CLOSING OF GAP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20208, 29 March 1940, Page 5

CLOSING OF GAP

FAR EAST CHECK SUPPLIES FOR GERMANS RUSSIAN SHIPS HELD TIN AND ANTIMONY COMMENT IN LONDON (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. March 29, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 28. It is authoritatively stated that the Selenga, one of two Soviet ships detained at Hong Kong, has been held since mid-January. She was laden with tin, antimony and wolfram bound from a Chinese port for Vladivostok when intercepted by a British warship. It was suspected that the cargo was destined for Germany. The British Official Wireless service says it is generally assumed in the press that the immediate occasion ot a visit yesterday to the Foreign Secretary, Viscount Halifax, by the Soviet Ambassador was the detention in Far Eastern waters of two Soviet ship^. This closing of a gap in the British’ blockade of Germany is welcomed by the News Chronicle, which says there is strong reason to believe that some important war materials from America are finding their way through Asia to Germany and that, failing preventive measures, much more would get through in the future. “The steamers just stopped apparently were inaugurating a new service to Russia by which Germany might have been assured 'of regular shipments,” states the News Chronicle. “That is why it is so. important that the blockade should be tightened up along Russia’s eastern seaboard. The stopping of the Russian steamers shows that the work has begun.”