Evening star., 1939-11-05
'e quarter-poun1 of each per person per

week.
In ration books were found coupons
for similar treatment of meats, mar
garines, cooking fats, many other food
stuffs. Consumer registration for sugar
rationing also is planned.
Normally, Great Britain produces less
than half of what its inhabitants eat.
About 40 per cent of islands bacon and
dairy needs are imported from Holland
and Scandinavian countries, across sub
marine haunted North Sea. Germany.
likewise non-self- sufficient, imposed ra-
tioning system at beginning of war.
British action brought vail of protest
from press which, ostrich-hke, COM
planned mostly because 1t gave people
sense Of insecurity"
Shipping statistics are interesting in
determining whether Britons are justi-
fled in sense of insecurity"
Lloyds of London estimated British
merchant tonnage of 1898 at about TO-
100000 gross tons, of which some 140O0,-
900 was of material cargo-carrying value
With famed British yards working near
top speed in 1899, these figures probably
were lacked up considerably before war
broke September 3.
Accepting German figures on sinkings,
they are destroying British shipping at
rate of some 250,00O
Sh'PP'ng Losses tons per month, con-
Vex British siderably short of
rate of destruction IL,
1914-18 war but high enough to cause
some justifable concern. At one point
Mt, German sinkings exceeded
1000 900 tons N single month
As in those days, allies today are seizing
all contraband intercepted on way to
! Germany, summary issued during past
week placing such seizures by British at
100000 tons, by French at 10000 tons.
Included were quantities of fertilizer, fats,
foodstuffs, chemicals, hides, cotton, Pc
troleum products, metal ores.
From American ships came part Of
seized cargoes, State Department here
announcing that six more United States
ships had been halted by belligerents,
searched and lightened in part at least of
cargoes. Previously, department had ad-
mitted that 81 American merchantmen
had submitted to interferences.
Apparent end of most celebrated case
of interference loomed yesterday, how
ever, when Norwegian government
pounced on American freighter City of
Flint, interned German prize crew, re-
leased ship to its American officers and
crew.
Captured October by Nazi speedster
Deutschland, taken to mysterious MUIR
mansk by German crew, subject of Rus
sian-American tension as Soviet govern
4, ment kept whole ship
Norwoy Frees incommunicado and
r;A, of Flint finally released her to
Germans, Flint had
been nosing its way southwark down
Norwegian coast on way to Germany
Remaining just inside Norwegian waters
as British interceptors lurked outside and
Norwegian destroyer trailed along for OBJ
servation purposes, freighter was surpris-
ingly brought into neutral harbor OF
Haugesund on explanation that Ameri-
can captive sailor was i'll. When Norwe-
gian doctor found no case of serious ILL
ness aboard. neutral government took
sudden, unexpected action of arresting
German prize crew, turning ship back
to Americans.
Loaded with war cargo bound for
Britain, vessel still must negotiate dan
gerous North Sea If contraband Is to be
delivered to purchasers.
Concerned over American crew, Secre-
tary Hull last week appealed to Germany
and Britain against action endangering
them.
1--WE don't sink ships on sight. Ma
turally we won't expose the crew to un-
necessary danger" London spokesman
replied tartly.
In Berlin, American charge d'affaires
received assurances. Next adventure Of
ship may bring crew into danger anew.
Slightly on weird side was radio sos
early Wednesday from British freighter
Coulmore, reporting submarine attack
some $50 miles due east of New York. At
top speed, with lights ablaze, two Coast
Guard cutters from Atlantic patrol rushed
to spot, found no ship, no survivors.
Some "a hours later Camperdown station
in Nova Scotia advised United States
Coast Guard it had been advised that
Coulmore had evaded submarine threat
| and was safe.