RELEASE SHIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23487, 26 October 1939, Page 11

RELEASE SHIP

DEMAND EXPECTED ACTION BY AMERICA CREW STILL UNTEACET) YOYAGE QUITE LEGAL By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 25, s.f> p.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 21 The United States Government is expected to demand Russia to release the American freighter City of Flint, of 4963 tons, which was seized by a German cruiser and taken to Murmansk, because it was alleged to have been carrying a cargo for Manchester which included contraband, says the Washington correspondent of the Associated Press of America. Mr. Roosevelt's secretary, Mr. Stephen Early, stated to-day that the City of Flint was on a "perfectly legal and lawful voyage." Mr. Early said he was referring only to American laws, and did not mean that Germany had not the right to seize the ship. He pointed out that, under the neutrality legislation at present being debated, it could not be sailed to a belligerent port. Cash-and-Carry Clause From his statement, it is gathered that the White House, like some of the Senators, believes that the incident strengthens the argument for the adoption of the cash-and-carry clause in the new neutrality legislation. The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, expressed concern that no word had been received of the crew of the City of Flint. Inquiries had been made at the Hamburg Prize Court, and the War Ministry and Naval Department at Berlin. Replies were that they were without information. Mr. Hull said that a small part of the City of Flint's cargo was probably in the category of absolute contraband and more than a half of it was conditional contraband. Information regarding the sailors' fate was also being sought at Moscow and Oslo. Inquiries in Europe The American Embassy has been instructed formally to inquire into the whereabouts of the City of Flint, and other details, states the Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press. The United States Ambassador in Moscow called at the Foreign Office and inquired regarding details surrounding the arrival of the City of Flint, says a message from Moscow. Mr. Roosevelt said last night that he hoped to get the City of Flint back. The United States Ambassador in Moscow had reported that full evidence of the seizure had not yet been found there.

The City of Flint lay off the Norwegian coast throughout last Saturday, after which a Norwegian torpedoboat escorted her outside the threemile limit, it is reported from Trornso.

CLAIM BY ARMENIA TURKISH PROVINCE SOVIET INSTRUCTIONS INVITATION BY HITLER i LONDON, Oct. 2-1 Armenia, acting on instructions from Russia, has claimed the return of Turkey's most eastern province, with the towns of Kars and Ardahan as the main centres, which were Armenian until 1920, says the Angora correspondent of the Daily Mail. The population in the district speaks Russian. The area referred to is between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Russia, it is indicated, having failed to impose terms on Turkey for southeastern expansion, is now directing her ambitions from a different point, and wants a seaport in the Persian Gulf. Von Papen, the German envoy to Turkey, who has been called to Berlin to report on the effect of the pact between Turkey, Britain and France, is expected to return from Berlin on Friday. It is reported that he will bring from Hitler ail invitation to M. Saracoglu, the Turkish Foreign Minis-' ter, to go to Berlin.

POLES IN BRITAIN t CALLED UP FOR FRANCE (Received October 25, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Oct. 2<l The Polish Embassy in London has announced the general mobilisation of Poles in Britain for military service with the Polish Army in France.