ON THE SEAS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15490, 18 January 1916, Page 7

ON THE SEAS.

THE BARALONGCASE. THE GERMAN REJOINDER. IMPARTIAL TRIBUNAL REFUSED. 'rimEATS OF REPRISAIS. (Bt Cabie-—Press Association.— Copyright.} AMSTERDAM. January lti. Tito Gorman reply to Groat Britain a Xote regarding the Baralong ease, indignantly protests against the "unheard ol and improved accusations against German Army and Navy, which have observed in thp present war tho principles of international law and humanity." Tho Note justifies the sinking of tho Arabic because she "was trying to rani the submarine." It also justifies tho shelling of the British submarine which went ashore on the Danish coast because the latter fired a gun. Italso justifies the shullitvi ol the British steamer Ruel as a ".suitable reprisal against tho illegal _ blockade established by Great Britain." In all three eases the Germans aimed only at destroying enemy ships, and not helpless persons. Germany refuses to submit- these eases, with that ol tho Baralong, to an American court, because accusations against German soldiers and sailors must, be investigated by impartial German authorities. Germany exnects Great Britain to do the same, and to punish "cowardly and treacherous murder," but as the British rcplv does not correspond with the seriousness of the situation, Germany finds it impossible to discuss the affair further with England. Therefore she declares that Britain. under futile pretexts, has accepted the responsibility for a crime which is a disgrace to international law and humanity bccause slio refused to spare, enemies who were put out of action in pursuit, of "legally recognised submarine war." Thus Germanv is obliged to undertake the punishment of this unexpiateel crime, and to devise reprisals to meet the British challenge.

GERMAN PRESS COMMENT. TORRENT OF VITUPERATION. INCIDENT :N THE REICHSTAG. (Bv Cab'o —Prp«f Association. —Copyright.) AMSTERDAM, January 16. The German newspapers, commenting on the Baralong case, surpass themselves :'n the fury of their vituperation. The "Vossische Zeitung" kits: Aho offer of arbitration is a cunning trick.'' It adds that the British Navy's honour is polluted, and darkly hintfi that reprisals have already been devised; The "Kreuz Zeitung" says: "British sailors and officers are degrading themsolves to the rank of hangmen's servants," and adds: "The Germans aro fighting for moral ideals." _ The subject also cropped up in tho Reichstag when Herr Ledebour deprecated reprisals, saying that humano laws must be observed. Dr. Liebknecht declared that Germany was merely exploiting the wcidcjit to stir up the neutrals. , The members of tho Reichstag were so inccnsed at this that tho President was forced tn adjourn the sitting.

A THREAT OF PUNISHMENT. (Received Januarv 17tli, 11.5 p.m.) AMSTERDAM. January 17. Herr Zimmermann. referring to the Baralong case, assured the Rcichstag that he would find means to punish this "revolting deed" sharply and impressively. A PERTINENT REMINDER. DANISH NEWSPAPER COMMENT. "? COPENHAGEN, January 1G : The Conservative newspaper "National Tidende," commenting on the Baralong case, soys that Denmark ought to still remind Germany of tho violation of neutrality when tho crew of the submarine E 13 were fired on and some killed in cold blood, and tho submarine destroyed by German sailors while tho submarine was on Danish territory.

THE CLAN MACFARLANE CRIME. SIX MORE SURVIVORS. CAPTAINS BOAT PICKED UP. (Received January 17th, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 17. Captain Swanston and five other men of the crew.cf the Clan Macfarlano have been picked up and landed at Marseilles.

THE BRITISH BLOCKADE. TIGHTENING THE GRIP. GERMAN NAVY'S PREDICAMENT. ("Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services.) . (Received January l<th. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 16. The "Washington correspondent of "Tho Times" says the news that Britain at last really means to institute a strangulating blockade lias been received there with the greatest interest. Reports from American correspondents agree that wholesale smuggling of food, rubbor and fats, is goins on from Denmark and Holland into Germany. American opinion is speculative as to whether Germany is 'playing fair with tho enormous supplies sent for tho relief of Belgium. (By Cable.—Prce.l Association.—'Copyright.) NEW YORK January IG. An English message states that a British. Admiralty official brought word that a German battleship left its anchorage in Kiel Harbour, and made threo sorties during December. It made no effort to find the British Fleet, but, coasted by tho mouth of the Elbe, and within tho Bight of Heligoland, keeping within tho mine protected waters all tho time. Tho food riots in Berlin and other cities and tho animosity against

tlie blockade hare aroused the people and obliged the warships to make a pretence of searching for British warships. The blockade is going to be drawn tighter, and wo may expect the Kaiser's fleet to be compelled to steam past Heligoland. Britain's Fleet is keeping a bright lookout in the North Sea. There is going to be the biggest battle in history, and it -jvill begin without warning. Hospital ships are being held in readiness on the East Coast against '"the day." LORD SYDENHAM'S VIEW. .. THE QUESTION OF NEUTRAL TRADE. (Received January 17th, 11.3 p.m.) LONDON, January 17. ■ Lord Sydenham, in an interview, said he was in favour of allowing neutral countries to reccive their normal imports plus a small percentage, and then strctching a complete chain against goods over the allowance on the presumption that they are intended for the enemy.