ECONOMIC WARFARE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 September 1939, Page 7

ECONOMIC WARFARE

OPERATIONS OF BRITISH MINISTRY COMPLETE ORGANISATION. VITAL OFFENSIVE ARM. (Received This Day, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, September 6. It is officially announced that the Ministry of Economic Warfare is now fully operating. It corresponds broadly to the Ministry of Blockade created during 1914/18. The announcement reads: “The Ministry’s aim is to disorganise the enemy and thus prevent him effectively maintaining the war. The Ministry's activities have the widest scope and economic warfare must be regarded as a vital offensive arm. com • plementary to the operation of the three fighting services. However, every effort will be made to take account of the legitimate trading needs of neutral countries and organisation for this purpose has been in progress for two years and a complete staff, drawn partly from the foremost experts, embarked on it months ago. It is working in close co-operation with France.” •. GERMAN CREW PLEDGE NOT TO TAKE PART IN WAR. LONDON, September 5. The Montevideo correspondent of “The Times” says the British Legation states that the captain and crew of the German freighter Olinda, which was sunk by a British warship, have given a pledge not to participate in the war. The captain expressed his gratitude for the manner in which he and the crew. had been treated aboard the British steamer San Gerardo. The Mexico City correspondent of “The Times” says the port is crowded with German ships from the Caribbean Sea and central American ports.