The Submarine Blockade.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 355, 15 February 1917, Page 5

The Submarine Blockade.

Lord Beresford’s Optimism Confidence in the Admiralty. Germans Will Learn by Experience. [PRESS ASSOCIATION- —COPYRIGHT.] [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION AND BEUTEB] London, February 14. Lord Beresford in the House of Lords regretted that the Government had not taken the country more into its confidence. He pointed out that during the last seven days 150,000 tons of shipping had been lost, whereof 105,000 was British. We had lost since the outbreak of war over four millions.' This was not so serious as it looked; we had replaced about three millions, and shall do better in the future. But there was a bad time ahead. \Vp were often told that the Admiralty had the menace well in hand. That was not true, but it was nearer to the truth now than before, because men with actual experience of modern naval warfare had brought their ideas to the Admiralty. He paid a tribute to the seamen, some of whom had been blown up twice or thrice, but again signed on. That spirit would beat the Germans. He advocated standardised ships of 4000 or 5000 tons. I have faith in the present Government, he said, but more in the Admiralty. It is certain that within six weeks or two months the submarine menace will be well in hand. NAVY NOT FOUND WANTINC. Lord Lytton said that the resources of the navy had not been 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. He was confident that we could continue in the future as in the past, not only to supply the armies of the Allies, but to keep the routes open. The Go ver-nment was accelerating shipbuilding. The labour difficulty had now been overcome. The construction of destrovers had been greatly increased, though all the shipyards in the world would not suffice to produce all that was required. The arming of merchantmen was progressing. Special measures had been taken to deal with submarines. The measures devised had met with very considerable success whether in the destruction of submarines or escape from their attack. The success was sufficient to justify a large confidence. Our success in this last phase would depend on how civilians co-operated with the navy. It was absolutely essential that the whole available cargo space should be given up to necessities. Lord Devonport’s food standard was far from being adopted by the whole country. From the navy’s viewpoint it was essential that the regulations should be strictly observed. Lord Lytton added that it was impossible for the Government fully to take the country into its confidence because it would impart information to the enemy. The Germans should learn by experience at sea, not from their speeches, of the expedients being employed besides those which Lord Beresford mentioned. LORD CURZON'S REASSURANCES. SUBMARINES THAT NEVER RETURN. Lord Curzon said the submarining situation was not so aggravated as some assumed. The British mercantile marine consisted of 3800 vessels of over 1600 tons in July, 1914, of a total tonnage of 16,850,000. The total at the end of last January was 3540 vessels of a tonnage of almost 16,000,000. Thus, the net loss from all causes in thirty months of war was only 5 or 6 per cent. He stated that Admiral Jellicoe and the Admiralty were not dissatisfied with what had been done in the last fortnight, or with the number of submarines which would never return to Germany. The results gave increased confidence in the future, but it must not be forgotten that the most effective method of meeting the menace was to destroy submarines. Neutral shipping was threatened more than ours. The Government was about lo pay increased freights and pay insurance premiums on neutral crews. It was also purchasing neutral ships where possible. New construction was proceeding apace. The Government was doing its best to meet the demand. Others were being built in America and Japan. The Government was now engaged on a scheme for further restricting or prohibiting certain imports. I admit, he said, that the danger is real, but there, is no cause for panic if we keep cool, trust the navy, and refrain from pestering them. We should believe that the navy is doing its best. If we do our duty like the navy the enemy will be disappointed, and we shall defeat the greatest menace that has faced the country since Napoleon. IMMUNITY OF ARMED SHIPS. [ARGUS] (Received 15, 1.25 p.m.) London, February 14. Lord Curzon, speaking in the House of Lords, said that the proportion of armed ships which had escaped the submarines was three to one compared with unarmed. The number of merchantmen now armed was 40 to 50 per cent, greater than the number armed at the beginning of December. Seventyfive per cent, of the merchantmen were engaged in naval and military service. The Government was proceeding in the direction of almost universal requisitioning. A new standard of ships yas bemghuilt, as Lord Beresford had advocated. Haif-a-million tons of carrying capacitv had been added bv deck loading. •* " - - - NEUTRALS. THE CHINESE BOMBSHELL. A SURPRISE FOR BERLIN. t Peking, February 14. China has sent a Note to Germany protesting against the submarine policy. The German Minister was dumbfounded at learning of China s decision, and admitted his inability to communicate with Berlin. He asked the Chinese Government to transmit the note. There is widespread delight at the failure of German in trigues, which have been intensified since the war. THE SAXONIAN’S SURVIVORS. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] London, February 14. The survivors of the Saxonian, numbering 36, have landed. The ship was shelled and sunk on Wednesday. The captain was taken prisoner and the boatswain died of wounds, while four of the crew were injured, including an American. One party was in an open boat for 69 hours and suffered terribly. , THE LINER AFRIC'S FATE. London, February 14. Twenty shells were fired on the Afric, and several engineers were killed. A boat capsized, but most of the occupants were rescued. The survivors drifted for five he zs. nearly frozen. The submarine commander shouted, “Good-bye, good luck.” t It is believed that five of the crew were killed. Sydney, February 14. L The Minister for the Navy states that the Australian troops ’ aboard the Afric had disembarked some time before the sinking, and the vessel was on the voyage outward. [The above cable makes in evident that the Afric was the Australian transport mentioned in yesterday’s cables as having been lost.]

