ON THE SEAS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15512, 12 February 1916, Page 9

ON THE SEAS.

THE ADMIRALTY.

LORD FISHER'S RECALL ADVOCATED.

ATTACK BY "MORNING POST."

("Tinies"' and "Sydney Sun" Services.) LONDON, February 10. The ''Pall Mall Gazette.'' the "Observer." and the "Standard" have joined other influential journals in advocating Lord Fisher's return to the

Admiralty or his inclusion in the Cabinet as naval adviser. lUy Cible.—Fr<*s* Association. —Copyright.) LOXDOX, February 10. The agitation in favour ot' Lord Fisher's recall to the Admiralty continues. The "Morning Post" attacks the proposal, and asserts that Lord Fisher's methods have been shown to be valueless, his scheme of education ol officers having been practically abolished." "Lord Fisher," it- continues, "was responsible for the abolition of light cruisers and small crait, which the wa r has shown are greatly needed. Lord Fisher's share in tho Dardanelles episode shuts out definitely all further return by him to the higher command." It- adds: ''An attempt to boom Lord Fisher deserves to be punished." According to a message from London on Tuesday, the "I>aily leiegraph" says there is a rumour of the impending resignation of Admiral Sir Henry B. Jackson. First Sea Lord of the Admiralty. The Admiralty _ refuse to give any information concerning tho matter. AMERICA AND GERMANY. "SCRAPS OF PAPER."' BETRAYAL OF PRESIDENT WILSOX. ("Times" arid "Sydney Sun" Service*.) XEW YORK. February 10. The New York "Tribune'' says: — "When the public understands tnat President Wilson has been betrayed into the acceptance of German 'scraps of. paper,' permitting Americans ( to live ou the high seas subject to German pleasure, their indignation will be destructive." AMERICA'S ARMY. SECRETARY OF WAR RESIGNS. SCHEME OPPOSED BY CONGRESS. (Received February 1-th, 12.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, February 10. Sir Lindley SI. Garrison. Secretary of War, and Mr Breckenbridgo, his assistant, have resigned. Their action is duo to a largo majority in Congress opposing their scheme for an Army on Continental lines.

fC FREEDOM OF THE SEAS."

AMERICAN STEAMER ATTACKED.

ANOTHER NOTE TO AUSTRIA

(By Cable.—Free* Association.—Copyright.)

"WASHINGTON, February 10. Mr Lansing, Secretary of State, Jias demanded from Austria an apology for the attack without warning on tho Petrolito last Decejxiber, punishment of tho commander of the submarine, and an indemnity. The submarine continued firing, although tho steamer stopped. The captain of tho Petrolito refused to sell provisions, whereupon tho submarine's crew forcibly helped themselves'.

A message from "Washington on December 7t-li said: "The United States cruiser Des Moines reports that a large Austrian submarine shelled the American tank steamer Petrolite on Sunday in the Eastern Mediterranean. Ono of the crew was slightly injured. It appears that the Petrolite succeeded m escaping." i .

A Rome telegram, dated Decembe rth, stated that the tank steamer Com munipaw, belonging to the Standard Oil Company, liad been sunk bv a submarine near Tobrulc, Tripoli, while proceeding from Genoa to Alexandria. On December 9th, however, the steamer was reported as having reached Alexandria 'safely on Sunday. A message from Washington stated that' the American Ambassador in Rome, had informed the State Department that, "according to his information. the Communipaw has been captured and taken into a port unnamed."

GERMANY'S WAY,

APOLOGY TO HOLLAND

THE HAGUE, February 10,

Germany has apologised for the torpedoing of the Artemis and has offered an indemnity.

The Dutch motor oil-tank ship Artemis. bound from Rotterdam to London in liallast, was torpedoed last week under exceptional circumstances. Four torpedo boats stopped the vessel at midnight near Noord Hinder. The Germans boarded her and found that she had no cargo. Th6y were satisfied with their search, and made an entry in the log to tlxafc effect. They then ordered her to an anchorage, where two torpedo boats ordered her to Zeebrugge. TJie captain protested that ho did not know tlio locality, and asked for a pilot. The Germans, in bullying tones, ordered the crew to quit the vessel in five minutes, alleging that they had disobeyed orders. A torpedo was fired before the boats were lowered. The Artemis rceived a gaping hole, but floated <on her empty oil-tanks. The crew re-hoarded her four hours later and steamed her to Rotterdam.

THE APPAM CASE. N

BULLION SEIZED BY RAIDER

PRIZE COMMANDER'S STATEMENT.

LONDON, February 10. Lieutenant Berg says the Mdwe removed £40,000 in gold bars/from the Appam.

ARMED MERCHANT SHIPS.

CENTRAL POWERS' NEW POLICY

WARNING TO NF/UTRALS

(Received February 11th. 10.30 p.m.) AMSTERDAM!, February 10. A German memorandum to neutral countries states that henceforward armed enemy merchant ships will be treated as belligerents. It warns neu-

tra.l countries not to trust the carriage of persons and property to such vessels. (Received Februarv lltli, 10.30 p.m.) LOXDOX, February 11. Germany and Austria have notified neutral couutrSc-s that the new policy regarding armed merchantmen will become effective on March Ist. ■"The German memorandum refers to merchant trading ships which mount guns for defensive purposes.) (Received February 12th, 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, February 11. Tiie newspapers interpret the German memorandum as an indication that Germany is about to embark upon another campaign ot piratical outrages. The "Daily .nail" construes it as a reprisal for the Baralong incident.

THE REPORTED .NAVAL ACTION.

NO CONFIRMATION" YET.

AX INTERESTING .MESSAGE

(Received February 12th, 12.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, February 11.

Messages from Hamilton. Bermuda, say that nothing is known there of the reported battle between the Roon and the British cruiser Drake.

The vessels have not reached Bermuda, and advicc has been received indicating that the prize has been taken "elsewhere."

On the other hand, a message from Washington states that the British Embassy has received a report from men living on an island, the name of which is not disclosed, concerning the Roon. Sufficient credence was given to the report to warrant the authorities handing the information to the Press, adding that it had reached them unofficially.