SHOTS HEARD AT SEA

Evening Star, Issue 23829, 8 March 1941, Page 12

SHOTS HEARD AT SEA

LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER'S REPORT NAVAL GUTTER SEARCHING , SANTIAGO, March 7. The lighthouse keeper at Dungens Point reported to the naval command at Punta Arenas, Costa Rica, that he heard several cannon shots. A naval cutter was sent to search in the region. Maritime circles asserted that a 12,000-ton vessel flying the Norwegian flag but manned by Germans was seen cruising in the far south. Shortly afterwards a British cruiser called at Valparaiso. FASCIST CABINET MUSSOLINI AS MINISTER OF JUSTICE ROME, March , 7. (Received March 8 at 8 a.m.) Mussolini has taken over the Ministry of Justice, replacing Count Grandi, who has gone to Albania as an officer in an Alpini unit. THE KINO AND QUEEN VISIT TO ROSYTH DOCKYARD (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 7. Three Norwegian sailors, who were recently awarded the D.S.M.. were decorated by the King on Thursday when his Majesty visited the Rosyth dockyard. The King held a small investiture in the dockyard cinema. Seven British naval ratings were also decorated, and the crews of Norwegian, Polish, and British warships watched the King pin the medals on the Norwegians and . talk with them. The King spent nearly three hours in the Rosyth dockyard, where he went on board two British ships. He aiso visited minesweepers and inspected Norwegian and Belgian sailors. Earlier in the day the King and Queen visited Edinburgh. Their Majesties inspected factories where the Queen christened a catapult used for launching aeroplanes from warships. She pressed a button and- said: “1 christen this catapult, and may it successfully launch its planes and pilots, providing a wide range of eyes for the mother ship.”

DANISH SHIPS IN AMERICA

NEGOTIATIONS FOR TRANSFER WASHINGTON, March 6. The Maritime Commission informed Congressional leaders to-day that the negotiations between private American and Danish shipowners to take over the 36 Danish ships in American ports have broken down owing to the impossibility of insuring the ships and cargoes, but if the commission secures charters it can insure them by a Government fund. Congressional authority, however, is necessary. SENSATION IN COURT GROWN PROSECUTOR PLEADS FOR INTERRED GERMANS MELBOURNE, March T. Intervening dramatically when three interned Germans, who were recaptured after escaping last month, came up for sentence in the Criminal Court to-day on charges of housebreaking and sheep-stealing, the .Crown Prosecutor, Mr Nolan, caused a sensation by pleading for them. Mr Nolan said “ These men are German nationals. It is the duty of every national, if interned or imprisoned, to escape if he can, so that he can serve his country. 1 am making a plea for these men because there are many of our men in a similar position in Germany. I suggest that they be returned to internment without penalty.” Further remanding the men, Mr Justice Foster said he had thought of those things and of some others as well.