LINER BREMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20986, 13 December 1939, Page 10

LINER BREMEN

WITHIN TORPEDO RANGE PASSES SUBMARINE RULES OBSERVED (United Press Assn—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 13, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 12 An Admiralty communique states that a British submarine reported that the German liner Bremen passed within torpedo rang:e while homeward bound. The rules of sea warfare, of course, precluded the submarine from torpedoing: the Bremen without warning. A naval expert explains that international law prohibits the sinking of a merchant ship without warning and without making provision for those aboard reaching safety in open boats. The Bremen possibly was too far from land for those aboard thus to reach safety, and the submarine could not accommodate them. Moreover it could not take a ship of such a size as a prize owing to the speed of the liner. Finally, the Bremen was armed. The submarine’s action in not torpedoing the Bremen contrasts with German violations of international law. The enemy does not hesitate tc torpedo even neutral vessels and leaving the passengers and crew to their fate. Admission by Germany The German official news agency in Berlin announces that the Bremen arrived safely in German waters. It admits that a British submarine approached the Bremen within torpedo range in the North Sea, but was forced to submerge by a German aeroplane, which was convoying the liner. “It was the submarine’s bad luck that the plane happened to see her,” adds the agency. BRITAIN’S RESOURCES GOLD AND EXCHANGE EXPERT’S ENCOURAGING VIEW NEED LESS HAVE MORE (United Press Assn.—nec. Tel. Copyright) i LONDON, Dec. 12 An encouraging view of Britain’s gold and foreign exchange resources is taken by a leading financial and economic expert. There are two urgent questions, he says. One is, shall we be abl€ to buy all we want from neutral countries, even if the war is a long one? The other is, shall we, after three years or more, find ourselves impoverished without the investments on which we have relied? Fortunately, he proceeds, the answer to both questions is reassuring. In the last war we needed resources to lend to our Allies. Even then, at the end of the war our gold holdings were not much smaller than at the beginning. Now France is in a much stronger financial position and we are not likely to have to lend to her. Also, the resources of the Empire are greater, and some of the other goods we need can be bought by the barter system. We are likely, therefore to need less foreign currency. Greater Means of Payment In addition, Britain has greater means of payment. Present gold holdings are larger, and, owing to the increase in price, are worth much more. They will go four times as far as the stocks held in 1914-18. Also, the gold production of the Empire has increased by one-half and investments in the United States have been doubled. In short, the expert concludes, we need less and have more. We have gained in strength and Germany has weakened.

HARASSING FIRE

ON THE WESTERN FRONT LIVELY ARTILLERY ENCOUNTER (United press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 13, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 12 An Army communique states that east of the Moselle there has been slight harassing fire by enemy artillery on our advanced posts. LUXEMBOURG, Dec. 12 Lively artillery fire was heard this morning. PARIS, Dec. 12 A French official communique this morning states: “ There was patrol activity at several points of the front.” BRITISH INDUSTRIES DEPUTATION TO MINISTER ADVISORY PANEL SUGGESTED (United Press Assn.—E*ec. Te!. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 11 A deputation from the Federation of British Industries to-day waited upon the Prime Minister, Mr Chamberlain, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Simon, and the President of the Hoard of Trade, Mr Oliver Stanley. Speakers expressed the federation’s views on improvements to the machinery relating to the export trade. , . In reply, Mr Chamberlain said he did not think that the appointment of a separate Minister for economic questions would be advantageous in the circumstances. It was agreed that Mr Stanley would communicate immediately with the federation in order to discuss the possibility of improving the evirt'.n? machinery by appointing an advisory panel.