ATLANTIC BATTLE

Grey River Argus, 7 October 1941, Page 5

ATLANTIC BATTLE

U.S.A. MERCHANTMEN Being Armed Against Germans [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 11.50). NEW YORK, October 5. Following the sinking of the “I. C. White,” the U.S. Maritime Commission announces that twenty out of its 125 merchantmen which’ are supplying Britain have been armed, and that guns will be also mounted on the remainder shortly. Simultaneously Secretary Hull has warned the Nazis that henceforth the United States will regard the right of self-defence as transcending international law. ONE SINKING REPORTED. WASHINGTON. October 5. The U.S. Navy spokesman stated there was no information as to a reported naval battle on Friday off the coast of Brazil. The U.S.A. Embassy, also naval and shipping sources at Rio de Janeiro, said they had received no information of tho reported battle. The Rio de Janeiro correspondent of the United Press of America said: — A moonlight sea battle, wherein an unidentified ship is reported to have been sunk, and another steamed off under cover of a smokescreen, was described by travellers returning from Maragogy, between Pernambuco and Maceio. The engagement occurred on Friday, in full view of the Brazilian coast, in the same general area where United States ’planes and warships were searching for the raider which sank the I. C. White. The populace of Marogogy witnessed /the combat, but neither the nationality nor the type of the ships involved, is known. The combat is said to have lasted 30 minutes, wherein gunfire shook the houses ashore. Then the ship nearest the shore sank its opponent and sped off behind a smokescreen. Administration leaders at Washington consider that the sinking of the I. C. White has materially increased Congressional support for any chan.ge.s_in the Neutrality Act Mr. Roosevelt mav suggest. Supporters of the President’s foreign policy described the sinking as another link in the chain justifying the revision ox* even the outright repeal of the Neutrality Act. The sinking of the I. C. White shows that there is no respect lor ships anywhere. It might have been sunk in the Potomac River. _ It is now stated that 34 of the I. C White’s crew were rescued. H.M.S. NELSON DAMAGED. LONDON. October 5. The Paris radio declared that the British battleship, Nelson, requires extensive repairs and a general overhaul, which are impossible at Gibraltar. In order that the repairs may be carried out, she will go to America. (The Admiralty last week stated that the Nelson was hit by an air torpedo in the Mediterranean).