The Pittsburgh Press from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 4

FOUR Want Ad Headquarters, Court 4900 TILE PITTSBURGH PRESS Other Press Departments, Court 7200 MONDAY. MARCH 31. 1941 ill a'. U. S.

Government Seizes 70 Italian, German And Danish Ships A SAO PAULO. Brazil syndic, will ship 33,000,000 yards of cottxA textiles to Argentina to be made into 15,000.000 flour sacks. slon of two Danish freighters total "She can no longer move." He 5 Moving Day for Patients, Staff at Municipal Hospital Vessels Taken Into 'Protective Crew Members Arrested, Face Hearings (Continued From Pagz One I Naval attache here had ordered the program, declared that It was an-sabotage of the vessel pointed to other step toward war. A German embassy official said the probability of a thorough ln-jno actJon wouW bft taken by quiry by the State Department. government until official notifica-Officials speculated whether this'tion of the Treasury's move has might lead to the placing of greater been received As for the Danish vessels, he added that his govern- restrictions on the movement of ment couM take nQ actlQn Italian diplomatic and consular of--tile Danish government has com- shrugged when asked who ordered the sabotage.

Crews Fire Two Axis Yessels By The United Press PUNTA ARENAS. Costa Rica, March 31 The crews of the 6072-ton Italian steamer Fella and the 4177-ton German steamer Eisenach set fire to their vessels in the harbor today. Port police boarded the ships, shortly after the fires were discovered this morning, in an attempt to quell the flames and to arrest the crews. The two vessels have been here for almost a year. plete sovereignty.

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yeJow dins halves 2'25e A Real 'Buy' Luscious meaty olden halves he firm cling variety in heavy syrup; the peaches you want for very appetizing salads, tasty desserts. ALL STORES A DOLLAR buys EIGHT Peaches Mme-good rUiUililLLLU BETTER ficers in this country. Trouble at Jacksonville Of the 20 Italian ships sabotaged by their crews, five apparently had been prepared for scuttling or burning at their piers. Their seizures were carried out-without resistance except in the case of two Italian freighters at I wo th not Guard commander reported there had been "some little trouble. Government officials have been studying the legal aspects of the United States requisitioning foreign vessels in American ports to relieve this country's ship The Italian.

German and Danish ships were seized under th Section One of Title Two of the Espionage Act of 1817. which reads in part: "The Secretary of the Treasury may make, subject to the approval of the President, rules and regulations governing the anchorage and movement of any vessel, foreign or domestic, in the territorial waters of the United States, may place guards thereon and if necessary in his opinion, In order to secure such vessels from damage or injury or to prevent damage or injury to any harbor or waters ol the United States or to secure the observance of the rights and obligations of the United States, may take by and with the consent of the President, for such purposes, full possession and control of such vessels 'Wording Permits U. S. Use Some lawyers said this wording would permit the United States to nress the shiDS into its own service. 1 i Sumner Welles had promised Yougoslavia that it could expect material aid should it be forced to defend its integrity.

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can Met There are no plans to seize the jwun me iniernea crews was expeciea huge 80 million dollar luxury sometime today by the Immigration liner Normandie, of 83,425 tons and service. It was recalled that the one of the three largest ships afloat, or other French ships in American I crew of the German liner Columbus, ports, Government officials said, i scuttled off the Atlantic Coast last There are also some Dutch, Belgian! year, have been interned in an old and Norwegian ships in American ccc camp ln New MexIco. There ports but these are mostly respon- sive to the orders of the British n0 indication yet that such Armiralty. action is planned for these crew Jelly Bird Eggs 3 'fc 25c you May Be Sure Prices Will HOT Go Lower! My-te-(9od Vegetables No. Green or wax beans, Lamas or Red Kidney beans, carrots, corn, peas, tomatoes, tiny whole white potatoes there are 14 varieties in all your choice at the one low price.

ing 7500 tons. Mr. Wells said that the four Italian ships the Antoinetta, Mar Glauco, Santa Rosa and Belvedere were unfit for service "because of the condition of their machinery, The Danish ships, the P. N. Damm and the Norden, were not damaged.

Main shafts and vital engine parts of the four Italian vessels were burned through with acetylene torches, apparently a few hours before their seizure, officials said. Mr. Wells said that the 108 officers and men of the Italian vessels and 25 Danes from the Danish ships were being detained at the Gloucester, N. immigration station. A squadron of a dozen Coast Guard craft carried the boarders in the surprise seizure.

