The Wilmington morning star., 1940-08-18
NAILS THREATEN
U. S. TRANSPORT
CONTINUED from Page One)

tempts to crash the gates OF inc
n G blockade.
The announced course Of the
American Legion, a U. S. army
tr. port on the special refugee
repatriation mission, will take it
close off the northwest coast OF
| Scotland.
Two Days Sailing
The curse from Petsoma, on
Finland's arctic shore, to c a e
Wrath is about ZOO miles, m ore
than two days steaming time.
This, as was pointed out, leaves
time for the nited States to re-
instruct the master and advise the
various governments of a proposed
new course.
The America embassy here de-
clined any comment as to what
might be done.
If the American Legion continues
the originally indicated course, she
probably will move into dangerous
waters by late Sunday night or
early Monday.
Dienst aus Deutschland, authori-
tative commentary, meanwhile de-
clared it was clear that Germany
not only is determined but also
is in a position to make this block
ade elective.
1T is especially pointed out that
l H. ~yfSp~ c~o orAo 0rNYYE1@ I'm q.
land is mined"
1t recalled repeated mention in
recent high command communi'
ques OF widespread mining activi-
ty, especially by air, and a
mines were being strewn thickly
along the British west coast, es-
pecially st. George channel, tn e
North channel and the Irish sea.
THE mining" it added, lis moi
limited to harbor entrances but is
extended along entire channels Of
approach"
(In Washington, the United
States government announced II
would hold Germany and Eu-
ropes other warning. nations
to prior assurances that they would
not attack the transport.
Assurances Given
"a state department announce
ment said that all Europe's belli.
gerents, including Germany, had
given assurances of precautions to
safeguard the American l. e 6 i o n
from attack by their armed forces
during the voyage on a specified
course from Petsamo to New
York;
Exchanges of oral communica-
tons between the German n q
American governments began Aug.
9 when the United States advised
Germany that the snrp, especially
marked and Illuminated by day
and by night, would follow a pre-.
arraned course.
This course, the German an
nouncement said. leads between
the Island Of Roma and c a p G
Wrath on the northern coast oil
Scotland.
1t said the American government
expressed hope that the transport
would not be molested and asked
a promise of safe conduct.
Although Germany answered
that such a promise was unneces-
airy because Germany fources ma.
turally would not attack a neutral
army Ship" the communique said,
the government declared itself
ready to inform responsible Nazi
authorities of the American lie,
gion's intended departure fr o m
Petsamo and her intended course.
(Thronged with 1877 passengers,
among them Crown Princess
Martha Of Norway, invited to the
United States by President Roose.
welt, and stranded American citi.
zens and diplomatic officials, t h e
transport sailed late Friday night
from Petsamo, northern Finnish
port.
(Americans aboard the 10, 736-ton
vessel, included Mrs. Florence Jaf.
ray Hartman, United States mini
ster to Norway; Mrs. Frederick A.
Sterling, wife of the American
minister to Sweden, and her three
children.)
Berlin's Story
ION Aug. H." the communicate
continued, The Reich government
informed the American embassy
in Berlin that responsible German
authorities, after taking note Of the
intended course, pointed out that
this course of the ship strongly
Touched the military area of oper.
alton around England and that ex.
ceptional dangers were connected
with such a trip.
urgent advice, therefore, was
given that the American Legion
make the trip via a less dangerous
route. This warning also was dis
cussed with the American embassy
and the thick sowing Of the sea
region around England with mines
was pointed out"
Following this, it said, the Unit
ed States embassy notified Ger.
many Aug. 16 that the transport
was departing the same day by
way OF the original route despite
the German warning.
THE foreign office herewith adj