SINKING OF U.S. VESSEL

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23362, 23 June 1941, Page 5

SINKING OF U.S. VESSEL

Roosevelt’s Warning To Germany

“DO NOT PROPOSE TO YIELD”

(8.0. W.)

RUGBY, June 20,

The keenest interest is being taken in Britain in the reports of Mr Roosevelt’s special message to Congress, which asserted; “Notice is served on us, in effect, that the German Reich proposes to intimidate the United States so that we would be dissuaded from carrying out our chosen policy of helping Britain to survive. /

“We must take the sinking of the Robin Moor as a warning to the United States not to resist the Nazi movement of world conquest. It is a warning that the United States may use the high seas of the world only with Nazi consent.

“Were we to yield on this we would inevitably submit to world domination at the hands of the present leaders of the German Reich. We are not yielding and do not propose to yield.

“Our Government believes that freedom from cruelty and inhuman treatment is a natural right. It is not a grace, to be given or withheld at the will of those temporarily in a position to exert force over defenceless people. “The German effort to drive American vessels from the high seas represents an effort to coerce the United States from carrying aid to Britain, although the Robin Moor itself was not engaged in such activity. Viewed in the light of the circumstances, the sinking of the Robin Moor becomes a disclosure of policy as well as an example of method. “Heretofore lawless acts of violence have been preludes to schemes of land conquest. This one appears to be a first step in the assertion of the supreme purpose of the German Reich to seize control of the high seas, the conquest of Britain being an indisputable part of that seizure.” The President added that full reparations for losses and damages suffered by American nationals would be expected from Germany, and declared that the United States would not yield to such “outrageous and indefensible acts” of an “international outlaw.”

“This Government can only assume that the German Government hopes, through the commission of such infamous acts of cruelty against helpless and innocent men, women, and children, to intimidate the United States and other nations into a course of nonresistance to German plans for universal conquest based upon lawlessness and terror on the land and piracy on the sea. Such methods are fully in keeping with the methods of terrorism hitherto employed by the present German leaders towards many other nations subsequently victimised.

“The German Government may, however, be assured that the United States will neither be intimidated nor will acquiesce; in any plans for world domination which the present leaders of Germany may have. “Campaign Against U.S.”

“We are warranted in* considering whether the case of the Robin Moor is not a step in a campaign against the United States analogous to the campaigns against other nations. We cannot place reliance on official declarations to the contrary. They are like the statements, declarations, and even solemn pledges which have been forthcoming in respect of many nations, commencing with the statement that the German Government considered its territorial aspirations satisfied when it seized Austria by force. , ). “The evidence that the German Government continues to plan further conquest and domination is convincing. Indeed, it is scarcely disputed. "The general purpose would appear to be to drive American commerce from the ocean wherever such commerce is considered a disadvantage to German designs, and the specific purpose would appear to be the interruption of our trade with all friendly countries. ... ' “We must take it that notice has now been served upon us that no American ship or cargo on any of the seven seas can cohsider itself immune from acts of piracy.” Although the nationality of the Robin Moor had been made known to the submarine commander by flags and markings, the commander of the Üboat had not disclosed his identity. The sinking was a flagrant violation of the laws of belligerency, and was a flagrant act of cruelty,, which was fully in keeping with other methods used by the Nazis. Mr Roosevelt’s language is far stronger than the usual diplomatic terms of protest. He said that the sinking was typical of Nazi, brutality, in the turning of women and children adrift in open boats. The first reactions in Washington are that the President has never—before made' such a bitter attack oh Germany. Commentators say that the most important part of his message is that stating that acts of piracy may be expected on any of the seven seas. Another commentator believes that the President has adopted this method of telling Congress, and the American people, that Germany is at war with the United States, at least at sea. It is thought that a formal protest will be delivered, but it is not expected that the next United States step will hang on the German reply.

PROTECTING U.S. SHIPPING

“DRASTIC ACTION IN

FUTURE”

(U.P.A.) WASHINGTON, June 22. The United States Undersecretary of State (Mr Sumner Welles) has sent a formal note to the German Charg6 d’Affaires in Washington drawing attention to Mr Roosevelt’s statement to Congress on the sinking of the Robin Moor.

Mr Roosevelt’s message was accepted by Democrat Party leaders as a signal for drastic action in the future, says the “New York Times, They expect a possible request shortly to authorise the necessary protection for American shipping. A break in diplomatic relations is considered inevitable if Germany refuses full reparations. Most senators approved of the President’s message. Typical of Administration supporters’ comment was that of Senator Claude Pepper, who said: “Let us have effective patrol of the Atlantic sea lanes, with shooting at submarines if necessary.’ Mr Harold Knutsen, a member of the House of Representatives, said: It is a curtain-raiser for a declaration or W Reflecting moderate Republican sentiment, Mr Charles A. Eaton, a member of the House, said: It is one more step into a great tragedy, but I am unwilling to see our shipping driven from the sea by anyone.”

Director of Unratloned Food.—The Minister for Food (Lord Woolton) has appointed as Director of Unrationed Food Distribution, Mr P. Aldridge, who is director of the Co-operative ■Wholesale Society and has had great experience, both of the wholesale and retail side of the groceries and provisions trade.—London, June 20.