ALLEGED ATHENIA CARRIED GUNS.
PASSENGER'S STORY.
Ship Was To Be Outfitted
As A Raider.
AFFIDAVIT FILED.
Rmmt Association.—Copyright,
(Received 1 p.m.)
LONDON, October 17,
Gustav Anderson, a travel bureau operator and a passenger on the Athenian filed an affidavit with the State Department asserting that the Athenia was partying coast defence guns to Canada 1 and was to be outfitted as a raider for the return trip. His assertions are based on alleged remarks of the chief officer, Mr. Cope-1 land, says a message from Washington.
The State Department has received several scores of affidavits from passengers. .. :*
The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, told the Press that Mr. Anderson's was tho first intimation he had received from any source that the Athenia carried guns. He promised to publish tho full details when the Departmental inquiry was completed
Th© Donaldson Line, owners of the Athenia, ha« sent a cheque for £5300 to the United States Ambassador in London, Mr. J. P. Kennedj', a« a contribution toward taking the survivors of the Athenia home. Mr. Kennedy states that the company's action is greatly appreciated.
Four unnamed Canadian passengers in the Athenia, it is officially stated, .are claiming reparation from Germany totalling 2000 dollars. This is for the loss of personal effects and for the suffering endured by the passengers.
In a statement in the House of Commons on September 0 the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Churchill, said: "The Athenia was not defensively nrmed—she carried' no guns and her docks had not even been strengthened for this purpose."
Mr. Churchill, in reply to questions, Mid that there was no: tin- slightest doubt that the- Athenia left before the declaration of war, on a peaceful mission, totally unarmed, taking passengers who included returning; Americans aero-* the Atlantic, and it was Quite clear that the submarine must nave been in position waiting to pick up a prey upon, the route.
ALLEGED ATHENIA CARRIED GUNS.
Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 246, 18 October 1939, Page 8
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