ON THE SEAS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15486, 13 January 1916, Page 7

ON THE SEAS.

THE BRITISH BLOCKADE-

A SENSATIONAL v< ... REPORT. VAST TRAFFIC WITH GERMANY. "DAILY MAIL" INVESTIGATIONS. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received January 13th, 12.40 a.m.) LONDON, January 12. The spccial commissioner of the "Daily Mail" who visited Scandinavia declares that German traders consider tho British blockade! tho best'joko ,of the war. A vast amount of tho imports into Scandinavia go to Germany, merely changing their labels. Goods trains and steamers are taxed to their utmost capacities. Ho saw many vessels from America and elsewhere transhipping their cargoes at Malmo, Helsingborg, and Copenhagen direct for Germany. Tho glut of traffic is tremendous. Danish traders complain that they cannot handle their own cargocs owing to the, pressure of goods destined for Germany,

The Commissioner investigated the working of tho system of consigning goods to accredited merchants. Ho declares that it is useless, and is making Britain the laughing stock of importers. Many of them are honest, but the goods reach even fifth parties who sell them to Germany. Evwy>one is a trader on these lines, even porters, shopkeepers; caretakers, and shopgirls.

THE GRAND FLEET.

READY FOR INSTANT ACTION THE DESTROYER FLOTILLAS. (By Cable.—Press AMOciaiion.—Copyright.) LONDON, January 11. At tho invitation of the Admiralty, representatives of the Australian Press Association visited -an important base from which, a "mosquito" squadron was in readiness at two minutes' notice, to dart out to meet the foe. Target practice and training continues as in peace timo, while war games are played with miniature torpedoes. The correspondents saw trawlers,' mine-layers, and mine-sweepers, with their attendant depot ships, aeroplane vessels, and other novel auxiliaries, representing the latest developments in . naval, science. The squadron included a ' number of tlie latest and speediest destroyers afloat, with flotilla leaders capable of outstripping any enemy destroyers and various light cruisers. Among theso was tho Arethusa, .which. was inspected. She is as saucy as when she completed building, and' ieft the dock and went to sea to fight her famous action on August 28th, 1914. The time from her departure to her . return to dock was less than five dqya. Tho Arcthusa is proud of her wounds. All the holes are "plastered over" with steel plates.

The visit was the happiest possible evidence of the readiness of the Fleet to "strafe" any enemy vessels venturing into the open.

ASTOUNDING AUSTRIAN NOTE.

STINGING BRITISH REPLY.

LONDON, January 11. In replying to an Austrian Note which stated that Austria would hold Great Britain responsible for the safety of tho Austro-Hungarian subjects who aro being repatriated from India, Sir Edward Grey says that ho is astonished at tho request, as the Austrians themselves are one of tho authors of the submarine danger. It is the Aus-tro-Gennans themselves who are carrying on this novel and inhuman form of warfare, which disregards all tho hitherto acccpted principles of International Law. By asking for spccial precautions to bo taken to protect her own subjects, Austria practically admits that the sinking of tho Lusitania p.nd of the Persia was part of a settled and nrcmeditated policy. Great Britain does not propose to take an;, spccial precautions in tho present case.

NO PANIC

THE LO.ST BATTLESHIP. SAILOR'S MODEST STORY. LONDON, January 11. A member of the crew of 'the battleship King Edward VII. states that'the disaster occurred on Thursday at -11 o'clock iti the morning. The weather : i ;

■was moderate though the wind was high. All the vessel's water-tight doors were closed. Tlie shock of the explosion extinguished all the lights and it was some time before the other lights were got going. Nevertheless every boat was out within half an hour. Meanwhile a collier came up and began to tow the battleship. An hour later four destroyers responded to the wireless calls and took the King Edward VII. in tow, but heavy seas sprang up, rendering the towing both difficult and dangerous. First one hawser and then another parted until all had gone. The captain at three o'clock, seeing that it was hopeless to save his ship, ordered every man to save himself. At the same timo lie ordered the destroyers to stand alongside. The stokers remained at their posts until the last, keeping the dynamos going. All the crew were got off safely at six o'clock, and the captain left the bridge at 7.30. Ten minutes later the battleship disappeared. There was an entire absence of panic, the officers setting a splendid example to their men.

THE BARALONG CASE

HOW THE SUBMARINE "WAS SUNK. BRITISH GUNNER'S STORY. LONDON. January 11. A gunuer in the Baralong states that they received the Nicosian's wireless message on August 19th and travelled at full speed to her assistance. An hour later they sighted the Nicosian, which was being shelled by a submarine, while the crew were getting into the lifeboats. "We had plenty of ammunition ready on the poop," said the gunner, "and the marines took shelter behind the bulwarks. The captain, by excellent seamanship, brought the vessel on the starboard side of the Nicosian, so that we were hidden from the view of the submarine for a few moments, during which we cleared for action, trained the guns outboard, and hoisted the White Ensign. When we appeared around the bows of the Nicosian the submarine fired a shot. The marines replied with a volley which swept the decks of the submarine and seemed to demoralise the' crew who immediately left their guns and rushed to the conning-tower, several of them going oyerboard. "We fired our port and stern guns and hit the submarine beneath the waterlino, the second shot striking tho conning-tower and sending two men flying high into the air. The submarine gradually sank. Everyone of tho crew was either drowned or shot. Only a few parts of the bodies and a large quantity of oil remained on the surface. The action lasted for four and a half minutes. We fired thirty-seven rounds while the submarine only fired one. "It was one of Germany's latest and largest submarines. She was 300 ft in length, and had a displacement of 1000 tons. Her two guns, which were mounted fore ahd aft, were of slightly larger calibre than those • . Baralong. We were disgusted'with the cowardice of tlie submarine's crew, who, apart from the fact that they had heavier guns and several torpedo tubes, and were ready enough to kill and maim the crews and passengers of 'defenceless merchant vessels, had no stomach. ..for fighting armed - ships even when tte odds were in their favour. We rescued 107 of the crew of the Nicosian, none of whom was injured or killed. Our casualties were nil." I

BICHLY DESERVED PATE.

GERMAN ALLEGATIONS NOT PROVED. "Times" and "Sydney Sun" Servioee.) LONDON, January 11. The naval correspondent of "Tie Observer" says:—"The submarine which the Baralong sank was the destroyer of. the .Arabic, 'and the crew's hands .were, still dripping with the blood of the women and children lost in that, disaster Germany's allegations as to the conduct of the Baralong have not been proved, and the statements of her ..witnesses are contradictory and unreliable. The commander of the Baralong obviously could not allow, the Germans'/to reach the JSioosian -whither they swam, instead of to the Baralong. The Germans could lave taken out the valves of the submarine, held up their hands, and cried. - VKameradi" and surrendered. .Regarding ' the' German commander, most, people think that the destroyer of the Arabic quite deserved the fate lie is alleged to have. met. The" statement that he attempted to surrender is contradicted, and the story that the British, kicked the faces of dead men is a paJpable lie. The world knows ■what to think of those who whine over «ie .necessary- shooting of a submarine SJP., "? perpetrating outrages Jike the sinkinjj of the Persia." -