LINED HUNARMED AND NO MEANS OF DETENU

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 209, 5 September 1939, Page 8

LINED HUNARMED AND NO MEANS OF DETENU

PASSENGERS SAVED.

Nazis Deny Report Of Use

Of Torpedo.

TALKS ON CONVOY QUESTION. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11 n.m.) LONDON, September 4. The Athenin radioed the Admiralty nt 4 a.m. that she had been torpedoed, and an hour later reported that she waa sinking rapidly. It in officially announced that the Athenia was torpedoed without warning in direct contravention of the rules of warfare, to which Germany is bound. The rules provide that merchantmen must not bo sunk without warning until the safety of the passengers and crew is assured. Tho Ministry of Information later officially announced the torpedoing of the liner, which, it was stated, carried 1000 tons of cargo in addition to her passengers and crew. She had lifeboats sufficient for 1830 persons. The Athenia was recently reconditioned on an extension scale, involving the entire reconstruction of the passenger quarters. The Belfast agent for the Athcnia's owners has announced that all on board were saved, except some who were killed by the explosion of the torpedo. Tho survivors were picked up by other vessels, mostly British destroyers. The State Department at Washington confirms that the only casualties were those killed by tho explosiom. 800 Survivors Picked Up. The Copenhagen correspondent of the American Associated Press says it is rciiorted that the Norwegian ship Knud v 1 1 son picked up 800 survivors of the tlienia and the Swedish yacht Southi ii Cross 200. l'here were a number of children on l.oard, and a party of 100 American r eiiool girls returning from a tour of Kn<rland. The news of the torpedoing of the Athenia electrified tho United States, snys a message from Washington. It in mediately recalled to Americans the T ttsltanla outrage of May 7, 1915, which led up to America's entry into the Great War. The sinking was announced by radio shortly after Mr. Roosevelt's broadcast to the natton, in which the President had stated: "Even a neutral has the right to take account of facts. Even a nentral cannot be asked to close his mind or conscience." Tho French freighter Carbet ran for shelter into San Juan, Porto Rico, after being chased bv German submarines, says the Sim .Inan correspondent of the American United Press. The correspondent adds that German submarines have been reported off Jamaica. Horror, Disgust and Indignation. Mr. A. V. Alexander (Labour, Sheffield), in tb House of Commons, expressed horror and indignation of all sections o the population at the unpardonable outrage against the Mercantile Marine.

Larl Stanhope, in the House of Lords, said that in abrogating the BritishGerman naval treaty, Germany quite definitely left untouched that part of the treaty relating to submarines, and its obligations were not rescinded. The War Cabinet should deal with the matter with the utmost promptitude, Earl Stanhope added. Ihe Athenia was unarmed, and had no possible means of defending herself. The excuse made in the case of the Lusitania, that she was carrying rifle ammunition in her hold, could not be made on this occasion. Germany Repeats Denial. A message from Berlin states that the Foreign Office has informed the United States Charge d'AfTaires that the report of the torpedoing of the Athenia is untrue, because the Navy has been ordered to abide by international regulations for the conduct of warfare, and also, there were no German war-craft in the area.

The Athenia had 34 German nationals aboard. It is understood that 7"> per cent of all the passengers were women and children, while companv officials insist that there were 3(10 Americans from Glasgow aboard.

A Washington message states that the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, and the acting-Secretarr for the Navy. Mr. Edison, conferred with President Roosevelt regarding the possibility of providing naval vessels to convoy American liners bringing Americans from Europe. It. was announced that no decision was reached.