Evening star., 1941-05-14
Convoy Issue Takes
Fresh Turn After
Nazis' Red Sea Move
Status Of Question
Moy Be Changed
By Warning
Nv the Associated Press.

ny the Associated Press.
The discussion of conveys took Z
fresh turn in congressional circle,
today because Of Germany's warn
ing to commerce plying the Red Sea
The opinion was advanced in some
senatorial quarters that the Naz
decisions to make the Northern Rec
Sea area an official war zone might
eventually change the status of the
convoy or ship protection question.
It was pointed out that In the
past the combat zone proclaimed
under the Neutrality Act has had
the effect of keeping United States
shipping out of the areas officially
posted by Germany as zones of un-
restricted sea warfare, even though
this country never conceded the
Nazi right to set up such zones.
Never Forbidden in Zone.
Now, however, the sea war zone
has been extended to waters which
never were forbidden to American
shipping under the Neutrality Act.
A combat zone in the Indian Ocean
blocking the Red Seas approaches
prevented use of the sea for long
time, but President Roosevelt can
celed this zone on April II after
the British swept the Italians from
the east coast of Africa.
President Roosevelt, 1t was re-
called, followed up his action in
opening the Red Sea by declaring
fatty four days later that it was
the law that the United States pro-
tect it's merchantmen wherever
they 60, so long as they stay out
of Neutrality Act combat zones.
Situation Largely Academic.
Thus a situation has developed,
some officials said, where the ad-
ministration has committed itself
to providing protection for Ameri-
can shipping in waters which Ger
many now formally includes in her
intensified sea war area.
For the present, the situation is
considered largely academic, because
observers questioned Germany's s
ability to wage intensive sea war In
the area without closer base facilities.
An improvement in the Nazi posi-
ton. however, could make the prob
lem very real overnight, 1t was
pointed out.
No specific mention was made OF
the United States in last nights
Berlin communique, but the warning
to that country was plain.
Every ship travelling in the waters
defined as an operations zone "ex-
poses itself to destruction by mines
or other weapons Of war; the COM
munique said.
Presumably laying German
planes and bombers will be sent into
the Red Sea zone in view Of de-
velopments in the Eastern Mediter-
ranean.
Active In Suez Canal Zone.
German planes already have been
active in the Suez Canal zone to the
north, and at least one German
surface raider has been operating
In the Indian Ocean far to the
south.
CThe British recently annoYnc-. -...
ed the destruction of one Ger
man surface raider by the British
cruiser Cornwall in an Indian
Ocean battle. The sunken Nazi
ship was believed to be the former
transatlantic liner Hansa0
There was speculation in some
quarters whether Germany's action
might mean that American supplies
in quantity already were reaching
the British Army of the Nile. In
formed circles were silent on this
but said they believed the United
States would ignore the Nazi warn
ing and rush plans for speeding
shipments via the Red Sea route.
Extent of Danger Zone.
The new danger zone proclaimed
by the Nazis takes in the Cults OF
Suez and Aqaba, at the head Of the
Red Sea, and the sea itself as far
south as the Tropic of Cancer
roughly 500 miles south of the Suez
Canal. Only the territorial waters
of Saudi Arabia along the east of
the sea were exempted. Regulations
for travel In the danger zone by
specially marked ships of pilgrims
were reserved.
Safe conduct over the sea for
Arab religious pilgrims was en-
phasized, evidencing again Ger
many's efforts to remain on good
terms with the worlds Arab popula-
ton.
The declaration of the Suez and
Red Sea areas as war zone gives
formal recognition to a fact which
has prevailed for some time, 1t was
said in Berlin.
"The world is told this is danger
zone in which German forces pro-
pose to operate and if any one is
hurt in this region there will be no
basis to complain that warning
has not been given" commentator
IL.