THE BLOCKADES

Grey River Argus, 16 March 1940, Page 7

THE BLOCKADES

GERMAN SUPPLIES Through Neutrals COTTON AND IRON. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, March 14. The remarkable increases in neutrals’ purchases of American cotton since the outbreak of war have resulted in the assumption that they are passing on supplies to Germany. Mr. Cross, in the Commons, revealed that whereas German \ purchases in the three months ended November 30, 1939, dropped from 64,208,707 lbs. to 2,917,772 lbs., neutrals’ purchases in the same period increased from 144,466,530 lbs. to 344,419,307 lbs. Mr. Cross added that Sweden, in the three months ended February 29, exported 478,058 tons of iron ore to Germany, compared with 1,286,181 tons in the corresponding three months of last year. He said that the Anglo-Swedish joint commission supplied the figures, which the Intelligence Department had checked. BERLIN, March 14.

Field-Marshal’ Goering’s latest decree requests Germans to give Hitlerold metal for his birthday, to replenish the supplies'of war materials 1 Italy is also scouring her cities for scrap iron. All iron railings in Rome have been taken down. ... The Berlin police are confiscating all astrological calendars, because too many see in the stars predictions o drastic developments and distui bing occurrences in Germany in 1940. PLUCKY SHIP CADET DOMALA SURVIVORS. EFFORT TO SAVE OFFICERS (Received March 15, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, March 15. Further information has become available of the courageous action of the young cadet of the Domala, the ship which was bombed and set on fire by Nazi aircraft in the English Channel on March 2. This seventeen-year-old cadet, Duval, after it had been decided to abandon the ship,, lowered a raft into the sea with nine other survivors, including the second officer. It was bitterly cold, with the sea breaking over the raft. Men dropped off the ship one by one, until only Duval and the second officer were left. Duval clambered on to the raft, and tried to drag the second officer with him, but the officer’s weight was beyond Duval’s strength, and he took off the belt of his mackintosh, passed in round the officer, and held him up until he himself lost consciousness. Duval remained insensible until he found himself on board a warship, over an hour later. The second officer was drowned. Duval, who is still bandaged, and limping from his injuries, expressed his intention to go to sea again as soon as he has recovered. Italy’s Coal Ships TO UNLOAD IN BRITAIN LONDON, March 14. Rotterdam reports state that four Italian steamers lying in the harbour will unload their cargoes of German coal, destined for Italy, and will return home in ballast. Germany and Italy have signed an agreement to regulate imports of German coal by the land route. ALLIED SUPPLIES POOLING PROPOSALS. PARIS, March 14. It is officially announced that Mr Malcolm MacDonald, accompanied by colonial experts, will arrive shortly, to confer with M. Madel on the question of pooling the resources of the British and French Colonial empires. j. he agenda includes 40 political and economic points, such as the production and exchange of 'goods, transportation by land and sea, air communications, welfare of the natives, also wireless communications. CAPTURED ENEMY SHIP. KINGSTON (Jamaica), March 14. The Hannover, with a prize crew, escorted by a warship, has arrived. NEW YORK. March 14. ■' The Donaldson Atlantic Line Ltd., petitioned the Federal Court for an order freeing the company from liability for loss of life and property in the Athenia sinking, or limitation of the liability to two hundred thousand dollars. The claims at present total 732.000 dollars.