LINER “QUEEN MARY”

Grey River Argus, 6 September 1939, Page 12

LINER “QUEEN MARY”

May Stay at New York HUGE GOLD CARGO LANDED. NEW YORK, September 4. The liner Queen Mary, which today arrived with 2385 passengers, at New York, brought a very large cargo The ship’s hold was loaded with 44,500,000 dollars worth of gold. It is doubtful whether- the Queen Mary will return to Britain. Incidentally she is docked only a few yards from the Normandie. It is believed that neither will risk the open sea, until the convoy system is perfected. The Cunard Company announced that the liner, which was originally scheduled to sail on Wednesday, will remain in. port indefinitely. Mr David Bailey, a special correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that the Queen Mary ran blacked-out from Southompton.. The cabin ports were screened and sealed, and the promenade windows were closed and blackened. Passengers were forbidden on the upper decks after sunset, and were urged to remain in their own accommodation. The ship’s cinema, gymnasium, dance hall, nursery and library, and most of the public rooms were used as dormitories. A few screened blue lights were the only illumination on the decks.

The Queen Mary followed an extreme northerly course, in order to avoid possible interception. She was convoyed by two destroyers from Cape Race to the Ambrose Light. Many passengers lined the rails, to greet the' Statue of Liberty through the dawn. Many were singing. The passengers remained calm and no panic was caused by the announcement of the declaration of war. They listened to the King’s speech by radio and Americans and Britons alike stood when “God Save the King” was played. Foreign-born and American citizens greeted with enthusiasm the announcement of the reported capture of the Bremen, and joined in condemnation of the sinking of the Athenia, declaring that America

thereby was brought nearer to participation. Allied Powers EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES; LONDON, September 4. The President of Poland, M. Moscicki, has sent the following message to the King: -“In this grave hour, when Great Britain has decided to stand w’ith Poland, in the defence of the.sacred( principles of justice and liberty, may I express to Your Majesty the feelings of friendship and loyalty of the whole Polish people towards the great British nation.” The King replied: “I earnestly reciprocate Your Excellency’s message, expressing the feelings of friendship and loyalty of the whole Polish people towards the British nation. I and my people tire proud to stand beside you, in your just and valiant resistance to shameless aggressioifeand I have unshaken confidence that right will prevail.” . The King has sent a message . to President Lebrun, as follows: —“At this moment in the destiny of our two peoples, when they are once again standing shoulder to shoulder to help a victim of shameless aggression, I greet you, Mr. President, and in your name the whole French nation. We can both be confident of the justice of our cause, and convinced that our joint- efforts and sacrifice will triumph, as they triumphed a quarter of a century ago, over the forces of destruction.”

HARD TIMES AHEAD. MR. CHURCHILL’S STATEMENT. LONDON, September 4. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. W. Churchill (now First LortFof the Admiraltv), said that consultation was to be had in the solemn hour by recalling the efforts made for peace. Though ill starred, those efforts were faithful and sincere. “The storms of war may blow and the land may be lashed with the fury of its gale, but in our own hearts on this Sunday morning, there is peace,” said Mr. Churchill. He warned them that many unpleasant, disappointments and surprises were ahead. But the task accepted was not beyond the British Empire and the French Republic. They were lighting to save the whole world from Nazi tyranny. This was not a war for political aggrandisement or material gain, but. a war to restore the stature of man. “We look forward confidently to the day when liberty and rights will be restored and to share them with people to whom such blessings are unknown.”

Sir Archibald Sinclair (Leader of the Liberal Party), paid a tribute to and expressed his sympathy with the Prime Minister. The House, he said, was in a mood of determination and resolution. The world should know that the British people were determined to end this Nazi domination and to build a world for freedom. Mr. G. Lansbury (former Labour Leader), an Independent, appealed to the Government not to allow hate propaganda and to endeavour io have air attacks abolished.

