RESUMPTION OF FRIGHTFULNESS URGED.

Northern Advocate, 22 July 1916, Page 3

RESUMPTION OF FRIGHTFULNESS URGED.

HINTS OF IMPORTANT CHANGES

LONDON, July, 20

There has been a remarkable recrudescence of submarine activity". Nearly a dozen vessels have been sunk during the past 24 hours. A' change in German policy has not been announced, but some light is thrown on the matter by the latest German newspapers.'': : The,: Berne correspondent of the London "Morning Post" calls attention to a' semiofficial article in .the Berlin.-news-paper "Lokal Anzeiger," calculated to cheer up. advocates of the former ruthless methods. The article discusses the abrogation of the Declaration of London, and suggests that Britain may use her power to force neutrals to adopt an unfriendly, or, if possible, hostile attitude towards Austria and Germany. That would ultimately mean that all the frontiers of Austria and Germany would be closed. If such a situation arose Germany would probably reconsider the cessation of submarine attacks, which was ordered out of consideration for the United States and other neutrals, with the object of preserve ing friendly feelings towards Germany. In the event of Britain succeeding in inducing neutrals to adopt an attitude of active or passive hostility towards Germany one important reason for the decision to cease torpedoings, arrived at •in th>v spring of. 1916, would cease to exist

•British newspapers consider that in view of the ruthless sinking of merchant vessels-during the past few days it is a reaonable deduction that Germany has decided that Britain is influencing neutrals definitely in favour of the Allies. Some critics are even prepared for greater ruthlessness, and declar e that it is a short step from the seizure and sinking, of neutral vessels to the invasion of surrounding neutral countries, particularly Denmark, with a view to requisitioning supplies.

The "Lokal Anzeiger" further hints at an important secret change concerning submarines which will be of great advantage in the event of Germany being compelled to act ruthlessly. 'It. adds: "The new decision will probably have to be made

soon."

The "Kreuz Zeitung" qualifies this with the announcement that-the decision must be made quickly,' other wise Germany will lose the .best : '.timo A of the year for submarine;' attacks/'.uv.

The Berlin, newspaiper "Neueste Nachrichten" states: —"In our last Note to America we reserved a free hand to torpedo merchant vessels in the event of the United States failing to induce Britain to alter her procedure, which is an infringement of all international law governing neutrals' trade with Germany, but the time to use our free hand has not yet arrived."