The squadron swung alongside the vessels and the Marines, with fixed bayonets, and the Coast Guardsmen, carrying .45 automatics, swarmed aboard. There was no resistance. The crew of the Belvedere gave snappy Fascist salutes as the men were landed, at the immigration station. Navy Ships Guard Duce's Big Liner By The United Press CRISTOBAL, C. March 31 The Conte Biancamano, Italy's ninth largest merchant ship and only passenger liner among the 65 Italian, German and Danish ships seized in American ports, was guarded today by a Navy minesweeper and a patrol boat.

The 520 officers and crew members, including some 20 women stewardesses and beauty shop workers, were held aboard, under guard. They were taken to a military post yesterday morning, apparently to be questioned and searched, and returned t.n th shin alimit. The ship was taken over by three truckloads of soldiers and one ofi sailors on orders of Canal Zone Marshal John Hushing. The Biancamano docked at Balboa last June 5, from South America, en route to Italy. Its radio was sealed by canal authorities June 7.

The next week the ship was moved to the Cristobal Dock. The passengers transferred to other ships after Italy went to war, June 10. Between June 14 and Nov. 13, eight libel actions for a total of more than $500,000 were filed against the ship. Danish Ships Seized In Philippines By The United Press MANILA, March 31 Naval au thorities said today that four Danish vessels in Philippine waters had been taken into "protective cus tody order to prevent possible sabotaging by their crews." Acting for Coast Guard authori ties, the Navy sent 15 men to each vessel.

Two other Danish vessels were reported in the Far East. There are no German or Italian vessels in Philippine waters at present. Axis Ships Running British Blockade By The United Press RIO DE JANEIRO. Brazil, March 31 Two Italian and one German ships which slipped out of Brazil ian ports Friday night and Satur day morning, were still unreported today. The 5567-ton German passenger ship Dresden, which left Santos and had moved beyond, sight of shore at dawn Saturday, was believed headed south around Cape Horn for Vladivostok, Russia.

The Italian tanker Franco Martelli, which sailed Fri day night from Recife, carried tons of oil. There were conflicting reports as to whether she would attempt to break through the Atlantic blockade or was bound for Rio. The Italian steamer Frisco, 2790 tons, left Ceara, where she Jiad been refuged since last June 25, loaded with cottonseed cake. Sat urday morning, ostensibly bound for Oslo. Britain Expects To Benefit By The United Press LONDON.

March 31 Authoritative sources expressed satisfaction today that the United States had seized 35 Danish vessels, "thereby saving the ships from going to the bottom by possible action of their crews. Officials declined further comment because it was a United States affair. It was believed that the British might offer to charter the seized Danish vessels. Danish shipowners were expected to approve such a plan because it would brings them pounds sterling or American dollars in return for ships which otherwise would be immobilized. Payment would not be made before the war's end.

Informants generally felt that Britain would benefit from the American seizure of Danish, Italian and German ships, but made no definite predictions how the benefit might come. 'An Act of Captain Says By The United Press PORTLAND, March 31 Captain Giovanni Polomo of the Italian mo torship Leme, seized yesterday by the Coast Guard, said he believes the united states committed "an act of war" and that "war will be likely to come" as a result. "I never expected to have an ex perlence like this in this country; he said. "It is really Inhuman what they are doing, really The captain admitted that he and his crew had damaged the 8059-ton vessel. "We immobilized it," he said.

12-year-old girl can fire Tripl-ife IP 11 '1 1 ill, i it VA tut I) I i It was moving day today for the 20 patients and staff of the old Municipal Hospital in Bedford Ave. as the patients were transferred from the antiquated contagious disease hospital to the new $2,150,000 building in the Pitt Medical Center in Oakland. The new hospital is considered one of the finest in the country and has a capacity of 254 beds, but may be operated on a partial basis this year. Shown at the top above are Nurses Ellen Howe, Mildred Kerrigan and Jean Herbstritt packing up. Below Nurse Hofer is shown with a small patient, Carole Williams, 2, in the new hospital.

