AGAINST PIRACY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23299, 17 September 1937, Page 9

AGAINST PIRACY

PROTECTION OF SHIPPING MEDITERRANEAN PATROLS THE NYON ARRANGEMENT IMMEDIATE OPERATION (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, Sept. 15. The measures for the policing of the Mediterranean against piratical attacks on merchantmen established by the Nyon arrangement will come into operation forthwith. A Geneva message states that two annexes to the arrangement on which the naval experts have been working were signed this morning. The first designates the zones which each Power reserves for its submarine manoeuvres on the high seas, while the second sets out the principal maritime routes which the merchantmen are to be advised to follow, and which will be placed under the protection of warships. Broadcasting on the work of the Nyon Conference. Mr Anthony Eden said the conference took as the kernel of its arrangement the rules laid down in the London Naval Treaty of 1930, since reaffirmed in the Submarine Protocol signed last year by all the Powers invited to the conference. They did not believe that unknown submarines would or could continue pirate attacks if these rules were enforced. They had not admitted the rights of either party to the struggle to interfere with non-Spanish merchant ships, even if the rules of war were observed.

Britain's own right to take any action proper to protect her own merchant ships had not been affected. What had been done was to authorise a patrolling vessel to counter-attack, and, if possible, destroy any submarine .actually engaged in piracy. BRITISH FLYING BOATS LONDON, Sept. 15. A squadron of reconnaissance flying boats from Felixstowe will leave for Malta to-morrow to participate in the Mediterranean patrol. It will later be joined by a squadron from Pembroke dock. ITALY'S REFUSAL TO JOIN GERMANY CONSULTED LONDON, Sept. 16. (Received Sept. 16, at 11 p.m.) The Berlin correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says: "Official circles declare that Italy's refusal to co-operate in the Mediterranean patrol scheme fully represents Germany's viewpoint and was drawn up after consultation with the German Government. It is emphasised that it now lies with Britain and France to grant Italy the' equality she demands." The Rome correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says: "Responsible quarters assert that Italy's refusal to join the scheme unless given equality with Britain and France was dictated by logic and geography. Nevertheless, the door for collaboration has not been closed. Once Italian objections are removed, it is argued. Italy will hasten to join the scheme. It is pointed out that, if the Italian demand is not satisfied, the presence of British and French destroyers in the Mediterranean will further complicate an already critical situation." , . ,_. The Geneva correspondent of The Times says: " The invitation to Italy to join the scheme still stands, but the Nyon Conference delegations state that Italy must make'the next move, and that it must be an approach to the whole conference. Britain and France will take no further step alone." FRENCH PRESS HOPEFUL • PARIS, Sept. 15. The French press is hopeful that Italy will be brought into the Nyon agreement, but expresses satisfaction at the British and French action, which will lead to re-estab-lishment of their power in the Mediterranean. Senor Caballero, interviewed by Le Matin, regretted that, while Britain and France were protecting their own shipping, nothing had been done to protect the Spanish coast. "A ONE-SIDED POLICY" ROME, Sept. 15. Dr Gayda, in an article, says the next move rests with Britain and France, whose one-sided policy in the Mediterranean does not conform with the spirit of collaboration and friendship. LIVE TORPEDO NETTED MARSEILLES, Sept. 16. (Received Sept. 16, at 11 p.m.) A French trawler netted a live torpedo, which has been haded over to the Toulon Arsenal for identification, as live torpedoes are not used during naval practice. The markings may give a clue to the identity of the pirates. FRENCH MINISTER'S FEARS PARIS, Sept. 16. (Received Sept. 17, at 1.30 a.m.) M. Delbos (Minister for Foreign Affairs) is reported to have expressed apprehension to Mr Anthony Eden that Signor Mussolini would increase his assistance to the insurgents owing to the Nyon agreement. The rebel authorities informed the correspondent of Le Matin that they have positive evidence that at least two of the pirate submarines are Russian.