventeen members of the crew, including two Americans, are missing. An Italian ship rescued 20 members of the crew, including four Americans. T BRITISH STEAMER SUNK RESCUE BY AMERICAN VESSEL SEVERAL OF CREW MISSING (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 18, 11 a.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 17 The American Farmer radioed that she rescued 29 members of the crew of the British steamer Kafiristan, which was torpedoed in the Atlantic. Six members of the crew are missing.

SHIPS HELD UP

CREWS REFUSE TO BAIL DEMANDS FOR EXTRA RATES (United Press. Assn—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, Sept. 16 Seven United States merchant ships were held up in New York harbour today, the crews refusing to sail without concrete concessions to their demands for extra compensation when entering the war zones. At present It appears that there is no chance of a compromise. Two ships should have sailed yesterday when the crews struck. The other ships were unable to obtain crews.

ITALY WORRIED

BLOCKADE BY BRITAIN AIL POWERS WILL SUFFER SEVERAL FORMS OF BLOCKADE (United Press A.*«n - Eier Tel. Convritrht) NEW YORK, .Sept. 17 Italy is very worried as to the effect of the Franco-British blockade upon Italian commerce and even the general welfare, says the Rome correspondent of the New York Times. Clearly all European countries will suffer, whether they are belligerents or neutrals. It is realised that Britain intends unparalleled measures. It is believed the traditional rules of neutrality will not be applied. Nations will not he able to declare their neutrality and then help one side materially Instead of militarily. Italy is convinced that Britain intends to apply different forms of blockade and search against European and American countries, being stricter with nations bordering upon Germany than with a country like Brazil. One of the main reasons why Italy stayed out of the Great War so long was because of her vulnerability to blockade. Italy lias made enormous strides since 1935, and although she does not claim to be self-supporting, her foodstuffs are assured.

By special arrangements Reuter’s World Service, in addition to oilier special sources of information, is used in the compilation of the overseas intelligence published In this issue, and all rights therein in Australia and New Zealand are reserved. Such of the cable news in this issue as is so headed has appeared in the Times and is so sent to this paper by special permission. It should be understood that the opinion is not that of the Times unless it Is expressly stated to be so.