THE SUBMARINES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17328, 17 November 1916, Page 5

THE SUBMARINES.

ADMIRALTY'S MEASURES. .UNREMITTING ATTENTION. ■Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. LONDON. November 16. In the Bouse of Commons, replying to a question, Mr Macnamara said the Admiralty was unremitting in its * attention to the possibiliy of oountering activity of enemy submarines. It should be remembered that out of a total British tonnage of merchant shipping over a thousand tons, they had lost to September 13 only Blightly over 2i per cent. y NEW BLOOD WANTED. LORD BERESFORDS CRITICISM. (Received November 16. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 15. Lord Sydenham, in the House of Lords, asked the Government for a definite declaration of its policy on behalf of the Allies with regard to the monstrous proceedings of the German submarines. There was an uneasy feeling in the country, ho said, that the submarine menace was more serious than the authorities admitted. Ho would like the Government to make a declaration exacting ton for ton for shipping lost. The Government should also give greater freedom to the fleet. . Lord Beresford said that the Foreign Office had entirely taken over the naval policy and had handicapped the Navy's work. "We haYe abandoned our policy of attack, and have substituted defence. The mercantile marine is in great danger, and food and material supplies are in peril. The Admiralty Board must be strengthened by the introduction of new blood, and younger men fresh from sea " Lord Crewe said that it was useless to say that Britain would exact this or that reparation unless she was able to impose terms of peace by obtaining complete victory. _ The only voice which could speak with authority now was the cannon on the Allied fronts. The misdeeds of the submarines were only a small part of the German crimes. There was. the sinking of the Lusitania, the murder of Nurse Cavell, the Fryatt, Belgian and Polish atrocities, but before anj'thing could be done the Allies must have complete victory. The Government was making the necessary preparations to arm the mercantile marine. The Admiralty had singularly successful in the destruction of submarines, but tho (difficulties in dealing with them had. increased.