CALLS FOR HELP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23482, 20 October 1939, Page 9

CALLS FOR HELP

SHIPS IN ATLANTIC VICTIMS OF SUBMARINES DR. CONDLIFFE ON BOARD (Received October 20, 12.50 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 19 It was reported from New York earlier to-day that the coastguard cutter Hamilton was speeding to answer a call from the United States liner President Harding (13,869 tons), which had picked up survivors from two Allied ships that were sunk by submarines last week-end. The call was for medical supplies, as many on board the liner were seriously injured. Later the President Harding radioed that 73 of the rescued passengers and members of the crew were injured, 23 of them seriously, while one was believed to have been lost. The coastguard cutter made contact with the vessel 800 miles out from Boston. The sea was so rough that the medical supplies presumably were transferred by line. The President Harding's passengers include a former New Zealander, Professor J. B. CondlifFe, his wife, three daughters and son. Dr. Condliffe was formerly Professor of Commerce at London University, and is en route to America to take up an undisclosed appointment. It is announced that Dr. Paul van Zeeland, formerly Belgian Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, author of the van Zeeland plan for the settlement of international problems last year, was among those injured. He had received facial abrasions and multiple contusions. He was en route to the Refugee Conference at Washington.

The United States Line's President Harding, which is scheduled to reach Neiv York to-morrow from Havre, Southampton and Cohh. was reported to have picked up survivors from the British steamer Heronspool and the French motor-tanker Emile Miguet off the Irish coast at the week-end. Both ships wore sunk by German submarines.