THE U-BOAT PERIL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3070, 4 May 1917, Page 5

THE U-BOAT PERIL

BRITAIN FACES THE TASK IMPORTANT CHANGES AT THE ADMIRALTY v LULL IN : THE WEST ■■"-, BRILLIANT SUCCESS IN " : •' MESOPOTAMIA Tho lull ori jiko Western front still continues, and in the meantime the correspondents are taking stock of the recent grand offensive. M. Marcel Hutin, tho distinguished contributor to tho Paris "Figaro," estimates that' in two weeks of fighting tho British and the French between them have accounted for over 40,000 prisoners and an enormous quantity of light and heavy artillery. Some idea of tho extent to which air fighting is now developed is strikingly demonstrated in the record for April—7l4 machines were brought down altogether on both sides, and of this number the Allies accounted for 348. The British in Mesopdtamia have scored another brilliant success in their operations against the Turkish 13 th Army Corps, which has suffered a severo defeat, and now appears to have been dispersed by the sub- ' sequent cavalry operations. On tho Eussian front the Turks have heen more successful, having captured Mush. The British nation is now engrossed in the problem of grappling with the submarine, peril, and as the result of Mr. Lloyd George's inquiries at the Admiralty , important changes are expected. Humours of Sir Edward Carson's resignation as First Lord are not substantiated, but the "Times" has ■■ prepared the puhlic for this eventuality, in a carefully-worded para- ■ graph.

/ FIGHTING THE SUBMARINE PERIL IMPORTANT CHANGES AT THE BRITISH ADMIRALTY .'■ : a RUMOURS OP SIR EDWARD CARSON'S # RESIGNATION (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright)., . London, May. 2. The newspapers state that as a' result of Mr. \Lloyd George's inquiries, an. important reorganisation of the Admiralty staff and its methods will shortly be effectedj to counter the submarines. The changes will chiefly affect the Inventions Board and the Department directing sea traffic' Rumours of Sir Edward Carson's resignation are declared' to be baseless.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.. . ■ THE "TIMES'" COMMENT, ■ . ' London, May. 2. CommentiiiK on the storios. of.the impending 'Admiralty changes and the rumours of Sir Edward Carson's resignation, the "Times" says:—"lt may be well to state authoritatively that no difference has arisen between Sir Edward Careon and his colleagues at the Admiralty. If. he leaves the Admiralty, which is likely enough, it will be because he would gladly resign at any moment if he thought it would strengthen the Government's hands or facilitate the work of his naval colleagues."—The "Times."

BRITAIN TO BE RATIONED . London, May 2. Mr. 0. Ba-thuret (Secretary to the Food Controller) announced in the House of Commons th'at a national rationing scheme was impending.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. • FURTHER FOOD RESTRICTIONS. (Rec. May 3, 7.15 p.m.) London, May 2 The Press Bureau states:—Lord Devonport (the Food Controller) restricts the use of maize_, barley, and oats to seed or human and animal food, afi3 fapioca, sago, manioc, and arrowroot' for human food.—Axis.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ■.•'. THE KING APPEALS TO THE NATION • ' (Bee. May 3, 8.5 p.m.) London, May 3. A proclamation, signed by His Majesty the King, was read from the steps of the Stock Exchange to-day, urging the greatest economy with all kinds of grain. Householders should reduce the consumption of bread by at least one-quarter, and not use flour except for bread. The proclamation also enjoins the most economical use of; corn for the horses. His Majesty 6aid that he was not asking the people to do what he was not doing himI self. The Royal Household had been striotly rationed since February. The proclamation will be read from tke pulpits of the churches on four successive Sundays.—Reuter. BIG SURPLUS OF CANADIAN POTATOES. ■■'■■ . (Rec. May 3, 8.5 p.m.) Ottawa, May 3. It is officially stated that Canada will have a, surplus of one million bushels of potatoes beyond domestic requirements.—Reuter. AUSTRALIAN LINER SUNK IN THE CHANNEL Sydney, May 3. The Navy Department announces that a vessel carrying paseengers from Australia to England was torpedoed in the English Channel after landing her passengers; All the Europeans on board arc safe.—Press Assn. SUNK BY A GERMAN SEAPLANE (Rec. May 3, 8.40 p.m.) - London, May 3. The Admiralty reports that the British steamship Gena was sunk on Tuesday by a torpedo that was discharged from a German seaplane, off Aldeburgh. All on board were saved. Tho Gena's gunfire "brought down another seaplane which, was associated with tho attack, and the occupants were taken prisoner.— Cable Assn.-Reu'er. AMERICA WARNED THAT THE SITUATION IS SERIOUS Washington, May 2. Mr. Lansing (Secretary of State) has warned the United States that the 6iibmarino situation is undoubtedly serious.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE WEEK'S LOSSES FROM U-BOAT PIRACIES (Rec May 3, 8.40 p.m.) . London, May 3... Tho 'Admiralty report ou tho submarine campaign during tho week gives the following figures, those of last week's report being given in parentheses: — 'Arrivals ' 2716 .' . (2585) Departures 2690 (2G21) 1 Sunk, over 1600 tons 38 (40) Sunk, under 1600 tons lit (15) Unsuccessfully attacked 24 (27) Fishing vessels sunk 8 (9) An Italian naval communique states that during tho week ending April 29, 627 ships arrived, and 521 sailed. Three Italian steamers and seven sailing ships woro surilc".—Aus.-N.Z. CaUIo Assn.-Reuter. U-BOATS SKULKING THROUGH NEUTRAL WATERS. (Rec. May 3, 8.5 p.m.) London, May 2. Speaking in the House of Commons, Sir Edward Carson (First Lord of the 'Admiralty) stated that there was a suspicion that the enemy's submarines mostly camo through neutral territorial waters.'—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.