The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-23
mine campaign began last week.
Mines Called German Savagery

Mines Called German Savagery
Latest victims of the sea warfare
followed retaliatory action by Brit
ain in announcing allied plans to
seize German exports and German
owned cargoes on the high seas, and
the condemnation of Germany's use
of magnetic mines as "the latest
abomination of German savagery"
by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir
John Simon.
Germany's mining is "a breach of
the rules of war which only two
months ago Germany expressly
promised to obey" Simon said in q
radio speech last night.
Simon said that the British were
meeting Germany's latest challenge
and "all that science and skill can
devise is devoted to meeting the new
danger"
The Gypsy went down In the North
sea in the region that has become
a graveyard for British and neutral
shipping, mainly because Of mine ex-
blossoms. The vessel, one Of the most
modern In the royal navy, settled
to the bottom in shallow water with
In sight of the coast.
To Meet New Danger
Preparations for meeting the new
danger were being speeded by the
ministry of economic warfare which
said that in a matter ofehours the
allied blockade Of all German exports
would start. The ministry said that
the blockade would tighten an eco
nomic strangle-hold on Germany
and have the effect Of shortening
the war"
The latest victim of the mine war;
fare was the Greek steamer Elena r.,
of 4,576 tons. The vessel was enroute
to Antwerp, Belgium, from the Ar
gentine port of River Plate, with a
cargo of grain.
Il was on watch below when I
heard a terrific bang" member Of
the crew said Everything blew up.
We got into the lifeboats and lost
everything. The Elena r disappeared
in about an hour"
Three members of the crew Of the
Elena r were injured so seriously
that they required hopsital treat
ment. The woman survivor was the
wife of the chief engineer.
Had Saved Germans
When the Gypsy went down, the
admiralty disclosed, she was re-
turning to patrol duty at sea after
having put into port to land three
German aviators, shot down by the
British. The flyers had been res
cued by the destroyer from a rub
Der boat In the North Sea.
The Gypsy, completed only in
1895, had normal complement of
las. Shew as the second British
destroyer lost since the start of the
war.
In his speech. Simon was bitter
regarding latest methods Of German
sea warfare.
You have all been reading in the
newspapers about the latest German
savagery-magneti mines secretly
deposited in the channels of the
North Sea in order to blow up with
out warning neutral and British
shipping and to destroy innocent
lives In breach Of the rules OF war
to which Germany only two months
ago promised expressly to adhere"
he said.
Can't Blame Britain Now
mot even the inventiveness of
Herr Goebbels (NaZi propaganda
minister DR.. Paul Joseph Goebbels)
can suggest that these sinkings were
contrived by the perverSe ingenuity
of Churchill British first Lord of
the Admiralty Winston ChurchilD
in order to throw the blame on
Germany"
Confidence in the future was ex-
pressed in brief speech by Prime
Minister Neville Chamberlain who
addressed at a dinner In his honor,
1870 Of his parliamentary supporters.
He said that "Britain's strength
in every theater Of war Is assuming
enormous proportions"
This country, with our allies, is
now in position to meet any even
tuality," Chamberlain said. 1.-THE
unanimity within this country and
empire goes to show all that these
free peoples have made up their
minds to recognize that fundamen-
tai issues are al stake and are at
one In their purpose to defeat the
challenge to their liberties and in
dependence"
London, Nov. 23.-(UP)- Great
Britain seeks mo material gain" in
her war with Germany, King George
said today in speech on the pro-
rogation Of Parliament.
Parliament was adjourned today
and will reconvene next week.
The King said that despite the
efforts OF my government to pre-
serve peace, Germany, in violation
of her solemn undertakings, want
only invaded Poland. This new III
stance of German aggression and bad
faith was a challenge which we
could not have declined without dis
honor to ourselves, without peril to
the cause Of mankind"
1--WE seek no material gain" the
King added. Liberty and free insti-
buttons are our birthright which we,
like our forefathers, are resolved to
preserve.
Members of the House Of Com
mons: thank you for your ready
acceptance Of heavy financial bur-
dens rendered necessary as a con-
tribution towards meeting the severe
expense of war So prompt and I'M
grudging response has deeply I'M
pressed the world and demonstrates
the unflinching determination of my
people to make every sacrifice nee
essary for victory.
MY lords and members Of the
House Of Commons: The issue Is
clear. With united will my peoples
here and overseas have dedicated
themselves to struggle. The spon-