ILLEGAL METHODS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 36, 22 November 1939, Page 5

ILLEGAL METHODS

INDISCRIMINATE MINE-LAYING. BRITAIN TO RETALIATE. ANNOUNCEMENT BY PREMIER. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) > LONDON, ; November:-21v Questioned in the House of Commons on the sinking of the Dutch liner Simon Bolivar and indescrimmatc mine-laying on trade routes by Germany, the Prime Minister that the British Government was not prepared to allow these illegal methodsof conducting warfare to continue without retaliation.

“In tho last war, as 'a measure of justified reprisals . for,. submarine attacks on. merchant of. German origin or ownership were made subject to seizure on the high seas. Many violations, of., international law and the ruthless brutajity of .German methods have decided us to follow a similar course now and an order-in-council will shortly be issued giving effect to the decision.”

Mr Chamberlain prefaced his* announcement by recalling that during the last three days upwards -of 10 ships, of which six- were- neutrals, were sunk, with serious loss of life, by German mines. The Hague Convention, to which Germany is a party, and which she announced her intention to observe as recently as September 17 last, provided that when anchored mines are used, every possible precaution must be taken for the security of peaceful navigation. This was the very essence of the Convention, as mines could not discriminate between warships and merchant ships or between belligerent or neutral. None of provisions of the Convention 'which required that a danger zone be notified and that mines on breaking loose became harmless, bad been observed by the German Government, The outrage of the sinking of the Simon Bolivar was the culmination of a series of violations of international law of warfare at sea, beginning with the sinking of the Atlienia. These events point to increasing disrespect by Germany of the rules of war and of the most elementary dictates of humanity. Mr Chamberlain’s important announcement was warmly cheered in the House.—British Official Wireless.