DAMAGE CAUSED BY COMMERCE RAIDERS

Southland Times, Issue 24138, 29 May 1940, Page 8

DAMAGE CAUSED BY COMMERCE RAIDERS

(British Official Wireless) (Received May 28, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, May 27. Naval experts, commenting on the German Admiral Lutzow’s claim that mines have been laid off the coast of South Africa by a commerce raider, while dismissing the further claim that eight ships and two minesweepers have been lost in this area as being totally untrue, agree that the actions of commerce raiders, either by mine-laying, torpedo, bomb or gunfire, can cause considerable annoyance and inconvenience, but can have no lasting effect on the conduct of the war. The result of the present war will depend on supplies of raw material and the power that controls the trade routes will win in the end. Many campaigns have been won and lost at a scene many hundreds of miles from the battle area. FRENCH DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENTS

(Received May 28, 6.30 p.m.) PARIS, May 27,

M. Ormesson, political editor of Figaro, has been appointed Ambassador to the Vatican, M. Robert Coulondre Ambassador to Switzerland, M. de la Baume Ambassador to Spain, M. Daumale Con-sul-General in New York and M. de la Forcade Minister in Dublin.