ANOTHER LOSS

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

ANOTHER LOSS

BRITISH FREIGHTER SUNK IN ATLANTIC GERMANY WARNS DANES (Received October 2G, 6.15 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. ?.-> The British steamer Tafna, of 4-113 tons, was sunk in the Atlantic by a U-boat. The crew of 31 was saved. The five survivors of the crew of 27 of the Menin Ridge, of 2-174 tons, sunk in the Atlantic, and the 31 members of the crew of the Ledbury were landed at Gibraltar b.v the American motor-ship Crown City. It is now learned that all the European members and about 60 of the native crew of the torpedoed Clan Chisholrn were saved. The number missing is 20.

The German Minister to Denmark has notified Danes that- they run a risk in travelling in British or French ships. He also stated that all ships convoyed will be attacked.

SOVIET PROTEST CONTROL OF SHIPPING BRITISH CONTRABAND LIST MAY CLAIM COMPENSATION (Received October 27, 12.15 a.m.) LONDON*. Oct. JG The Soviet Government has sent a .Vote to Britain declaring that the British contraband list violates the principles of international law, gravely impairs the interests of neutral countries and destroys international trade, snvs the Moscow correspondent of the Associated Press.

Russia refuses to recognise the validity of the British Notes of September 6 and September 11, notifying the unilateral institution of British control of neutral merchantmen, which, as they violate the elementary principles of the freedom of mercantile marine, do not conform to the international declaration of 1009 and the decision oi' the Hague Tribunal in 1913.

Soviet ships are State property and should be exempt from any measures of compulsion applied to privatelvowncd vessels, it is claimed. The Soviet reserves the right to claim compensation for losses caused by the British measures and actions.

"Fantastic," is how a high British authority on international law described the Soviet's declaration. He emphasised that any belligerent can declare anything he pleases contraband, especially anything useful to the enemy.

TREASURE IN ATHENTA NEW THEORY OF SINKING REASON FOR GERMAN ACTION (Received October 27, 12.15 a.m.) > NEW YORK, Oct. 20 The Department of Justice is investigating impressive evidence that the Germans sank tho Athonia because they were convinced she carried 22,000,000 dollars' worth of gold and 37,000,000 dollars' worth of negotiable securities, says the Xew York Daily News. It is asserted that the information came from .sources close to two great German salvaging companies, one of which is Krupp. The paper adds that the Canadian representatives of the Athenians owners gre not aware if the liner carried treasure.