The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-02-27

voys abroad on the prospects Of
peace negotiations.)
The embassy here said that the
exact time Of Welles' arrival de-
pended on available railroad accom-
modations and that these had not
yet been worked out.
First Sees RibbentrOp
Il was forecast that Welles
would see Joachim Won Ribbentrop,
foreign minister, soon after his
arrival and that then he would
have an audience with Adolf Hit
Ter.
AS in other capitals, little hope
was held that Welles would get any
indication that peace was possible
at this time. Germany was most
reserved as to his visit. Ordinary
people read nothing in their news
papers of Welles or his visit. Yes
terdays papers did not even men,
ton his talk with Mussolini. or
his impending departure for Ber-
lin.
The reason for this was pre-
surnably that the government did
not wish to build any false hopes
among the public Of the possibility
Of peace. Well informed Germans
were frankly skeptical that his
mission could bring peace nearer
Hitler's public declarations recent
ly have been battle cries, they said
not peace murmurs.
Rumors circulated outside Ger
many that Hitler might submit q
peace plan to Welles were given no
credence here. It was forecast that
German spokesman would outline
Germany's position and its war aims,
but not In the form Of peace Of
fer, Germany will answer questions
and listen to what Welles himself
has to say, according TO informarits
but has no offer to make.
Neutrals Again Warned
Berlin, Feb. 7.--(UP)--Authorized
sources today reiterated their warn
ing to neutral merchant ships CO.
operating with the allied blockade
authorities, attacked Norway for
"retreating" In the face Of British
claims and declared that I'VE Will
break the British blockade one way
or another"
:rhe sources said that u-boats
had q theoretical right" to sink
neutral ships which had obtained
an allied "navicert" even If the yes
sci we're headed from one neutral
harbor to another.
The ravicert Is a document de-
signed to speed neutral ships
through the allied blockade control
points.
IA neutral ship submits Itself to
British control when 1t gives q Bri-
tish consul details Of Its cargo Cin
order tc get a rlavicerD just as
mach us when II enters a British
control harbor," IT was said.
The Germans previously had
warned that neutral ships calling
voluntarily or under con1pulsion at
Allied contraband control bases
were theoretically liable to attack
without warning.
VIII Break Blockade
I'VE will break the British block
ade one way or another" the
spokesman said In countering legal
arguments on the point.
The same sources assailed the
Norwegian foreign minister In conn
ection with the British naval cap.
ture Of the German ship Altmark
in Norwegian waters, saying that the
Norwegians were "retreating step by
step in the face of the ruthless and
arrogant British claims"
II was charged that Norway,
which first strongly protested the
British action. was making corlces-
sions to the British viewpoint that
the invasion Of Norwegian waters
was necessary In order to rescue
prisoners from the Altmark.
Here neutrals excuse themselves,
whereas In reality they are the
complairants," II was stated.
"In questions Of neutrality we pro-
test neutrality more than the nett
trails themselves, who repeatedly
tend to take the British point OF
view.