The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-05-17
By A. E. ADAMS

United Press Stan Correspondent
 Alden, Arabia, May 17-UP)- Rescue ships bearing survivors with their narrowing tales of a des- perate fight against fire at sea on the abandoned French liner, Georges Phillipar, were expected here to-day.
 More than 600 passengers were saved, including many women and children. The total of passengers and crew so far accoutned for numbered 675 out of the S53 reg istered as aboard. Many of the others were believed saved, but not reported.
 The liner was abandoned in the Gulf of Alden.
 A passenger list was not avail able, but was expected to include French officials from Indo-China and other promiennt persons us- ually found aboard celebrating q maiden voyage.
 The few details of the disaster received here indictaed that fire had spread to some of the life- boats before passengers, who had watched q vain struggle by the crew against the flames, were or- dered to leave the ship. f
 The steamer Kaisir-I-Hind of the Peninsular line reported that "Ali passengers and crew going Aden". It added in a later message that the master of the soviet ship Sovietskaia Neft reported he was bringing 420 survivors here.
 Reports of the casualties re- cieved here remained at three per- sons fatally burned. It was feared actual loss of life would be much greater.
 It was understood that the fire broke out in the lower holds. Cap tain vicq, master of the new liner and one of the most capable com- manders of the Messageries Mari- times, believed that the crew could put out the fire and that he could bring his ship into port here under her own power.
 But the fire made rapid head way. By the time sos calls were flashed the order to take to the iifeboats was given.
 Dispatches said passengers and crew were calm, although the pas- sengers spent narrowing hours watching the crew in the losing fight against the flames.
 Lifeboats on the bridge deck were reported afire when the pas sengers were ordered from their cabins and formed in line to enter the boats. Several lifeboats cap sized when they were being low cred.
 The Georges Phillipar was val ued at 120,O00,OO0 francs labout $4,SO0,O00) and left Marseilles on her maiden voyage Feb 26 for Indo- China. The ship was capable of 1T knots and was especially built for tropical travel Capt vicq 54 years old, has the longest serv- ice record of any officer of his company.
 Threats to Blow It Up
 Paris, May 17-(UP)-The own CTS of the steamer Georges Philli- par received threats to blow up the ship on the eve of her maiden trip to the far east. because she al- legedly carried munitions for Jap. an, the newspaper Le Matin said to-day.
 officials of the Messag geries Mar times attached little importance to the threat. Le Matin said, but in- formed the French secret service, which made a thorough search of the ship before she left Marseilles.
 OfIicials of the company said the ship did not carry munitions and that the threat to blow her up ap- parently referred only to the out ward voyage to Yokohama and could have no connection with the fire that developed on the return voyage.
 According to Le Matin. the plot was to blow up the Georges Philli- par in the Suez canal. The news paper said the ship cut short her stay at Port Said in order to pass through the canal ahead of sched- ule.
 The newspaper emphasized that the threat to. blow up the ship on her outward voyage probably had no connection with the ire on the return voyage, but that the coin- cidence was troubling.
 Le Matin said Governor General Pasouier of Indo- China and Direc- for of Finances Diethelm had ex- nected to return on the Georges PhiIlipar to Marseilles but cam celied their bookings at the last minute.
 Director of the Messageries Mar times Jean Monge said There were probably numerous French officials on the maiden voyage. but | cannot furnish their names be- cause the passenger list was de- layed in reaching Paris" Wait for Sad News
 Marseilles. May 1!-(uFl- fIundreds of women and children, wives. swethearts and members of the families of the crew of the Georges Phillipar. waited through out the night here for news of the crew.
 Nearly all the members of the crew and the kitchen and dining staffs are natives of Marseilles.