FIRMER GRIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 44, 21 February 1940, Page 7

FIRMER GRIP.

BLOCKADE ON NAZIS. British Warships Reported Off Petsamo. STOP USE OF NEUTRAL WATERS United Press Assoetatlon.—■Copyright. (Received noon.) LONDON, February 20. "The Times" Rome correspondent says the Press and radio give prominence to the reported presence of a British cruiser and other warships off Petsamo (Finland). It is conjectured that Britain is preparing for action against German blockaderunners using the far northern passage.

Discussion of the Altmardc affair centre* round Mr. Chamberlain's statement and the French Government spoke*man's flat declaration that the British and French navies will take all measures to prevent the use of Norwegian waters for belligerent purposes.

He added: "A halt must be put to Germany's acts of war in Norwegian water*, which German merchantmen are uaing to avoid British and French contraband control." He declined to indicate the nature of the Allies' plans.

Meanwhile the Stavanger (Norway) "Aftonbladef attacks the Norwegian Government for allowing German ships to paaa through Norwegian waters. 'Wartime experience should have taught our leaders that Norwegian regulations governing the passage of belligerent vessels are ripe for revision" the paper declares.

The paper adds: "It is grotesque that the Norwegian Navy should protect i 0"?'?" * üb »»a"nw sink «ng our ships and killing our people.''