IDLE ENEMY SHIPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16203, 13 April 1916, Page 5

IDLE ENEMY SHIPS.

ABEAIfGffIENEi FOE TO PROPOSALS TO NEUTRALS,

OWNER'S «EW OF PROBLEM.

Times and Sydney Sun Services. (Received April 12, 5.5 p.m.) '• 'f

London, April 11.

A statement was made in ths House of Commons by Lord Robert Cecil, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, that the Government was considering the question of employing enemy ships sheltering .in neutral ports. Neutral Governments must first decide, taking • into ; consideration the fact that destruction of merchantmen affected neutral trade as'well as that of belligerents. The Government would carefully consider any proposals made by neutrals.

Mr. R. P. Houston, Unionist member for West Toxtetli division of Liverpool and head of the Houston 'line of steamers, interviewed by the Daily Hail, said the shortage of shipping threatened to create the war's most serious problem, on which would depend not merely the price of foodstuffs but whether foodstuffs would be available. ■ The estimate of British marine losses was, 940 ships, representing 3,000,000 tons. Between one-third and one-half of the nation's food:, was brought in neutral ships. ■'• 'If Germany frightened neutrals,' Britain would want all the tonnage left.

Mr. Houston suggested the release of all ships not needed for national service, the restriction by the allies °f neutrals' demands' in order to make them utilise .itemed enemy ships, and the seizure in neui -' waters of a German ship far evety neutral ship sunk. Mr. : Houston indicted the Government for the Admiralty's - waste "-of ' tonnage and Weak handling of, the situation. He mentioned that an expert committee recently investigated the position in the jfeu'ierraneah, but he would be surprised if its report were published because it was .'confirmatory of the contention that the Govern-ment-had allowed a; foolish waste of tonnage. ' : • *'*' '• --