MEASURES AGAINST PIRACY

Evening Star, Issue 22873, 3 February 1938, Page 11

MEASURES AGAINST PIRACY

KYON PACT POWERS MEETING IN LONDON SINKING OF THE ENDYMION Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 2. The ‘ Mail * says ambassadors and naval attaches representing the signatories of the Nyon Pact will meet in London to-day to discuss the sinking of the Endymion. Only Britain, France, and Italy will be represented at the beginning of the discussion, but later the other signatories may be called in. The major Powers will also discuss the bombing of open towns in Spain. The British Government is acting quickly in order to avert a recurrence of piracy. Tho ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Rome correspondent says naval circles deny knowledge of any -Italian destroyer serving under General Franco’s flag, and add with regard to the report that an Italian submarine sank the Endymion that Italian submarines are in Italian waters. ' MR EDEN'S PROPOSALS LONDON, February 2. (Received February 3, at 10 a.m.) Mr Eden placed certain proposals before the French and Italian Ambassadors, who undertook to submit them to their respective Governments. NAVAL PATROLS TO BE STRENGTHENED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 2. (Received February 3, at noon.) Answering a question in the House of Commons on the sinking of the Endymion, Mr Eden outlined the steps taken to strengthen the naval patrols in the Mediterranean in agreement with the other Nyon Powers in view of the suggestion that they were confronted 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.

TWO MORE CRUISERS FOR BRITISH ZONE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 2. (Received February 3, at noon.) The cruisers Southampton and Newcastle proceeded from Gibraltar .to Valencia, where Rear-Admiral Cal vertwill take command of the British zone in the Western Mediterranean piracy patrol. SEARCH FOR SUBMARINE CONTINUES (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 2. (Received February 3, at 11.30 a.m.) The British, destroyers Fortune, Firedrake, Fury, and Forester were still engaged last night in searching for any submarine in the locality where the Endymion was sunk, ipatrols.

MAY BE IHCREASED TOWERS OF THE PATROLS. LONDON, February 2. (Received February 3, at 2 p.m.) The ‘ Daily Telegraph's diplomatic correspondent states that well-informed circles understand that Britain proposes that the Nyon Powers should adopt an extension of the rules so as to provide that any submarine seen under the surface outside territorial waters is liable to attack without question. It is probaly the desire of Paris and Rome to learn the 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. Britaint has already ordered restoration of her own patrolling Torce to the original strength, and, it is understood, has asked France and Italy to take similar steps if they consider the situation in their patrol areas justifies it. It is understood that France and Italy have been asked to assist with any information concerning 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 were transferred to General Franco. The Foreign Office this evening communicated the British proposals to diplomatic representatives of the other Nyon powers. The diplomatic correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ states that Mr Eden, conferring, with the Ambassadors, made practical proposals for strengthening the Nyon measures to safeguard shipping. It may be assumed that the plan involves additions by the three Powers to the