ECONOMIC BLOCKADE

Evening Star, Issue 24103, 26 January 1942, Page 6

ECONOMIC BLOCKADE

IRRITATING LEAK CLOSED ITALIAN AIR SERVICE STOPPED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 23. “ One more link in our blockade Inis at Inst been closed,” said the Minister of Economic Warfare (])r Hush Dalton) to-day. He was referring; to tins Lati aeroplane service which operates between Italy and South America. “ Eor a long time,” said Dr Dalton, “ this has been a not inconsiderable and irritating leak, but the Brazilian Government has now ordered the Lati service to bo shut down altogether. The most important Axis exports by tins channel were propaganda and ‘fifth columnists.’ When Captabi Wiedemann was expelled from the United States as a German agent and sent back to Europe, he turned up in South America in a very few days, having quickly taken a. Lati piano which carried about a ton of mail and freight. “ The Axis considered the propaganda so important that at least half tlie load was usually mails, including books, pamphlets, and propaganda films. There were also articles of high value and small bulk, such as pharmaceutical products, in some cases worth £l4O an ounce. On the return journey the freight included imports of small bulk, such as mica, used for making high-grade, spark plugs for aeroplanes, industrial diamonds essential for the cutting and grinding of armaments', and platinum, which has many valuable industrial uses.

“ We know the pilots of the Lati service made reconnaissance flights and were in touch with enemv submarines. .So it is with great satisfaction that I report the closing down of this service.”