ON THE SEAS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15699, 19 September 1916, Page 8

ON THE SEAS.

A NOTE TO SWEDEN

ACRIMONIOUS ANSWER.

BLOCKADE TO BE STRENGTHENED

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) ■ (Australian and N.Z. C*blo Association.) (Received Sentember 18th,. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 17. Tho Allies' Note protesting against the Swedish measures for regulating the navigation of her territorial waters in tho Baltic shows that a French Not© Jeclarcd firstly, that Sweden prevented submarine navigation of her territorial ivaters except by German submarines, which employ a commercial pretext; secondly, that Sweden reserves tho rout© through minefield in the Kogund Pass for Swedish vessels exclusively, which is contrary to the "Franco-Swedish commercial treaty; . thirdly, that Sweden thus closes against non-Swedish vessels,the only routo from the Sound to the Baltic, which is out of reach of.German war vessels, but keeps open the Kalmar Strait, which is accessiblo to Swedish and German vessels - \otilj. It is even stated that German vessels are escorted as a protection against Russian warships. Sweden thus completes Germany's Baltic' barrier between the Russians and the Anglo-French Fleet, and consequently Sweden's attitude towards one group of . , belligerents is incompatible with fair v and impartial neutrality. '*

; Sweden's reply to this Note is couch- ■ cd in acrimonious language. It strongly disputes the charge of partiality, and states that she cannot discuss the subject.- The Note declares that the allegations ar© based on .imperfect know- . lodge of the facts in isolated, instances, and adds'that Sweden is the sole judge how the shall legitimately pre- . serve her rights and 'discharge her duties^ ".LAST HOLE IN THE BING." BRITAIN'S PRESSURE TO INCREASE. (Received September 18th, 5.5 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, September 17. ■' The • Norwegian "Morgenbladet". .states that owing to the Allies' Note to, Sweden, •' England has', strengthened her blockade against Norway. "Scan- . dinavia must expect severe .months, but 6he will meet them in joint fellowship. Scandinavia is now the only hole in the ring surrounding the Central Powers, and it is Britain's policy'to close this hoje, because it is believed that it is tho only way to shorten the war." . SUBMARINE POLICY. A" PROTEST FROM SPAIN. MADRID, September 17. Tho Government has- energetically protested. against Germany torpedoing three Spanish merchant ships on Wednesday and Thursday. FATE OF THE BREMEN. AMSTERDAM, September 17. German newspapers are not permitted to refer to the fate of the Bremen. Shipping circles.in.Hamburg are convinced that tho Bremen has been sunk. - TWO STEAMBBS SUNK. OtoaterV Talegnsu.}* (Received September 19th, 1.5 a.m.) LONDON, September 18. The British steamers Butetown and Swedish Prince have been sunk. The Butetown was a steel screw steamer of 3789 tons, built in 1905 and owned by the Town Line (London) registered at Grimsby. The Swedish Prince was a steel screw • steamer of 3712 tons, built in 1896, for the Prince Line, Ltd., Newcastle.

AMERICAN MAILS.

„ A PROTECT AGAIN.# THE

CENSOR.

"WASHINGTON, September 17. Tho United States has protested to Britain against the opening by the censor at Vancouver of the United States official mail from naval officers • at Shanghai and Hong-Kong. ■ -,' , r