DUTCH PROTEST TO BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22877, 25 November 1939, Page 13

DUTCH PROTEST TO BRITAIN

Effect of Seizing German Exports

SIMILAR ACTION BY BELGIUM (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) (Received November 24, 10 p.m.) THE HAGUE, November 23. It is officially announced at The Hague that the Dutch Government has strongly protested against the British decision to seize German exports from neutral ships. The Dutch Minister in London, is conveying the protest to the British Government. An official Dutch communique says: “The Government drew attention to the fact that the British decision is of a disagreeable character because it was taken after ship disasters, of which the sinking of the Simon. Bolivar was the most important.”

The Amsterdam correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Agency says that most of the Netherlands shipping lines have decided to continue normal sailings except in the area near the mouth of the Thames. It is officially stated that the Belgian Government has decided to protest to Britain about export control on similar lines to the Dutch protest. Press comment in the neutral countries most affected by the extension of the Allied contraband control to German exports shows comprehensible apprehension about the effects on their carrying trade, but in most cases equal appreciation is shown of the necessity to take reprisals against German violations of international law, states a British Official Wireless message.

The Swedish newspaper “Svenska Dagbladet” draws an interesting parallel with the .last war, in which it states: “No one can challenge the judgment of history. The German Empire has torpedoed itself with the unrestricted submarine war.” A Copenhagen newspaper sadly reflects on the jettisoning of the last remnants of The Hague Convention as revealed in the reports of German action in laying mines on trade routes' near the British coasts. In Holland the newspaper “Haagsche” states; “While the British reprisals are bad news for the neutrals, they are not surprised.” “Vaderland” -ees the reprisals as a complete disorganisation of Dutch shipping, but adds that they will also be a hard blow to Germany. Other Dutch newspapers criticise the Allied decision as being outside generally accepted international law. The critical tone in a number of Dutch newspapers is taken in London as reflecting the views of the Dutch Government, and authoritative comment here has expressed surprise at the attitude of the Dutch Government and the fact that while protests have been made against the extension of the contraband control to German exports the Dutch Government apparently remains silent, in the face of German measures which are calculated to inflict far greater damage on neutral shipping and are aimed against neutral vessels, regardless of destination or origin. An article in the Portuguese newspaper, “Voz,” displays a more realist attitude when it declares that German disregard of neutral flags, innocent lives, and legitimate commerce, will compel the majority of Powers to change their attitude towards the present conflict. ' Incidentally, it is understood, that the Order-in-Council which Mr Chamberlain said would be issued giving effect to the decision to seize German exports in neutral ships, will appear early next week. In the meantime no formal intimation has been made to the neutral Powers.

BRITISH TRADE WITH DENMARK

MISSION ARRIVES IN LONDON

(BBtnsß omciAi. wibelms.) RUGBY, November 23

A Danish mission led by Prince Axel of Denmark arrived in. London to-day, and discussions will be opened to-morrow for the purpose of examining questions of BritishDanish trade in the present circumstances.

SPECIALISTS RETURN TO PRACTICES MEDICAL ARRANGEMENTS IN BRITAIN (BBITISH OrjICIAL WIEELESS.) RUGBY, November 23. Medical arrangements at the outbreak of war to deal with possible air raid casualties in London necessitated some 700 practitioners leaving their private practices, but as early as September 8, specialists engaged as whole-time officers were offered the opportunity of returning to private practice. Tbg bulk of the specialists will be able to return to their private practices, while only' a nucleus of the medical staff will be employed fulltime. Twenty-eight casualty evacuation trains with trained crews are in readiness day and night. Special measures are being taken to ensure the maintenance of cancer treatment. ‘ As far as X-ray treatment for cancer is concerned, there is evidence of considerable activity at most of the big city hospitals.