THE PIRATE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3008, 20 February 1917, Page 5

THE PIRATE WAR

REFUTING THE PIRATES (jßec. February 19, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 18. Experts stele that the German submarines, after a fortnight at sea, must be dry-docked and liavo their engines overhauled. They are sent out in squads, tho Srst of which left port on February 5, and is dye to' return about February 19. The submarines are fewer by (? fewer than) two hundred. _ It will tako months to build submarines and train, crows to roplaco the losses. German papers state that the Deutschland is uow flurrying petrol for other submarines. —B-euter. [The Doutschland was yesterday reported to have been 6een at Plymouth, in company with other captives.]

PRESIDENT WILSON WANTS FULL POWERS TO ACT

ARMING OF LINERS MAY FIRE

THE MINE

THE FIRST OVERT ACT

Washington, February 18. | President Wilson has conferred with Senators, and is now contemplating whether to ask Congress before it adjourns to confer upon him full 'power to act as ho deems necessary te protect American lives. It is believed that President Wilson anticipates that tho probable arming of American merchantmen may result in the need for immediate resolute action without calling an extraordinary session of Congress. _ Officials are of opinion that everything now depends upon whether an overt act is committed.—Reuter. AMERICAN REFUGEES IN TURKEY. Washington, February IS. The Ajuerican Ambassador at Constantinople reports that Turkey has assured him that it will not prevent tho departure of a- thousand American refugees from Beirut.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. THAT PREPOSTEROUS PROPOSAL TO AMERICA (Bco. February 19, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, ■ February 18. The text of Germany's proposed extension of the treaty of 1799 has been received by tho State Department. The chief purpose of tho proposal is to insure that Gorman ships in the United: States will not be seized. It also deals with the property rights of Germans in America. Mr. Lansing (Secretary of State) declines -to comment on the proi posal.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

WAR WITH AMERICA

A' -BLESSING, SAYS ONE GERMAN PAPER. _. ■ Rome, February 18. TJin Gorman newspaper "Grazerpost" save: "Perhaps war with the United States irould bo a blessing, Because after the war sho would be the only country able to pay a large indemnity to the Central Powers. The only result of the United States entry into the war would be to pay us money, while tho 'Allies would pay in territory."— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Aesn. KAISER IN A RAGE BAD TIME COMING FOB COUNT BERNSTORFF. (Rec. February 19, 5.35 p.m.) London, February 18. The "Now York Times" Paris correspondent, formerly resident in Bersays: "The rupture with tho United States oamo as a bombshell in Imperial circles. The Kaiser flow into a violent rase, directed principally against Count Bernstorff.. The Kaiser complained that his representative at Washington invariably created misunderstandings, and there had been a lack of tact with what he characterised that 'hypocritical English pastor at Washington' (meaning President Wilson). Ho then ordered the memorandum which was transmitted to the United States through the Swiss Min-ister."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. ARMING THeImcHANTMEN MEASURE TESTED BY RESULTS. (Reo. February 19, 5.35 p.m.) _ London, February 18. Experts are discussing the question of rapidly arming .merchantmen. They state that oxperieuce has increasingly proved that evon a single gun asterii will force a, submarine to operate under water, where her speed is slow, and the endurance of tho .electric batteries small. This helps tho anti-submarine measures near tho coast when the submarine tries to return homo or lie at the bottom whilst currying out internal repairs. Hero it meets with various electric, devices—microphones, trawls, nets, destroyers, motor-boats, dirigibles and hydroplanes.—United Service.

MR. EDISON TACKLES THE < SUBMARINE. Washington, February 18. Mr. Edison is working day and night in a. closely guarded building on a' model of a 16ft. craft, which lie claims will revolutionise submarining.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Afisn. ■

HUNGARIAN PRESS AGAINST HUN FRIGHTFULNESS

, Berne, February 18. Many Hungarian -pappus condemn tie submarine frightfulness. Tho "Post Naplo" domands that Herr "ttevontlow bo placed under restraint. The "Nepvana" demands the cessation of sea murdoiis. The "Hirlap" quotes Count Karolyi as saying: "I regret that Hungary entered into, tho now declaration of submarine warfare."—Alis.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

CHINA AND THE HUNS London, February. 18. A British officer and twenty-seven of tho Chinese crew of the steamer Netherlce, which was torpedoed on February 12, has landed. The explosion killed an engineer and a greaser. The survivors drifted for several days in bitter cold weather.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN BRIBERY AT WORK. London, February 18. A Peking correspondent states that the Germans and German-educated Chinese are conducting a widespread bribery campaign in an endeavour to prevent China rupturing relations with Germany.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Peking, February 18. Many Chineso are withdrawing their .deposits from German banks in China. -4Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE ATLANTIC RAIDERS CAPTIVES' EXPERIENCES. ' New York, February IS. One of the sailors oE the St. Theodoro (which was captured hv tho Atlantic raider), who has arrived in Now York, took photographs of tho German raider

sccrotly. The photograph shows a long, low, typical, one-funnelled two-masted freighter. Tho prisoners aboard the raider were allowed a half-loaf of black bread daily, lard instead of butter, bitter coffeo in tho morning, meat stow at noon, and tea at night. Ono hour was allowed for exorcise on deck daily, otherwiso they were herded in a single, ill-ventilated, large room. Neutral sailors were allowed to make purchases at tho raider's canteen, whore tobacco, sweets, lemonade, beer, spirits, and sausages were obtainable. The raider's mechanics transformed tho St. Theodore, fitted her with wireless, and strengthened tho forecastle and poop for guns.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu. LATEST VICTIMS OF THE PIRATES (Rcc. February 19, 5.15 p.m.) ' London, February 18. The British st-eanior Valdes was torpedoed without warning. Two persons were Killed, and nine arc missing.—The "Times." London, February 18. The British steamer Ronisdaten has been sunk. —United Service. • London, February 18. The 7000-ton Bibby steamer Worcestershire is reported to have been sunk. —Router. DESTINATIONS OF AMERICAN SHIPS. (Rec. February 19, 5.15 p.m.) Washington, February IS. Tho practice of making public the destinations on the manifests of ships leaving American ports has been discontimicd.—Reuter. SPANISH GOVERNMENT TAKES ACTION NEGOTIATIONS WITH WARRING NATIONS. Madrid, February 18. Senor Romanones, Premier, speakinc in tho House of Deputies, said that the blockade was so serious that tho Government was nogotiatine with the belligerents with a view.to providing a remedy.—Renter.