CONVOY FOR SHIPS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 31, 6 February 1940, Page 9

CONVOY FOR SHIPS

NEUTRALS' RESPONSE

PROTECTION IN. INCREASING NUMBERS

"ONLY NATURAL"

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received February 6, 10.50 a.m.)

RUGBY, February 5

It is revealed that out of 360 neutral vessels convoyed up to January 31 all but one reached their destination and that neutral ships are coming in increasing numbers under the direct protection of the Royal Navy.

The "Daily Telegraph" says: "This development is not surprising. For some weeks past, U-boats, balked of British prey owing to the success of the convoy system, have been waging a savage campaign against easier victims. Neutral ships bound for neutrai destinations remote from the arena of warlike operations have been sunk without warning and without the slightest consideration for the safety of the crews. These cowardly attacks are thoroughly in accord with the German idea and traditions of naval warfare, and it is only natural that neutrals should respond by accepting Mr. Churchill's invitation to seek the shelter of the Allied convoys. How Germany will react to this latest move remains to be seen. She has uttered dire and repeated threats that neutral ships which accepted British protection would be treated as belligerents and sunk at sight. Since neutral ships are now being sunk on sight, even when not in convoy, these threats can no longer intimidate."