GERMANS’ VAIN HOPES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4157, 7 February 1916, Page 5

GERMANS’ VAIN HOPES.

PREPARING FOR NAVAL BATTLE.

PLANS FOR GREAT COUP AT SEA.

NEW-DESICN SHIP NEARLY READY.

(Received Feb. 6. 5.5 n.m.) ROME,* Feb. 6. The “Aginzia Nazionale” says Germany Is making colossal preparations for a naval offensive in the spring. She will soon have a new type of tor-pedo-proof ships with armed —perhaps 20-inch —guns. It being convinced it is impossible to obtain a decisive land victory, Germany will attempt a great coup at sea, risking everything to paralyse the Allies’ approaching offensive.

GENERAL ITEMS. (Received Feb. 6. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 6A meeting of the meat trades opened a subscription for the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John. A representative committee was appointed, with Sir Gordon Campbell as chairman and Lord Whitburgh as vice-chairman. Messrs Harold Nelson and D. B. Reid, of Yuills, will represent the colonies. Subscriptions totalling £3OOO were announced at the meeting. The committee is appealing to the meat trade of the world, especially Australian and New Zealand graziers.

The “Daily Mail” says the net earnings of the shipping trade have risen from £22,000,006 in ISIS to £250,000,000 in 1916. The paper urges that the tux on excess shipping profits should be raised to 75 or 80 per cent. The Government has deputed Lord Curzon to undertake a_ high special mission to the King of the Belgians. It is understood, that Russia is negotiating a five million sterling loan in Japan. The “Daily Express” has begun a series of articles on Krupps by the journalist who furnished the “Daily Mail” with the Kaiser’s Nish banquet articles.

The writer obtained work at Krunp’s and learned that they arcmaking a new trench revolver-gun firing 650 rounds a minute. The Japanese liner Dailen Maru was sunk in a collision with the steamer Linan. near Swatow. Only 21 out of 181 of the Dailen Maru’s passengers and crew were saved.