November 18, 1939; AMERICAN SHIPS RETAINED FOR CARGO INSPECTIONS:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1939:

State Department Reports

on War Interference;
One Seized Friday.

WASHINGTON, NOV. 18.—AP—

The state department today reported 48 cases in which belligerents had detained American ships for examination of papers or cargo.

Great Britain was responsible for 33, France for 10, Germany for 4 and an unidentified vessel for 1.

The report included information received between September 1 and November 17. Forty-four ships were detained, but four were stopped

twice.
PORT SEIZURES ,
In most cases, the department reported, American ships were not stopped at sea but were detained in belligerent ports, a statement said:

"As a general practice, for reams of their own, the vessels which appeared from ports of the United States or or before November 4, the effective date of the neutrality act of 1939, ordinarily put into belligerent ports en route to their donations, and the principal difficulty thus far has arisen in connection with delay involved in the examination of the vessels and their cargoes before being permitted to proecced on their voyages."

American operators are contending that ships have been held for unreasonably long periods.

The longest detention was that of the City of Flint, held for 27 days by a German prize crew until released November 4 by Norwegian authorities.

There have been no formal claims or the loss of cargoes, and authorities here do not yet have accurate information on the total amount of

goods seized, nor how many ship operators have been compensated.
ONE SEIZED FRIDAY
The department's--report showed a release date for all save, one of the ships. That was the Lafcomo off the Tampa Interocean Steamship company, reported detained yesterday at Weymouth. England.

Three instances of American ships being detained and examined by German submarines were reported.

This government recognizes the right of belligerents to halt neutral ships at sea for examination of their papers and cargoes to determine whether they may be carrying contraband. If contraband is found and evidence obtained that is destined for delivery to the enemy, the contraband may be seized and unloaded at sea or the vessels taken into port for unloading.

 

War At Glance

By The Associated Press.

BERLIN—
Nazi anti-treason law imposed on Bohemia- Moravia after drastic action against "rebellious1 Czech students.

LONDON —

German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer identified as Indian ocean raider.

WASHINGTON—

Belligerents detained 44 American ships since beginning of war, state department reports.

NEW YORK—

British place $20,000,000 aircraft order.

PARIS—

Western front reported quiet.

HONGKONG—
Japanese announce penetration of Kwangsi province in South China drive.