Evening star., 1941-04-03
Ships
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of note at his press conference to-
day, explaining that Admiral Lais
withdrawal was asked because of his
connection with damage done to
many of the italian vessels prior
to their being taken over by the
Government.
Asked if similar action might be
taken in connection with the Ger
man naval attache here, Mr.. Hull
said be could not discuss that ques-
ton at this time. Two German
ships and 80 Danish vessels were
taken over along with the italian
vessels. officials explained at the
time that the action in regard to the
Danish ships was to protect them
from sabotage from persons other
than their crews.
Ambassador Colonna said today
the American demand had been
communicated by him to his gov
ernment in Rome. He said he
would await instructions from his
capital about what steps Admiral
Lais should take. Admiral Lais left
his office at the Embassy a few
minutes after the announcement
was made by Secretary Hull, and
was unavailable for comment.
The note asking withdrawal of the
italian attache followed vigorous
protest by both the italian and Ger
man Embassies against the seizure
of their vessels and prosecution of
some of the crews involved in tthe
sabotage Secretary Hull has made
it clear that the protests would not
affect the Governments policy, but,
so far as is known has not replied
formally to the notes of protest.
First Request for Recall.
The request for recall of Admiral
Lais is the first such action to mark
the strained relations between this
country and the axis during the
present war, although the State De-
partment last summer warned the
German Embassy that any of its
representatives who openly criticize
American policies will not be per-
mitted to remain in this country.
That warning followed disputed as
sertions in a newspaper interview by
Edgar Won Spiegel, German consul
in New Orleans, who was quoted as
saving Germany would not forget
United States aid to Great Britain.
Only last month, the State De-
partment formally asked the Italian
Embassy to keep this Government
informed of any movements outside
of Washington Of the EmbaSSyS
military and naval attaches. At the
same time the department asked
that movements of all Italian con-
sulate officials in the United States
be confined to the areas in which
they have recognized duties, and
ordered closing of the italian con-
sulates at Detroit and Newark. That
action was considered retaliatory to
Italian closing of two American con-
sulates in Italy and placing of re-
strictions about the movements of
the American Embassy staff in
Rome.
Follows PrecedentS.
The Governments action in ask
ing the recall of Admiral Lais fol-
lowed precedents set prior to the
United States entrance into the
World War when it forced Germany
to recall its naval attache here
and also a member of the Embassy
staff, Franz Won Papen, who is now
German Ambassador to Turkey.
Admiral Lais had been naval at
tache here since February, 1910.
This is his second assignment in
Washington. He was attached to
the Embassy here from 1925 to 1929.
He married an American woman,
Eleanor Evans, in Italy, and they
have daughter.
Under normal procedure, the
United States would arrange safe
passage for Admiral Lais. 1t was
expected that his family would ac-
company him.