THE NAVAL WAR

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16219, 23 May 1918, Page 7

THE NAVAL WAR

POSITION IN THE MEDITER-

lIANEAN.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.! (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May 21. The Italian Minister of Marine,' interviewed by Mr Ward Price, stated: "There is good reason to believe tliafc wo are masters of the submarine situation. in the Mediterranean. The Allied fleets have destroyed a groat many TJ-boats, despite difficulties which, are greater than in the North Sea. The naval situation in tho Mediterranean may bo regarded with confidence. The Austrian Navy shows no 6ign of turning out to Jind us, and we are well prepared if it did. There are rumours that tho Germans intend to fit Russian vessels for raids in the jEgean Sea from the Black Sea, but tho probabilities of achieving success are email."

■ WASHINGTON, May 21. The oil tanker William Rockefeller lms been lost at sea. No details are available.

OSTEND AND JjEEBRUGGE USELESS.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 22nd, 7.30 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, May 21. A report from Berlin states that Zecbruggo and Ostcnd were so damaged in the recent raids that they have hnri to lx> abandoned as submarine bases. (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.)

(Received May 23rd, 1 a.m.)

WASHINGTON. May 21

The Nary Department has announced that tho leases of British and Allied shipping in April from submarines were 25 per cent. less than in March. The Department expects a further decrease in May. (Reuter'a Telegrams.) CHIIISTIANIA, May 21. Advices from northern ports give particulars of further U-boat atrocities : in tho Arctic Ocean. ' Nearly 50 fish- | ins boats have been sunk or are missing, carrying crews totalling 500. In I one case 22 men were brought to j Vandagubba> iu a mail-boat carrying I passengers and mails between Vardoe • and Russia. This boat was fired upon in Vandagubba Harbour, and ten, including women, were killed. The submarine commander declared his intention of sinking all Norwegian fishing boats, because their oil catches were destined for England, This is untrue, as the export of oil is prohibited. A telegram from Hammerfors states that tho sinking of fishing vessels is accompanied by the customary murders of members of the crow after they have taken, to the boats. PECULIAR MOVE IS HOLLAND. (Renter's Telegrams.) (Received May 22nd, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, May 21. Renter's Hague correspondent states that all sailings of Dutch ships from Dutch ports, excepting sailers and coastal craft, have been prohibited. No explanation-iaa 6o _far. J>eoa-fort&coriv- .