DEFIANCE OF LAW

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23542, 30 December 1939, Page 7

DEFIANCE OF LAW

U-BOAT OFF NORWAY SINKING OF DEPTFORD TERRITORIAL WATERS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless LONDON, Dec. '2B Evidence of the deliberate use of neutral territorial waters for preying upon shipping, in defiance of all the principles of intei'national law, is contained in the testimony of the survivors from the British steamer Deptford (4034 tons), one of three ships, including one neutral, which were recently torpedoed inside Norwegian waters. The statements are corroborated by members of the crew of the Norwegian motor-boat Fairda, which rescued the survivors. Details of the sinking of the Deptford on December 13 can now be given for the first time. This ship was skirting the Norwegian coast, in accordance with established navigational practice in those waters, and had two Norwegian pilots on board when she was torpedoed. Only 850 Yards from Mainland The ship sank in about 90 seconds, and there were only five survivors from the crew of 37. In addition to the loss of lives among the British non-com-batants, both Norwegian pilots were killed. When she was torpedoed the Deptford was only about 850 yards from the mainland of Norway. Naval writers, commenting on the facts, point out that it is possible under certain conditions for a submarine outside territorial waters to attack a vessel without appreciating that the vessel is within that internationally accepted /.one of sanctuary. Such a case might arise in bad weather if the ship attacked were close to the outer edge of the three-mile limit. Not a 'Navigational Mistake In the case of the torpedoing of the Deptford, however, it was stated that the captain of the U-boat could not possibly plead a navigational mistake. The visibility was excellent and the Deptford was less than half a mile from a high coastline. Even more damning is the statement of the crew of the Fairda, who said they saw the conning tower of the submarine break the surface, and she was between the Deptford and the land. The Norwegian coast in that neighbourhood is deeply indented and has deep water right up to the shore. It was an ideal place for a submarine —careless of the legality of its proceedings—to lie under the land awaiting her chance, and there is little doubt that these were the tactics adopted by the U-boat concerned in torpedoing the Deptford. It was only two days before that the Greek steamer Garoufalia (4708 tons) had been torpedoed without warning in Norwegian territorial waters, while four days before that the British steamer Thomas Walton (4160 tons) was torpedoed without warning off Narvik when well inside neutral territorial waters. FOOD RATIONING WARTIME PRECAUTION EXTENSION IN BRITAIN SUGAR AND MEAT INCLUDED British Wireless LONDON, Dec. 28 Food rationing, which so far has been applied in Britain only to butter and bacon —the schemes for which will come into operation on January 8, in the fifth month of the war —is to be extended to sugar and meat. The Government's decision in this connection was announced to-day. The scheme for sugar will come into effect simultaneously with the schemes for butter and bacon. The allowance will bo 12 ounces a person weekly. In a statement issued by the Minister of Food, Mr. W. S. Morrison, it is pointed out that for the foodstuffs now to bo rationed Britain is dependent to a large extent on overseas sources of supply. The amounts of the rations are based on the present import programme, which is determined in the light of the available resources of foreign exchange and shipping space. The requirements of other imported commodities, especially armaments and raw materials, make large demands on these resources. By restricting the demand for imported foodstuffs, resources are made free for the needs of the defence services. In this way, it is explained, every consumer will make an important contribution to the national war effort. REDUCED SUPPLIES MINISTER'S STATEMENT (Received December 29, 5.23 p.m.) LONDON. Dec. 28 In an interview Mr. Morrison said that rationing would not reduce the amount of food below the health and efficiency standard. The sugar ration might bo increased later. Precautions were being taken to avoid a pre-rationing rush. The German ration was now 82 ounces per capita weekly. Compulsory rationing in the last war began in February, 1918. Sugar was not included until July, when one per capita weekly was allowed. The control of livestock and homeproduced meat will operate from January 15. FURTHER EXCHANGES BRITONS AND GERMANS BERLIN, Dec. 28 The official German news agency says there will be further exchanges of British and German civilians shortly. Germany is not interested in retaining enemy civilians unless there is a special reason for so doing.