RUNNING BLOCKADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23863, 14 January 1941, Page 7

RUNNING BLOCKADE

FIVE FRENCH SHIPS INTERCEPTION EXPECTED SOUTH AMERICAN VIEWPOINT (Received January 13, 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 12 No application I)as boon received in London or Bnenos Aires for navicerts for five French merchantmen hound ■ from the River Plate to Marseilles carrying Argentine and Uruguayan hides, wools, foodstuffs and mails, says the Daily Telegraph. British naval patrols are expected to intercept the ships and declare the cargoes war prizes. The ships are believed to be sailing under German pressure. The recent British acceptance of President Roosevelt's suggestion to allow a shipload of foodstuffs for children in unoccupied Franco through the blockade is expected to counteract Vichy's attempts to stir up anti-British feeling among the American republics. ANXIETY IN GERMANY DESTRUCTIVE AIR RAIDS NEW PROTECTIVE METHODS LONDON, Jan. 8 Anxiety has been caused throughout Germany by the great de.struetiveness of recent Royal Air Force raids on Berlin, Mannheim, Bremen and other industrial centres. This is indicated bv Marshal Goering's decision to increase the home defence squadrons and to try new equipment, states the aviation correspondent- of the Manchester Guardian. Recently British bombers Hying over Germany encountered German night lighter patrols, some of which were carrying searchlights. These, however, proved of little value. The Germans are also overhauling their ground defence organisation, and are replacing the J.4in. anti-aircraft guns with a new mechanically-loading 5.2 in. The 20ft. barrel of the now gun moves vertically and horizontally. it fires a 661b. shell with an initial velocity of nearly 3000 ft. a second. SUPPLIES FOR CHINA AGREEMENT WITH RUSSIA NEW BARTER ARRANGEMENT LONDON, Jan. 13 The Chinese Government announces that it has concluded a barter agreement with Russia for the exchange of tea valued at £1,500,000 for military supplies. A clause in the agreement is stated to provide for the exchange of Chinese minerals for Russian goods. BRITISH SHIP SUNK 29 MEMBERS OF CREW SAFE (Received January .13, 7.30 p.m.) LISBON, Jan. 12 Twenty-nine 1 members of the crow of the British India Steam Navigation Company's steamer Nalgora (6579 tons) have been landed at the Cape Verde Islands after the vessel was torpedoed.