Evening star., 1941-06-21
Robin Moor
Continued From First Page

country connected WIN the 1Idudn
government. together with the ces-
sation of their activities, and. fur
thermore, the removal of all Italian
nationals in any way connected
with organizations of the Italian
government in the United States,
with the exception of its duly ac-
credited representatives in Wash
ington.
1T is contemplated that all such
Withdrawals and closures shall be
effected before July IS, 194l
Accept, Excellency, the renewed
assurances of my highest consid-
Grafton.
For the Secretary of State:
SUMNER WELLES."
Mani Charges Denied.
Closing of German ConSulates
and the German Library of Infor-
nation, the German Railway and
Tourist Agencies and the Trans
ocean News Service, together with
removal of their German employees
by July 10, was ordered Monday in
a note from Mr. Welles to the Ger
man Embassy here.
While Mr.. Welles charged activi-
ties of German Consuls here, wholly
outside the scope of their legitimate
duties" and of AN improper and
unwarranted character" as ground
for their removal, he made no such
charges against the Italians.
Mr.. WelleS said at a press con-
ference that the American EN-
bassies in Berlin and Rome had
been instructed to inform the Ger
man and Italian governments that
this Government objected categori-
cally to the allegations made against
American consular officers in order
ing their removal from Axis
controlled territory by July Is.
He said, however, that arrange
ments were being made to close
the United States consular estab-
liShments in Germany and Italy and
territories occupied by their forces
within the specified time limit.
Detail of arrangements for return
ing the American foreign service
officers affected have not been
worked out as yet, he said.
For Germany's '1nformati ton"
This Governments action against
the Italian consulates followed de-
mand last March 6 for closing the
Italian consulates at Detroit and
Newark in repriSal for the closing
of American consulates at Palermo
and Naples.
Other action has included with
drawal of the Italian naval attache
here, Admiral Alberto Lais, on de-
mand of Secretary of State Hull
because of Admiral Lais' connection
with sabotage of Italian merchant
ships, later taken over by the
United States. In reprisal for that
order, Italy forced withdrawal from
Rome of Capt. William C. Bentley,
assistant military attache in the
United States Embassy there.
Mr.. Welles' note today to Herr
Hans Thomson, charge daffaires of
the Germany Embassy here, merely
lIllUl lllCC llliIl llldU dO IICoAQCllt
RooSevelt's direction he was trans
mitting for the information of the
German government a copy of the
Presidents message to Congress.
Steps Taken to Protect Ships.
Meanwhile, it was believed today
that unpublicized steps for guaran-
teeing protection of American ship
ping from wartime raiders were in
the making, following President
Roosevelt's declaration to Congress
that this Government will not yield
to attempted German domination
of the seas.
Nature of the protective steps was
being closely guarded, and there
were unofficial warnings against ex-
treme speculation. but a prime pos
sibility seemed to be that the Navy
would be directed to police routes
actually sailed by cargo ships with
instructions to prevent, by whatever
means necessary, the destruction of
more American vessels.
Arming Ships Discounted.
In general, the idea of arming
merchant ships was being discounted
because of changed conditions since
gun crews were placed aboard such
vessels in the first World War.
Greater speed. mobility and fire
power of raiders gives them too
great a margin of supremacy today
for any incidentally armed cargo
ship .--
In any event, whatever course h