SEVERE CHECK PUT UPON SUBMARINE ACTIVITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16848, 13 May 1918, Page 5

SEVERE CHECK PUT UPON SUBMARINE ACTIVITY.

BLOCKED PORTS AND MINE BARRAGE AS IMPEDIMENTS Times. (Received 5.5 p.m.). LONDON, May 11 The naval correspondent of the Times states that the submarines using Belgian ports have certainly been deprived of much freedom of movement. They have been wirelessly instructed not to "return to Zeebrugge or Ostend. If they do otherwise they will find their passage impeded by the new North Sea minefields. It is hoped that before ldng the fulfilment of other plans will cause a decided shrinkage in the tonnage sinkings. United Service. (Received 5.5 p.m.). LONDON. May 11. The Daily Mail says that the new minefields comprise one of the most important undertakings of the war and form a complete barrage of both ends of the North Sea. Submarines are able to penetrate to the Atlantic only by using the edge of Norwegian waters, where the Admiralty is, presumably, taking special measures to deal with the unavoidable gap. , * Australian and N.Z. Cable Associatitm. LONDON. May 10. Although there is no official confirmation of the statement from Switzerland that submarines have been compelled to return to German bases instead of to Zeebrugge, a high naval authority reports that Zeebrugge is still blocked. Considerable aerial activity is maintained by our airships here, which prevents the enemy's clearing operations. - NEW YORK. May 10. Bear-Admiral N. E. Mason v naval expert of the United Press, says that the sinking of the Vindictive, at Ostend was a brilliant exploit. It took the Germans completely unawares, and will force the submarines to use their home bases'. The affair suggests a condition » of demoralisation in the German navy when the British are fulfilling the best traditions of Drake and Nelson.