The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-25

The Sliedfecht was bound from Holland to Norway with a cargo of oil. The sinking was the best evil dence to date that the Germans had begun, at least on a small scale, un- restricted submarine warfare.
 In spite of the sharply mounting sea losses, however, British author ities pointed out that the past weeks casualties still were only one third of those during the worst week of restricted sea warfare during the World War.
 The more fearful possibilities of the present situation, however were the laying of parachute" and mag netic" mines of the British coast. German fliers were reported to be taking advantage of the early moon- light hours to SOW the mine fields.
 Safety Devices
 The mines washed up at Yorkshire had safety devices rendering them harmless when they dritfed from their mornings, however, these de- vices were not fool-proof and some of the mines exploded on the shore. The best brains of the admiralty re- search department studied the mine problem but they had little to work with, especially in regard to the magnetic" mines which sing to the bottom and are exploded by the magnetic field surrounding steel ship hulls.
 It was said, however, that a study of winds and tides of the Yorkshire coast had determined that the mines came from field well removed from any that the Germans had made public. International law requires notification when mines are laid i'll commercial ship lanes.
 In an effort to learn more about the airplane-d dropped mines, author ities have asked all persons who see such activity to report at once, pay ing particular attention to the height he plane was flying when the mine fell and the time 1t was re- leased.
 In addition to the mines washed ashore, 1t was reported that traw- lers had been sweeping many of them up, that in one case a trawler netted IS mines in one sweep, seven of which exploded when touched. The swarm of mines drifting ashore was believed a result of the trawlers' work in cutting them from their moorings.
 Not In Britain Alone
 The mine peril was not confined to Britain. Conditions had become so bad on the Danish coast that the Danish navy built a log barri- cade in front of the coast south of Copenhagen to intercept the mines drifting ashore there.
 Britain's answer to this mine warfare-the blockade on German exports now due to go into effect next Tuesday with the promulga- tion of an order in council--Was drawing attacks from many neu- tral countries. Italy protested last night, following protests by Holland and Belgium.
 At Stockholm, Sweden, the news- paper Tidenengen, commenting on the general situation, said: "As usual in a war between great powers, neutra1s are getting the worst of it. From one side come in- dications that Sweden is being &C., cused of re-exporting goods to Ger many. From the other Sweden is faced with difficult negotia tions with Germany regarding mine lay- ing in (Sweden) territorial waters" !" Germany has announced Its inten- tion of laying mines within the four mile limit of the Swedish coast, which Sweden regards as her ter- ritorial waters.
 Sweden Couldn't Accept >
 The newspaper pointed out that the narrow straits between the North Sea and the Baltic lie wholly within either Swedish or Danish territorial waters, and said, Sweden could hardly accept any agreement which involved laying mines by a foreign power in her waters as a satisfactory result of negotiations. It would Se fragrant disregard of neutral interests. We can ex- pect pressure from both sides but see no reason to show weakness. The tactics of trying to frighten us will not be successful, no matter from what source."