German Reasons For Closing U.S. Consulates

Northern Advocate, 21 June 1941, Page 4

German Reasons For Closing U.S. Consulates

LONDON, June 20.

The Berlin news agency has issued a list of offences justifying the closing of American consulates in Germany and German-occupied territory.

Firstly, it is stated, the consul at Frankfurt delivered copies of antiGerman propaganda and passed on secret military information; secondly, the consul-general at Munich made detrimental remarks against the Reich; thirdly, the consul at Cologne carried out espionage against Germany, in code, in collusion with the Belgian consul, reporting the German march into Belgium. Holland and Luxembourg; fourthly, the consul at Hamburg Sketched railways and military instal- - lationsi fifthly, an employee of the" American consulate at Oslo reported German troop movements in Norway:" and, sixthly, the consul at Paris is ac-'| cused of sheltering a member of the., staff of the British consulate there.

•- It is expected in Washington that Italian consulates in the United States will be closed as a result of the Rome decree closing United States consulates in Italy. IT.S. Not Perturbed A New York message says the United States has 103 diplomatic consular officials in Germany, Italy and occupied states. Some have dual consular and diplomatic status, which is not affected by Germany’s action in demanding the closing of American consulates by July 15. Italy maintains 49 consular agencies in the United States, compared with seven American agencies in Italy. ■' A London report states that according to a message from Washington, Germany’s action was anticipated by State Department officials. They said the order would cause little inconvenience, since trade was at a standstill, and few Americans now remain on the Continent.

Twenty-five consulates are affected.