GERMAN U-BOATS

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21374, 19 March 1941, Page 5

GERMAN U-BOATS

WARNING TO AMERICA TO START OPERATIONS LONG=RANGE VESSEL (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, March 17 It is learned that the United States has been informed that Germany plans to start submarine operations off the American coast near New York. According to a foreign source the the German Navy is sending a longrange submarine, capable of operating over thousands of miles, to harass shipping off the Atlantic Coast. Information about the movements of the submarine has been communicated to the United States, but without actual details of its present location. According to the report, it is believed the primary purpose of sending the submarine within the American zone is to disorganise the present shipping lanes, which are increasingly vital to Britain since the speed-up in the supply of American war materials. The German Embassy in Washington declined to comment on the repot t. Later in the day the German naval attache, Vice-Admiral Robert Witthoe.t't Emden, said he doubted the accuracy of the report, which he termed “ incredible.” The British Ambassador, Viscount Halifax, asserted today that Germany would be unable substantially to interrupt the flow of American supplies to Britain. He indicated that only a small percentage of American goods was now failing to reach Britain. He expected that an intensified German submarine campaign 'would make little difference in deliveries.