LATE MESSAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 April 1941, Page 8

LATE MESSAGES

U.S.A. NAVAL CONVOY

WASHINGTON, April 27. Inquiries by the White House into the Senate’s attitude toward the legislation authorising the convoying of cargoes to Britain has revealed, according to well-informed quarters, that 45 of 95 Senators oppose such action.

Some legislators consider that, if Mr. Roosevelt decides convoys are necessary, it might be better for him to order them, without seeking Congressional authority, with a consequent long and controversial debate. These is still a difference of opinion as to whethei’ the President has such authority. The announcement that the neutrality patrol will be extended has spurred the opponents of convoys to seek a show-down, Informed quarters understand that the plan is for American ships to maintain a safe channel several hundred miles wide, by a criss-cross patrol, and to keep cargo ships advised of the whereabouts of submarines arid suspicious surface ships. The patrol, it is believed, will operate so that battleships, cruisers, destroyers, aircraftcarriers, and bombers will cover the area, reporting their observations in plain English by radio. It is likely that, when cargo ships reach the most-dangerous areas, they will be

joined by British warships. Officials acquainted with the plan say that, if a patrol found Axis ships of superior fire-power and speed, ships would be detailed to follow them and report their movements, enabling British ships to move against the enemy. It is admitted that such tactics involve risks, but the issue of peace or war with the United States rests on any decision by Germany or Italy to “make something of it.”

CORINTH CAPTURED?

LONDON, April 27,

A German communique says: In a bold attack by parachute troops on the morning of April 26, the Isthmus of Corinth and the town itself was captured. A number of British were taken prisoner. An the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth, the Adolf Hitler Guard pushed forward across the Gulf of Patros into Peloponnesus, and, having overcome the enemy resist'ance, occupied the seaport of Patras. FRENCH PROTEST. LONDON, April 27. A German News Agency report from Paris states that M. Debrinon protested against the “criminal bombing” of the, naval ports of Brest and Lorient by the British. EMPIRE AIRMEN. RUGBY, April 27. | What is described as the largest single contingent of Empire airmen has arrived at a British port. The contingent included Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, and British, all of whom completed their training in Canada. There were also Americans among them, who mainly will be employed in ferrying machines from factories to aerodromes. Most of these Americans, who are meh from every walk of life, have wide experience in commercial flying. BRITISH AND SYRIA LONDON, April 27. Vichy despatches published in the German Press state that the British troops will be interned, if they seek refuge in Syria.