WAR IN THE AIR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17528, 11 July 1917, Page 7

WAR IN THE AIR.

THE RAID ON.LONDON. DEFENCE MEANS DISCUSSED. A DEMAND FOR REPRISALS. Australian and N.K. Cable Association. LONDON, July 9. Newspapers are hotly debating means for countering the air raids on London. All agree that tho defences are lamentably wanting, and v many demand active reprisals. The Rev Bernard A. Snell. chairman of the Congregational Union, preaching at Brixton; advocated reprisals. The "Daily Chronicle," in urging caution, says that the unarguable objection to reprisals is geographical. There, are no German towns of the first or second rank open to British aeroplane attack. Nevertheless enemy aeroplanes cannot be permitted to hover over London picking targets. The defences must be strengthened, even rt the deplorable cost of limiting .Sir Douglas Haig's resources.

SECRET SESSION OF OOMMONSI • LONDON, July S. The House of Commons will hold a secret session to-night to discuss jM air defences. ' , PRIME MINISTER TO. MAKE -, ; STATEMENT. ; A (Received July 10, 9.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 9. * Mr Bonar Law hi the House of Commons, speaking witii regard to the air raids, said that it was impossible publicly to give information' enabling the House to understand the situation.-He hoped that Mr. Lloyd George would make a statement at a secret sitting.

ENEMY LOSSES.

AMSTERDAM, July 9.

Whereas twenty - German aeroplanes went westward, only ien were returning. ' ~

SATURDAY'S RAID,

GERMANY'S CLAIMS. '. ■■ . 'i. ■'

(Received July 11, 12.20 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, July 9

A semi-official Berjin message states that Saturday's raid was first directed atl storehouses and factories. It alleges that bombs" were dropped s on / docks and the northern bank of the Thames, and that Charing, Cross si*-, tion was hit several times.. ■