CASE FOR CONVOY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 138, 13 June 1941, Page 7

CASE FOR CONVOY

U.S. VESSEL SUNK

Freighter Victim Of German < Attack United Fre?g Association.—Copyright. Rec. 2 p.m. WASHINGTON, June 12. The State Department announced that a preliminary report from the American Consul at Pernambuco stated that the United States ship Robin Moor was undoubtedly sunk by a German submarine. Air. Sumner Welles, Under-Secretary of State, said that the commander of the submarine was fully aware that the Robin Moor was an American ship.

It is officially stated in BerPrn that the Robin Moor case has not been cleared up, but it was certain that if a German w'arship was involved the commander had observed international Jaw.

The State Department said that there seemed little hope for the 35 persons missing from the Robin Moor. All of the 11 survivors are in good health despite their 19 days in a lifeboat.

Mr. May, chairman of the House of Representatives' Military Affairs Committee, commenting on the Robin Moor, said; "We ought to convoy with battle fleets and let the shooting start."

.Senator Connallv characterised the sinking as an unjustified and unwarranted attack, and added: "Our Government will have to take appropriate measures to prevent its recurrence."

A Vichy communique states that a British submarine torpedoed the French tanker Alberta in the Mediterranean. The tanker was not sunk, but seven members of the crew were lost.