VOYAGE OF REFUGEES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21196, 20 August 1940, Page 7

VOYAGE OF REFUGEES

AMERICAN NOTIFICATION TERSE NOTE TO GERMANY NO INTERFERENCE EXPECTED (United r-ress Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 The United States, in a terselyworded Note, formally notified Germany that it “expects” the United States army transport American Legion, homeward bound from Petsamo, with 897 refugees, “will suffer no molestation” from German armed forces. The Note detailed the negotiations between the two Governments concerning the ship’s voyage, and added: “The United States is of the opinion, therefore, that the German Government received sufficient advance notice of the sailing of the ship from Petsamo on the date scheduled, and the course to be followed, to take every precaution against attack on the vessel by German combat forces.” Observers regard the language of the Note as diplomatically strong, leaving no doubt that Germany will be held strictly accountable should the ship be harmed from military operations. The State Department spokesman emphasised that Germany did not mention in communications to America anything about mines. The only dangers mentioned were those resulting from German air operations. The Berlin press published reports concerning the mining of waters adjacent to the British Isles. The German Embassy in Washington, in a statement, said: “The German Government has issued a press communique laying further stress on the danger of mines threatening the vessel on its contemplated course.” The Berlin news agency claimed that the United States had defied the German warning in ordering the vessel to pass through dangerous areas round Britain. The State Department declared there was no other safe route. Food was becoming short, and the neutrality law forbade the vessel calling at other ports.