CHECK TO PIRACY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19423, 7 September 1937, Page 6

CHECK TO PIRACY

MEDITERRANEAN MENACE PROTECTION OF SHIPPING COMMON STAND URGED MATTER FOR CONFERENCE (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, Sept. 6. Referring to the Mediterranean conference being summoned to meet near Geneva on September 10, the newspapers are disinclined to assume that the convoy system will bo adopted, expert British opinion having hitherto opposed it as impracticable for the varying stream of shipping through the Mediterranean. Much attention is given to alternative methods of dealing with the menace. The diplomatic correspondent of The Times says that these include the registration of all submarines in the Mediterranean, a declaration that all submarines of the nations represented will keep to certain strict zones, an undertaking that they will keep oft shipping routes that will be adequately defined, and a declaration that the warships of certain Powers would defend each others* merchantmen. Although lately the submarine menace has been more acute, the danger of attack from the air will, it is recognised, also have to be considered and countered. The British delegation to the conference is to be led by the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, himself. Brief and Businesslike The view of Britain and France is that the confei'enec should be brief and businesslike and on the basis of proposals which, it has already been stated, the British Government will bring forward, rapid decisions should be possible. Although invitations have gone out to 12 Governments, the conference itself will be fully competent to invite other Powers to be represented if it is considered that their presence would be helpful. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says it is believed that the British delegation to the conference will press for the appointment of an expert committee to consider the purely technical problems. If a general agreement is not obtained Britain will be obliged to apply protection measures in the Mediterranean in cooperation with other Powers willing to help. Consideration in Rome Greece is the first nation to reply accepting the invitation. A report from Rome states that the Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, has indicated Italy will reply as soon as possible. A Berlin message stales that Germany is expected to accept although reluctant to confer with the Soviet, contending that the Soviet's activities in respect to the non-intervention scheme in Spain should convince the other Powers that Russia is only a disturbing factor in all efforts to localise the Spanish conflict. A Moscow message says that unless Russia is satisfied with the outcome of the conference Soviet Warships probably will be sent to the Mediterranean to protect their own merchantmen. It is predicted that M. Lilvinov will not hestitate at the conference to accuse Italy of responsibility for the sinking of vessels in the Mediterranean.