ON THE SEAS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15769, 9 December 1916, Page 9

ON THE SEAS.

ALARMING FIGURES. (HIEAT SHORTAGE OF SHIPS. (By Cubic. I'rczA Association. —Copyrifjht.s ("Tho Times.") (Received Dccombpr Bth, 6.50 p.m.) LONDON, December 7. The incoming shipping in November, including vessels from the Dominions and neutral countries, showed a decrease of 1,385,625 tons compared with the previous November. The tonnage for tho past eleven months decreased by 3,250,000, and by 12,250,000 compared with tho 1914 figures. "The Times" city editor comments that these figures strikingly reveal tho gravity of tho shipping problem. APPEAL TO CHARITY. (Australian »nd K.Z. Cmbl* AnoeUUwU (Received December Bth, 9.30 pan.) T/ONDON, December 7. Mrs Lloyd George has issued an appeal on behalf of tho British, and Foreign, Sailors' Society, which is, entrusted with tho welfare of tho aged mothers, widows, and orphans of heroic seamen. THE ARABIA. GERMANY'S REASONS GIVEN. (Australian and N.Z. Oafcle Association.) NEW YORK. December 7. Germany's reply to the United State* regarding tho sinking of the Arabia has been issued. It gives the extraordinary reason that tho submarine commander mistook the Arabia for a transport, because she was not painted a fight colour like other P. and O. steamers, and was not travelling a regular route. Several similar steamers wero passed by tho submarine on the same unusual) course. Many Chinese . and other coloured persons were visible aboard the Arabia corresponding to "workmen and soldiers." Tho captain of tho submarine did not Bee any women and children, and therefore concluded that the Arabia was a transport, and attacked without delay. "REGRETTABLE MISTAKES." (Australian and N.Z. Gail*. Association.) (Received December Bth, 11.45 p-m.) WASHINGTON, December 7. Commenting upon that portion of tho Arabia Not© in -which it is stated that if it is proved that sho was an ordinary passenger steamer it would b 6 a regrettable mistake, United States officials point out that at the time of tho Sussex case, America stipulated that there must bo no more "regrettable mistakes." The officials do not consider the Not* makes out a strong case for Germany. SUBMARINE POLICY. PROMISE OF RTJTHLESSNESS. AMSTERDAM, December 7. Reliably informed Germans state that it is intended to institute the most ruthless submarining policy on January Ist. Germany has already intimated this to neutral Governments, inviting them to make concessions to Germany in order to obtain comparative immunity. PRESENT LOSSES. LONDON, December 7. Tho-Danish steamer Koxos, and tho Spanish steamer Julian Benito, were sunk by submarines. A Swedish sailing vessel Tras set on fire by a German submarine in the" North Seff. Tho crew -were rescued. ARMING- MERCHANTMEN. ("The Times.") LONDON, December 7. Anti-war risks were effected on Wed-

nosday on two British steamers subject to a warranty of their being provided with gun s against submarine attacks. IN THE BALTIC, '"The Times.") (Received DoomlifT Stli, 10.55 p.m.) LONDON. December 8. German submarines hare again inter.•upted traffic between Finland and Sweden, and »iro lavishly ruining tlio Gulf oi Bothnia.