Wilson’s Challenge.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4474, 15 February 1917, Page 5

Wilson’s Challenge.

Two Ships Sail for the Danger Zone. Sensation In Berlin. _! ; \ What Will the Sea Wolves 0®? Germany Wild with Rage. (United Press Association—Copyright.)

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, Feb. 13. The departure of two American merchant steamers for the blockade zone caused a sensation hi Germany. Berlin newspapers hold the American Government responsible. The Vossiche Zeitung states that America will be responsible for the consequences. A United Press message from Berne states that the German Imperial Treasurer, Dr Helfferich, told Von Roedern that he was opposed to inciting American participation in , the war.

(Received Feb. 14, 5.20 p.m.) It is believed that five of the Afric’s crew were killed. The British steamer Foreland (1960 tons) has been sunk.

ACTIVITY IN THE ADRIATIC.

RIVAL NAVAL RAIDS. Tlie Times. LONDON, Feb. 13. An Italian squadron bombed Pola. The arsenal and ships were damaged. Fires broke out. Later on an Austrian squadron attacked Brindisi, bombs falling on a hospital train and houses.

The junkers, industrial leaders, and munition manufacturers favor changing to ruthless submarining. A well-informed expert says that Germany prepared for super-fright-fulness by standardising submarines. Hundreds of factories specialised and single parts were sent to Kiel, where skilled staffs bolted them together, and the crews are rapidly trained by experts in training schools. Living conditions in the U-boats have improved. They are double-hulled, fitted with net-shearing apparatus and carry guns equal to those of destroyers. Despite the unrestricted submarining, Italian shipping continues as heretofore. Mariners regard the measures of protection as efficacious. Holland takes over from America all British interests in Germany. There is increasing comment that if America does not enter into the war it will be due primarily to the efficiency of the British fleet in reducing submarining to harmlessness. The Petiti Parisien publishes an intern ew with Sir Edward Carson, who states that the British Navy is übiquitous and is awaiting the enemy in the North Sea on the coasts of Brazil in West Africa, and tile Cameroons. It is helping the French at Salonika and in East Africa, is with the Italians in the Adriatic, with the Russians at Archangel, and it also strictly blockading Germany. ' The Germans are wild with rage, and are reduced to the direst necessity. They will not hesitate to perpetrate any crime. Referring to submarinings he said : “These barbarous attacks create a difficult and serious problem on which all the Admiralty staff officers are working day and night. Britain has destroyed a very large number of enemy submarines. British submarine activity is constantly increasing.” The Morning Post states that China hands the German Minister his passports on the seventeenth. Mr Gerard refused to discuss political matters. He estimates that only 300 pure Americans remain in Germany. All were advised to leave. Tlie members of the American Ambassador’s party opine that lack of transport is the chief cause of the scarcity of food. Bread cards and other precautionary methods are evidence of organisation rather than of lack of necessities. The Allies should rid themselves of the idea that Germany can he beaten by starvation. It* is stated that a German naval base and coaling station is being operated at an island at the mouth of the Amazon. It supplies the German raiders and also has a big wireless plant. . . The Swiss Minister, acting for the German Government, has notified the State Department that Germany is holding as prisoners 72 American sailors on the steamer. Yarrowdale until an assurance is given that the crews in American liarbors iiave not been imprisoned. , The development is unexpected and lias caused some amazement. The State Department has instituted inquiries as to Germany’s intentions regarding the Yarrowdale pns--onfhe White Star liner Afric (11,999 tons) has been submarined. Seventeen of tho crew are missing. Regarding the statement that' Geimany deired, through Switzerland, to notify America of her wilrngness to exempt American vessels from the blockade. German newspapers explain that Germany merely asked whethei America still accepted the 1/99 tieatj, whereby Gcniian-American citizens would be allowed to return to Germany in. the event of the wai. Mr Gerard, American Minister from Berlin, remains at - Switzerland toi five days, and stays some time in I ai is before going to Spain. President AATlson lias renewed Ins demands on the- Germans to release the Yarrowdale’s crew. A AVmr Bill introduced into Congress opens ports to belligerent ships affected bv “frightfulness.” It is planned to prevent violations on international law without a declaration of war. Congress passed a naval appropriation of eighty million pounds sterling.

PASSIVE RESISTANCE. AN INTERESTING SUGGESTION. AMERICAN PORTS OPEN TO ALLIES’ WARSHIPS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Feb. 14, 3.25 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 14. In the Senate, Senator Saulsbury. offered a resolution to open United States ports to- all Allied warships. Such a step, he suggested, would enable the United States, without declaring war, to assist in the prevention of violation of the rights at sea by giving assistance to those at present engaged in preventing such violations. It is understood that President Wilson entirely approves of the resolution which was referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee. Senator Stone and others are believed to be opposed to it.