My-TE-GOOD PINK I -lb. can 15c Belle Isle Sardines in Tomato Sauce. 15-oz. tin lOe 40-Fathom Fish Fillets with that fresh-caught flavor The seizures, effected by the Coast Guard assisted by the Navy in some cases, were officially described as a means of putting the vessels into protective custody. Its dramatic execution recalled April, 1917, when the United States entered the war and the Navy Coast Guard swooped down on 105 German ships refuged in American ports.

The Germans had wrecked the engines in their ships, much as the Italians had wrecked them, but they were quickly repaired and German ships carried 500,000 American soldiers to France. Order to Wreck Ships The seizures were ordered one day after the Italian crews had received orders to wreck the interiors of their ships and came before this wrecking could be completed. The master of one of the ships said the order was issued on Friday by the naval attache of the Italian Embassy here. It was recalled that when proposals for seizing vessels were first heard here a few months ago. offi- cial spokesmen in both Berlin and Rome hinted that seizure would be construed as an act of war.

But only last week Attorney General Robert H. Jackson, in a speech read for him at Havana, Cuba, said the aggressor nations had sacrificed all rights under international law and must expect to be discriminated against by other nations. Senators Views Chairman Walter F. George. of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said the Government had acted wisely.

Senator Burton K. Wheeler, (D.f leader of the opposition to the lend-lease; Italian embassy said he did not wish to be interviewed." Danish legation officials declined comment but informed diplomatic circles said the Danes were not likely to protest "except under duress. Follows Roosevelt's Promise The wholly unheralded action by the Treasury gave greater emphasis to the promise made by President Roosevelt in his Jackson Day speech Saturday night of "action and more action" to employ all American resources and power to "help those who block the dictators in their march toward domination of the world." The crux of aid to the British, Greeks and Chinese appears to be shipping. And there have been growing demands in this country, as well as strong opposition to them, for American convoys to guard the overseas flow of war materials. Saturday night.

Coast Guardsmen swarmed aboard the 28 Italian ships tied up in ports along the east and gulf coasts and in the Panama Canal Zone. At 10 a. yesterday, the Treasury announced that the Italian vessels had been taken into protective custody and that their crews were being turned over to immigration officials. Six hours later, the Treasury revealed that the same action had been taken in the case of the two German vessels. At 10 last night, the Coast Guard advised that the same course had been followed in the case of 40 Danish vessels.

Fate of the Crews A decision on what will be done members. One official said the Gov ernment might prosecute some of the Italian sailors for sabotage. Rear Admiral Russell R. Waesche, Coast Guard commandant, said there was no evidence of any sabotage or attempted sabotage on the German or Danish vessels. He said the Danish ships were taken under protective custody only because of the fear of possible sabotage by "others than their crews." He refused to elaborate.

Denmark is occupied by Germany. Mr. Waesche said the action was not preparatory to confiscation of the Danish vessels for use by this country or the British. A high Maritime Commission official disclosed that negotiations between American operators and owners of the Danish vessels for their charter and use on American flag routes had reached a "favorable state." He though the Government's action "might complicate but not stop negotiations." Largest of the seized ships was the Italian passenger liner Conte Biancamano, tied up at Cris tobal, C. which was taken over by the Army which has jurisdiction over the Canal Zone and adjacent waters.

The remaining Italian vessels ranged from 3500 to 8000 tons. The vessels were seized in the following ports: German Boston, Port Everglades, 1. Italian Boston. New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New port News, Savannah, Jacksonville, Wilmington, N. New Orleans, Houston, Mobile, San Juan, P.

Canal Zone, 1, and Port land, 1 Danish New York, 15; Portland, of business. Everybody wants it, but expects it to be brought to them. Oh well, th things we manufacture here in town didn't just walk into people's homes all over America electric pumps and clothes wringers, for example. Somebody had to show people what these things could do for them. Sometimes I wonder what this country would be like how many people would have good jobs and good family security-if it weren't for American salesmanship.

"As you know, this city has a population of 115,000. Of these, 65,000 carry life insurance-117 million dollars worth. It is a good manufacturing town and you had a part ln making it so. It is a better-than-average insurance town and I had a part in making it so. We both know what it is going to take to make it better honest, vigorous selling of what people need." Pruidak Inititmt of Lite Iuuum 3 provided by tba I.Mit.t.

t. pm.lt It. Pnrf howi Life insormae. Add ma laqsiriea tm dt ew York City. Mr.

