ANTI-SUBMARINE PLANS

Southland Times, Issue 23297, 6 September 1937, Page 5

ANTI-SUBMARINE PLANS

Attacks Classed As Piracy ITALIAN PRESS ANGERED NO INVITATION TO DISCUSSIONS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received September 5, 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, September 4. Britain and France have further discussed the anti-submarine proposals which are expected to include the classification of both submarine and aerial attacks as piracy, the offenders’ nationality origin being irrelevant, enabling all navies to collaborate in hunting pirates attacking merchantmen which would be advised to keep off definite routes.

The diplomatic correspondent of The Daily Telegraph says that the antisubmarine plans are still confidential, but it is believed they include a joint international convoy, also an invitation to all Mediterranean Powers to register publicly and seclude in tljeir own dockyards all their submarines, after which every submarine found in the Mediterranean may be sunk at sight. A message from Rome says that the Press is indignant that Italy has not yet been invited to the anti-submarine conference discussions at Geneva. It declares that the inclusion of Russia and the exclusion of Italy would be proof of Anglo-French enmity. The Mediterranean conference will probably begin at Geneva on September 11 or 12. The Foreign Office spokesman states that Britain will make a determined stand. She attaches the greatest importance to the meeting at which it is assumed all the Mediterranean Powers will be present including Italy. Britain has detailed proposals to make regarding the security of shipping. The destroyers Firedrake, Forester, Fortune and Fury are sailing today to join the nine H-class destroyers in the Mediterranean.

A Moscow message states that commenting on the sinking of the Timiryazev Isvestia accuses Italy of piracy in the Mediterranean and describes Signor Mussolini as “the notorious chieftain of a band of fascist cutthroats” and accuses h.er of “avowed, glorified, mediaeval banditry.” Pravda says: “The Soviet Government will be able to take care of the mad Italian bandits.” Thousands of protest meetings are oeing held throughout the country but there is no indication yet what steps the Soviet is taking regarding the Mediterranean question.

BRITAIN’S STRENGTH IN MEDITERRANEAN

REINFORCEMENTS EXPECTED '

(British Official Wireless) RUGBY, September 3.

The present strength of the Mediterranean fleet is as follows: Four capital ships, the battleships Malaya and Barham and the battle-cruisers Hood and Renown; three heavy cruisers London, Devonshire and Sussex; five cruisers, Delhi, Despatch, Penelope, Galatea and Arethusa; the aircraft carrier Glorious; 24 destroyers organized in flotillas and four otherwise employed. Other craft are submarines, seven motor torpedo boats, six minesweepers, seven net layers, one drifter, four depot repair and supply ships, four escort vessels, one minelayer, one tug, one hospital ship.

In the western Mediterranean there are at present the cruisers Galatea and Penelope, the destroyers Hardy, Hasty, Hotspur, Hostile, Havelock, Harward, Hero, Hyperion and Vanoc. The prompt measures decided upon at a meeting of Ministers has been received with general satisfaction and satisfaction is also expressed at the Government’s acceptance of France’s proposal for a meeting of Mediterranean Powers.

Reinforcements of British destroyer strength in the Mediterranean and prospects of forthcoming discussions between the Mediterranear Powers are two topics which vie for chief place in today’s newspapers. The meeting of all Mediterranean Powers concerned to consider the submarine menace has aroused the liveliest interest in London and in official circles the very great importance which the British Government attaches to it is stressed. The British favour the beginning of these discussions as soon as possible after representatives of all the Powers concerned have reached Geneva. It is authoritatively stated that the British Govern-

ment will have important proposals to make at the meeting. • LOYALIST SUBMARINE UNDER WATCH (Received September 5, 6.30 p.m.) BORDEAUX, September 3. The Spanish Government submarine C 4 arrived at Verdon, the commander seeking permission to effect repairs to the staging damaged by air bombs. A French vessel is watching the submarine pending instructions from Paris. '