RULES AGAINST PIRACY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22318, 4 February 1938, Page 13

RULES AGAINST PIRACY

* EXTENSION PROPOSED BY BRITAIN REFERENCE TO FRANCE AND ITALY STRENGTHENING PATROLLING FORCES (UaITEB PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (.Received February 3. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 2. The diplomatic correspondent of "Daily Telegraph" states that well-informed circles understand that Great Britain proposes that the Nyon Powers should adopt an extension of the rules to provide that any submarine seen under the surface outside territorial waters shall be liable to attack without question. It is probably the desire of the French and Italian Governments to learn details of the British naval officers' report to the Admiralty concerning the attack on the Endymion, after which it will be easier for them to determine whether it is necessary to increase the powers of the patrol. Great Britain has already ordered the restoration of her own patrolling force to its original strength, - d it is understood that she has asked France and Italy to take similar steps if they consider that the situation in their patrol areas justifies it. It is understood that France and Italy have been asked to assist with any information cone ming the whereabouts of all submarines in the Mediterranean. Italy has also been asked to comment on the Spanish Government's allegation that Italian destroyers and submarines have been transferred to General Franco's forces.

The Foreign Office this evening communicated the British proposals to the diplomatic representatives of the other Nyon Powers. The ' diplomatic correspondent of The Times" state that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr R. A. Eden), when conferring ■vith the ambassadors, made prac•ical proposals for strengthening hj" Myon measures to safeguard snip-

ing. It may i assumed that thp )Jan involves additions by the thrc rowers to the patrols. The Paris correspondent of thc ly Telegraph" says that in official quarters it is stated that France will support with complete solidarity any British measures to ivent the recurrence of pira

An earlier message said that when i answering a question in the House \ of Commons on the sinking of the I Endymion, Mr Eden outlined the ' steps taken to strengthen the naval patrols in the Mediterranean in agreement with a renewal of acts of piracy. Steps were also being taken to obtain a full report on the sinking of the Endymion. When this was received the Government would consider the action to be taken. The cruisers Southampton and Newcastle have gone from Gibraltar to Valencia, where Rear-Admiral Calvert will take command of the British zone in the Western Mediterranean piracy patrol. SURVIVOR'S STORY ATTACK ON ENDYMION VESSEL SINKS TOO QUICKLY FOR LAUNCHING OF BOATS (Received February 3, 7.30 p.m.) j BARCELONA, February 3.. j The story of the torpedoing of the | British ship Endymion was told by two survivors, the first mate, Mrj Thomas Stenley, and the chief engi- { neer, Mr W. Wood, who are still j in hospital. j Mr Wood said that the first warning was the sighting of the wake, evidently of a submarine, 100 yards away Shortly afterwards a torpedo struck the starboard bow. The crew ran to the bridge, where Captain Verano and his wife were already standing. The Endymion sank so quickly that it was impossible to launch the lifeboats. A number of men jumped •into the water as the ship sank, but most of them were dragged under by the suction. The four survivors, including two Spaniards, floated for 45 minutes before they were rescued by a Spanish Government coastguard vessel. DEALING WITH FUTURE OFFENCES CONFISCATION OF SHIPS SUGGESTED (Received February 3, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 3. In the House of Commons the Leader of the Opposition (Mr C. R. Attlee) urged the Government to notify Genera] Franco that further outrages against British subjects would be met by the confiscation of one or more of his ships.