Roosevelt was working un der the seven-billion-dollar war aid appropriation which he signed at sea last week. With him where two advisers whose counsel bears most directly on problems entailed in extending aid to embattled democracies Attorney General Robert H. Jackson to give advice on legal questions, and Harry L. Hopkins, who has become the unofficial liaison between the Office of Production Management and the small Cabinet-Army-Navy group with which Mr. Roosevelt consults before authorizing transfer of material to foreign powers.

There was no indication or the extent Mr. Roosevelt already has obligated the seven billion-dollar appropriation. But it appeared certain that he was moving quickly to translate the funds into weapons of war in line with his declaration that America has decided to use all its "resources and all power" to "help those who block the dictators in their march toward domination of the world." May Make Allocations It was understood that shortly after his return to Washington tomorrow, Mr. Roosevelt may make allocations from the war-aid appro priation to various departments. These allocations, already approved in outline, may include diversion of funds to the Agriculture Department, in a primary step to make this country the granary of democracy as well as its arsenal.

Other allocations probably would reimburse the War and Navy Departments for material taken from Army and Navy stocks for Britain or Greece. Mr. Roosevelt today Inspects 66,000 men at two military establishments. This morning he inspected Fort Jackson. S.

looking over the new triangular Eight Division of 12.000 regulars. This division, largely mechanized, is patterned after the German panzer divisions. Mr. Roosevelt this afternoon will inspect Fort Bragg, near Fayette- ville, N. C.

Axis Ships in Mexico May Try to Sail By The Vnizea Press MEXICO CITY, March 31 Sources close to the United States Embassy said today they "wouldn't be surprised" to see the 12 axis ships in Mexican harbors attempt to thwart any possible "protective" seizure. Usually reliable observers believed that the 10 Italian and two Ger man vessels might try to sup through British sea patrols or per haps be scuttled to avoid confisca tion. Mexican Marine Ministry spokes men, commenting on United States seizure of Axis vessels, were silent on speculation that Mexico might follow suit. Officially the attitude was that the United Staes action had nothing to do with Mexico. The American move came at the height of Mexican congressional discussion of the "possibilities" of taking over nine Italian ships at Tampico and one at Vera Cruz.

The debate has dealt with the prospects for an agreement with Italy to give Mexico the ships, or simply re quisitioning them without formal! ties. The ostensible grounds for any such action, according to the legis lative debate, would be the fact that Mexico has three new tankers ln Genoa, constructed by Italy ln re turn for Mexican oil and held there by the war. Six Ships Seized At Philadelphia By The United Press PHILADELPHIA, March 31 U. S. Coast Guard Commander Lester E.

Wells announced today that the machinery of four Italian ships, totaling. 19,029 tons, seized in the Delaware River "was damaged, some quite badly." Armed boarding parties of 150 Coast Guardsmen and Marines seized the sabotaged vessels at their mooring places yesterday. Last night they also took formal posses- Houston, and Newport News, Va. Crew Jubilant Over Seizure By The United Press HOUSTON, March 31 Captain Ranise Ernesto of the seized Italian freighter Mongioia said that the Italian naval attache in Wash SILVER STAR EXTRA LIVER PUDDING famous Braunschweiger style spiced right lb. 43e Fresh Pork Chops Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, 2, andj Grey's Harbor, 3.

Discussig the seizure in the case of the Italian ships, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Herbert E. Gaston declared that it had been deemed necessary after discovery of "wholesale damage, including de struction of machinery and boilers, had been done to many of the ships by their crews." Naval intelligence officers had learned of the Italian sabotage. 'Purely Protective' "The action is purely protective," Mr. Gaston added. "It is designed to prevent the wreaking of further damage which would constitute, a menace to American ships and the traffic being carried on in the harbors of the United States." Most evidence of sabotage was revealed at Newark, N.

where about 120 Guardsmen boarded five Italian vessels at 2:30 a. m. yesterday, routing out the 175 crew members. They found that cast iron air pumps had been smashed, ma chinery cut to pieces by acetylene torches, engines and shafts wrecked. In Portland, the Italian motorship Leme's dynamos, motors and gears had been smashed with sledge hammers and the wiring to the bridge was cut.

