SUBMARINING

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1937, Page 5

SUBMARINING

ITALY & GERMANY

J REFUSE TO ATTEND CONFERENCE.

(United Press Association—By sTlectrk> Telegt aph—Copyright}.

NUREMBERG, September 9.

Herr Hitler Held a midnight meeting of the members of the Cabinet and of experts to consider the attitude of Germany towards Russia in the event of an ltalian-Russian rupture, which is now considered most Lkely. Roth German and Italian Notes were dispatched to .London yesterday evening. They were identical. LONDON, September 9.

“The Times” says that Germany lias declined an invitation to attend the “Pi r acy” Conference.

ITALY’S COUNTER PROPOSAL

MILAN, September 9,

The “Popolo d’ltalia” announced (that Italy will not attend the Piracy Conference.

“Popolo d’ltalia” adds that Italy is presenting a counter proposal to refer Mediterranean problems to the No t n-lntervention Committee.

BRITISH VIEWPOINT

LONDON, September 8

The British Charge d’Affaires at Rome called on Count Ciano, but the conversations "ere not divulged.

Russian circles in Rome consider Italy’s rejection of Notes as very serious. A third Note is expected from Moscow soon, probably breaking off diplomatic relations. It is understood that Italy feels it is for Moscow to take the initiative, as the Soviet started the quarrel. The British Cabinet has completed proposals for ending piracy in the Mediterranean, but replies from Italy and Germany are still awaited. There is no indication of any departure by England and France from the decision to proceed with the confonce “whatever happens.” The inclusion of naval authorities in the delegations suggests the proposals deal largely with technical problems.

Tile advance party of thw United Kingdom delegation to the League meeting at Geneva left London Ibis morning. The Foreign Secretary, who will lead the delegation to the Assembly at Geneva, and also the delegation to the Nvon conference. will leave London to-morrow by air for Paris, where be will be the guest at a dinner by Mm. Chnutcmps, Delbos, and Blum.

T\v A sessions of Cabinet, at which Mr Chamberlain presided, wore bold to-dnv. lasting together nearly three and n-half liourp. The international situation was considered, and it is assumed that pnr+«eulnr attention was given to the Mediterranean conference. Later, it became known that Admiral of the Fleet, Chatfield, the First Sea Lord, and other naval experts, and Sir Robert Vansittart, Permanent Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, will be leaving London to-mor-row to assist Mr Eden at the conference. The Prime Minister returned to Scotland to-night for a complete holiday, which will extend until about September 18. Large crowds saw the arrival ov Ministers for the Cabinet meeting. “The Times” thinks that 'the divisions between the Powers according to their political sympathies are already serious enough, and says that the procedure now offered is designed to restrict divisions, by concentrating international effort upon a practical task. “Is any country prepared to del end the sinking of unarmed merchantmen at sight and —if anything could heighten its barbarism—in time of peace? If not, what remains hut complete technical measures fo-r its prevention? Nvon is offered as a meeting place for action not. recriminations.” 1 Roth the “Times” and the “Morning Post” make it clear that it doubts and suspicions delay or prevent The acceptance, of the Ahgh'-French invitations, Britain will have no recourse but to a (loot drastic independent measures for the safety of her shipping.

WHAT THE WORLD KNOWS

PARTS. September 8.

M. Leon Blum’s newspaper, ‘Topui l«ire,V. ssivs; “Russia is only voicing what all the world knows. Wo are even in a position to state that the submarines concerned wore Italian (■raft of the Arrhimedc tvno. 'Nevertheless, the Soviet Note is inopportune.

GERMANY’S REPLY

(Received this dev at 11 a.m.) LONDON, September 0

'Plie German reply regardin'! t v o Mediterranean conference was handed to the British Charge d’Affaires. Tt declares a willingness to co-operate, but declines to attend a special conference in view of the Soviet’s provocation to Italv. It adds that Germany, in order to slmw goodwill, proposed an agreement with Italv that the nonintervention committee in London deal with the problem, especially as other interested Powers who had not received invitation to the special conference. would then ho enabled to participate,

ITALY’S REPLY

(Received this day at 10.30 a.m.) ROME, September 9

Italy's reply is almost identical with Germany’s, revealing intimate co-oper-ation between Rome and Berlin.

FRENCH DECISION

(Received this day at 10.30 a.m.) PARTS, September 9

France conferred with Britain after receiving the replies and decided that the conference open as arranged. It is expected that England and France wilsl determine the zone forbidden ro submarines and take bilateral measures to ensure the rule is respected.

FURTHER DETAILS

(Received this day at 12 noon). ROME, September 9

The> Italian reply states that Italy was preparing to reply affirmatively to ihe British proposals, when the new factor of the Russian Note arose. The accusation was firmly rejected. This changed the state of Italy's mind towards the conference and she must postpone an affirmative decision until the incident created bv the dispatch ot Soviet Notes is satisfactorily settled. Italy also makes reservations regarding the invitation of Rusia to the conference. 'The Note then goes on in siinlar terms to the German, to suggest non-intervention committee explore the problem. (Received this day at 12 noon). BERLIN, September 9.

The German reply recalls that when Germany took a similar attitude for joint action as the result of the Deutschland and Leipszig incidents, the attiture of England and France hardly encouraged confidence in new collective agreements now.

FRENCH TOPEDO UNIT

(Received this dav at. 12 noon). PARIS. September 9

The fifth torpedo boat division has been ordered to reinforce the French naval unit s in the Mediterranean.