Evening star., 1940-03-04
-.t4
Na1i Navy Chief
Pledges Respect
For y. 5. Ships

Roeder Says Best Will
Be Done to Show Every
Possible Consideration
| ~ the Associated Press.
BERLIN, March 4.-Grand Ad-
miral Erich Raeder declared yes-
terday that the German Navy viii
be guided by the principle to do its
very best to show every consider
alton to American vessels wherever
they may be-"
The Nazi naval chief spoke by
radio to the United States in an
apparently extemporaneous inter-
view in English with Max Jordan,
National Broadcasting Co. repre-
sentative.
After he had discussed Germany1
naval warfare policy in remark
ably informal manner-explaining
and arguing points in the manner
of personal, across -the-table dis
cussion-Mr. Jordan remarked that
prospects were "discouraging" for
neutral shipping, and asked for "a
pertinent statement" which occa-
stoned Admiral Raeders declaration.
The admirals principal point in
his discussion was Germany's Oft
stated contention that Britain has
made all her shipping liable to at
tack by arming merchant ships and
using peaceful craft for military
purposes.
Cites Fishing Boats.
II find it rather difficult to UNDER
stand the position you are taking,
admiral" Mr. Jordan said. "You
probably know that the sinking OF
English fishing boats by German
naval forces has met with strong
disapproval in the United States
and elsewhere. It is not easy to
see how civilians, such as the Brit
ish fishermen, have anything to do
with military operations"
you are mistaken, Mr.. Jordan, !"
the admiral replied. 1T is an ac-
cepted view that merchant ships
lose their civilian character when
they take part in belligerent activi-
ties. -"
Can fishing boats really be used
as auxiliary naval units and are they
actually employed as such?" Mr..
Jordan asked.
Yes" said the admiral, 'let me
explain. Fishing boats are very well
suited by their seaworthiness to
serve as patrol boats or mine sweep
ers. -
"All the ships we use in this way
we incorporate in the navy, which
makes them official auxiliary units.
They fly the naval ensign.
England behaves differently. She
uses merchant craft and merchant
seamen without giving them the
status of naval warcraft. =.
I don't think we can be blamed
for regarding 1t as typical hypocrisy
If England raises complaints against
Germany on the ground that the
latter has set to the attack of
harmless merchant vessels"
Won't Question Peaceful Shipping.
I'm no prior war, admiral, have
neutrals been in so difficult posi-
ton and never have their privi-
leges been exposed to as serious a
menace. One Of their most
vital privileges is peaceful COM
mercial shipping. Does Germany
want to question it,"
mo. we DON'T" Admiral Raeder
replied. Neutral ships expose them
selves to the danger of being sunk
only when they behave as belliger-
ents-for instance, sailing at night
without lights, or by offering re-
sistance to an order to stop, or. by
conveying information to the
enemy. = ="
"Au that you said, admiral. ap-
pears to be rather discouraging to
the neutrals. The prospect of q
growing intensity of naval warfare
makes one think of the possibility of
dangers arising for American ship
ping even outside Of what one might
call the immediate zones Of war. I
feel certain, admiral, that . peril
nent statement by you would meet
with great interest in the United
States"
"The German Navy" Admiral
Raeder said, will show every
possible consideration to American
vessels wherever they may be. I
hope, Mr.. Jordan, that this un-
equlvocal statement will be under
stood as it is meant-sincerely and
honestly. I don't think I could go
further than that"