TWO U-BOATS IN ONE DAY

Evening Star, Issue 23498, 12 February 1940, Page 7

TWO U-BOATS IN ONE DAY

BRITISH DESTROYER'S ACHIEVEMENT WAITING TO ATTACK CONVOY LONDON, February 10. The newspapers emphasise the unprecedented achievement of a single destroyer in sinking two U-boats on the same day. The U-boats were lying partially submerged, waiting for a convoy, but the leading ship detected a periscope and signalled an escorting destroyer, which discovered the two submarines and almost simultaneously attacked them with depth charges, sending both to the bottom. Competent naval observers believe that the number of German submarines destroyed by the Allied forces since the war began exceeds 40. Commentators observe that the probable effect of idiis news, in conjunction with the destruction last week of the enemy submarine which sank the tanker Vaclite, while she was in convoy, will be that U-boat captains will bo even more reluctant to approach merchant vessels under escort. A GERMAN CLAIM. The odds against merchantmen being sunk in convoy are 500 to 1. Only 15 of the 7,888 ships convoyed by the Allied navies to the end of January have been sunk. The total includes 117 neutrals, of which three were lost. The German wireless announced that a U-boat has just returned home after sinking 38,000 tons of enemy shipping. CANADIAN BOMBERS BRITAIN PLAGES LARGE ORDER NEW YORK, February 11. The Ottawa correspondent of the Associated Press of America reports that Britain has sent fresh orders for 30,000,000 dollars’ worth of planes from Canadian manufacturers. It is understood that manufacturers will first make Hampden bombers. Later it is likely that four-motor Sterling bombers, of the most modern typo, will be constructed. TURKISH MARKET ITALY EXPECTED JO OUST GERMANY TRADE AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED ISTANBUL, February 11. (Received February 12, at 1 p.m.) Official quarters predict that Italy will oust Germany from the Turkish market as the result of the TurkoItalian agreement which is being signed shortly. ANGLO-FRENCH TRADE CLOSE COLLABORATION (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 11. (Received February 12, at 10.30 a.m.) The Board of Trade announces that the technical discussion regarding trade between the United Kingdom and Franco which has been taking place between representatives of the French Ministry of Commerce and the Board of Trade resulted in arrangements being worked out to ensure the application of the general principles on which M. Gentin (the French Minister of Commerce) and Sir Andrew Duncan had previously agreed. The understanding reached is now being submitted for the approval of the two Governments. M. Alphaud, Director of Exterior Commerce,, and the French delegation have now returned to Paris for this purpose. RUMANIAN EXPDRTS TAX A BLOW TO GERMANY BUCHAREST, February 11. (Received February 12, at 11 a.m.) Rumania has imposed an export tax on products Germany most needs—namely, 13 per cent, ad valorem on crude oil and all derivatives; 10 to 25 per cent, on vegetable oil, oil productive seeds, and plants and cereals (except wheat and maize). o FRENCH PARLIAMENT CONFIDENCE IN PRIME MINISTER PARIS, February 11. (Received February 12, at 11 a.m.) The heads of every group in the Chamber of Deputies signed a motion expressing confidence in M. Daladier, after which M. Herriot said the searching and secret session debate had dispelled certain legends, established the truth <'i"d enabled the Premier to talk in a simple manner. National unity had been strikingly and decisively confirmed Deputies stood up applauding, and the Chamber adjourned.