NO ENTHUSIASM FOR WAR. COPENHAGEN, September - 1 The “Politiken,” drawing attention to the general lack of war enthusiasm and hate, says: "Something unreal hangs over us.” GERMAN SOCIAL DEMOCRATS. MANIFESTO IN ENGLAND. LONDON, September 4. The German Social Democratic Party, through its joint presidents, Otto Wells and Hanp Vogel, have issued a manifesto to the German people on behalf of the "haters of war dictatorship," declaring that the whole weight of guilt for this monstrous crime against humanity rests with Herr Hitler, and his system, the final overthrow of which is a pre-requisite of European peace and reorganisation. The manifesto also urges the German people to fight for freedom and to get rid of Herr Hitler. BRITISH FOOD RATIONING. LONDON, September 4. In the Commons Mr Walter Elliot, moving the second reading of the National Registration Bill, said it would facilitate such measures as the redistribution of food supplies. Mr Elliot forecast a temporary scheme of rationing, pending larger detailed arrangements.

Who Are Enemies ? POSITION OF CZECHS. LONDON, September 4. Sir John Anderson, in a statement in the Commons, said that citizens of Czechoslovakia would be treated as enemy aliens, subject, to review by a special committee. Special consideration would be afforded to genuine Austro-German refugees. Mr Oliver Stanley, moving the second reading of the Trading With the Enemy Bill, said it provided that a person should not necessarily be regarded as an enemy because he was an enemy subject. German, Austrian and Czech refugees did not become enemies, merely because of their nationality. It would not be an offence to trade with them, but the Board of Trade would be empowered to proclaim specific individuals, coming within the definition of “enemy,” while enemy property would be vested in custodians. NEW YORK, September 4. The United Press Warsaw correspondent says that a Government proclamation urged former citizens of Czechoslovakia to take up arms against their “hereditary enemy, Germany, and urged the Czechoslovaks still under the domination of the swastika to do everything in their power to sabotage the German war-ma-chine.” <

CZECHS ARRESTED BY GERMANS. LONDON, September 4. It is reported in Czech circles, in London, that the Gestapo have arrested ,1700 prominent Czechs, who will be held as hostages for loyalty to Germany. LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE. LONDON, September 4. The Stock Exchange will remain closed until further notice. The committee has made temporary regusa-

(ions, fixing minimum prices of certain securities. All bargains made must be for cash. The gold exchange market and tne Liverpool corn markets closed to-uay. owing to the closing of the banks. The rubber market closed till Thursday. The metal exchange will reopen on Wednesday. 'The Baltic Exchange announced today that under food control orders, trading in cereal products for private account is prohibited Bradford transactions in wool tops are temporarily prohibited. Eventually, private business will be permitted, on a maximum price basis. Business in yarns for the Home trade is permitted. There is a moderate enquiry, and prices are very firm at fully late rates. The Paris Bourse has opened, an:! the franc is steady. BRITISH AFRICAN COLONIES. RUGBY, September 4. The War Office reports that in all (he British African colonies, the regular forces have been mobilised, and all measures for f<curity have been taken. From the Colonies, where the defence measures are complete, loyal messages not only from the Governments, but from the native people, are still arriving. THE NEAR EAST. CAIRO, September 4. All political parties, including thpowerful Wafdists, are unanimously | determined to stand by their ally, I Britain, to the utmost. They state that the Arab world is "solid with Britain.” JERUSALEM, September 4. The Jewish Agency in Palestine nas announced the registration of all Jewish men and women, 18 to 50 years of age, for national service in assistance to the British Army, if required.

AUSTRALIAN PREMIER. REVIEWS' SITUATION. SYDNEY, September 4. 'lffie Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies), in a broadcast address from Melbourne after thaj of Mr. Chamberlain, said: “It is my melancholy' duty to inform you that in consequence of the persistence of the invasion by Germany of Poland and the refusal to withdraw her troops, Britain has declared war upon her, and as a result, Australia is at war.” He reviewed events leading up to the declaration, recalling Germany’s acts of aggression and the repeated futile efforts made by Britain and France to keep the door open for the negotiation of a peaceful settlement of the Polish dispute. He concluded: “We, as a member of the great family of nations, are now involved in a struggle which we must, at all costs win, and which)’ we believe we will win. Truth is our companion on this journey which may be long and arduous, and truth must win. "In the bitter months to come I appear to you to observe the calmness, resolution, and confidence which are more than ever required.”

