THE GERMAN FLEET

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20953, 4 November 1939, Page 7

THE GERMAN FLEET

BECOMING A LIABILITY BOTTLED UP BY ALLIES RUNNING THE GAUNTLET (Official Wlreleas) (Received Nov. 4, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 3 The mercantile marine which Germany had built up in 20 years before the war, consisting of many fine ships which commanded the admiration of seamen of all countries, has been converted by Hitler’s action in precipitating the war from a valuable asset to a considerable liability. Idle ships which can no longer venture on the ocean trade routes must be maintained, while more direct losses arise from the loss to the enemy and harbour dues in neutral ports. | Thirteen German merchant ship* | have fallen prizes to the Allied navies, j Two were captured by French and | eight others scuttled themselves to avoid capture. The list of captured vessels is likely to increase as ships sheltering in neutral ports try to get home—a course to which they are being driven through lack of funds. Already these ships have been selling cargoes to defray the harbour dues. When this means of financing payments is exhausted, since Germany cannot afford foreign exchange for the purpose, the vessels will be faced with the alternatives of accepting sequestration by neutral Slates or attempting to run the gauntlet of the Allies” hifiHcnde>