HUNT FOR RAIDERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 288, 17 September 1941, Page 6

HUNT FOR RAIDERS

UNITED STATES NAVY ACTIVE PACIFIC APPROACH TO CANAL United Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 2.25) LONDON, Sept. 16. The United States Navy has extended its search for Axis pirates to the reaches of the Pacific regarded as approaches to the Panama; Canal, according to reports from correspondents of several London newspapers in AraenCa Thc Washington correspondent of the- “Daily Mail” says that the first battle between the United States and German navies may be close at hand. Messages are flashing between: Balboa and the Navy Office at Washington. The Chief'of Naval Operations (iVdmiral Stark) indicated that warships and aircraft arc closing in on three German raiders. High naval officers in the control room followed tho progress of the dramatic hunt over a wide circle of the Pacific with the Galapagos Islands as the approximate centre. The correspondent estimates that from Balboa reports, at least five British and Allied ships have been attacked or pursued in the last fortnight. A Manila message says it is believed in authoritative circles that Mr Rcosevelt’s economic investigator (Mr Grady) will recommend United States’ naval convovs for Dutch ships crossing the Pacific with .raw materials for America. Mr Grady is visiting the Netherlands East Indies to ascertain how the production of vital war materials can be stimulated to increase shipments to the United States. It is believed lie will recommend that America should send more war equipment to. the Fast Indies.