U-BOAT "MISTAKES"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 41, 12 November 1917, Page 3

U-BOAT "MISTAKES"

• The Dutch Socialist newspaper "Set Yolk," referring to the recent sinking of the Scheveningen fishing-boats by a German submarine, says: Wo are confident that the barbarous misuse of power by'ia German submarine against the Scheveningen luggers has deeply affected almost the whole nation. It appears that what we suffer at German hands must always be some degrees worse than wlwt the,-Entente does to us. Aftor the painful' experience of last year shipowners first sought all possible guarantees from, both tides for the safety of lishing-boats, and their vessels were kept in harbour until these guarantees had been obtained. A German submarine captaiu troubles himstflf about nothing.! Seven fisliing-boats at once, soven defenceless vessels exercising the post peaceful possible calling on a zone declared "safe," he sends without mercy to tho bottom, and lets the crews toss about on the sea in open boats. This reckless man has naturally made another mistake and punishes defenceless fishermen by his mistake. German submarine captains are gradually becoming notorious for their mistakes. Eren if our Scheveningers had been in the wrong we should protest against this barbarous violence.

It is said that the German people has a burning desire for peace. How much stronger an impression th&t would make, how much louder an echo it would evoke if the action, of German military force on land and sea afforded 6omo proof of that desire. So long, however, as deportations continue in Belgium, eo long as German naval officers prove their courago on dofenceloss neutral fishingboats, so long the desire of the German people for peace remains suspect in the eyes of most of the world.