SABOTAGE BY CREWS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 2, 28 September 1943, Page 5

SABOTAGE BY CREWS

Reported Damage To Nazi Warships IN NORWEGIAN FIORD (By Telegraph.—Press Assn —Copyright*) (Received September 27, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 27. The three German capital ships, Von Tirpitz, Scharnhorst and Lutzow, lying in Alien Fiord. Norway, are reported to have been sabotaged by their crews following on the news of the surrender of the Italian Fleet, says Reuter’s Stock-holm correspondent. Eye-wit-nesses were unable to ascertain the whole extent of the sabotage, but the Scharnhorst was seen with a pumpfloat alongside amidships, and there was also lively traffic between the ships and a repair ship.

SUBMARINE WARFARE German Leaders’ Strategy

(Received September 27, 11 p.m.) NEW YORK, September 20. The belief that the Nazis will reopen the U-boat warfare in a final attempt to forestall the opening of the second trout is expressed by diplomatic, quarters who maintain close contact with Germany, says the “Herald-Tribune’s” Istanbul correspondent. They say that Germany has abandoned hope that submarines can starve Britain into submission, but hopes that heavy attacks by - technically improved U-boats may make the Allied shipping position as serious as last spring in which event the more cautious Allied leaders might postpone opening the second front, thus increasing friction between the democracies and Russia. The Wehrmacht would withdraw .in Russia to a line approximately following the 1941 frontiers. The Nazis would attempt to utilize Allied dissension to persuade the Russians that since all the Soviet territory has been liberated and the second front not opened, the .Russians would do well to sign an armistice or arrive at a tacit understanding under which the eastern front offensive would cease. There is no hint so far from Russian quarters 'of any such arrangement being contemplated.

STETTINIUS’S POST Regarded As Bold Move

(Received September 27; 11 p.m.)

WASHINGTON, September 27. The appointment of Mr. Edward Stettinius, who replaced Mr. Sumner Welles as Assistant Secretary of State, is regarded as a bold move by President Roosevelt, preparing United States diplomacy for the forthcoming tripartite meetings with Britain and Russia, says the Associated Press of America. Observers say that by the appointment of Mr. Stetttinius, President Roosevelt means to entrust most of the critical negotiations now developing to men possessing hardheaded business experience and known as friendly to Russia, rather than to more professional diplomats or persons whose views on Russia are based on ideological instead of realistic considerations. Both Mr. Stettinius and Mr. Averell Harriman, U.S. co-ordinator in London for lend-lease, who are reported to be accompanying the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, to Moscow, may be described as committed to United States selfinterest in international affairs and at the same time as friendly toward Russia. The vast amount of lend-lease material they have been instrumental in getting to Russia has given the Soviet evidence of their co-operative attitude.