THE BLOCKADES

Grey River Argus, 8 November 1939, Page 7

THE BLOCKADES

CITY OF FLINT PROCEEDING TO AMERICA WITHOUT DISCHARGING. I Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] 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.

PRIZE CREW’S INTERNMENT. FAR INLAND. (Received November 7, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 7. The Oslo correspondent of the Bri tish United Press reports that the City of Flint’s German prize crew are being interned at the 300-year-old Kongsavinger castle, near the Swedish frontier. GERMAN DEMANDS ON NORWAY. LONDON, November 6. The British United Press Berlin correspondent states that Germany has subrutted three demands to Norway, apropos of the City of Flint ease, the legality of which German and Norwegian jurists are examining. They embrace the release of the German prize crew, the detention or surreender of the ship and cargo to Germany, and the detention of the ship till the negotiations are concluded. German Claim to Ship NOT LIKELY TO BE PRESSED. (Received November 7, 10.20 p.m.) NEW YORK. November 6The Berlin correspondent of the “New York Times” says: It is evident that Germany does not desire to make an issue of the City of Flint incident. In fact Germany is heartily sick of the whole matter. Piobablv she will be willing to relinquish her claim to the ship on condition that Norway releases the* German nrize crew. The German people are S aware of the Incident. The German Government thus is not confronted with any loss of prestige with its own people, which the Reich regards as the most important pom .

CAPTAIN’S BROADCAST. 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.’’ U-Boat Supply Ship Sunk BY FRENCH SUBMARINE. LONDON, November 6. The “News Chronicle’s” Brussels correspondent says it is reported from the Belgian Congo that a French submarine torpedoed and sank the German U-boat supply ship Togo, in the vicinity of Lobito.

SHIPS ARRIVING SAFELY. LONDON, November 6. Twenty-eight ships, representing four convoys, brought 100,000 tons of foodstuffs to a British port in four days, indicating a safe passage for the Empire’s commerce. Baltic Bottled GERMAN MINEFIELD EXTENDED. STOCKHOLM, November 6. The extension of the German minefield off Falsterbo has virtually closed the entrance to the Baltic, and is perturbing Swedish ship-owners, because the unmined waters are only deep enough for lightly-laden vessels. For this reason shipments must be made from the west coast, involving railway charges. Sweden has protested to Germany against the extension of the minefield. SINKING OF CANADA. BRITISH MINE DENIED. [British Official Wireless.] RUGBY, November 6. The German broadcast allegations, that the Danish liner Canada was sunk by a British mine, are denied in London, where it is stated that no British mines have been laid anywhere near the position in which the Canada was sunk. It is pointed out, furthermore, that British mines, if they break from their moorings, are designed to become immediately safe, in acordance with international law. U-Boat Offensive „ BRITISH VIEWS. CONFIDENCE EXPRESSED. [British Official Wireless.] RUGBY, November 6. In authoritative naval circles, the frequently-threatened intensified underwater campaign against mercantile shipping causes no anxiety, and the belief is general, that the U-boat of--1 rnsive has been “scotched.” The merchant shipping losses since he first fortnight of the war, when the conditions were most-favourable for such activities, have shown a rapid diminution. Figures revealed to-day show the position, which is regarded as offering a promising prospect. British ships sunk in September numbered 37, with a total tonnage of 155,636. In October, 18 British ships totalling 83,158 tons were sunk. No British ship has been sunk in November.

Other Allied ships sunk during this period were one in September (2660 tons), six in October (a total of 45,275 tons), and none in November. Neutral ships sunk by U-boats were 1

15 in September (37,284 tons), 17 In October (44,038 tons),, and two in November (12,450 tons). During the whole period, therefore, 55 British ships, totalling 238,795 tons, <seven other, Allied ships, totalling 47,935 tons, and 34 neutral sliips, totalling 93,817 tons, were sunk.

The Britishvlosses represent 1.5 per cent, of 18.5 million tons of British shipping on the high seas. . ’ , As for the German air arm's. pa£t in the naval war, the history of these early months has failed to produce the heavy air attack on British shipping that might have been expected, and those efforts the Germans have rnad'e have been entirly fruitless and expensive. No British ship, naval or mercantile, has been even temporarily disabled from the air, except the demilitarised battleship Iron. Duße, while the German attacking forces experienced losses amounting, to roughly 30 per cent. , . '