MINE EXPLOSION

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

MINE EXPLOSION

CRUISER BLOWN UP CONFLICTING REPORTS MANY SEAMEN KILLED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 16 A message from Ceuta, Spanish Morocco, states that it is reported from Casablanca that 1000 were killed or wounded when the French mine-laying cruiser Pluton was blown up while, loading. One hundred of the crew of 424 are dead and there were other casualties on the docks.

An official statement from Paris says the French cruiser mine-layer Pluton suffered “an accident aboard somewhere at sea. One hundred sailors were killed.” The details have not been revealed, but this much has been made known in order to counteract the report that the warship was torpedoed. According to a message from Rome a despatch from Saint Louis, Senegal, says that travellers from Casablanca declare that a mine exploded while the Pluton was loading on Wednesday morning, causing her to sing immediately. Buildings on the outskirts of the city were damaged and over 400 members of the crew and civilians were killed and injured.

SUPPLIES OF OIL

GERMAN DESIGNS ON RUMANIA DEFEATING BRITISH BLOCKADE vUnited Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, Sept. 16 The Berlin correspondent of the New York Times says the Germans are battering a direct road to Rumania and Russia on which they depend for a supply of oil and food, thus defeating the British blockade. Russia does not conceal her determination to provide Germany with overseas products. Rumania has no choice. Already there is discussion of the rapid construction of an oil pipeline from Rumania to Germany, assuring continued operation of the German air force. Germany appears anxious not to emphasise the British blockade, the counter blockade on the western fighting. The submarine campaign is not mentioned officially and scarcely mentioned in the press, except for rescues showing the chivalry of the submarine commanders.

Germany appears also to be preparing, if necessary, to use the air force as a blocking weapon.

TRADING WITH ENEMY

NOTICES BY BOARD OF TRADE CONTROL IN 'BRITAIN (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 18, 3 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 17 Two notices issued by the Board of Trade deal with trading with the enemy. The first gives the names of 278 persons, including firms carrying on business in various foreign countries, who for the purpose of the Trading with the Enemy Act shall be deemed to be enemies, and traders, shipowners and others are warned against having dealings with them. The other order makes provision for the payment to custodians of enemy property, who were appointed during the last few days, of all moneys normally payable to or for the benefit of an enemy, and in particular all dividends, bonuses or interest, capital sums, profits and debts, including bank balances, rents, insurance moneys, etc.

WAR ITEMS

The weekly meat ration per person throughout Germany has been fixed at 17 ounces. * « • * The French Le Journal reports that Dr. Kurt von Schuschnigg, Chancellor of the former Austria, was shot by the Nazis because he refused to sign a manifesto urging Austrians to fight for the German cause. It is stated in the Lausanne Gazette that the mark is becoming valueless. Prices generally are 20 per cent dearer. • % m + Referring to the message of loyalty from Palestine Jews, the German wireless cites this as another proof of London's link with world Jewry. It does not mention, however, a similar message from the Arabs. • * * • The United States War Department has announced that it is immediately streamlining all divisions of the regular army into small, compact groups to secure greater mobility and efficiency.

In a statement to the press Mrs Roosevelt said: “The minute wars begin they spread. Nobody knows whether this country can keep out.” The problems involved must be met by the world as a whole, not just by the people who light a war.

The French Prime Minister, M. Daladier, accompanied by General Decamp, chief of the Military Cabinet, paid a surprise visit to the Maginot Line yesterday.

The British United Press’ Bucharest correspondent says that eight ''.lohenzollern Princes-, including Prince Oscar, went to the Polish front.

A German broadcast from Zeesen at •8 p.m. on September 10 stated that 170 neutral ships are under detention in British ports. 'Flic Ministry of Information states officially that actually tlie number of ships under detention at the contraband control stations in the British Isles was 33 at 9.30 a.m. on September 16 and 20 at 9.30 a.m. this morning.

Alleging that she was carrying contraband iron and steel, the British seized the Danish steamer Malaya, bound for Shanghai from Hateburg.