Trans-Siberian Railway Incapable of Heavy Traffic; Hongkong Might Become Control Base When Opportune London, Feb. 6.
Britain is watching closely the movement of contraband cargo in the Pacific en route to Germany by way of Vladivostock, informed circles said yesterday It was believed that Britain would ject vigorously if the movement became important, but it was pointed [out that the shipment of bulky cargoes by that route is too expensive to justify much traffic for Germany except in extremity.
Although Britain so far does not maintain a regular contraband control base in the Pacific, it was recalled that the Soviet steamer Slengs en route to Vladivostock was taken to Hongkong in the middle of January for. examination of its cargo after interception near Formosa.
The case of the Asama Maru, in which 21 Germans of military age were taken from the Japanese vessel, is also evidence that Britain is watching Pacific routes, it was said. Informed sources believe that Britain will establish a regular Pacific contraband control base in the Pacific whenever it is justified. It was believed that Hongkong would be the probable location for such a base, but it was pointed out that a contraband control base, in the Pacific would be extremely expensive and would be justified only if a considerable volume of material was reaching Germany by way of Russia.
it was also believed that the lack of capacity of the trans-Siterian Railway to handle such traffic would militate against the practicability of the scheme to supply Germany by that route.—United Press. personnel] reaching Germany might be employed to prolong menace.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.