AMERICAN ACTIVITY. LENGTHY MEETING OF CABINET (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received' Feb. 14, 8.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 14. There is much interest being displayed in a lengthy Cabinet meeting followed by President Wilson working alone in his library late last night and this morning, and not receiving callers. One of the questions considered by Cabinet was tlie arming of American liners. An American shipping line states that there will be no sailings until the Government announces the arming or convoying of -ships.

AUSTRALIAN TRANSPORT SUNKNO DETAILS AS YET. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) ( MELBOURNE, Feb. 13. The Navy Department announces that an Australian transport has been sunk in the English Channel. There are no details. The Department is of the opinion that the vessel was returning to Australia. AFRIC’S TROOPS LANDED. United Press Association— Copyright. (Received Feb. 14, 8-35 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 14. The Minister for the Navy states that the Australian troops aboard the Afric were disembarked some time before the .sinking. The vessel was on a. voyage outward. " • AFRIC HEAVILY SHELLED. , \ (United Services.; (Received Feb. 14, 10.10 p.m.) . LONDON. Feb, 14. Twenty shells were fired at the Afric. Several of the engineers were killed. A boat capsized but most othe occ ipants were rescued. -Llie-sur-vivors drifted for five hours, nearly frozen. The submarine Commander shouted £ 'good-bye and good luck. ,

BRITAIN AND MEXICO. MAY LAND TROOPS TO PROTECT INTERESTS. GROWTH OF GERMAN INFLUENCE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Feb. 14, 8.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 14. It is reported that Britain is considering landing troops at Tampico to protect her oil interests, following on Carranza’s Note recommending the' cutting off of the supplies of belligerents. American officials are concerned at the German influences prompting Carranza’s action. CHINA’S DETERMINATION. GERMAN MINISTER DUMBFOUNDED. '’Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Feb. 14, 6.40 p.m.) PEKING, Fob. 14. China has sent a Note to Germany protesting against the submarine policy. The German Minister was dumbfounded on learning of China s decision, and admitted his inability to communicate with Berlin, and asked the Chinese Government to transmit the Note. There is widespread delight at tne failure of German intrigues which have been intensified since the war.

United Service. LONDON, Feb. 13. Eleven of the Elavore’s crew have landed. : The Norwegian motorship West British, and trawler Athenian have been sunk. Tlie crews were landed. The smack Victoria was sunk. Tlie crew is missing. The paucity of sinkings indicates that submarining is wholly failing, due to the British measures in clearing safe channels.

PIRACY POLICY FAILING.

BRITISH GAINING SECURITY

NEGOTIATIONS WITH NEUTRALS. GERMAN CLIMBDOWN POSSIBLE. LONDON, Feb. 8. Indications are increasing that Germany is preparing to climb down, it is reported that negotiations arc proceeding with neutrals with the view of making further concessions Lius is what is going on beneath tlie surface, and it strikingly contrasts with the sword-rattling attitude of the German press, which, announces ' rupture in largo headlines and dcclai es that it is not surprised, as it as l r expected. Some papers find acU mb of comfort in affecting to behcvc t at submarines now have a Geei hautt. They brazenly maintain that ?_ carried out all her promises to A 10 A semi-official statement in the Lolcal Anzeiger, warns Dr W b il tw ho is bringing a terrible I ' e& U« ns + f( 7 on his head, but no threat can tciuD G Th? I Kolnische Zeitung. plainly * President Wilson that Ins action mU not deter Germany doing what sue likesf See Hindenburg has ggecl the nation that the nulitai v . enables the people to say Damm tn. consequences-of ruthless subman in The Berliner Tageblatt. the Vossjsche Zeitung, and the Liberal threaten European ncutiaL consequences if they follow Di. son’s example. Germany in a»ny will ignore neutral reactionaries, - The Kreuz Zeitung, which w liierly notorious in demanding i ' Zeppelining of non-combatants Jin pleads that Germany is only for her women and The clerical Kolmsclie Volkszemi in a wild outburst, professes ]°: y the rupture but wishes that- Dr * son could be acquainted with the privations of the whole p 111 A message from Heater's W«8«£ tative at The Hague states that reported from Germany Gnat all ex ports from Germany to Holland ml be prohibited from February lb.

It is believed the navy’s trophies in sunken submarines since February 1 are already numerous.

PREY OF THE SEA WOLVES

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Feb. 14. 9.10 p.m.) LONDON* Fob. 14. The survivors of the Saxonian, numbering 36, have been landed. Tho ship was shelled and sank on Wednesday. The captain was taken prisoner. The boatswain died of wounds and four of the crew were injured, including an American. One party were in an open boat for 69 hours and suffered terribly.