OTHER SINKINGS. London, February 14. The British steamer Foreland (i 960 tons) has been sunk. (“the times.”] (Received 15. 12.25 p.m.) London, February 14. The sinkings include the Norwegian Brissons and a trawler. AMERICA STILL WAITING. Proposed Arming of Liners. Wilson Preoccupied With the Problem. (PRESS ASSOCIATION COPYBWHT.] Washington, February 14. There is much interest in a lengthy Cabinet meeting following Dr. Wilson working alone in his library late last night and this morning not receiving callers. One of the questions considered by the Cabinet was the arming of American liners. The American line states that there will be no sailings until the Government announces arming or convoying. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] (Received 15, 9.15 a.m.) New York, February 14. The railways are announcing that owing to the congestion of goods due to American ships not sailing to Europe, no shipments from the interior for Atlantic ports will be accepted. It is believed that this will hasten the Government’s action either in arming or convoying ships. NAVAL AND MILITARY PREPARATIONS. PROGRAMME OF MOBILISATION. Washington, February 14. The Army and Naval Departments have appointed seven committees to develop the programme for the mobilisation of the reserves in times of war. It is announced that the Navy mobilises a mosquito fleet of torpedo boats to act as submarine chasers in the event of war. The Navy Appropriation Bill of 368,000,000 dollars has been passed. It provides for 42 ships and huge ammunition stores. AMERICAN BLOCKADE RUNNERS. OVERT ACT INVITED. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] (Received 15, 9.15 a.m.) London, February 14. A German semi-official message states that if the American ships Rochester, Orleans, and St. Louis are encountered in the prohibited zone they will be sunk without mercy. Amsterdam, February 14. A telegram from Germany announces that the submarines have been ordered to spare the St. Louis, but it is feared that the radiogram will not reach all the submarines. GERMANY DECIDES ON NO MODIFICATION. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] (Received 15. 12.25 P-m.) New York, February 14. Messages from Berlin deny that Germany invited suggestions for the avoidance of war with America. Germany states that there will not be any modification in the submarine programme. AMERICAN SCHOONER SUNK IN MEDITERRANEAN. [BEUTEB] (Received 15. 12.25 p.m.) New York, February 14. The American schooner Lyman Law has been sunk in the Mediterranean. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION] (Received 15, 2.20 p.m.) Washington, February 14. The State Department learns that the American schooner Lyman Law (1300 tons), with an American crew of nine, was submarined in the Mediterranean. The crew are reported to be saved. DEPARTURE OF BERNSTORFF AND PARTY. Washington, February 14. Count Bernstorff, who sails in the ship Frederick at 8 to-day, left- the capital by a special train for New York with a retinue of sixty. Extraordinary precautions will be taken to guard the party when boarding the ship. In addition to the Embassy party, comprising Consular officers and their wives and servants, there are 300 passengers. Count Bernstorff in a final talk with pressmen, said he hoped war would be averted and friendly relations soon restored. It is expected that Count Bernstorff will reach Copenhagen on February 27th. New York, February 14. Count Bernstorff arrived at Hoboken and boarded the Frederick VIII. He posed for motion pictures, but declined to be interviewed by reporters. The most stringent police arrangements prevent unfortunate incidents. THE BREMEN'S OCCUPATION CONE. [AUSTRALIAN AND, NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION] (Received 15, 9.15 a.m.) Amsterdam, February 14. A telegram from Berlin states that a notice has been issued that all goods and correspondence handed in for transmission by commercial submarines to America will be returned and the freightage refunded. THE MEXICAN MENACE. BRITAIN MAY LAND TROOPS. Washington, February 14. It i$ reported that Great Britain is considering landing troops at Tampico to protect the oil interests, following Carranza’s Note recommending cutting off the supplies of belligerents. Officials are concerned at the German influences prompting Carranza’s action. AMERICA FIRM. PREPARATIONS GOING ON. NOT SEEKING A WAY OUT. New York, February 7. I The Washington correspondent of the “ New York Times ” ! says that President Wilson is annoyed at the persistence of the I reports that he is seeking a way to avoid a conflict. He objects ; particularly to the dissemination of statements that the Go- 1 vernment is inclined to make overtures for the modification of ; submarining. President Wilson’s position is explained by the fact that 1 relations with Germany have been broken, and there will be no attempt to reopen them. The severance remains complete. i The action taken on Saturday had long been in contemplation. ] America, was compelled to live up to the declaration previously made that intercourse would cease with the renewal of sub- j manning. Preparations for hostilities are to continue. The pre cautions being observed are of an offensive character, that would permit Germany later to claim that the United States j intended action as a preliminary to a conflict.