GROCERY HOARDING. WELLINGTON, September 5. There was a disposition by a small section of the Wellington public . to buy groceries in excess of requirements. The chairman of the Wellington Grocers’ Association (Mr H. A. Fanselow) stated there was no evidence of any shortage in grocery stocks, and provided the public confined its purchases to ordinary requirements, there would be little difficulty in providing ample supplies for all. It could not be too strongly emphasised that no shortage of grocery lines generally existed at present; but over-buying by the public could lead to, such a position. The associated grocers of Wellington invited the public to assist by buying from them only their ordinary weekly supply. This would avoid the complications panicky buying would bring about. Mr Fanselow said that at a meeting of representatives of the Wellington grocery trade to-night the following motion, to be conveyed at once to thq Acting-Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) was carried unanimously:—“That we, the associated grocers of Wellington, pledge ourselves to give the fullest co-operation to the New Zealand Government in its task of providing for the safety and well-being of the general public in the grave national emergency which now exists. Further,

we are willing and ready to give all help in the application of any regulations which the Government may deem necessary for the equitable distribution or conservation of lood supplies.” PHYSICAL WELFARE COMMITTEES. WELLINGTON, September 5. A suggestion that the network of committees organised throughout the Dominion, under the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act, should be given the responsibility of patriotic and kindred committees, at this time of national emergency, has been, made to the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Parry). The Minister stated that the organisation built up was not sufficiently complete to be able, to take immediate action throughout the Dominion on the lines suggested, and the question of utilising these committees, in the. way suggested,'.would be brought before the National Council at its next meeting. ' . Y.M.C.A, PREPARATIONS. WELLINGTON, September 5. The national council of the Y.M.C.A. to-day announced that the National Executive Committee has met, and' has set machinery in operation for meeting requirements in military camps, which are being established throughout the Dominion. „ Presidents and secretaries are summoned to a conference, to be held in Wellington, to-morrow. The Association’s War Service Committee, comprising a large and representative body of prominent citizens, is in process of formation.

Lightning War GERMANY'S CHANCES. VIEWS OF HUNGARIAN. LONDON, August. 14. Germany’s chances of winning a “lightning war” are far from rosy, according to a Hungarian writer, Dr. Ivan Lajos, in his book, “Germany’s War Chances.” A “Times” reviewer states that it was announced on July 24 that criminal proceedings were I about to be instituted against the author of this book, the sales of which j have exceeded any recorded for many I years in Hungary. The Budapest 6orI respondent of the “Times” added that I this action was commonly believed to ibe due to strong German pressure. ! The book is obviously propaganda, but j based almost exclusively on the GerI man press, general, economic and military. When, in the chapter enit (tied “What Brinkmann said in Cologne," the author resorts to a less unimpeachable source he weakens a i very strong case. , I Dr. Lajos, who is, of course, addressing fellow-countrymen by no means ill-disposed toward Germany, begins with an examination of Germany's attitude to Hungary, quoting many Nazi claims to the western corner of her territory. Then he considers German prospects of winning a "lightning war.” Finally he comes to a careful examination of German economic resources available for the prosecution of a world war. He uses the situation of 1914 as a yardstick, and reveals a deterioration which would seem almost incredible were it not supported by chapter and verse from German publications. PerhapS the most serious lies in loss of credit. German credit was strong in the Great War, and it was not lack of purchasing power, but the blockade and Allied pressure upon neutral sellers which caused her to feel the pinch. To-day her purchasing power is but a shadow of wha’t it was.

SHORTAGE O£ ROLLING STOCK. Dr. Lajos shows that the railways are parlously short of rollingstock, and that there exists a grave lack of many of the most important raw materials. But this is not all. Where, as in the case of coal, production has been increased, this has been achieved. as the result of tremendous effort, so that while in the event of-war demands would increase, it is inevitable that supplies would diminish..' .. Much of German industry -is working now at a feverish pace, virtually under war conditions, without reserve strength of acceleration. Moreover, the effects upon agriculture havei

been unfortunate. The yearly harvests show a steady fall, "and stocks of cattle and swine have followed suit. The consumption of milk has heavily declined. The many statistics quoted confirm an impression that the German policy of self-sufficiency is fantastically expensive the reviewer concludes. If there is no unemployment but rather a great .dearth of labour, that is largely because so much of it is employed on economically unproductive tasks.