CITY OF FLINT

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 November 1939, Page 8

CITY OF FLINT

GERMAN REQUEST REJECTED

[BY CABLE —PBESS ASSN. COPYBIGHT.]

OSLO. November 6

Norway has sent a Note' to Germany rejecting Germany’s request that the Citv of Flint should be hold pending negotiations, and also a request that the German prize crew interned at Haugesund should be released. The commander of the prize- crew informed the authorities that the German Government ordered him to anchor at Haugesund in spite ot the Norwegian prohibition. Norwegian doctors have- dispioved the claim that a member of the American crew was ill. Thus the prize crew flouted the Hague Neutrality Conventions. The Bergen correspondent ot the “New York Times” says the City of Flint sighted a British cruiser while within Norwegian territorial waters on November 2. Sailors from the City ot Flint declared that several German prize ships were- at Murmansk.

NEW SITUATION CREATED

LONDON, November 6

It is stated that Germany may adopt new tactics regarding Norway, as the City of Flint has created a new situation, and that friendship will no longer be extended to Norway. A Copenhagen paper says that Norway is likely to be asked for damages.

GERMAN DEMANDS

(Recd. Nov. 7,. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 6

The British United Press Berlin correspondent states that Germany has submitted three demands to Norway, apropos of the City of Flint case, the legality of which German and Norwegian jurists are examining. They embrace the release of the German prize crew, the detention or surrender of the ship and cargo to Germany, and the detention of the ship till the negotiations are concluded.

CAPTAIN’S BROADCAST

(Recd. November 7, 10 a.m.) NEW YORK, November 6

Broadcasting from Bergen, the City of Flint’s master, Captain Joseph Gainard, revealed that he put into Haugesund in compliance with instructions from the German merchantman Schwaben, and not because an American sailor was ill. The Schwaben circled the City of Flint, and the commander megaphoned the order. Captain Gainard added that, when the City of Flint was seized, the German commander told the crew, “If you make trouble, I’ll put you in open boats and sink the ship.”

PROCEEDING TO AMERICA.

LONDON, November 6

The British United Press Berlin correspondent learns that, in accordance with the new Neutrality Bill, the City of Flint is proceeding to America direct, taking back British cargo, and not calling at an English port.