UNDENIABLY GRAVE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3065, 28 April 1917, Page 9

UNDENIABLY GRAVE

THE FOOD CRISIS IN BRITAIN

MAXIMUM U-BOAT EFFORT BEING REACHED

FOOD TICKETS TALKED OF

London, April 26. The food situation is undeniably grave._ There is a danger of famine conditions unless consumption is immediately curtailed. Tho public is being prepared to expect privations in tho near future. The general opinion is that food tickets are imperative. The enemy is now reaching the maximum of his efforts to starve the Allies. AH the Austrian and German submarines with tho exception of those needed for defence purposes are engaged on the_ trade routes. There is little indication of a reduction of the danger during the summer, when the longer period of daylight will he.favourable to the submarines.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

PAVING THE.WAY FOR FOOD TICKETS; . ■ (Rec. April 28, 0.15.a.m;) London, April. 27. The Government is approaching county councils and borough and' rural district councils to enable food tickets to be introduced within the next few weeks. It is expected that horse racing' will practically be suspended.

STANDARDISED FOOD CARRIERS. (Rec. April 28, 0.15 a.m.) London,. April 27. ■Lord Lytton, speaking for the Admiralty iri the House.of Lords, stated that some of the standardised merchant ships would be ready by July.— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. • • PUBLIC SHOULD FACE THE FACTS ; (Rec. April.27, 9,30,-p.m.)" London, April 26. " In the House of Lords, debating on the submarine question, Lord Charles Beresford declared that the losses were terrifying. The public should be told moro about the gravity of the position. —The "Timijs." ' '

["Lord Charles Beresford has.persistently urged, his 'views v in .the above strain with the object of getting the publio to realise_the situation and f,ace the facts with regard to the food problem.]

BOTTLE TIP THE EXIT HOLES. (Rec. April 28, 1.15 a.m.) London, April 27. The whole of the Press discusses in the grayest tone the food ' menace, which, it is insisted, must resolutely be grappled. Several papers criticise the Admiralty, and consider that it should taoklo the evil source and bottle up the submarines' exit holes, preventing ingress.—United Service.

GREAT SHIPMENT OF PICKLED' .. HERRINGS • .London, April 26. The Government has purchased from Scandinavia many thousands of barrels of pickled herrings. Fishmongers are being informed how to obtain them.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' . '" ITALIAN; SHIPPING.;LOSSES. I':': ■.■■:■■■- London, April 26. ■ An Italian naval communique states: —"During the week ending 'April 22 there were 358 arrivals and 425 sailings. One steamer ,under 2300 tons, one under 750, and a sailing vessel over 210 tons, were sunk. Two steamers, attacked by a raider and a submarine respectively, escaped."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FRENCH SHIPPING. (Rec. April 27, 9.30 p.m.) ■ Paris, 'April 27. Official.—"The shipping arrivals for the week ending April 22 were 993, and the sailings 923. One vessel of over 1600 tons was sunk, and two fishing boats. There were five unsuccessful attacks."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. ' <. - AMERICAN SCHOONER SUNK WITHOUT WARNING. • Washington, April 26. . The American schooner Percy Birdsail (a four-masted wooden vessel of 1128 tons) was sunk' by gunfire by a submarine.- She was attacked without warning. A patrol boat rescued the crew.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.