AMERICA’S PREPARATIONS. (Australian and N.Z. efable Assn.) (Received Feb 14, 11.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 14. Tlie Army and Naval Departments have appointed seven committees to develop a programme for the mobilisation of the Reserve. 'The Secretary of War has announced that the Navy will mobilise its mosquito fleet and torpedo-boats to act as submarine' chasers in the event of war. The Naval Appropriation Bill of £368,000,000 has passed. It provides for 42 ships and huge ammunition stores.

BERNSTORFF’S FAREWELL DEPARTURE FROM WASHINGTON. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. (Received Feb. 15, 1 a.in.) WASHINGTON, Fob. 14. Count Bernstorff. who sails by the ship Frederick at 8 o’clock to-day, left the Capital by special train for New York with his retinue of 00 people. Extraordinary precautions will be taken to guard the party boarding tho ship. ,In addition to the Embassy party, comprising Consular officers and their wives and servants, there arc 330 passengers. Count Bernstorff, in a final talk with a pressman said “1 hope war will be averted and friendly relations soon restore!.” It is expected that Count Bernstorff will reach Copenhagen on the 27th.

MENACE WEIL IN HAND. NAVY WELL SATISFIED WITH PROGRESS. DEBATE IN HOUSE OF LORDS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn). (Received Feb. 14, S.lO p.m.) LONDON, Feb. T 4. Speaking in the House of Lords. Lord Charles Beresford regretted that the Government had not taken the country more into its confidence. He pointed out that during tlie last seven days 150,000 tons of shipping have been lost, of which 105,000 tons was British. 4Ye had lost since the outbreak of the war over 4,000,000 tons, but this was not so serious as it looked as we had replaced about 3,000,000 tons. “We shall do better in the future,” lie averred, “hut there is a bad time ahead. AVe have often been told that the Admiralty had the menace well jn hand. That was untrue, but it is nearer true now than before, because men with actual experience of modern naval warfare have brought ideas to the Admiralty.” “He paid a tribute to the seamen, some of whom, be said, liad been blown up twice and thrice but had again signed on. That was the spirit to beat the Germans. He advocated standardised ships of from 4000 to 5000 tons.

“1 have faith in the present Government, he declares, but I have more in the Admiralty. I am certain that with in six weeks or two months the submarine menace will be well in hand.”

Lord Lytton said the resources of the navy would not be found wanting in this supreme crisis. Germany had the initial advantage in submarining ships and sowing mines, but we were not afraid of a blockade by terror and wer confident that we could continue in the future, as in the past, not only to supply the armies of our Allies,but to keep' the trade routes open. He said the Government Avas accelerating shipbnidling, and the labor difficulties had now been overcome. -The construction of destroyers had greatly increased, though all the shipyards in the world Avould not suffice to produce all that were required. A.L'he arming of merchantmen was progressing and special measures were being taken to deal with submarines, the measures devised had,met uith iciy considerable success, whether in the destruction of submarines or the es--of Vessel's from attack. Our success Avas sufficient to justify a large confidence. Success in this last phase Avould depend on how civilians cooperated with the navy. It was absolutely essential that the whole of the large available cargo space should be given up to necessities. Lord Devonporfc’s food standard Avas far from being adopted by the whole country. From the navy’s viewpoint it was' essential that the regulations should be strictly observed. ; Lord Curson said the submarining situation was no so aggravated as some assumed. The British mercantile marine consisted of 3,800 vessels of 1600 tons in July, 1014, the total tonnage being 16,850,000 tons. Ihe total at the end of the past January was 3,540 vessels of a, tonnage of about 16,000,000. Thus our net loss from all causes in 30 months of Avar was only five or six per cent. He stated that Admiral Jellicoe and the Admiralty were not dissatisfied with what ha cl been done in the past fortnight or with the number of submarines which would never rettujm to Germany. These results gave increased conndeuce in the future, but it mujt not be forgotten that the most effective method of meeting the mnacc was to destroy the submarines. Neutral shipping was threatened more than ours hut our Government Avas about to pay increased freights, pay msuiances, and offer premiums to 'neutral crews ; also purchasing neutral ships where possible. New, Avas proceeding apace and the Goveininent was doing its best to get otliei vessels built in America and Japan. Tlie Government Avas now engaged on a scheme for further restricting o prohibiting certain imports. Lord Curzon concluded by stating • “\Ve admit the clanger is real, but there is no couse for panic if we keep cool and trust the navy and refrain from pestering them. A\e should believe the navy is doing its best and it we do our duty like the navy .the enemy will be dissapomted and we shall defeat the greatest has faced the country since Napole°Lord Lytton added that it was impossible for the Government to fully take the country into its . confidence, because this would impart information learn by experience at sea, not iiom speeches. Expedients are being employed besides those which Lcml/Beiesforcl had mentioned.