NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16760, 29 January 1918, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

THE DEFENCE OF VENICE. Tub measures taken by the allies for the defence of Venice against direct attack were recently described by a correspondent of the Associated Press of America. Countless square miles of desolate marsh land, intersected and cut into numberless islands by sluggish lagoons, and land inundated to the depth of several feet, line after line of stationary batteries of guns of from 3in to ISin in calibre, and deep, muddy trenches filled with men determined that the enemy shall not advance any further —such are the impressive and apparently well-nigh, unassailable defences of Venice, the correspondent wrote. The character of the warfare all along the Lower Piave line, and particularly the methods employed to dofend the " Queen of the Seas" from invasion undoubtedly aro unique, even in this war of novelties. Nature has placed a barrier in the path of tho invader apparently more nearly insurmountable even than the mountains across which the enemy has fought his way, and these natural obstacles have been fortified as probably has no other place in Europe. Floating fortresses, armed with large guns, can slip from point to point, never offering a mark for the invaders and yet always able to bombard the enemy as ho attempts to build pontoon bridges across the Piave River. Engineers have ferreted out every bit of solid mainland in the vast, swampy area north of Venice, where batteries, largo and small, according to the distance from the Austrian lines, have been established. The engineers have cut away the dykes that formerly controlled the water to irrigate the fertile Italian plains, creating a vast lake. Finally, in addition to the foremost infantry lines in the inundated section, big and little batteries aro scattered everywhere and floating monitors constantly are on patrol. The Auptrians have occupied tho entire northern bank of the new Piave, and have reached Santa Donna di Piave, which is about 16J miles north-east of Venice, but tho Italians hold Musilo, 011 the south bank of the river opposite Santa Donna di Piave, and have been able to prevent the Austrians from bringing any heavy artillery up to that point, from which Venice possibly might be bombarded.

LOOK-OUTS FOR SUBMARINES. The Admiralty has taken an Important stop in order to ensure the better protection of British merchant vessels against enemy submarines. Experience has shown that ships which keep a good look-out have the best chance of escape from attack. Officers with full knowledge have come to the conclusion that a merchantman with a well-disciplined crew, efficient look-outs, and an adequate armament has comparatively little to fear from the submarine. Unfortunately, when the campaign began the merchant service was not well disciplined, few ships were armed, and few of them kept mon on the look-out. The merchant service has undergone a great change under the pressure of war. Officers and men have been brought to realise how much depends upon the maintenance of discipline on board ship, and how effective are the steps they can take to protect themselves and their ships. As the First Lord revealed the other day, good progress iB being made in arming merchantmen, and officers and men are being instructed how to act in case of attack. Now a new regulation has been issued under the Defence of the Realm Act which provides that the crew of every vessel of 2500 gross tonnage and upwards must include four men, specially engaged, who will, when required, act as look-outs at the masthead and elsewhere. When in areas in which submarines may bo encountered these look-outs are to be employed solely on their special duty, keeping watch in four watches, each watch to be of not more than two hours. When off watch in these areas they are not to be employed upon any of the ordinary work of the ship. The men must obtain the special Board of Trade certificate as to eyesight. These special look-outs are to be given extra pay at tho rate of 15s a month while tho ship is in areas in which submarines may be mot.