AIM OF NAZIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23470, 6 October 1939, Page 7

AIM OF NAZIS

"DAMAGE BRITAIN BLOCKADE AT SEA NEUTRALS' SHIPMENTS SEIZURES RY NAVY By Telegraph—Press Associntlon—Copyright (Received October 5. 1,1.15 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 5 The "Berlin newspaper Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung says light German warships went to sea last week to damage Britain economically, and correct the false idea of neutral shipping circles that Britain's sea power could protect them, says a message from Berlin. The Nazi High Command claims that the German naval forces have stopped 72 ships since last Saturday. A message from Stockholm says the Estonian steamer Aarne, bound from Gotcnborg to Antwerp with timber, was captured by a destroyer in the Kattegat and taken to Germany. A Gorman warship seized the Swedish ship Korsholm, 2617 tons, bound from Finland to Delaware with woodpulp and paper, and took her to a German port. Three more Swedish steamers, Vera, of 1341 tons, Virginia, 2811 tons, and Mercia, 1134 tons, have been captured in the South Baltic Sea and taken to Germany. Neutral States' Shipping Losses Owing to espionage Gotenborg harbour will be closed to all except those who are on legitimate business. It is officially stated in Stockholm that Sweden has lost 8000 tons of shipping and other neutrals 40,000 tons since the war started. Germany has lost 40.000 tons, and Britain 150,000 tons. A Copenhagen cablegram states that Germany has not replied to the protest against tho sinking of the Danish vessel Vendia by a German U-boat. A German Note to Finland warns tho merchant fleet to retrain from behaviour likely to make them suspect, also against any attempt to avoid the German blockade. The Note is similar to those sent to the United States, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. French Capture German Ship It is officially reported that a French submarine captured a German merchantman.

A Ministry of Information communique states that when a U-boat torpedoed the Finnish steamer Walma | a fortnight ago off the coast of Sweden, laden with cellulose destined for Britain, the U-boat commander handed over a certificate stating: "Destroyed on account of the destination of tho cargo." With the idea of depriving Britain of imports from Scandinavia, Germany is offering to absorb Scandinavia's exports of coal and industrial products in return for supplies of wheat from Southern Europe, especially Rumania, from which Germany is removing purchases of wheat with all possible speed, says the Berlin correspondent of tho Norwegian newspaper Morgen Bladot. UNCERTAIN POLICY BRITISH EXPORT TRADE MANUFACTURERS CRITICAL (Received October 5, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 4 Tho Federation of British Industries after a conference with trado associations has issued a statement criticising the uncertainty of the Government's trade policy. "Manufacturers cannot accept export orders unless they know that they are in a position to execute them," says the statement. An appeal is made for tho reservation of a proportion of raw materials and manufacturing capacity for classes of exports planned ahead. BULLETS IN VILLAGE INQUIRY BY AIR MINISTRY LONDON, Oct. <1 The Air Minister, Sir Kingsloy Wood, was asked in the House of Commons for an explanation of the incident which occurred on September 28, when a spray of machine-gun bullets fell in tho village of Ballachantuie, Argyllshire, without causing any casualties.

In reply Sir Kingsle.v stated that no T{oyal Air Force or enemy aircraft were operating about that place at the time. The Fleet Air Arm might have been involved, however, and ho was investigating the matter.