The engines of the 3500-ton Ital ian freighter Billa Perosa at Wilmington, N. were damaged with sledge hammers. Similar damage was reported on ships seized in i i i FRESH Juicy Round what flavor! Real steer 4 FRESH GROUND Mock Chicken A Solid Carload! Red Triumph (Institutional Advertisement) Hindsight and Foresight Letter Tells Why Business Must Sell Haddock or Ocean Perch POUND You'll be delighted with these tasty tenderloins of the sea ready for the pan. Mixed Cuts Center Cuts H5SJ27S rich in Vitamin B-l, the vitamin that whets your appetite, steadies your nerves, gives vim and vigor pork chops are fine to eat and they're good for you. SPARE pound ISe Steaks 37 beef MEAT, pound 91c Legs, 4 for 19c (Potatoes 1I25e that's REAL, Value! Potatoes of uniform size, conveniently packed in easy-to-carry open mesh bags.

Lowest price in many a. day. AUSTIN'S FAMOUS Here is a letter written by one of my friends, a life insurance agent in a small city in western Pennsylvania, describing what it takes to provide good jobs and family security in America. He is Titing to another businessman in his home city. ington had ordered him to wreck the ship's engines.

"We tried to carry out those orders completely," he said. "I presume we will be interned now for the duration of the war." lAmmiraglio di Divisone Alberto Lais, naval attache of the Italian Embassy in Washington, refused to comment. Captain Ernesto, 39, short, heavy and swarthy, said he had received the orders Friday. The crew used blow torches and files Friday night and Saturday on the machinery. Damage was estimated at $50,000.

Captain Ernesto made no protest when the Coast Guard seized his ship, and the crew was jubilant. They pushed each other around joyfully while photographers took their pictures. "We don't want to fight and we don't want to go home," First Mate Leo Renai said. "I hope they intern us." Captain Ernesto ordered the cook to prepare breakfast for the Coast Guardsmen. Immigration authorities took Captain Ernesto and his crew to Galveston and locked them up in the county jail.

The Mongioia is of 3000 tons, out of Genoa. She has been tied up here since July 21. appeared today to be directing of "action and more action" to Danish vessels. He told reporters he felt they could safely make certain assumptions when he was asked whether the seizures took place at his personal order. Aside from that, he refused to comment.

He said he did not feel like spoiling a very good story on the seizures for newspapermen in Washington, where details of the Coast Guardsmen's activities were being made public. Added Significance With German-Yugoslavian relations critical and with Britain landing expeditionary forces ini Greece, Mr. Roosevelt's decision toj give further material aid to the; Greeks took on increased signifi-i cance. Undersecretary of State' Fresh Telephone Peas 2 19c PRISH TEXAS CARROTS 2 bunches for 9c Roosevelt Appears Ready To Give Aid in Balkans By T. F.

REYNOLDS United Press Staff Writer Florida WIRAPEFRUIT for 1 I Marsh seedless, 54 size. So tasy to Ustl ABOARD PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL EN ROUTE TO WASHINGTON, March 31 President Roosevelt, with material aid and moral support, Wallpaper Cleaner America's "power and resources" into the Balkans to strengthen Greece and Yugoslavia. "Last week you came into my office and told me you wanted another life insurance policy. "I wonder if you realize that you were the 34th person to do this in the 20 years I have been a life insurance agent Not quite two a year! During this time I have made about 25,000 business calls and arranged protection for many hundreds of people. "I have come to know intimately the problems of 400 families in this community.

Over 100 of these I have followed for a full generation, and in some cases I am now arranging personal security for three generations of one family. Of all the people I know and have served, only a handful believe they have enough insurance. And yet you are only the 34th to come and ask for more! "Life insurance is an odd kind THIS REGULAR MONDAY COLCMM la -k lomoo. miiuon Aincticaai luuucct ou un zaif Furnace inspection. Did you burn too much fuel? Was your house warm last season? Our dealers do expert repair work on any: make of furnace cost based on actual labor and material used.

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The orders, it was learned, were issued during the last week from the Yacht, Potomac while Mr. Roosevelt was cruising off the Florida Coast. His authorization, it was understood, also made available further material assistance to Great Britain. The nature of the assistance was not disclosed. White House officials had no comment, but it appeared that the new moves were integrated with the Government's seizure of Axis vessels tied up in American ports.

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