CREW SAFE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23488, 27 October 1939, Page 9

CREW SAFE

CITY OF FLINT HELD AT MURMANSK GERMANS RELEASED CONTENTION OF BERLIN (Received October 26, 7.-10 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 26 The United States Ambassador at Moscow, Mr. Laurence A. Steinhardt, has notified the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell flull, that the Soviet Foreign offi'-e has assured him the American officers and crew of the City of Flint are safe aboard the vessel at Murmansk. The State Department has indicated that further details are expected. . The authorities at Murmansk have released the German prize crew which brought in the City of Flint. It is believed this was done on representations from Germany, on the ground that the ship had been brought in for repairs. The ship herself is being detained at Murmansk for scrutiny of her cargo and mails, A Berlin cablegram says the United States Charge d'Affaires was informed that Germany is consulting Russia concerning the City of Flint. The vessel was taken to Murmansk j because, it is said, she lacked charts

necessary for Baltic navigation and was not seaworthy. She also carried contraband.

The New York Herald-Tribune, in a leading article referring to the City of Flint incident, says it is full of diplomatic dynamite, but should be, and is being, viewed calmly. Britain at present had d number of American vessels under detention in British ports taken there by their own—not prize-—crews.

It was/ the German contention that ' Germany was following the British example/ although in a somewhat different maimer.

LIST GROWING MERCHANT SHIPPING many more sinkings i 48 BRITISH VESSELS Increased losses of merchant shipping through hostilities have been reported in cabled messages received since the Gr 'r] of Inst week. In this period 13 vessels have been lost, bringing the total casualties for the war to 97 ships of a " approximate gross tonnage of 380.000. Of the 13 vessels sunk recently 6<>ven wore British cargo steamers of a total tonnage of nearly 27,000. In nil 'lB Ity-itish vessels have now been lost. An unconfirmed report was received °f the sinking by the British Navy of the German steamer Selnvabenland, which was alleged to have sunk the British steamer Clement early this juojitb There was only one other belligerenl. |i, s < t | )e Proneh steamer Vermont, wh.it'h was torpedoed. •'lines and in instances direct GerJliait ad ion have been responsible for further neutral sinkings. Neutral totals How. are:—.Norway, eight; Sweden, seven; Greece, live; Finland, five; Denfour; Holland. two; Russia, one; ■Belgium, one; .Rumania, one.